4 weeks agoJapanese first baseman Munetaka Murakami re-signed with the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball for the 2025 season but said that will be his final season in Japan. Murakami will be a popular international free-agent target next offseason. His production has slowed in recent seasons, but he's still been one of the best hitters in Japan. Back in 2022, he hit 56 home runs with a 1.168 OPS. This past season, he slashed .244/.379/.472 with 33 round-trippers for the Swallows. Munetaka swings from the left side of the plate. Since he has not accrued nine years of service in Japan, he will need to be posted by the Swallows in order to pursue an opportunity in MLB next offseason. He will not be subject to international bonus pool restrictions when he is posted, though, since he's set to turn 25 years old this coming February.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Yakyu Cosmopolitan
4 weeks agoSNY's Andy Martino writes that there is a widespread belief among bidders that the Toronto Blue Jays will come in with the highest offer to free-agent superstar outfielder
Juan Soto. However, it's no secret that the New York Yankees and New York Mets are "all in" on Soto, according to a league source. There is also widespread skepticism that Soto would choose the Blue Jays, but a source says that if a team is involved in the final bidding, Soto will be willing to play there. In addition to the Blue Jays, Yankees and Mets, the Boston Red Sox have been heavily involved with the generational talent. The expectation is that Soto's market will begin to pick up now that Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror, and the widespread belief is that he'll choose his next team before the end of the upcoming winter meetings in Texas. Wherever Soto is playing in 2025 and beyond, he'll be a high-end fantasy asset.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: SNY - Andy Martino
4 weeks agoFree-agent veteran left-hander
Matthew Boyd agreed to a two-year, $29 million deal with the Chicago Cubs on Monday. Boyd will make $14.5 million per year plus $1 million in incentives ($500,000 per season). The 33-year-old southpaw was recovering from Tommy John surgery early in 2024 and didn't sign with the Cleveland Guardians until June. When he finally debuted, he was effective on the mound in Cleveland, going 2-2 with a 2.72 ERA (3.29 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP, 46 strikeouts and 13 walks in 39 2/3 frames over his eight starts during the regular season. In the postseason, Boyd was even better, giving up only one run in 12 innings pitched. Although Boyd hasn't made more than 15 regular-season starts in a single season since 2019, he'll give the Cubbies some valuable starting experience for their starting rotation to open the 2025 campaign.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
4 weeks agoFree-agent right-hander
Frankie Montas signed a two-year deal worth $34 million on Sunday with the New York Mets. The deal includes an opt-out clause after the 2025 season and $17 million per year. Montas, 31, comes to the Big Apple after spending the 2024 campaign with the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. He went a combined 7-11 during the regular season with a 4.84 ERA (4.71 FIP), a 1.37 WHIP and a 148:66 K:BB in 150 2/3 innings pitched over 30 starts. Montas, who made just one outing the year prior with the New York Yankees due to injury, was better in Milwaukee with a 4.55 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in his 11 start (57 1/3 innings). The veteran right-hander will fill one of New York's starting rotation spots in 2025 and will look to improve upon his 2024 numbers another year removed from injury. Montas' 28.7% strikeout rate last year was encouraging.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
4 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named left-handed pitcher
Noah Cameron as Kansas City's top pitching prospect of the 2024 season. The Central Arkansas product opened the 2024 season by getting his second extended look at Double-A ball and took a significant step forward as he held a solid 3.63 ERA, with a 1.36 WHIP and a 25:87 BB:K ratio in 74 1/3 innings of work. In 2023, Cameron carried a high 6.10 ERA and 1.56 WHIP at Double-A. The southpaw was then rewarded with a promotion to Triple-A where he continued to progress as he posted a strong 2.32 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 54 1/3 innings of work. He struck out 62 batters during this stretch with just 11 free passes. Given his steady improvement in 2024, Cameron could be in line to make his major league debut sometime in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
4 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named catcher
Blake Mitchell as the Kansas City Royals' top hitting prospect of the 2024 season. Mitchell, who was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, enjoyed a solid first full taste of professional ball. Mitchell spent most of the summer with Single-A and held a .238/.376/.439 slash line. He tallied 16 doubles, 18 home runs, 50 RBI, and an impressive 25 stolen bases. He was one of just two catchers in the minor leagues who hit at least 18 home runs and swiped 18 bases. The other was
Agustin Ramirez of the Marlins. Mitchell then moved up to High-A for his five final games of the season and tallied two hits during this stint. While the 20-year-old's MLB debut is still several seasons away, dynasty managers should continue to view him as a high-end catching prospect.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
4 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named outfielder
Johnathan Rodriguez Cleveland's top hitting prospect of the 2024 campaign. Rodriguez, the No.12 ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com, spent most of his season with Triple-A Columbus before getting a brief taste of the big leagues. Through 117 games at Triple-A, the 25-year-old carried a stellar .301/.390/.540 slash line with 18 doubles, 29 home runs, 94 RBI, and eight stolen bases. This was a steady improvement from the .280 AVG and 11 home runs he hit at Triple-A during the 2023 season. In the majors, the former third-round selection posted an underwhelming .129/.325/.161 line through a small 13-game stint. Fantasy managers in deeper five-outfielder leagues should pay attention to his development during Spring Training as he could contend for a spot on the Opening Day Roster.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
4 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named right-handed pitcher Cam Schlittler as the New York Yankees' top pitching prospect of the 2024 season. The Northeastern product opened the campaign by getting his first extended look at High-A ball and held his own as he posted a 2.60 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 86 2/3 innings of work. In addition, he struck out 108 batters with 38 walks. He then earned the call to Double-A, where he continued to showcase high strikeout upside (43 strikeouts in 32 1/3 frames) but saw his ratios climb to a 4.45 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. The 23-year-old capped off his season by getting a one-game taste of Triple-A but struggled in it as he allowed four runs in his lone start. While the No.25 ranked prospect in the Bronx struggled in the upper levels, he showed solid progression and is worth watching in dynasty formats, given his strikeout potential.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
4 weeks agoAccording to senior MLB writer Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, free-agent outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez is "expected" to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Earlier this offseason, Hernandez declined the qualifying offer, but that does not rule out a reunion, as a long-term extension could be in the works. Hernandez performed very well in his debut season in Los Angeles, as he posted a strong .272/.339/.501 slash line with 32 doubles, 33 home runs, 99 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. While he did carry a hefty 28.8% strikeout rate, he hit the ball very hard at an impressive 46.8% mark, which placed him in the top 81st percentile among qualified hitters. During the postseason, Hernandez held a solid .250/.352/.417 line with three long balls. Fantasy managers should closely monitor where Hernandez signs, as a reunion with Los Angeles could provide him with elite scoring opportunities once again in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ken Rosenthal
4 weeks agoMinnesota Twins outfield prospect
Emmanuel Rodriguez (thumb) will have a "real chance" to contribute in the major leagues in 2025, according to Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll. Zoll spoke on Sirius XM MLB Radio and noted that the top prospect underwent a minor thumb procedure late last summer and will likely begin the season in St. Paul. However, Zoll said that if he starts off well, he should be in a great position to debut sometime this upcoming season. The No.2 prospect in the Minnesota system and No.21 overall on MLB.com spent most of 2024 with Double-A and held an excellent .298/.479/.621 line with 12 doubles, eight home runs, and nine stolen bases. He then appeared in nine games at Triple-A St. Paul before suffering his season-ending injury. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should pay close attention to his progress during Spring Training, as he may only require a minor tune-up at Triple-A before heading to Minnesota.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network Radio
4 weeks agoRight-handed pitcher
Hunter Dobbins was named MLB Pipeline's top pitching prospect of the Boston system of the 2024 season. Dobbins opened the summer by getting his second extended look at Double-A ball. Through 105 frames, Dobbins posted a solid 3.17 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with a 39:98 BB:K ratio. This was a nice improvement compared to the 4.27 ERA and 1.33 WHIP he held at Double-A in 2023. The Texas Tech product then logged his final 20 2/3 innings of the campaign at the Triple-A level and held a strong 2.61 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. He struck out 22 batters and served up just nine free passes. Given his gradual improvement at Double-A, fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue monitoring Dobbins at the start of the 2025 season. He may only need a slight fine-tuning at Triple-A before reaching the big leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
4 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named first baseman/catcher
Ben Rice New York's top hitting prospect of the 2024 season. Rice opened the summer by getting his second look at Double-A and performed quite well as he posted a .261/.382/.511 line with 13 home runs across 49 games. The 25-year-old then earned the call to Triple-A and continued to showcase his upside power as he hit another 12 long balls in a smaller 30-game stint and carried an impressive .661 SLG. The Dartmouth product then spent most of the remainder of the season in the major leagues. Rice got off to a hot start, launching seven home runs across his first 35 games. However, he then struggled over his last 15 contests, where he tallied just two total hits. Fantasy managers should closely monitor who the Yankees bring in during free agency, as Rice could compete for the starting first base job during Spring Training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
4 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named second baseman/outfielder
Kristian Campbell Boston's top hitting prospect of the 2024 season. Campbell, the No. 3 ranked prospect in the system and No.10 overall, began his 2024 season with his second look at High-A. Through 40 games, Campbell posted a .306/.418/.558 line with 13 doubles and eight home runs. He then earned the call to Double-A Portland, where he hit for an even better .362/.463/.582 line with 17 home runs and three home runs across 56 contests. The Georgia Tech product then ended his 2024 season by getting a brief 19-game taste of Triple-A. With Worcester, the 22-year-old held a .286/.412/.486 slash line. Given his steady improvement at each level of the minor leagues, Campbell should have a good opportunity to contend for a mid-season major league debut in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
4 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named outfielder
Chandler Simpson Tampa Bay's top-hitting prospect of the 2024 campaign. Simpson opened the season by getting his second look at High-A ball. However, he needed only 32 games to prove he was ready to move up to Double-A after posting a stellar .364/.431/.372 slash line. In his first 78 games with Double-A Montgomery, Simpson continued to showcase his elite hitting skills, as he posted a .351/.401/.407 slash line. In addition to his elite contact skills, Simpson also stole a remarkable 104 basses across 110 games last summer. However, he has yet to showcase any true power and has hit just one home run throughout his entire minor-league career. Given his strong production in his first look at the Double-A level, the No. 4-ranked prospect in Tampa Bay could spend most of the 2025 season at Triple-A.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
4 weeks agoMLB Pipeline named third baseman
Coby Mayo Baltimore's top-hitting prospect of the 2024 season. Mayo, who is currently considered the top prospect in Baltimore and No.8 overall, posted a strong .287/.364/.562 slash line across 89 games at Triple-A Norfolk. Mayo launched 23 doubles, 22 home runs, and 67 RBI in this span, with a 40:97 BB:K ratio. This was Mayo's second extended look at the top level of the minors, as he logged 62 games at this level during the 2023 campaign. Mayo was then rewarded with a big league promotion later in the summer but struggled to adjust as he held an underwhelming .098/.196/.098 line with no extra-base hits. Given his stellar performance at Triple-A, his brief slump at the majors presents an intriguing buy-low window in dynasty formats. Fantasy managers should closely monitor his progress during Spring Training as he could make the 2025 Opening Day Roster.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
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