4 weeks agoShortstop
Brandon Crawford officially announced his retirement from professional baseball on Wednesday on his Instagram account. It ends a successful 14-year major-league career that saw Crawford win two World Series with the San Francisco Giants while also being named to three All-Star teams. The 37-year-old spent the first 13 years of his career with the Giants before ending it in 2024 with the St. Louis Cardinals after he hit .169 in 28 games. Crawford was originally a fourth-round pick by the Gigantes in 2008 out of UCLA. Perhaps his best season came in 2021, when he had a career-highs in batting average (.298), home runs (24), RBI (90) and stolen bases (11). He won his first World Series ring in 2012 in his second year in the league. In addition to being steady with the bat, Crawford won four Gold Gloves in his career and finishes with a .249/.318/.395 career slash line and .713 OPS in 1,682 games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: FOX Sports
4 weeks agoWith the Los Angeles Dodgers signing left-hander
Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal on Tuesday night, USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reports that the Boston Red Sox are now focusing on free-agent lefty
Max Fried to upgrade their starting rotation this offseason. In addition to Fried, the BoSox are reportedly upping their efforts to land free-agent superstar outfielder
Juan Soto, so Boston appears to be quite serious about opening up their wallet this winter. Fried, who has been an All-Star for the Atlanta Braves in two of the last three seasons, bounced back health-wise in 2024 to go 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA (3.33 FIP), a 1.16 WHIP and 166:57 K:BB in 174 1/3 innings over 29 regular-season starts. Fried isn't a huge strikeout guy and relies more on inducing ground balls, so a move to a bad defensive team in the Red Sox in the tough AL East might not be the best landing spot for fantasy purposes.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
4
weeks
agoFree-agent
left-hander
Blake
Snell
will
stay
in
the
National
League
West
after
agreeing
to
a
five-year,
$182
million
deal
on
Tuesday
night
with
the
Los
Angeles
Dodgers,
according
to
sources.
The
deal
is
pending
a
physical.
It's
the
first
nine-figure
deal
of
the
MLB
read more...
4 weeks agoAccording to sources, the Boston Red Sox are stepping up their efforts to land free-agent superstar outfielder
Juan Soto and are trying to sell him on his fit in Beantown. Boston's best hitters in franchise history have mostly been left-handers, and Soto is coming off his best full season in his first year with the division-rival New York Yankees. However, his road OPS was 57 points higher than in the Bronx. Defensively, if Boston were to pry him away from their bitter rivals, Soto would likely shift from right field to left field at Fenway Park. The 26-year-old Dominican is expected to sign a deal worth more than 10 years and possibly more than $600 million. Spending that kind of money would be a major shift from the Red Sox's strategy in recent seasons, but perhaps they're fed up with just one playoff appearance in the last six seasons, including three last-place finishes in the AL East.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman and Mark W. Sanchez
4 weeks agoKorean second baseman Hyeseong Kim said the process of him being posted for major-league clubs this offseason will begin after Thanksgiving this Thursday, at which point he will travel to the United States. The Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization, who hold Kim's rights, are expected to announce a posting decision sometime early next week. The 25-year-old infielder (26 in January) is the former middle-infield partner of current free-agent infielder
Ha-Seong Kim and has hit an impressive .321/.381/.418 from the left side of the plate in Korea over the last four seasons. While he makes plenty of contact and has the ability to hit for a high average, he doesn't bring much power to the table, although he did have a career-high 11 round-trippers in 2024. In addition to his bat-to-ball skills, Kim has plus speed and is a solid defender up the middle.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Yonhap News - Jeeho Yoo
4 weeks agoThe Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization announced on Monday that they officially signed former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Yasiel Puig to a $1 million deal. The club also added
Ruben Cardenas for $450,000 ($150,000 in incentives) and pitcher
Kenny Rosenberg ($700,000 with $100,000 in incentives). The 33-year-old Puig will leave his winter league team in Venezuela as a result. He has not played in the big leagues since 2019, when he hit .267 with 24 home runs and 84 RBI in 149 games with the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians. The Cuban star hit .279 with 108 homers and 331 RBI in six seasons with the Dodgers, finishing second in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2013. Puig played in 126 games with Kiwoom in 2022 and hit .277 with 21 homers and 73 RBI. Multiple sexual-assault allegations and illegal sports-betting allegations effectively ended his tenure in MLB.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MyKBO.net - Dan Kurtz
4 weeks agoThe Cleveland Guardians re-signed outfielder
George Valera (knee) to a minor-league deal on Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training next year. Valera was non-tendered by the team last Friday but quickly has rejoined the organization. The 24-year-old underwent surgery on his right knee in September and therefore will probably be unavailable for the start of spring training and the start of next season. In all likelihood, he will be assigned to Triple-A Columbus in 2025 when he's fully recovered from his knee surgery. Valera spent the entire 2024 season at Columbus, slashing .248/.337/.452 with a .789 OPS, 17 home runs, 50 RBI, six stolen bases and 51 runs scored in 90 games and 374 trips to the plate. He sports a .243/.358/.452 career slash line with 80 homers and 273 RBI in his six minor-league seasons.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: GuardsInsider
4 weeks agoSt. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado is willing to play first base or less third base to create roster flexibility for a potential new team as the Cardinals contemplate trading him this offseason, according to league sources briefed on the situation. A few teams have expressed interest in Arenado, and talks are likely to intensify with the annual winter meetings approaching in early December. There is growing sense in the industry that the 33-year-old eight-time All-Star will be moved. Arenado has not demanded a trade but was open to the idea when approached by president of baseball operations John Mozeliak as the team shifts its focus to developing their young players in 2025. Arenado will turn 34 in April and has shown signs of offensive decline the last two seasons. However, his defense remains superior. Per sources, Arenado will only waive his full no-trade clause to play for a contender.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Katie Woo
4 weeks agoTexas Rangers outfielder
Evan Carter (back) has resumed swinging a bat this offseason, according to the team, and is expected to be ready for the start of spring training in mid-February without restrictions. It's excellent news for Carter, who was limited to only 45 games in 2024 due to back issues. The 22-year-old youngster eventually needed an ablation procedure in October to remove tissue from his back, but apparently he's recovered nicely and should be ready for Opening Day in 2025, barring a setback. The former second-round pick in 2020 burst onto the scene in 2023 and hit .306 (19-for-62) with five homers and 12 RBI in 23 regular-season games and was a lineup mainstay during the club's World Series run that fall. He went 27-for-144 (.188) with five homers and 15 RBI in 45 games in 2024 before being shut down. Carter is going to need to improve against lefties in 2025 to keep a regular role.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
4 weeks agoTexas Rangers third baseman
Josh Jung (wrist) is expected to be ready for spring training in mid-February without restrictions, according to the team. Jung missed the vast majority of the 2024 season with another injury, this time a right-wrist injury that required a second surgery in early October. The Rangers are hoping he can return to the All-Star form he had in 2023 after fracturing his wrist early this season. The 26-year-old right-handed slugger batted .266 (127-for-478) with 23 home runs and 70 RBI in his first full season in the majors in 2023 but only appeared in 46 games this year, batting .264/.298/.421 with a .719 OPS, seven home runs and 16 RBI in 188 plate appearances. In addition to his wrist issues this year, Jung missed around six weeks with a thumb injury in 2023 and has played in just 168 of 324 possible regular-season games the last two years. He's a risk/reward fantasy asset.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
4 weeks agoTexas Rangers outfielder
Adolis Garcia (knee) has resumed running this offseason and is expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training in mid-February, barring any setbacks. Garcia didn't require surgery on his left knee, but his 2024 campaign ended early due to a sprained patellar tendon. The 31-year-old Cuban outfielder made his second All-Star team in 2023 and then led the Rangers to their first-ever World Series title by setting career-highs in home runs (39), RBI (107) and runs scored (108) in 148 regular-season games. Garcia took a big step back in 2024, slashing .224/.284/.400 with a below-average .684 OPS, 25 homers, 85 RBI, 11 steals, 68 runs scored and 177 strikeouts in 637 plate appearances over 154 games played. It's good news that he should be fully recovered from his knee injury heading into the 2025 season as he looks to bounce back as a high-end power bat for fantasy managers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: RangersToday.com - Jeff Wilson
4 weeks agoTexas Rangers shortstop
Corey Seager (hernia) is nearing full baseball activities this offseason. Seager needed surgery for a sports hernia in September but is now close to being cleared for all baseball activities. Barring a setback once he begins ramping up, the 30-year-old two-time World Series MVP should be ready to go without restrictions for the start of spring training in the middle of February. The five-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year reached the 30-homer mark for the third straight season in Texas in 2024, and although he wasn't quite as good as he was the previous season when he guided the Rangers to their first World Series title in franchise history, he still hit a strong .278/.353/.512 with an .864 OPS, 30 homers, 74 RBI and 68 runs scored in 123 games played. When healthy, Seager is among the high-end fantasy options at short, but he's also an injury risk.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: RangersToday.com - Jeff Wilson
4 weeks agoUSA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks are shopping left-handed starter
Jordan Montgomery and are also listening to offers on outfielders
Jake McCarthy and
Alek Thomas this offseason. It was a rough season for Montgomery in 2024 after not making his debut with the Snakes until April 19 due to injury. Coming off a World Series title with the Texas Rangers the previous fall, the 31-year-old southpaw finished with an 8-7 record, bloated 6.23 ERA (4.48 FIP), 1.65 WHIP, 83 strikeouts and 44 walks in 117 innings over his 25 appearances (21 starts). Montgomery exercised his $22.5 million player option to stick around in the desert in 2025, but the D-backs are looking for ways to get out of that. McCarthy, meanwhile, hit a career-best .285 with eight homers, a career-high 56 RBI and 25 steals in a career-high 142 games in his fourth MLB season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
4 weeks agoThe Milwaukee Brewers plan to keep closer
Devin Williams until at least the All-Star break in the summer of 2025 before re-evaluating whether to keep him or trade him. The Brewers declined Williams' $10 million club option for next season but remains with Milwaukee as he heads into his final year of arbitration eligibility. A back injury kept the 30-year-old right-handed reliever out for the entire first half of 2024, but when he returned in late July, he was one of the best ninth-inning men in the league. Williams had a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 14 saves, 38 strikeouts and 11 walks in 21 2/3 innings pitched during the regular season. As long as he stays with the Brew Crew, he should be considered an elite closing option for fantasy managers. Whether Milwaukee trades him next summer will depend on where they stand record-wise and Williams' trade market.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
4 weeks agoUSA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reports that the Toronto Blue Jays badly covet free-agent outfielder
Anthony Santander and could overpay to get him. Toronto has been the American League's most underachieving team in recent years and haven't won a playoff game since 2016. They are heading into a critical 2025 season with president Mark Shapiro in the final year of his contract and with
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and
Bo Bichette in their final seasons before reaching free agency. They would have to dramatically outbid the New York Mets for outfielder
Juan Soto, and the same can probably be said for free-agent pitchers
Corbin Burnes and
Max Fried. Santander, who had a career year in 2024 with the Baltimore Orioles with 44 long balls and 102 RBI, would remain highly coveted in fantasy with a move to Toronto to stay in the AL East.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
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