4
weeks
agoThe
Philadelphia
Phillies
have
spoken
about
third
baseman
Alec
Bohm
and
outfield
prospect
Justin
Crawford
in
extensive
trade
talks
with
the
Chicago
White
Sox
for
left-handed
starter
Garrett
Crochet,
but
read more...
4 weeks agoDespite being a cash cow in one of the largest markets in baseball, the Chicago Cubs are focusing on mid-market players this offseason and are probably out on outfielder
Juan Soto and starting pitchers
Corbin Burnes,
Max Fried and
Blake Snell. However, their plans could change if they are able to unload the bloated contract of first baseman/outfielder
Cody Bellinger. They've been offering Bellinger to everyone, but so far, nobody has expressed much interest. Bellinger hit .266 with 18 home runs, 78 RBI and a .751 OPS in 2024 and is owed $27.5 million in 2025, $1.5 million more than
Bryce Harper. He's guaranteed a minimum of $32.5 million through 2025 and $52.5 million if he stays through 2026. "Come on," one general manager said, "who's going to touch that contract? The risk is just too great for the production."
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
4 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Dodgers have been the heavy favorites to land Japanese pitching sensation Roki Sasaki for the past year, but the division-rival San Diego Padres have quiet confidence that they'll have a shot with veteran right-hander
Yu Darvish being a mentor and close friend of Sasaki's. Agent Joel Wolfe has denied their is already a deal in place for his client to go to LA, but Sasaki could have the decision of going to San Diego to become the team's ace or chasing riches in Hollywood while being the third-most popular Japanese player with the Dodgers behind
Shohei Ohtani and
Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The 23-year-old has been compared to a peak
Jacob deGrom, giving him tons of fantasy upside right away when he makes his MLB debut in 2025. In addition to the Dodgers and Padres, the Cubs, Rangers, Blue Jays, Rays and Yankees are potential landing spots for Sasaki.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
4
weeks
agoUSA
TODAY's
Bob
Nightengale
writes
that
the
Boston
Red
Sox
are
talking
a
big
game
this
offseason
and
plan
to
be
involved
in
the
bidding
for
all
of
the
top
free
agents.
They
have
missed
the
postseason
three
straight
years
and
have
last-place
finishes
in
the
tough
American
read more...
4 weeks agoMLB executives believe that the New York Mets are the clear-cut favorites to sign free-agent outfielder
Juan Soto, simply because nobody thinks anyone will outbid owner Steve Cohen, possibly before the winter meetings end in early December. The Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox are the only serious suitors for Soto. The Phillies haven't had a single conversation with agent Scott Boras to date. ESPN's Buster Olney reports that teams involved with Soto will start forwarding him offers this week, according to sources. The 26-year-old generational talent is expected to sign a deal for 10-plus years and potentially over $600 million after posting a career-high 41 home runs and a league-leading 128 runs scored in his first year with the Yankees in 2024 while helping them advance to the World Series. It's believed that Soto would prefer to stay on the East coast as well.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
4 weeks agoFree-agent left-hander
Yusei Kikuchi signed a three-year, $63 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. The Angels continue to be the most aggressive team early in free agency this offseason. Kikuchi gives the Halos a much-needed addition to their starting rotation for 2025 and beyond. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw went a combined 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA (3.46 FIP), a 1.20 WHIP and 206:44 K:BB in 175 2/3 innings over 32 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros in 2024. He was much better down the stretch in Houston after being acquired at the trade deadline, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 10 starts. The Japanese hurler had a career-best 31.8% strikeout rate and career-low 5.9% walk rate to help his cause and will look to continue that success in 2025 in his new digs in southern California.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
1 month agoThe San Diego Padres have non-tendered right-handed pitcher
Luis Patino, according to the team. Patino underwent Tommy John surgery last April, which will sideline him for likely the entire first half of the 2025 campaign. In 2023, Patino logged 21 2/3 innings to the tune of a 4.57 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. Patino has bounced between both the rotation and bullpen throughout his major league career. He logged a career-high in innings (77 1/3) during the 2021 season and held a 4.31 and a 1.27 WHIP during this campaign. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should monitor Patino's progression while he recovers from Tommy John, as he could have a path to operating as a starting pitcher during the second half of the 2025 campaign with his new club.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
1 month agoThe San Diego Padres have non-tendered outfielder
Bryce Johnson and shortstop
Mason McCoy, according to the team. Johnson appeared in 47 games at the major league level last season and posted a .206/.286/.238 line and hit just two extra-base hits. With Triple-A El Paso, Johnson carried a solid .288/.407/.431 line across 74 games. McCoy appeared in only 19 games in the big leagues in 2024 and posted a .204/.278/.245 line. In Triple-A, McCoy held a .260/.329/.382 slash line. While both players have shown potential at the top level of the minors before, they have yet to earn a consistent opportunity in the major leagues. Fantasy managers should expect both players to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster during Spring Training with their new club.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
1 month agoAccording to Maddie Lee of the Sun Times, right-hander
Keegan Thompson and the Chicago Cubs have agreed on a contract to avoid salary arbitration. Thompson battled injuries in 2024 but flashed solid potential when he was on the major-league mound. Across 30 1/3 innings on the Northside, the right-hander posted a strong 2.67 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP with two saves. Thompson generated an excellent 28.3% strikeout rate but struggled with control as he held a rough 14.2% walk rate. With Triple-A Iowa, Thompson posted a 2.96 ERA and a 0.91 ERA in 27 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should monitor Thompson's development during spring training, as he could eventually become a candidate to operate as a high-leverage option given the upside he has flashed at times.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Maddie Lee
1 month agoThe Tampa Bay Rays have non-tendered left-handed pitcher
Richard Lovelady's contract, according to the team. Lovelady opened the 2024 campaign with the Chicago Cubs and eventually moved over to Tampa Bay. Across 34 1/3 cumulative innings in the big leagues, the southpaw held a 4.46 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. He carried a weak 17.7% K rate and a 46.3% hard-hit rate. However, he did generate a strong 51.9% ground ball rate which was significantly above the average marks. Through 22 innings in Triple-A, Lovelady posted a 4.09 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Lovelady to continue to operate as a middle relief option out of the bullpen in 2025 if he can find a potential suitor.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Rays Communications
1 month agoRelief pitcher
Erik Swanson and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed on a one-year contract to avoid arbitration, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Swanson struggled last season as he posted a rough 5.03 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 39 1/3 frames. In 2023, Swanson was one of the top options in the Toronto bullpen, and carried a strong 2.97 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. This past summer, Swanson saw his hard-hit rate jump up ten points and barrel rate double compared to his 2023 production. In addition, he saw his K rate drop by six points. Even though he struggled in 2024, fantasy managers in holds leagues should consider targeting Swanson late in drafts this offseason, as he will likely return to his typical eighth-inning role.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Shi Davidi
1 month agoAccording to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Chicago Cubs have non-tendered relief pitcher
Adbert Alzolay, which will send him to free agency. Alzolay opened the 2024 season as the Cubs closer but struggled as he posted a 4.67 ERA and 1.44 WHIP and tallied only four saves while blowing five opportunities. He was then optioned to Triple-A Iowa and eventually had to undergo Tommy John surgery. His recovery process will keep him sidelined through all of the 2025 campaign. As a result, fantasy managers in keeper and dynasty formats do not need to hold the 29-year-old on their roster, as he is at least an entire season away from returning to the mound. In addition, given his unstable production as a closer, he may only find a middle-relief role with a potential suitor in 2026.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Feinsand
1 month agoRight-handed pitcher
Jose Ruiz and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration. Ruiz spent the past season operating out of the bullpen and held a 3.71 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, with a 17:52 BB:K ratio in 51 innings of work. He also tallied one save. Under the hood, the 30-year-old generated a 27.6% whiff rate and 24.0% K rate, which were both slightly above average. However, he struggled to limit hard contact at a 42.2% rate. Fantasy managers in holds leagues should monitor where Ruiz is deployed in 2025 as he could eventually earn a permanent role as a high-leverage option. However, given his lack of experience as a closer, he should not be projected to see any save situations early on.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Philadelphia Phillies
1 month agoThe Philadelphia Phillies and catcher
Garrett Stubbs have agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration. Stubbs has operated as the No. 2 catcher in Philadelphia over the past three seasons and will likely remain in that role in 2025. During this span, Stubbs posted a .222/.305/.324 line with seven home runs, 39 RBI, and nine stolen bases. Last summer, Stubbs struggled in the batter's box as he held an underwhelming .192 xBA, 9.6% hard-hit rate, and 26.7% K rate. Given this extension, fantasy managers should expect
J.T. Realmuto to continue to operate as the workhorse behind the dish and see the vast majority of starts. Stubbs is best left for a high-risk play in favorable matchups in DFS formats in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Philadelphia Phillies
1 month agoThe Chicago Cubs and relief pitcher
Eli Morgan have reached a contract agreement to avoid arbitration. Morgan was acquired by the Cubs on Wednesday from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for outfield prospect
Alfonsin Rosario. Last summer in Cleveland, Morgan posted a stellar 1.93 ERA and 0.98 WHIP across 42 innings. Morgan was typically deployed as middle relief but did see several opportunities in the seventh inning in high-leverage relief. Under the hood, the right-hander boated a stellar 2.51 xERA, .200 xBA, 2.5% barrel rate, and 28.1% hard-hit rate, which were all significantly above the average marks. In addition, he showed strong command with a 6.6% walk rate. Fantasy managers should expect Morgan to have a high-leverage role with the upside to earn save opportunities in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Cubs
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