6 days agoCincinnati Reds infielder
Matt McLain went 3-for-5 with three RBI, a run scored, and stole his first base of the Arizona Fall League on Thursday while manning second base for the Glendale Desert Dogs. The 25-year-old is getting back into the swing of things after missing all of the 2024 regular season due to injury. Through 50 AFL at-bats, McLain is hitting .240 with a pair of doubles and four home runs. When last healthy, the former first-round draft pick put up a .290-16-50-65-14 line in just 89 games in 2023 and could be an under-the-radar value in 2025 fantasy drafts, although it is unclear whether he or former Rookie of the Year
Jonathan India will be playing second base for Cincinnati. If McLain were to gain OF eligibility, a position which he's played a little in the AFL, it could make him even more useful for fantasy.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoKansas City Royals first base prospect
Jac Caglianone went 2-for-5 with a double and a home run in Thursday's Arizona Fall League (AFL) game for the Surprise Saguaros, finishing the day with three RBI and two runs scored. The 2024 sixth-overall draft pick has hit four doubles, five home runs, and has the third-most RBI (21) in the circuit, but has also struck out 19 times compared to just eight walks, leading to a .236 BA. Still, it's a solid performance for the 21-year-old who had just 126 professional plate appearances at High-A prior to the AFL campaign. Caglianone is the Royals' top prospect and is ranked 17th overall per MLB.com, but is still a couple of years away from an MLB debut. Dynasty managers will want to keep a close eye on how he performs in his sophomore season to make sure he's on track with lofty expectations.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoCleveland Guardians outfield prospect
Chase DeLauter went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, a walk, two RBI, and a run scored on Thursday in the final regular season game of the Arizona Fall League (AFL) for the Surprise Saguaros. The former first-round draft pick is slashing .350/.475/.511 with five doubles, a home run, and a strong 12:6 BB:K in 12 AFL games. The 23-year-old missed most of the 2024 regular season due to complications from a previous foot injury but hit well in his return and is getting some extra reps in the AFL with an 2025 MLB debut likely on the horizon. Fantasy managers should be keeping an eye on his spring performance as the left-handed hitter offers good power and a keen eye that should translate to the majors.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoThe New York Yankees signed free-agent right-hander
Jordany Ventura to a minor-league deal on Thursday and assigned him to Double-A Somerset to begin the 2025 season. The 24-year-old New York Mets prospect pitched for Single-A St. Lucie, High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton in 2024 in the Mets organization and held a strong 2.96 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 55 strikeouts and 20 walks in 48 2/3 innings over 22 appearances (four starts). The Dominican hurler debuted in the minors with the Mets in 2018 and has posted a 3.98 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 231:131 K:BB in 219 1/3 innings over his 69 appearances (45 starts) over his five seasons on the farm. Ventura will now pitch for the crosstown Yankees and will hope to make it to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes/Barre before the end of 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
6 days agoFree-agent left-hander
Jack O'Loughlin signed a minor-league deal with the Colorado Rockies on Thursday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. The Australian native made his major-league debut in 2024 with the Athletics but only made four appearances out of the bullpen, giving up five earned runs on 13 hits (one homer) while walking five and striking out six in 9 2/3 innings pitched. The 24-year-old southpaw went 3-5 at Triple-A Las Vegas with a 6.04 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, 80 strikeouts and 34 walks in 73 innings over 32 outings (10 starts) in the minors. The Rockies can always use pitching, so O'Loughlin has a good shot to see time in the big leagues again in 2025, potentially in a swing role between the bullpen and starting rotation. However, O'Loughlin isn't on the fantasy radar and could begin the year at Triple-A Albuquerque.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
6 days agoNew York Mets shortstop prospect
Jett Williams (ankle) left Thursday's regular-season Arizona Fall League contest after crashing into the outfield fence and is dealing with a right-ankle sprain. Although there is no word on severe it is, team officials are optimistic it won't be a big issue for Williams the rest of the offseason. The club's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, hit .225 (18-for-80) with two homers, nine RBI, seven steals and 15 runs scored in the AFL for Scottsdale and should be ready to go for the start of next season in the minors. The 21-year-old had right-wrist surgery in early June and played in only 33 games across three minor-league levels, ultimately reaching Triple-A Syracuse, in 2024. The 5-foot-6 infielder is currently blocked at SS by
Francisco Lindor at the MLB level, but the Mets could move him to the outfield in order to make his big-league debut late next season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
6 days agoLos Angles Angels catcher
Matt Thaiss was designated for assignment after the club added veteran catcher
Travis d'Arnaud on a one-year deal in free agency earlier this week. If Thaiss isn't picked up off waivers by another club, he'll have the option of returning to the Angels or choosing free agency. The 29-year-old was the 16th overall pick in 2016 out of the University of Virginia, but he never lived up to his draft stock. Thaiss hit only .204/.323/.299 with two home runs, 16 RBI and three stolen bases in 57 games played in 2024 while serving in a backup role behind
Logan O'Hoppe. In his six seasons with the Halos, O'Hoppe had a .208/.313/.342 slash line with a weak .655 OPS, 22 homers, 79 RBI and six stolen bases. He'll likely latch on with another team, potentially on a minor-league deal, but Thaiss' ceiling these days is probably as a second-string catcher.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Times - Bill Shaikin
6 days agoInfielder
Scott Kingery agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, avoiding salary arbitration, according to a source. Kingery was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies on Nov. 1 and will head to spring training in February with the Angels hoping to win an Opening Day roster spot as infield depth with
Zach Neto (shoulder) questionable to be ready for the start of the year after undergoing shoulder surgery. The 30-year-old former second-round pick of the Phillies in 2015 out of the University of Arizona will be a long shot to return any fantasy value in 2025, especially with the Angels. He didn't play at all in the big leagues in 2024 and was active for only 16 combined games in Philly in 2021 and 2022.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
7 days agoThe Chicago White Sox announced that infield prospect
Alexander Albertus (leg) recently had surgery to reset a fracture in his left tibia. It was announced back in late July that Albertus wouldn't play again after suffering a stress reaction in his left tibia. The injury wasn't considered all that serious, though, and the White Sox are still expecting him to be ready for spring training in February. The 20-year-was acquired in a three-team trade earlier this year that involved the Dodgers and Cardinals. MLB Pipeline has Albertus listed as Chicago's No. 14 prospect. In 51 games with the Dodgers in the Arizona Complex League and at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga before his injury, Albertus hit .298/.420/.409 with an .828 OPS, three homers, 42 RBI and six steals. Because of his injury setback this year, Albertus is unlikely to make his MBL debut in Chicago until 2027.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - James Fegan
7 days agoThe Atlanta Braves signed free-agent catcher
Yohel Pozo to a minor-league deal on Wednesday. Pozo will give the Braves additional catching depth entering the 2025 season after they saw
Travis d'Arnaud leave for the Los Angeles Angels in free agency earlier this week. Pozo made his major-league debut back in 2021 with the Texas Rangers and hasn't resurfaced in the Show since. In his 21 games played in the big leagues, he's gone 21-for-74 (.284) with a homer, nine RBI and eight runs scored. The 27-year-old Venezuelan backstop has been swinging a hot bat in the minor leagues ever since, including a .324/.335/.538 slash line with an .873 OPS, 15 home runs and 54 RBI at Las Vegas, the Triple-A affiliate for the A's, in 2024.
Sean Murphy will be Atlanta's primary catcher in 2025 with
Chadwick Tromp likely backing him up.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 days agoThe Atlanta Braves signed free-agent third baseman
Charles Leblanc to a minor-league deal on Wednesday. Leblanc will give the Braves additional infield depth entering spring training in February. The 28-year-old Canadian infielder has experience at second base, third base and first base. The former fourth-round selection by the Texas Rangers in 2016 out of the University of Pittsburgh made his major-league debut in 2022 with the Miami Marlins and also saw action in 11 games with the Los Angeles Angels this past season. In his 59 career games at the MLB level, he has hit .254/.330/.412 with a .742 OPS, six home runs, 17 RBI, four stolen bases and 24 runs scored in 197 trips to the plate. Leblanc hit .254 (86-for-339) with 12 long balls, 52 RBI, four steals and 56 runs scored in 98 games with Triple-A Salt Lake in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 days agoFree-agent left-handed reliever
Justin Wilson agreed to an undisclosed deal one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, according to sources familiar with the deal. Wilson missed all of 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and returned this past season to make 60 relief appearances for the Cincinnati Reds, posting a career-worst 5.59 ERA (4.73 FIP), two saves, a 1.46 WHIP, 51 strikeouts and 13 walks in 46 2/3 innings pitched. The 37-year-old veteran southpaw will be hoping for better results in 2025 with Boston as another left-handed option out of the bullpen for the BoSox alongside
Brennan Bernardino. In Wilson's last full season with the Reds and New York Yankees, he held a 5.29 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 34 relief innings. He will not be on the fantasy radar at all next spring.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: FanSided - Robert Murray
7 days agoThe Tampa Bay Rays are planning to play their home games during the 2025 season at Tampa's Steinbrenner Field, where the New York Yankees play their spring training games. The move comes after Hurricane Milton tore the roof of Tropicana Field on Oct. 9. Steinbrenner Field seats 11,000 as also serves as the home of the Yankees' Single-A team, the Tampa Tarpons. Tampa will remain in Port Charlotte, Florida, for spring training. Tropicana Field is expected to cost $55.7 million to repair in time for the 2026 season. Steinbrenner Field is not as deep in the gaps as Tropicana Field and is shorter down the line in right field, which may give hitters an advantage in 2025 compared to Tropicana Field. Tropicana Field has been a bit more pitcher-friendly over the years, but Tampa's temporary location next season might not be as favorable for pitchers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
7 days agoThe Los Angeles Angels stayed busy early this offseason and agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with free-agent infielder
Kevin Newman on Thursday. The deal includes a club option for the 2026 season.
Zach Neto is the Angels' starting shortstop, but Newman will provide insurance for the team at the position for the start of next season after Neto underwent offseason shoulder surgery. The 31-year-old veteran won't have much fantasy appeal outside of AL-only leagues, though, even if he's the team's starter at the 6 on Opening Day. In 111 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024, Newman hit .278/.311/.375 with a below-average .686 OPS, only three home runs, 28 RBI, eight stolen bases and 41 runs scored in 311 plate appearances. He has only had double-digit home runs once in his seven MLB seasons, and that came way back in 2019 with the Pirates in his second year in the league.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
1 week agoFree-agent pitcher
Adam Oller has signed a deal with the KIA Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization. The details on the contract are unknown, but Oller figures to move straight into the starting rotation for next season. The right-hander has struggled with a 6.54 ERA across 36 games (23 starts) between the Oakland Athletics and Miami Marlins in three MLB seasons. He most recently pitched with the Marlins, but was crushed to the tune of a 5.31 ERA in eight starts. The 30-year-old will get a chance to rebuild his value in Korea.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Ari Alexander
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