6 days agoAccording to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com, Boston Red Sox prospect
Marcelo Mayer could see time at second and third base this season. Mayer has been typically deployed at shortstop while in the Boston system, but manager Alex Cora hopes to add to Mayer's versatility this season. The 22-year-old made just 77 starts at Double-A last season before suffering hip and back injuries. Across the stint, the No.2 ranked prospect in the Boston system posted a strong .307/.370/.480 line with 28 doubles, eight home runs, and 13 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should expect the top prospect to open the campaign at Triple-A Worcester but could earn a promotion to Boston early in the season, especially if he can play multiple positions in the infield.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Christopher Smith
6 days agoAccording to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay, the San Francisco Giants are designating catcher
Blake Sabol for assignment. This transaction opens a roster spot for staring pitcher
Justin Verlander, who recently agreed to a one-year deal with the Giants. Sabol appeared in just 11 games with the Giants last season but performed well as he posted a .313/.421/.375. Sabol spent most of the season (97 games) at Triple-A Sacramento, where he posted a .246/.340/.388 slash line with 14 doubles, 11 home runs, and 11 stolen bases. The Giants now have three catchers on their major league roster with
Patrick Bailey expected to operate as the clear No.1 option. Fantasy managers should expect Sabol to compete for a spot on an Opening Day roster if he were to be claimed by another club.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Alex Pavlovic
6 days agoAccording to MLB Pipeline, Colorado Rockies starting pitching prospect
Sean Sullivan is being invited to spring training. The 2023 second-round selection performed very well in his first professional season last summer. The left-handed pitcher opened the campaign at High-A and held a strong 2.16 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP across 83 1/3 innings of work. Across this stint, he struck out 101 batters and showed elite command, serving up just eight free passes. The No.10 ranked prospect in the Colorado system was then promoted to Double-A later in the summer. Through his first 32 innings with Double-A Hartford, Sullivan continued to dominate as he posted a 1.97 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He struck out 24 batters and allowed just seven walks. Sullivan could have a path to making his major league debut in 2025 if he carries this momentum into the early part of the season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
6 days agoAccording to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, free agent relief pitcher
Jorge Lopez has signed a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Washington Nationals. Lopez began his 2024 campaign with the New York Mets but was eventually cut after 26 innings. He then finished his campaign with the Chicago Cubs, where he logged a strong 2.03 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 26 2/3 innings of work. He struck out 31 batters during this stint and only allowed eight free passes. The right-hander generated a solid .220 xBA and a .3.59 xERA, placing him in the 76th and 68th percentile, respectively. With
Kyle Finnegan still on the free agent market, the Nationals lack a proven ninth-inning option. If Lopez performs well early on, he could eventually earn a high-leverage role in this bullpen.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ken Rosenthal
7 days agoAccording to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com, the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed left-handed pitcher
Caleb Ferguson to a one-year contract worth $3 million. Ferguson spent the entire 2024 season in the bullpen but has been stretched out as a starter in the past. Last season, across 54 1/3 innings of relief with the Astros and Yankees, the southpaw posted a 4.64 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. He tallied one save. He generated a solid 26.9% K rate and 46.4% ground-ball rate, which placed him in the 78th and 72nd percentile, respectively. In 2023, Ferguson posted a 3.43 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP across 60 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should monitor his production during spring training as he could have an outside chance to be deployed as a starter in the Steel City.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Alex Stumpf
7 days agoAccording to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, several teams have checked in on the availability of
Oswaldo Cabrera. Kuty noted that the 25-year-old switch-hitter is on an affordable contract and still has another year before salary arbitration, which makes him an intriguing target. He also has experience playing multiple positions in the infield and outfield, which adds to his flexibility. The Yankees are still in the market for an infielder and could potentially use Cabrera as a trade chip to acquire a more experienced bat. With
Gleyber Torres now in Detroit, the Yankees have an open spot in their starting lineup. While internal options like Cabrera,
DJ LeMahieu, or
Oswald Peraza could eventually earn that role, the Yankees have expressed interest in several free agents and trade targets. Last season, Cabrera posted a .247/.296/.365 line with eight home runs and four stolen bases.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Brendan Kuty
7 days agoAccording to the team, the Chicago White Sox have signed veteran backstop
Omar Narvaez to a minor-league deal that contains an invite to spring training. The 32-year-old opened the 2024 season with the New York Mets before being released in June. In his limited stint in Queens, Narvaez posted a .154/.191/.185 line with just two extra-base hits. He then finished the season in the Astros minor league system. Through 42 games with Triple-A Sugar Land, the backstop posted a .196/.325/.304 slash line. Narvaez began his major league career on the Southside in 2016 before spending time with the Milwaukee Brewers. He made the National League All-Star roster in 2021, where he posted a .266/.342/.402 line. Given his struggles in the majors last season, he will likely open the 2025 team at Triple-A.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chicago White Sox
7 days agoAccording to Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe, right-handed pitcher
Garrett Whitlock is returning to the bullpen in 2025. Whitlock opened the 2024 season in the rotation but was only able to make four starts before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery in May. Across these four starts, the 28-year-old posted a 1.96 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. He struck out 17 batters (across 18 1/3 innings) and generated a 36.0% hard-hit rate and 6.0% barrel rate. In 2023, Whitlock spent time in both the bullpen and rotation and held a 5.15 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP across 71 2/3 total innings. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training as he may be able to return to the mound before Opening Day if he does not face a setback in his recovery. Whitlock will likely see time as a long relief option but could eventually earn a high-leverage role later in the summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Julian McWilliams
7 days agoAccording to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, free agent relief pitcher
Tommy Kahnle is drawing interest from eight clubs. Kahnle enjoyed a strong 2024 season with the New York Yankees, posting a 2.11 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP across 42 2/3 innings of work. He struck out batters at a modest 25.7% clip and generated a strong .203 xBA. He also generated an excellent 59.8% ground ball rate and a 32.1% hard-hit rate which were both among the top marks among pitchers last season. Kahnle tallied 16 holds as he was typically deployed in a set-up role for the Yankees. Given the reported interest, many clubs may view the 35-year-old as a potential closer. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor where he signs, as he could be a valuable target in leagues that score holds if he joins a competing club.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
7 days agoAccording to Craig Mish of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins starting pitcher
Sandy Alcantara (elbow) will not be traded before Opening Day. Reports earlier this week suggest the former Cy Young winner could be on the trade block, but Mish dismisses any of these claims. The 2022 Cy Young winner was sidelined for the entire 2024 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. However, he has been progressing very well and should be a full go for spring training. During the 2023 season, he took a step back as he posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 184 2/3 innings of work. This was a sharp decline from the excellent 2.18 ERA and the 0.98 WHIP he held across a hefty 228 2/3 innings of work in 2022. The right-hander will operate as the ace of the rotation and could eventually find himself on the trade block if the Marlins fall out of the playoff picture later in the season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Craig Mish
7 days agoAccording to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Yankees have expressed interest in free agent infielder
Paul DeJong. The Yankees have been in the infield market all offseason after losing
Gleyber Torres to the Detroit Tigers. Over the past week, they have been linked to San Diego's
Luis Arraez but have reportedly begun to lose interest. DeJong would provide a much cheaper alternative and would likely see all his time at the hot corner. Last summer, across 139 games with the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, DeJong hit 24 home runs with a .227/.276/.427 line. Under the hood, he generated a solid 10.2% barrel rate and a 41.5% hard-hit rate. However, he struggled at the plate, with a hefty 32.4% K rate and a 4.8% walk rate. If he were to head to the Bronx,
Jazz Chisholm Jr. would likely spend most of the season at the keystone.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
7 days agoAccording to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Arizona Diamondbacks would like to trade starting pitcher
Jordan Montgomery. Heyman noted that moving his contract would free up salary for a "big-time" relief pitcher. The 32-year-old had a disappointing debut season with Arizona last summer, as he posted a 6.23 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP across 117 innings. He struck out just 83 batters and generated a poor 5.18 xERA and a .287 xBA, placing him in the seventh and third percentile among qualified pitchers. This was a sharp decline to the 3.20 ERA and 1.19 WHIP he held during the 2023 campaign. With the Diamondbacks acquiring
Corbin Burnes earlier in free agency, Montgomery is already on the outside of the current rotation. With their surplus of starting pictures, moving Montgomery would allow Arizona to improve in other positions on their roster.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
7 days agoAccording to Jon Heyman, the Cincinnati Reds have expressed interest in right-handed pitcher
Carlos Estevez. Heyman noted that the Blue Jays are also among the interested suitors. Last season, the 32-year-old spent time with the Angels and the Phillies. Across 55 innings pitched, the reliever held a 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. He tallied 26 saves. Under the hood, he generated a high 42.3% hard-hit rate and 10.1% barrel rate, which suggests he may be due for some regression in 2025. However, he did show elite command with a 5.7% walk rate. If Estevez were to agree to a contract with Cincinnati, he would likely compete for save opportunities with
Alexis Diaz, who posted a high 3.99 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in 2024.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
7 days agoAccording to John Denton of MLB.com, the St. Louis Cardinals and infielder/outfielder
Brendan Donovan could not come to a long-term agreement before Thursday's arbitration deadline. Earlier this week, it was reported that both sides were inching towards a long-term deal but were unable to finalize it. The 27-year-old has spent his entire three-year major league career in St. Louis. Last season, he held a .278/.342/.417 line with 14 home runs and five stolen bases. He showed an elite eye at the plate with a stellar 12.4% K rate and a 15.1% whiff rate. Fantasy managers should expect Donovan to operate as the team's starting second baseman in 2025 but could also see time in the outfield. In addition, he may eventually be shifted to the hot corner with
Nolan Arenado's name on the trade block.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: John Denton
1 week agoThe Detroit Tigers avoided salary arbitration with right-hander
Jason Foley on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.15 million deal. In addition to Foley, Detroit also signed one-year deals for 2025 with infielder/outfielder
Matt Vierling ($3.005 million), catcher
Jake Rogers ($2.64 million), right-handers
Casey Mize ($2.34 million),
Will Vest ($1.4 million) and
Beau Brieske ($1.025 million), and infielders
Zach McKinstry ($1.65 million) and
Andy Ibanez ($1.4 million). Foley broke out in 2024 with a career-high 28 saves for the Tigers while also sporting a 3.15 ERA (3.82 FIP), a 1.18 WHIP and a 46:20 K:BB in 60 innings pitched. Although the Tigers are a team on the rise after making the postseason last year, Foley lost the closing job midseason and also during the playoffs, so fantasy managers shouldn't bet on a repeat.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
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