6 days agoMinnesota Twins starting pitcher
Joe Ryan (shoulder) is progressing well, according to Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey. Falvey noted that the reports about the right-handed pitcher have been "nothing but positive." Ryan sustained a right teres-major strain in August and was unable to return to the mound before the end of the regular season. Before the injury, the 28-year-old posted a 3.60 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a 23:147 BB:K in 135 frames of work. Ryan showcased stellar command with a near-perfect 4.3% walk rate. In addition, he was able to generate whiffs at an above-average 26.6% mark and strikeouts at a strong 27.3% rate. If Ryan makes a full recovery in time for spring training, fantasy managers should target him as a great option to boost your team's WHIP.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 days agoChicago Cubs relief pitcher
Yency Almonte has cleared waivers and will test free agency, according to Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports. The right-hander was only able to log 15 2/3 innings of work before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. In the short stint, Almonte posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 8:20 BB:K with one save. Under the hood, Almonte boasted stellar metrics with a 3.15 xERA and a .198 xBA. In addition, he generated a strong 29.9% strikeout rate and 30.9% whiff rate. Almonte is worth monitoring during the offseason, as he could earn a role as a high-leverage option in 2025 given his ability to generate a high number of strikeouts.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andy Martinez
7 days agoWashington Nationals infielder
Ildemaro Vargas has cleared waivers and has elected to test free agency, according to Bobby Blanco. Vargas posted a .246/.295/.316 slash line with one home run and nine stolen bases across 97 games with the Nationals. He was deployed as a utility option in Washington last season and logged double-digit starts at second base, third base, and the outfield. He held a stellar 10.2% strikeout rate but struggled to generate hard contact as he carried a poor 31.9% hard-hit rate and a 1.2% barrel rate. Fantasy managers should expect Vargas to have a similar role in the 2025 campaign if he finds a suitor, but he should not be on your fantasy radar given his lack of hitting production.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bobby Blanco
7 days agoAccording to Washington Nationals insider Bobby Blanco, first baseman/designated hitter
Joey Meneses has elected to test free agency. Meneses had the worst season of his three-year MLB career last summer as he posted a poor .231/.291/.302 line with three home runs and two stolen bases. This was a stark contrast to the .275/.321/.401 line he held during the 2023 campaign. The 32-year-old also spent some of last season with Triple-A Rochester and carried a modest .254/.322/.471 line with 14 doubles and nine home runs. Meneses will likely find a new home but is best to leave off your fantasy radar in 2025 given his struggles last season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bobby Blanco
7 days agoThe Toronto Blue Jays have claimed right-handed relief pitcher
Michael Petersen off of waivers. Petersen spent the 2024 season with both the Miami Marlins and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Across 19 2/3 innings in the big leagues last season, the 30-year-old carried an underwhelming 5.95 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, with a 11:14 BB:K ratio. In Triple-A, Petersen posted a strong 1.64 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and a stellar 8:44 BB:K ratio. He also tallied ten saves. Even though Peterson struggled in the big leagues last season, he showed significant upside in the top level of the minors. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression during Spring Training as he could eventually earn a high-leverage in the Toronto bullpen.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Toronto Blue Jays
7 days agoThe Toronto Blue Jays have released right-handed relief pitcher
Emmanuel Ramirez. Ramirez spent most of the 2024 season with the Miami Marlins and held a poor 6.97 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP across 20 2/3 innings. He struck out 21 batters. In Triple-A Jacksonville the 30-year-old posted a 3.76 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP across 40 2/3 innings of work. Then, in September he was claimed by Toronto and spent the final month of the season pitching for Triple-A Buffalo. Across a small 4 1/3 inning stint, he allowed four earned runs. Given his inconsistencies in the major leagues, fantasy managers should not expect Ramirez to have any fantasy value during the 2025 campaign.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Toronto Blue Jays
7 days agoToronto Blue Jays relief pitcher
Genesis Cabrera has cleared waivers and will test free agency this offseason. Cabrera logged 62 2/3 innings in the Toronto bullpen last season with a 3.59 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and a 29:50 BB:K ratio. He tallied two saves and 13 holds while operating typically as the go-to eighth option in Toronto. Under the hood, he held a slightly above-average 43.7% ground ball rate and a 7.4% barrel rate. Given his ability to provide stable production in a set-up role, fantasy managers should monitor where he signs in the offseason as he could be another reliable source to provide holds in the 2025 campaign.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Toronto Blue Jays
1 week agoTampa Bay Rays first base prospect
Xavier Isaac has posted an impressive .286/.403/.554 slash line through 15 games at the Arizona Fall League. He has hit three home runs and six doubles. This is a great sign for the 20-year-old as he enjoyed a fantastic campaign at High-A last season. Across 71 games with High-A Bowling, Isaac carried a .287/.381/.535 line with 17 doubles and 15 long balls. The No.2 prospect in Tampa Bay then earned a brief taste of Double-A during the final month of the summer but struggled as he posted a .211/.346/.349 line. Isaac remains one of the top prospects in baseball and should spend most of the 2025 campaign in the upper levels of the minor leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoFree-agent right-handed pitcher
Nick Martinez is expected to accept the Cincinnati Reds' qualifying offer worth $21.05 million, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. This past summer, Martinez logged a career-high 142 1/3 innings and is now expected to return to Cincinnati. Last summer, the right-hander held a strong 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 18:116 BB:K. The 34-year-old posted a stellar 3.2% walk rate, 5.1% barrel rate, and a 30.5% hard-hit rate, which were among the highest marks among qualified pitchers last season. Seeing Martinez show great command as a starter makes him an intriguing option later in drafts this offseason, especially if you are looking to boost your team's WHIP ratio.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
1 week agoThe Boston Red Sox are still undecided regarding right-handed pitcher
Garrett Whitlock's (elbow) role for the 2025 campaign, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive. Smith reported that the team plans to define his role soon. Last season, Whitlock logged only four starts before suffering a season-ending injury that resulted in an internal-brace surgery. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to what the Red Sox do during the offseason, as it will likely provide clarity on Whitlock's role heading into spring training. During four starts last season, the right-hander carried a strong 1.96 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. For now, Whitlock should not be on your fantasy radar heading into the offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Christopher Smith
1 week agoChicago Cubs starting pitching prospect
Cade Horton (shoulder) is set to undergo a shoulder exam later this month, according to Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. If the 23-year-old passes the exam, he could then begin a throwing program. The No. 3 prospect in the Chicago system was sidelined since late May last season with a shoulder strain. Before the injury, Horton held a stellar 1.10 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP in Double-A Tennessee. He then earned a brief taste of Triple-A ball and posted a 7.50 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP before sustaining the injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression during the offseason, as the former seventh overall selection will likely earn an opportunity in the majors later in the summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Meghan Montemurro
1 week agoFree-agent starting pitcher Roki Sasaki will be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines, which opens the door for the 23-year-old to pitch in the MLB during the 2025 season. Sasaki is considered one of the most talented pitchers in the world and is expected to be one of, if not the top pitcher, on the free-agent market this offseason. The right-hander has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the world and was a crucial piece in leading Japan to a championship during the World Baseball Classic. Through 394 2/3 professional innings, Sasaki has tallied an incredible 505 punchouts with a 2.15 ERA. The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be one of the favorites to land him during free agency. If he does sign with an MLB team this offseason, Sasaki will be a popular pick and likely a top-20 starting pitcher in most fantasy drafts.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
1 week agoThe Colorado Rockies have claimed right-handed pitcher
Jimmy Herget off waivers. Herget was placed on waivers earlier this offseason by the Chicago Cubs. The reliever logged only 12 1/3 innings in the majors last season with the Atlanta Braves and held a 4.38 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Herget pitched for the Los Angeles Angels. He struggled in 2023 with a 4.66 ERA but enjoyed an excellent 2022 campaign as he posted a 2.48 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 15:63 BB:K ratio across 69 innings of work. Despite his poor output this summer, he held a 2.81 xERA which suggests he could be due for some positive regression during the 2025 campaign. For now, fantasy managers should expect the 31-year-old to operate in the Colorado bullpen but could eventually mix in for save opportunities if he performs well.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Colorado Rockies
1 week agoBoth New York Mets and Yankees owners Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner, respectively, are expected to fly to California to meet with top free-agent outfielder
Juan Soto, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Cohen is set to meet with the 26-year-old and his agent, Scott Boras, sometime next week. Steinbrenner was not given an exact date but was assured he would have the opportunity to meet with the superstar. In his debut season in the Bronx, Soto posted a stellar .288/.419/.569 slash line with 41 home runs, 109 RBI and seven stolen bases. Soto showed an incredible eye at the plate with an 18.1% walk rate and an 18.3% chase rate, which placed him in the 100th and 98th percentiles, respectively, among qualified hitters. Both owners are expected to remain at the forefront of the bidding war for Soto the entire offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
1 week agoSt. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado could be on the trade block, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Arenado is currently under a $74 million dollar contract for the next three seasons. However, after missing the postseason in each of the past two seasons, the Cardinals could be interested in moving off his contract. This past summer, the third baseman saw his power production drop to his second-lowest marks through a full 162-game season. He hit just 16 round-trippers, his lowest since his rookie campaign in 2013. In addition, he held a .272/.325/.394 slash line and swiped two bases. Under the hood, he posted a poor 31.6% hard-hit rate, which was evident in his drop in power. Fantasy managers should still view Arenado as a reliable third baseman for batting-average production but not for power in 2025.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Derrick Goold
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