1 week agoBaltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said on Friday that the team will once again be making changes to their left-field wall for next season. Before the start of the 2022 season, the Orioles moved the wall at Camden Yards back and made it significantly taller. Elias said that the team "overcorrected" and will try to find a "happier medium" heading into 2025. Specifically, the Orioles play to move the left-field wall farther in, particularly in left-center field near the bullpens, while also reducing the wall in height. Camden Yards became more pitcher-friendly than the team had intended after making those changes before the 2022 season. The changes should be friendlier to hitters going forward, but it's unclear how much of an impact it will have.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Steve Melewski
1 week agoBaltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said the team is expecting both right-handers
Kyle Bradish (elbow) and
Tyler Wells (elbow) to be ready to return around midseason in 2025. When Bradish underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-June with an internal brace, he was given a 12- to 18-month recovery timetable. The 28-year-old has yet to resume throwing, so it's almost a certainty that he won't make his 2025 debut until after the All-Star break. Wells also had season-ending surgery in mid-June due to UCL revision surgery while also receiving an internal brace. Bradish is the more established starter in Baltimore, while Wells' role is to be determined whenever he's ready to return. Bradish broke out to the tune of a 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 30 starts in 2023 and had a 2.75 ERA after eight starts this past season before injuring his elbow.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Steve Melewski
1 week agoBaltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said that infielder
Jorge Mateo (elbow) might not be fully ready for the start of spring training in mid-February but should be ready to play close to a 162-game season in 2025. Mateo had UCL reconstructive surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow last year, causing him to be shut down for the remainder of the season. It sounds like the 29-year-old Dominican should have close to a full season next year, although his fantasy appeal will be limited in a utility infield role in Baltimore. Speed is the biggest attraction with Mateo, as he had 30-plus stolen bases in both 2022 and 2023. He was able to play in only 68 games in 2024 in his third full season with the team, finishing with a .229/.267/.401 slash line, below-average .668 OPS, five home runs, 18 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 30 runs scored in 208 plate appearances.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
1 week agoBaltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias is optimistic that right-hander
Grayson Rodriguez (lat) will have a normal, full spring training in 2025. Rodriguez's 2024 campaign ended early due to a right-lat issue, but it's no longer a concern. Specifically, the 24-year-old starter missed the final two months of the regular season for the O's, but he resumed throwing off a mound in September and should be full-go for spring training, barring a setback this winter. The former 11th overall pick in 2018 improved in his second big-league season, going 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA (3.66 FIP), a 1.24 WHIP, a career-high 130 strikeouts and only 36 walks in 116 2/3 innings over his 20 starts before injuring his lat. The rising young pitcher should once again be a coveted early-round target as a high-end fantasy starting pitcher now that he shouldn't have any injury question marks going into 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
1 week agoThe Los Angeles Dodgers outrighted right-hander
Connor Brogdon to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday. Brogdon is now off the team's 40-man roster this offseason after missing most of this past season due to a foot injury. He made four relief appearances with the Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies in the big leagues in 2024, surrendering nine runs (eight earned) while walking six and striking out three in three innings out of the bullpen. The 29-year-old former 10th-round selection by the Phillies in 2017 out of Lewis-Clark State College has a career 3.97 ERA (4.47 FIP), a 1.26 WHIP, three saves and a 146:53 K:BB in 145 innings over 143 appearances (two starts) in his five major-league seasons since debuting with Philadelphia back in the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoThe Baltimore Orioles signed free-agent right-hander Robinson Martinez to a minor-league deal on Thursday, the team announced. Martinez has been a career minor-leaguer. He has been plagued by injuries throughout his career but is only 26 years old and will give the Orioles some extra right-handed pitching depth heading into the 2025 campaign. The Dominican hurler hasn't pitched in the minors since the 2022 season due to injuries. In 42 relief appearances with High-A Beloit and Double-A Pensacola in 2022, he went 2-3 with a 4.45 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 76 strikeouts and 28 walks in 54 2/3 innings as a member of the Miami Marlins organization. Martinez is most likely to report to Double-A Bowie after spring training.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
1 week agoFree-agent left-hander
Cole Irvin is signing with the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization on a $1 million deal. The 30-year-old southpaw will head overseas for the 2025 season after going 6-6 with a 5.11 ERA (4.82 FIP) and a 1.45 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 29 walks in 111 innings over 29 appearances (16 starts) with both the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins in 2024. He also recorded his second career save. The former fifth-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016 out of Oregon has pitched six seasons in the big leagues with the Phillies, Orioles, Twins and Athletics. In his 593 major-league innings, Irvin has a 4.54 ERA (4.45 FIP), a 1.31 WHIP, two saves and a 434:142 K:BB in 134 outings (93 starts). If he pitches well in Korea, he could be looking to return to the States again in 2026.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Yonhap News - Jeeho Yoo
1 week agoThe Boston Red Sox had a "productive" first meeting with free-agent outfielder
Juan Soto in southern California on Thursday night, according to a source with knowledge of the sit-down meeting. Team president Sam Kennedy, chairman Tom Werner, chief baseball officer
Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora were all in attendance for a meeting that lasted roughly three hours. Soto was said to be impressed by the presentation in which Boston laid out their plans for the future. The Red Sox didn't discuss money or terms with Soto and did not make a formal offer at this early stage of Soto's free-agent process. The 26-year-old superstar could be seeking a deal for longer than 10 years and with a total value potentially exceeding $500 million. He's expected to remain in California through early next week for additional meetings with the Yankees, Blue Jays and Mets, among others, interested in his services.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MassLive.com - Sean McAdam
1 week agoChicago Cubs catching prospect
Moises Ballesteros put his final stamp on his 2024 Arizona Fall Campaign on Thursday, notching a double and an RBI in a 1-for-4 day at the plate. With the Mesa Solar Sox not playing for the AFL championship, the 21-year-old finishes the fall campaign with a .316/.376/.557 slashline, including five home runs, 16 RBI, and a 10:15 BB:K in 19 games. It's a strong ending after a superb 2024 regular season. Should he continue to swing a hot bat come next spring, it shouldn't be long before he's with the big league club that could use some offense at the position. While his defense is not quite as strong, he could also spend time at DH while he works on the glove, which should put him squarely on both dynasty and redraft radar.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoSan Diego Padres catching prospect
Ethan Salas went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run on Thursday, his fourth of the Arizona Fall League (AFL) campaign. Salas now has 21 RBI which is tied for third-most in the AFL, but is hitting just .228 and has a 13:27 BB:K over 23 games. Still, the 18-year-old is one of the youngest players in the AFL, competing against older, more seasoned pitchers. The youngster ranks as the Padres' top prospect and 19th in all of baseball but isn't expected to make his debut for a couple of years yet. Nevertheless, he's a strong defender already and has all the tools to make it to the big leagues with the potential to be a star, so fantasy managers should take notice.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week 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
1 week 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
1 week 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
1 week 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
1 week 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
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