6 days agoThe New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs are believed to be showing significant interest in free-agent third baseman
Alex Bregman, with the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox also still involved. The Astros were believed to have moved earlier this offseason, but they've rekindled interest in bringing him back since he's still available and are even considering moving
Isaac Paredes to second base and All-Star
Jose Altuve to left field to accommodate a move. Bregman, a two-time All-Star and Gold Glover last year, was a big clubhouse guy in Houston and is still revered by many of their current players, including Altuve. He managed 26 homers, 75 RBI and 79 runs scored while slashing .260/.315/.453 in 145 games in 2024. It's unknown if the Astros are willing to up their previous offer to Bregman of six years and $156 million.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
7 days agoThe Toronto Blue Jays have traded left-handed pitcher
Brandon Eisert to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations. The 27-year-old was recently designated for assignment to open a roster spot for
Anthony Santander. The Oregon State product made his major league debut with the Blue Jays last summer, allowing three earned runs across a short six 2/3 inning stint. Eisert has spent most of the previous three seasons with Triple-A Buffalo. Across 183 1/3 innings, the 27-year-old has held a 3.83 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP. He struck out an impressive 219 batters and served up 61 free passes. He operated primarily in a relief role but did make 10 starts. Fantasy managers should expect Eisert to compete for a spot on the Tampa Bay Opening Day roster during spring training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Toronto Blue Jays
7 days agoAccording to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, right-handed pitcher
Chris Mazza is scheduled to throw for interested teams on Sunday at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. The 35-year-old has not pitched in the major leagues since the 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery. In 2022, Mazza allowed seven earned runs across five 1/3 innings of work. He posted a career-best 4.61 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP with the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2021 campaign. Across 175 2/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, Mazza has posted a 4.41 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. The Menlo product would likely be given an invite to spring training if his throwing showcase goes well but will face an uphill battle to make an Opening Day roster given the time he has been sidelined.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Robert Murray
7 days agoAccording to the Reno Aces, right-handed pitcher
Josh Winder has signed a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. This deal includes an invitation to spring training. The 28-year-old has spent his entire MLB career with the Minnesota Twins. Last summer, Winder logged nine innings of work in the major leagues and allowed three earned runs while striking out ten batters. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Winder carried a 4.51 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP across 101 2/3 innings with the Twins. Through 105 career frames with Triple-A St. Paul, the former seventh-round selection posted a 5.49 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Winder to compete for a bullpen role during spring training, but given his lack of major league experience, he will likely open the season at the Triple-A level.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Reno Aces
7 days agoAccording to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, the Chicago Cubs and relief pitcher
David Robertson have discussed a potential reunion. The 39-year-old spent time with the Cubs during the 2022 campaign. During this 40 1/3 inning stint, Robertson posted a 2.23 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP with 14 saves. Last summer, Robertson spent the entire season with the Texas Rangers and operated as the top setup man for
Kirby Yates. Across 72 innings, the right-hander held a 3.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He tallied an impressive 35 holds with a strong 33.6% K rate. However, he struggled with his command as he held a high 9.4% walk rate. Levine noted that the Cubs were also interested in
Paul Sewald before he signed with Cleveland. Robertson would likely have a high-leverage role in the Chicago bullpen and could even compete for save opportunities with
Porter Hodge.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bruce Levine
7 days agoAccording to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Tigers are showing interest in free-agent relief pitcher
Carlos Estevez. Earlier in the offseason, the Tigers were interested in several relief pitchers, including
Kirby Yates. Petzold noted that six other teams, alongside the Tigers, are pursuing Estevez. The Tigers have also been at the forefront of pursuing third baseman
Alex Bregman. Last season, Estevez spent time with the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies. Across 55 frames, he posted a 2.45 ERA and 0.45 WHIP. While he showed strong command with a 5.7% walk rate, his hefty 42.3% hard-hit and 10.1% barrel rates suggest he may face some regression in 2025. If Estevez were to sign in Detroit, he would be deployed as a high-leverage reliever.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Evan Petzold
7 days agoThe Athletic's Fabian Ardaya reports that Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said that while left-handed reliever
Tanner Scott will see plenty of ninth-inning chances in his first year with the team in 2025, he won't be the team's set closer. We figured as much, especially since the Dodgers also have
Michael Kopech,
Evan Phillips and
Kirby Yates, who are all plenty capable of closing out games. Still, the 30-year-old Scott, who has 54 saves over the last three seasons with the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres, should see the most save opportunities for the Blue, making him the best closer target on this star-studded team for fantasy managers. The Dodgers signed Scott to a four-year, $72 million deal last weekend to further bolster their bullpen. On the best team in baseball, Scott should be considered a low-end No. 2 fantasy closer, at worst.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
7 days agoHouston Astros outfielder/designated hitter
Yordan Alvarez (knee) told reporters this week at FanFest that his knee is 100 percent healed and that he has felt normal for at least three to four weeks. Alvarez injured his right knee toward the end of the regular season in 2024 and thought he might need surgery, but he ended up avoiding going under the knife. The left-handed slugger said he's ready to hit and play defense in spring training. It's great news for the 27-year-old, who is one of the best all-around hitters in baseball. He reached the 30-homer mark for the fourth straight season in 2024 and also had career-highs in games played (147) and plate appearances (635) despite injuring his knee late in the year. Despite a history of lower-body injuries, Alvarez is currently ranked as the No. 14 overall fantasy player by RotoBaller for 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: KPRC 2 Sports - Ari Alexander
1 week agoAtlanta Braves right-hander
Spencer Strider (elbow) has already thrown four bullpen sessions this offseason. Barring any setbacks, general manager Alex Anthopoulos said the team expects Strider to have a normal spring training, but they also won't rush him back. Strider will not be on the Opening Day roster. Depending on how he looks in during the spring, the 26-year-old could go on a minor-league rehab assignment early on, and he has the potential to contribute significant innings for the Braves and fantasy managers, barring any setbacks along the way. He broke out with a league-high 20 wins as an All-Star for the first time in 2023 but threw only nine innings in 2024 before undergoing an internal-brace procedure. Strider also had Tommy John surgery in 2019, so he'll carry a high amount of risk going into the 2025 season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Grant McAuley
1 week agoAccording to the team, the New York Yankees have claimed right-handed pitcher
Roansy Contreras off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Contreras has been on several teams during the offseason. He began the winter with the Los Angeles Angels before moving to Texas, Cincinnati, and Baltimore, and now resides in the Bronx. Last summer, Contreras logged 68 1/3 innings of work with the Pirates and Angels. Across this stint, he posted a 4.35 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He struck out just 56 batters with a hefty 9.7% walk rate. He also generated a high 4.94 xERA, 9.7% barrel rate, and 43.5% hard-hit rate. The 25-year-old does not have any remaining options, which means he will be competing for a spot on the Yankees Opening Day roster. If he cannot earn a spot, he will be placed on waivers. Contreras should not be on your fantasy radar during the offseason.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: New York Yankees
1 week agoAccording to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Chicago White Sox shortstop prospect
Colson Montgomery is expected to make his major league debut during the 2025 season. General manager Ryan Getz noted that Montgomery will "get a lot of opportunity come spring training" and is expected to play shortstop for the White Sox "at some point this year." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his development during spring training, but it appears the top prospect will have a very good opportunity to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. Last season, the former 22nd overall selection in the 2021 MLB Draft spent the entire campaign at the Triple-A level. Across 130 contests with the Charlotte Knights, Montgomery posted a .214/.329/.381 line with 21 doubles, 18 home runs, and eight stolen bases. He began to heat up in September as he held a .264/.357/.458 line during the final month. Montgomery will likely be competing with
Brooks Baldwin for the starting role.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Scott Merkin
1 week agoAccording to the team, the Atlanta Braves have designated right-handed pitcher
Connor Gillispie for assignment to open a roster spot for outfielder
Jurickson Profar, who the team signed to a three-year deal earlier on Thursday. Gillispie signed a minor league contract with the Braves earlier this offseason. Gillispie made his major league debut last summer with the Cleveland Guardians and allowed two earned runs across eight innings of work. He struck out eight batters and served up five free passes. Across 113 1/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, Gillispie posted a 4.05 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. He struck out 119 batters. Fantasy managers should expect the former ninth-round selection out of VCU to spend most of the 2025 campaign at the Triple-A level.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
1
week
agoAccording
to
Anthony
DiComo
of
MLB.com,
New
York
Mets
outfielder
Jesse
Winker
could
see
time
at
first
base
during
the
2025
campaign.
On
a
zoom
conference,
Winker
expressed
he
is
"capable"
of
playing
first
base
when
asked.
He
played
first
base
during
read more...
1 week agoAccording to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, free-agent right-handed reliever
Kyle Finnegan's market is heating up. Murray noted that with numerous relief pitchers finding suitors, Finnegan is starting to draw significant interest from several clubs. Earlier this offseason, the Nationals non-tendered him. Last season, Finnegan tallied a career-best 38 saves with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP across 62 2/3 innings of work. Finnegan struck out batters at a below-average 22.1% rate and allowed walks at a high 8.9% rate. In addition, he generated hard contract at a poor 48.1% and had a hefty 4.34 xERA, which suggests the 33-year-old will likely face some regression in 2025. Finnegan will likely operate as a high-leverage option on most clubs but could find a role as a middle reliever on a competing club.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Robert Murray
1
week
agoThe
Houston
Astros
have
resumed
talking
with
free-agent
third
baseman
Alex
Bregman
in
recent
days,
three
league
sources
have
told
The
Athletic's
Chandler
Rome.
Just
a
month
ago,
it
seemed
impossible
that
the
Astros
would
re-sign
Bregman,
especially
after
trading
for
third
baseman
read more...
Page 8 of 30...67891011...
RADIO
