1 week agoAthletics general manager David Forst said this week that right-handed closer
Mason Miller will remain in a relief role for the team next year and they are "not talking about moving him back into a starting role." Miller, a third-round pick in 2021 out of Gardner-Webb University, came up through the minors as a starter. When the A's decided to initially use him out of the bullpen when he advanced to the majors, they kept open the idea of returning him to a starting role down the road. It looks like that won't be happening now, and you can't blame the A's after the 26-year-old flamethrower developed into one of the most dominant closers in the game in 2024. In just his second year in the big leagues, Miller made his first All-Star team by posting a 2.49 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, his first 28 career saves, 104 strikeouts and 21 walks in 65 innings. Despite being on the A's, Miller is an elite fantasy closer heading into 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Chronicle - John Shea
1 week agoLos Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar
Shohei Ohtani (shoulder) is expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season in Tokyo next March as a designated hitter after undergoing surgery on the labrum in his left shoulder after he partially dislocated it during the World Series, but it will add complications to his offseason throwing program and will probably push back his timeline to join the starting rotation. Ohtani did not pitch at all in 2024 in his first year with the Blue after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2023. General manager Brandon Gomes said Ohtani's left-shoulder surgery isn't expected to have any "big-picture" impact on his ability to pitch in 2025. Entering October, he was close to facing live hitters for the first time since September of 2023, but the team decided to delay the rest of his throwing progression until the offseason.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Time - Jack Harris
1 week agoThe New York Yankees announced on Friday that they have exercised the 2025 club option for manager Aaron Boone after he led the team to a World Series appearances this fall, eventually losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. The 51-year-old former Yankees postseason hero has gone 603-429 (.584 winning percentage) and has led the Yankees to the playoffs in six of his first seven seasons as the skipper. Outside of the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, New York has averaged 95 wins during Boone's tenure. Boone is the second manager in big-league history to reach the postseason in six of his first seven seasons at the helm. Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts has done in each of his nine seasons. The Yankees won their 41st American League pennant in 2024 and made the World Series for the first time since 2009.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoFree-agent pitcher
Jeff Hoffman is receiving some "industry buzz" suggesting he could operate as a starting pitcher in 2025 season, according to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN. The 31-year-old was deployed exclusively out of the bullpen last summer and posted a stellar 2.17 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 16:89 BB:K. The right-hander generated an impressive 34.6% chase rate and a 33.6% strikeout rate, which placed him in the top 96th percentile in both statistics. In addition, he held a solid 2.83 xERA and a .203 xBA, which were both significantly above the average marks. Hoffman has been given opportunities to start games earlier in his career but struggled during those stints. However, given his development in Philadelphia, Hoffman may have been able to take the next step and could enjoy similar results in a rotation next season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Kiley McDaniel
1 week agoFree-agent shortstop
Willy Adames has received offers from the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to MLB Insider Mike Rodriguez. Rodriguez noted that the Mets have offered the infielder a contract worth $160 million spread across seven years with the intention of him moving over to cover the hot corner. Adames has stated he prefers to play shortstop, but a sizeable contract and playing on a team that just made the NLCS may convince him. The details of the Los Angeles offer has not been reported, but if Adames were to sign there, he would be expected to be the team's starting shortstop. Last season, the 29-year-old enjoyed a nice bounce-back campaign as he hit 32 home runs with 112 RBI, compared to the 24 home runs and 80 RBI he tallied in 2023. Fantasy managers should view Adames as one of the top options for power at shortstop heading into the 2025 campaign.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mike Rodriguez
1 week agoAccording to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the A's have re-signed relief pitcher
T.J. McFarland on a one-year contract. McFarland posted a 3.81 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with a 17:39 BB:K across 56 2/3 innings of work. Under the hood, he carried a stellar 59.4% ground-ball rate and was able to maintain soft contact at a 4.6% barrel rate and a 34.9% hard-hit rate. However, he struggled in generating whiffs, as he posted a mere 16.6% strikeout rate, one of the lowest marks among qualified pitchers. Fantasy managers should expect McFarland to return to his high-leverage role pitching in the seventh or eighth innings of games, but he will have his save opportunities capped with
Mason Miller poised to return to his closer role.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bob Nightengale
1 week agoAccording to Katie Woo of The Athletic, St. Louis Cardinals catchers
Ivan Herrera and
Pedro Pages are set to split catching duties in 2025. Earlier this week, it was reported that
Willson Contreras would be moved to a first base role and see very little catching opportunities. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Herrera and Pages to see the vast majority of starts behind the dish next summer. Last season, Herrera held a solid .300/.372/.428 slash line with five home runs and five stolen bases. Under the hood he boasted a stellar .369 xwOBA. Pages was a much better defender last season and carried a .238/.281/.376 line in the batter's box. Fantasy managers should monitor their progress during Spring Training but Herrera will likely be better target for fantasy purposes given his offensive upside.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Katie Woo
1 week agoFree-agent third baseman
Alex Bregman could opt to play second base in the upcoming season, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Scott Boras, Bregman's agent, noted that the two-time World Series champion can cover the keystone in addition to his usual position at the hot corner. Bregman is currently a free agent and is expected to receive a significant contract. Given his willingness to move to a different position, it could open the door for more suitors to place their bid on the 30-year-old. Last season, Bregman posted a .260/.315/.453 slash line with 26 home runs and three stolen bases. Fantasy managers should monitor where Bregman decides to sign in the offseason, as his fantasy value could increase significantly if he earns eligibility in the middle infield as well as at third base.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bob Nightengale
1 week agoFree-agent outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez is reportedly drawing interest from the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles on the open market, according to sources. Other teams are involved, but the Red Sox and Orioles have similar needs for a right-handed power bat. There's mutual interest between Hernandez and the Los Angeles Dodgers, too, which is probably stronger after they won the World Series over the Yankees in October. The 32-year-old Dominican outfielder thrived hitting in the middle of LA's stacked lineup in his first year with the team in 2024, slashing .272/.339/.501 with an .840 OPS, a career-high 33 home runs, 99 RBI, 12 steals and 84 runs scored in 154 games during the regular season. It will certainly be tough to live up to those numbers if he leaves the Dodgers in pursuit of the American League East or somewhere else.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
1 week agoNew York Mets owner Steve Cohen is heading west soon to meet with free-agent outfielder
Juan Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, according to industry sources. Soto, a generational free agent, is expected to be pursued most heavily by the Mets and New York Yankees this offseason. Several other owners are expected to meet with Boras and Soto in the coming weeks. The deep-pocketed Cohen has been active on the free-agent market since taking over the team, and he could get into a bidding war for Soto with the Yankees and perhaps one or two other big-market clubs. The 26-year-old superstar outfielder could command a deal for 10-plus years and approaching $700 million. It helps that the Mets have $90 million alone coming off the books this offseason with the departures of
Max Scherzer,
Justin Verlander and
James McCann in the middle of their contracts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Mike Puma
1 week agoWith Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Mookie Betts expected to move back to the infield and likely at second base next season, infielder
Gavin Lux appears to be the odd-man out. Lux will especially be the odd-man out of the Dodgers end up bringing free-agent outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez back. If the Dodgers don't decide to trade Lux this offseason, he'll most likely head to the bench if Betts becomes the primary second baseman in 2025. The Dodgers have both veteran
Miguel Rojas and
Tommy Edman as options to play shortstop. Lux was much better offensively in the second half of the regular season but struggled mightily at the plate in the first half and in the playoffs. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter batted .251/.320/.383 with a below-average .703 OPS, a career-high 10 homers, 50 RBI and five steals in 139 regular-season games after missing all of 2023 due to injury.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Foul Territory
1 week agoWhile the Boston Red Sox have no interest in re-signing closer
Kenley Jansen after he skipped the final series of the season to return home early, Boston reportedly is interested in bringing back right-handed reliever
Chris Martin. The 38-year-old veteran has a 2.16 ERA in 100 appearances for the BoSox the last two years combined. He is expected to be seeking just a one-year deal because he plans on hanging up his cleats after the 2025 campaign. Martin missed some time this past year due to right-elbow inflammation and finished with a 3-1 record, 3.45 ERA (2.78 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP, two saves, 50 strikeouts and only three walks in 44 1/4 innings out of the bullpen. With Jansen unlikely to return to Beantown, too, there's a chance Martin could be used more in save chances in 2025 if he re-signs with Boston for the final year of his career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
1 week agoChicago White Sox left-hander
Garrett Crochet is certain to generate plenty of trade interest this offseason after he was one of the most sought after-players at last summer's trade deadline in late July. "Based on conversations I've had with other clubs when we talk about potential trades, Garrett certainly garners a lot of attention," general manager Chris Getz said. Unless the team thinks they can sign the 25-year-old southpaw to an extension, moving him -- he has two years of club control left -- might be the best course of action for the rebuilding White Sox. Outfielder
Luis Robert Jr., meanwhile, is less likely to be moved. He was an All-Star in 2023 but struggled this past season with a .224/.278/.379 slash line, 14 home runs, 35 RBI and 23 steals in 100 games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
1 week agoFree-agent infielder
Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is generating "lots of interest" in the early days of free agency, according to a source. The San Francisco Giants are reportedly one of the teams focused on signing Kim, while the Milwaukee Brewers have also been connected to the 29-year-old, who finished the year on the injured list with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
Tyler Fitzgerald was impressive for the Giants at shortstop in 2024, but new president of baseball operations
Buster Posey said this week that the team prefers to add a shortstop this winter. Skipper Bob Melvin managed Kim in San Diego, and Kim played with outfielder
Jung Hoo Lee for Team Korea in the World Baseball Classic. Kim won a Gold Glove in 2023 but came back down to Earth in 2024 while posting 11 homers, 47 RBI, 22 steals and a .700 OPS in 121 games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
1 week agoThe Baltimore Orioles are casting a wide net for starting pitching this offense, and general manager Mike Elias said he expects to make an effort similar to what the team did last year while trying to acquire someone who can "lead" the rotation. Elias thinks the team has the money and flexibility to shop at the top of the market for the position given the club's new ownership. "We have everything that we need from them if we find those opportunities. And if finances are what's required for us to execute on those, I'm very confident and bullish that those are going to be there for us," Elias said. It's unclear if they will make a serious effort to re-sign right-hander
Corbin Burnes, though, who is projected to land a seven-year contract worth $200 million-plus on the open market. If they don't bring him back, though, it sounds like they are willing to commit big money to another top-of-the-rotation arm.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon and Katie Woo
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