2 hours agoAccording to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Toronto Blue Jays have signed free-agent right-handed pitcher
Max Scherzer to a one-year contract worth $15.5 million. The Blue Jays have been linked to Scherzer throughout the offseason and have finally reached an agreement with the three-time Cy Young winner. Last summer, the 40-year-old was limited to just 43 1/3 innings of work due to shoulder fatigue and a hamstring strain. Across this stint, Scherzer held a 3.95 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP. He struck out 40 batters with a strong 5.6% walk rate. Scherzer has expressed that a healthy offseason will prepare him well for the 2025 campaign. In 2023, he posted a 3.77 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP with 174 punchouts across 152 2/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should expect Scherzer to start the season in the rotation, which will likely push
Yariel Rodriguez to a long-relief role.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
2 hours agoThe Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that free-agent right-hander and long-time starter
Lance Lynn is getting looks on the open market this offseason as a potential ninth-inning arm, according to his agent Kevin Lustig. The 37-year-old has not pitched out the bullpen since 2018. Lynn said he's "intrigued" about being a closer. Several teams, including the Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels, are still searching for late-inning help. Lynn made five relief appearances for the St. Louis Cardinals as a rookie in the 2011 World Series against the Texas Rangers. The free-agent market remains crowded with starting arms, so it may make sense for Lynn to market himself as a potential reliever, especially after he pitched just twice after July 30 last year due to knee inflammation. After dropping around 20 pounds this offseason, Lynn would have more fantasy appeal closing out games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
5 hours agoThe Los Angeles Angels were ready to call up last year's first-round pick, infielder Christian Moore, last September before he suffered a knee injury. But now that he's healthy, The Athletic's Sam Blum writes that nothing is stopping the always-aggressive Angels from using Moore as their starting second baseman in 2025. Improving Moore's chances to be the team's Opening Day second baseman is the fact that shortstop
Zach Neto (shoulder) is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season. With Neto likely on the injured list early on,
Kevin Newman,
Luis Rengifo or
Tim Anderson will open the year at the 6. The most likely scenario will be Newman at short, leaving an opening at the keystone for Moore. The 22-year-old Moore hit .347/.400/.584 with six homers in only 25 games in the minors. He's a power over hit prospect but could make an immediate impact in fantasy in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Sam Blum
6 hours agoThe Athletic's Sam Blum has a hunch that the Los Angeles Angels will have right-hander
Jack Kochanowicz pitching in a relief role to begin the 2025 season until a spot in the starting rotation becomes available. In addition, Kochanowicz might make more sense out of the bullpen given his limited pitch mix.
Sam Bachman, the ninth overall pick in the 2021 draft, is a starter in the Angels' eyes, but if he looks good this spring, he could also have a spot waiting for him in the bullpen. Over 11 starts (65 1/3 innings) in 2024, Kochanowicz had a 3.99 ERA, although he had a 2.78 ERA in his final nine starts. The 24-year-old had a miniscule 9.4% strikeout rate, though, leaving him a very slim path to fantasy relevance moving forward, whether he's in the bullpen or the rotation.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Sam Blum
6
hours
agoThe
Athletic's
Sam
Blum
writes
that
the
early
pick
for
the
Los
Angeles
Angels'
fifth
starter
spot
is
left-hander
Reid
Detmers.
Tyler
Anderson,
Kyle
Hendricks,
Yusei
Kikuchi
and
read more...
6 hours agoMLB Network's Jon Morosi reports that a team to watch in regards to San Diego Padres right-hander
Dylan Cease, who is on the trade market this offseason, is the Chicago Cubs. Both Cease and right-hander
Michael King are on the trade block with the Padres facing payroll constraints in 2025, and Morosi goes on to say that Cease is more likely to be moved than King because Cease makes more money. The Cubs make plenty of sense as a trade partner for the Padres because they have seven of MLB Pipeline's top-100 prospects, with six of them expected to make an impact at the big-league level this year. With
Jurickson Profar recently departing via free agency, the Padres have a hole to fill in left field, so a trade of either Cease or King could bring back an outfielder that could fill that hole immediately. Morosi specifically mentions
Owen Caissie as a possibility for the Friars.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
10 hours agoAccording to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Kyle Wright (shoulder) is having a normal offseason. Wright missed the entire 2024 campaign due to surgery to repair a torn capsule in his right shoulder. Rogers noted that the team could have him on a slower progression, but the team is "excited" about Wright returning to the mound at some point. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training as he could have an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Opening day rotation. In 2023, Wright logged just 31 innings of work with a disappointing 6.97 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP with the Atlanta Braves. However, in 2023, Wright enjoyed a career season as he posted a 21-5 record with a 3.19 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 174 punchouts across 180 1/3 innings. Wright will likely compete for the final spot in the rotation with
Alec Marsh and
Kris Bubic.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Anne Rogers
10 hours agoAccording to the team, the Kansas City Royals and outfielder
Nelson Velazquez have agreed to a contract for the 2025 season. The 26-year-old spent 64 games in the majors last season and will likely compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster during spring training. Across this stint, the 26-year-old held a .200/.274/.366 line with eight home runs and 27 RBI. He struck out at a hefty 26.5% rate. Across three seasons in the majors, the former fifth-round selection hols a .212/.286/.433 line. In 56 games with Triple-A Omaha, Velazquez held .239/.356/.415 slash line with 10 doubles, seven home runs, and 33 RBI. Fantasy managers should expect Velazquez to compete for a starting role during spring training and could be a candidate to see time in right field.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Kansas City Royals
11 hours agoAccording to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, the Chicago Cubs have been interested in acquiring another veteran infielder and have been linked to
Jose Iglesias and
Jorge Polanco. While the team agreed to a contract with infielder
Jon Berti earlier this week, the team is still targeting another option as
Nico Hoerner (elbow) could be in danger of missing Opening Day. Iglesias enjoyed a career season with the Mets at age 35, posting a .337/.381/.448 line. Polanco played through a knee injury last season but underwent surgery in October and is expected to be a full go for spring training. Across 118 contests with Seattle last summer, Polanco held an underwhelming .213/.296/.355 line. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Hoerner's status during spring training as the Cubs may continue to target one of these options for a short-term solution.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bruce Levine
11 hours agoAccording to MLB.com, the Cleveland Guardians have sent right-handed pitcher
Pedro Avila outright to Triple-A Columbus. Avila was designated for assignment last week to open a roster spot for
Paul Sewald but cleared waivers. As a result, Avila will open the 2025 season at the Triple-A level. Last season, the 28-year-old logged a career-high 82 2/3 innings at the major league level with both the Padres and Guardians. Across this stint, the relief pitcher posted a 3.81 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP. He tallied one save. Under the hood, he generated a 4.62 xERA and .261 xBA, which suggests he will likely see some regression during the 2025 campaign. Avila could see time in the majors if the Guardians need additional depth in their bullpen later in the season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
11 hours agoAccording to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the New York Mets have shown interest in acquiring San Diego Padres starting pitchers
Dylan Cease and
Michael King. Ragazzo noted the Atlanta Braves have also had discussions with San Diego. Both pitchers would likely be one-year rentals but would still carry a hefty price tag on the trade market. Earlier this offseason, the Mets re-signed
Sean Manaea and brought in
Frankie Montas and
Clarke Schmidt to take back-end roles in the rotation. However, with the team eyeing to compete in 2025, they would like to further bolster their rotation. Last season, Cease posted a 3.47 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP with 224 punchouts across 189 1/3 innings. King transitioned into a starter role last summer and performed well with a 2.95 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and 201 punchouts across 173 2/3 frames of work.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Pat Ragazzo
23 hours agoAccording to Jacob Zanolla of Cubs Insider, the Chicago Cubs have signed right-handed pitcher
Brad Keller to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. Keller spent the 2024 season with the White and Red Sox. Across 41 1/3 innings of work, the 29-year-old posted a 5.44 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP. He struck out 32 batters with a solid 7.8% walk rate. He also generated ground balls at a strong 49.7% rate, which was above the average marks. Across 68 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level, Keller posted a 3.28 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. After posting a career-best 2.47 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP during the 2020 shortened season, Keller has had trouble finding consistency at the major league level. Fantasy managers should expect Keller to compete for a spot in the bullpen during spring training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jacob Zanolla
23 hours agoAccording to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, right-handed pitcher
Ian Gibaut agreed to a minor-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds that contains an invite to spring training. Gibaut was non-tendered by the Reds earlier this offseason but will given an opportunity to crack the Opening Day roster. The 31-year-old logged just two innings of work in the majors last season as he was limited by calf and forearm injuries. In 2023, the Tulane product posted a 3.33 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP across 75 2/3 innings of work. He struck out 69 batters and held an 8.8% walk rate. That season, he generated a solid 6.0% barrel rate and a 31.9% hard-hit rate. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression during spring training, as Gibaut could earn a spot in the bullpen if he performs well.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Robert Murray
23 hours agoAccording to the team, the Cincinnati Reds have designated right-handed pitcher
Owen White for assignment. This corresponding move opened a roster spot for left-handed pitcher
Taylor Rogers, who the team acquired earlier on Wednesday from the San Francisco Giants. White has logged just seven innings in the major leagues over the past two seasons with the Texas Rangers. Over this short stint, White has allowed a hefty 13 earned runs with a 3:4 BB:K ratio. Across 151 1/3 career frames at the Triple-A level, the former second-round selection posted a 5.41 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP. White tallied 119 punchouts while serving up 80 free passes. Fantasy managers should expect White to spend most of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati Reds
24 hours agoAccording to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, the Detroit Tigers have designated right-handed pitcher
Alex Faedo for assignment. This transaction opened the roster spot for right-handed pitcher
Tommy Kahnle, who the team signed earlier on Wednesday. Last season, Faedo spent most of his time operating out of the bullpen, as he made just six starts. Across 57 1/3 innings, the former first-round pick held a 3.61 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP. He struck out 55 batters while showing poor command with a high 11.4% walk rate. However, the Florida product was able to limit hard contact as he generated a strong 6.3% barrel rate and 34.4% hard-hit rate, which were both well above the average marks. Fantasy managers should expect Faedo to draw some interest on waivers as a long relief option.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Cody Stavenhagen
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