Lessons Learned For Fantasy Baseball 2025
Welcome back to the Lookahead; this week we apply lessons from 2024 to our 2025 draft prep. One of the primary, overarching goals with this column is simple: how can we improve as fantasy players? Just as a shop owner doesn’t know what to order next without taking inventory, so too should we reflect on […]
Luke Weaver Returning To New York
New York Yankees relief pitcher Luke Weaver had his 2025 club option exercised according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. This deal is valued at $2.5 million. During the regular season, the 31-year-old emerged as a key contributor in the Yankee bullpen as he held a solid 2.89 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 84 innings of […]
Brent Suter Inks Extension With Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brent Suter signed a one-year extension with the Cincinnati Reds that has a club option for 2026 according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Suter typically operated a relief option for the Reds but did manage to make two starts this season. Across 65 2/3 innings of work this summer, the 35-year-old held […]
Hunter Renfroe, Chris Stratton Returning To Kansas City
Kansas City Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe and relief pitcher Chris Stratton both had their 2025 club options exercised according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Renfroe had a down year in 2024 as he hit just 15 home runs, his lowest total in a full season throughout his career. He held a .229/.297/.392 slash line. Stratton […]
Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn Headed For Free Agency
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitchers Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn had their club options declined and will be headed to free agency. Gibson logged 169 1/3 innings in his debut season in St. Louis with a 8-8 record, 4.24 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 68:151 BB:K ratio. Lynn posted a 3.84 ERA and a 1.34 […]
Daniel Hudson Retires After World Series Victory
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson announced his retirement shortly after the Dodgers won the World Series on Wednesday evening. Hudson stated that he "cannot make it another 162" and will instead opt to cap off his 15-year career with a championship. This season, Hudson operated in a high leverage role for the Dodgers […]
Chris Devenski Signs Minor League Deal With The Mets
The New York Mets have signed veteran pitcher Chris Devenksi to a minor league deal with an invite to camp next season. Devenski began 2024 with the Tampa Bay Rays but was released and picked up by Seattle, spending time from mid-July through the end of the season with the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate, posting a […]
White Sox Hire Will Venable As Their New Manager
The Chicago White Sox have hired Will Venable as their new manager. Grady Sizemore had served 45 games as interim manager, finishing out the 2024 season after Pedro Grifol had been let go amid a campaign of futility. The 42-year-old Venable played nine seasons in the majors and was with the Rangers as associate manager […]
Alex Vesia, Brusdar Graterol, Miguel Rojas Return To Dodgers Roster
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitchers Alex Vesia (ribs) and Brusdar Graterol (shoulder), and infielder Miguel Rojas (hernia) are all on the team's roster for the World Series. Vesia hurt his rib cage in the NLDS and was left off the roster for the NLCS, but is ready to rock and will likely be used in […]
Evan Phillips Not On Dodgers World Series Roster
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips (arm fatigue) is not on the World Series roster. Phillips is dealing with "dead arm" in his right arm that popped up during Game 6 of the NLCS. He was taken out of that game earlier than expected and the feeling hasn't improved since, causing the Dodgers to […]
Fantasy Baseball Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Report for Postseason Week 4
We did it, folks. We made it to the final series of the baseball season. The 2024 World Series will be a bi-coastal battle between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Two teams with very different rosters from top to bottom, but noticeably in the bullpens as well. The Dodgers had some […]
Alex Vesia Says He'll "Be Ready To Go"
Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed reliever Alex Vesia (ribs) said he threw 15 pitches during a simulated game on Wednesday and felt good on Thursday morning. Vesia said his fastball velocity might have been down one mph but that adrenaline should be able to get him by. "When the lights come on Friday, I'll be ready […]
Mets Expect Active Offseason
New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said on Wednesday that the organization expects to be very active this offseason, with the matter of what to do with impending free-agent All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso at the top of the list. Restocking the starting pitching staff will also be important, as both right-hander […]
Nestor Cortes Expects To Be On World Series Roster
New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes (elbow) expects to be on the roster for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, even though he knows there's long-term injury risk if he comes back a month after being diagnosed with a flexor strain in his left elbow. "We have weighed in the consequences this can […]
Dedniel Nunez Could Have A Normal Offseason
New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said that right-handed reliever Dedniel Nunez (forearm) is progressing well in his recovery from a right-forearm injury that caused him to miss most of the second half of the 2024 season. The Mets are hoping to get Nunez back on the mound in November, and if […]
JoJo Romero To Start Throwing Program This Week
St. Louis Cardinals left-handed reliever JoJo Romero (forearm) is scheduled to start a throwing program this week. Romero was placed on the 15-day injured list in the last week of the regular season due to left-forearm inflammation. With the 28-year-old southpaw already starting a throwing program before the start of the World Series, he'll have […]
Alex Vesia Throwing To Live Hitters
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that left-handed reliever Alex Vesia (ribs) was scheduled to throw to live hitters either on Tuesday or Wednesday. Both Vesia and right-handed reliever Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) will be last-minute decisions as far as being included on the World Series roster for Game 1 this Friday at Dodger Stadium. […]
The Biggest Fantasy Baseball Busts Of 2024
There are technical, precise ways to measure a fantasy “bust,” but we know one when we see one. We lived through it, after all. These players slowly but surely sabotaged our fantasy teams despite high expectations. For those who want firm parameters, we have, with one exception, spotlighted players drafted in the top 150 who […]
"Good Chance" Nestor Cortes Will Be On World Series Roster
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said there's a "good chance" that left-hander Nestor Cortes (elbow) will be included on the roster for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which begins this Friday at Dodger Stadium. Cortes is set to throw another live batting practice session on Tuesday, and if he gets through […]
Blake Treinen Finishes Off Bullpen Game To Send Dodgers To World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Blake Treinen recorded the final six outs of Game 6 of the NLCS, earning the save in a 10-5 win over the New York Mets. The 36-year-old allowed one run on two hits while striking out four. Treinen was the seventh Dodgers reliever used in this one, as manager Dave […]
Emmanuel Clase Has Another Rough Outing, Takes Loss Against Yankees
Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase's rough 2024 postseason continued on Friday night against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. Clase was brought into a 6-6 tie game in the ninth inning and proceeded to allow two earned runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one […]
Tommy Kahnle Picks Up Save For Yankees In Game 4
New York Yankees right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle got the nod in a save chance in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night against the Cleveland Guardians and disappoint, slamming the door in an 8-6 victory for his first save of the postseason. In his scoreless inning of work, Kahnle allowed a […]
Ian Hamilton Removed From ALCS Roster With Calf Injury
After New York Yankees right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton (calf) suffered a left-calf injury in the loss in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday to the Cleveland Guardians, the Yankees removed him from the playoff roster and replaced him with right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. It's a tough break for the 29-year-old, as […]
Kodai Senga Unlikely To Pitch In Game 5 Against Dodgers
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that right-hander Kodai Senga is unlikely to pitch now for Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Friday at Citi Field against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets are comfortable with left-handed starter David Peterson throwing up to 80 pitches and desperately need him to eat […]
Chris Murphy Begins Throwing Program
Boston Red Sox left-handed reliever Chris Murphy (elbow) started a throwing program last week as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery that he had back in April of this year. Murphy will be rehabbing all offseason and will not be ready to roll for the start of spring training in February or for the start […]
Ian Hamilton Suffers Calf Injury In Game 3
New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton (calf) suffered left-calf tightness in his outing in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Thursday at Progressive Field against the Cleveland Guardians. Hamilton injured himself trying to make a play at first base in the sixth inning and was pulled after recording just one out. […]
Fantasy Baseball Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Report for Postseason Week 3
We're officially down to four teams left, internet friends! One of the Dodgers, Mets, Guardians, or Yankees will be the 2024 World Series champions (and all of those teams are set up for another good season next year, too). We've already seen some fantastic bullpen performances in these playoffs but also some surprising blow-ups. Three […]
Luke Weaver Blows First Save Of Season In Game 3
New York Yankees closer Luke Weaver finally had a bad showing this postseason, taking his first blown save in a 7-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of the ALCS. Weaver had been terrific before this game, allowing just one run in seven frames and converting all four of his save chances. Unfortunately, […]
Fantasy Baseball Dynasty/Keeper League Infielders To Stash for 2025
Welcome back, RotoBallers. It may be the offseason but we don't stop thinking about fantasy baseball in these parts, especially if you play in a dynasty/keeper league. I am starting a new series on players to grab and stash before the 2025 season. Spring Training or even just offseason analysis could generate buzz on some […]
Michael Fulmer Begins Throwing Off A Mound
Boston Red Sox pitcher Michael Fulmer (elbow) has begun to throw off of a mound and is on pace to be ready for spring training, barring any setbacks. Fulmer last pitched in the majors in 2023, missing all of the 2024 season after undergoing UCL surgery. The 31-year-old was the American League Rookie of the […]