MLB News
Kenley Jansen Not Expected To Return To Boston
According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, the Boston Red Sox are not expected to re-sign free-agent relief pitcher Kenley Jansen. The team remains linked to several of the top relief pitchers, but Jansen will likely not return to Boston. The 37-year-old spent the past two seasons with the Red Sox and held a 3.44 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP across 99 1/3 innings of work. He tallied 56 saves with 114 strikeouts. Cotillo noted that given how his time in Boston ended last season, the door is likely closed on a reunion. During the final weeks, Jansen was placed on the injured list and did not travel with the team. In addition, before the team's final three games, the reliever cleaned out his locker and went home. Jansen spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2010 through 2021. Throughout the offseason, the right-hander has been linked to several teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays.
2 hours ago
Pirates Designate Tristan Gray For Assignment
According to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com, the Pittsburgh Pirates have designated infielder Tristan Gray for assignment. This transaction opened a roster spot for Andrew McCutchen, who was added to the Pittsburgh roster on a one-year contract. Over the past two seasons, Gray has appeared in just 15 games at the major league level. Across this small stint, the Rice product held a .152/.222/.273 line and hit just one extra-base hit. Through 112 games at the Triple-A level last summer, Gray posted a solid .251/.322/.467 line with 25 doubles, 19 home runs, and a 41:121 BB:K ratio. This was very similar to the .235/.312/.485 line he held during the 2023 campaign at the top level of the minor leagues. Gray is expected to spend most of the 2025 season in the minor leagues.
2 hours ago
Reds Sign Alex Young To Minor-League Contract
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Cincinnati Reds have signed left-handed pitcher Alex Young to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. Young logged just 15 2/3 innings of major league play last season and performed well with a 2.87 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Through 32 innings at the Triple-A level, Young posted a strong 2.81 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. During the 2023 campaign, Young held a 3.86 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP across 53 2/3 innings of work. While Young has begun to turn the corner in the major leagues, he has battled numerous injuries, which has limited his production. Fantasy managers should expect the southpaw to compete for a spot in the Cincinnati bullpen during spring training.
2 hours ago
Ryder Ryan Inks Minor-League Deal With Pittsburgh
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed pitcher Ryder Ryan to a minor-league deal that includes an invite to spring training. Ryder logged 20 2/3 innings with the Pirates last season and posted a 5.66 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He struck out 17 batters and posted a high 9.7% walk rate. Through 41 innings with Triple-A Indianapolis, Ryan posted a 4.61 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP with a 15:34 BB:K ratio. Across 200 1/3 career frames at the Triple-A level, the North Carolina product holds a 4.31 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Ryan to compete for a spot in the bullpen during spring training but will likely open the campaign at Triple-A given his lack of big league experience and success.
3 hours ago
Nick Anderson Drawing Interest On Free-Agent Market
According to Ari Alexander of KPRC2, right-handed pitcher Nick Anderson is drawing interest from multiple clubs. Alexander noted that Alexander will likely sign a one-year deal. The 34-year-old went to the Baseball Performance Center over the offseason and added a split-change to his arsenal. Last season, Anderson logged 35 2/3 innings with the Kansas Royals. He posted a 4.04 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP with 29 strikeouts before being released in July. During the 2023 season, the right-hander posted a strong 3.06 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP across 35 1/3 innings with the Atlanta Braves. If Anderson were to find a suitor, he would likely have a role as a middle-relief option out of the bullpen and could eventually return to a high-leverage role.
3 hours ago
Giants Sign Joey Lucchesi To Minor-League Deal
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the San Francisco Giants have signed left-handed pitcher Joey Lucchesi to a minor-league deal that includes an invite to spring training. The 31-year-old logged just 10 innings in the major leagues last season and spent most of the season with Triple-A Syracuse. Across his small stint with the Mets, the veteran southpaw posted a 5.23 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. Through 115 innings at the Triple-A level, Lucchesi held a 4.70 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. He struck out 86 batters but struggled with his command, as he served up 56 walks. While he struggled in 2024, Lucchesi posted a solid 2.89 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP across 46 2/3 innings in the majors in 2023. Fantasy managers should expect him to compete for a long-relief role in the San Francisco bullpen during spring training.
14 hours ago
Dodgers Had Interest In Kirby Yates
According to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Dodgers had interest in free-agent relief pitcher Kirby Yates before signing left-hander Tanner Scott. Harris noted that throughout the offseason, the Dodgers evaluated several of the top relief pitchers, including Yates. However, the team always viewed Scott as the top option. Last season, Scott posted a strong 1.75 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP with 84 strikeouts across 72 innings of work last season. Fantasy managers should expect Scott to be deployed as the top ninth-inning option in Los Angeles, given the four-year $72 million contract he received. Yates enjoyed an impressive campaign in 2024 as he posted a stellar 1.17 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP across 61 innings. He tallied 33 saves and 85 punchouts for the Texas Rangers. Yates now sits as one of, if not the top relief pitcher on the market and will likely be deployed as a closer with his new club.
15 hours ago
Cubs Sign Trevor Richards To Minor-League Deal
According to Aram Leighton of Just BB Media, the Chicago Cubs have signed right-handed pitcher Trevor Richards to a minor-league deal. Richards logged 65 1/3 innings at the major league level across stints with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Minnesota Twins. He posted a 4.55 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP and was deployed primarily out of the bullpen. He struck out batters at a low 22.4% K rate and struggled with his command as he held a hefty 12.6% walk rate. However, he generated a 3.62 xERA and a 2.05 xBA, both above the average marks. During the 2023 season, Richards posted a similar 4.95 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP through 72 2/3 innings. However, that season, he struck out batters at an impressive 33.3% rate. Richards will likely compete for a spot in the bullpen during spring training.
15 hours ago
Pete Alonso Still "In Play" For Toronto
According to Scott Mitchell of TSN Sports, free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso is still "in play" for the Toronto Blue Jays. Earlier on Monday, the Blue Jays signed outfielder Anthony Santander to a five-year deal worth $92.5 million, but the team remains focused on further improving their team. Earlier in the offseason, the Blue Jays were at the forefront of several free-agent discussions, including Juan Soto and Roki Sasaki, but fell short in both bids. However, it appears the Blue Jays are willing to continue to improve their roster in hopes of competing in 2025. If Alonso were to sign with the Blue Jays, this would likely move Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a full-time role at the hot corner. Despite hitting just 34 home runs in 2024, Alonso boasted a stellar 13.2% barrel rate and 46.4% hard-hit rate, which suggests he should be due for some positive regression in 2025. Alonso would bring another high-upside power bat to the heart of the Toronto lineup.
15 hours ago
Brandon Eisert Designated For Assignment
According to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, the Toronto Blue Jays have designated left-handed pitcher Brandon Eisert for assignment. This transaction opened a roster spot for outfielder Anthony Santander, who the team signed to a five-year contract earlier on Monday. Eisert made his major league debut last summer. Across a small six 2/3 inning stint, the southpaw allowed three earned runs with a 4:2 BB:K ratio. Through 53 2/3 innings at Triple-A Buffalo, Eisert posted a 3.86 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. He struck out 66 batters. This was a slight improvement compared to the 4.17 ERA and the 1.32 WHIP he posted with Triple-A Buffalo during the 2023 season. Given his lack of major league experience and success, Eisert will likely spend most of the 2025 season in the minor leagues.
15 hours ago
Matthew Liberatore Preparing To Be A Starter In 2025
St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore, who served as a dependable reliever for the team in 2024, said that he's preparing to be a starter in spring training and for the 2025 regular season. "It's easier to go from five innings to one than one to five," Liberatore said. MLB's John Denton writes that the key for Liberatore will be getting better against right-handed hitters, and that could ultimately determine if the Cardinals are comfortable giving him a starting-rotation spot to begin the regular season. The 25-year-old southpaw and former first-rounder by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 held a 4.40 ERA and 1.23 WHIP overall with a career-high 76 strikeouts and 28 walks in 86 innings over 60 outings (six starts) for St. Louis last year, but he had an ERA under 4.00 in relief. In his career as a starter, Liberatore holds an ERA just south of 6.00.
21 hours ago
Jordan Walker Working On His Swing This Offseason
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker has been working with new hitting coach Brant Brown to retool and rediscover his swing this offseason for what he hopes will be a bounce-back season in 2025. Brown discovered that Walker's hands were separating from his body too soon in his swing last year, and his balance was also inconsistent with the wider stance he used. The 22-year-old will now try to be more of a gap-to-gap hitter instead of trying to mostly loft balls over the fences. The former first-round pick struggled to a .201/.253/.366 slash line with a weak .619 OPS in 51 big-league games in 2024, leading to a minor-league demotion. Walker looked better down the stretch, but his strikeout and walk rates regressed. The good news going into 2025 is that the former top prospect should get a longer leash in St. Louis with the Cards prioritizing giving their young players more playing time.
21 hours ago
Masyn Winn Improving His Speed, Wants To Steal 30-40 Bases
MLB.com's John Denton reports that St. Louis Cardinals rising shortstop Masyn Winn has spent the bulk of his offseason training in Jupiter, Fla., to improve his speed and has been working with a track coach again. "I didn't take as many bags as I wanted last year. I want to take 30-to-40 (stolen bases), if possible," Winn said. In his first full season as the starting shortstop in St. Louis, Winn hit .267/.314/.416 with 15 home runs, 57 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 85 runs scored in 637 plate appearances and 150 games. The 22-year-old is one of the faster players in MLB and was a perennial 30-plus-steal guy in the minor leagues, so expecting more thefts moving forward is a good bet as he gets settled into the big leagues. Winn isn't a lock to be the team's leadoff hitter in 2025, but his increase in power was a good sign in the second half last year. As of right now, RotoBaller has Winn ranked as the No. 165 overall fantasy player.
21 hours ago
Astros Leaving The Door Open For Alex Bregman Return
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Monday that the team is open to the possibility of re-signing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. "Our arms are still open. The door is still open. There's always a chance," Espada said. The Astros are leaving the door open, but it's still unlikely there will be a reunion after the team signed Christian Walker to play first base and acquired third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Chicago Cubs this winter. In the unlikely event that Bregman did re-sign with Houston, the Astros would probably have to move one of Walker or Paredes to a full-time designated-hitter role. The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers might be the most likely landing spots for the 30-year-old veteran this offseason. The two-time All-Star dealt with injuries down the stretch in 2024 and finished with a .260/.315/.453 slash line, 26 homers, 75 RBI and 79 runs scored in 145 games played.
21 hours ago
Anthony Santander Signs Five-Year Deal With Blue Jays
Free-agent outfielder Anthony Santander agreed to a five-year deal worth at least $92.5 million guaranteed on Monday with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to a source. With an option involved in the deal, Santander has the potential to make $110 million. KPRC's Ari Alexander also reports that there is deferred money in the deal. Santander has an opt-out after the 2027 season that can be voided if a 2030 team option is exercised. It's the first big signing this offseason for Toronto and will give them a rising switch-hitting power bat to pair with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the middle of their lineup. The Venezuelan outfielder was a first-time All-Star in 2024 and hit .235/.308/.506 with an .814 OPS, a career-high 44 home runs and a career-high 102 RBI in 155 games with the Orioles. Although his power will play nicely in Toronto, fantasy managers may want to expect a slight step back in his power numbers in 2025.
21 hours ago
Erick Fedde Not Expected To Be Traded Before Spring Training
According to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, the St. Louis Cardinals are not expected to trade starting pitcher Erick Fedde before spring training. President of Baseball Operations, John Mozeliak, noted that while the team would like to continue increasing their financial flexibility, with spring training around the corner, the team would rather hold on to Fedde instead. However, trade talks will likely resume if the Cardinals fall out of playoff contention early in the summer. The 31-year-old opened the 2024 season with the Chicago White Sox before being shipped to St. Louis before the trade deadline. Across 177 1/3 innings, the right-hander posted a 3.30 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He struck out 154 batters with a 7.2% walk rate. Fantasy managers should expect Fedde to open the season as the No.2 option in the St. Louis rotation.
Yesterday
Pete Crow-Armstrong Not Expected To Open Season As Leadoff Hitter
According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, the Chicago Cubs are not expected to utilize young outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong as their leadoff hitter early in the season. Manager Craig Counsell said he is "open-minded" about the decision but will probably not have him open the season in that role. The head skipper also noted that Crow-Armstrong's hesitance to steal bases late in the season is a part of this decision. While Crow-Armstrong began to find his footing in the second half of 2024 as he held a .262/.310/.425 line with ten stolen bases and eight doubles, he swiped only one of those bags in September. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his progress during spring training, as his outlook would be altered if he moved to the bottom half of the lineup. As a result, this would likely make Ian Happ or Nico Hoerner (elbow) the top candidates for the leadoff spot. Given Happ's elite on-base skills, he would have a path to tallying a career-high in runs batting in front of Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki.
Yesterday
Max Scherzer Drawing Interest From Toronto
According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet, free-agent pitcher Max Scherzer is drawing interest from the Toronto Blue Jays. Nicholson-Smith noted that while Scherzer is already drawing interest from the Blue Jays, adding another top bat from the market, such as Anthony Santander or Pete Alonso, could create an even more appealing destination for the 40-year-old. Last season, Scherzer was limited to just 43 1/3 innings of work due to numerous injuries. The right-hander posted a 3.95 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP through this small stint. He struck out 40 batters and held a strong 5.6% walk rate. He generated hard contact at a solid 34.9% rate and whiffs at a 29.2% rate. The Blue Jays were very interested in adding Roki Sasaki to their starting rotation but fell just short in the bidding. If Scherzer were to join the Blue Jays, this would likely move Yariel Rodriguez to a long-relief role.
Yesterday
Cubs, Blue Jays Pursuing Carlos Estevez
According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams pursuing free-agent relief pitcher Carlos Estevez. Morosi noted that following the signings of A.J. Minter and Tanner Scott, the relief pitcher market is heating up. Morosi also reported that the Cubs offered Tanner Scott a four-year deal with $66 million, suggesting they remain focused on bolstering their bullpen. Earlier this offseason, the Blue Jays signed Jeff Hoffman to a three-year deal with $33 million. However, after missing out on several top free agents, they are still looking to further improve their team. Last season, Estevez tallied 26 saves with a 2.45 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP pitching for the Angels and Phillies. He generated a solid 3.19 xERA and a .220 xBA which were both above average but allowed hard contact at a hefty 42.3% rate. Estevez would likely be deployed as a high-leverage option where he signs.
Yesterday
Rangers Sign Chad Wallach To Minor-League Deal
According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, the Texas Rangers have signed catcher Chad Wallach to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. Wallach did not make an appearance in the majors last season. He spent the entire campaign with Triple-A Salt Lake and posted a .247/.337/.430 line with 15 doubles, 12 home runs, and two stolen bases. During the 2023 campaign, Wallach held a .197/.259/.376 line through 65 games with the Los Angeles Angels. This production was in line with his career .198/.263/.328 line he has held throughout his seven-year major league career. Given his lack of consistent major league production, the 33-year-old backstop will likely open the campaign at the Triple-A level.
Yesterday