MLB News
Robbie Ray Doesn't Opt Out Of Contract, Stays With Giants
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray did not exercise his player option with the San Francisco Giants and will remain with the team. Ray has two years and $50 million remaining on his contract, keeping him a Giant through 2026. The lefty will look to bounce back in 2025 after two injury-riddled seasons have held back the former Cy Young winner. In his first year with the Giants Ray posted a 4.70 ERA in seven starts. His first start didn't come until after the All-Star break as he was working his way back from Tommy John surgery. Ray's last start was shortened due to a hamstring injury. The lefty is in a spot where he needs to get himself back to normal form before he can expect another big payday. Fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for the lefty going forward given his recent injury issues as he may be well beyond his prime at this point in his career.
2 hours ago
Yankees Could Make Play For Pete Alonso This Offseason
The New York Yankees are expected to pursue Pete Alonso as a backup plan to any Juan Soto fallout during the offseason, according to Jon Heyman. After declining a $17 million option for first baseman Anthony Rizzo, the Yankees are aiming to save money for a big free-agent signing. Alonso is expected to be the prime backup option if Soto chooses not to re-sign with the Yankees. The 29-year-old will be one of the hottest names on the free-agent market this season after posting yet another solid season at the plate with a 123 OPS+ and 34 home runs. Fantasy managers should continue to target Alonso in drafts regardless of where he lands, as his xwOBA of .345 -- ranking in the 79th percentile in 2024 -- should translate to offensive success regardless of where he lands.
3 hours ago
Sean Manaea Opts Out Of Contract, Becomes Free Agent
New York Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea opted out of his contract with the Mets on Saturday and is now a free agent. Manaea had one year and $13.5 million remaining on his contract and is clearly eyeing a bigger payday after a resurgent second half of the season fueled by tweaks to his mechanics. The lefty posted a 3.47 ERA in 2024, his best ERA in a season with 10 or more games started. The lefty will certainly be in demand on the free agent market after his second half success transferred to the postseason. Fantasy managers should expect similar results in 2025 with slight negative regression coming as his 3.47 ERA was buoyed by a 3.75 xERA.
3 hours ago
Cody Bellinger Picks Up $27.5 Million Player Option With Cubs
Chicago Cubs first baseman and outfielder Cody Bellinger picked up his $27.5 million player option with Chicago on Saturday. He will not become a free agent this offseason and still has one player option remaining on his contract for 2026. Bellinger originally signed a three-year $80 million deal with the Cubs last offseason after flourishing during a "prove it" contract for the 2023 season. The lefty's second season with Chicago was less impressive, though he still posted a strong 111 OPS+. The 29-year-old's expected stats show a bit more concern, though, as his xwOBA for 2024 ranked in just the 32nd percentile. Dynasty managers may not want to make any moves quite yet, but they should certainly keep a close eye on Bellinger's production and temper expectations.
3 hours ago
Gerrit Cole Opts Out Of Contract With Yankees
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole exercised his player option and opted out of his contract with New York on Saturday. The move had been expected and shouldn't be considered a shock by any means. The Yankees have the option to void his opt out by adding one year and $36 million to the remaining four years and $144 million Cole has on his contract. If the Yankees do not void the opt out then Cole will become a free agent. The Yankees' ace originally signed a nine year, $324 million contract in 2020 and posted a 3.12 ERA in 759 innings as a Yankee. If he hits the open market the 34-year-old will likely be the top pitcher available. Dynasty managers shouldn't stress much about Cole's future as the former Cy Young award winner is likely to continue to produce regardless of where he ends up.
3 hours ago
Roddery Munoz Claimed By St. Louis
The St. Louis Cardinals claimed starting pitcher Roddery Munoz off of waivers. Munoz made his MLB debut last summer with the Miami Marlins. Across 82 2/3 innings of work (17 starts) the 24-year-old struggled with a 6.53 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, with a 42:70 BB:K ratio. In Triple-A last season, Munoz posted a 4.96 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Under the hood, the right-hander held a hefty 13.7% barrel rate and 45.0% hard-hit rate which were among the worst marks by qualified pitchers last summer. Fantasy managers should expect Munoz to either serve as a back-end starter or a long relief option in St. Louis but should be left off your fantasy radar given his struggles during his rookie campaign.
5 hours ago
Ryan Noda Claimed By The Angels
Oakland Athletics first baseman Ryan Noda was claimed by the Los Angeles Angels off waivers. Noda had a disappointing 2024 campaign as he hit for a .137/.255/.211 line with just one home run, four RBI, and a 14:37 BB:K ratio across 36 games. This was a sharp decline from the encouraging .229/.364/.406 line he hit in his debut season in 2023. At Triple-A Las Vegas last season, Noda posted a .224/.391/.486 slash line. Fantasy managers should expect the 28-year-old to compete for a spot on the Opening Day in Los Angeles but is best to leave off your fantasy radar given his inconsistencies last summer.
6 hours ago
Rhys Hoskins Staying In Milwaukee
The Milwaukee Brewers exercised their 2025 club option on first baseman Rhys Hoskins. After missing the entire 2023 campaign with a torn ACL, Hoskins posted a modest .214/.303/.419 line in 2024 with 26 home runs, 82 RBI, and a 53:149 BB:K ratio. Hoskins has now hit at least 25 home runs in each of the past three seasons he has played in but has seen his batting average drop lower in each consecutive year as well. Under the hood, the 31-year-old posted a strong 12.7% barrel rate but with a poor 26.3% whiff rate and 28.8% K rate. Hoskins remains a depth infield option heading into 2025 with an upside for power in category leagues. His hefty strikeout rate significantly lowers his value in points leagues.
6 hours ago
Seattle Declines Club Option On Jorge Polanco
The Seattle Mariners are declining the 2025 club option on second baseman Jorge Polanco according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Polanco will receive $750,000 and become a free agent. the 31-year-old struggled in his first season in Seattle as he hit for an underwhelming .213/.296/.355 with 16 home runs, 45 RBI, and four swiped bags. In 2024, he posted a career-worst 29.3% K rate. This was a stark decline from the .255/.335/.454 line he held in 2023 with the Minnesota Twins. Despite his drop in production, Polanco could find a starting role with a new club in 2025 and may be worth a look as a late-option in drafts this offseason.
6 hours ago
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 work. He generated strikeouts at an elite 31.1% rate. In the postseason, Weaver was deployed as the go-to option in the ninth inning as he tallied four saves with a 1.76 ERA and a 0.65 WHIP in 15 1/3 frames of work. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the Yankee bullpen in the offseason as Weaver could open the 2025 campaign as the clear ninth-inning option.
6 hours ago
Arizona Picks Up Club Option On Eugenio Suarez
The Arizona Diamondbacks are picking up the 2025 club option on third baseman Eugenio Suarez worth $15 million according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The veteran infielder had a tale of two seasons. During the first half, the third baseman hit for a mere .216/.302/.366 slash line with just ten home runs and 48 RBI. However, after the mid-summer classic, the 33-year-old posted a much-improved .307/.341/.602 line with 20 home runs and 53 RBI. He boasted an above-average 11.3% barrel rate and 42.4% hard-hit rate which suggests his power numbers should continue to be a factor in 2025. Suarez remains a safe bet for upside power as a corner infielder this upcoming season.
6 hours ago
Clayton Kershaw To Undergo Two Surgeries
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw is set to undergo two surgeries on Wednesday, one on his toe and the other on his meniscus in his left knee according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The 36-year-old was able to only log 30 innings of work this season as he was limited by numerous injuries. As a result the 36-year-old remains without a definite timetable heading into the 2025 campaign. Earlier in October, the three-time Cy Young Winner and now two-time World Champion noted that he intends to pitch in 2025 as he sits just 32 strikeouts away from 3,000. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the southpaw's progression over the offseason as he may have another delayed start to his season.
21 hours ago
Rays Pick Up Club Option On Brandon Lowe
The Tampa Bay Rays have picked up the 2025 club option on second baseman Brandon Lowe according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Lowe is coming off another solid season where he hit at least 20 home runs for the second-straight campaign. He also held a .244/.311/.473 slash line with 58 RBI and five stolen bases. Under the hood, he held an above-average 44.7% hard-hit rate and a 12.4% barrel rate which suggest his power numbers should continue to remain stable heading into 2025. Fantasy managers should view Lowe as a solid late-round option for power as a middle infielder.
22 hours ago
Nick Martinez Headed To Free Agency
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez opted out of his contract and will test free agency according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Martinez is coming off the best season of his seven-year MLB career where he held a solid 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, with a 18:116 BB:K ratio. Martinez was deployed as both a starter and reliever but took significant strides this summer. He showcased elite command with a 3.2% walk rate and was able to limit hard contact at a strong 30.5% hard-hit rate and 5.1% barrel rate. Martinez will likely continue to operate as a back-end starter and could be worth a look in deeper formats this upcoming season given his progression.
22 hours ago
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 a 3.15 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, with a 12:50 BB:K ratio. Under the hood, Suter boasted a stellar 30.2% hard-hit rate which is one of the best marks in the sport. Fantasy managers should expect Suter to continue to operate as a relief option in 2025 with the opportunity to earn a few saves.
22 hours ago
Yankees, Mets Among Teams In Battle For Juan Soto
The New York Yankees and New York Mets and a few other organizations will be in a battle to sign superstar outfielder Juan Soto according to Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post. Following his Game 5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, Soto told the media that, "I feel every team has the same opportunity" in relation to his pending free agency. With Scott Boras severing as his agent, baseball fans should expect the highest bidder to open their pockets in hopes of acquiring Soto as Boras has negotiated several of the largest contracts in recent history such as Gerrit Cole's 2022 contract with the New York Yankees. With Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner at the forefront of the bidding, the 26-year-old should be in store for a record breaking deal coming off of his stellar 2024 campaign where he held a .288/.419/.569 line with 41 home runs.
22 hours ago
Scott Kingery Traded To Los Angeles
The Philadelphia Phillies have traded infielder Scott Kingery to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The 30-year-old has not appeared in a major league game since 2022 and has spent the past two seasons playing with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Last season in the top level of the minor leagues, the former second-round pick held a .268/.314/.488 line with 17 doubles, 25 home runs, 67 RBI, and 25 stolen bases. Kingery will likely compete for a spot on the Opening Day Roster in Los Angeles but will more than likely spend most of the 2025 season in the minor leagues.
22 hours ago
Blake Snell Opts Out Of Deal With San Francisco
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell is opting out of his two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants and will test the open market according to Alex Pavlovic. The 31-year-old had a tale of two seasons in his debut campaign in San Francisco. Through the first-half, the southpaw he held a 6.31 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP and was hindered by several injuries. However, after the All-Star break, Snell returned to his Cy Young form as he logged 68 1/3 innings to the tune of a stellar 1.45 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, with a 27:103 BB:K ratio. Given his performance down the stretch, Snell will likely be in line to receive a large contract and will be a popular starting pitcher taken early in drafts this upcoming offseason.
22 hours ago
Royals Decline Option On Adam Frazier
Kansas City Royals second baseman/outfielder Adam Frazier had his 2025 club option declined and will instead head to free agency according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Frazier had the worst season of his MLB career in 2024 as he hit for an underwhelming .202/.282/.294 slash line with just ten doubles, four home runs, and three swiped bags. From 2021 through 2023, Frazier hit at least 20 doubles in each season. The 32-year-old also saw his underlying metrics decline as he posted a 2.9% barrel rate and 22.8% hard-hit rate, which were both lower than his 2023 totals. Frazier should be left off your fantasy radar in 2025 given his drop in batting average and minimal power output.
Yesterday
Manuel Margot, Kyle Farmer Headed To Free Agency
Minnesota Twins outfielder Manuel Margot and infielder Kyle Farmer had their 2025 club options declined and will head to free agency according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Margot held a .238/.289/.337 line with four home runs and five stolen bases across 129 games last season. Farmer posted a similar .214/.293/.353 slash line with five home runs and three swiped bags in 107 games of action in 2024. Margot logged most of his starts in center field while Farmer was deployed all over the infield. Both batters will likely be viewed as reserve options during free agency and should not be on your fantasy radar heading into 2025.
Yesterday
Robbie Ray
• SP
•
Giants
