MLB News
Carlos Santana Wants To Play 3-4 More Seasons
Free-agent first baseman/designated hitter Carlos Santana, who is 38 years old, said he wants to play another three or four seasons in the big leagues, according to his agent, Ulises Cabrera. The veteran Dominican switch-hitter won his first career Gold Glove at first base with the Minnesota Twins in 2024 and is coming off his best OPS (.749) since 2019 with the Cleveland Guardians. In addition to his .749 OPS, he hit .238/.328/.420 with 23 home runs, 71 RBI, four stolen bases and 63 runs scored in 594 trips to the plate and 150 games for Minnesota in 2024 in his 15th major-league season. Santana has had a long and successful career as a patient hitter, with high on-base percentages being his calling card in fantasy. He's had a little resurgence the last two years, but fantasy managers can't count on that moving forward, and there's almost zero upside.
2 hours ago
Jorge Polanco On Track To Be Cleared For Baseball Activity By January
Free-agent infielder Jorge Polanco (knee) is on track to be cleared for full baseball activities by January and is currently recovering on schedule after having surgery to fix the patellar tendon in his left knee, according to his agent, Ulises Cabrera. Polanco dealt with the knee issue for much of his first season with the Seattle Mariners in 2024 and was limited to 118 games, slashing a weak .213/.296/.355 with a career-worst .651 OPS, 16 home runs, 45 RBI, four stolen bases and 43 runs scored in 469 plate appearances. As a result of the disappointing season and his injury, the Mariners wisely declined Polanco's $12 million club option for the 2025 season. With better health, Polanco could have a bounce-back season elsewhere, but the Dominican infielder is known to be injury-prone, only playing in over 150 games twice in his 11 big-league seasons.
2 hours ago
Nationals Decline Option On Joey Gallo
As expected, the Washington Nationals declined their $8 million 2025 mutual option for outfielder/designated hitter Joey Gallo on Monday. It was the no-brainer move after Gallo showed more decline in his first year in the nation's capital. The two-time All-Star hit an abysmal .161/.277/.336 with a career-worst .613 OPS, 10 home runs, 27 RBI, three stolen bases and 24 runs scored in 260 plate appearances and 76 games played. The whiff-happy 30-year-old veteran left-handed slugger was always a big swing and miss guy, but it's gotten worse, with Gallo fanning in 102 of his 223 at-bats in 2024. In 10 big-league seasons since debuting in 2015 with the Texas Rangers, he has hit .194 with a .319 on-base percentage in 939 regular-season games. Gallo may have to settle for a minor-league deal elsewhere if he wants to continue his playing career.
2 hours ago
Red Sox Pick Up Rob Refsnyder's Option
The Boston Red Sox announced on Monday that they exercised outfielder Rob Refsnyder's $2.1 million option for the 2025 season. In a Red Sox lineup with plenty of left-handed hitters, Refsnyder was once again very valuable as a right-handed bat in Beantown in his third year with the team. In 307 plate appearances over 93 games, he hit .283/.359/.471 with an .830 OPS, a career-high 11 home runs, 40 RBI, two stolen bases and 32 runs scored as a platoon outfielder. Refsnyder doesn't receive the playing time to make him all that valuable in regular fantasy leagues, but he stands out as a DFS streamer because of his dominance over left-handed pitching. The South Korean outfielder hit .302 (38-for-126) with eight of his 11 home runs against southpaws in 2024.
2 hours ago
Cardinals Don't Extend Qualifying Offer To Paul Goldschmidt
As expected, the St. Louis Cardinals did not extend a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, according to president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. If Goldschmidt signs with another team on the open market this offseason, the Cardinals won't receive draft-pick compensation. The Cardinals reportedly don't have a ton of interest in re-signing him on a lesser deal after a disappointing 2024 campaign. The 37-year-old slugger had a second straight down year after winning National League MVP in 2022. The seven-time All-Star slashed .245/.302/.414 with a career-worst .716 OPS, 22 home runs, 65 RBI, 11 steals and 70 runs scored in 654 plate appearances and 154 games. While Goldy looks to be past his prime, there's still some power in his bat, and he could rebound with a change of scenery.
2 hours ago
Reds Give Nick Martinez A Qualifying Offer
The Cincinnati Reds extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent right-hander Nick Martinez on Monday, according to sources. He already declined a $12 million player option last week. Martinez and the Reds actually discussed a multi-year contract extension before this point, but neither side could agree to anything, and now the 34-year-old veteran swingman is on the open market. If Martinez rejects the offer and signs with another club this winter, the Reds will receive draft-pick compensation. He had a great first season in Cincy in 2024, going 10-7 with a career-best 3.10 ERA (3.21 FIP), a 1.03 WHIP and a career-high 116 strikeouts in 142 1/3 innings over 42 appearances (16 starts). Martinez might see plenty of money on the open market given his versatility, but it also wouldn't be a surprise if he accepted the one-year qualifying offer to stay with the Reds.
3 hours ago
Christian Walker Receives Qualifying Offer From D-Backs
The Arizona Diamondbacks extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent first baseman Christian Walker on Monday, according to sources. If Walker chooses to reject the offer and signs with another team on the open market, the Diamondbacks would receive draft-pick compensation. Not only is the 33-year-old veteran one of the better first-base bats in baseball, but he also just won a third straight National League Gold Glove at the position. The former fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles out of South Carolina, Walker hit .251/.335/.468 with an .803 OPS, 26 home runs, 84 RBI, two steals and 72 runs scored in 552 plate appearances over 130 games in his eighth year in the desert. It was a slight drop in production from the previous two years, but he did miss some time late in the year due to injury. He has 25-plus homers in each of the last three campaigns.
3 hours ago
Dodgers Extend Qualifying Offer To Teoscar Hernandez
The Los Angeles Dodgers extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez on Monday, according to sources. Even though the Dodgers and Hernandez could reunite in 2025, he's almost certainly going to reject the offer. If Hernandez then signs with another team in free agency, the Dodgers would be receive draft-pick compensation. The 32-year-old right-handed slugger helped LA win another World Series title in his first year with the team and was a consistent offensive force all year on a team stacked with All-Stars. Hernandez hit .272/.339/.501 with an .840 OPS, career-high 33 home runs, 99 RBI, career-high-tying 12 steals and 84 runs scored in 154 regular-season games for the Blue. For fantasy purposes, Hernandez's fantasy value would be at its highest if he stays in LA's stacked lineup.
4 hours ago
Jake Bauers, Bryse Wilson Become Free Agents
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers and right-hander Bryse Wilson both cleared waivers on Monday and were outrighted to Triple-A Nashville. Both Bauers and Wilson were arbitration-eligible but will become free agents after being cast off the team's 40-man roster. Bauers matched his previous career-high of 12 home runs and also drove in 43 and stole a career-high 13 bases in 116 games in 2024 in his first year in Milwaukee, but he also hit just .199 with a .301 on-base percentage, .361 slugging percentage and below-average .662 OPS. He's now hit only .208 in five big-league seasons with five different teams. Wilson, 26, served as a swingman for Milwaukee this year, going 5-4 with a 4.04 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with a career-high 82 K's and 31 walks in 104 2/3 frames over his 34 outings (nine starts).
5 hours ago
Frankie Montas Declines Mutual Option
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Frankie Montas declined his portion of his $20 million mutual option for the 2025 season on Monday to officially become a free agent. The Brewers also claimed right-hander Kevin Herget off waivers from the New York Mets and claimed left-hander Rob Zastryzny off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. Montas will receive a $2 million buyout and is now free to sign with any team. The 31-year-old veteran began the year with the Cincinnati Reds before being traded to the Brewers at the deadline. The Dominican hurler went a combined 7-11 with a 4.84 ERA (4.71 FIP), a 1.37 WHIP, 148 strikeouts and 66 walks in 150 2/3 innings over 30 starts after missing pretty much all of 2023 due to injury. He was slightly better in 11 regular-season starts for the Brewers and will be hoping to take that momentum into 2025.
5 hours ago
Willy Adames Receives Qualifying Offer From Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent shortstop Willy Adames on Monday, according to sources. If Adames rejects the offer, which is likely, and signs with another team, the Brewers will receive draft-pick compensation. The 29-year-old should be able to find a lucrative long-term deal on the open market that will pay him more than $21.05 million in 2025 after he hit .251 (153-for-610) with career-highs in home runs (32), RBI (112), stolen bases (21) and runs scored (93) in 688 plate appearances and 161 regular-season games in his third full season in Milwaukee. Adames offers above-average defense at a premiere position on the infield and is an above-average hitter as well, which is hard to come by at shortstop. He's clubbed 24-plus home runs in each of the last four seasons.
5 hours ago
Joe Jimenez Out 8-12 Months After Knee Surgery
Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever Joe Jimenez (knee) is expected to be out eight to 12 months after having surgery on Oct. 29 to fix cartilage damage in his left knee. The surgery was performed in Chicago by Dr. Brian Cole. We'll have a better idea of Jimenez's specific timetable for a return next year, but he's almost certainly going to miss all of the first half of the 2025 season. It's a significant blow to Atlanta's bullpen, as the 29-year-old hurler was one of the team's best bullpen arms in 2024. Despite going 1-5 in his second season with Atlanta in 69 appearances out of the bullpen, he posted a career-best 2.62 ERA (2.34 FIP), a 0.99 WHIP, three saves, a career-high-tying 82 strikeouts and 23 walks in 68 2/3 innings pitched. Don't be surprised if Jimenez's rehab extends into the second half of next season after the All-Star break.
5 hours ago
Braves Give Max Fried A Qualifying Offer
The Atlanta Braves extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent left-hander Max Fried on Monday, according to sources. If Fried rejects the offer and signs with another club this offseason, the Braves will receive draft-pick compensation. Fried has pitched in Atlanta in all eight of his big-league seasons, compiling a nice 3.07 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 23.9 percent strikeout rate in 884 1/3 regular-season innings over 168 appearances (151 starts). The 30-year-old southpaw is fully expected to reject the qualifying offer and test out free agency. The Braves would love to have him back, but Fried could quickly get priced out of Atlanta's price range for a starter on the open market. The two-time All-Star has been bit by the injury bug in the past, but when healthy, he's one of the better top-of-the-rotation starters in baseball.
5 hours ago
Anthony Santander Receives Qualifying Offer
The Baltimore Orioles extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent outfielder Anthony Santander on Monday, according to sources. If Santander rejects the offer and leaves the O's in free agency this offseason, Baltimore will receive draft-pick compensation. He is unlikely to accept the offer as he searches for a lucrative contract on the open market. The switch-hitting Venezuelan outfielder made his first All-Star appearance in 2024, his eighth year in the big leagues, by hitting .235/.308/.506 with an .814 OPS, career-high 44 home runs, career-high 102 RBI, two stolen bases and a career-high 91 runs scored in 655 trips to the plate over 155 games played. Santander has been an offensive force for the Orioles the last three seasons, combining for 105 home runs and 286 RBI in 460 games played. He has only 10 steals in eight seasons and a career average of .246.
5 hours ago
Orioles Extend Qualifying Offer To Corbin Burnes
The Baltimore Orioles extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent right-hander Corbin Burnes on Monday, according to sources. Burnes is fully expected to decline the qualifying offer as he searches for a lucrative long-term offer on the open market. If the 30-year-old veteran ends up signing with another team this winter, the Orioles will receive draft-pick compensation. Baltimore acquired him in February from the Milwaukee Brewers, and he went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA (3.55 FIP), a 1.09 WHIP and 181:48 K:BB in 194 1/3 innings over 32 starts in 2024 for his fourth straight All-Star selection. Regardless of where Burnes is pitching in 2025, he should be viewed as a fantasy ace. 2024 broke a string of three straight seasons of 200-plus strikeouts for Burnes.
5 hours ago
Pete Alonso Receives Qualifying Offer From Mets
As expected, the New York Mets gave free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer on Monday. This was a no-brainer move for the Mets with Alonso headed towards being one of the most sought-after free-agent bats on the market this winter. If Alonso declines the offer, which he's expected to do, the Mets will receive draft-pick compensation if he signs elsewhere. Although the 29-year-old they call the Polar Bear isn't a big asset defensively at first base, there will be plenty of interest around the league in one of the most powerful right-handed bats. His offensive numbers were slightly down in 2024 with a .240/.329/.459 slash line, career-low .788 OPS, 34 home runs, 88 RBI, three steals and 91 runs scored in a league-high 162 regular-season games. Still, the four-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year's power will play in any ballpark.
16 hours ago
Clayton Kershaw Declines 2025 Option
Los Angles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (toe) declined his $5 million option for the 2025 season on Monday to officially become a free agent. However, Kershaw said he will be pitching for the World Series-champion Dodgers again next year no matter what. Especially after getting his second ring, the future Hall of Fame southpaw will return to LA in 2025 for what is likely to be his last year in the big leagues before hanging up his cleats. The three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP hasn't been healthy much in recent years but has still been serviceable for fantasy managers in the limited amount of time he's been on the mound. The 36-year-old made only seven starts for the Dodgers in 2024 and went 2-2 with a career-worst 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 24 strikeouts and nine walks in 30 innings. Bone spurs in his left big toe prevented him from pitching at all in the run to the World Series title.
16 hours ago
Alex Bregman Given Qualifying Offer
The Houston Astros have extended a qualifying offer to third baseman Alex Bregman. Bregman now has until November 19 to either accept this offer or test free agency. The 30-year-old will likely test free agency as he should receive a much higher salary on the open market. In 2024, Bregman hit at least 20 home runs for the third straight campaign while holding a solid .260/.315/.453 slash line with 75 RBI and three stolen bases. He held a stellar 12.8% whiff rate and 13.6% K rate, significantly boosting his value in points leagues. Fantasy managers should view the two-time World Series champion as a reliable option for power and batting average at the hot corner for the 2025 campaign.
20 hours ago
Juan Soto Receives Qualifying Offer
Outfielder Juan Soto has received a qualifying offer from the New York Yankees. However, the superstar outfielder is expected to decline this offer and test free agency, as he should be in line to receive a massive contract from the highest bidder. This transactional move simply allows the Yankees to receive a compensatory draft pick if the 26-year-old does not return to the Bronx in 2025. In his debut season in the Big Apple, Soto posted a stellar .288/.419/.569 slash line with 41 home runs, 109 RBI, and seven stolen bases. His .319 xBA and .658 xSLG placed him in the 99th percentile among qualified hitters. In addition, his incredible 18.1% walk rate was the highest mark among qualified hitters. Fantasy managers should view Soto as one of the safest first-round selections and top outfielders heading into next season.
20 hours ago
Tyler O'Neill Not Given Qualifying Offer, Headed To Free Agency
According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, the Boston Red Sox did not give outfielder Tyler O'Neill a qualifying offer, making him a free agent. O'Neill enjoyed a nice bounce-back campaign in last summer in Boston as he posted a solid .241/.336/.511 slash line with 31 home runs, 61 RBI, and four stolen bases. In the previous two campaigns, O'Neill hit just 23 long balls with a .229 AVG. Even though the 29-year-old missed time with numerous injuries this season, he was an elite fantasy contributor from a power perspective. Under the hood, his 17.3% barrel rate and 48.8% hard-hit rate suggest his power numbers should remain elite in 2025 if he can stay on the field. The former third-round pick remains a safe bet for power upside but will always be a risky asset, given his lengthy injury history.
21 hours ago
