MLB News

According to Peter Gammons of the MLB Network, the Seattle Mariners would "love" to acquire free-agent first baseman Christian Walker. However, Gammons noted that the first baseman is currently out of their price range, but trading starting pitcher Luis Castillo could open enough space on the books for the infielder. Castillo's name has been circling around trade discussions all offseason, and it could make sense given Seattle's depth at that position. Last summer, Walker held a solid .251/.335/.468 slash line with 26 home runs. Under the hood, the 33-year-old generated a .351 xwOBA, a 13.3% barrel rate, and a 48.0% hard-hit rate. Walker would provide some nice, consistent power to the Seattle lineup. The Yankees have also been a team that has expressed interest in the 33-year-old.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Chicago Cubs and free-agent catcher Carson Kelly have agreed to a two-year contract worth $11.5 million. Kelly opened the 2024 campaign catching for the Tigers before finishing his season with the Rangers. Across 91 games in the majors, the veteran backstop carried a .238/.318/.374 slash line with nine doubles, nine home runs, and a 25:55 BB:K. The 30-year-old spent most of his professional career playing with the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2019 through 2023. Overall, Kelly holds a career .224/.307/.373 slash line. Kelly will now likely slot in as the No. 2 option behind Miguel Amaya behind the dish. Last season, Amaya took a nice step forward in his second major-league season, posting an impressive .271/.316/.444 line after the All-Star break. Fantasy managers should still expect Amaya to see most of the starts to open the 2025 season.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, free agent outfielder Anthony Santander is seeking a five-year contract during free agency. It was reported earlier this offseason that the former Oriole was gaining interest from other AL East ball clubs, including the Blue Jays and Yankees. Last summer in Baltimore, Santander hit a career-high 44 home runs and held a .235/.308/.506 slash line. He also added 25 doubles and tallied over 100 RBI for the first time in his career. This was a nice improvement compared to the 28 long balls he hit in 2023. The switch-hitter generated a strong 11.7% barrel rate and held an above-average 19.4% K rate. Fantasy managers should closely monitor where Santander signs in the offseason as he could be in line to enjoy another successful season, especially if he remains with a competing team.

According to Shi Davidi of SportsNet, the Toronto Blue Jays are releasing catcher Nick Raposo to open a roster spot for relief pitcher Yimi Garcia. The Blue Jays agreed to a two-year contract with Garcia earlier this offseason. Raposo opened the 2024 campaign playing in the St. Louis organization before joining Toronto in August. Across 78 games at the Triple-A level last summer, the 26-year-old held an underwhelming .206/.280/.340 line with eight home runs, ten doubles, and a 25:59 BB:K ratio. In 2023, Raposo held a slightly higher .232/.334/.368 line across 27 games at Triple-A. Fantasy managers should not have Raposo on their radar heading into the 2025 campaign, as he has yet to turn the corner at the top level of the minor leagues.

According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Chicago Cubs are sending right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski to the Houston Astros in a package to acquire star outfielder Kyle Tucker. Wesneski was initially drafted by the New York Yankees but has spent his entire big-league career with the Chicago Cubs. Across his first three seasons in the majors (190 innings), the right-hander posted a 3.93 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Wesneski saw time as both a starter and a reliever and logged 22 starts over his 68 total games. Last summer, the 27-year-old generated a modest 4.17 xERA and .234 xBA. In addition, he posted a 23.7% K rate and 7.4% walk rate, which were both just above the average marks among qualified pitchers. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Spring Training as he may earn a spot in the Opening Day rotation.

The Houston Astros acquired infielder Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and third base prospect Cam Smith from the Chicago Cubs on Friday in exchange for All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, according to sources. This trade certainly gives the Astros a couple fallback options in case they cannot re-sign Alex Bregman this offseason. The 25-year-old Paredes could play either third or first base next year in his first with the Astros. The Mexican infielder took a step back with 19 homers and 80 RBI with the Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays in 2024 after setting career-highs in homers (31) and RBI (98) in 2023 with Tampa to make his first All-Star team. Paredes probably is never going to be a batting-average asset for fantasy mangers, but he's a good bet to bounce back in the power department at Minute Maid Park, especially with his pull-heavy offensive approach from the right side of the plate.

The Chicago Cubs have acquired star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros on Friday in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and third base prospect Cam Smith, according to sources. The Cubs and New York Yankees were the most aggressive suitors for Tucker, who is eligible for free agency after the 2025 campaign. With Tucker now in tow, the Cubs will move to trying to offload Cody Bellinger's bloated contract. In addition, Chicago could quickly look to get Tucker signed to a long-term contract extension if they want to keep the three-time All-Star around for more than just one season. The 27-year-old Tucker was limited to only 78 games in 2024 due to a fractured shin, but he still managed 23 homers and 11 stolen bases. From a power/speed perspective alone, Tucker is a first-round fantasy talent, and his move to Chicago shouldn't do anything to change that.

The Chicago White Sox announced on Thursday that they signed free-agent right-hander Dan Altavilla to a minor-league deal that includes a non-roster invitation to big-league spring training camp. Altavilla will stay in the American League Central heading into the 2025 campaign after making five appearances (one start) for the Kansas City Royals in 2024 in his first action in the big leagues since appearing in only two games with the San Diego Padres in 2021. In his five outings for the Royals this past season, Altavilla gave up six earned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out five in just 3 2/3 innings of work. The 32-year-old veteran hurler had a 3.51 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 41 innings in the minors at Triple-A Omaha. Altavilla will compete for a bullpen spot with the White Sox in spring training but will most likely start at Triple-A Charlotte.

The Chicago Cubs are close to acquiring All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros on Friday for a package led by infielder Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and third base prospect Cam Smith, according to sources. The Astros have also been looking closely at prospect Matt Shaw, but it's unclear if he'll be included if this trade goes down. If Chicago is able to land Tucker, one of the best all-around players in the game, they will most likely look to sign him to a long-term contract extension as well, as he's set to become a free agent after the 2025 campaign. Despite missing half of the 2024 season due to a fractured shin, Tucker still managed 23 home runs and 11 stolen bases and walked more than he struck out. The three-time All-Star has an incredibly high fantasy floor and should remain a first-round fantasy asset if he's moved to the Windy City. Stay tuned.

The Chicago Cubs continue to work hard on acquiring All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros, and corner infielder Isaac Paredes and third baseman Cam Smith are the primary names being discussed. In addition to the Cubs, the New York Yankees have been involved with trying to acquire the left-handed-hitting Tucker after they failed to re-sign superstar outfielder Juan Soto. Paredes, 25, was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Cubs in 2024. He wasn't as good with Chicago, hitting .223 with three homers and 25 RBI in 52 games played. There's bounce-back potential for Paredes if he heads to Houston after he hit 31 homers a year ago with Tampa. Smith, 21, is the Cubs' No. 7 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is quickly rising up prospect ranks after hitting .313/.396/.609 with seven homers in 32 games in the minors in his first pro season after Chicago took him 14th overall in the 2024 draft. UPDATE: Talks between the Astros and Cubs are "gaining momentum."

The Milwaukee Brewers acquired second base prospect Caleb Durbin and left-hander Nestor Cortes from the New York Yankees on Friday in exchange for right-handed reliever Devin Williams, according to sources. Durbin was not among the Yankees' top-25 prospects per MLB Pipeline, but his prospect stock has risen dramatically since the end of the 2024 season, mainly because of his impressive production in the Arizona Fall League. The 24-year-old infielder was expected to have a big role for the Yankees in 2025, but now he'll head to the National League Central, where he could also have a big role in the middle infield for the Brew Crew after they just lost Willy Adames to free agency. Durbin doesn't have a ton of power, but his high contract rate makes him a good bet to hit for average in the big leagues. He slashed .287/.396/.471 with 10 homers and 29 steals in 82 games at Triple-A in 2024.

The Milwaukee Brewers acquired left-hander Nestor Cortes and second base prospect Caleb Durbin from the New York Yankees on Friday in exchange for right-handed reliever Devin Williams, according to sources. Cortes became expendable for the Yankees after they signed left-hander Max Fried this week to add to their starting rotation. Cortes dealt with some injuries in 2024 and finished the regular-season on the shelf due to a flexor strain, although he was able to make it back in a relief role during the World Series. When healthy, the 30-year-old veteran southpaw was solid on the mound in pinstripes last season, posting a 3.77 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 162 strikeouts and 39 walks in 174 1/3 innings in his fourth year with the team. Before his injury, he had a 1.58 ERA in his final seven appearances. The health of Cortes' elbow makes him a bit risky, but the move to Milwaukee should guarantee him a rotation spot if he's healthy.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the New York Yankees have traded for Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Devin Williams. In exchange, the Brewers are acquiring infield prospect Caleb Durbin and starting pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. Williams has operated as the closer in Milwaukee for the majority of the past three summers. Last season, he missed the opening four months of the campaign due to a back injury but returned to his elite form during the second half. Across 21 2/3 innings of work, the right-hander held a stellar 1.25 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP while tallying 14 saves. Under the hood, he generated an impressive 43.2% K rate and allowed hard contact at an excellent 32.4% rate. In addition, he also boasted a 2.11 xERA and .143 xBA. In 2023, Williams tallied a career-high 36 saves while carrying a 1.53 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Williams to operate as a bona fide ninth-inning option in the Bronx and be in a great position to lead the sport in saves pitching on a competing team. Durbin will likely compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster, following a successful Arizona Fall League showing, while Cortes should have a consistent spot in their rotation.

According to Danielle Allentuck of the Baltimore Banner, Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Bradish (elbow) began a throwing program. Bradish underwent Tommy John surgery last June but still faces a long recovery process. Baltimore has noted that they hope Bradish can rejoin the starting rotation sometime in the second half of the 2025 campaign. Across 39 1/3 innings last season, the right-hander posted a solid 2.75 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. During his 2023 breakout campaign, the 28-year-old held a 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across a career-high 168 2/3 innings. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during the first half of the season, and he is a name to keep an eye on as he could be a reliable starting pitcher during the final months of the season.

According to David O'Brien of The Athletic, free-agent starting pitcher Charlie Morton is unlikely to return to Atlanta in 2025. O'Brien noted that the team's interest in the 41-year-old has been "put on the back burner" and that Morton has been open to hearing offers from other clubs. The Braves appear focused on addressing other holes on their roster, especially at corner outfield with Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) facing an uphill battle to be ready for Opening Day. In addition, the Atlanta rotation already has established options such as Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and breakout rookie Spencer Schwellenbach. In addition, their ace, Spencer Strider (elbow), will also return to the mound after missing the vast majority of last season due to an internal-brace procedure. Last season, Morton held a poor 4.19 ERA and 1.32 WHIP and should only be viewed as a low-end streaming option in deeper formats if he finds a new home in 2025.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, free agent starting pitcher Walker Buehler is looking for a multi-year deal with opt-outs on the market. After having a rocky regular season holding a 5.38 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, Buehler played an integral role during Los Angeles' World Series run, posting a solid 3.60 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP across 15 innings of work. Earlier in his career, the right-hander showed high upside, making two All-Star games and logging a career-high 207 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.47 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in the 2021 campaign. Olney notes that given his strong finish, the 30-year-old could enjoy a nice bounce-back campaign in 2025, which could set him up for a nice payday in 2026 if his contract includes opt-outs. Olney also stated that the Yankees expressed interest in him before signing Max Fried and that the Red Sox, Tigers, and Giants have also kicked the tires on him.

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB Network, St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado would approve of a trade to the New York Yankees. While the Yankees were not on Arenado's six-team wish list, a source told Feinsand that the former Gold Glover would approve of a trade to New York. The Yankees have been rumored to be in the market for a third baseman this offseason, including free agent Alex Bregman. Acquiring a new third baseman, would allow Jazz Chisholm Jr. to shift primarily to the keystone. Arenado saw his power production drop last season, posting a career-low .394 SLG and hitting just 16 home runs. However, he did still hold a strong .272 AVG. If Arenado is traded to the Yankees, fantasy managers should expect him to have prime RBI opportunities batting in a competitive lineup.

According to Ari Alexander of KPRC2, the Detroit Tigers have expressed interest in free-agent relief pitcher Kirby Yates. Yates is coming off his best professional campaign after posting a stellar 1.17 ERA and 0.83 WHIP across 61 2/3 innings with the Texas Rangers. He tallied 33 saves (second-highest total of his career) and was named to the American League All-Star team. Under the hood, the 37-year-old generated an impressive 1.86 ERA and .145 xBA, which placed him in the 100th percentile in both categories among qualified pitchers. In addition, he generated strikeouts at an elite 35.9% rate and limited hard hits at a solid 33.1% rate. While he did struggle with his command, posting an 11.8% walk rate, Yates would likely open the season as the primary ninth-inning option if he signs in Detroit with Jason Foley moving to the setup role.

The Boston Red Sox acquired catcher Carlos Narvaez from the New York Yankees on Wednesday in exchange for minor-league right-hander Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and international bonus-pool space. In a corresponding move to make room on their 40-man roster, Boston designated infielder/outfielder Enmanuel Valdez for assignment. Narvaez, 26, made his major-league debut with the Yankees in 2024 but only saw action in six games, going 3-for-13 with two walks and six strikeouts. The Venezuelan backstop played 96 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the minors and slashed .254/.370/.412 with a .782 OPS, 11 home runs, 58 RBI, nine stolen bases and 54 runs scored in 403 plate appearances. Barring another addition at the position by the BoSox this offseason, Narvaez should enter spring training as the favorite for backup duties to Connor Wong in 2025.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Kyle Wright (shoulder), who missed all of the 2024 season after having right-shoulder surgery, is hoping to be 100 percent healthy for spring training and the 2025 campaign. If he is, he could play a key role for the Royals' pitching staff. Wright touched 90 mph with his fastball in early October. Specifically, the 29-year-old hurler had surgery in October of 2023 to fix a torn capsule in his right shoulder. He won a league-high 21 games and had a 3.19 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in a career-high 30 starts for the Atlanta Braves back in 2022, so fantasy managers shouldn't completely forget about Wright. It remains to be seen if Wright can recapture his form from his breakout season in Atlanta, and he could be a work in progress next year as he works to regain more velocity. For now, Wright will merely be one to watch in KC.