MLB News
Jeff Hoffman Could Enter Starting Rotation In 2025
Free-agent pitcher Jeff Hoffman is receiving some "industry buzz" suggesting he could operate as a starting pitcher in 2025 season, according to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN. The 31-year-old was deployed exclusively out of the bullpen last summer and posted a stellar 2.17 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 16:89 BB:K. The right-hander generated an impressive 34.6% chase rate and a 33.6% strikeout rate, which placed him in the top 96th percentile in both statistics. In addition, he held a solid 2.83 xERA and a .203 xBA, which were both significantly above the average marks. Hoffman has been given opportunities to start games earlier in his career but struggled during those stints. However, given his development in Philadelphia, Hoffman may have been able to take the next step and could enjoy similar results in a rotation next season.
4 hours ago
Willy Adames Receives Offers From Mets And Dodgers
Free-agent shortstop Willy Adames has received offers from the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to MLB Insider Mike Rodriguez. Rodriguez noted that the Mets have offered the infielder a contract worth $160 million spread across seven years with the intention of him moving over to cover the hot corner. Adames has stated he prefers to play shortstop, but a sizeable contract and playing on a team that just made the NLCS may convince him. The details of the Los Angeles offer has not been reported, but if Adames were to sign there, he would be expected to be the team's starting shortstop. Last season, the 29-year-old enjoyed a nice bounce-back campaign as he hit 32 home runs with 112 RBI, compared to the 24 home runs and 80 RBI he tallied in 2023. Fantasy managers should view Adames as one of the top options for power at shortstop heading into the 2025 campaign.
4 hours ago
T.J. McFarland Re-Signs With The A's
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the A's have re-signed relief pitcher T.J. McFarland on a one-year contract. McFarland posted a 3.81 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with a 17:39 BB:K across 56 2/3 innings of work. Under the hood, he carried a stellar 59.4% ground-ball rate and was able to maintain soft contact at a 4.6% barrel rate and a 34.9% hard-hit rate. However, he struggled in generating whiffs, as he posted a mere 16.6% strikeout rate, one of the lowest marks among qualified pitchers. Fantasy managers should expect McFarland to return to his high-leverage role pitching in the seventh or eighth innings of games, but he will have his save opportunities capped with Mason Miller poised to return to his closer role.
4 hours ago
Ivan Herrera, Pedro Pages To Split Opportunities Behind The Plate
According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, St. Louis Cardinals catchers Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages are set to split catching duties in 2025. Earlier this week, it was reported that Willson Contreras would be moved to a first base role and see very little catching opportunities. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Herrera and Pages to see the vast majority of starts behind the dish next summer. Last season, Herrera held a solid .300/.372/.428 slash line with five home runs and five stolen bases. Under the hood he boasted a stellar .369 xwOBA. Pages was a much better defender last season and carried a .238/.281/.376 line in the batter's box. Fantasy managers should monitor their progress during Spring Training but Herrera will likely be better target for fantasy purposes given his offensive upside.
4 hours ago
Alex Bregman Could Play Second Base In 2025
Free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman could opt to play second base in the upcoming season, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Scott Boras, Bregman's agent, noted that the two-time World Series champion can cover the keystone in addition to his usual position at the hot corner. Bregman is currently a free agent and is expected to receive a significant contract. Given his willingness to move to a different position, it could open the door for more suitors to place their bid on the 30-year-old. Last season, Bregman posted a .260/.315/.453 slash line with 26 home runs and three stolen bases. Fantasy managers should monitor where Bregman decides to sign in the offseason, as his fantasy value could increase significantly if he earns eligibility in the middle infield as well as at third base.
5 hours ago
Red Sox, Orioles Looking At Teoscar Hernandez
Free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez is reportedly drawing interest from the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles on the open market, according to sources. Other teams are involved, but the Red Sox and Orioles have similar needs for a right-handed power bat. There's mutual interest between Hernandez and the Los Angeles Dodgers, too, which is probably stronger after they won the World Series over the Yankees in October. The 32-year-old Dominican outfielder thrived hitting in the middle of LA's stacked lineup in his first year with the team in 2024, slashing .272/.339/.501 with an .840 OPS, a career-high 33 home runs, 99 RBI, 12 steals and 84 runs scored in 154 games during the regular season. It will certainly be tough to live up to those numbers if he leaves the Dodgers in pursuit of the American League East or somewhere else.
6 hours ago
Mets To Meet With Juan Soto Soon
New York Mets owner Steve Cohen is heading west soon to meet with free-agent outfielder Juan Soto and his agent, Scott Boras, according to industry sources. Soto, a generational free agent, is expected to be pursued most heavily by the Mets and New York Yankees this offseason. Several other owners are expected to meet with Boras and Soto in the coming weeks. The deep-pocketed Cohen has been active on the free-agent market since taking over the team, and he could get into a bidding war for Soto with the Yankees and perhaps one or two other big-market clubs. The 26-year-old superstar outfielder could command a deal for 10-plus years and approaching $700 million. It helps that the Mets have $90 million alone coming off the books this offseason with the departures of Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and James McCann in the middle of their contracts.
6 hours ago
Gavin Lux The Odd-Man Out In 2025?
With Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts expected to move back to the infield and likely at second base next season, infielder Gavin Lux appears to be the odd-man out. Lux will especially be the odd-man out of the Dodgers end up bringing free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez back. If the Dodgers don't decide to trade Lux this offseason, he'll most likely head to the bench if Betts becomes the primary second baseman in 2025. The Dodgers have both veteran Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman as options to play shortstop. Lux was much better offensively in the second half of the regular season but struggled mightily at the plate in the first half and in the playoffs. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter batted .251/.320/.383 with a below-average .703 OPS, a career-high 10 homers, 50 RBI and five steals in 139 regular-season games after missing all of 2023 due to injury.
9 hours ago
Red Sox Interested In Re-Signing Chris Martin
While the Boston Red Sox have no interest in re-signing closer Kenley Jansen after he skipped the final series of the season to return home early, Boston reportedly is interested in bringing back right-handed reliever Chris Martin. The 38-year-old veteran has a 2.16 ERA in 100 appearances for the BoSox the last two years combined. He is expected to be seeking just a one-year deal because he plans on hanging up his cleats after the 2025 campaign. Martin missed some time this past year due to right-elbow inflammation and finished with a 3-1 record, 3.45 ERA (2.78 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP, two saves, 50 strikeouts and only three walks in 44 1/4 innings out of the bullpen. With Jansen unlikely to return to Beantown, too, there's a chance Martin could be used more in save chances in 2025 if he re-signs with Boston for the final year of his career.
9 hours ago
Garrett Crochet An Offseason Trade Candidate
Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet is certain to generate plenty of trade interest this offseason after he was one of the most sought after-players at last summer's trade deadline in late July. "Based on conversations I've had with other clubs when we talk about potential trades, Garrett certainly garners a lot of attention," general manager Chris Getz said. Unless the team thinks they can sign the 25-year-old southpaw to an extension, moving him -- he has two years of club control left -- might be the best course of action for the rebuilding White Sox. Outfielder Luis Robert Jr., meanwhile, is less likely to be moved. He was an All-Star in 2023 but struggled this past season with a .224/.278/.379 slash line, 14 home runs, 35 RBI and 23 steals in 100 games.
9 hours ago
Ha-Seong Kim Drawing Plenty Of Buzz At GM Meetings
Free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is generating "lots of interest" in the early days of free agency, according to a source. The San Francisco Giants are reportedly one of the teams focused on signing Kim, while the Milwaukee Brewers have also been connected to the 29-year-old, who finished the year on the injured list with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Tyler Fitzgerald was impressive for the Giants at shortstop in 2024, but new president of baseball operations Buster Posey said this week that the team prefers to add a shortstop this winter. Skipper Bob Melvin managed Kim in San Diego, and Kim played with outfielder Jung Hoo Lee for Team Korea in the World Baseball Classic. Kim won a Gold Glove in 2023 but came back down to Earth in 2024 while posting 11 homers, 47 RBI, 22 steals and a .700 OPS in 121 games.
9 hours ago
Willy Adames Willing To Play A Different Position
Free-agent shortstop Willy Adames reportedly wants to stay at shortstop but would be willing to move elsewhere if he gets a strong offer on the open market this winter from a contending team, according to league sources. Adames is the top available shortstop in free agency this offseason and one of the top available position players after setting career-highs in home runs (32), RBI (112), stolen bases (21) and runs scored (93) in 161 games in 2024 with the Milwaukee Brewers. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel projects him to find a seven-year deal worth around $189 million in free agency this winter as both a stalwart defensively and offensively at a premier position. If a contending team lands Adames and already has a stud at the 6, he could be moved to either third or second base, which would make him even more attractive in fantasy next year with added positional eligibility.
10 hours ago
Royals Looking For Leadoff Hitter To Set The Table For Bobby Witt Jr.
Among non-leadoff hitters in 2024, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who hit second for the team, had the most plate appearances (433) with the bases empty. Witt still impressed with 109 RBI, 211 hits, 32 home runs and a .332 batting average, but the Royals are looking to prioritize quality contact and on-base percentage as they look for a new leadoff hitter this offseason. Royals hitters struck out at just a 19.4% clip (third-lowest in baseball) but also had a .306 on-base percentage (19th). Among players that KC might be looking at include Reds infielders Jonathan India and Spencer Steer and free agent Jurickson Profar. If the Royals explore the trade market, league sources suggest they would listen to offers for left-hander Kris Bubic and right-hander Alec Marsh.
10 hours ago
Willson Contreras Will Transition To 1B/DH Role In 2025
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak stated Wednesday that catcher Willson Contreras will be transitioned to a first base/designated hitter role in 2025. The hope is that the move will keep the 32-year-old healthy and allow him to extend the life of his career. The veteran backstop had a solid season for the time he was on the field in 2024, posting a .262-15-36-48-4 line with a .370 wOBA and 140 wRC+, but played in just 84 games due to varying injuries. He's expected to be ready to go for 2025, and the added positional flexibility should give him some additional value in fantasy leagues.
23 hours ago
Ben Brown To Have Injured Neck Scanned This Month
Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown (neck) is expected to have a scan on his neck in the coming weeks, and if he gets the all-clear, then the 25-year-old could resume throwing without restriction. If the youngster is cleared then the expectation is that he'll be ready to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. The former 33rd-round draft pick showed well in his MLB debut last season, posting a 3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, and a 64:19 K:BB in 55 1/3 innings over his first 15 big-league appearances (eight starts), including a seven-inning outing on May 28 in which he allowed no hits, two walks, and struck out 10. With his 28.8% strikeout rate, the righty is worth keeping an eye on, as he'd at least have value in NL-Only leagues were he to win a rotation spot.
23 hours ago
Austin Hedges Re-Signs With Guardians
The Cleveland Guardians have re-signed veteran backup catcher Austin Hedges to a one-year contract. Hedges played 66 games for Cleveland last season, posting a .152-2-15-12-2 line in 146 PA. While the offensive statistics don't jump off the page, the 32-year-old is said to be a clubhouse leader and mentor to young starting catcher Bo Naylor. That's certainly a good thing for the Guardians, however, it doesn't move the needle for fantasy. Even if something were to happen to Naylor, as a career .186 hitter over 12 major league seasons, the former second-round draft pick would likely be best left on the waiver wire.
Yesterday
Astros Having Discussions About Trading Ryan Pressly
The Houston Astros have had internal discussions related to potentially trading reliever Ryan Pressly. The 35-year-old was moved to a setup role in 2024 once the Astros acquired closer Josh Hader. Pressly had saved 90 games for Houston from 2021-23, posting a 2.94 ERA. 0.98 WHIP, and 25.4% K-BB%. In the setup role in 2024, however, the righty posted a 3.49 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 16.4% K-BB%. With Hader and other capable arms at the back end of the bullpen, the team could let Pressly go and get prospects in return, although with the veteran's full no-trade clause, the pitcher would have to be on board with any proposed destination. It's worth monitoring for fantasy in the event he lands in a good spot with the opportunity to close.
Yesterday
Mookie Betts To Play Infield For The Dodgers In 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes stated Wednesday that the team will play Mookie Betts on the infield in 2025. The 32-year-old played mostly outfield for the Dodgers in 2021 and 2022, but started on the infield in almost half of his games played in 2023. In 2024, the veteran started on the infield in 73 of the 116 (63%) games he played, split between shortstop (61) and second base (12). It is important to note, but he'll be a top tier fantasy producer regardless of position, however, it could come to the detriment of Gavin Lux and others who played the middle infield for the reigning World Series champs in the second half of the season.
Yesterday
Willy Adames Projected To Sign Seven-Year, $189 Million Deal In Free Agency
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel is projecting free-agent shortstop Willy Adames to secure a seven-year deal worth around $189 million (27 million average annual value) in free agency this offseason. Adames helped his cause in a walk year in 2024 with the Milwaukee Brewers by slashing .251/.331/.462 with a .794 OPS and career-highs in home runs (32), RBI (112), stolen bases (21) and runs scored (93) in 688 plate appearances and 161 games during the regular season. He's a year and a half younger than fellow free agent Alex Bregman and is also better defensively and as a power hitter. Helping Adames' cause to land a lucrative long-term deal this winter is the fact that there wasn't a real everyday shortstop available on the open market last offseason. Plenty of teams will be interested in Adames, especially since he's flexible and could be moved to third base.
Yesterday
Corbin Burnes Projected To Land Seven-Year, $225 Million Deal
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel projects free-agent right-hander Corbin Burnes to land a seven-year, $225 million deal ($32.1 million average annual value) on the open market this winter. The 30-year-old veteran is easily the top free-agent pitcher in this year's class with plenty of MLB experience. Interested teams will have to guarantee him at least five years. Burnes has been durable (28 to 33 starts in each of the last four seasons), is an elite strike-thrower, and has a strong strikeout rate with improving velocity. He is widely expected to top $200 million, with Stephen Strasburg's $245 million deal before the 2020 season likely as agent Scott Boras' goal. If Burnes doesn't re-sign with the Baltimore Orioles, they'll receive draft-pick compensation after extending him the $21.05 million qualifying offer on Monday. He's been an All-Star each of the last four seasons.
Yesterday
