MLB News
Cubs Hiring Tyler Zombro As Special Assistant
The Chicago Cubs are hiring Tyler Zombro as a special assistant in their front office, according to source. The 30-year-old has become one of the sport's preeminent trainers at Tread Athletics and will now work in the Cubs' organization to help improve the performance of their pitchers. Not only will the addition of Zombro hopefully improve the effectiveness of Cubs' pitchers, but he could help lure one of the top free-agent arms, right-hander Corbin Burnes, to the Cubbies this offseason. Manager Craig Counsell also has experience working with Burnes in Milwaukee. Despite not having many big-name arms in their starting rotation and bullpen in 2024, the Cubs had a team ERA of 3.78 under manager Craig Counsell, which ranked 10th in all of baseball.
6 hours ago
Reds, Royals Discussing Jonathan India, Brady Singer
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India is one of several hitters that the Kansas City Royals are targeting in a trade, according to sources briefed on the team's talks. On the flip side, right-hander Brady Singer is drawing interest from the Reds and other clubs that are looking to bolster their starting rotations. India and Singer were both first-round picks out of Florida back in 2018. A trade is not imminent, though, and the Royals are also discussing the idea of trading left-hander Kris Bubic or righty Alec Marsh for a young hitter. The 28-year-old Singer is more attractive because he's coming off a career season and is under team control for two more years. Both India and Singer will be eligible for salary arbitration a final time in 2026. Landing India would solve KC's second base woes after they tried five different players at the keystone in 2024.
6 hours ago
Sean Manaea To Reject Mets' Qualifying Offer
Free-agent left-hander Sean Manaea is expected to reject the New York Mets' $21.05 million qualifying offer. If Manaea ends up signing elsewhere on the open market this winter, the Mets will receive draft-pick compensation. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw is looking for a more lucrative long-term deal this offseason after having a career resurgence in 2024 with the Mets. In his 32 starts, he went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA (3.83 FIP), a 1.08 WHIP and a 184:63 K:BB in 181 2/3 innings pitched. He wasn't quite as effective in his four postseason starts in October, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) on 17 hits (three homers) while walking eight and striking out 19 in 19 innings. The key to Manaea's solid year was his ability to unlock more velocity due to mechanical tweaks. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to build on it in 2025. Fantasy managers will likely be skeptical, depending on where he lands in free agency.
7 hours ago
Yankees A Good Fit For Christian Walker?
MLB Network's Jon Morosi likes free-agent first baseman Christian Walker as a fit for the New York Yankees this offseason, whether or not they end up re-signing superstar outfielder Juan Soto. The Arizona Diamondbacks extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to Walker, so if the Yankees or any other team scoop him up, the D-backs will receive draft-pick compensation. Walker represents a nice fallback option for teams looking to add a first-base power bat this offseason that don't want to pony up to pay free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso. The 33-year-old doesn't have the type of power upside that Alonso has, but Walker is an elite, Gold Glove-caliber defender at the cold corner and has 30-plus homers in two of the last three seasons. A move to the Bronx and the Yankees' stacked lineup would certainly give Walker more fantasy upside in 2025 and beyond.
7 hours ago
Braves Have Interest In Walker Buehler
MLB Network's Jon Morosi reports that the Atlanta Braves have some interest in signing free-agent right-hander Walker Buehler this winter. Left-hander Max Fried and veteran right-hander Charlie Morton are both free agents and may not be back in Atlanta, while right-handed ace Spencer Strider is still recovering from right-elbow surgery that kept him sidelined for most of 2024. Buehler didn't look so great in his initial return from Tommy John surgery during the regular season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he looked much better in the postseason in October and has Kentucky roots, so a return close to home could be appealing. Morosi also mentions the Chicago Cubs as a possibility to land Buehler this offseason. The 30-year-old picked up the save in the World-Series clinching victory of the Yankees and he'll be looking to bounce back in 2025 after going 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA in 16 regular-season starts.
7 hours ago
Astros Interested In Willy Adames
MLB Network's Jon Morosi reports that the Houston Astros are interested in free-agent shortstop Willy Adames, possibly to play third base if they cannot bring Alex Bregman back. In addition to the Astros, Morosi lists the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays as potential suitors for Adames, who will have a robust market this offseason. The Astros are already set with Jeremy Pena at the 6 and veteran Jose Altuve at second, so Adames would likely move to the hot corner if he were to land in Houston. The 29-year-old reportedly has already received offers from the Dodgers and New York Mets, with the Mets offering seven years and over $160 million. A move to the Mets would also likely result in Adames shifting to third with Francisco Lindor already entrenched at shortstop.
7 hours ago
Austin Slater Agrees With White Sox
Free-agent veteran outfielder Austin Slater agreed to an undisclosed major-league deal with the Chicago White Sox on Monday. It's not the greatest landing spot for Slater in terms of fantasy purposes, but he should at least see a short-side platoon in Chicago against left-handed pitchers in 2025 on what will likely be a one-year deal. The 31-year-old right-handed-hitting outfielder has traditionally handled lefty pitchers well in his career, although he struggled against them in 2024 with the San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles, slashing .188/.310/.231 against them with one of his two home runs on the year and 11 RBI in 142 plate appearances. Slater will be hoping to bounce back offensively for the Pale Hose next season. With a low ceiling and low floor, Slater should only be considered in deep mixed and AL-only leagues in 2025.
7 hours ago
Andrew Painter Earns AFL Pitcher Of The Year Honors
Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter won Pitcher of the Year honors for his performance during the Arizona Fall League. The 21-year-old threw 15 2/3 innings (six starts) during the fall campaign, posting a 2.30 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a 4:18 BB:K. He was one of the top pitching prospects when he was drafted 13th overall in 2021, but elbow problems and eventually Tommy John surgery caused him to miss significant time, having last pitched in 2022 prior to the fall season. It certainly looks like he's back to full health and could be a solid fantasy contributor in the not-too-distant future. Per MLB.com's top prospect list, the tall righty is expected to make his MLB debut in 2025.
Yesterday
Phillies Sign Nicholas Padilla To Minor-League Deal
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed pitcher Nicholas Padilla to a minor league contract. The 27-year-old was selected in the 13th round of the 2015 draft and made his big league debut in 2022. In 2024, the righty spent his time in the Chicago White Sox organization, pitching 30 2/3 innings at Triple-A with a 3.23 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. While his strikeout stuff is good, recording a 29.4% K% last season, he struggled with command, walking batters at a 12.7% rate. In four major league appearances totaling six-and-a-third innings, he's allowed four earned runs on 11 hits and a 3:7 BB:K. Padilla will provide bullpen depth, although he'll probably start 2025 at Triple-A. For now, the hurler is off the fantasy radar.
Yesterday
Jac Caglianone With Three-Hit Game In AFL Championship
Kansas City Royals first base prospect Jac Caglianone made a good final impression in the Arizona Fall League, going 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in the AFL championship game, although his team -- the Surprise Saguaros -- came up short on the losing end of a 3-2 final score. All in all, it was a solid showing for the 21-year-old, posting a final line of .236-5-21-14-2 in 21 AFL regular season games. The 2024 first-round draft pick played 29 games at High-A this year and could start next season at Double-A. Assuming he lives up to his draft-day profile, there's a good chance we'll see him in the big leagues by 2026.
Yesterday
Josue Briceno Wins AFL MVP After Triple-Crown Campaign
Detroit Tigers catching prospect Josue Briceno took home the Arizona Fall League's Joe Black MVP Award after he led the circuit in all three Triple Crown categories: batting average (.433), on-base percentage (.509), and HR (10). But it wasn't just those stats, the 20-year-old also led in hits (39), RBI (27), and OPS (1.376). The Venezuelan missed more than three months with a PCL sprain in his right knee which forced the backstop to work as a first baseman and designated hitter in the AFL. It's unclear which level of the minors he will start at next season after playing at Single-A in his limited action in 2024, but this type of performance could propel him to the bigs sooner than expected, although that is still likely a couple of years away.
Yesterday
Nick Martinez Signs Qualifying Offer With Reds
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez accepted the team's qualifying offer of $21.05 million, returning to the team for a second season. Martinez made a handful of starts in the first month of the season in 2024, but worked almost exclusively out of the bullpen until August when he returned to the rotation. The 34-year-old had stronger numbers overall in 53 1/3 IP as a reliever (1.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 19.6 K-BB%) than in 89 IP as a starter (3.84 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 15.8% K-BB%), however, as a starter in September the righty went 4-1 with a 0.83 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and a 21.8% K-BB% which led to being named MLB's N.L. Pitcher of the Month. Fantasy managers should take note in the spring as to whether or not the Reds plan to use him as a starter again as he could be a potential late-round value if he were able to take that momentum into 2025.
Yesterday
Luis Severino Likely To Decline Qualifying Offer From Mets
Free-agent starting pitcher Luis Severino is expected to decline the qualifying offer that the New York Mets extended to him. The qualifying offer was for one year, however, Severino is seeking a multi-year deal, looking to capitalize on the relative success of his 2024 campaign. The 30-year-old made 31 starts and pitched 182 innings, both of which were the most since 2018, posting a 3.91 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. The former 2x All-Star has until Tuesday to accept the offer, but if he does not and another team signs him, then the Mets would get draft pick compensation.
Yesterday
Christian Roa Outrighted To Triple-A
The Miami Marlins outrighted right-hander Christian Roa to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday. Roa is now off the team's 40-man roster this offseason. Roa spent the 2024 season in the minors with the Cincinnati Reds but was claimed off waivers on Nov. 1. The 25-year-old went 4-5 with a 5.55 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 47 strikeouts and 30 walks in 48 2/3 innings pitched over 23 appearances (four starts) at Triple-A Louisville. He ended the 2024 campaign on the shelf due to a sprained right shoulder. The former second-round selection by the Reds in 2020 out of Texas A&M has yet to reach the big leagues and will most likely start the 2025 campaign with Jacksonville if he makes it through spring training with the club. In his four minor-league seasons, Roa has posted a 4.46 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and a 386:202 K:BB in 318 2/3 innings over 86 appearances (62 starts).
2 days ago
Diamondbacks Sign Connor Kaiser, Aramis Garcia To Minors Deals
The Arizona Diamondbacks signed infielder Connor Kaiser and catcher Aramis Garcia to minor-league deals on Friday that include invitations to major-league spring training next year. Kaiser spent all of last season at Triple-A Albuquerque in the Colorado Rockies' system, slashing a weak .222/.343/.339 with a .682 OPS, six home runs, 28 RBI and five stolen bases in 90 games. He made his major-league debut with the Rockies in 2023 but played in only three games and was hitless in his four trips to the plate. Garcia hit just .159/.216/.279 with eight home runs, 25 RBI and six steals in 76 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the Philadelphia Phillies' organization. The 31-year-old backstop has more big-league experience than Kaiser, as he's played in 119 games over five seasons with four different teams. Both Kaiser and Garcia are likely to start at Triple-A Reno in 2025.
2 days ago
Joe Jacques Signs Minor-League Deal With Dodgers
Free-agent left-handed reliever Joe Jacques signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training. Jacques pitches in 25 games in the majors with the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks the last two years, posting a bloated 5.46 ERA (4.90 FIP), a 1.65 WHIP, one save, 22 strikeouts and 11 walks in only 29 2/3 innings pitched over 25 appearances (one start). This past season with Boston and Arizona, he finished with a 9.00 ERA and 2.33 WHIP in just three innings out of the bullpen. He wasn't much better in three minor-league stops between both teams in 2024, sporting a 5.48 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with 41 strikeouts and 21 walks in 42 2/3 frames over 40 outings (one start). The 29-year-old southpaw is likely to start at Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2024 as left-handed relief depth for the World Series champions.
2 days ago
Brewers Sign Ray Delgado, Jimmy Herron
The Milwaukee Brewers signed infielder Ray Delgado and outfielder Jimmy Herron to minor-league deals on Friday that include non-roster invites to major-league spring training. Delgado had a strong season in 2024 in the Cleveland Guardians organization, slashing .275/.365/.426 with a career-high nine home runs, 44 RBI, 22 steals and 41 runs scored in 93 games for Triple-A Columbus. Herron was no slouch with the Colorado Rockies at Triple-A Albuquerque, slashing .280/.357/.453 with an .810 OPS, 14 home runs, 68 RBI, 16 stolen bases and 60 runs scored in 95 games with the Isotopes. Delgado will give the Brew Crew some extra infield depth going into next year all over the infield, while Herron has the ability to play all three outfield positions.
3 days ago
Brusdar Graterol Undergoes Shoulder Surgery
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) underwent right-shoulder surgery on his labrum on Thursday and was operated on by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Graterol is expected to return to the mound in the second half of the 2025 season as a result. The 26-year-old made a return in the postseason to help the Dodgers win the World Series in October, but he missed the vast majority of the 2024 regular season due to right-shoulder issues. The Venezuelan reliever allowed two earned runs while walking two and striking out seven in 7 1/3 innings of work in just seven appearances in his sixth year in the big leagues. He had his best season in 2023, posting a 1.20 ERA with a career-high seven saves in 67 1/3 frames. Graterol will be off the fantasy radar next spring and won't return to LA until after the All-Star break.
3 days ago
Orioles Hope To Have Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells Around Midseason
Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said the team is expecting both right-handers Kyle Bradish (elbow) and Tyler Wells (elbow) to be ready to return around midseason in 2025. When Bradish underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-June with an internal brace, he was given a 12- to 18-month recovery timetable. The 28-year-old has yet to resume throwing, so it's almost a certainty that he won't make his 2025 debut until after the All-Star break. Wells also had season-ending surgery in mid-June due to UCL revision surgery while also receiving an internal brace. Bradish is the more established starter in Baltimore, while Wells' role is to be determined whenever he's ready to return. Bradish broke out to the tune of a 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 30 starts in 2023 and had a 2.75 ERA after eight starts this past season before injuring his elbow.
3 days ago
Jorge Mateo May Not Be Ready For Spring Training
Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said that infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) might not be fully ready for the start of spring training in mid-February but should be ready to play close to a 162-game season in 2025. Mateo had UCL reconstructive surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow last year, causing him to be shut down for the remainder of the season. It sounds like the 29-year-old Dominican should have close to a full season next year, although his fantasy appeal will be limited in a utility infield role in Baltimore. Speed is the biggest attraction with Mateo, as he had 30-plus stolen bases in both 2022 and 2023. He was able to play in only 68 games in 2024 in his third full season with the team, finishing with a .229/.267/.401 slash line, below-average .668 OPS, five home runs, 18 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 30 runs scored in 208 plate appearances.
3 days ago
