MLB News
Kyle Farmer Agrees With Rockies On One-Year Deal
Free-agent shortstop Kyle Farmer agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday with the Colorado Rockies. The deal includes an option for the 2026 season. Farmer became a free agent this offseason when the Minnesota Twins declined his mutual option for the 2025 season on Halloween, but the 34-year-old infielder didn't last on the open market for long. He'll head to the National League West after the Rockies just non-tendered second baseman Brendan Rodgers. Farmer was forced into action with Carlos Correa battling injuries again in 2024, and he played in over 100 games for the fourth straight season, slashing .214/.293/.353 with five home runs, 25 RBI, three steals and 26 runs scored in 107 games. Farmer had double-digit homers in three previous seasons and could be an interesting infielder in NL-only leagues in a utility role with his move to hitter-friendly Coors Field.
2 hours ago
Nick Madrigal Non-Tendered By Cubs
Infielder Nick Madrigal was non-tendered by the Chicago Cubs on Friday, making him a free agent, according to a source. The former fourth overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in 2018 out of Oregon State will now be free to sign with any team this winter. Madrigal certainly has not lived up to his draft pedigree, and it hasn't helped that he's battled injuries in recent seasons. The 27-year-old has just four career home runs in five seasons and slashed a weak .221/.280/.256 with a career-worst .535 OPS, no homers, 10 RBI and five runs scored in only 51 games in his third season with the Cubbies in 2024. Madrigal fractured his left hand in June while in the minors at Triple-A Iowa. He's pretty much lost any fantasy appeal he once had and will merely be looking to latch on with a team looking for infield depth going into 2025.
3 hours ago
Austin Hays Non-Tendered By Phillies
Outfielder Austin Hays was informed that he was non-tendered on Friday by the Philadelphia Phillies, making him a free agent. It was a tough year for Hays, who battled a kidney infection after being dealt to the Phillies from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline in the summer. The 29-year-old should attract plenty of interest on the open market this offseason, as he's just a year removed from being an All-Star and Gold Glove finalist. The former third-round pick of the O's in 2016 out of Jacksonville University hit a combined .255/.303/.396 with a below-average .699 OPS, only five home runs, 20 RBI, two steals and 26 runs scored in 85 games with Baltimore and Philly. With better health in 2025, Hays could most certainly carve out a starting role with another team if he lands in the right situation.
3 hours ago
Michael Tonkin And Twins Avoid Arbitration
Right-hander Michael Tonkin and the Minnesota Twins agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal on Friday to avoid salary arbitration. It was an interesting season in 2024 for Tonkin, to say the least. The 35-year-old veteran began the season with the Twins before spending time with the New York Mets and New York Yankees. He was eventually claimed on waivers and returned to Minnesota in August. With those three teams, Tonkin held a 3.63 ERA (3.44 FIP), a 1.26 WHIP, his first two career saves, a career-high 85 strikeouts and 30 walks in 79 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. The former 30th-round pick of the Twins way back in 2008 should return to a middle-relief role in Minnesota this next season but won't have a ton of fantasy value.
3 hours ago
Santiago Espinal Avoids Arbitration With Reds
Infielder Santiago Espinal and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a one-year, $2.4 million contract on Friday to avoid salary arbitration. Espinal ended up playing a pretty significant role as a utility infielder for the Reds in 2024 after they acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays in March given all of Cincy's injuries to infielders. In 118 games over 391 plate appearances, the Dominican slashed .246/.295/.356 with a below-average .650 OPS, career-high nine home runs, 45 RBI, career-high 11 stolen bases and 32 runs scored. The 30-year-old will stick in the Reds organization for a second season but probably shouldn't be guaranteed nearly as much playing time. Espinal makes plenty of contact and is useful for his ability to play multiple infield positions, but beyond that, there isn't much fantasy upside at all.
4 hours ago
Pirates Expected To Non-Tender Bryan De La Cruz, Connor Joe
The Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to non-tender outfielder Bryan De La Cruz and first baseman/outfielder Connor Joe, according to a source. It will make both players free agents this winter. De La Cruz didn't impress the Bucs after the acquired him from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline in the summer, as he hit just .200/.220/.394 with three homers, 17 RBI and 52 strikeouts in 168 plate appearances in the second half. The 27-year-old did manage a career-high 21 round-trippers in 149 total games in 2024, though, so he will attract interest on the free-agent market. Joe, 32, hit .238/.330/.396 with a .726 OPS, 20 homers, 78 RBI and five steals in 256 games the last two years in Pittsburgh and will look for a platoon/utility role with another organization on the free-agent market. The former first-rounder had a career-high 11 homers in 2023 in his first year in Pittsburgh.
4 hours ago
Braves Non-Tender Griffin Canning
The Atlanta Braves non-tendered right-handers Griffin Canning, Royber Salinas, Huascar Ynoa, left-hander Ray Kerr, and outfielder Ramon Laureano on Friday, making them all free agents. Canning didn't last long with the Braves after the Braves acquired him from the Los Angeles Angels the day after the World Series ended for slugging outfielder Jorge Soler. In his final season with the Angels in 2024, he went 6-13 with a 5.19 ERA (5.26 FIP), a 1.39 WHIP and a 130:66 K:BB in 171 2/3 innings over 32 outings (31 starts). Canning's 99 earned runs allowed led the league for a bad Angels squad. The 28-year-old was once one of the Halos' promising young pitching prospects, but in his five years in the big leagues, he's had a 4.78 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 22.2% strikeout rate. At best, he'll land with a team that gives him a shot at a back-end rotation spot in spring training in 2025.
4 hours ago
Nationals Non-Tender Kyle Finnegan On Friday
The Washington Nationals non-tendered right-handers Kyle Finnegan and Tanner Rainey on Friday, making them both free agents. Finnegan will hit the open market after five seasons in D.C., with his last one being his best. He earned his first All-Star bid by going 3-8 with a 3.68 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP and a career-high 38 saves in 63 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. The 33-year-old's 38 saves were third-most in baseball. Finnegan's strikeout rate the last two years wasn't representative of a closing arm, and it might be a stretch to expect him to land a closing gig in free agency. He should at least be a high-leverage option somewhere. Rainey had a 4.76 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 50 relief outings for the Nats in 2024 in his return from Tommy John surgery, but he was much better in the second half. The 31-year-old should be able to turn that into a bullpen with another team in 2025.
4 hours ago
Rays Non-Tender Dylan Carlson
The Tampa Bay Rays non-tendered outfielder Dylan Carlson and left-handers Colin Poche, Tyler Alexander and Richard Lovely on Friday, making them all free agents. Once one of the St. Louis Cardinals' top outfield prospects, Carlson now finds himself on the open market this winter after being traded from the Cardinals to the Rays at the deadline this summer. The former first-rounder in 2016 was slightly better in his time with Tampa but still had an overall disappointing slash line in 2024 at .209/.287/.277 with a career-worst .563 OPS, only three home runs, 25 RBI, two steals and 19 runs scored in 97 total games with St. Louis and Tampa. The 26-year-old switch-hitter will surely latch on with another organization, but he's going to need to play much better to have a shot at a platoon role wherever he lands.
4 hours ago
Rockies Avoid Arbitration With Sam Hilliard, Lucas Gilbreath
The Colorado Rockies announced on Friday that they agreed to one-year deals with outfielder Sam Hilliard and left-hander Lucas Gilbreath to avoid salary arbitration. Hilliard, who received an even $1 million, earned a starting role in the outfield down the stretch in his return to the team in 2024 and ultimately finished with a .239/.305/.507 slash line, .812 OPS, 10 homers, 27 RBI, five stolen bases and 26 runs scored in just 58 games played. The 30-year-old has a lot of swing and miss to his game, though, and could be competing for a starting gig in spring training. Gilbreath signed for $785,000 battled through an injury-riddled 2024 season and was only able to pitch one inning in the big leagues. The 28-year-old southpaw gave up six earned runs in that one inning and will return (hopefully healthy) in 2025 to give the Rockies some left-handed relief depth.
4 hours ago
Rockies Non-Tender Brendan Rodgers, Cal Quantrill
The Colorado Rockies non-tendered infielder Brendan Rodgers and right-hander Cal Quantrill on Friday, making them free agents. Despite having one of his better seasons in Colorado, Rodgers will become a free agent after hitting .267/.314/.407 with 13 home runs, 54 RBI and 67 runs scored in 135 games in his sixth year with the team. If Colorado doesn't do anything to upgrade the keystone in the offseason, Aaron Schunk figures to be the top option to start at second in 2025. Quantrill, 29, won't return for a second year in Colorado after going 8-11 with an ERA just south of 5.00 and a WHIP of 1.52 in 148 1/3 innings over 29 starts. He was slightly worse on the road than at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Quantrill should latch on with another organization looking for rotation depth and he should have a spot to compete for a back-end rotation gig.
4 hours ago
Mike Yastrzemski Avoids Arbitration With Giants
Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $9.25 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, according to a source. Yastrzemski will return to the Bay Area in 2025 for his seventh year with the franchise after slashing .231/.302/.437 with a .739 OPS, 18 home runs, 16 doubles, 57 RBI, three stolen bases and 60 runs scored in 140 games over 474 plate appearances. The 34-year-old veteran left-handed-hitting outfielder isn't going to provide fantasy managers with a high average and has a capped ceiling on the strong side of a platoon role in San Fran's outfield, as long as he keeps that role heading into 2025. The vast majority of Yaz's production in 2024 came against righties once again, as he hit .232 (80-for-345) with all 18 of his home runs. He had just 83 at-bats against lefties.
4 hours ago
Blue Jays Non-Tender Closer Jordan Romano
The Toronto Blue Jays non-tendered closer Jordan Romano (elbow) on Friday, making him a free agent, according to sources. Romano, a two-time All-Star, missed most of the 2024 campaign due to a right-elbow injury that required arthroscopic surgery in July. The 31-year-old veteran reliever should land on his feet somewhere, although it remains to be seen if he'll be able to return to his All-Star form elsewhere. From 2021 to 2023, the Canadian hurler was outstanding as one of the best closers in baseball, sporting 95 saves, a 2.37 ERA (3.13 FIP), a 1.09 WHIP, 230 strikeouts and 70 walks in 186 relief innings for Toronto. He gave up 10 earned runs in his 15 outings for the Jays in 2024 before getting shut down. Romano's 2025 fantasy value will all depend on whether he's past his elbow issues and what kind of role he has for a new club.
5 hours ago
Dodgers Sign Dustin May To One-Year Deal To Avoid Arbitration
The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a one-year deal with right-hander Dustin May (elbow, throat) worth $2.135 million on Friday to avoid salary arbitration. Since the Dodgers won the World Series in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, May has battled injuries and has made just 20 starts for the Blue. He first underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2021 before returning in August of 2022. The 27-year-old re-injured his right elbow in May of 2023 and needed a second Tommy John procedure that summer. He was originally expected to return in the second half of 2024, but that didn't happen after he needed surgery for a tear in his esophagus. The former third-rounder in 2016 has been good in 46 career outings (34 starts) with a 3.10 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, but his strikeout rate of 22.5% has left a lot to be desired given his high velocity. Given his lengthy injury history, he may be moved to the bullpen in 2025.
5 hours ago
Dane Dunning Staying In Texas
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Texas Rangers and right-handed pitcher Dane Dunning have agreed to a $2.66 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. Dunning battled injuries this past summer and logged just 95 innings of work and held a mere 5.31 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. His 95 innings were his lowest total since his debut season in 2020. Under the hood, Dunning generated a rough 45.8% hard-hit rate, 10.9% barrel rate, and 90.4 mph average exit velocity, which were all significantly below the average marks. Given this contract agreement, fantasy managers should expect Dunning to compete for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. If he earns a spot, he could be worth a late flier in deep AL-only formats, as he held a modest 3.70 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 2023.
5 hours ago
Tyler Wade Staying In San Diego
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, infielder Tyler Wade and the San Diego Padres have agreed to a one-year, $900,000 contract to avoid arbitration. The 30-year-old posted an underwhelming .217/.285/.239 slash line with just three doubles and eight stolen bases across 90 games in 2024. Despite his underwhelming output, fantasy managers should expect Wade to likely operate as a depth option for San Diego in 2025 and to see occasional starts at multiple positions across the infield. Given his poor output last season, Wade should remain off all fantasy radars heading into 2025, as he will face an uphill battle to find consistent playing time on a stacked roster.
5 hours ago
Gavin Sheets Non-Tendered By Chicago
First baseman Gavin Sheets was non-tendered by the Chicago White Sox and will head to free agency, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Gavin Sheets showed some upside during his first two seasons on the Southside but struggled over the past two seasons. Last summer, the former second-round selection posted an underwhelming .233/.303/.357 line with ten home runs, 45 RBI, and a 43:106 BB:K ratio. During his debut campaign, he posted a strong 9.9% barrel rate and .449 xSLG, but this past season, he carried a much lower 5.7% rate.380 xSLG respectively. Fantasy managers should monitor his status in free agency, as he could be worth a late flier in deeper formats if he can find an everyday spot in the starting nine with a new club.
6 hours ago
Joey Wiemer Traded To Kansas City
According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Kansas City Royals are acquiring Joey Wiemer from the Cincinnati Reds. Wiemer is an additional asset in the trade that sent Jonathan India to Kansas City and Brady Singer to Cincinnati. Wiemer was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft but struggled in his brief taste of the majors. Across two seasons in the big leagues, the outfielder posted an underwhelming .201/.279/.349 line. Wiemer was then acquired by the Reds last summer but made only two appearances with them. Across the minor leagues, the 25-year-old posted a solid .259/.359/.454 line with 52 home runs across 324 games. Fantasy managers should monitor Wiemer's progression during Spring Training in deeper formats as he could have a chance to make the Opening Day Roster.
6 hours ago
Brady Singer Shipped To Cincinnati
The Kansas City Royals are trading right-handed pitcher Brady Singer to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for second baseman Jonathan India, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The 28-year-old spent each of his first five professional seasons with the Kansas City Royals and held an overall 4.28 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP across 685 1/3 innings of work. Last summer, the former first-round pick held a 3.71 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 179 2/3 innings. Singer generated a solid 48.3% ground-ball rate but struggled to limit hard contact as he held a 41.7% hard-hit rate and an 8.0% barrel rate, both below the average marks. Fantasy managers should expect Singer to have a spot in the rotation to begin the season and be viewed as a depth starting pitching option in deeper formats.
6 hours ago
Jonathan India Traded To Kansas City
The Cincinnati Reds are trading second baseman Jonathan India to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brady Singer, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. India has spent the first four seasons of his major league career with the Reds and held a cumulative .253/.352/.412 slash line with 63 home runs. Last summer, India posted a .248/.357/.392 line with 15 home runs and 13 swiped bags. Under the hood, India boasted a stellar 12.6% walk rate and an above-average .352 xwOBA. Fantasy managers should expect the 27-year-old to operate as the starting second baseman in Kansas City with the upside to bat toward the top of the lineup. Batting in front of Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez should present India with solid scoring upside.
6 hours ago
Kyle Farmer
• 2B
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Rockies
