MLB News
Roansy Contreras Claimed By Cincinnati
According to the Texas Rangers PR, right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras has been claimed by the Cincinnati Reds. The Rangers designated Contreras for assignment earlier this offseason after acquiring him in late October. The 25-year-old spent the 2024 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Angels. Across 68 1/3 innings, the right-hander held a 4.35 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Contreras operated primarily out of the bullpen but did receive three starts. Under the hood, the right-hander generated a poor 4.94 xERA, 9.7% barrel rate and a 43.5% hard-hit rate. In addition he struggled to generate strikeouts at a poor 18.8% mark and had poor command with a high 10.4% walk rate. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during Spring Training as he could contend for the final spot in the Cincinnati rotation and may enter low-enter streaming territory for NL-only formats.
4 hours ago
Cristian Pache Agrees With Arizona
According to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, the Arizona Diamondbacks have signed outfielder Cristian Pache to a non-roster invite. Pache spent the 2024 campaign playing in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Miami. Across 88 games, Pache posted a .200/.273/.279 slash line with eight doubles, one home run, and one stolen base. Across 48 games in 2023, he held a slightly higher .238/.319/.417 line. Through 169 games at the Triple-A level, the 26-year-old posted a .260/.325/.401 line with 33 doubles and 13 stolen bases. Pache will likely compete for a roster spot during Spring Training. Pache should not be on your fantasy radar heading into the 2025 season given his lack of consistent production in the big leagues.
4 hours ago
Phillies Sign Max Kepler To One-Year Deal
According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the Philadelphia Phillies have signed free-agent outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year contract. Kepler has spent his entire 10-year MLB career playing with the Minnesota Twins. Last season, he saw his campaign cut short due to left-knee tendinitis he suffered in early September. Across 105 games in 2024, the veteran outfielder posted a .253/.302/.380 slash line with 21 doubles, eight home runs, 42 RBI and one swiped bag. Under the hood, he generated a below-average 36.8% hard-hit rate and 6.2% barrel rate. In addition, he posted a low .301 xwOBA, which was his lowest mark since the 2019 season. Fantasy managers should expect Kepler to operate as a depth outfielder in Philadelphia who will contend for a starting role in spring training.
4 hours ago
Michael Soroka Headed To Washington
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Washington Nationals have signed right-handed pitcher Michael Soroka. Soroka spent last season pitching for the Chicago White Sox and operated as both a reliever and a starter. Across 79 2/3 innings of work, the right-hander held a 4.74 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with an 0-10 record. However across 7 1/3 innings of relief in September, he held a perfect 0.00 ERA with a stellar 0.55 WHIP. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to how the Nationals plan to deploy Soroka as he flashed decent upside when operating out of the bullpen. If he does find a permanent spot in the bullpen, he could eventually earn a high-leverage role given the lack of proven options in the Nationals bullpen with Kyle Finnegan currently testing free agency.
4 hours ago
Phillies Sign Nick Vespi To Minor-League Deal
The Philadelphia Phillies signed free-agent reliever Nick Vespi to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training. The 29-year-old left-hander had a 3.88 ERA (4.23 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, 46:13 K:BB and one save in 53 1/3 innings over 45 relief appearances for the Baltimore Orioles the last three seasons and will provide potential depth to Philadelphia's bullpen for the 2025 campaign. Vespi had his best season with the O's last year, allowing four earned runs on 10 hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out nine in 12 2/3 relief innings. However, Vespi was hit around in the minors at Triple-A Norfolk, posting a 7.23 ERA and 2.03 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 31 walks in 42 1/3 innings. Vespi will not be on the fantasy radar heading into next season.
10 hours ago
Michael Lorenzen Marketing Himself As Two-Way Player
Ryan Hamill, the agent for free-agent right-hander Michael Lorenzen, is talking with teams that are interested in signing his client about his two-way abilities. Lorenzen, who turns 33 on Jan. 4, has not hit in a big-league game since 2021 and hasn't had more than one plate appearance in a season since 2019. Hamill is discussing with teams the possibility of getting Lorenzen the necessary plate appearances to qualify for two-way status and then flipping him to a contender that would carry him as a 14th pitcher. A player with two-way designation (only Shohei Ohtani right now) doesn't count against a team's 13-pitcher limit on the 26-man roster. Lorenzen was an All-Star in 2023 and also threw a no-hitter, and he finished with a 3.31 ERA in 130 1/3 innings in 2024 with the Rangers and Royals. The White Sox, Marlins and Rockies could be idea fits for what Hamill is proposing, but it remains to be seen if it will happen.
10 hours ago
Rangers Could Look To Rest Marcus Semien More
Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien has been an iron man in his career. In his 12-year major-league career, he has played a full 162 games three times and played at least 155 games an additional five times. Semien played in 162 games in 2023 and 159 games last year. The last time he played fewer than 159 games in a full season was with the A's in 2017, when he played in 85 games due to a wrist injury. Semien is entering his age-34 season, though, and hit .237/.308/.391 in 2024, his worst offensive season since the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Manager Bruce Bochy said the team has discussed giving Semien some built-in off days and also moving him around in the batting order. Semien's underlying metrics were on par with his recent seasons, so a bounce-back is entirely possible, especially if some more rest days give him more juice for the entire season.
10 hours ago
Cubs Trade Talks For Jesus Luzardo Are "Dead"
The Chicago Cubs' rumored trade talks with the Miami Marlins involving left-hander Jesus Luzardo (back) are "dead," according to 670 The Score's Bruce Levine. Talks were hot between the two clubs on Luzardo, but a deal "doesn't appear to be happening" now. The 27-year-old southpaw was shut down from throwing and placed on the injured list in late June due to back and shoulder issues, and he never returned to pitch for the Fish in 2024, so the Cubs could very well have been scared off by his medicals. He was limited to only 12 starts this past season (66 2/3 innings), and when he was healthy, he took a big step back with a 5.00 ERA and 21.2 percent strikeout rate, which was down from 28.1 percent. Luzardo's numbers likely took a hit due to his injuries, which offers hope he could bounce back in 2025. There remains upside, but keep in mind Luzardo has made 20 starts in a season only once in his career.
10 hours ago
Josh Naylor Mentioned In Trade Talks With Mariners
Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor has been mentioned in trade talks between the Guardians and Seattle Mariners this offseason, according to sources. Naylor is one of multiple names under consideration by the Mariners as they look for an offensive upgrade at first base. Free-agent first baseman Christian Walker is another name that the Mariners could consider as they look for another bat this winter. The 27-year-old Naylor was a first-time All-Star in 2024 and finished with career-highs in home runs (31), RBI (108) and runs scored (84) while stealing six bases and slashing .243/.320/.456 with a .776 OPS in a career-high 152 regular-season games. His drop in average can be attributed to him facing more left-handers over the course of a full season. Repeating his 30-homer season will be difficult, especially if he heads to T-Mobile Park with less protection in the lineup.
10 hours ago
Griffin Canning Agrees With Mets On One-Year Deal
Free-agent right-hander Griffin Canning and the New York Mets agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million deal on Wednesday, pending a physical, according to sources. The deal includes $1 million in potential bonuses. Canning spent the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Angels before being traded to the Atlanta Braves in the deal involving outfielder Jorge Soler in October. Canning became a free agent when the Braves non-tendered him. The 28-year-old was once again underwhelming for the Halos this past season, going 6-13 with a 5.19 ERA (5.26 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 130 strikeouts and 66 walks in 171 2/3 innings over 32 outings (31 starts). His 99 earned runs allowed were the most in the league. In Queens, he'll likely compete for the final starting rotation spot with Tylor Megill. But even if he wins a spot, Canning won't draw much fantasy intrigue after posting a 17% strikeout rate with 31 homers allowed.
Yesterday
Akil Baddoo Remaining With Tigers
Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday. The 26-year-old was designated for assignment last week, but will stick with the organization. Baddoo has struggled in each of the last three seasons after entering the MLB with a bang in 2021. Baddoo hit .259/.330/.436 with 13 home runs and 55 RBI with 18 stolen bases during his rookie season in 2021 with the Tigers. Last season, Baddoo posted his worst stats of his career with a .159 batting average with two home runs and five RBI in 31 games. He figures to start the season in the minors and could get another chance if he can prove himself in Toledo.
Yesterday
Ryan Miller Signs With Tigers
The Detroit Tigers have signed relief pitcher Ryan Miller to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. The 28-year-old made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels last season. He finished with a 4.15 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and a 11/8 K/BB ratio across 13 innings with the Halos. He looked better in the minors with a 2.45 ERA and 61/14 K/BB ratio in 34 appearances in Triple-A last season. At worst, Miller is decent bullpen depth for the Tigers, but he should get a chance to win a bullpen spot in spring training.
Yesterday
Joey Gerber Signs Minor-League Deal With Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays have signed relief pitcher Joey Gerber to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. Many baseball fans might not know who Gerber is, which is fair considering he hasn't pitched in the MLB since 2020. The 27-year-old posted a 4.02 ERA, 1.15 WHIP across 15 innings in 17 appearances with the Seattle Mariners in shortened 2020 season. Since then, Gerber has dealt with a handful of injuries and really hasn't pitched too much. He posted a 2.43 ERA, 1.35 WHIP in 26 appearances in the New York Yankees minor league system last season. He figures to compete for a spot in the bullpen during spring training.
Yesterday
Nolan Arenado Blocks Trade To Astros
The Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals were in talks on a potential trade involving third baseman Nolan Arenado, but Arenado informed the Cardinals that he will not waive his no-trade clause to go to the Astros. The Cardinals were set to sent $15-20 million to the Astros in the deal to pay down Arenado's salary, as the eight-time All-Star will earn $74 million in the next three years. "It's definitely not close," a source said. As Arenado's offensive prowess continues to decline, the Cardinals have already acknowledged its "intention to try" to trade the defensive whiz as they look to get younger going into 2025. It's unclear exactly which teams Arenado would approve a trade to, but his agent, Joel Wolfe, said last week that his client would waive his no-trade clause to play for a team he thinks is ready to win now. The Phillies, Yankees, Mets and Red Sox could be in play.
Yesterday
Angels Acquire Chuckie Robinson From White Sox
The Los Angeles Angels acquired catcher Chuckie Robinson from the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations. In a corresponding move, right-hander Davis Daniel was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. In Anaheim, Robinson will serve as catching depth behind Logan O'Hoppe and Travis d'Arnaud heading into the 2025 season. The White Sox had no more room for him after acquiring prospect Kyle Teel and Matt Thaiss this offseason. The 30-year-old backstop is off the fantasy radar in all formats and will likely open next season at Triple-A Salt Lake. Robinson played in 26 games for the White Sox in 2024 in his second big-league season and hit a weak .129 (9-for-70) with no homers, no RBI, two runs scored, five walks and 20 strikeouts.
Yesterday
Nationals Sign Carlos De La Cruz To Minor-League Deal
The Washington Nationals signed free-agent outfielder Carlos De La Cruz to a minor-league deal on Wednesday that doesn't include an invitation to major-league spring training, according to a source. De La Cruz is a 6-foot-8 outfielder who spent the last six seasons in the minors with the Philadelphia Phillies. He has plenty of power potential but also swings and miss a lot. The 25-year-old swings from the right side of the plate. In 113 games with Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2024, De La Cruz hit .234/.302/.367 with a .669 OPS, 11 home runs, 53 RBI, six stolen bases and 47 runs scored in 454 plate appearances. He is going to need to cut down on his swings and misses if he wants to make his major-league debut in 2025 for a Nationals team that has a lot of up-and-coming young talent in the outfield. De La Cruz will likely start at Triple-A Rochester.
Yesterday
Yankees Sign Colten Brewer To Minor-League Deal
The New York Yankees signed free-agent pitcher Colten Brewer to a minor-league deal on Tuesday, according to a source. Brewer, who throws from the right side, spent the 2024 campaign with the Chicago Cubs and had a 5.66 ERA (3.12 FIP) and a 1.59 WHIP with 22 strikeouts, nine walks and his first career save in 20 2/3 relief appearances over 16 outings. The 32-year-old will now provide right-handed depth out of the bullpen for the Yankees going into the 2025 season. Brewer's season was cut short last year after he fractured his left hand while punching a dugout wall in frustration in early July. He started throwing to hitters in August and should be fully ready to go for spring training in February. Brewer is off the fantasy radar and has a career 5.10 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP with 114 strikeouts and 70 walks in 120 innings over his six MLB seasons.
Yesterday
Yankees Hoping To Have Jonathan Loaisiga In Late April, Early May
New York Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said the hope is that right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga (elbow) will be ready to pitch for the team in late April or early May. Loaisiga avoided Tommy John surgery and instead had a UCL repair of his right elbow in April of this year. The 30-year-old veteran still has some rehab to do, but as long as he doesn't suffer a setback, his 2025 debut won't be delayed for too long. Despite not being fully healthy, the Yankees re-signed the Nicaraguan hurler. Loaisiga made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Yankees and has a 3.44 career ERA (3.59 FIP), a 1.23 WHIP, seven saves and a 207:72 K:BB in 219 2/3 innings over 163 appearances (11 starts). Because of his injury, Loaisiga is most likely to be a bullpen option for the Yankees when he returns, giving him little fantasy appeal.
Yesterday
Yankees Name Devin Williams As The Closer
Unsurprisingly, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-handed reliever Devin Williams will serve as the team's closer next season. This was fully expected when the Yankees acquired Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason. The 30-year-old two-time All-Star will have an even higher fantasy ceiling as an elite closer heading into 2025 now that he's in the Bronx. The former second-round pick by the Brewers in 2013 had a pristine 1.73 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 51 saves in 119 1/3 innings pitched for the Brewers in 2022 and 2023. He got a late start to the 2024 season after having back surgery and threw only 21 2/3 frames in the regular season, but he was lights-out again with a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 14 saves and 38 strikeouts. Williams will be highly coveted as a top fantasy close. His arrival in the Bronx will push Luke Weaver into the eighth-inning setup role.
Yesterday
Bryse Wilson Agrees To One-Year Deal With White Sox
Free-agent right-hander Bryse Wilson agreed to a one-year, $1.05 million deal, pending a physical, with the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, according to a source. The deal includes a potential $250,000 in performance bonuses. The 26-year-old will compete for a start in the starting rotation for the rebuilding White Sox. Wilson chose to head to free agency after being removed from the Milwaukee Brewers' 40-man roster this offseason. He threw 104 2/3 innings in the regular season for the Brew Crew in 2024 and had a 4.04 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 31 walks in 34 appearances (nine starts). As exclusively a reliever for Milwaukee the year prior, Wilson was better with a 2.58 ERA in 53 outings, although he was a bit fortunate. If Wilson does make Chicago's rotation, he'll most likely be more of an innings-eater than anything else and will be a low-upside streamer in deeper fantasy formats.
Yesterday
Roansy Contreras
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Reds
