MLB News
Mickey Gasper Traded To Minnesota
According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the Boston Red Sox have traded catcher Mickey Gasper to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jovani Moran. Gasper made his major league debut in Boston last summer. Across a small 14-game stint, the backstop went 0-for-18 at the plate with a 4:8 BB:K ratio. Across 48 games at the Triple-A level, the 29-year-old held a strong .367/.471/.592 line with 14 doubles, eight home runs and a 30:20 BB:K ratio. Earlier in the summer at Double-A, Gasper posted a .282/.403/.458 line with four home runs. With Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vazquez currently on the major league roster, Gasper will likely open the 2025 campaign at the Triple-A level but would be the first name called if one of them were to miss time.
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Jose Cuas Designated For Assignment
The Philadelphia Phillies designated right-hander Jose Cuas for assignment on Monday to make room for recently-signed right-hander Joe Ross on the 40-man roster. Cuas, a 30-year-old Dominican hurler, had an ugly 7.71 ERA (7.02 FIP) and 1.78 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and 10 walks in only 16 1/3 relief innings thrown in 2024 with the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays. He was claimed off waivers by the Phillies in September but may soon be looking for another organization unless he's claimed off waivers again. Cuas was originally an 11th-round selection by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2015 out of the University of Maryland. He made his major-league debut in 2022 with the Kansas City Royals and holds a career 4.37 ERA, a 1.59 WHIP and two saves in three seasons in the majors over 119 1/3 innings pitched.
5 hours ago
Phillies Add Guillo Zuniga On Minor-League Deal
The Philadelphia Phillies signed free-agent right-handed reliever Guillo Zuniga to a minor-league deal earlier this month. Zuniga will head to the Phillies for the 2025 campaign after appearing in 15 games out of the Los Angeles Angels' bullpen in 2025. In his 17 2/3 innings pitched this past season at the major-league level, Zuniga allowed 10 earned runs on 16 hits (five home runs) while walking eight and striking out 12 in 17 2/3 innings. He debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023 but only tossed two innings in relief. The 26-year-old hasn't been very healthy the last two seasons, either, and he'll be a long shot to have a significant role out of the Phillies' bullpen at the big-league level next year. Zuniga is most likely to open the 2025 regular season pitching back on the farm for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He's nowhere near the fantasy radar.
5 hours ago
Rangers Sign Shawn Armstrong
The Texas Rangers signed right-handed relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong to an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday and designated pitcher Sam Huff for assignment in a corresponding move. Armstrong pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs in 2024 and went a combined 3-3 with a 4.86 ERA (3.57 FIP), a 1.53 WHIP, one save, 66 strikeouts and 25 walks in 66 2/3 innings over a career-high 57 appearances (seven starts). The 34-year-old former 18th-round pick by the Cleveland Guardians in 2011 out of East Carolina University debuted in the big leagues with Cleveland in 2015 and holds a career 4.15 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with eight saves in 347 1/3 total innings pitched. With Texas in 2025, he should operate in a middle-relief role, where he won't have any real fantasy value to speak of.
5 hours ago
Phillies Sign Nabil Crismatt To Minor-League Deal
The Philadelphia Phillies signed free-agent right-handed reliever Nabil Crismatt to a minor-league deal earlier this month. Crismatt will head to the National League East after spending the 2024 campaign pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He only made five appearances out of the bullpen for the eventual World Series champions, though, and allowed three runs (two earned) while walking none and striking out six in seven innings of work. The 30-year-old also had an unsavory 5.81 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 28 walks in 79 innings at three different minor-league levels. Crismatt will most likely open the 2025 season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and will serve as relief depth for the Phillies. He has a career 3.71 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 177 innings in his five big-league seasons dating back to 2020.
5 hours ago
Yankees Agree To Minors Deal With Brennen Davis
The New York Yankees agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent outfielder Brennen Davis on Tuesday, according to sources. The 25-year-old was regarded as one of baseball's best outfield prospects before he went through a tough rash of injuries that have slowed him down over the last few years. In 47 games at Triple-A Iowa in the Chicago Cubs organization in 2024, Davis slashed just .214/.359/.469 but with an .828 OPS, 11 home runs, 28 RBI and 30 runs scored in 181 plate appearances. He has not played more than 71 games in a single season in any of the last three years, but the Yankees felt it was worth taking a chance on him in case he can stay healthy in 2025 and figure everything out. Davis was originally a second-rounder in 2018. He dealt with both a fractured back and fractured ankle in 2024. Davis is likely to open up at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre next year.
5 hours ago
Ken Giles Drawing Interest From Several Teams
According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, right-handed relief pitcher Ken Giles is drawing interest from several clubs on a potential minor league contract. Giles spent last summer pitching at the Triple-A level in the Braves organization and held a 6.28 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 38 2/3 innings of work. He made his last major league appearance in 2022. During that season, the right-hander pitched only four 1/3 innings to a perfect 0.00 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Giles has battled numerous injuries throughout his career and has not participated in a full campaign since the 2019 season where he tallied 23 saves with a 1.87 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP with the Toronto Blue Jays. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during Spring Training as he may be able to contend for a spot on an Opening Day roster.
10 hours ago
Seattle Showed Interest In Carlos Santana
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Seattle Mariners offered free-agent first baseman Carlos Santana a higher salary and a player option for 2026, but the veteran first baseman decided to sign with the Cleveland Guardians instead. The Mariners have been in the first base market all offseason and have been linked to other top options such as Christian Walker. However, with Walker signing in Houston, the Mariners were willing to place a higher bid on Santana but were unable to agree to a deal. Instead, Santana choose to return to his old club on a one-year contract. Santana will now be the everyday first baseman in Cleveland with Josh Naylor being traded to Arizona. Last season, the 38-year-old held a .238/.328/.420 slash line with 23 home runs. Outside of Pete Alonso, other options at first base for Seattle are Justin Turner, Josh Bell, and Anthony Rizzo.
10 hours ago
Kirby Yates Remains A Priority For Texas
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, free-agent relief pitcher Kirby Yates remains a priority during free agency for the Texas Rangers. Yates operated as the top ninth-inning option in Texas last season and performed quite well, boasting a 1.17 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. He tallied 33 saves across his 61 2/3 innings of work. Under the hood, the 33-year-old generated a 1.86 xERA and .145 xBA, which were both among the top marks compared to qualified pitchers. In addition, Yates struck out batters at an elite 35.9% rate and allowed hard-contact at a low 33.1% rate and barrels at a 4.1% rate. However, he did struggle with his command, as he posted a high 11.8% walk rate. Yates will likely operate as a ninth-inning reliever wherever he calls home in 2025, but he would be the clear top option if he returns to Texas.
10 hours ago
Grae Kessinger Designated For Assignment
According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Houston Astros have designated third baseman Grae Kessinger for assignment. This was done in a corresponding move to add free agent first baseman Christian Walker to the active roster. Kessinger only appeared in 49 games at the major league level over the past two seasons and held a poor .131/.243/.213 with just two doubles and one home run. However, across 121 games at the Triple-A level, Kessinger carried a solid .271/.363/.407 slash line with 23 doubles, 12 home runs, and nine swiped bags. Fantasy managers should expect the former second round selection out of Ole Miss to find a new home on a minor league deal and contend for a spot on an Opening Day roster if he has a successful Spring Training.
10 hours ago
Patrick Murphy Signs Minor-League Deal With Texas
The Texas Rangers have signed right right-handed pitcher Patrick Murphy to a minor-league deal that has an invite to spring training. The 29-year-old spent the entire 2024 campaign pitching overseas in Japan and held a 3.62 ERA across 59 2/3 innings of work. During the 2023 season, he only appeared in Triple-A and held a similar 3.69 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 85 1/3 innings of work. During this stint, he struck out 97 batters. He last appeared in the major leagues in 2022. Across three big-league seasons (2020-2022), he logged 39 2/3 innings and pitched to the tune of a 4.76 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. Murphy will likely open the 2025 season at the minor-league level given his lack of major-league success.
10 hours ago
Corbin Burnes Looking For Around $245 Million
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand said on MLB Network that free-agent right-hander Corbin Burnes, who is at the top of the free-agent starting pitching market this offseason, is seeking a deal for around $245 million this offseason. The San Francisco Giants reportedly have been very interested in Burnes and even made him an offer, but it wasn't as high as the $245 million he's seeking. It remains to be seen if San Fran will increase their offer. The Toronto Blue Jays are another team mentioned as a suitor for Burnes, but it's unclear if they are willing to take a leap on a seven-year deal for a pitcher. It's also unclear if the Baltimore Orioles would commit that type of money to bring Burnes back. The 30-year-old saw his strikeout rate drop to 23.1% in 2024, but he still had an ERA under 3.00. Regression is likely coming soon, but Burnes could still have a few solid years left as a high-end fantasy starter.
20 hours ago
Mets Expected To Re-Sign Pete Alonso?
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand says that all the sources around the league he's talked with believe that free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso will eventually re-sign with the New York Mets, even after they landed the biggest free-agent prize of all this winter in outfielder Juan Soto. Feinsand also mentions the Seattle Mariners as potentially being a fit for Alonso, whose market has shrunk recently with several free-agent first basemen finding homes and others being acquired by teams via trade of late. However, Feinsand thinks the M's would have to move right-hander Luis Castillo and his contract first before they'd become a serious suitor for the right-handed slugger, who is now one of the biggest free agents left available. Alonso is now 30 years old and had the worst year of his career in 2024, although that still provided fantasy managers with 34 homers and 88 RBI. A return to New York would be more ideal for fantasy purposes than a move to Seattle.
20 hours ago
Red Sox, Tigers Still In The Mix For Alex Bregman
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand mentions the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers as two teams still in the mix to sign free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman this offseason. Re-signing with the Houston Astros is no longer an option after Houston signed Christian Walker to play first base. The recently-acquired Isaac Paredes is expected to open the 2025 season as the Astros' third baseman. The New York Yankees have been mentioned as a possibility for the 30-year-old right-handed slugger, but they may not be as interested after just spending plenty of money to sign lefty pitcher Max Fried and lefty slugger Cody Bellinger in a trade. It's a question of whether the Tigers would spend the money to reunite Bregman with manager A.J. Hinch. The Red Sox have the money and would have a reason to move Rafael Devers off 3B to preserve his health.
20 hours ago
Astros' Negotiations With Alex Bregman Have Stalled
Contract negotiations between the Houston Astros and free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman recently "stalled," prompting general manager Dana Brown to pivot and add first baseman Christian Walker in free agency. The signing of Walker all but eliminated a reunion between the Astros and Bregman this offseason after the team took him second overall in the 2015 draft. Houston's offer to Bregman was reportedly for six years and around $156 million. Owner Jim Crane has never guaranteed a player more than $151 million or given out a contract longer than six years. Before acquiring Isaac Paredes from the Chicago Cubs in the deal that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago, St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado apparently nixed a potential trade to the Astros. Now that Walker is in Houston, Paredes figures to open the 2025 season as Houston's starting third baseman.
20 hours ago
Phillies Won't Rush Andrew Painter To The Majors In 2025
The Philadelphia Phillies are planning to save most of right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter's (elbow) limited innings for "July-ish" as he makes his way back from Tommy John surgery, according to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Painter will throw during spring training but will not pitch in games. Before making his big-league debut in 2025, the Phillies will build him up in the minor leagues. The team's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, didn't pitch at all in 2023 and threw only 15 2/3 innings in the Arizona Fall League this year, so the 21-year-old will certainly have a strict innings cap in 2025, which will limit his fantasy appeal in single-year leagues. The recent additions of left-hander Jesus Luzardo and right-hander Joe Ross also give the Phils more rotation insurance, so it remains to be see how big of a need they'll have for Painter around midseason.
21 hours ago
Phillies Agree With Joe Ross On One-Year Deal
The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a one-year deal worth $4 million with free-agent right-hander Joe Ross on Monday, according to sources. Ross is expected to serve in a swing role for the Phillies as both a starter and reliever in 2025 after he went 3-6 with a 3.77 ERA (3.83 FIP), a 1.36 WHIP and a 66:29 K:BB in 74 innings over 25 appearances (10 starts) with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024. The 31-year-old veteran hurler essentially takes the place of Spencer Turnbull, who remains on the open market. Ross will only be worth considering as a fantasy streamer in deeper fantasy leagues and DFS contests if he's starting, but it will be more likely that most of his appearances in Philly will come in a relief role. He was better as a reliever last year with a 1.98 WHIP and 24.1% strikeout rate compared to an ERA just south of 5.00 with an 18.7% K rate as a starter.
21 hours ago
Noah Davis Signs Minor-League Deal With Red Sox
Free-agent right-hander Noah Davis announced on his Instagram account that he signed a minor-league deal with the Boston Red Sox over the weekend. Davis debuted in the big leagues in 2022 for the Colorado Rockies but has appeared in only 18 games (six starts) since then, posting a 7.71 ERA (5.65 FIP) and a 1.95 WHIP with 43 strikeouts and 23 walks in 51 1/3 innings pitched. The 27-year-old was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 11th round out of the University of California at Santa Barbara in 2018. In 19 outings (eight starts) at Triple-A Albuquerque in the minors this past season, he went 2-3 with a 5.77 ERA, a 1.65 WHIP and 72:31 K:BB in 68 2/3 frames. Davis will give the Red Sox some pitching depth as both a starter and reliever heading into spring training in February, but he'll likely open the year at Triple-A Worcester.
Yesterday
Wil Myers Done With Professional Baseball
Free-agent outfielder/first baseman Wil Myers said last week that his professional playing career is over, even though he doesn't plan on officially retiring. Myers was most notably acquired by the San Diego Padres from the Tampa Bay Rays 10 years ago in a three-team trade that also sent shortstop Trea Turner to the Washington Nationals. The right-handed-hitting outfielder never lived up to the hype, though, after he won American League Rookie of the Year in 2013 with the Rays. He did hit 134 home runs and started an All-Star game while in San Diego. "I had a great career," Myers said. "I loved what I did. I made a lot of great friends. I have no regrets. If you had told me the day I was drafted that this would be your career, I would've taken it in a heartbeat. I loved what I did, and now it's just kind of onto the next chapter of life."
Yesterday
Andrew McCutchen Re-Signs With Pirates
Free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen re-signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday on a one-year deal worth $5 million, according to a source. Although McCutchen is clearly past his prime and is basically a full-time DH at this point in his career, the 38-year-old was highly coveted by the Pirates for his leadership skills in the clubhouse. In 448 at-bats over 120 games for Pittsburgh in 2024 in his 16th year in the big leagues, the five-time All-Star and former National League MVP hit .232/.328/.411 with a .739 OPS, 20 home runs, 50 RBI, three steals and 66 runs scored. McCutchen should once again be expected to serve as the team's full-time DH in 2025, and while he still has decent pop for his age, fantasy managers would be foolish to expect another season of 20 homers.
Yesterday
Mickey Gasper
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Twins
