MLB News
Coco Montes Signs Minor League Deal With Tampa Bay
According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, infielder Coco Montes has signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. Montes logged 64 games at the Triple-A level in the Rockies organization and held an impressive .335/.414/.551 line with 16 doubles, nine home runs, and a 37:54 BB:K ratio. Montes also spent some time last season playing in Japan. He made his major league debut during the 2023 season where he appeared in just 18 games with the Rockies and posted a .184/.244/.316 line. Even though he has never been given a full look in the majors, he sits with an overall .305/.388/.532 line across 282 games at the Triple-A level. If Montes has a successful Spring Training he could contend for a spot on the Opening Day Roster.
7 hours ago
Tim Hill Linked To The Yankees
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees are looking to add left-handed pitchers to their bullpen and have been linked to Tim Hill,among others. Hill finished the 2024 campaign in the Bronx after starting the season with the Chicago White Sox. Across 67 innings of relief last summer, the southpaw held a 3.36 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. However, he was very effective across his 44-inning stint in the Bronx, where he posted a 2.05 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. The 34-year-old has struggled to generate strikeouts and posted a poor 12.9% strikeout rate and 10.7% walk rate over the past two summers. However, he generated a 1.7% barrel rate and a 68.1% ground-ball rate, which placed him in the 100th percentile in both statistics last season. If Hill were to reunite with the Yankees, he would likely operate as a middle-relief option and see minimal save situations, if any at all.
7 hours ago
Teoscar Hernandez Returning To Los Angeles On Three-Year Deal
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a three-year contract worth $66 million. Throughout the offseason, the 32-year-old expressed interest in a reunion, and now both sides have agreed to a deal. In his first season as a Dodger, Hernandez spent most of his time in left field and posted a strong .272/.339/.501 slash line with 33 home runs and 12 stolen bases. He tallied an impressive 99 RBI batting in a deep lineup. Under the hood, the slugger boasted a .486 xSLG and 14.9% barrel rate, which were among the top marks in the sport. During their World Series run, Hernandez held a .250/.352/.417 line across 16 playoff games. Fantasy managers should expect Hernandez to continue to bat in the top half of an elite lineup, which should provide him ample RBI opportunities throughout the 2025 season.
7 hours ago
Masataka Yoshida On The Trade Market
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Boston Red Sox attempted to move designated hitter Masataka Yoshida in a deal that would have brought right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo to Boston. Feinsand reported that the Mariners were looking to acquire first baseman Triston Casas in exchange for Castillo, but rejected the deal as the Red Sox attempted to put Yoshida in the package as well. The 31-year-old carries a hefty contract worth $55.8 million but Seattle was unwilling to take on the payroll. Feinsand noted that once this deal fell through, Boston pivoted to Walker Buehler. Yoshida has been deployed as a pure DH given his defensive struggles and held a .280/.349/.415 line with ten home runs and two stolen bases last summer. If Yoshida remains on the Red Sox, fantasy managers should expect him to see most starts at the DH spot.
7 hours ago
Bailey Horn Designated For Assignment
The Detroit Tigers have designated left-handed pitcher Bailey Horn for assignment earlier on Friday. This opened up a roster spot for second baseman Gleyber Torres who agreed to a one-year contract with Detroit. Horn made his major league debut last summer and held a 6.50 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP across 18 innings of work. He struck out 13 batters and posted a 10.8% walk rate. Across 39 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level last season Horn held a 4.54 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP while tallying 35 punchouts. Horn was claimed off of waivers by Detroit earlier this offseason but will now look for a new suitor ahead of Spring Training. If Horn is able to sign a new contract, he will likely open the 2025 campaign at the Triple-A level given his struggles in the big leagues.
7 hours ago
Reds Release Peyton Burdick
The Cincinnati Reds have released outfielder Peyton Burdick this offseason. It's expected that Burdick will take his talents overseas to either Japan or Korea in 2025. The 27-year-old did not see any action in the big leagues in 2024. In 63 games for Triple-A Norfolk (Baltimore Orioles organization) and Triple-A Louisville, Burdick slashed just .187/.302/.370 with 11 home runs, 25 RBI, five steals, 36 runs scored and 108 strikeouts in 258 plate appearances. Burdick was originally drafted in the third round by the Miami Marlins in 2019 out of Wright State University. He made his major-league debut with the Fish in 2022 and he has hit a combined .200/.281/.368 with a weak .649 OPS, five home runs, 13 RBI and 12 runs scored in 46 games played over two seasons in Miami.
9 hours ago
Phillies Sign Joel Kuhnel To Minors Deal
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed free-agent right-hander Joel Kuhnel to a minor-league deal. Kuhnel will join the Phillies after allowing five earned runs on eight hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out five in only 10 relief innings with the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays in 2024. The 29-year-old reliever was originally drafted in the 11th round in 2016 by the Cincinnati Reds out of the University of Texas at Arlington. He made his big-league debut in 2019 with the Reds and has posted a 5.86 ERA (4.46 FIP), a 1.36 WHIP, one save and a 76:24 K:BB in 93 2/3 innings over 82 relief appearances in his five seasons in the majors. Kuhnel will bring experienced relief depth to the Phils after pitching at four different Triple-A levels in 2024 with the Rays, Astros, Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers.
10 hours ago
Pirates Sign Darick Hall To Minor-League Deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed free-agent first baseman Darick Hall to a minor-league deal. Hall will give the Pirates an extra left-handed bat that can fill in at first base or as a designated hitter. The 29-year-old former 14th-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016 out of Dallas Baptist University did not see action at all in the big leagues in 2024. Instead, he hit .236/.320/.387 with 16 home runs in 114 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He debuted in the majors with the Phillies in 2022 and has hit .226/.258/.442 with a .700 OPS, 10 home runs, 19 RBI and 21 runs scored in 198 plate appearances in Philly in 59 games in two seasons. Hall will most likely begin the 2025 campaign with Triple-A Indianapolis, but he'll have a much better shot to reach the big leagues again in Pittsburgh than he did in Philadelphia.
10 hours ago
Spencer Torkelson's 2025 Role Not Defined
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson's role for the 2025 season has yet to be defined, according to general manager Scott Harris. The Tigers signed infielder Gleyber Torres on Friday in free agency to be their everyday second baseman next year. Colt Keith, who was the starter at the keystone as a rookie in 2024, will shift over to first base next year. With the 25-year-old Torkelson's role up in the air, the Tigers will most likely look to shop him on the trade market. But if he stays in Detroit, the former top overall pick from Arizona State could end up being on the short side of a platoon at either first base or designated hitter. Torkelson hit 31 homers and drove in 94 in 2023 but took a big step backwards in 2024, was demoted to the minors for a bit and had a .219/.295/.374 slash line with just 10 homers and 37 RBI in 92 games. His stock is way down heading into fantasy drafts next spring.
10 hours ago
Colt Keith To Move To First Base In 2025
The Detroit Tigers will move infielder Colt Keith to first base next year after signing second baseman Gleyber Torres in free agency, according to general manager Scott Harris. Torres will be Detroit's everyday second baseman. The 23-year-old Keith will be playing first base for the first time in his professional career next year and will have eligibility in fantasy at both second and first, giving him a bit more value. With Keith now at first base, it's unclear what role former first-rounder Spencer Torkelson will fill, but it's possible he could be more of a full-time designated hitter. Keith, who hits from the left side, had flashes in his first big-league season in 2024 and finished with a .260/.309/.380 slash line with a below-average .689 OPS, 13 home runs, 61 RBI, seven steals and 54 runs in 516 at-bats. He will need to improve his batted-ball metrics in order to take a step forward in his sophomore season in 2025.
10 hours ago
Gleyber Torres Headed To Detroit On One-Year Deal
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, free-agent second baseman Gleyber Torres has agreed to a one-year contract worth $15 million with the Detroit Tigers. Last season with the Yankees, Torres posted a career-low .257/.33/.378 slash line with just 15 home runs and four stolen bases. He tallied 26 doubles and 63 RBI. Under the hood, he generated a poor .307 xwOBA, 2.40 xBA, and a .368 xSLG, which were all below the 40th percentile among qualified hitters. However, he showed a solid eye at the plate with a 9.8% walk rate and a 20.5% strikeout rate, both of which were above the average marks. Fantasy managers should expect Torres to spend most of his time at the keystone in Detroit, which will move Colt Keith to the hot corner or even first base. This may make it difficult for young infielders Jace Jung or Trey Sweeney to find consistent playing time as well.
16 hours ago
Drew VerHagen Headed To Japan
Free-agent relief pitcher Drew VerHagen has re-signed with the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan. The 34-year-old posted a 3.09 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 82/22 K/BB ratio across 20 appearances with the Ham Fighters last season. After testing the market, VerHagen has decided to head back to Japan for at least one more season. He last pitched in the MLB with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023. VerHagen posted a 3.98 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 60/26 K/BB ratio in 60 appearances with the Cards that season. It's uncertain if he plans to return to the big leagues after another year overseas.
17 hours ago
Diego Castillo Signs Deal With Rockies
The Colorado Rockies have signed relief pitcher Diego Castillo to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. This isn't a blockbuster move, but Castillo has been an under-the-radar pitcher throughout his career. He didn't see much action in the MLB last season as he posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and 6/8 K/BB ratio in seven appearances with the Minnesota Twins. The 30-year-old has a 3.20 ERA across seven big league seasons and has 35 saves across his career. He has a decent shot at making the big league bullpen considering the Rockies don't have many lock-down options in their pen right now.
17 hours ago
Pete Alonso Not Close On A Deal With Mets
Free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso remains in contract talks with his former club, but there appears to be a sizable gap in terms of a deal. The rumor is that the New York Mets offer is around three years and $90 million. However, Alonso is reportedly looking for a deal that is around $200 million, which means the two sides probably aren't too close. The most likely scenario is Alonso ending up back with the Mets considering most of the other big-name first basemen have already signed. Christian Walker, Paul Goldschmidt, and Carlos Santana have all signed within the last week or so, which leaves Alonso as the biggest name left at the cold corner. Alonso has been an All-Star the last three seasons with 34 home runs or more in each of the last four seasons. The 30-year-old is well deserving of a long term deal as he's one of the top hitters at his position.
17 hours ago
Andrew Chafin Drawing Interest From Yankees
Free-agent relief pitcher Andrew Chafin is reportedly drawing interest from the New York Yankees. The 34-year-old became a free agent this winter after the Texas Rangers declined his $6.5 million option for the 2025 campaign. Last season, Chafin posted a 3.51 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 70/31 K/BB ratio across 62 appearances with the Detroit Tigers and Rangers. The veteran southpaw has been a capable and trustworthy option for years now. The Yankees desperately need a reliable left-handed reliever, so the addition of Chafin would make sense for this roster. This bullpen already features Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, and Mark Leiter Jr., so Chafin's chances of getting regular saves is unlikely in the Bronx. That being said, Chafin wouldn't have ideal fantasy value there, but is a good fit for the team.
18 hours ago
Gleyber Torres Turns Down Deal From Nationals
Free-agent second baseman Gleyber Torres has reportedly declined an offer from the Washington Nationals because he doesn't want to play third base. Possibly, Torres is just giving an excuse because he didn't want to join the 71-win Nationals club. However, there have been reports in the past about Torres not wanting to move away from second base. The 28-year-old was once the top prospect in a trade to the New York Yankees that landed the Chicago Cubs reliever Aroldis Chapman for their 2016 World Series run. Since then, Torres has put together a few All-Star seasons and has been a serviceable player over the last seven seasons. Last season, Torres hit .257/.330/.378 with 15 home runs and 63 RBI in 154 games in the Bronx. He should be able to get a multi-year deal this offseason, but his inability to move positions could hurt his market value.
18 hours ago
Yankees Unlikely To Target Alex Bregman
According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, the Yankees are unlikely to target free agent third baseman Alex Bregman. According to Curry on an episode of Yankees Hot Stove, "That's not a road the Yankees are going down." Curry noted that the Yankees do not value his bat at his current price tag playing in Yankee Stadium as his swing would not play to its highest ability. Last summer, the 30-year-old held a strong .260/.315/.453 slash line with 26 home runs and three stolen bases. He generated hard contact at an underwhelming 40.5% hard-hit rate and a poor 6.4% barrel rate. However, he showed a great eye at the plate, boasting a 13.6% K rate and a 12.8% whiff rate. Given that the Yankees have already brought in large contracts this summer, such as Max Fried and Cody Bellinger, they may opt to take a cheaper route at the hot corner and for a bat that will play better in Yankee Stadium.
Yesterday
Nolan Arenado Is "Not A Fit" For Yankees
According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado is "not a fit" for what the Yankees are trying to do. Curry reported this on Yankees Hot Stove on the YES Network. Curry noted that while the Yankees may attempt to move starting pitcher Marcus Stroman to shed payroll, they are not trying to swap him for Arenado. While the 33-year-old has remained an elite defender throughout his career, his hitting metrics have dropped. Last summer, Arenado hit just 16 home runs and held a .394 SLG. He generated a poor .356 xSLG and a .296 xwOBA, both well below the average marks. While the Yankees may still be in the market for a third baseman, it looks like Arenado does not fit their current plan. Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Oswaldo Cabrera are current candidates to be the Opening Day third baseman.
Yesterday
Mets Had Interest In Joc Pederson
According to Justin Tasch of the New York Post, the New York Mets had interest in designated hitter Joc Pederson before he signed a two-year contract with the Texas Rangers. Last summer, Pederson performed very well being deployed on the strong side of a platoon with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pederson posted a .275/.393/.515 slash line with 23 home runs. He generated a strong .378 xwOBA and a 12.8% barrel rate, which were both among the top marks of qualified hitters. He also showed a great eye at the plate with a 12.2% walk rate and a slightly below-average 23.4% K rate. While the Mets could not get a deal done, this suggests that they are still actively looking for a power bat to operate as their designated hitter. Currently, Starling Marte or Jeff McNeil would be the team's DH, but that will likely change by Spring Training. If the Mets do target a power bat, he would have high RBI upside batting behind Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor.
Yesterday
Erick Fedde, Steven Matz Gaining Interest On Trade Market
According to Mark Feinsand, Bryan Hoch, and John Denton of MLB.com, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitchers Erick Fedde and Steven Matz are gaining interest on the trade market from several clubs such as the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians. With the Cardinals looking to reshape their roster and shed payroll, moving these options could allow their younger starting pitchers to have more opportunities during the 2025 season. Fedde opened the 2024 season in Chicago but was dealt to the Cardinals at the trade deadline. Across 177 1/3 frames, the 31-year-old posted a 3.30 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. Matz has battled injuries over the past two seasons and pitched only 44 1/3 frames last summer and posted a 5.08 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. If the Cardinals were to move one of these arms, this could create a path for their top pitching prospects, Tink Hence and Quinn Mathews, to spend most of the 2025 summer in the big leagues.
Yesterday
Coco Montes
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Rays
