MLB News
Framber Valdez, Astros Avoid Arbitration
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Houston Astros and starting pitcher Framber Valdez have agreed to a one-year contract worth $18 million to avoid arbitration. The southpaw is expected to be among the top free agents following the 2025 season. Last summer, the 31-year-old posted a 2.91 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP across 176 1/3 innings of work. Valdez has made at least 28 starts over the past three seasons and logged at least 175 innings in each campaign. Last summer, Valdez generated a stellar 61.7% ground-ball rate, which placed him in the 99th percentile among qualified pitchers. He also limited hard contact with an excellent 5.3% barrel rate. Despite his modest strikeout production, Valdez remains one of the safest pitchers in fantasy baseball, given his ability to log a high total of innings each year and produce strong ratios.
5 hours ago
Jazz Chisholm Jr., Yankees Avoid Arbitration
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the New York Yankees and infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. have agreed to a one-year contract worth $5.85 million to avoid arbitration. The 26-year-old began the 2024 season with the Miami Marlins but was eventually traded to the New York Yankees during the stretch run. Across 147 games last summer, Chisholm held a .256/.324/.436 line with 24 home runs and 40 stolen bases. However, in 46 games with the Yankees, Chisholm performed very well as he held a .273/.325/.500 line with 11 home runs. The 26-year-old was deployed primarily at the hot corner during his short tenure with the Yankees last season but could move to the keystone as the Yankees are actively trying to add another infielder to their roster. Chisholm carries an elite combination of power and speed and should be viewed as a high-end third baseman in standard category leagues.
5 hours ago
Jarred Kelenic, Braves Avoid Arbitration
According to the team, outfielder Jarred Kelenic and the Atlanta Braves have agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.3 million to avoid arbitration. The former top prospect spent the entire 2024 campaign with the Atlanta Braves. While he performed well at times, he struggled to find consistency as he held an overall .231/.286/.393 slash line with 15 home runs and seven stolen bases. During the first half, he held a solid .255 AVG and a .418 SLG but saw his production drop considerably in the second half to a mere .182 AVG and a .343 SLG. The 25-year-old generated a modest 45.2% hard-hit rate and a 9.9% barrel rate. Fantasy managers should expect Kelenic to operate as the everyday left fielder in Atlanta in 2025 but could be given a shorter leash given his late-season struggles in 2024.
5 hours ago
Steven Kwan, Guardians Avoid Arbitration
According to Mandy Bell of MLB.com, the Cleveland Guardians and outfielder Steven Kwan have agreed to a one-year contract worth $4.175 million to avoid arbitration. In 2024, Steven Kwan enjoyed the best season of his career as he posted a .292/.368/.425 line. He launched a career-best 14 home runs. He also swiped double-digit bags for the third straight campaign. This was a nice bounce-back compared to the .268/.340./.370 line he held in 2023. Last summer, he generated an impressive .284 xBA, which placed him in the 94th percentile among qualified hitters. In addition, the 27-year-old showed a great eye at the plate with a 9.4% K rate, 8.2% whiff rate, and 19.2% chase rate, which placed him within the 96th percentile among qualified hitters. Despite his lack of power, Kwan remains a top pick for batting average, given his elite contact skills.
5 hours ago
Randy Arozarena, Mariners Avoid Arbitration
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Seattle Mariners and outfielder Randy Arozarena have agreed on a one-year contract worth $11.3 million to avoid arbitration. Arozarena opened the 2024 campaign with the Tampa Bay Rays but was eventually shipped to Seattle during the second half. The outfielder had a down year to his standards as he held a .219/.332/.388 line across 154 games. This was a stark drop to the .254/.364/.425 line he held during the 2023 campaign. However, he did hit 20 home runs and swiped 20 bags. Under the hood, he generated a solid 43.5% hard-hit rate but struggled at the plate with a hefty 29.7% whiff rate and a 26.1% K rate, which were both significantly below the average marks. Fantasy managers should expect Arozarena to operate as the everyday left fielder in Seattle in 2025.
5 hours ago
Michael King, Padres Do Not Come To Settlement
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the San Diego Padres and right-handed pitcher Michael King did not come to an agreement prior to the deadline. As a result, they will now exchange arbitration figures. King performed very well in his first season as a full-time starter. Despite his slow start in April, the right-hander posted a 2.95 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP across a career-high 173 2/3 innings. He struck out batters at a strong 27.7% rate and generated hard contact at an elite 30.3% clip. He also generated an above-average 3.59 xERA and a .226 xBA. Fantasy managers should expect King to continue to have a role in the starting rotation in 2025. Given his impressive second half, where he posted a strong 2.15 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP, fantasy managers should view King as a high-upside SP2 in all formats.
6 hours ago
Astros, Mauricio Dubon Settle On $5 Million Deal
The Houston Astros and utility man Mauricio Dubon settled on a $5 million deal for the 2025 season on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration, according to a source. Dubon will have one more year of arbitration eligibility. The 30-year-old veteran is currently recovering after having surgery to fix a torn UCL in his left thumb in October, but barring a setback, he should be ready for Opening Day in 2025. The Honduras native slashed .269/.296/.361 with a .657 OPS, only four home runs, a career-high 47 RBI, three stolen bases and 45 runs scored in 137 games in his second full season with the Astros in 2024. Dubon's game on offense is based on putting the ball in play, but he doesn't hit the ball very hard and has limited power, making him a low-upside commodity in AL-only leagues mostly. His biggest draw in those fantasy leagues is his positional versatility, as he can basically play anywhere on the diamond.
6 hours ago
Kutter Crawford, Red Sox Avoid Arbitration
Right-hander Kutter Crawford and the Boston Red Sox settled on a one-year, $2.75 million deal on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration. In his fourth year with Boston in 2024, Crawford made a career-high 33 starts (183 2/3 innings ) and went 9-16 (most losses in the league) with a 4.36 ERA (4.65 FIP), 1.12 WHIP, 175 strikeouts, 51 walks and a league-high 34 home runs allowed. The 28-year-old was an innings-eater for the Red Sox last year but struggled with a career-high workload. His strikeout percentage (23.1 percent) and hard-hit rate (36.3%) regressed last year with more innings under his belt. The BoSox added left-hander Garrett Crochet and right-hander Walker Buehler to their starting rotation this offseason, so there's no guarantee Crawford will open 2025 in the rotation in Beantown. At worst, though, he could be a valuable swingman for Boston's pitching staff.
6 hours ago
Kyle Bradish, Orioles Avoid Arbitration
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, starting pitcher Kyle Bradish (elbow) and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a one-year, $2.35 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. The 28-year-old logged 39 1/3 innings in 2024 before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery. In this small stint, the right-hander posted a 2.75 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. Under the hood, he generated a stellar 28.6% hard-hit rate and 56.0% ground-ball rate. He also struck out batters at an elite 32.5% rate. In 2023, Bradish posted a 2.83 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP across 168 2/3 innings of work in a breakout season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the season, as he may be eligible to return to the Baltimore rotation sometime during the second half of the 2025 campaign.
10 hours ago
Luis Arraez, Padres Settle On $14 Million Deal
Infielder Luis Arraez and the San Diego Padres settled on a $14 million deal for the 2025 season on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration, according to a source. Arraez will get a $3.5 million raise in his final year of arbitration eligibility. With the Padres looking to cut salary this year, they've explored trading Arraez to the New York Yankees, although no deal is close. The 27-year-old Venezuelan is the best contact hitter in the game and won the batting title for the third straight season while playing for the Padres and Miami Marlins. It's hard to believe his .314 average was a step back from 2023, and he also had surgery in October to fix a torn ligament in his left thumb. Arraez surely has a unique skill set, but his lack of defensive prowess and speed mostly make him a one-category contributor (average) in fantasy. If he stays in SD, Arraez should hit leadoff in a strong lineup.
10 hours ago
Jose Trevino, Reds Avoid Arbitration
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, catcher Jose Trevino and the Cincinnati Reds have settled on a one-year, $3.425 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. The Reds acquired Trevino from the New York Yankees in a trade earlier this offseason, which sent right-handed pitcher Fernando Cruz to the Bronx. Trevino should be expected to share catching duties with Tyler Stephenson. Last season, Trevino posted a .215/.288/.354 slash line with just eight home runs. Under the hood, Trevino generated a poor .267 xwOBA, a 5.3% barrel rate, and a 35.1% hard-hit rate. Trevino should only be targeted in deeper NL-only formats, as Stephenson should be expected to see the majority of starts behind the dish and because Trevino carries minimal offensive upside.
10 hours ago
Leody Taveras, Rangers Avoid Arbitration
Outfielder Leody Taveras and the Texas Rangers avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by settling on a one-year, $4.75 million deal. Taveras had a pretty disappointing 2024 campaign in his fifth year with the Rangers, slashing .229/.289/.352 with a below-average .641 OPS, 12 home runs, 44 RBI and 59 runs scored in a career-high 151 games, but he did manage a career-best 23 stolen bases. The 26-year-old switch-hitting Dominican outfielder also reached double-digit home runs for the second straight season, but Taveras could face more competition for everyday playing time and is in danger of becoming Texas' fourth outfielder unless he improves more offensively in 2025. Helping his cause is that he's solid defensively and can run. The health of Evan Carter could have a big impact on how much playing time Taveras sees next season.
10 hours ago
A.J. Puk And Diamondbacks Avoid Arbitration
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, left-handed relief pitcher A.J. Puk and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year, $2.95 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. Puk began the 2024 campaign in the Miami Marlins rotation but struggled as he posted a 9.22 ERA and a 2.63 WHIP across four starts. He was then placed on the injured list with a shoulder injury and was moved back to the bullpen when he returned. Puk returned to form in the bullpen and was eventually shipped to Arizona to help them down the stretch. Across 57 2/3 innings of relief, the southpaw posted a stellar 1.72 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. He struck out batters at a strong 29.9% rate and generated an impressive 2.72 xERA and a .197 xBA, which were both within the 90th percentile among qualified pitchers. Fantasy managers should expect Puk to compete for save opportunities with Justin Martinez in the Arizona bullpen in 2025.
10 hours ago
Tarik Skubal, Tigers Avoid Arbitration
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Detroit Tigers and starting pitcher Tarik Skubal settled on a one-year contract with $10.15 million to avoid arbitration. Skubal was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball last season en route to winning the American League Cy Young Award. Across 192 innings, which was a career-high, the southpaw posted a 2.39 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP with an 18-4 record. He generated a stellar 2.72 xERA and .208 xBA. He generated strikeouts at an elite 30.3% rate and whiffs at a 31.9% rate. He also limited hard contact at a solid 33.9% hard-hit rate. Fantasy managers should view Skubal as one of the top pitchers in baseball heading into the 2025 campaign. Given his elite strikeout ability and ability to limit hard contact, he is worthy of being viewed as the SP1 in all formats.
10 hours ago
Michael Kopech, Dodgers Avoid Salary Arbitration
Right-handed reliever Michael Kopech and the Los Angeles Dodgers avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.2 million deal for 2025. Kopech began last season as the closer for the Chicago White Sox and struggled with a 4.74 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with nine saves, 59 strikeouts and 24 walks in 43 2/3 innings before he was traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. The hard-throwing 28-year-old turned things around when he got to LA and helped the team win the World Series in the fall. In his 24 appearances out of the bullpen for the Blue in the regular season, Kopech had a pristine 1.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, six saves, 29 strikeouts and 10 walks in 24 innings. With his full-time move to a relief role in 2024, Kopech's velocity predictably went up and he induced whiffs 34% of the time on his heater. Walks can be an issue, but he'll once again be in the mix for saves in 2025 on the best team in baseball.
10 hours ago
Brandon Marsh And Phillies Avoid Arbitration
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Philadelphia Phillies and outfielder Brandon Marsh have settled on a $3 million contract to avoid arbitration. The 27-year-old operated as an everyday outfielder for the Phillies in 2024 and should be expected to retain that role in 2025. Last season, Marsh held a .249/.328/.419 slash line with 16 home runs and 19 stolen bases. His 60 RBI matched a career-high. Under the hood, he generated a strong 47.4% hard-hit and 10.0% barrel rates, placing him in the 83rd and 68th percentile, respectively. While he posted a hefty 32.4% K rate, he was still able to draw walks at a solid 10.5% mark, which was above average. Given his ability to hit for power and swipe double-digit bags, Marsh remains a viable target in deeper five-outfielder leagues as long as he continues to have an everyday spot in the starting nine.
10 hours ago
Astros, Isaac Paredes Settle To Avoid Arbitration
The Houston Astros and third baseman Isaac Paredes avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $6.625 million deal, according to a source. Paredes is heading into his first year in Houston in 2025 after the Astros acquired him from the Chicago Cubs this offseason in the blockbuster trade involving All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker. With the Astros choosing not to re-sign Alex Bregman and after signing Christian Walker to play first base, Paredes should be locked in as Houston's everyday third baseman this year. The 25-year-old right-handed slugger struggled in the second half of 2024 with the Cubbies after he was traded by the Tampa Bay Rays, but he'll have an excellent chance to bounce back in Houston as a pull-happy righty with the short porch in left field at Minute Maid Park. Paredes is getting a $3.225 million raise from last year.
10 hours ago
Dylan Cease And Padres Avoid Arbitration
Right-hander Dylan Cease and the San Diego Padres avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $13.75 million deal. The figure represents a raise of nearly $6 million in what is Cease's final year of arbitration. In his first year in San Diego after the Padres acquired him in a trade from the Chicago White Sox before the 2024 season, the 29-year-old had a strong campaign with a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 224 strikeouts and 65 walks in 189 1/3 innings. Cease threw a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals and was the team's ace for a large portion of the year. His 29.4% strikeout rate was fifth-best among qualified pitchers, and he paired it with a career-low 8.5% walk rate. Cease will enter his second year with the Friars as their ace, but with just one more year left on his deal, he could become a popular trade candidate during the summer, depending on SD's place in the standings.
10 hours ago
Logan Gilbert, Mariners Avoid Arbitration
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Seattle Mariners and starting pitcher Logan Gilbert have settled on a $7.625 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. Gilbert is coming off the best season of his career, posting a 3.23 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. His 208 2/3 innings of work led the major leagues. He showcased elite command with a 4.6% walk rate. He generated strikeouts at a strong 27.4% K rate and whiffs at a solid 31.7% rate. He also generated a 3.14 xERA, placing him in the 87th percentile among qualified hitters. Gilbert has been one of the most reliable workhorse pitchers in the sport, making at least 32 starts each of the past three seasons. Fantasy managers should draft Gilbert with confidence as he carries one of the highest floors among starting pitchers. In addition, he should significantly improve your WHIP ratio, given his elite control.
10 hours ago
Twins Acquire Diego Cartaya From Dodgers
The Minnesota Twins acquired catcher Diego Cartaya from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday in exchange for minor-league right-hander Jose Vasquez. Cartaya was once one of the Dodgers' top catching prospects, but he has struggled at the plate the last two seasons in the minors and slashed .221/.323/.363 with a .686 OPS, 11 home runs, 52 RBI and 113 strikeouts in 400 trips to the plate over 95 games with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2024. The move to trade the 23-year-old comes after the Dodgers dropped the Venezuelan backstop from their 40-man roster recently. With minor-league options still remaining, expect Cartaya to begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A St. Paul with his new organization as minor-league depth behind Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vazquez at the major-league level.
11 hours ago
Framber Valdez
• SP
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Astros
