MLB News
Pete Alonso Returning To Mets On Two-Year Deal
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the New York Mets are re-signing first baseman Pete Alonso to a two-year deal worth $54 million. The contract contains an opt-out after the first season. Alonso has been in discussions with several teams during the offseason but will return to the Mets. The Blue Jays and Angels were among the teams that showed interest. During the offseason, the Mets signed superstar outfield Juan Soto to a record-breaking contract and will now bring back their first baseman as they pursue a championship. Alonso broke out at the MLB level during his first season and led the National League in home runs (53) en route to winning NL Rookie of the Year. This past season, Alonso had a down year by his standards and hit just 34 home runs with a .240/.329/.459 slash line. However, he generated a strong .461 xSLG, 13.2 percent barrel rate, and a 46.4 percent hard-hit rate, which suggests he should be poised to bounce back. Batting behind Francisco Lindor, Soto, and Brandon Nimmo should provide Alonso with elite RBI opportunities all season. He should be viewed as a top first baseman when looking for power and RBI upside.
9 hours ago
Ben Gamel, Astros Agree On One-Year Deal
Free-agent outfielder Ben Gamel (leg) and the Houston Astros agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million deal on Wednesday, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Gamel's deal includes a $200,000 signing bonus, with the remaining $1 million being non-guaranteed. The 32-year-old veteran outfielder began the 2024 season with the New York Mets and played in only 18 games before eventually joining Houston to close out the year. Gamel played in only 20 games with the Astros and finished the year on the 60-day injured list due to a fibula injury. In total, he appeared in only 38 big-league games and went 20-for-81 (.247) with a homer, four RBI and one stolen base. In spring training this year, Gamel will merely be trying to win an Opening Day roster spot as outfield depth behind the likes of Yordan Alvarez, Mauricio Dubon, Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers, among others.
11 hours ago
Dane Myers, Derek Hill Competing For Center Field Job
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins outfielder Dane Myers and Derek Hill are set to compete for the starting center field job during spring training. Jackson also noted that Victor Mesa Jr. could also be in the mix. Last season, Myers held a .263/.333/.442 line with six doubles and two home runs across 44 games in the majors. He generated a strong 47.5 percent hard-hit and 11.5 percent barrel rates. However, he held a hefty 33.3 percent strikeout rate. Hill spent time with the Rangers and Giants before moving to Miami to end his campaign. He posted a .234/.259/.402 line with seven home runs and six stolen bases. He showed elite speed as he placed in the 95th percentile but held an underwhelming .294 xwOBA. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their progress during spring training as the eventual starter could have value in deeper NL-only formats.
11 hours ago
Agustin Ramirez Could Contend For Starting Job
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins catching prospect Agustin Ramirez will be in the mix for the starting catching job during spring training. Jackson noted that Ramirez may need more development in the minor leagues but could make a case to open the season in the majors, depending on his performance during spring training. Ramirez was acquired by the Marlins during the 2024 season in a trade that sent Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Bronx. If he were to open the season in the minors, Nick Fortes would slot in as the everyday backstop, with Liam Hicks or Rob Brantly slotting in as the No. 2 option. Ramirez is ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Miami system on MLB Pipeline. Last summer, the 23-year-old opened the season with Double-A and held a .224/.328/.570 line. He was then moved up to Triple-A, where he posted a .246/.345/.411 slash line. If he can crack the Opening Day roster, he carries sneaky power upside in NL-only formats.
12 hours ago
Jonah Bride Entering Spring Training As Starting First Baseman
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins first baseman Jonah Bride is entering spring training as the "frontrunner" to open the season as the starting first baseman. Jackson noted that former top prospect Matt Mervis and Deyvison De Los Santos will compete alongside Bride for the job, but given his strong play with the Marlins last season, Bride is the clear top option. Last season, across 71 contests in Miami, Bride posted a .276/.357/.461 line with 10 doubles, 11 home runs, and a 30:55 BB:K ratio. He drew walks at an elite 11 percent rate and held a strong 20.2 percent strikeout rate. Across 75 games with Triple-A Jacksonville, the 29-year-old posted a .267/.409/.454 line with 11 long balls. If Bride has a successful spring training, he could be worth a look in deeper NL-only formats.
12 hours ago
Matt Mervis Will Get "Long Look" During Spring Training
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins first baseman Matt Mervis will get a "long look" during spring training. The Marlins acquired Mervis from the Chicago Cubs earlier this season in exchange for infielder Vidal Brujan. Mervis was once regarded as one of the top prospects in the Chicago system but struggled over the past two seasons. Across 36 games at the MLB level, Mervis posted a .155/.222/.259 line with three home runs. He took a significant step back at the Triple-A level last summer as he held a .235/.329/.434 slash line with 15 long balls. This was a sharp decline from the .282/.399/.533 line he held at the Triple-A level during the 2023 campaign. Jackson noted that Mervis will compete with Jonah Bride for the starting role but could also find a path to playing as a designated hitter if he has a successful spring training.
12 hours ago
Deyvison De Los Santos May Start Season At Triple-A
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins first base/third base prospect Deyvison De Los Santos may open the season at Triple-A. Jackson noted that the young infielder needs to reduce his strikeout rate and will "likely" begin the season with Triple-A Jacksonville. Last season, the Marlins traded left-hander A.J. Puk to the Diamondbacks to acquire De Los Santos. The 21-year-old opened the season at the Double-A level and posted a strong .372/.426/.696 slash line with 14 long balls across 38 games. Then, in 99 games at Triple-A (split between Reno and Jacksonville), De Los Santos held a .264/.311/.523 slash line with 21 doubles and 26 long balls. However, he held a poor 22:108 BB:K ratio. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression during spring training. He will likely compete for a corner infield spot alongside Jonah Bride, Connor Norby, and Matt Mervis.
12 hours ago
Calvin Faucher The Favorite To Be Marlins Closer?
The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson writes that Miami Marlins right-hander Calvin Faucher could be the favorite to close games to open the 2025 season, although right-hander Jesus Tinoco could also be in the mix. Neither pitcher should be very high on fantasy managers' radars during draft season when scrounging for saves. The 29-year-old Faucher closed out last year with a shoulder injury but went 6-for-8 in his save opportunities and finished with a 3.19 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings. It was Tinoco who closed out the final month of the season as Miami's preferred option for saves, and he went 3-for-4 in those opportunities. Faucher sported an untidy 11.1% walk rate but did strike out hitters 26.8% of the time. Fantasy managers that are desperate for saves in deeper leagues should target Faucher before Tinoco.
15 hours ago
Marlins Expecting Improvement From Edward Cabrera
Miami Marlins new manager Clayton McCullough thinks that right-hander Edward Cabrera can make big strides in 2025 after he went 4-8 with a 4.95 ERA (4.68 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 107 strikeouts and 50 walks in 96 1/3 innings over 20 starts in his fourth big-league season in 2024. Cabrera does have 225 strikeouts over the last two seasons for the Fish, but the 26-year-old Dominican, but he also hasn't had a walk rate below 11.3 percent so far in the big leagues. Additionally, injuries have been a problem and have contributed to his inconsistency at the major-league level. Based on just his stuff, Cabrera is an arm to watch that should be locked into Miami's starting rotation at the start of the year, but fantasy managers in 12-team redraft leagues likely will have better options to stash for starting-rotation depth early on.
15 hours ago
Eury Perez Hoping To Return Around Midseason
According to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Perez (elbow) is hoping to be back with the team by the All-Star break after recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had last April. Perez didn't pitch at all for the Fish in 2024 but displayed considerable upside in 2023 in his rookie season, going 5-6 with a 3.15 ERA (4.11 FIP), 1.13 WHIP and 108:31 K:BB in 91 1/3 innings pitched over 19 starts. The 21-year-old Dominican hurler has a bright future in the big leagues, and the Marlins will likely want to build around him for years to come, so expect him to be on a strict innings limit later in 2025 when he returns from Tommy John surgery. Because Perez will miss at least half of this season, fantasy managers in shallow-mixed leagues can probably avoid him in upcoming drafts.
15 hours ago
Yankees Claim Owen White Off Waivers From Reds
The New York Yankees claimed right-hander Owen White off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday and designated right-hander Allan Winans for assignment in a corresponding move to make room for White on the 40-man roster. White will head back to the American League after allowing 13 earned runs on 14 hits (three homers) while walking three and striking out four in just seven relief innings with the Texas Rangers the last two seasons. The 25-year-old former second-round selection by Texas in 2018 also struggled at Triple-A Round Rock in 2024 with a 5.64 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 99 innings pitched on the farm. The former Rangers top prospect will likely begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if he sticks with the Yankees beyond spring training. White has a 4.37 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in four minor-league seasons with Texas.
15 hours ago
Yankees Claim Braden Shewmake Off Waivers From Royals
The New York Yankees claimed infielder Braden Shewmake off waivers from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Shewmake is now on his third team this offseason after being designated for assignment by both the Royals and Chicago White Sox. The 27-year-old former first-rounder by the Atlanta Braves in 2019 out of Texas A&M University will merely serve as organizational infield depth for the Yankees if he sticks around beyond spring training. He made his major-league debut in 2023 with the Braves but only played in two games before appearing in 29 games in 2024 with the White Sox. In 67 plate appearances in the majors last season, Shewmake went 8-for-64 (.125) with a homer, four RBI, five stolen bases and 10 strikeouts. If he sticks around with the Yankees, he'll likely start the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
15 hours ago
Cubs Offer Four-Year Deal To Alex Bregman
According to sources, the Chicago Cubs have offered free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman a four-year contract worth north of $100 million that includes opt-out clauses. In addition to the Cubs, the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros remain potential landing spots for the two-time All-Star. After trading away third baseman Isaac Paredes this offseason in the deal that landed them All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, the Cubs certainly have an opening at third base, although the expectation is that Matt Shaw is the leading contender for the majority of playing time at the hot corner to open the 2025 season. If the 30-year-old Bregman were to accept Chicago's offer, he'd immediately become the team's starter at third and provide another experienced bat in the middle of the lineup after hitting 20-plus homers each of the last three seasons. He's currently ranked as the No. 14 fantasy third baseman at RotoBaller.
15 hours ago
Yankees Invite Spencer Jones To Spring Training
The New York Yankees announced on Wednesday that outfield prospect Spencer Jones will be a non-roster invite to major-league spring training. In addition to Jones, shortstop George Lombard, shortstop Roderick Arias, catcher Rafael Flores and pitcher Chase Hampton will be at MLB camp. The 23-year-old Jones is a towering left-handed slugger -- he stands at 6-foot-6, 235 pounds -- with loads of power potential and some surprising speed for his size. However, the former 25th overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft needs to make more contact in order to succeed at the next level. He hit .259/.336/.452 with 17 home runs, 78 RBI and 25 stolen bases in 122 games at Double-A Somerset last year, but his 36.8% strikeout rate was the worst mark for all qualified Double-A hitters. Jones probably won't ever hit for average in the big leagues, but he's an intriguing dynasty stash for his power/speed upside.
16 hours ago
Christian Scott Expects To Start Throwing In A Month
New York Mets right-hander Christian Scott (elbow) said on Wednesday that he plans on starting to throw around a month from now. "Feel like my arm's in a good spot... I'll start throwing in about a month from now," Scott said. The 25-year-old had a hybrid Tommy John and internal-brace surgery on his right elbow last year but is almost five months removed from the procedure and should start ramping up in spring training. It's good to hear that he's progressing, but the full expectation is that Scott will miss all of the 2025 season, so he's off the fantasy radar in redraft leagues. The former fifth-round pick by the Mets in 2021 out of the University of Florida was inconsistent in his MLB debut in 2024 before being shut down, going 0-3 with a 4.56 ERA (4.60 FIP) and 1.20 WHIP with 39 strikeouts and 12 walks in 47 1/3 innings over his first nine starts.
17 hours ago
Jackson Holliday Wants To Run More
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday is looking to bounce back after struggling in his first year in the big leagues in 2024, and he's specifically focused on stealing more bases in 2025. Over 60 games in Baltimore, he hit just .189 with five homers, four doubles, 23 RBI and a .565 OPS while striking out 69 times in 208 plate appearances. "I'm definitely as strong as I've ever been," Holliday said. "Been doing running stuff ... trying to make that a priority, to be able to steal bases and really impact the game in multiple different ways." The 21-year-old will need to improve at the plate and get on base more often to utilize his 95th percentile sprint speed. He'll also need to perform well enough to hold off Jorge Mateo, Ramon Urias and Jordan Westburg for playing time at the keystone. Holliday's future is bright, but he ranks as RotoBaller's No. 22 fantasy second baseman entering his sophomore year.
17 hours ago
Sandy Alcantara Expected To Be Ready For Opening Day
The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson writes that Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (elbow), who is returning from Tommy John surgery, is ready to pitch on Opening Day on March 27 against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. Alcantara, a former National League Cy Young winner, had Tommy John surgery in October of 2023 and missed all of the 2024 season. However, he began facing live hitters last September and isn't expected to have any restrictions during spring training. Alcantara has already shown that he can be a fantasy ace, but his long layoff should have fantasy managers wondering if he can immediately return to that high-end form in 2025. Pitchers typically struggle with control and command in their return from TJ surgery, and Alcantara relied heavily on his command and control before his injury. He'll be a risk/reward fantasy pitcher this year, with RotoBaller ranking him as the No. 46 starting pitcher.
17 hours ago
Sal Frelick Not An Option At Shortstop For Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that outfielder Sal Frelick will not be an option at shortstop in 2025 as the team looks to replace Willy Adames. The starting job at the 6 in Milwaukee will come down to Brice Turang and Joey Ortiz, but Murphy wouldn't shed light on who might have the upper hand at the position in spring training. It's possible that Frelick could get some looks at third base this year after he proved in spring training last year that he could handle the hot corner. However, with both Christian Yelich and Garrett Mitchell getting hurt in 2024, Frelick proved his a Gold Glove-caliber right fielder. The 24-year-old could see more time at third base this year and is a big asset defensively for Milwaukee. However, he doesn't move the needle all that much in fantasy because he doesn't hit the ball very hard and lacks power. He ranks just inside RotoBaller's top-100 fantasy outfielders.
17 hours ago
Brandon Woodruff Not Expected To Be Ready For Start Of Spring Training
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) isn't expected to be 100 percent for the start of spring training after having serious right-shoulder surgery in October of 2023 to fix his anterior capsule. The 31-year-old didn't pitch at all in 2024 and had his rehab paused last August because he wasn't progressing as the team had hoped. Murphy added that outfielder Christian Yelich, who had back surgery last year, will probably be ahead of Woodruff this spring in terms of being game-ready. We should know more about Woodruff's timetable for a return once he starts ramping up at camp, but fantasy managers definitely shouldn't be surprised if he's not ready for Opening Day. Woodruff has an excellent track record of being a fantasy ace when healthy, but he's a big question mark coming off major shoulder surgery and is ranked as the No. 71 fantasy starting pitcher by RotoBaller.
17 hours ago
Christian Yelich Not Expected To Be 100% For Start Of Spring Training
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that he doesn't think outfielder Christian Yelich (back) will be 100 percent at the start of spring training. Murphy added that he thinks Yelich will be ahead of right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) as far as being game-ready this spring. It's no surprise for the 33-year-old Yelich after he underwent a microdiscectomy procedure on his back last August to fix a herniated disc in his lower back. The Brewers will understandably take things slow with Yelich in camp, but the good news is that barring any setbacks with his back, he's expected to be ready to roll by Opening Day at the end of March. Injury risk with Yelich for fantasy managers is very clear, but it should be more reassuring that he was excellent before his back shut him down in 2024, as he hit .315/.406/.504 with 11 home runs and 21 steals in 73 games played. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 26 fantasy outfielder.
17 hours ago
Pete Alonso
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Mets
