Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (back), who was named the 2024 National League Cy Young winner on Wednesday, won't have his offseason hampered at all by the back spasms that he dealt with at the tail end of the season. Sale was unable to take his final turn of the regular season against the division-rival New York Mets in the regular season and then also wasn't available for the Braves in the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres. However, had Atlanta advanced to the NL Division Series, he would have started Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It's great news for the 35-year-old southpaw as he looks for an encore in 2025 with the Braves. He posted a 2.38 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 225 K's and only 39 walks in 177 2/3 innings in his first year in Atlanta. Sale obviously has ace upside, but there's also high bust potential because of his lengthy injury history.

Free-agent left-hander Rich Hill said that he wants to pitch again in 2025. Hill's performance for the United States in the WBSC Premier12 tournament with four scoreless innings against Japan certainly helps his cause, although he'll most likely have to settle for a minor-league deal. The 44-year-old southpaw only pitched in 3 2/3 relief innings for the Boston Red Sox in 2024 and allowed two earned runs. If Hill does land with another team on the open market this offseason, he'll be a long shot to return any fantasy value and will mostly be used in mop-up relief duty out of the bullpen instead of as a starter. In 2023 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres, Hill wasn't very effective, posting a 5.41 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 129 strikeouts and 58 walks in 146 1/3 innings over 32 outings (27 starts).

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale won the NL Cy Young Award on Wednesday, the first time the 35-year-old has won the award in his 15-year career, despite finishing in the top five in six consecutive seasons from 2013-18. The lefty went 18-3 while posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 26.5% K-BB% while earning a trip to the All-Star game for the eighth time. The veteran also won his first career Gold Glove award in 2024. It looks like the Braves won this trade with the Red Sox, as Vaughn Grissom was sent to the Red Sox in exchange for Sale, and Grissom played just 31 games this season due to injury, posting just a .190/.246/.219. Hopefully Sale's injury issues are behind him and he can continue to pitch a few more years with this type of effectiveness before any age-related decline kicks in. The southpaw was quite the value in fantasy drafts in 2024, but he will cost much more in 2025.

Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt was named the American League Manager of the Year on Tuesday evening. It was a pretty special first season as manager in the big leagues for Vogt, as he had a winning record, won the AL Central title and helped his club advance to the AL Championship Series. It's the third time in the last decade that a Guardians skipper has won the award, with Vogt being the fifth-youngest manager to win the award. Vogt becomes the fastest person to go from being a player to Manager of the Year winner. He finished playing on Oct. 5 of 2022 and was hired as Cleveland's manager just 397 days after with zero managerial experience. It was an impressive turnaround after the team went 76-86 in 2023. Vogt leaned heavily on his bullpen that combined to post a 2.57 ERA, the fourth-best among all bullpens since 1995.

Free-agent first baseman/designated hitter Carlos Santana, who is 38 years old, said he wants to play another three or four seasons in the big leagues, according to his agent, Ulises Cabrera. The veteran Dominican switch-hitter won his first career Gold Glove at first base with the Minnesota Twins in 2024 and is coming off his best OPS (.749) since 2019 with the Cleveland Guardians. In addition to his .749 OPS, he hit .238/.328/.420 with 23 home runs, 71 RBI, four stolen bases and 63 runs scored in 594 trips to the plate and 150 games for Minnesota in 2024 in his 15th major-league season. Santana has had a long and successful career as a patient hitter, with high on-base percentages being his calling card in fantasy. He's had a little resurgence the last two years, but fantasy managers can't count on that moving forward, and there's almost zero upside.

Relief pitcher David Robertson did not exercise his mutual team option with the Texas Rangers for the 2025 season and will instead test free agency, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. The 39-year-old enjoyed another excellent campaign, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, with a 27:99 BB:K ratio in 72 innings of work. He tallied two saves and 35 holds, serving as the primary eighth-inning option in Texas. Robertson was able to generate ground balls at an above-average 47.0% mark and induce soft contact with a strong 5.5% barrel rate. Robertson will likely be a top target for fantasy managers in holds leagues in 2025 and could be in the mix for save opportunities, depending on his situation.

The Chicago Cubs declined their 2025 club option on left-handed pitcher Drew Smyly, according to Jon Heyman of the NY Post. Smyly operated exclusively out of the bullpen last summer and held a modest 3.84 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, with a 25:56 BB:K ratio across 58 2/3 innings of work. This was a significant improvement over the 5.00 ERA and 1.43 WHIP he held during the 2023 campaign. Fantasy managers should expect Smyly to continue to serve as a long-relief option or an occasional starter if he decides to continue his major league career this upcoming season. However, with his lack of upside, he should be left off of your fantasy radar.

Free-agent veteran outfielder Avisail Garcia (back) had successful surgery on Thursday to fix a fracture and a disc issue in his lower back at the hospital for special surgery in New York. The procedure was performed by Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi. Garcia now has all offseason to recover from the surgery, but it remains to be seen if he'll be fully ready to go for the start of spring training next year in February. However, barring a setback once he begins ramping up his baseball activities, the 33-year-old Venezuelan outfielder should have a good chance to be ready for Opening Day in 2025 for any team that wants to take a chance on the aging outfielder. Garcia probably won't have a strong market due to his injury and the fact he slashed a very mediocre .240/.255/.380 with a .635 OPS, two home runs and two RBI in 18 games in Miami before his injury.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (hand) was lifted from Game 5 of the NLCS after taking a foul ball off his hand. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports that the backstop was taken for X-rays, but the tests were negative. As a result, DFS players should expect the primary catcher to be behind the dish this evening as the Dodgers hope to clinch the series victory over the New York Mets. During the postseason, the 29-year-old has posted an underwhelming .143/.268/.229 line with one home run and four RBI. He will face a difficult matchup this evening against Mets southpaw Sean Manaea, who has held a strong 2.65 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP across 17 innings in October.

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed on Tuesday that veteran left-hander Jose Quintana will make the start in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday at Citi Field against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After Quintana, nothing is official, but right-hander Kodai Senga is the most logical candidate to start Game 5 after he got the nod in Game 1 on Sunday. In two starts this postseason against the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies, Quintana has been lights-out for the Mets, allowing one run (zero earned) on six hits while walking three and fanning 11 in 11 innings. The 35-year-old southpaw also allowed only two earned runs in his four starts in September. In his lone start against LA in 2024 in New York back on May 28, Quintana had a quality start, giving up three earned runs with no walks and three K's in six innings of work.

The Cleveland Guardians removed right-hander Alex Cobb (back) from the American League Championship Series roster on Tuesday due to an acute left lower-back strain and replaced him on the roster with right-hander Ben Lively. Cobb made the start for Cleveland in the 5-2 loss on Monday in Game 1 of the ALCS in the Bronx and he gave up three runs on five hits while walking three in just 2 2/3 innings. If the Guardians advance to the World Series, the 37-year-old veteran won't be eligible to rejoin the roster. Cobb had a 2.76 ERA and 1.04 WHIP during the regular season, but he made only three total starts due to multiple injuries and will now be shut down until 2025. Lively went 13-10 with a 3.81 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, a career-high 118 K's and 49 walks over his 29 starts. He could make a start for the Guardians later in this series against the New York Yankees.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Alex Cobb will start Game 1 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees on Monday. Cobb will look to outduel Carlos Rodon, who will get the ball for the Yanks. In his only start of the postseason so far, Cobb went just three innings against the Detroit Tigers, giving up two runs and throwing 41 pitches. With Cobb returning from a blister issue recently and not having a rehab assignment, he probably won't be stretched out much more than he was last game. Expect a short leash for the 37-year-old once again.

New York Mets starting pitcher Jose Quintana quieted the Phillies' bats for five innings in Wednesday's 4-1 victory, allowing one unearned run on just two hits and two walks while striking out six batters in the NLDS series-clinching win. The southpaw appeared in the sixth but a leadoff double to Bryce Harper ended his outing. The 35-year-old has been masterful over his last eight starts, including his two postseason starts, allowing a total of three earned runs in 47 1/3 innings (0.57 ERA), so he has been a big reason the Mets have been rolling. Quintana's next start will come in the NLCS against either the Dodgers or the Padres, both of whom he's faced this season (Padres twice, Dodgers once) and logged a quality start in each of them.

New York Mets left-hander Jose Quintana will get the ball for Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday at Citi Field against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. Not only was Quintana on point to end the regular season, but he backed it up by tossing six scoreless innings in Game 3 of the Wild-Card series on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers last week. The 35-year-old Colombian southpaw doesn't have explosive stuff but knows how to keep hitters off balance and generate weak contact. Quintana also has postseason experience, appearing in six playoff contests, dating back to 2017 with the Chicago Cubs. In his 24 2/3 innings pitched in the postseason, he has a 2.92 ERA with 20 strikeouts and seven walks in six outings (five starts). He had a solid 2.81 ERA with nine strikeouts and only two walks in 16 innings over his three starts against the Phils this year.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Alex Cobb will start Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday against the division-rival Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, according to manager Stephen Vogt. Cobb began the 2024 season on the injured list with the San Francisco Giants and ended up making only three regular-season starts for Cleveland after they acquired him in a trade from the Giants. The 37-year-old veteran allowed just seven runs (five earned) on 14 hits while walking three and striking out 10 over 16 1/3 innings in his three starts for Cleveland and will now make his first postseason start on Wednesday since 2013 with the Tampa Bay Rays. Cobb finished the 2024 campaign on the injured list with recurring blister issues on his right hand. Given the fact that he only made three starts this year, Cobb figures to be on a short leash and won't be a recommended DFS play.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado went 1-for-5 with a two-run shot in their loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS. Machado put the Padres up early as he hit a two-run homer in the opening frame off Yoshinobu Yamamoto, which scored Fernando Tatis Jr. Machado tallied two RBI in the Wild Card series against the Atlanta Braves and is continuing to serve as a focal point of the offense in the NLDS. DFS players should always consider putting Machado in their lineup, given his upside for power and scoring opportunities batting in the heart of a potent lineup. Machado held a solid .275 AVG this season with 29 long balls and 11 stolen bases. He will face Dodger right-hander Jack Flaherty on Sunday evening in Game 2 and will likely bat in the cleanup spot as he has done through most of the summer.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Martin Perez is on the NLDS roster after being left off the Wild Card roster last week. Perez is rejoining the roster because Joe Musgrove (elbow) is set to undergo Tommy John surgery. As a result, the Padres will enter the NLDS with four potential starters, including Dylan Cease, Yu Darvish, Michael King, and Perez. Since joining San Diego at the trade deadline, the southpaw has held a modest 3.46 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP, with a 17:44 BB:K ratio across 52 frames. However, he struggled with Pittsburgh in the first half, holding a hefty 5.20 ERA and 1.65 WHIP. Perez could start Game 4, but it is best to leave him off your DFS lineup as he sits with an underwhelming 18.1% K rate and a poor 41.5% hard-hit rate.

The Cleveland Guardians chose to include veteran right-hander Alex Cobb (finger) on the roster for the American League Division Series against the division-rival Detroit Tigers, with right-hander Ben Lively being the odd man out. Injuries were the story for Cobb in 2024, as he opened the year on the injured list with the San Francisco Giants and then finished the season with the Guardians on the IL due to a blister issue on his right finger. The 36-year-old is apparently doing better now, but he'll most likely be used in a long-relief role out of the bullpen in the postseason. He only made three starts for Cleveland this year, posting a 2.76 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, 10 K's and three walks in 16 1/3 innings. In two career postseason games back in 2013 with the Tampa Bay Rays, Cobb gave up only two earned runs with 10 K's and three walks over 11 2/3 innings in his two starts.

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (back) threw a side session on Friday and felt great. President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos told Sale earlier this week that he would have been on the roster for the National League Division Series had the Braves advanced past the San Diego Padres in the Wild-Card Series. Sale had to be scratched from Game 2 of Monday's divisional doubleheader against the New York Mets and then was unavailable to pitch in either of the two games of the Wild-Card Series in San Diego on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was a disappointing end of the season for the 35-year-old veteran, who is the front-runner to win the National League Cy Young this year after going 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings over his 29 starts in his first year with the Braves. The eight-time All-Star obviously still has lots of upside, but he's also a big injury risk at his age.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish is listed as the probable starter for the Friars for Game 2 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. SD will go with ace Dylan Cease in Game 1 of the series on Saturday. Darvish will be opposed by fellow Japanese starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Padres will be hoping Darvish can step up with Joe Musgrove (elbow) potentially done for the remainder of the postseason. The 38-year-old Japanese hurler missed time due to injury and was away from the team for a while in 2024 due to personal issues, so he only started 16 games during the regular season, going 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 78 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings. In his three starts versus the Dodgers this year, Darvish allowed four runs (three earned) while striking out 12 and walking six in 15 2/3 innings. He had a 3.55 ERA, 25 K's and seven walks in five starts to close out the year after.