According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the New York Yankees have been in discussions with free agent second baseman Brendan Rodgers. Earlier this offseason, Rodgers was non-tendered by the Rockies. The Yankees did not choose to resign Gleyber Torres, leaving a hole in their starting nine. While there have been reports of the Yankees looking to fill this gap with internal options such as DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera, they have also expressed interest in acquiring a hitter from another club. They have shown interest in trading for Luis Arraez and Nolan Arenado. Rodgers enjoyed a solid campaign in 2024 as he posted a .267/.314/.407 line with 13 home runs. He generated a strong 44.1% hard-hit rate. If Rodgers were to sign a contract with the Yankees, he would likely be deployed as the everyday second baseman.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette has "no real interest" in resigning with Toronto, according to a source. Bichette is currently in the final year of his contract, and it looks like the infielder will test free agency after the 2025 season. Bichette was very productive over the first five seasons of his big league career but struggled last summer as he posted a career-low .225/.277/.322 line. He hit just four home runs and stole five bases. He generated a poor .303 xwOBA and .375 xSLG, both well below the average marks. In 2023, Bichette posted a strong .306/.339/.475 line with 20 home runs and 20 doubles. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also set to enter free agency after this season, it appears the Blue Jays will focus on resigning him than Bichette. However, fantasy managers should expect Bichette to continue to operate as the starting shortstop in Toronto in 2025, and he could be worth drafting as he should be expected to bounce back in a contract year.

According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Tampa Bay Rays are not expected to trade first baseman Yandy Diaz. According to Martino, the Rays plan to hold onto Diaz for the time being as he is one of the top options for offensive production. The 33-year-old enjoyed another strong season in 2024 as he posted a .281/.341/.414 line with 14 home runs and 31 doubles. He showed a great eye at the plate with a 15.3% K rate and a 14.2% whiff rate, which were among the top marks in the sport. He also generated a strong 48.7% hard-hit rate, suggesting his power production could see some positive regression in 2025. This was a slight drop in production compared to the stellar .330/.410/.522 line he posted in 2023. Fantasy managers should expect Diaz to have a consistent spot in the Rays lineup, and he is an excellent target for points leagues, given his elite contact and low strikeout rate.

According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet, the Toronto Blue Jays have designated right-handed pitcher Brett de Geus for assignment. This transaction opened a roster spot for right-handed pitcher Jeff Hoffman. De Geus logged 11 1/3 innings at the major league level last season. Across this small stint, he posted a hefty 7.15 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. De Geus spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons in the minor leagues after making his major league debut in 2021. During his debut season, the right-hander held a similar 7.56 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. Across 50 career frames at the Triple-A level, the 27-year-old has held a 6.66 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect him to spend most of the 2025 campaign in Triple-A, given his lack of proven success in the major leagues.

According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, the Atlanta Braves signed first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. Cooper spent time with the Cubs, Red Sox, and the Orioles during the 2024 campaign. Across 36 in the bigs, the 34-year-old posted a .206/.267/.299 line with one home run, five doubles, and a 7:35 BB:K ratio. Across 20 games with Triple-A Norfolk, Cooper posted a .310/.393/.521 line with four home runs. During the 2023 season, Cooper logged 123 games at the major league level and posted a .251/.304/.419 line with 17 long balls and 18 doubles. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during spring training as he could contend for a spot on the Opening Day roster if he performs well.

According to Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald, infielder David Hamilton could play outfield during the 2025 season. Manager Alex Cora noted that they want him to be as "versatile as possible." Hamilton got his first extended look at the major leagues last season but was deployed extensively at the keystone and shortstop. Through 98 games, the 27-year-old posted a .248/.303/.395 line with eight home runs and 17 doubles. Hamilton provided much of his fantasy value thanks to his speed as he swiped an impressive 33 bags. He was only caught stealing four times. Fantasy managers should expect Hamilton to compete with Vaughn Grissom for starts at the keystone but could eventually carve out a role in the outfield. For now, he should only be targeted in deeper 15+ team formats for his speed alone, as he is not currently guaranteed an everyday spot in the lineup.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, free agent relief pitcher Jorge Lopez has signed a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Washington Nationals. Lopez began his 2024 campaign with the New York Mets but was eventually cut after 26 innings. He then finished his campaign with the Chicago Cubs, where he logged a strong 2.03 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 26 2/3 innings of work. He struck out 31 batters during this stint and only allowed eight free passes. The right-hander generated a solid .220 xBA and a .3.59 xERA, placing him in the 76th and 68th percentile, respectively. With Kyle Finnegan still on the free agent market, the Nationals lack a proven ninth-inning option. If Lopez performs well early on, he could eventually earn a high-leverage role in this bullpen.

According to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com, the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed left-handed pitcher Caleb Ferguson to a one-year contract worth $3 million. Ferguson spent the entire 2024 season in the bullpen but has been stretched out as a starter in the past. Last season, across 54 1/3 innings of relief with the Astros and Yankees, the southpaw posted a 4.64 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. He tallied one save. He generated a solid 26.9% K rate and 46.4% ground-ball rate, which placed him in the 78th and 72nd percentile, respectively. In 2023, Ferguson posted a 3.43 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP across 60 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should monitor his production during spring training as he could have an outside chance to be deployed as a starter in the Steel City.

According to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, several teams have checked in on the availability of Oswaldo Cabrera. Kuty noted that the 25-year-old switch-hitter is on an affordable contract and still has another year before salary arbitration, which makes him an intriguing target. He also has experience playing multiple positions in the infield and outfield, which adds to his flexibility. The Yankees are still in the market for an infielder and could potentially use Cabrera as a trade chip to acquire a more experienced bat. With Gleyber Torres now in Detroit, the Yankees have an open spot in their starting lineup. While internal options like Cabrera, DJ LeMahieu, or Oswald Peraza could eventually earn that role, the Yankees have expressed interest in several free agents and trade targets. Last season, Cabrera posted a .247/.296/.365 line with eight home runs and four stolen bases.

According to the team, the Chicago White Sox have signed veteran backstop Omar Narvaez to a minor-league deal that contains an invite to spring training. The 32-year-old opened the 2024 season with the New York Mets before being released in June. In his limited stint in Queens, Narvaez posted a .154/.191/.185 line with just two extra-base hits. He then finished the season in the Astros minor league system. Through 42 games with Triple-A Sugar Land, the backstop posted a .196/.325/.304 slash line. Narvaez began his major league career on the Southside in 2016 before spending time with the Milwaukee Brewers. He made the National League All-Star roster in 2021, where he posted a .266/.342/.402 line. Given his struggles in the majors last season, he will likely open the 2025 team at Triple-A.

According to Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe, right-handed pitcher Garrett Whitlock is returning to the bullpen in 2025. Whitlock opened the 2024 season in the rotation but was only able to make four starts before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery in May. Across these four starts, the 28-year-old posted a 1.96 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. He struck out 17 batters (across 18 1/3 innings) and generated a 36.0% hard-hit rate and 6.0% barrel rate. In 2023, Whitlock spent time in both the bullpen and rotation and held a 5.15 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP across 71 2/3 total innings. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training as he may be able to return to the mound before Opening Day if he does not face a setback in his recovery. Whitlock will likely see time as a long relief option but could eventually earn a high-leverage role later in the summer.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, free agent relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle is drawing interest from eight clubs. Kahnle enjoyed a strong 2024 season with the New York Yankees, posting a 2.11 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP across 42 2/3 innings of work. He struck out batters at a modest 25.7% clip and generated a strong .203 xBA. He also generated an excellent 59.8% ground ball rate and a 32.1% hard-hit rate which were both among the top marks among pitchers last season. Kahnle tallied 16 holds as he was typically deployed in a set-up role for the Yankees. Given the reported interest, many clubs may view the 35-year-old as a potential closer. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor where he signs, as he could be a valuable target in leagues that score holds if he joins a competing club.

According to Craig Mish of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (elbow) will not be traded before Opening Day. Reports earlier this week suggest the former Cy Young winner could be on the trade block, but Mish dismisses any of these claims. The 2022 Cy Young winner was sidelined for the entire 2024 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. However, he has been progressing very well and should be a full go for spring training. During the 2023 season, he took a step back as he posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 184 2/3 innings of work. This was a sharp decline from the excellent 2.18 ERA and the 0.98 WHIP he held across a hefty 228 2/3 innings of work in 2022. The right-hander will operate as the ace of the rotation and could eventually find himself on the trade block if the Marlins fall out of the playoff picture later in the season.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Yankees have expressed interest in free agent infielder Paul DeJong. The Yankees have been in the infield market all offseason after losing Gleyber Torres to the Detroit Tigers. Over the past week, they have been linked to San Diego's Luis Arraez but have reportedly begun to lose interest. DeJong would provide a much cheaper alternative and would likely see all his time at the hot corner. Last summer, across 139 games with the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, DeJong hit 24 home runs with a .227/.276/.427 line. Under the hood, he generated a solid 10.2% barrel rate and a 41.5% hard-hit rate. However, he struggled at the plate, with a hefty 32.4% K rate and a 4.8% walk rate. If he were to head to the Bronx, Jazz Chisholm Jr. would likely spend most of the season at the keystone.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Arizona Diamondbacks would like to trade starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery. Heyman noted that moving his contract would free up salary for a "big-time" relief pitcher. The 32-year-old had a disappointing debut season with Arizona last summer, as he posted a 6.23 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP across 117 innings. He struck out just 83 batters and generated a poor 5.18 xERA and a .287 xBA, placing him in the seventh and third percentile among qualified pitchers. This was a sharp decline to the 3.20 ERA and 1.19 WHIP he held during the 2023 campaign. With the Diamondbacks acquiring Corbin Burnes earlier in free agency, Montgomery is already on the outside of the current rotation. With their surplus of starting pictures, moving Montgomery would allow Arizona to improve in other positions on their roster.

According to Jon Heyman, the Cincinnati Reds have expressed interest in right-handed pitcher Carlos Estevez. Heyman noted that the Blue Jays are also among the interested suitors. Last season, the 32-year-old spent time with the Angels and the Phillies. Across 55 innings pitched, the reliever held a 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. He tallied 26 saves. Under the hood, he generated a high 42.3% hard-hit rate and 10.1% barrel rate, which suggests he may be due for some regression in 2025. However, he did show elite command with a 5.7% walk rate. If Estevez were to agree to a contract with Cincinnati, he would likely compete for save opportunities with Alexis Diaz, who posted a high 3.99 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in 2024.

According to John Denton of MLB.com, the St. Louis Cardinals and infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan could not come to a long-term agreement before Thursday's arbitration deadline. Earlier this week, it was reported that both sides were inching towards a long-term deal but were unable to finalize it. The 27-year-old has spent his entire three-year major league career in St. Louis. Last season, he held a .278/.342/.417 line with 14 home runs and five stolen bases. He showed an elite eye at the plate with a stellar 12.4% K rate and a 15.1% whiff rate. Fantasy managers should expect Donovan to operate as the team's starting second baseman in 2025 but could also see time in the outfield. In addition, he may eventually be shifted to the hot corner with Nolan Arenado's name on the trade block.

The Detroit Tigers avoided salary arbitration with right-hander Jason Foley on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.15 million deal. In addition to Foley, Detroit also signed one-year deals for 2025 with infielder/outfielder Matt Vierling ($3.005 million), catcher Jake Rogers ($2.64 million), right-handers Casey Mize ($2.34 million), Will Vest ($1.4 million) and Beau Brieske ($1.025 million), and infielders Zach McKinstry ($1.65 million) and Andy Ibanez ($1.4 million). Foley broke out in 2024 with a career-high 28 saves for the Tigers while also sporting a 3.15 ERA (3.82 FIP), a 1.18 WHIP and a 46:20 K:BB in 60 innings pitched. Although the Tigers are a team on the rise after making the postseason last year, Foley lost the closing job midseason and also during the playoffs, so fantasy managers shouldn't bet on a repeat.

The Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Tyler Wells (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $2.075 million deal on Thursday, avoiding salary arbitration, according to a source. Wells had an internal-brace procedure to fix the UCL in his right elbow in mid-June, which limited him to only three starts in 2024 for the Orioles. Because of the timing of the surgery, the 30-year-old veteran is expected to miss at least the first half of the 2025 campaign. Despite that, he'll receive a $1.96 million raise as an arbitration-eligible player. Fantasy managers in all single-year leagues can avoid wells in drafts this spring. The former 15th-round selection by the Minnesota Twins in 2016 out of California State San Bernardino has a 4.06 career ERA with a 1.04 WHIP, a 271:77 K:BB and five saves in his four years with the O's covering 294 2/3 innings over 95 outings (46 starts).

Infielder Edmundo Sosa and the Philadelphia Phillies settled on a one-year, $3.0 million deal on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration, according to a source. Sosa will return to the Phillies in 2025 once again as utility infield depth for one of the strongest rosters in baseball. It means the 28-year-old will mainly be an option for fantasy managers in NL-only formats. The 28-year-old hit .257/.313/.422 with a .734 OPS, seven home runs, 31 RBI, a career-high seven stolen bases and 39 runs scored in 90 games played in 2024 in his second year in Philadelphia. At best, he's a league-average hitter as a utility infielder. Sosa is most valuable in real life as insurance at third base, second base and shortstop for the Phils. He has a modest power and speed profile but strikes out frequently due to poor plate discipline. His multi-position eligibility makes him more attractive as a reserve in deeper fantasy leagues.