Thu Feb 6 | 20:14 | Avisail Garcia Not Expected To Play During The 2025 Season | Avisaíl García | RF | Marlins | Free Agent |
According to Francys Romero, outfielder Avisail Garcia (back) is not expected to play during the 2025 season. Garcia is recovering from back surgery he underwent in the offseason to repair a fracture and disc issues in his lower back. Romero noted that the 33-year-old is targeting a return to action during winter ball in Venezuela. Last season, Garcia appeared in 18 games for the Miami Marlins. The outfielder posted a .240/.255/.380 line with one double and two home runs. He struck out at a hefty 25.5 percent rate. He was then released from the team in June. During the 2023 season, he held a lower .185/.241/.315 line with just three long balls across 37 contests. Fantasy managers should not expect Garcia to carry much fantasy value if he can return to action for the 2026 season. |
Source: Francys Romero | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 20:05 | Yunior Marte Signs Contract Overseas | Yunior Marte | RP/SP | Phillies | Free Agent |
According to Francys Romero, right-handed pitcher Yunior Marte signed a contract worth $1.25 million with the Chunichi Dragons of the NPB. This contract contains incentives worth up to $200,000. Marte initially signed a contract with the Seattle Mariners earlier in the offseason but will opt to play overseas instead. The Dragons paid the Seattle Mariners the release fee for Marte. Marte logged 26 innings with the Philadelphia Phillies last season. Across this stint, Marte posted a 6.92 ERA with a 1.88 WHIP. He struck out 23 batters and allowed 15 walks. In 2023, Marte held a 5.03 ERA with a 1.63 WHIP across 39 1/3 innings of work. |
Source: Francys Romero | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 19:57 | Lou Trivino Signs Minor-League Deal With San Francisco | Lou Trivino | RP | Yankees | Free Agent |
According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, right-handed pitcher Lou Trivino signed a minor-league deal with the San Francisco Giants. This deal includes an invitation to spring training. Trivino underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2023. He was given a brief look at the minor leagues late last season but could not return to the majors. Trivino logged six innings of work at the Triple-A level and allowed five earned runs with a 4:6 BB:K ratio. He made his last appearance in the majors during the 2022 season, where he split time with the Athletics and Yankees. Across 53 2/3 innings, Trivino held a 4.53 ERA with a 1.64 WHIP. He struck out 67 batters and tallied 11 saves. He generated a strong 52.3 percent ground-ball rate. Fantasy managers should expect Trivino to compete for a spot in the San Francisco bullpen during spring training. |
Source: Robert Murray | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 19:25 | Yoan Moncada Signs One-Year Deal With Halos | Yoán Moncada | 3B | White Sox | Free Agent |
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Los Angeles Angels have signed third baseman Yoan Moncada to a one-year contract worth $5 million. Earlier in the offseason, the White Sox declined Moncada's club option, which sent him to the free-agent market. Moncada was limited to just 12 games last season due to an adductor strain. Across this small stint, the infielder held a .275/.356/.400 slash line with three doubles. He held a 5:11 BB:K ratio. During the 2023 season, the 29-year-old appeared in just 92 games and posted a .260/.305/.425 line with 20 doubles and 11 long balls. While the switch-hitter has battled injuries throughout the past three seasons, he could find his footing with a new club. Fantasy managers should expect Moncada to compete for starts at the hot corner alongside Anthony Rendon. |
Source: Jon Heyman | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 15:03 | Hayden Wesneski Penciled In As No. 5 Starter | Hayden Wesneski | RP/SP | Cubs | Free Agent |
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Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 14:43 | Giants Acquire Osleivis Basabe From Rays | Osleivis Basabe | SS | Rays | Free Agent |
The San Francisco Giants acquired infielder Osleivis Basabe from the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. Basabe had been designated for assignment by the Rays earlier in the week. Basabe played in only 78 games in the minors in 2024 due to a fractured wrist and hit .248 (65-for-262) with five home runs, 29 RBI and four stolen bases in 66 games with Triple-A Durham. The 24-year-old Venezuelan has hit over .300 in his career in the minors but went 19-for-87 (.218) with a homer and 25 strikeouts in 94 plate appearances in 31 games in 2023 in his major-league debut. Basabe can play multiple positions on the infield and will now head to spring training with the Giants hoping to carve out a utility role on the big-league roster. He will most likely open the year at Triple-A Sacramento. |
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 14:33 | Pierce Johnson Will Have Bigger Role In 2025 | Pierce Johnson | RP | Braves | Free Agent |
Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson will be relied on even more in 2025 with Joe Jimenez (knee) expected to miss most of the season after having knee surgery last October. Johnson split primary setup duties in Atlanta's bullpen last year with Jimenez, but he should be the primary late-inning setup man in front of closer Raisel Iglesias now. The 33-year-old has a mid-90s fastball but leans heavily on his curveball -- 72 percent of his offerings in 2024 were curves, the highest rate in baseball among pitchers with 10 or more outings. The former first-round pick of the Chicago Cubs went 6-6 last year in his first full season with Atlanta, posting a 3.67 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, two saves, 67 strikeouts and 25 walks in 56 1/3 innings pitched. Johnson's stock will rise in deep holds leagues. |
Source: The Athletic - David O'Brien | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 14:27 | Daysbel Hernandez Could Fill Key Setup Role For Atlanta | Daysbel Hernández | CF | Braves | Free Agent |
The Athletic's David O'Brien writes that Atlanta Braves right-hander Daysbel Hernandez will get a chance to fill a key setup role in the bullpen that opened up when Joe Jimenez had knee surgery in October. As a result, Jimenez is expected to be out for most of the 2025 season. The 28-year-old Hernandez mostly pitched at Triple-A Gwinnett last year but had a 2.50 ERA with 26 strikeouts and 10 walks in 18 innings over 16 appearances at the MLB level. He held righty hitters to a .105 average (4-for-38) with 14 strikeouts, so he can definitely be a late-inning weapon for the Braves this year. In addition to those numbers, Hernandez totaled three wins and a hold. Pierce Johnson will likely be the top setup man in front of closer Raisel Iglesias, but Hernandez could be a nice sleeper for fantasy managers in deep leagues that count holds. |
Source: The Athletic - David O'Brien | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 14:21 | Braves May Lean On Aaron Bummer More In High-Leverage Situations | Aaron Bummer | RP | White Sox | Free Agent |
The Athletic's David O'Brien suggests that the Atlanta Braves will need left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer more in high-leverage situations in 2025 with A.J. Minter gone to the division-rival New York Mets in free agency. Bummer had 69 strikeouts and 18 walks in 55 1/3 innings in his first year with Atlanta in 2024, and his 33.1 percent hard-hit rate was a career-best. However, his .277 opponents' average was almost 40 points higher than in 2023, and his 58.1 percent ground-ball rate was his lowest since his rookie campaign in 2017 with the Chicago White Sox. He's due to make $3.5 million this year after signing a new two-year, $13 million contract with the Braves last November. Overall, Bummer had a 3.58 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 2024 in 55 1/3 innings pitched. |
Source: The Athletic - David O'Brien | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 14:13 | Chadwick Tromp Expected To Be Backup Catcher | Chadwick Tromp | C | Braves | Free Agent |
Atlanta Braves catcher Chadwick Tromp is expected to open the 2025 season as Sean Murphy's backup now that Travis d'Arnaud is with the Angels, which likely means he'll receive a start or two per week. Tromp had a similar role last year when Murphy missed two months with an injury, and again when d'Arnaud missed a little bit of time. He's merely serviceable offensively and is more known for his game-calling skills and solid defense behind the dish. The 29-year-old Aruban catcher has played in just 26 games in the last three seasons in Atlanta and has hit .250 (18-for-72) with no homers, 10 RBI, four runs scored and 24 strikeouts in 74 plate appearances. Tromp could open the year as the Opening Day backup catcher for Atlanta, but top prospect Drake Baldwin could make his MLB debut sooner than later and push Tromp out of the picture. |
Source: The Athletic - David O'Brien | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 14:02 | Mark Vientos To Stay At Third Base In 2025 | Mark Vientos | 1B/3B/DH | Mets | Free Agent |
New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos will stick at the hot corner for the Mets in 2025 after the team re-signed first baseman Pete Alonso on Wednesday night. Before the move to reunite with Alonso, Vientos was set to slide across the diamond to serve as New York's primary first baseman. The return of Alonso will now push Luisangel Acuna and Brett Baty either to the bench or to the minors to start the season. Vientos won the third base gig last year with a breakout season in which he slashed .266/.322/.516 with an .837 OPS, 27 home runs, 71 RBI and 58 runs scored in 111 games played. MLB.com's Anthony DiComo has Vientos projected to hit fifth in the batting order behind a strong top of the lineup for the Mets. He should have elite RBI opportunities with the addition of superstar outfielder Juan Soto. RotoBaller has Vientos in the fourth tier of fantasy third baseman as the No. 7 option. |
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 09:20 | Tommy Pham Signs One-Year Deal With Pittsburgh | Tommy Pham | DH/LF | Diamondbacks | Free Agent |
According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, outfielder Tommy Pham signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates worth $4 million. Pham opened the 2024 season with the Chicago White Sox and was eventually shipped to St. Louis and then concluded the season in Kansas City. Across 116 contests, Pham held a .248/.305/.368 line. He tallied 20 doubles, nine home runs, and seven stolen bases. Under the hood, the 36-year-old generated a solid .263 xBA and a .407 xSLG, suggesting he should see some positive regression in 2025. Pham also generated a 42.7 percent hard-hit rate, which was above the average mark. At the plate, Pham held a 7.3 percent walk and a 22.2 percent strikeout rate which were both just below the average marks. Fantasy managers should expect Pham to compete for starts in right field with Nick Yorke as a platoon bat or see time as a designated hitter alongside Andrew McCutchen. |
Source: Katie Woo | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 08:52 | Jonny DeLuca Expected To Start In Center Field | Jonny DeLuca | RF | Dodgers | Free Agent |
According to Adam Berry of MLB.com, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jonny DeLuca is expected to begin the season as the team's starting center fielder. Last summer, Jose Siri was the everyday center fielder in Tampa Bay, but he was traded to the New York Mets during the offseason. As a result, DeLuca stands at the top of the depth chart and is expected to open the season as the top option. Across 107 games in Tampa Bay last summer, the Oregon product held a .217/.278/.331 line with 12 doubles, six home runs, and 16 stolen bases. While he did not generate elite hitting metrics, he was a top defender with speed. He placed in the 93rd percentile in outs above average and the 98th percentile in sprint speed. Richie Palacios will likely open the season as the No. 2 option behind DeLuca. If DeLuca has a successful spring training, he could be worth a look in deeper category formats as he has flashed elite speed. |
Source: Adam Berry | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 08:43 | Jake Rogers, Dillon Dingler Set To Split Catching Duties | Jake Rogers | C | Tigers | Free Agent |
| | | Dillon Dingler | C | Tigers | Free Agent |
According to Evan Woodbery of MassLive.com, the Detroit Tigers catchers Jake Rogers and Dillon Dingler are expected to split duties during the 2025 season. Rogers spent the entire 2024 season with Detroit and held a .197/.255/.352 line with 16 doubles and 10 home runs. He was graded as an elite defender as he tallied eight blocks above average and was placed in the 91st percentile in framing. Dingler made his MLB debut late in the season and joined the Tigers during their postseason run. Across 27 games, the Ohio State product held a .167/.195/.310 line with one home run. However, at Triple-A, the former second-round selection posted a strong .308/.379/.559 slash line with 15 doubles, 17 long balls, and 52 RBI. While Rogers will likely operate as the No. 1 option, Dingler could be worth a look in deeper AL-only formats as he flashed elite hitting upside at the top level of the minor leagues. If he has a successful spring training, he could even begin to earn a larger share of the starts early into the season. |
Source: Evan Woodbery | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 08:25 | Allan Winans Designated For Assignment | Allan Winans | RP | Braves | Free Agent |
According to the team, the New York Yankees have designated right-handed pitcher Allan Winans for assignment. This transaction opened a roster spot for right-handed pitcher Owen White, who the team claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. The Yankees claimed Winans earlier in January, but he will now return to waivers. Last season, Winans logged seven 2/3 innings at the MLB level with the Atlanta Braves. He allowed 13 earned runs and tallied just four punchouts. Across 32 1/3 innings with Atlanta in 2023, Winans held a 5.29 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP. Across 114 2/3 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett last summer, the 29-year-old posted a 3.30 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Winans to open the season at the Triple-A level, given his lack of MLB success. |
Source: New York Yankees | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Feb 6 | 08:15 | Kyle Stowers, Griffin Conine Competing For Left Field Job | Griffin Conine | RF | Marlins | Free Agent |
| | | Kyle Stowers | DH/RF | Orioles | Free Agent |
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers and Griffin Conine will compete for the left-field job during spring training. Jackson noted that the team is hopeful Stowers can "recapture some of the promise he showed with the Orioles." Before being traded to Miami, the outfielder held a strong .306 AVG. However, once he joined the Marlins, Stowers saw his AVG drop to .186 and held a poor .262 OBP. He also hit just two home runs across 50 games. Despite the drop in production, Stowers still generated a 51.3 percent hard-hit rate, which is a positive sign. Conine made his MLB debut last season and had a .268/.326/.451 line across 30 contests. He tallied four doubles and three home runs with 12 RBI. Both outfielders will only have value in deeper formats as they have yet to have much extended success at the MLB level. |
Source: Barry Jackson | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Feb 5 | 22:11 | Pete Alonso Returning To Mets On Two-Year Deal | Pete Alonso | 1B/DH | Mets | Free Agent |
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. |
Source: Jeff Passan | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Feb 5 | 20:20 | Ben Gamel, Astros Agree On One-Year Deal | Ben Gamel | DH/LF/RF | Padres | Free Agent |
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. |
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Feb 5 | 19:56 | Dane Myers, Derek Hill Competing For Center Field Job | Derek Hill | CF | Nationals | Free Agent |
| | | Dane Myers | CF | Marlins | Free Agent |
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. |
Source: Barry Jackson | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Feb 5 | 19:30 | Jonah Bride Entering Spring Training As Starting First Baseman | Jonah Bride | 2B/3B | Athletics | Free Agent |
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. |
Source: Barry Jackson | RotoBaller.com |