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 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 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 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.

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).

The Baltimore Orioles and infielder Ramon Urias settled on a one-year, $3.15 million deal to avoid salary arbitration on Thursday. Even before missing time with an ankle injury, Urias was seeing less playing time in Baltimore. When the 30-year-old veteran infielder did play, he was solid, slashing .254/.322/.423 with 11 home runs, 37 RBI and 39 runs scored in 100 games played. Urias made plenty of contact and hit more fly balls, with his 11 homers representing the second-highest total of his career. He typically doesn't make a ton of loud contact at the plate, though, and with a bench role likely in 2025, there's not enough upside to consider Urias in shallow-mixed fantasy leagues. However, Urias can play almost everywhere on the infield, so an injury could quickly open up regular playing time for him.

According to Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports, the Chicago Cubs have acquired right-handed pitcher Matt Festa from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations. In a corresponding move, the Cubs designated infielder Miles Mastrobuoni for assignment. Festa was initially designated for assignment by Texas earlier this week but will now look to compete for a spot on the Cubs Opening Day Roster. Last season, Festa posted a 5.70 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP across 23 2/3 innings of relief in the majors. Mastrobuoni was deployed as a depth option in the Chicago infield last season and held a .191/.245/.224 line across 50 games. If Festa were to earn a spot on the roster, he would likely see time as a low-leverage relief option.

According to Alex Weiner of AZ Sports, the Arizona Diamondbacks have claimed catcher Rene Pinto off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Pinto will now join a crowded catching room that consists of Gabriel Moreno, prospect Adrian Del Castillo, and Jose Herrera. Pinto has spent his entire major league career with the Tampa Bay Rays. Last season, Pinto appeared in 19 games and posted a .214/.292/.429 line with three doubles and two home runs. Across 83 career major league games, the 28-year-old holds a .231/.263/.404 line with ten home runs. Given the crowded state of the Arizona catcher room, this may suggest that Del Castillo may see time as a designated hitter this season, or another transaction is in the works. For now, fantasy managers should expect Moreno to see the majority of starts behind the dish.

According to the team, the Baltimore Orioles have claimed starting pitcher Roansy Contreras off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. In a corresponding move, the Orioles designated infielder Livan Soto for assignment. Contreras has been claimed and released by several clubs this offseason. Last season, across 68 1/3 innings with Pittsburgh and Los Angeles, the right-hander held a 4.53 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He struck out 56 batters and served up 31 free passes. Under the hood, he generated a 4.94 ERA and .260 xBA. In addition, he allowed hard contact at a hefty 43.5% rate and barrels at a 9.7% rate, both of which were well below the average marks. Fantasy managers should not have Contreras on their radar heading into the 2025 season, given his lack of proven success at the major league level.

According to MLB.com, Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (elbow/forearm) is throwing off the mound and hopes to return early in the 2025 season. The 31-year-old underwent surgery to repair his right flexor in June of 2023 but faced a setback last season due to soreness. As a result, McCullers has not pitched in a major league game since 2022 but could be nearing a return. In 2022, the right-hander posted a 2.27 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP across 47 2/3 innings of work. During this stint, he struck out 50 batters and generated a solid 32.5% hard-hit and 50.4% barrel rates. During his last complete season in 2021, McCullers posted a 3.16 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP across 162 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers in deeper AL-only formats should continue to monitor his progression, as he could be a candidate to rejoin the rotation sometime in early 2025.

Right-hander Clarke Schmidt and the New York Yankees agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration, according to a source. Schmidt only made 16 regular-season starts for the Yankees in 2024 due to a right-lat injury, but when he was on the mound, he was great, posting a career-best 2.85 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP with 93 punchouts in 85 1/3 innings thrown. For his efforts, he'll receive a $1.57 million raise going into 2025. The Yanks added left-hander Max Fried to their starting rotation this winter, but Schmidt should still be a part of the team's Opening Day rotation. The 28-year-old is by no means a household name, but if he can build on his progress from last year before he got hurt, he could be an excellent value pick in 2025 fantasy drafts. Schmidt does an above-average job at avoiding contact and inducing weak contact.

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) broke his right wrist in just the fourth game last year and had surgery in October to help alleviate lingering swelling, but he's now swinging a bat without any issues and should be a full-go for the start of spring training next month. "I'm full-go," Jung said. "I don't know if Dr. Shin waved some magic fairy dust over my wrist or what, but so far we've been able to feel like a normal human. Hopefully we can continue that." Jung missed four months and played in only 46 games in 2024. It's great news that the 26-year-old will be a full-go for spring training, and if he can avoid any setbacks or other injuries, he'll be in line for a bounce-back campaign for the Rangers and fantasy managers alike. He hit 23 home runs in 122 games in his rookie year in 2023 while also missing around si weeks with a thumb injury. Jung is a risk/reward power threat in fantasy drafts with plenty of upside.

The New York Yankees are trying to trade right-hander Marcus Stroman this offseason and are willing to pay down his $18 million salary in 2025 to make it happen, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The Yankees would love to trade Stroman so that they could add an infielder. While the Yankees have talked about trading for San Diego Padres infielder Luis Arraez, nothing is close on that front. Signing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman or trading for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado might not be in the cards, either, but free-agent infielder Jorge Polanco could be a possibility. If they cannot trade Stroman, they'd still have money to sign someone like Brendan Rodgers or Paul DeJong. As things stand right now, ... [More]