According to Jeff Jones of BND.com, the St. Louis Cardinals and right-handed pitcher Ryan Helsley are not having contract conversations. Helsley said he was "almost certain" he was going to be traded during the winter due to a lack of contract discussions. The relief pitcher noted, "But you know, at the same time, it's a two-way street, and if only one side wants it, it's not going to work out." Throughout the offseason, the Cardinals have been shopping several top players, including third baseman Nolan Arenado, in hopes to clear salary. In addition, starting pitchers Erick Fedde and Steven Matz have also been around trade discussions. Last season, the 30-year-old was one of the top closers in the sport, as he posted a 2.04 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP with 49 saves across 66 1/3 innings of work. For now, fantasy managers should expect Helsley to operate as the clear ninth-inning option in St. Louis but could find himself on the trade block if they fall out of the playoff picture.

Free-agent left-handed reliever Tanner Scott and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal on Sunday, according to a source. The Dodgers are winning the offseason by a wide margin after also securing Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki on Friday. Scott, 30, was the top closer available in free agency and will now join a Dodgers bullpen that already includes high-leverage right-handers Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech. While Scott could share save chances with Kopech, he should be considered the favorite for most of LA's save opportunities, boosting his fantasy value significantly on the best team in baseball. Scott was a first-time All-Star in 2024 and had a pristine 1.75 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with a career-high 22 saves, 84 strikeouts and 36 walks in 72 regular-season innings with the Marlins and Padres.

According to Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (elbow) remains uncertain for Opening Day. Montemurro noted that the second baseman had not started a throwing program yet and did not have an answer regarding his availability for the start of the season when asked. Hoerner was battling a flex tendon injury throughout the 2024 season and underwent surgery to repair this in October. Last season, the 27-year-old made 151 starts and posted a .273/.335/.373 line with seven home runs and 31 stolen bases. He showed a strong eye at the plate with a 10.3% K rate but had minimal power upside as he generated an underwhelming 27.6% hard-hit rate. When healthy, Hoerner will be deployed as the clear top option at the keystone for the Cubs.

According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki will be the team's primary designated hitter during the 2025 season. Earlier in the offseason, the Chicago Cubs acquired star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros, creating a logjam in the team's outfield. However, Suzuki and manager Craig Counsell have agreed that he will spend most of the summer at the DH spot. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Kyle Tucker to operate as the team's starting outfielder throughout most of the season. While Suzuki boasts a potent bat, his defense has been quite underwhelming. Last season, he posted a poor -3 OAA. However, in the batter's box, he held a. 283/.366/.482 line with 21 home runs and 16 stolen bases. Suzuki should have prime RBI opportunities batting behind Tucker and Happ.

According to Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals remain focused on finding a trade partner for third baseman Nolan Arenado. Worthy noted that moving the gold glover is priority "1, 2, and 3" for president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. Arenado's name has been around several trade discussions throughout the offseason. The Astros reportedly sent the Cardinals a package, but Arenado vetoed the deal. The New York Yankees have also had discussions about acquiring the third baseman. The Cardinals are trying to clear salaries off their payroll to open opportunities for their younger players to have roles in the 2025 season. Starting pitchers Erick Fedde and Steven Matz have also been on the trade block, according to sources. Last season, Arenado posted a .272/.325/.394 line with 16 home runs but remains an elite defender despite his declining bat.

According to Josh Frydman of WGN News, Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (core) feels healthy and is expected to be ready for spring training. Swanson underwent surgery for a core injury over the offseason. Swanson noted that it is "Nice to feel like yourself. Feels like a re-set" when asked how he felt. Swanson appeared in 149 games with the Cubs last season and held a .242/.312/.390 and hit 16 home runs, and swiped 19 bags. Under the hood, he generated a .321 xwOBA, .416 xSLG, and a 42.7% hard-hit rate, all of which were slightly above the average marks. During his first season with the Cubs in 2023, Swanson went deep 22 times with a .244 AVG. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Opening Day. If healthy, he should be penciled in as the starting shortstop on the Northside all season.

According to Aram Leighton of Just BB Media, the Atlanta Braves have signed catcher Curt Casali to a minor-league contract. Casali appeared in 41 games with the San Francisco Giants last summer and held a .194/.293/.250 line with three doubles, one home run, and a 13:22 BB:K ratio. He also spent time with Triple-A Iowa and posted a strong .362/.489/.551 line with seven doubles, two home runs, and a 15:16 BB:K ratio. Across his 11-year major league career, the backstop has held a .218/.313/.369 line, Casali will compete for the No.2 catching job with Chadwick Tromp and prospect Drake Baldwin during spring training.

According to Andrew Golden of the Washington Post, the Washington Nationals have signed catcher Andrew Knizner to a minor-league contract. He will also be invited to spring training. The 29-year-old made 37 appearances with the Texas Rangers. Through this stint, he held a .167/.182/.211 with just one double, one home run, and a 1:22 BB:K ratio. He then spent the end of the season with Triple-A Reno in the Diamondbacks system and posted a .263/.355/.388 line. Throughout his big league career, the backstop has posted a .210/.279/.317 line across 293 games. Knizer will compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster but will likely open the campaign in the minor leagues, given his struggles in the majors.

According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, the Chicago Cubs are among the favorites to land free-agent relief pitcher Tanner Scott. Scott is one of the top remaining players on the open market. In addition to the Cubs, the Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, and Red Sox have been linked to the southpaw throughout the offseason. Last summer, Scott opened the campaign with the Miami Marlins and tallied 18 saves across 45 2/3 innings. He was then shipped to San Diego at the deadline and was deployed in the set-up role behind Robert Suarez. Overall, the 30-year-old posted a strong 1.75 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP across 72 frames of work. Currently, Porter Hodge is slated to be the ninth-inning option in Chicago. Last summer, he tallied nine saves with a 1.88 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP through 43 innings of work. Scott would be the top ninth-inning option if he were to join the Cubs.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Seattle Mariners have signed right-handed pitcher Shintaro Fujinami to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. Fujinami made his big league debut with the Oakland Athletics in 2023. In his first season, the right-hander had a 7.18 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP in 79 innings. He struck out 83 batters but struggled with his command, posting a hefty 12.3% walk rate. Last summer, Fujinami spent the entire season in the Mets system. He logged 32 1/3 innings with Triple-A Syracuse and posted a poor 6.68 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP and missed time due to a shoulder injury. Given his struggles in the majors, Fujinami will compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster but will likely open the season in the minor league.

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the New York Mets are no longer targeting free-agent relief pitcher Tanner Scott. Puma noted that with the Mets signing A.J. Minter earlier on Friday, the team is no longer pursuing other options for their bullpen. The Mets met with Scott earlier in free agency, and he is still one of the top available options on the open market. Last season, Scott held a 1.75 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP across 72 innings of work. He tallied 22 saves and struck out 84 batters. He generated a stellar 27.5% hard-hit and 4.7% barrel rates, placing him in the 99th and 92nd percentile among qualified pitchers, respectively. He also generated ground balls at a strong 52.0% rate. The 30-year-old will likely be deployed as a ninth-inning option with his new club.

The New York Mets agreed with free-agent left-handed reliever A.J. Minter (hip) on a two-year deal worth $22 million on Friday, pending a physical. Minter was moved to the 60-day injured list in August of last year and missed the rest of the 2024 season due to a hip injury. The 31-year-old southpaw was a former second-round selection by the Atlanta Braves in 2015 out of Texas A&M and made his big-league debut with the Braves back in 2017. All eight of his major-league campaigns came in Atlanta and he's posted a 3.28 career ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 36 saves, 422 strikeouts and 123 walks in his 348 2/3 innings pitched. In New York, he'll boost the Mets' bullpen as an experienced left-handed setup arm in high-leverage positions, but he's not going to see many, if any at all, save chances as long as closer Edwin Diaz stays healthy.

Now that the New York Mets aren't expecting to re-sign first baseman Pete Alonso, their current plan is to shift Mark Vientos across the diamond from third base to first and have young infielders Luisangel Acuna, Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio (knee) compete for playing time at the hot corner. Vientos broke out in 2024 as the Mets' starting third baseman to the tune of a .266/.322/.516 slash line with 27 home runs in 111 regular-season games. The 25-year-old continued to swing a hot bat in the postseason in October and cleared the fences five more times before the Mets fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series. However, his defense at third wasn't the greatest, so moving him across the diamond should help the team's overall infield defense. The former second-rounder hits the ball hard but also strikeouts out at a high rate, giving him plenty of volatility for an encore in 2025.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) looked good taking batting practice in his home country of Venezuela earlier this week in a video that was posted by a professional baseball academy in Venezuela on Instagram. Acuna suffered a second ACL tear, this time to his left knee, at the end of May of last season and missed the rest of the year. It's good to see the 2023 National League MVP, four-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger and 2018 NL Rookie of the Year swinging the bat before this offseason, but there's still a good chance he won't be ready to go for Opening Day in 2025. In 2023, Acuna was the first player in MLB history to hit 40 homers and steal 70 bases. The 27-year-old is an elite ballplayer, but ACL tears to both of his knees in a three-year span brings along plenty of risk for long-term sustainability.

According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton (knee) is expected to be ready for spring training. Stratton underwent a season-ending knee operation to repair a ruptured patella tendon but recently posted a video of himself throwing off a mound on his personal social media. Stratton inked a minor-league deal earlier this offseason with the Pirates, but seeing his current status, he will likely contribute in the major league bullpen through most of the 2025 season. Last summer, the 28-year-old logged 37 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.58 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He showed strong command with a 4.4% walk rate and generated a solid 3.29 xERA, which suggests he could be in store for some positive regression in 2025. He will likely return to a high-leverage role this upcoming season.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso rejected a three-year contract from the Mets. Sherman noted that the offer was for around $68-$70 million and was a "last-ditch" effort by the Mets to keep him in Queens. However, the slugger turned the offer down, encouraging the team to pursue other options. Earlier on Thursday, the Mets signed outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker to a contract. According to Sherman, the current plan for the Mets is to shift third baseman Mark Vientos to first base and have Ronny Mauricio, Brett Baty, and Luisangel Acuna compete for opportunities at the hot corner. Alonso saw his power production drop slightly last season, as he just 34 home runs, compared to the 46 and 40 he hit during the 2023 and 2022 campaigns, respectively. Sources have suggested that the Toronto Blue Jays have emerged as one of the favorites to sign Alonso.

The New York Post's Mike Puma reports that New York Mets infield prospect Ronny Mauricio (knee) continues to rehab his knee but might not be ready for the start of spring training next month. Mets officials are taking things day-to-day with Mauricio, who had a second surgery on his right knee last year. The 23-year-old started doing baseball activities in December, but the Mets aren't going to rush the young infielder, and he's most likely not going to be ready to go for the start of the 2025 campaign. He has promising upside offensively for the Mets and fantasy managers, but the fact that he hasn't played in over a year should raise concerns about his ability to contribute at the big-league level in 2025. When he's ready to go, Mauricio will almost certainly start in the minors this year after he tore his ACL playing winter ball last offseason.

Free-agent outfielder Jesse Winker re-signed with the New York Mets on Thursday on a one-year deal worth $7.5 million. With bonuses, Winker has a chance to make a maximum of $9 million. The 31-year-old veteran left-handed hitter began last season with the Washington Nationals and was acquired by the Mets at the trade deadline. He had a solid year overall, slashing a combined .253/.360/.405 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI, a career-high 14 stolen bases and 63 runs scored in 145 games played. He hit .243/.318/.365 with a .683 OPS, three long balls, 13 RBI and 12 runs scored in 44 regular-season games after joining the Mets. Winker was better in 10 playoff games, sporting a 1.168 OPS and a home run. Winker should see consistent at-bats against right-handers in the outfield and at DH, but he's only hit 20 homers once in eight big-league seasons and probably won't steal double-digit bases in 2025.

The Athletic's Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal report that free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso's market is heating up, and the Toronto Blue Jays have engaged in discussions for the power-hitting first baseman, according to league sources. According to a person familiar with Toronto's thinking, they'd prefer to keep Vladimir Guerrero Jr, even if they landed Alonso. Guerrero can also play third base, and he and Alonso could split designated-hitter duties. The New York Mets want a resolution soon, and SNY's Andy Martino reports they have pivoted to Plan B while considering the most likely outcome at this juncture that Alonso will sign elsewhere. A financial hurdle still exists between the Mets and Alonso, and it will be tough to re-sign him if the team strikes a deal with other players. For example, the Mets just re-signed outfielder/DH Jesse Winker on Thursday.

According to Andy Martino of SNY, the New York Mets are "holding the line" on both the length and dollars of their proposed offer to free agent Pete Alonso. Martino noted that this proposed contract is a short-term offer that likely includes an opt-out after the first year. The Mets have been linked to several alternative options, such as Jesse Winker and Anthony Santander if they could not sign Alonso. In addition, the Mets could also deploy several younger options in the infield, such as Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio, if Alonso were to sign somewhere else. Last summer, Alonso went deep 34 times and posted a .240/.329/.459 line. While this was his lowest home run total during a full season, he still generated an elite 13.2% barrel rate and 46.4% hard-hit rate, which suggests he could be due for some significant regression in 2025.