The greatest free agent domino has fallen. Juan Soto is off the market with a record-setting 15-year, $765 million take care of the Mets. Not to be deterred, the Yankees then awarded an eight-year $218 million contract to Max Fried, the largest ever assured deal for a left-handed pitcher. Both strikes got here on the heels of the Giants’ seven-year, $182 million take care of shortstop Willy Adames.
That’s proper, the Hot Stove is in full swing, and Chris Towers and I are right here to information you thru the transactions of precise consequence for Fantasy Baseball. This is the place the place we’ll react to them as they occur, breaking down what they imply for 2025 drafts.
So bookmark this web page and preserve checking again. As the information is available in, you may be glad you’ve got one cease for holding monitor of all of it
Jake Burger traded to Rangers
Burger brings loads of energy, however that is about it. It wasn’t an issue when he performed for the White Sox and Marlins, who had been determined to fill out their lineup with something worthwhile, however the threshold for enjoying time is far greater with the Rangers. Perhaps he is insurance coverage for one more Josh Jung harm at third base. Perhaps he is a platoon companion for Nathaniel Lowe at first. Perhaps he is a part-time DH for these days when Leody Taveras’ bat simply is not chopping it in heart subject. More probably, Burger is the entire above, however whether or not that’ll quantity to full-time at-bats is tough to say as of now. So whereas the lineup and venue enhance for Burger, I’m inclined to downgrade him considerably as a result of uncertainty of the position, dropping him behind names like Paul Goldschmidt and Ryan Mountcastle at first base and Nolan Arenado and Josh Jung at third. –Scott White
Andres Gimenez to Blue Jays, Spencer Horwitz to Pirates in three-team deal
This one is technically extra of a flip since all three of the Pirates’ contributions to the deal (Luis Ortiz, Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy) are going to the Guardians, however since Horwitz did not even have time to pack his baggage, I’ll name it a three-team deal. The most Fantasy-relevant participant on the transfer is Gimenez. His arrival in Toronto is a little bit disappointing for Will Wagner, Davis Schneider and Orelvis Martinez, all fascinating gamers who might need pushed Horwitz for enjoying time however will not overtake Gimenez. Horwitz himself would appear to be the massive winner, presuming the Pirates give him full run at first base (he was stretched at second, and the Pirates have ample options there). The 27-year-old is a bat-control specialist who confirmed stunning energy as a rookie and will strategy 20 homers with a .280 or so batting common if given ample runway.
As for Gimenez, his worth would not change a lot. There could also be a slight park downgrade, although not sufficient to vary his energy output meaningfully. He’s my No. 14 second baseman in 5×5 scoring and No. 15 in factors. One sneaky side of this deal is that the Guardians appear to assume Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 general decide on this previous 12 months’s draft, is near main league-ready. By flipping Horwitz, they’ve left themselves with out an apparent starter at second base, and whereas it most likely will not be Bazzana to begin out, there is a good probability it will likely be by season’s finish. –Scott White
Nathan Eovaldi indicators with Rangers
We have already got a reasonably good thought how issues will play out for Eovaldi in Texas seeing as he spent the previous two years there. It was, actually, the very best two-year stretch of his profession, which is why he was rewarded with a three-year, $75 million deal. He stays a hard-thrower at age 34, and that ample velocity, whereas driving his success, will be troublesome to maintain over the total major-league calendar, which makes for a bumpy journey at instances. So there might be stretches when Eovaldi appears higher than his mid-to-high-threes ERA and stretches when he appears worse, however the finish end result might be respectable ratios with a top quality win complete due to how deep he works into video games when wholesome. I rank Eovaldi simply inside my high 60 pitchers for 2025. –Scott White
Max Fried indicators with Yankees
Having simply misplaced Juan Soto to the crosstown rival Mets, the Yankees pivoted in a giant means Tuesday, agreeing to an eight-year, $218 million contract with former Braves ace Max Fried. It’s the biggest ever assured contract for a left-handed pitcher, and on the floor anyway, it is a good match. But here is the place I level out that this free agent deal, like each different free agent deal, is pending a bodily, and whereas usually that is a matter of crossing t’s and dotting i’s, I can not shake the sensation that there is likely to be a hiccup in Fried’s case. For the whole lowdown, try my full-length article. –Scott White
Yimi Garcia indicators with Blue Jays
This signing issues for Fantasy solely as a result of the Blue Jays are missing a tried-and-true nearer after non-tendering Jordan Romano (who has since signed with the Phillies). You could keep in mind Garcia acquired the primary probability to fill-in as nearer when Romano was sidelined by harm final season and fared properly sufficient within the position, however then the Blue Jays dealt him to Seattle, the place he developed his personal elbow troubles. Healthy now, Garcia may declare the nearer position from Chad Green, who spent longer in it final season but additionally had a curiously low strikeout price, or the Blue Jays may decide to usher in somebody extra established nonetheless. It’s an evolving state of affairs, but when nothing else, we will say Garcia has landed in a spot the place he has an opportunity for saves. –Scott White
Thairo Estrada indicators with Rockies
The Rockies had a gap at second base after non-tendering Brendan Rodgers and can fill it with Estrada on a one-year, $3.25 million deal. The modest phrases would counsel he is merely a bridge to prospect Adael Amador finally claiming the position. Amador was rushed to the majors as a 21-year-old and confirmed he wasn’t prepared, but when he had been to make massive strides this 12 months, Estrada would not signify a lot of a roadblock.
The 28-year-old was a helpful Fantasy choice in 2022 and 2023, contributing a little bit little bit of pop with some velocity — a poor man’s Tommy Edman, you would possibly say — however he fell off laborious final season whereas contending with a bum wrist. Coors Field makes for a comfortable setting to rebuild his worth, and fittingly, he is hit .348 (32 for 92) with 4 residence runs in 24 profession video games there. He’ll nonetheless probably be drafted outdoors the highest 20 second baseman however has sleeper attraction in Rotisserie league particularly. –Scott White
The battle for the ninth inning in Philadelphia feels a bit much less large open after this signing, however Romano is clearly no positive guess coming off a season ruined by elbow accidents. There’s a cause the Blue Jays, who intend to compete in 2025, non-tendered him with membership management left. When Romano is true, he is a fringe-elite nearer, with a three-year stretch from 2021 by way of 2023 the place he posted a 2.37 ERA and 30.3% strikeout price – a stretch that included consecutive 36-save seasons. The massive query right here is whether or not Romano can actually be “proper” coming off a season the place he handled elbow ache from Spring Training proper up till he had surgical procedure on the elbow in August.
He ought to open spring as the favourite for saves in Philadelphia, and that may be an excellent spot to be in in case you are seeking to rack up saves. But if Romano is not himself, Orion Kerkering, Jose Alvarado, and probably Matt Strahm are there to step up as attainable options. I believe the likeliest outcomes are, both Romano is wholesome and is the nearer for so long as he’s proper, or he struggles fairly early and this entire bullpen is similar form of muddled mess it was for a lot of final season. That makes Romano a viable choice for saves within the center rounds of drafts, however I’d be cautious of investing rather more than that into him given how poorly 2024 went for the soon-to-be 32-year-old. –Chris Towers
The comp would not work completely. Cobb was by no means nearly as good as Jack Flaherty at their respective peaks, and he’s practically a decade older than Flaherty was when he signed with the Tigers final offseason. But you may see the attraction for a veteran like Cobb, who’s attempting to rebuild his worth after a principally misplaced 2024 season that noticed him take care of hip, shoulder, and finger accidents. Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter has obtained a number of reward in current seasons for the work he has accomplished with the likes of Flaherty and, clearly, Tarik Skubal, they usually’ll hope to assist Cobb discover success on a one-year deal.
Now, the factor right here is, Cobb has truly been fairly good when he is been in a position to keep on the mound in recent times, posting a 3.75 ERA over his previous 4 seasons. The Tigers have been superb at coaxing extra velocity out of their arms in recent times, and that would not be a nasty factor for Cobb, whose velocity was down a tick when he was in a position to get on the mound in 2024. It’s additionally an incredible ballpark for any pitcher to name residence, which ought to assist Cobb proceed to restrict harm on balls in play. He is not a star, or something, but when the early-season schedule appears favorable, Cobb could possibly be an fascinating late-round flier for 2025. –Chris Towers
Treinen had only one save for the Dodgers in the course of the common season, however he was their most trusted reliever in the course of the postseason, taking over a high-leverage position that netted him three saves. Presumably, they’re bringing him again to fill that position, which might make him the early favourite for saves in Los Angeles. We ought to know by now, although, that supervisor Dave Roberts would not adhere to bullpen conventions and can combine in a good quantity of Michael Kopech and Evan Phillips as properly, however notably, Treinen has probably the most closing expertise of the three. He had 38 saves to go together with a 0.78 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 11.2 Ok/9 for the Athletics in 2018, and over his remaining 30 appearances this previous season, he had 1.24 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 9.9 Ok/9. I’ll be rating him simply outdoors of my high 15 relievers for 2025 since there’s some uncertainty surrounding his position, however clearly, he has the upside for extra. –Scott White
Juan Soto indicators with Mets
The Mets lastly landed the massive fish they have been angling for in free company, as Juan Soto has agreed to signal a record-breaking contract that may preserve him in Queens till 2039. Soto’s deal can pay him $765 million over the following 15 seasons, besting the overall worth of Shohei Ohtani’s contract from a 12 months in the past by $65 million. But does it actually matter the place Soto is enjoying when contemplating his Fantasy worth? To discover out, try my full-length article on the signing, which additionally addresses the impression on the remainder of the Mets lineup and the free agent market as a complete. –Chris Towers
Conforto’s 2024 stat line could not look notably spectacular, nevertheless it was his finest for the reason that 2019-20 stretch that made him one of the crucial extremely regarded outfielders in Fantasy. Even extra notable is what occurred below the hood. His .479 xSLG was simply nearly as good as these peak seasons as his common (90.2 mph) and max (113.6 mph) exit velocities jumped to 68th and ninetieth percentile, respectively. A fast take a look at the splits will let you know Oracle Park wasn’t doing him any favors. Away from there, he hit .253 with and .852 OPS and 17 of his 20 residence runs general. The Dodgers definitely took discover, and judging by the information, there’s an opportunity he goes the Teoscar Hernandez and J.D. Martinez route of blowing away expectations on a one-year deal. The Dodgers’ current with such signings is all of the extra incentive for me to mark Conforto as a sleeper, rating him simply outdoors of my high 50 outfielders. –Scott White
Willy Adames indicators with Giants
I had already positioned myself as an Adames skeptic for subsequent 12 months, rating him tenth at shortstop after he simply positioned fifth there, and this signing solely fortifies my place. Oracle Park is not fairly the neutralizer it as soon as was, nevertheless it nonetheless charges because the third-worst residence run venue for right-handed hitters over the previous three years whereas American Family Field charges because the sixth-best. On the opposite hand, Adames has batted .321 (18 for 56) with an .827 OPS in 16 profession video games in San Francisco, and Statcast estimates that he would have hit 31 residence runs enjoying each recreation there final 12 months vs. the 32 he truly hit. So perhaps it will not be so unhealthy?
The problem is in utilizing Adames’ 2024 as a foundation for comparability when it was virtually definitely his best-case end result. His exit velocities, strikeout price and batted-ball angles had been all in step with profession norms, and but his batting common (.251) was his highest in three years, his residence runs (32) had been his most ever, and he additionally stole 21 bases when he had by no means reached even double digits earlier than. It additionally most likely goes with out saying that he will not have a mixed 205 runs and RBI as probably the most feared hitter in a mediocre Giants lineup. So if this signing makes you skeptical of a repeat efficiency, that is most likely for the very best. You already ought to have been. –Scott White
Seems just like the Orioles are shifting of their left subject fence simply in time. O’Neill simply had a resurgent season with the Red Sox partially as a result of he made a concerted effort to drag the ball within the air extra — a fantastic technique for a right-handed hitter at Fenway Park however one that may have introduced such a participant to spoil at Camden Yards the previous couple years. Fortunately, the reported adjustments to the left subject fence there ought to make it a extra impartial setting for right-handed hitters, and notably, O’Neill’s profession season (2021) got here in St. Louis, which can be a difficult place for right-handers to hit it out.
Perhaps, then, the extra vital variable for O’Neill than venue is his personal well being. Cutting a muscular determine, the 29-year-old has been notably prone to strains, enjoying simply 65 p.c of his staff’s video games the previous 4 years, and even when wholesome, his restricted bat management (he struck out a profession worst 33.6 p.c final 12 months) has made for unpredictable outcomes. He has the upside of top-20 outfielder, however the issues piled on high of issues drop him to thirty sixth in my outfield rankings. –Scott White
After three years because the Yankees on-again, off-again nearer, Holmes is switching not simply leagues but additionally roles, getting a shot as a starter on a three-year, $38 million deal. The position is not completely overseas to him, seeing as he spent a lot of his minor-league profession as a starter, and within the years since, he is developed a extra reliable arsenal and steady sufficient command to try this transfer again. While his sinkerball strategy could have been ill-suited for closing, leaving him too susceptible to hits in high-leverage moments, it is more likely to decrease harm over prolonged stretches. For all of the tense moments as a better, the ERA was at all times good, in any case. This signing raises Holmes’ Fantasy attraction within the hopes he can observe within the footsteps of profitable relievers-turned-starters like Michael King, Reynaldo Lopez and Bowden Francis, and curiosity needs to be particularly excessive in Head-to-Head factors leagues, the place he figures to be one of many high 15 relievers drafted. –Scott White
It’s a one-year pact with a participant choice for a second simply in base Bieber’s restoration from Tommy John surgical procedure goes poorly. His whole future in Fantasy in fact hinges on that restoration. You’ll keep in mind the previous Cy Young winner gave the impression to be on the verge of regaining ace standing after an offseason spent working with Driveline Baseball, regaining the chew on his slider and dominating by way of two begins. But then his elbow started barking, and properly, you realize the remainder. The earliest we will hope to see Bieber is June 2025, which suggests he’ll solely be price stashing in leagues with ample IL stash. Which model of Bieber exhibits up then is anyone’s guess, nevertheless it’s encouraging that the group that is aware of him finest opted to re-up with him. –Scott White
After enjoying with two AL East groups in the identical recreation final season, Jansen continues his tour across the division by becoming a member of the Rays, the place he’ll probably be the beginning catcher. That did not go fairly so properly for both Toronto or Boston in 2024, as Jansen struggled by way of certainly one of his worst seasons ever, hitting simply .205/.309/.349, so the Rays are certainly hoping for a bounce-back on this one-year deal. Jansen makes a number of contact and has a good eye on the plate, however his high quality of contact has been in a freefall in his late 20s, together with his anticipated wOBA on contact dropping from .408 in 2022 to .291 final season. If he can rediscover a few of the pop he has final in recent times, he could possibly be a good No. 2 catcher, particularly with the Rays making a transfer to what we expect might be a hitter-friendly residence at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa this season. Jansen is a viable, low-end No. 2 catcher for deeper codecs, however should not be seen as a precedence, even in 15-team leagues. –Chris Towers
Luis Severino indicators with the Athletics
The A’s made a stunning splash in free company with their three-year contract with Severino for $67 million, the biggest assured contract in franchise historical past. It’s a less-than-ideal touchdown spot for Severino’s Fantasy worth in 2025, sadly, because the A’s nonetheless determine to be a reasonably middling staff (at finest) in 2025 and are shifting from a pitcher pleasant park to 1 which will play a minimum of a bit nearer to common. That could be a downgrade for Severino, after he spent a 12 months rebuilding his worth in a really pitcher-friendly park with the Mets.
To his credit score, Severino did an incredible job rebuilding that worth with the Mets, and he did so by displaying much more flexibility as a pitcher than ever earlier than. At his finest, Severino did not actually need a lot of a gameplan, as he simply pumped four-seamers and sliders previous hitters, throwing these two pitches 85-90% of the time. In 2024, he launched a sweeper and vastly elevated his sinker utilization, giving him six pitches he threw a minimum of 7% of the time. The Mets have turn into an excellent pitching improvement group, and Severino benefited from his time with them. The likeliest end result right here is that Severino is not rather more than a rotation filler for Fantasy, but when he can keep wholesome, he’ll have moments of usefulness. And, if the strikeout price bounce he tapped into within the second half of the season (26.2%) sticks, perhaps he may even be a bit greater than that. But he most likely would not should be rather more than a late-rounder in drafts, and even that is likely to be overstating it if he has a poor early schedule. –Chris Towers
About 4 months away from the beginning of the season, it is practically unattainable to say what the Red Sox plans for the again finish of the bullpen are, however Chapman certainly figures to be a part of them now. Their returning saves chief is a tie between Justin Slaten and Josh Winckowski, who all had two every final season, whereas their most skilled in-house nearer choice is Liam Hendriks, who has pitched simply 5 innings since 2022 after recovering from leukemia after which Tommy John surgical procedure. Chapman is now not the lights-out nearer he was at his finest, however the soon-to-be 37-year-old nonetheless strikes out practically 40% of opposing batters (regardless of dropping a tick or two off fastball final season) and may get the job accomplished on a one-year deal. At this level, it is smart to deal with him like the favourite for the ninth inning in Boston in 2025, a minimum of till we see what Hendriks appears like within the spring – for what it is price, Hendricks’ fastball velocity was down 2-3 mph in his transient minor-league rehab task towards the top of final season, which does not bode properly. –Chris Towers
Another retread-gone-right, Boyd is earned a two-year take care of the Cubs after a profitable eight-start run with the Guardians in 2024. Boyd posted a 2.72 ERA in his return from Tommy John surgical procedure final season, with underlying peripherals that principally backed it up – thanks, largely, to a powerful 27.7% strikeout price. Boyd’s velocity was principally again as much as pre-injury ranges, although that also makes him a soft-tosser at this level, so his success might be based mostly on his efficient his slider/changeup combo will be. Both pitches had been wonderful in 2024, however the underlying pitch traits do not essentially again up what he achieved, with most pitch modeling metrics suggesting Boyd was a below-average pitcher in 2024. A 12 months additional faraway from surgical procedure, perhaps Boyd can take one other step ahead and discover success with a reasonably clear path to a rotation spot for the Cubs, however he would not should be rather more than a late-round, bench-spot flier even in deeper leagues. –Chris Towers
The Mets have a rotation to rebuild, and step one was including a pitcher coming off a down 12 months cut up between the Reds and Brewers. Or perhaps calling it a “down 12 months” is soft-pedaling provided that it was Montas’ first again from surgical procedure to the labrum in his proper shoulder. His velocity was principally as much as snuff, although, and he did see his Ok/9 price bounce from 7.5 in his 19 begins with the Reds to 11.0 in his 11 begins with the Brewers. Even previous to the 2023 shoulder surgical procedure, his profession was outlined by inconsistency as a result of on-again, off-again nature of his splitter. The Mets fared properly with reclamation tasks like Sean Manaea and Luis Severino final season and have agreed to pay Montas $34 million over the following two, so that they clearly see one thing they like. We should not rule out a bounce-back season, notably for the reason that price in Fantasy might be so low. –Scott White
To the shock of nobody, the Dodgers have landed the primary marquee free agent of the offseason, agreeing to a five-year $182 million take care of Blake Snell Tuesday. It’s a giant dedication for what’s been the mannequin group the previous few years and should go a good distance towards allaying fears about Snell’s irregularities. While he is put collectively a 2.82 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 12.0 Ok/9 over the previous three seasons, a lot has been made about the way in which he took place these numbers. For extra, try my full-length article breaking down the signing. –Scott White
The three-year, $63 million deal is a modest one for a pitcher who appeared to have actual momentum heading into the offseason, having simply put collectively a 2.70 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 11.4 Ok/9 in his 10 begins for the Astros. The improved efficiency coincided with Kikuchi roughly doubling his slider utilization, and his 2025 vacation spot issues much less for his Fantasy worth than whether or not or not he sticks to that strategy.
He has at all times missed bats at an excellent price however has gotten inconsistent outcomes resulting from questionable pitch choice and a penchant for laborious contact. Going to the Angels offers him a decrease margin for error than if he had gone to a real contender and in addition does nothing to melt his vulnerability to the lengthy ball, however once more, his success is tied extra to persevering with his slider-heavy strategy. And for that, we’ll simply have to attend and see. I cautiously rank him simply inside my high 50 beginning pitchers for 2025, however he has the upside for extra. –Scott White
Unfortunately, this commerce is near a worse-case state of affairs for the 2 main gamers concerned. India goes from probably the most favorable park for residence runs — i.e., one of many few the place his fringy energy performs — to one of many least favorable. According to Statcast, his 63 profession residence runs could be 42 if he performed each recreation at Kauffman Stadium. Obviously, the reverse transfer is unhealthy for Singer, a pitcher who’s on the extra pitch-to-contact aspect of the ledger, however since he typically places the ball on the bottom, perhaps it isn’t as unhealthy. Then once more, he has a profession 3.92 ERA at residence in Kauffman Stadium in comparison with a 4.74 ERA all over the place else.
Neither India nor Singer figured to be a scorching commodity previous to this commerce, and each would possibly go undrafted now in shallower leagues. India is a bit more helpful in factors leagues due to his on-base expertise, and each he and Singer a minimum of stand to be high-volume performs. India’s elimination does liberate a few of the Reds’ infield logjam with Matt McLain anticipated again, penciling in Noelvi Marte at third base once more. –Scott White
Rather than take a look at the free agent market, Martinez accepted the Reds’ qualifying supply of $21.05 million, which is not altogether stunning provided that it now represents roughly 40 p.c of his profession MLB earnings. That the Reds prolonged the supply is telling. They had a front-row seat to the 34-year-old’s profession season and purchased in laborious at an quantity that nearly ensures he’ll be a full-time starter fairly than reverting to a swingman position.
Perhaps, then, we must always take Martinez simply as severely. He’s at all times had a killer changeup, and he grew to become a strike-thrower of the best order in 2024, boasting the third-best stroll price amongst pitchers with a minimum of 100 innings. His residence run prevention was most likely too good to be true, notably for pitching half his video games in Cincinnati, however he will not be priced for one more 3.10 ERA. More probably, he’ll be type of a poor man’s Jose Berrios or Zach Eflin, good for piling up innings with a low WHIP, and he takes on added worth in Head-to-Head factors leagues resulting from his reduction pitcher eligibility. –Scott White
Finally freed of his catching tandem with Sean Murphy, d’Arnaud was fast to place himself in one other one, this time with up-and-comer Logan O’Hoppe. It’s irritating for a pair causes, one being that O’Hoppe loses a few of the quantity that made him so enticing for Fantasy, probably going from a 75 p.c workload share to 60 p.c or much less, and the opposite being that d’Arnaud himself may have pursued a full-time position. Instead, d’Arnaud figures to stay a fringe second catcher for two-catcher leagues, and whereas O’Hoppe would not essentially slide down the rankings — he was already thought to be a low-end No. 1 — his upside takes successful. Maybe his .196 batting common within the second half is proof he was overworked, however even when it improves, his counting stats might be capped.
Meanwhile, Murphy has a golden alternative to reestablish himself in Atlanta after bombing for the previous season-and-a-half there. Injuries have probably contributed to his struggles, as has irregular enjoying time as a result of presence of d’Arnaud, however he’ll must show himself shortly to carry off prospect Drake Baldwin. –Scott White
Only three months after buying him from the Giants, the Braves flipped Soler to the Angels in what was basically a wage dump. They ended up non-tendering the participant they acquired again within the deal, Griffin Canning. You would possibly assume Soler’s departure displays properly on Ronald Acuna’s restoration from a torn ACL, however GM Alex Anthopoulos later confessed that the star outfielder probably will not be prepared for the beginning of 2025. As for Soler, he has a straightforward declare to the Angels’ DH spot and can play in a reasonably good venue, notably for residence runs, however his success has by no means relied on such components. He’s a mercurial performer coming off a down season however nonetheless has the 35-homer upside to repay handsomely as a fourth or fifth outfielder. –Scott White
