MLB Player News

Vasquez is back in the fold to bolster Detroit’s relief depth heading into 2024. The 30-year-old lefty made 43 relief appearances last year between the Phillies and Tigers, compiling a serviceable 3.35 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 43/23 K/BB ratio across 48 1/3 innings of work.

Barreto was universally-regarded as the centerpiece of the Josh Donaldson blockbuster trade between the Blue Jays and Athletics back in 2024, but never blossomed into the high-impact fantasy contributor many envisioned. The 28-year-old former top prospect hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign when he got into 21 contests between the Athletics and Angels. He spent all of last year in the independent Mexican League, batting .343 with 16 homers and 11 steals in 76 games. He’s merely a long-shot lottery ticket at this stage of his career, but he’ll be in camp this spring with the Orioles battling for a bench spot.

Jackson has yet to reach the big leagues and spent all of last year in the Mets’ system at Double-A Binghamton, posting a lackluster .618 OPS with 19 homers and 11 steals in 482 plate appearances over 121 games. The 24-year-old middle infielder is merely extra organizational depth for the Orioles, who are absolutely loaded with young superstar-caliber infield talent.

Alcantara has yet to pitch above Double-A after spending the last seven years in Seattle’s minor-league system. The 23-year-old southpaw finished last year with a respectable 3.44 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 65/42 K/BB ratio across 70 2/3 innings (37 appearances, two starts) for Double-A Arkansas. He’ll function as extra organizational relief depth in the upper minors for Baltimore heading into next season.

Valera finds himself back in the fold with Cleveland as extra outfield depth heading into spring training just a few days after being non-tendered. The 24-year-old former top prospect has fallen off fantasy radar screens after several injury-marred seasons in the upper minors that have prevented him from reaching the big leagues. There’s still time for him to carve out a role at the highest level, but he doesn’t project as an impact fantasy contributor anymore.

Bickford bolsters Chicago’s relief depth heading into the 2025 campaign after making eight unremarkable relief appearances last season for the Mets, finishing with a bloated 8.64 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 6/1 K/BB ratio across 8 1/3 innings of work. The 29-year-old journeyman right-hander holds a serviceable 4.62 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 210/73 K/BB ratio across 189 innings (187 appearances) in the big leagues dating back to 2020.

Jiménez was recently non-tendered by the Athletics after posting a 4.91 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and 25/19 K/BB ratio across 25 2/3 innings in 2024. However, the 30-year-old had been good for the two seasons prior to that and still holds a 3.93 ERA across 84 2/3 MLB innings. Of course, that comes with a 1.44 WHIP and 21.4 percent strikeout rate. He might have to settle for a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

The Brewers will have to replace Willy Adames who is set to sign a big contract somewhere else this offseason, and it seems like Ortiz may get the first crack at being the guy there. The 26-year-old came over from the Orioles in the Corbin Burnes trade last off-season and hit .239/.329/.398 in his first full MLB season with 11 home runs and 11 steals in 142 games. He also posted a defensive WAR of 11.3 and an Outs Above Average of 11 at third base. His elite glove will likely make him an impact real-life shortstop, even if he never emerges as more than a deep-league target for fantasy baseball.

Despite rampant speculation that Guerrero may be on the move, Bowden says “opposing GMs have heard the same.” Vlad Jr. will likely remain in Toronto “even if they can’t sign him to a long-term deal"; however, if he is not signed to a long-term deal and the Blue Jays are falling out of playoff contention in the middle of the 2025 season then Bowden says “it’s conceivable they move him at that point.” But, for now, it seems we can turn the page on any Vlad Jr. trade rumors.

While Bowden is speculating on the exact trade package the Red Sox would offer for Crochet, it’s interesting to note his mention of Casas since there has been lots of reporting this offseason that the Red Sox are looking to move Rafael Devers off of third base. If the Red Sox were to sign a third baseman and move Devers to first base then they may view Casas as a palatable trade option if it nets them a potential difference-making starter like Crochet. Bowden suggested that “a package of Casas, Wilyer Abreu, and Connor Wong probably gets close to landing Crochet. The Red Sox could then replace Abreu with prospect Roman Anthony in right field, replace Wong with Kyle Teel at catcher.”

Pannone spent 2024 in Triple-A with both the Cubs and the Yankees, posting a 3.54 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 136/38 K/BB ratio in 152 1/3 innings. The left-hander appeared in one game for the Brewers back in 2023 and has a 5.46 career MLB ERA in 118 2/3 innings.