MLB Player News

Watson heads to the Tigers in a rare post trade deadline deal as extra organizational depth. The 27-year-old righty holds an inflated 8.61 ERA, 2.09 WHIP and 48/30 K/BB ratio across 46 innings (26 appearances, seven starts) this season at the Triple-A level.

Strider — who is working his way back from an internal brace procedure on his pitching elbow — is on track to have a regular spring training with the rest of the Braves’ pitchers. He won’t, however, be on the team’s Opening Day roster as they want to take every possible precaution and ease him back into action. It’s encouraging news from a fantasy perspective, but we still have no idea what kind of workload he will have in 2025.

There have been reports floating around to the contrary on both players as the hot stove has ramped up a bit in anticipation of spring training. The Blue Jays still look like a strong landing spot for Alonso — assuming he doesn’t go back to the Mets — it just doesn’t appear like a deal with the Jays is imminent.

The Padres are on the hunt for catching help and have discussed Christian Vazquez with the Twins, so perhaps he could be part of a gaudy return package for Cease if the Padres are looking to unload his salary. Hayes did note that nothing is imminent and that talks between the two clubs have slowed recently.

There appears to be momentum here between the two sides toward a deal as the Blue Jays are attempting to bolster their offense in a major way after already adding Anthony Santander to the mix. The expectation is that Alonso would function as the team’s primary designated hitter, but there’s always a possibility as well that the Jays could slide Vladimir Guerrero Jr. back over to third base if he’s willing and let Alonso play first base. Stay tuned, as the stove is burning hot at the moment.

The 27-year-old hurler was just signed to a one-year contract in late November, but the Braves were facing a 40-man roster crunch after signing Jurickson Profar on Thursday and he wound up being the odd man out. Gillispie registered a 2.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and an 8/5 K/BB ratio over eight innings with the Guardians in 2024, which is probably enough for teams to take a chance on him on waivers.

Profar will earn $12 million for the 2025 season and $15 million in each of the next two years. The 31-year-old outfielder will step in as the Braves’ regular left fielder, joining Michael Harris and Ronald Acuna Jr. to form one of the most dynamic outfields in all of baseball. His arrival (and Acuna’s return) will drastically cut into the playing time for both Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz. Profar was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 fantasy baseball season and he could reach new heights in 2025 with a stronger supporting cast around him.

Nightengale notes that the deal is “on the verge”. The Cubs have been exploring both the free agent and trade markets for additions to the backend of their bullpen and it sounds like they may be close to landing their new closer. Pressly would need to waive his no-trade clause to approve a deal to the Cubs, but if it’s to be their closer that seems like a no-brainer decision. His fantasy value will rise substantially if he’s back in a ninth inning role. Stay tuned.

The 34-year-old right-hander reportedly exhibited good velocity on his fastball and commanded his changeup well during the session. Anderson posted a 4.04 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and a 29/15 K/BB ratio over 35 2/3 innings for the Royals in 2024. He has closing experience in the past and would make for a nice addition to many bullpens around the league.

Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal Constitution adds that it’ll be a three-year, $42 million pact. The 31-year-old resurrected his career with the Padres in 2024, slashing .280/.380/.459 with 24 homers, 85 RBI and 10 stolen bases across a career-high 668 plate appearances. Profar’s arrival will likely push Jarred Kelenic back to a short-side platoon role once Ronald Acuna Jr. is up and running and will also block the playing time of Bryan De La Cruz.

Getz elaborated, “He’s going to get a lot of opportunity come Spring Training. We expect to see Colson Montgomery playing shortstop for the White Sox at some point this year.” The expectation has always been that the 22-year-old top prospect would get a chance in 2025, so it’s good to hear that the White Sox’ brass doesn’t view Brooks Baldwin as a major obstacle. Montgomery is still going outside the top 525 picks in early fantasy drafts where he may wind up looking like a substantial value when all is said and done.