MLB Player News

With Johnny Cueto joining the active roster on Wednesday, someone needed to get the boot to free up a spot and unfortunately for Crouse he was the odd man out this time around. The 25-year-old hurler holds a respectable 3.00 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 33/15 K/BB ratio across 24 innings in 24 appearances out of the Angels’ bullpen this season. It shouldn’t take him long to earn another shot at the big-league level.

Chafin will receive a $500,000 buyout and head to free agency. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw split last year between the Tigers and Rangers, finishing with a solid 3.51 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 70/31 K/BB ratio across 56 1/3 innings (62 appearances). He’ll latch on somewhere as an experienced high-leverage option.

It’s merely a formality since Mize remains under team control for the next two seasons through salary arbitration. The 27-year-old former first overall pick from the 2018 MLB Draft has yet to live up to his lofty prospect status, but figures to remain in Detroit’s starting rotation mix after compiling a serviceable 4.49 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 78/29 K/BB ratio across 102 1/3 innings (22 appearances, 20 starts) this past season.

It’s a mere formality at this juncture as Soto is the ultimate lock to decline the one-year pact and secure a gargantuan long-term contract on the open market as one of the most coveted free agents in recent memory. The 26-year-old generational superstar, who famously quipped following the Fall Classic that he’s available for all 30 teams, was phenomenal in his lone season with New York, recording a sublime .288/.419/.569 triple-slash line with 128 runs scored, 41 home runs, 109 RBI and seven steals in 157 games. He’ll be a first-round selection in all fantasy drafts next spring, regardless of where he winds up. All seven players who received a qualifying offer last year wound up declining it to test the open market and only 13 of the 132 players to receive a qualifying offer have accepted it since the system’s inception back in 2012.

Adames is a near-lock to decline the one-year offer after putting together an extremely impressive final season with Milwaukee, setting new career-high marks in homers (32), RBI (112) and stolen bases (21), finishing with a robust .794 OPS in 161 contests. The 29-year-old represents a borderline top 10 option at shortstop for fantasy managers heading into next season, even if we’re baking in some slight regression in the power and counting stats departments.

There’s optimism for a reunion between Hernández and the defending World Series champions after the 32-year-old slugger emerged as an offensive force in his Los Angeles debut, clobbering a career-best 33 homers in 154 contests. A return to the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup would cement his status as an elite fantasy outfielder heading into next season, but he’s going to be an offensive force no matter where he ends up.

Fried is poised to decline the qualifying offer and hit the open market after one of the best seasons of his career where he finished with a sparkling 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 166/57 K/BB ratio across 174 1/3 innings (29 starts). Not only did the 30-year-old southpaw prove he could stay healthy, but he’s re-established himself as a top-25 range starting pitcher for fantasy purposes heading into next year.

We’re not sure anyone had this on their radar. There’s usually a surprise or two and Pivetta is arguably the biggest one among this year’s group. The 31-year-old right hander continues to miss bats at a near-elite rate, but hasn’t exactly morphed into a fantasy ace in recent years. The Red Sox don’t exactly have a ton of pitching in the pipeline, so they’re clearly willing to pay up to retain one of their more reliable starters heading into 2025.

This one qualifies as a bit of a surprise since Walker represents one of the more likely candidates to take the short-term offer. The 33-year-old remains a certifiable defensive wizard at first base and has launched at least 29 homers in three of the last five full seasons since 2019. He’s a borderline top 10 option at the cold corner for fantasy managers heading into 2025.`

No surprise here. Bregman will reach the open market after spending the past nine season with the Astros. His offensive production has gone downhill in recent years, but he’s a virtual lock for 25 homers annually and enters next season as a top 10 option at the hot corner for fantasy purposes.

It’s merely a formality at this point as Burnes is a virtual lock to turn down the one-year guarantee in search of a lucrative long-term deal this offseason as arguably the top free agent starting pitcher on the open market. The 30-year-old right-hander’s strikeout totals dipped last year, but he still finished with a stellar 2.92 ERA, 1.10 EHIP and 181/48 K/BB ratio across 194 1/3 innings (32 starts) in his lone season with the Orioles. He’s a surefire top 10 fantasy starter heading into next season, regardless of where he ultimately winds up.