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MLB Player News

Rotoworld

  • CHC Third Baseman #13
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    Cubs sent INF David Bote outright to Triple-A Iowa.
    The 31-year-old hurler was designated for assignment on Friday as the Cubs needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster though. The long-time Cub passed through waivers unclaimed though and will continue to function as additional depth at the Triple-A level.
  • STL Starting Pitcher
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    Cardinals invited LHP prospect Quinn Mathews to spring training.
    Mathews will be in big-league camp next spring with a chance to leave a lasting impression on the Cardinals after a remarkable professional debut last year where he blazed through four minor league levels to close the year on the doorstep of the majors. The 24-year-old southpaw rode a velocity uptick to a stellar 2.76 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 202/49 K/BB ratio across 143 1/3 innings (26 starts). That’s a 35 percent strikeout rate for those scoring at home. He’s going to make some noise for fantasy managers once he gets to the big leagues, which could be at some point during the 2025 campaign.
  • HOU Left Fielder #30
    The Athletic’s Chandler Rome reports the Astros are receiving trade inquiries for Kyle Tucker.
    Rome adds that no discussions are believed to be serious and no deal appears imminent. Astros general manager Dana Brown told reporters at the Winter Meetings that they’ll listen on anyone when asked directly whether Tucker and lefty ace Framber Valdez are potentially on the trade block. The 27-year-old fantasy stalwart was limited to just 78 contests last season due to a painful shin injury that kept him sidelined for more than three months. It’s a developing situation worth monitoring as the offseason unfolds, especially when it comes to teams that missed out on the Juan Soto sweepstakes.
  • DET Third Baseman #17
    Tigers INF prospect Jace Jung underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist back in October.
    The positive news here is that Jung has already resumed hitting and is expected to be fully recovered in time for spring training. The 24-year-old infield prospect ascended to the big leagues late last season, slashing .241/.362/.304 with three RBI in 94 plate appearances over 34 games. He’s the odds-on favorite to emerge as Detroit’s starting third baseman next season after blasting 14 round-trippers last year in 91 games for Triple-A Toledo.
  • FA Relief Pitcher #55
    Marlins released RHP Mike Baumann.
    It’s possible Baumann has a deal lined up overseas in either Korea or Japan. The well-traveled 29-year-old righty made 57 relief appearances last year between the Orioles, Mariners, Giants, Angels and Marlins, finishing with a pedestrian 5.55 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 58/28 K/BB ratio across 58 1/3 innings.
  • NYY Second Baseman
    Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters at the Winter Meetings that prospect Caleb Durbin is the current odds-on favorite to be their starting second baseman next season.
    It doesn’t sound like free agent Gleyber Torres is returning to New York at the moment, which paves the way for Durbin to play a significant role next year. The 24-year-old speedster, who posted 10 homers and 31 steals last season across three minor-league levels, was added to the Yankees’ 40-man roster last month after breaking the Arizona Fall League’s single-season stolen base record. He’s one of the notable prospects fantasy managers should be monitoring closely in spring training, even if the overall fantasy value of stolen bases has declined in recent years.
  • OAK Left Fielder #25
    Athletics general manager David Forst told reporters at the Winter Meetings that he’s had “good dialogue” with Brent Rooker’s agent concerning a potential contract extension.
    The latest update comes shortly after a report from The Athletic’s Evan Drellich that the A’s need to continue adding payroll this offseason or risk a grievance from the Major League Baseball Players Association. Locking up Rooker to a long-term extension following last year’s 39-homer breakout campaign would certainly help. Fantasy managers are hoping to see the 30-year-old slugger spend enough time in the field next season in Sacramento to regain outfield eligibility since he’ll be utility-only in most leagues entering next spring.
  • LAA Shortstop #9
    Angels general manager Perry Minasian didn’t provide an update at the Winter Meetings regarding Zach Neto (shoulder).
    The lack of transparency from the Angels regarding the exact nature of the offseason shoulder surgery Neto underwent last month, and exactly how much time he’s likely to miss heading into next season, is downright bizarre. The 23-year-old shortstop was one of last season’s biggest fantasy breakouts, finishing with 23 homers and 30 steals in 155 contests. At this point, it’s challenging to confidently rank Neto among the top 10 options at the position heading into next season, and we’re inclined to push him back into the SS15 range until we get some much-needed clarity on his status.
  • HOU Left Fielder #44
    Astros general manager Dana Brown told reporters at the Winter Meetings that he’d like to “cut back” Yordan Alvarez’s playing time in left field.
    Brown went on to praise prospect Zach Dezenzo’s progress as he continues playing left field during winter ball action in Puerto Rico. Alvarez dealt with knee issues down the stretch late last season, so it makes sense that the Astros will want to get him off his feet as much as possible moving forward, even if it’s just for precautionary reasons.
  • MIL Right Fielder #22
    Brewers general manager Matt Arnold told reporters at the Winter Meetings that Christian Yelich (back) is expected to be fully healthy for spring training.
    It’s a positive update overall from Arnold as he added that Yelich hasn’t resumed swinging a bat yet, but has begun other baseball activities, and should be a full-go by the time spring training rolls around. The 33-year-old outfielder was excellent last year, registering a robust .909 OPS with 11 homers and 21 steals across 73 games, before undergoing season-ending back surgery in mid-August. He’s a high-end OF3 option for fantasy managers in redraft formats heading into 2025.
  • MIL Starting Pitcher #53
    Brewers general manager Matt Arnold told reporters at the Winter Meetings that it’s hard to say whether Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) will be ready for Opening Day.
    “We have expectations that he’ll be part of our rotation,” added Arnold. “We also want to be cautious with him and his health.” Woodruff is roughly 14 months removed from last October’s right shoulder anterior capsule surgery and it’s unclear whether his stuff will bounce back to its previously-elite levels as shoulder surgery is far worse for pitchers in terms of long-term recovery and performance than other surgical procedures. The 31-year-old former ace is looking like a speculative late-round gamble for fantasy managers heading into next spring based on his immense upside alone, but he’s far from a sure thing at this point of his career.