MLB Player News

Loperfido is in left field and batting ninth on Tuesday evening after missing a pair of contests on Friday and Saturday for precautionary reasons while undergoing evaluation for a possible concussion.

The 26-year-old southpaw had a very rough go at High-A Quad Cities during the 2024 season, registering an uninspiring 7.84 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and a 47/44 K/BB ratio across 31 innings. He has a very intriguing arm, but he still has a lot of work to do in order to harness his stuff.

The 30-year-old just nabbed his first career Gold Glove award at third base, but he’s willing to keep his options open as he explores the open market. The Astros are still optimistic that they’ll be able to retain the two-time All-Star, but expect them to face fierce competition for his services.

This certainly isn’t shocking news as the Mets have been heavily linked to Soto, but it’s worth noting that Cohen is already starting to make his move. Juan Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, has said that Soto wants to play for a contender but also will be looking for a big deal. There is likely no owner willing to spend more money than Cohen and with the Mets fresh off an appearance in the NLCS, they are certainly one of the favorites to sign Soto this offseason.

Varsho had rotator cuff surgery at the end of the season and there was always an expectation that he would miss some time in 2025 but that now seems all but assured. With Kevin Kiermaier also retiring, the Blue Jays are currently without an option in center field until Varsho is healthy enough to take the field.

Morosi mentions that other teams are interested in Hernández, but the Red Sox and Orioles appear to be the biggest suitors, along with the Dodgers, who extended a qualifying offer to the 32-year-old after he hit 33 home runs for them this season. The Red Sox were also in on Hernández in free agency last year but the Dodgers offered him more money, so perhaps the Red Sox will decide to pony up this year.

Both Kieboom and Denaburg were once first-round picks for the Nationals but neither of them has panned out. Kieboom did hit .265 in 91 games in Triple-A this season with seven home runs and a 13 percent walk rate, so he will likely get a minor league contract with another organization this off-season.

The Dodgers are looking to add a right fielder and push Mookie Betts back into the infield. With Betts in the infield along with Tommy Edman, Max Muncy, and Miguel Rojas, it seems that Gavin Lux may need to find an opportunity with another team. Perhaps the Dodgers could move Lux in their quest to add more outfield depth, but where the 26-year-old ends up will have a huge impact on his potential fantasy value.

McFarland was acquired from the Dodgers prior to the 2024 season and posted a 3.81 ERA over 56 2/3 innings pitched last season. He’ll give the Athletics more veteran bullpen depth in 2025.

Martin has been stellar for the Red Sox in his two seasons, posting a 2.16 ERA in 100 appearances, while walking just 11 batters. “He’s earned the right to get here (to free agency) and we need to figure out how all the pieces come together but guys who can go months and months between walks (are valuable),” said Red Sox president of baseball operations Craig Breslow. With Kenley Jansen also a free agent, Martin would join a late-inning group of Kiam Hendriks and Garrett Whitlock, if he were to return.

Specifically, Feinsand mentions that the Giants and Brewers have been the two teams most connected to Kim, with the Giants currently being the team most interested in signing the 29-year-old. Kim won a Gold Glove and received five down-ballot MVP votes in 2023, but he hit just 11 home runs with 47 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, and a .700 OPS in 121 games in 2024 before tearing his labrum in mid-August and missing the remainder of the season. If the Giants were to sign Kim, it would likely mean that Tyler Fitzgerald would move to more of a versatile role where he can play all over the field, which is what new GM Buster Posey has seemed to want.