MLB Player News

McCullers missed all of the last two seasons with injury, but it’s at least a positive sign that he’s able to throw in the offseason. When healthy he’s shown the ability to be an effective option, but there’s just too much risk in his profile to make him someone to target in fantasy at this stage of his career.

The trade is now official. Rogers provides Cincinnati with an experienced setup option to bridge the gap to fire-balling closer Alexis Díaz. The 34-year-old southpaw leaves his twin brother, Tyler, behind in San Francisco after a stellar two-year run where he compiled a strong 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 128/47 K/BB ratio across 11 2/3 innings (124 appearances) during that span. He’d be the favorite for saves with the Reds if Díaz wound up hitting the injured list, which keeps him on fantasy manager’s radar screens entering next season.

Roxby has yet to pitch above Double-A and heads to San Francisco after registering a lackluster 5.21 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 65/24 K/BB ratio across 48 1/3 innings (39 appearances) last year for Double-A Chattanooga. The 25-year-old is merely extra organizational relief depth for the Giants, who manage to clear $12 million off their books by shipping Rogers to Cincinnati. The move leaves just Erik Miller and Joey Lucchesi as left-handed relief options for the Giants entering spring training.

Faedo, who is out of minor-league options entering spring training, loses his spot on Detroit’s 40-man roster following the addition of veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle. The 29-year-old former first-round selection excelled last year upon transitioning to a full-time relief role, posting a respectable 3.61 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 55/28 K/BB ratio across 57 1/3 innings (37 appearances, six starts). He should attract some interest on waivers in the coming days.

Rogers represents an interesting addition for Cincinnati’s high-leverage mix to help bridge the gap to closer Alexis Díaz before hitting free agency next offseason. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw has averaged 63 relief appearances over the past three years and posted a strong 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 128/47 K/BB ratio across 11 2/3 innings (124 appearances) over the past two seasons for San Francisco.

Scherzer has been linked to the Blue Jays previously this offseason with Feinsand adding that Toronto appears to be the most serious about signing him. The 40-year-old future Hall of Fame starter’s days as a front-of-the-rotation arm are in the rearview, but he’s still capable of contributing on a contender. He was limited to just nine starts last year due to injury, but looked healthy during a recent throwing session for teams at Cressey Sports Performance in Florida. His addition would bolster a Toronto starting rotation mix that currently includes Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt and Bowden Francis.

Fitzgerald was a fan favorite in the Red Sox organization for a couple years before heading to Kansas City last year where he batted .244/.336/.418 with 14 homers and three steals for Triple-A Omaha. The versatile 30-year-old infielder provides Minnesota with some emergency infield depth at Triple-A St. Paul but doesn’t have much of a path to the big leagues there.

Kahnle was a big part of the Yankees’ bullpen in 2024, and is a significant addition to the Tigers’ group for the 2025 campaign. He forged a 2.11 ERA while relying on his elite change, and he’ll all but assuredly be a high-leverage option for Detroit this summer.

Oviedo was looking for $1.15 million. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in December of 2023, and is expected to be able to return at some point in 2025 as a depth option for the Pirates this summer.

Keller has bounced around organizations, but spent last year with Boston and was an up-and-down arm for the Red Sox for most of 2024. He’ll compete for a bullpen spot with Chicago, but more than likely opens the season in Triple-A Iowa without a fantasy-relevant role.

Kim will reportedly get $29 million for the two-year pact. The 29-year-old also reportedly has as the ability to opt out of the deal after the 2025 season. Kim hit just 11 homers with a .700 OPS in 2024 before undergoing labrum surgery in August, but he’s viewed as one of the best defenders up the middle in the sport, and his quality approach at the plate fits in well with the Tampa Bay lineup. He should be an everyday player for the Rays, but Mark Feinsand of MLB.com notes that the expectation is that Kim won’t be ready until May.