MLB Player News

Twins bench coach Jayce Tingler mentioned earlier this offseason that Jax could potentially make the leap to Minnesota’s starting rotation next season, but that doesn’t appear to be happening. It’ll be Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober and Chris Paddack in addition to some combination of Simeon Woods Richardson, David Festa or Zebby Matthews breaking camp in the rotation mix. The 30-year-old righty, who broke in the majors as a starter back in 2021, has excelled in a high-leverage role for the Twins over the past three seasons. He piled up 10 saves last year to accompany a sparkling 2.03 ERA (1.94 FIP), 0.87 WHIP and 95/15 K/BB ratio across 71 innings (72 appearances). He’ll remain among the most impactful non-closers in the fantasy landscape and a legitimate force in saves plus holds formats heading into 2025.

Isbel had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $1.7 million through the arbitration process, so it looks like an equitable arrangement for both parties. The 27-year-old defensive wizard hit just .229/.287/.367 with eight homers, 42 RBI, 11 stolen bases and an 88/27 K/BB ratio over 426 plate appearances with the Royals in 2024. He’s a much better real life player than he is an asset in fantasy leagues.

Hernández, 27, did a nice job out of the Royals’ bullpen in 2024, posting a 3.30 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 27/16 K/BB ratio over 30 innings in his 27 appearances. This is his first trip through the arbitration process and he remains under team control through the 2027 season.

The 30-year-old hurler had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $3.9 million via arbitration, so it appears to be a fair deal for both sides. Harvey was hit hard in his six appearances with the Royals in 2024 — compiling a 6.35 ERA, 2.19 WHIP and a 5/4 K/BB ratio over 5 2/3 innings until he was shelved with a season-ending back injury. Assuming he’s healthy, expect him to function in a setup role for the Royals to start the 2025 campaign.

Bubic was terrific out of the Royals’ bullpen in his return from Tommy John surgery in 2024, registering a 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 39/5 K/BB ratio over 30 1/3 innings. The club is intent on moving him back to their starting rotation for the 2025 season, though fantasy managers should be aware that he’ll likely face some sort of workload limitations. He currently resides just inside the top 350 picks in early fantasy drafts.

The 29-year-old southpaw struggled in his return to the American League following a deadline deal to the Orioles, posting a 5.09 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and a 21/7 K/BB ratio over 17 2/3 innings in his final 23 appearances of the season. Expect him to bounce back in 2025 and function in a setup capacity in front of closer Felix Bautista.

Crawford was projected my MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $3.5 million via arbitration, so at a glance it looks like the team may have secured a nice discount here. Crawford was wildly inconsistent during the 2024 season, but looked completely unhittable at times while compiling a 4.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 175/51 K/BB ratio over 183 2/3 innings in his 33 starts. He’ll once again be a key cog in a refurbished Red Sox’ rotation in 2025.

The 28-year-old right-hander had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $4.5 million via arbitration, so it looks like the team got a bit of a discount on this one. Houck was terrific for the Red Sox in 2024, registering a 3.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 154/48 K/BB ratio across 178 2/3 innings in his 30 starts. Fantasy managers don’t seem to be buying a full repeat performance from Houck in 2025, as his ADP currently sits just outside the top 200 picks overall.

Murfee was claimed off waivers from the Astros back in November. He hasn’t pitched any MLB innings since 2023 due to undergoing Tommy John surgery, but the White Sox will hope they can get some healthy innings out of him in 2025.

There is a world where Anderson becomes a key late-inning reliever for the White Sox after he posted a 4.39 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings in 2024. He should remain off fantasy radars regardless of his role in Chicago but you know better than to chase White Sox saves in 2025.

The dynamic 26-year-old had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $6.9 million via arbitration, so it appears as though the Yankees got a nice discount here. Chisholm lit the world on fire after joining the Yankees in a deadline deal in 2024, slashing .273/.325/.500 with 11 homers, 23 RBI and 18 stolen bases in just 46 games with the Bombers’. Expect him to be a second round selection in most fantasy drafts this March.