MLB Player News

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.

Kittredge will get $9 million this year and either $9 million or a $1 million buyout in 2026. The 34-year-old Kittredge was one of the NL’s top setup men last year, picking up 37 holds with a 2.80 ERA for the Cardinals. However, his peripherals weren’t as strong, leaving him with a 3.96 FIP and a 4.05 xERA. He’ll battle Yannier Cano and Seranthony Domínguez for eighth-inning duties in Baltimore, assuming that Felíx Bautista proves healthy.

The 30-year-old right-hander briefly held the Rockies’ closer role in 2024 but ultimately registered a putrid 6.49 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and a 45/33 K/BB ratio over 59 2/3 innings with just two saves on the season. Fantasy managers would be wise to avoid the Rockies’ bullpen altogether in 2025.

The 25-year-old southpaw showed flashes of greatness during the 2024 season, but ultimately finished with an underwhelming 3.90 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 181/65 K/BB ratio over 166 1/3 innings in his 32 starts. The tools are definitely in place for him to take a major leap forward in 2025, but he has to exhibit better command of the strike zone and cut back on the walks.

Morgan had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $1 million via arbitration, so both sides should be pleased with how it ultimately turned out. The 28-year-old right-hander was acquired from the Guardians in late November after registering a 1.93 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and a 34/11 K/BB ratio across 42 innings. He’ll work in high-leverage situations for the Cubs and could ultimately challenge for save chances at some point during the 2025 season.

The 26-year-old right-hander had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $1.3 million through the arbitration process. Brieske really blossomed in the Tigers’ bullpen in 2024, posting a 3.59 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 69/30 K/BB ratio over 67 2/3 innings. He’ll reprise his setup role for the Tigers once again in 2025.

The 28-year-old backstop had the best season of his career offensively in 2024, slashing .258/.338/.444 with 19 homers and 66 RBI over 515 plate appearances. He’s currently being drafted as a fringe top 10 option at the catcher position, with an average draft position right around pick 150 overall.

MLBTradeRumors.com had projected that Akin would earn $1.4 million via arbitration, so it appears to be a fair deal for both parties. The 29-year-old southpaw was an absolute force out of the O’s bullpen in 2024, registering a 3.32 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a 97/19 K/BB ratio over 78 2/3 innings in his 66 appearances.

The 30-year-old infielder filled in admirably when he was needed during the 2024 campaign, slashing .254/.322/.423 with 11 homers and 37 RBI in 301 plate appearances. It’s going to take a long-term injury or two in the O’s infield for Urías to see regular playing time and have any sort of fantasy relevance in 2025.

The superstar outfielder filed at $17.5 million while the Cubs filed at $15 million. There’s still a chance that the two sides could meet somewhere in the middle before going to a hearing — or come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension. Tucker has already indicated that he’s open to an extension, so expect there to be dialogue between the two sides soon if they haven’t discussed it already.

The Phillies, Yankees and Red Sox have each been connected to the 32-year-old hurler at various points this off-season, and now the Reds have been added to the mix. What’s unclear, is if the Reds would view him as an option to supplant Alexis Diaz as their closer or if they want him to work in a setup capacity. His fantasy value will ultimately lie on whether or not he pitches in the ninth inning.