According to Craig Mish of the Miami Herald, Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara will not be traded before Opening Day. Reports earlier this week suggest the former Cy Young winner could be on the trade block, but Mish dismisses any of these claims. The 2022 Cy Young winner was sidelined for the entire 2024 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. However, he has been progressing very well and should be a full go for spring training. During the 2023 season, he took a step back as he posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 184 2/3 innings of work. This was a sharp decline from the excellent 2.18 ERA and the 0.98 WHIP he held across a hefty 228 2/3 innings of work in 2022. The right-hander will operate as the ace of the rotation and could eventually find himself on the trade block if the Marlins fall out of the playoff picture later in the season.

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According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Yankees have expressed interest in free agent infielder Paul DeJong. The Yankees have been in the infield market all offseason after losing Gleyber Torres to the Detroit Tigers. Over the past week, they have been linked to San Diego's Luis Arraez but have reportedly begun to lose interest. DeJong would provide a much cheaper alternative and would likely see all his time at the hot corner. Last summer, across 139 games with the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals, DeJong hit 24 home runs with a .227/.276/.427 line. Under the hood, he generated a solid 10.2% barrel rate and a 41.5% hard-hit rate. However, he struggled at the plate, with a hefty 32.4% K rate and a 4.8% walk rate. If he were to head to the Bronx, Jazz Chisholm Jr. would likely spend most of the season at the keystone.

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According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Arizona Diamondbacks would like to trade starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery. Heyman noted that moving his contract would free up salary for a "big-time" relief pitcher. The 32-year-old had a disappointing debut season with Arizona last summer, as he posted a 6.23 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP across 117 innings. He struck out just 83 batters and generated a poor 5.18 xERA and a .287 xBA, placing him in the seventh and third percentile among qualified pitchers. This was a sharp decline to the 3.20 ERA and 1.19 WHIP he held during the 2023 campaign. With the Diamondbacks acquiring Corbin Burnes earlier in free agency, Montgomery is already on the outside of the current rotation. With their surplus of starting pictures, moving Montgomery would allow Arizona to improve in other positions on their roster.

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According to Jon Heyman, the Cincinnati Reds have expressed interest in right-handed pitcher Carlos Estevez. Heyman noted that the Blue Jays are also among the interested suitors. Last season, the 32-year-old spent time with the Angels and the Phillies. Across 55 innings pitched, the reliever held a 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. He tallied 26 saves. Under the hood, he generated a high 42.3% hard-hit rate and 10.1% barrel rate, which suggests he may be due for some regression in 2025. However, he did show elite command with a 5.7% walk rate. If Estevez were to agree to a contract with Cincinnati, he would likely compete for save opportunities with Alexis Diaz, who posted a high 3.99 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in 2024.

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According to John Denton of MLB.com, the St. Louis Cardinals and infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan could not come to a long-term agreement before Thursday's arbitration deadline. Earlier this week, it was reported that both sides were inching towards a long-term deal but were unable to finalize it. The 27-year-old has spent his entire three-year major league career in St. Louis. Last season, he held a .278/.342/.417 line with 14 home runs and five stolen bases. He showed an elite eye at the plate with a stellar 12.4% K rate and a 15.1% whiff rate. Fantasy managers should expect Donovan to operate as the team's starting second baseman in 2025 but could also see time in the outfield. In addition, he may eventually be shifted to the hot corner with Nolan Arenado's name on the trade block.

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The Detroit Tigers avoided salary arbitration with right-hander Jason Foley on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.15 million deal. In addition to Foley, Detroit also signed one-year deals for 2025 with infielder/outfielder Matt Vierling ($3.005 million), catcher Jake Rogers ($2.64 million), right-handers Casey Mize ($2.34 million), Will Vest ($1.4 million) and Beau Brieske ($1.025 million), and infielders Zach McKinstry ($1.65 million) and Andy Ibanez ($1.4 million). Foley broke out in 2024 with a career-high 28 saves for the Tigers while also sporting a 3.15 ERA (3.82 FIP), a 1.18 WHIP and a 46:20 K:BB in 60 innings pitched. Although the Tigers are a team on the rise after making the postseason last year, Foley lost the closing job midseason and also during the playoffs, so fantasy managers shouldn't bet on a repeat.

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Infielder Edmundo Sosa and the Philadelphia Phillies settled on a one-year, $3.0 million deal on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration, according to a source. Sosa will return to the Phillies in 2025 once again as utility infield depth for one of the strongest rosters in baseball. It means the 28-year-old will mainly be an option for fantasy managers in NL-only formats. The 28-year-old hit .257/.313/.422 with a .734 OPS, seven home runs, 31 RBI, a career-high seven stolen bases and 39 runs scored in 90 games played in 2024 in his second year in Philadelphia. At best, he's a league-average hitter as a utility infielder. Sosa is most valuable in real life as insurance at third base, second base and shortstop for the Phils. He has a modest power and speed profile but strikes out frequently due to poor plate discipline. His multi-position eligibility makes him more attractive as a reserve in deeper fantasy leagues.

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The Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Tyler Wells (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $2.075 million deal on Thursday, avoiding salary arbitration, according to a source. Wells had an internal-brace procedure to fix the UCL in his right elbow in mid-June, which limited him to only three starts in 2024 for the Orioles. Because of the timing of the surgery, the 30-year-old veteran is expected to miss at least the first half of the 2025 campaign. Despite that, he'll receive a $1.96 million raise as an arbitration-eligible player. Fantasy managers in all single-year leagues can avoid wells in drafts this spring. The former 15th-round selection by the Minnesota Twins in 2016 out of California State San Bernardino has a 4.06 career ERA with a 1.04 WHIP, a 271:77 K:BB and five saves in his four years with the O's covering 294 2/3 innings over 95 outings (46 starts).

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The Baltimore Orioles and infielder Ramon Urias settled on a one-year, $3.15 million deal to avoid salary arbitration on Thursday. Even before missing time with an ankle injury, Urias was seeing less playing time in Baltimore. When the 30-year-old veteran infielder did play, he was solid, slashing .254/.322/.423 with 11 home runs, 37 RBI and 39 runs scored in 100 games played. Urias made plenty of contact and hit more fly balls, with his 11 homers representing the second-highest total of his career. He typically doesn't make a ton of loud contact at the plate, though, and with a bench role likely in 2025, there's not enough upside to consider Urias in shallow-mixed fantasy leagues. However, Urias can play almost everywhere on the infield, so an injury could quickly open up regular playing time for him.

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According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, the Toronto Blue Jays have signed right-handed pitcher Jeff Hoffman to a three-year contract worth $33 million. Hoffman enjoyed a strong campaign in Philadelphia last summer as he posted a 2.17 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP across 66 1/3 innings of work. He tallied ten saves and 21 holds while being deployed as a high-leverage option out of the bullpen. Under the hood, the East Carolina product generated a 2.87 xERA and a .202 xBA which were both within the 90th percentile. In addition, Hoffman's 33.6% K rate and 35.3% whiff rate were significantly above the average marks. Earlier this offseason, the Athletic reported that several clubs viewed Hoffman as a potential starter. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training. If he were to continue to operate as a reliever, he would compete for save opportunities with Chad Green.

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According to Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports, the Chicago Cubs have acquired right-handed pitcher Matt Festa from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations. In a corresponding move, the Cubs designated infielder Miles Mastrobuoni for assignment. Festa was initially designated for assignment by Texas earlier this week but will now look to compete for a spot on the Cubs Opening Day Roster. Last season, Festa posted a 5.70 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP across 23 2/3 innings of relief in the majors. Mastrobuoni was deployed as a depth option in the Chicago infield last season and held a .191/.245/.224 line across 50 games. If Festa were to earn a spot on the roster, he would likely see time as a low-leverage relief option.

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According to Alex Weiner of AZ Sports, the Arizona Diamondbacks have claimed catcher Rene Pinto off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Pinto will now join a crowded catching room that consists of Gabriel Moreno, prospect Adrian Del Castillo, and Jose Herrera. Pinto has spent his entire major league career with the Tampa Bay Rays. Last season, Pinto appeared in 19 games and posted a .214/.292/.429 line with three doubles and two home runs. Across 83 career major league games, the 28-year-old holds a .231/.263/.404 line with ten home runs. Given the crowded state of the Arizona catcher room, this may suggest that Del Castillo may see time as a designated hitter this season, or another transaction is in the works. For now, fantasy managers should expect Moreno to see the majority of starts behind the dish.

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According to the team, the Baltimore Orioles have claimed starting pitcher Roansy Contreras off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. In a corresponding move, the Orioles designated infielder Livan Soto for assignment. Contreras has been claimed and released by several clubs this offseason. Last season, across 68 1/3 innings with Pittsburgh and Los Angeles, the right-hander held a 4.53 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He struck out 56 batters and served up 31 free passes. Under the hood, he generated a 4.94 ERA and .260 xBA. In addition, he allowed hard contact at a hefty 43.5% rate and barrels at a 9.7% rate, both of which were well below the average marks. Fantasy managers should not have Contreras on their radar heading into the 2025 season, given his lack of proven success at the major league level.

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According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, right-handed pitcher Colin Rea has signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs worth $6 million. Earlier this offseason, the Brewers declined Rea's option. The 34-year-old has spent the past three seasons with the Brewers. Last summer, Rea spent most of the season operating out of the starting rotation but will likely be deployed out of the bullpen in Chicago, given their depth at starting pitching. Across 167 2/3 innings of work, Rea held a 4.29 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He showed strong command with a 6.0% walk rate but struggled to generate strikeouts as he posted an underwhelming 18.9% clip. He also generated a poor 4.91 xERA and .272 xBA, both well below the average marks. Rea could eventually join the rotation later in the season but is best left as a streaming option in deeper NL-only formats.

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According to MLB.com, Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (elbow/forearm) is throwing off the mound and hopes to return early in the 2025 season. The 31-year-old underwent surgery to repair his right flexor in June of 2023 but faced a setback last season due to soreness. As a result, McCullers has not pitched in a major league game since 2022 but could be nearing a return. In 2022, the right-hander posted a 2.27 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP across 47 2/3 innings of work. During this stint, he struck out 50 batters and generated a solid 32.5% hard-hit and 50.4% barrel rates. During his last complete season in 2021, McCullers posted a 3.16 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP across 162 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers in deeper AL-only formats should continue to monitor his progression, as he could be a candidate to rejoin the rotation sometime in early 2025.

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Right-hander Clarke Schmidt and the New York Yankees agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration, according to a source. Schmidt only made 16 regular-season starts for the Yankees in 2024 due to a right-lat injury, but when he was on the mound, he was great, posting a career-best 2.85 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP with 93 punchouts in 85 1/3 innings thrown. For his efforts, he'll receive a $1.57 million raise going into 2025. The Yanks added left-hander Max Fried to their starting rotation this winter, but Schmidt should still be a part of the team's Opening Day rotation. The 28-year-old is by no means a household name, but if he can build on his progress from last year before he got hurt, he could be an excellent value pick in 2025 fantasy drafts. Schmidt does an above-average job at avoiding contact and inducing weak contact.

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Right-handed closer Devin Williams and the New York Yankees agreed on a one-year, $8.6 million deal on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration, according to a source. The Yankees acquired Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason, and he will be their undisputed closer to begin the 2025 campaign. The 30-year-old did miss the entire first half of last season while recovering from back surgery, but when he returned, he was the same lights-out closer for the Brewers to finish the year. The former second-round pick by the Brewers in 2013 has been one of the most dominant closers in baseball the last three years, posting a combined 1.66 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 65 saves, 221 strikeouts and 69 walks in 141 relief innings. There may be some injury concerns surround Williams, but he's a no-doubt top-five fantasy closer with the Yankees.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks avoided salary arbitration with right-hander Zac Gallen on Thursday by settling on a one-year, $13.5 million deal. In addition to Gallen, the D-backs also agreed to one-year deals with right-handers Kevin Ginkel and Ryan Thompson, left-handers Joe Mantiply, Kyle Nelson and A.J. Puk, and infielders Josh Naylor, Geraldo Perdomo and Pavin Smith. The 29-year-old Gallen will be Arizona's No. 2 starter in 2025 after they signed Corbin Burnes in free agency. Gallen missed time with a hamstring injury in 2024 and finished with a 3.65 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 156 strikeouts and 54 walks in 148 innings pitched. He's a very strong major-league pitcher but comes short of being an elite fantasy ace because of his 26.6% career strikeout rate. Gallen needs to return to his pinpoint control of the strike zone to deliver value as a second fantasy starting pitcher.

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Kansas City Royals first baseman Jac Caglianone, the team's top-ranked prospect and No. 17 on MLB Pipeline's top-100 list, has been invited to big-league camp at spring training next month. The 21-year-old left-handed slugger was taken sixth overall in last year's MLB draft out of Florida. In addition to Caglianone, top hitting prospects Blake Mitchell (No. 2) and Carter Jensen (No. 5) will also be in major-league camp with the Royals. The Royals haven't invited a top prospect to spring training since Alex Gordon in 2006, and general manager J.J. Picollo said it's a testament to Caglianone's ability and the way the game has evolved. Caglianone was the best two-way player in college, but he will focus solely on hitting in 2025 with a bat that wields elite raw power. He won't break camp with the big-league team and will likely start at Double-A, but Caglianone will likely be on the fast track to the bigs if he stays healthy.

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Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) broke his right wrist in just the fourth game last year and had surgery in October to help alleviate lingering swelling, but he's now swinging a bat without any issues and should be a full-go for the start of spring training next month. "I'm full-go," Jung said. "I don't know if Dr. Shin waved some magic fairy dust over my wrist or what, but so far we've been able to feel like a normal human. Hopefully we can continue that." Jung missed four months and played in only 46 games in 2024. It's great news that the 26-year-old will be a full-go for spring training, and if he can avoid any setbacks or other injuries, he'll be in line for a bounce-back campaign for the Rangers and fantasy managers alike. He hit 23 home runs in 122 games in his rookie year in 2023 while also missing around si weeks with a thumb injury. Jung is a risk/reward power threat in fantasy drafts with plenty of upside.

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