Tracking the offseason MLB trades and signings with fantasy baseball implications for the upcoming season, Eric Karabell and Tristan H. Cockcroft will analyze and provide an outlook for all of the key players involved.
Shohei Ohtani had been the hottest player in the mix, even with the expectation that he will not pitch at all in 2024, but he has now signed with the other Los Angeles team. Among those who will take the mound next season, Blake Snell finally found a home in San Francisco. At the plate, Cody Bellinger has re-upped with the Cubs, and Matt Chapman has finally found a home with the Giants.
Players will be separated by position, then listed in order of fantasy relevance within each positional grouping. Also included are links to any stand-alone analysis stories and/or videos regarding free agent signings and trades.
Note: Players who end up re-signing with their previous team will not always be included.
Jump to: Catcher | First base | Second base | Shortstop | Third base | Outfield | DH | Starting pitcher | Relief pitcher
Catcher
Curt Casali signs with Marlins: Signed to a non-guaranteed deal, Casali will provide depth for the Marlins behind the team's probable Opening Day catcher combination of Nick Fortes and Christian Bethancourt. Casali is adept at handling a pitching staff and can draw a walk, but he's otherwise a non-factor in fantasy. -- Cockcroft (2/14)
Yasmani Grandal signs with Pirates: Grandal, 35, is no longer a valuable fantasy asset, though he did finish as C25 in fantasy points. He used to hit 20 home runs with regularity while also piling on walks. He now has had 13 home runs over the last two seasons -- in nearly 800 PA. Still, he can draw a walk and Pittsburgh's catching situation is unclear, with Endy Rodriguez (elbow) out for the season and former top pick Henry Davis hardly guaranteed to hit or stay behind the plate. Grandal, even at this stage, may have to be worth a look in deeper, multi-catcher formats. -- Karabell (2/12)
Gary Sanchez signs with Brewers: The well-traveled Sanchez joins a team already featuring an established, top-10 fantasy catcher in William Contreras. Then again, Sanchez smacked 19 home runs last season in only 75 games and 267 PA. The Brewers could utilize Sanchez and Contreras at DH, too, especially versus left-handed pitching. Sanchez is not a top-10 fantasy catcher, but his power is not in doubt. Consider him to be viable in some multi-catcher formats. -- Karabell (2/7)
Martin Maldonado signs with White Sox: A defense-first backstop who turned 37 years old this past summer, Maldonado hit 15 home runs in both of the last two seasons, but he is far from a good fantasy option. He has hit lower than .200 in three consecutive seasons, with high strikeout rates, doing more harm than good. Even in the deepest of fantasy leagues, fantasy managers must do better. -- Karabell (12/28)
Mitch Garver signs with Mariners: Garver finished 17th among catchers in fantasy points last season, despite batting only 343 times over 87 games. His 19 home runs -- all versus right-handed pitching -- combined with a .270 batting average, was quite rare for the position, as Adley Rutschman and Yainer Diaz were the only others to achieve this. Garver caught only 28 games for the Rangers, but that's enough for us. The Mariners figure to utilize him mostly at DH, replacing Teoscar Hernandez. This is all positive for fantasy managers, who crave the playing time and production. Garver will see more of it at DH. He is underrated and a potential fantasy starter. -- Karabell (12/24)
Tom Murphy signs with Giants: Injuries kept Murphy to just 61 games over the last two seasons, though he hit .292 with nine home runs in those games. Murphy figures to handle backup duties to young Patrick Bailey over the next two seasons. Murphy can hit a little, boasting a .842 OPS against left-handed pitching, and fantasy managers in deep multi-catcher formats may look in his direction. -- Karabell (12/19)
Austin Hedges signs with Guardians: A career .189/.246/.321, non-fantasy-relevant hitter with an excellent defensive reputation, Hedges will serve as Bo Naylor's backup and presumably resume his role as Shane Bieber's personal catcher for 2024. -- Cockcroft (12/11)
Christian Bethancourt traded from Guardians to Marlins: He'll assume now-free agent Jacob Stallings' role as the Marlins' stronger-armed, "rein in the running game" partner to Nick Fortes. Bethancourt has a hint of pop, but is only relevant as an NL-only No. 2 backstop. -- Cockcroft (12/11)
Victor Caratini signs with Astros: The No. 40 catcher in ESPN points league scoring this past season heads to his fourth big-league club, where he should back up emerging Yainer Diaz. Caratini is mildly relevant in multi-catcher formats, since he has hit seven-plus home runs in each of the last four full seasons -- mainly versus right-handed pitching -- and with reasonable walk and strikeout rates. -- Karabell (12/10)
First base
Joey Votto signs with Blue Jays: This is an uplifting story, with the native Canadian finally joining his hometown team as a non-roster invitee, but Votto is not exactly in his prime. Now 40, Votto has hit just .204 since the start of 2022, roughly a full season of plate appearances compromised by injuries. Votto can still pop a home run and draw a walk, and perhaps he passes fellow left-handed hitters Daniel Vogelbach and Spencer Horwitz on the team's depth chart to earn DH time (with Justin Turner playing in the field), but don't bet on it. This signing seems mostly ceremonial, and irrelevant for fantasy. -- Karabell (3/8)
Ji Man Choi signs with Mets: Choi hit a poor .163 with a .624 OPS in brief duty for the Pirates and Padres last season, and he gets just a minor-league deal from the Mets, who have a first baseman and numerous DH options. Choi used to hit right-handed pitching well enough for daily formats and deeper fantasy leagues, but those days may be over. -- Karabell (2/19)
Carlos Santana signs with Twins: Even as he approaches his 38th birthday and switches teams often, Santana remains an underrated points league option. His 23 home runs, 86 RBI and .240 batting average were all his highest marks since 2019, and he remains a strong defender and durable. The Twins want Alex Kirilloff to seize the job, but it would hardly surprise if Santana, as a late-round fantasy pick at best, delivers another top-20 first base season. -- Karabell (2/3)
Justin Turner signs with Blue Jays: Turner, 39, continues to show few signs of decline at the plate, as he hit 23 home runs and drove in 96 runs for last season's Red Sox and his 626 plate appearances represented a surprising career high. Fantasy managers tend to fade older players on draft day and Turner, who went well outside the top 100 in ESPN ADP last season (and will again this year), finished as the No. 37 hitter in standard points leagues. Why can't he do this again? The Blue Jays figure to give Turner, now eligible in fantasy solely at first base, all the DH love and RBI opportunities he can handle, so do not let Turner slip too far in ESPN drafts. -- Karabell (1/30)
Rhys Hoskins signs with Brewers: Hoskins, who missed the entire 2023 season after tearing his left ACL in a meaningless spring game, ended up being pushed out of Philadelphia with Bryce Harper taking over first base and Kyle Schwarber safely ensconced at DH. Good for the Brewers, desperate for his valuable skill set. Hoskins is a solid points league option, having hit 27-plus home runs in each of his four full seasons, and with a career 13.5% walk rate. Expect him to return to his prior solid production levels in the middle of an emerging Milwaukee lineup, making him an easy top-20 first baseman for fantasy managers. -- Karabell (1/23)
Joey Gallo signs with Nationals: Nationals fans should get to the ballpark early to watch batting practice, because Gallo hits baseballs far! Depending on how much he plays for Washington, he may even hit more than 30 baseballs far enough to register as home runs. Since 2017, only 13 players have hit more home runs than Gallo. The problem, of course, is that Gallo swings and misses more than just about anyone, carried just a 49% contact rate last season and playing time is hardly a guarantee, even on a non-contending club.
Gallo has struck out 38% of the time in his career, and he hasn't hit as high as .200 in any of the last four seasons. Sure, there is relative clarity in what statistics you get, and Gallo is more valuable in points formats than roto, but not enough to warrant investing in a standard league. -- Karabell (1/23)
Second base
Whit Merrifield signs with Phillies: Merrifield, 35, stole 82 bases over the last three seasons, making him more valuable in roto leagues than in points formats. He averaged 620 plate appearances over that span. If Merrifield bats 620 times in Philadelphia, something has gone seriously wrong. He is best suited as a utility/bench option now -- and not a great one, since he lacks power (even versus left-handers), rarely walks, and isn't strong defensively at second base or in the outfield. For fantasy purposes, even if Merrifield gets volume in 2024 he is not a notable points option. -- Karabell (2/16)
Joey Ortiz traded from Orioles to Brewers: Milwaukee added two exciting young players in the deal that sent Corbin Burnes to Baltimore. One of them was Ortiz, who is eligible at second base in ESPN leagues. He can also play shortstop and third base, and he appears to be big-league ready after hitting .321 with modest power and speed over more than 500 Triple-A plate appearances. He may start for the Brewers initially and become relevant to fantasy managers quickly. -- Karabell (2/1)
Jorge Polanco traded from Twins to Mariners: Polanco mashed 33 home runs for the 2021 Twins, but he has since managed only 30 blasts over the last two seasons as various injuries cost him significant time. He fills Seattle's need for a second baseman, but fantasy managers may not be as excited to get him. Polanco can still draw walks and barrel up baseballs for power, but players generally don't suddenly discover durability in their 30s. Edouard Julien, who now takes over full-time second base duties for the Twins, is a better investment. -- Karabell (1/29)
Adam Frazier signs with Royals: Frazier is not someone to build a fantasy roster around, but there are positives as he joins his fifth franchise in four years. Frazier is durable, hit a career-best 13 home runs last season, and he has stolen double digit bases in three consecutive seasons. The Royals shouldn't hit Frazier near the top of the lineup, but it is possible. Think about Frazier when you need a middle infield fill-in during the season. -- Karabell (1/27)
Shortstop
Enrique Hernandez signs with Dodgers: Hernandez returns to the Dodgers after providing a .731 OPS for them over 185 PA last season (.646 OPS overall in 2023), and he takes the roster spot and role of Manuel Margot, who was traded to the Twins. Hernandez does not hit for high average, reach base at a high clip, nor has he ever stolen more than four bases in any big league season, but he is versatile, playing double-digit games at six positions last season. Hernandez is eligible at SS, 2B and OF in ESPN standard leagues, but that is about it for fantasy value. -- Karabell (2/26)
Brandon Crawford signs with Cardinals: Crawford joins a new franchise after 13 seasons with the Giants, but those investing in young Masyn Winn should not panic. Crawford, 37, is most likely a depth signing, as he hit only .194 last season with seven home runs. This may be a sign that versatile 2B/SS/OF Tommy Edman (wrist) will not be ready for the season. It is possible Winn struggles to hit during the spring and gets more minor league time, but even if Crawford starts in April, fantasy managers must do better. -- Karabell (2/26)
Tim Anderson signs with Marlins: Anderson finished last among 133 qualified hitters in OPS (.582) last season, as years of overaggressive hacking at the plate finally caught up to him. The White Sox moved on. The Marlins were planning to go with Jon Berti at shortstop, so this is a decent gamble for them.
Anderson, 30, has to be better than last season, but it is generally frowned upon for fantasy managers in points league to invest in a hitter with a career 3.8% walk rate -- especially one who has only seven homers over the last two seasons (875 PA).
In other words, perhaps there is some statistical bounce-back here to a hollow .270 batting average, but not nearly enough to entertain the thought of drafting him in ESPN points formats. -- Karabell (2/22)
Amed Rosario signs with Rays: Rosario has never been a great points-league option, since he lacks power and, despite playing in at least 140 games during each of the last five full seasons, he has yet to draw as many as 32 walks in any. The versatile Rosario can steal bases and hit left-handed pitching (.801 OPS over the last three seasons), and the Rays should permit him to do these things, while minimizing his below-average defense. It shouldn't make Rosario worth counting on in ESPN leagues, though. -- Karabell (2/20)
Vaughn Grissom traded from Braves to Red Sox: Getting out of Atlanta might be the best thing for Grissom, who has seemingly mastered Triple-A ball (.330/.419/.501 rates in 102 career games at the level) but couldn't seem to unseat Orlando Arcia for the team's SS role this past season. As he's probably a better fit for second base or left field than shortstop, Grissom could solve Boston's longstanding difficulty in filling the keystone, and his pull-oriented swing should get a boost thanks to Fenway Park's righty-friendly confines. There's post-hype sleeper potential here, but as far as the upside is concerned, remember that Grissom, for all his promise, still managed to be ranked just No. 6 in the Braves system, and outside the top-100 overall by Kiley McDaniel entering his 2022 rookie year. -- Cockcroft (12/30)
Third base
Matt Chapman signs with Giants: Chapman does not get the mighty contract he was looking for, but even in a tough hitting ballpark, there are bounce back possibilities. Chapman is among the leaders in hard-hit and barrel rate in recent seasons, and he has hit 27 or more home runs with a double-digit walk rate in each of the past four full seasons. His work versus right-handed pitching is uninspiring, but his glove will keep him in the regular lineup there. Chapman, normally durable, is a potential top 100 fantasy option going considerably later in drafts, and he may be quite the bargain in what may be his lone Giants season. -- Karabell (3/2)
Gio Urshela signs with Tigers: Urshela joins his fourth franchise in as many seasons, with a potential platoon opportunity (at the least) waiting for him. Detroit's 3B situation remains unclear (rookie Colt Keith should play second), and Urshela posted a .858 OPS versus left-handed pitching in his abbreviated 2023 campaign. Urshela, 32, is contact-oriented and a responsible defender, but responsible fantasy managers should consider him only in the deepest of leagues. -- Karabell (2/22)
Eduardo Escobar signs with Blue Jays: Escobar, 35, has declined in recent years, but the switch-hitter has posted an .826 OPS versus left-handed pitching since 2021, as opposed to a .681 mark against right-handers. He hit 48 home runs during the 2021-22 seasons. A platoon lurks and since Toronto lacks clarity at both second and third base, Escobar may play quite a bit. Fantasy managers should consider him in deep leagues only. -- Karabell (2/16)
Mike Moustakas signs with White Sox: Moustakas is no longer the same player who hit 35 home runs for the Brewers in 2019. He hit 12 home runs last season between the Rockies and Angels, 11 of them off right-handed pitching, and if Moustakas makes the White Sox, a platoon role would fit him best. The White Sox may not be competitive, so it is possible Moustakas is forced to play more. You are not forced to roster him. --Karabell (2/15)
Isiah Kiner-Falefa signs with Blue Jays: A versatile defender offering little at the plate, Kiner-Falefa enters 2024 eligible at third base and outfield for fantasy. He hasn't reached double-digit home runs in a season, nor an 8% walk rate, but he has stolen 56 bases over the past three years, which is helpful for those in roto formats. In points leagues, Kiner-Falefa is waiver-wire material. -- Karabell (12/28)
Jeimer Candelario signs with Reds: It may seem like the last thing the Reds needed was another infielder, but the switch-hitting Candelario, 30, comes off a solid season for the Cubs/Nationals featuring a career-high 64 extra-base hits and a relevant .807 OPS. Plus, he chipped in with eight stolen bases. This made him a top-20 1B/3B in ESPN points formats. Perhaps the Reds, loaded with young infielders, have a trade in the works to acquire pitching, but Candelario should hit in the middle of their strong lineup and in a hitter-friendly ballpark, with another shot at being a top-75 fantasy hitter. -- Karabell (12/7)
Eugenio Suarez traded to Diamondbacks from Mariners: Suarez ranks fifth in home runs since the start of the 2018 season and he knocked in 96 runs last season, so that's the good news. The bad news is Suarez also leads all of the majors in strikeouts over that span, leading the AL with 214 last season and 196 in 2022. Suarez was 25th among third basemen in fantasy points last season, barely a top-150 overall hitter. The move back to the NL doesn't figure to alter his value much in a positive direction, if at all.
As of now, the Mariners claim they intend to go with veteran Luis Urias, acquired recently from the Red Sox, at third base. He had a lost 2023 season for two teams, suffering a major hamstring injury on Opening Day and hitting just .194 with three home runs over 175 PA. Urias hit 23 home runs for the 2021 Brewers and he defends better than Suarez, but there isn't much to like here for ESPN standard formats. -- Karabell (11/22)
Outfield
Adam Duvall signs with Braves: Duvall blasted 21 home runs over a mere 353 PA for last season's Red Sox, missing considerable time with a fractured wrist. He knows the Braves organization well, having hit 54 home runs for them over a five-year period ending in 2022.
The right-handed hitting Duvall has done his best work against right-handed pitching over the last three seasons, but the Braves intend to platoon him with Jarred Kelenic in left field, facing mostly left-handed pitching. Well, that is the plan, at least. A productive Duvall may end up playing more than that. He offers power but little plate discipline -- and little durability. Consider him mainly in NL-only formats. -- Karabell (3/14)
Manuel Margot traded from Dodgers to Twins: The Dodgers preferred former utility option Enrique Hernandez, who they signed the same day to a one-year contract. Hernandez plays infield, too. Margot, 29, is an outfielder, and still a solid defensive one, though he has not finished any of his eight big league seasons with an OPS better than .722. The Twins need CF insurance for brittle Byron Buxton, who did not appear in the outfield last season. Margot may assume the role of Michael Taylor from last season, as Taylor hit 388 times, but Margot is not likely to provide similar offense, so avoid him in fantasy. -- Karabell (2/26)
David Peralta signs with Cubs: Peralta gets a minor-league deal after coming off his worst big-league season with a .675 OPS. The Cubs have young outfielders in place. Peralta is mainly a platoon bat at this point, and he has not hit more than 12 home runs since the 2018 season. -- Karabell (2/19)
Randal Grichuk signs with Diamondbacks: Grichuk still boasts power, as he clubbed 16 homers for the Rockies and Angels last season, half of them off left-handed pitching. The Diamondbacks figure to utilize him in this manner, giving days off to DH Joc Pederson and OF Alek Thomas. Fantasy managers should not expect 16 HR from Grichuk in 2024 as he may find it difficult to earn regular playing time. -- Karabell (2/19)
Jesse Winker signs with Nationals: Winker hit .305 with 24 home runs for the 2021 Reds. He has hit .214 with 15 blasts since. A healthy Winker offers bounce-back possibilities as a platoon option, especially since he still possesses strong plate discipline, but there's also no guarantee he makes the Nationals. Watch him in March as a potential points-league sleeper lurks. -- Karabell (2/13)
Kevin Pilllar signs with White Sox: The well-traveled Pillar can still launch an occasional home run off a lefty, but he rarely draws a walk or gets on base, making him an unattractive fantasy option even if the retooling White Sox play him more than they should. -- Karabell (2/3)
Aaron Hicks signs with Angels: Hicks is a useful fourth-outfielder type who switch-hits and defends well in center field, but he doesn't hit right-handed pitching well and he has batted as many as 400 times in only two of his 11 big-league seasons. Yes, durability is a problem -- and that's not likely to improve. The Angels should platoon Hicks with Mickey Moniak, but this leaves Hicks as not such of an attractive fantasy option. --Karabell (1/29)
Joc Pederson signs with Diamondbacks: Pederson is a clear platoon outfielder having smacked 51 of his 56 homers over the last three seasons off right-handed pitching. His 2023 season for the Giants was not his best, but he did deliver his highest walk rate since his rookie campaign. The Diamondbacks certainly covet his left-handed power, and Pederson (hardly a strong fielder) should slot in as the regular DH against right-handers. He has batted 500 times in a season only twice, but if he can get there again, 25 home runs and a spot in standard leagues is reasonable. -- Karabell (1/26)
Teoscar Hernandez signs with Dodgers: This seems like an odd signing for an analytically inclined franchise, even for only one season, as Hernandez struck out 211 times this past season (third in MLB) and has a two-year OBP of only .310. Hernandez finished as OF49 in ESPN fantasy points scoring. Still, Hernandez has hit 25-plus home runs in each of the last four full seasons, and the Dodgers lineup needed a boost versus left-handed pitching -- even though this particular boost may hit sixth (or lower) in their top-heavy lineup. Fantasy managers should expect some improved numbers, as Hernandez was a top-20 fantasy outfielder in 2021, making him a decent mid-round sleeper on draft day. However, he must cut down on the whiffs to make this happen. -- Karabell (1/8)
Mitch Haniger traded from Giants to Mariners: Haniger starred for the 2021 Mariners, blasting 39 home runs over 157 games, and he should have a starting role waiting for him, but durability is a major issue. Haniger boasts two big-league seasons with 157 games and nearly 700 PA, but in four of the last five seasons he has failed to bat 300 times. Oblique, arm and back problems kept Haniger to only 61 games and 229 PA in his lone season with the Giants, where he hit .209 for them with six home runs. Fantasy managers should be skeptical and focus on other outfielders in ESPN standard drafts, but in deeper formats, we have seen the upside. Haniger just has to -- sing it with me, if you still can -- stay healthy. -- Karabell (1/5)
Harrison Bader signs with Mets: Bader is an excellent defender in center field, but not much of a fantasy option. He stole a career-high 20 bases in 2022 and he's had double-digit thefts in four of the last five full seasons, but he rarely draws walks and struggles to make hard contact versus right-handed pitching. Oh, one more thing. Bader, now joining his fourth organization in three seasons, rarely stays healthy. He had just 657 plate appearances over the last two seasons combined and has never hit 450 times in any big-league season. Do not expect a top-75 OF performance in points leagues as he approaches 30 years of age. -- Karabell (1/4)
Hunter Renfroe signs with Royals: The journeyman Renfroe offers a stable skill set at this point, having slammed 20-plus home runs for six consecutive full seasons, though he doesn't hit for average, doesn't get on base at a league-average clip and he doesn't steal bases. In addition, playing 50% of his games in Kansas City will not help. Still, if you desire your last outfielder to blast 20 home runs and offer little else, this is your fellow. -- Karabell (12/14)
Jung Hoo Lee signs with Giants: The 2022 KBO League MVP possesses excellent hand-eye coordination and plate awareness. He should offer fantasy managers a high batting average and on-base percentage, a low strikeout rate and the potential to score myriad runs from the top of the Giants lineup. Allow for some time for him to react to far more challenging pitching than he faced in Korea, but Lee, 25, is a proven, mature player. He does not hit for much power or steal many bases, but there is room in ESPN standard leagues for players with his high-contact skill set. -- Karabell (12/12)
Tyler O'Neill traded from Cardinals to Red Sox: O'Neill mashed 34 home runs in his magical 2021, but he's hit only 23 home runs over the last two seasons (168 games), succumbing to multiple injuries. It's a good gamble both for the Red Sox and for fantasy managers looking for a sleeper, top-50 outfielder. O'Neill struggles to make contact, but he's built like a linebacker, can draw a walk, and should be good for double-digit stolen bases. He just needs to be healthy. -- Karabell (12/8)
Juan Soto traded from Padres to Yankees: The headline transaction from baseball's Winter Meetings, Soto donning the pinstripes might be the buzz-generating move that puts him back into consideration for being the No. 1 overall-pick in points leagues. Click here for our complete fantasy reaction on the huge trade. -- Cockcroft (12/6)
Alex Verdugo traded from Red Sox to Yankees: Another move in the Yankees' winter chess game. Presumably, he won't be the only hitter the team adds. Verdugo is certainly a better fit for Yankee Stadium than he was Fenway Park, a point underscored by Statcast's estimate that he'd have hit 51 home runs from 2021-23 had all his games been in Yankee Stadium, compared to the 37 he actually hit.
Beyond that, his arrival warrants no parade, as he's a solid-yet-unspectacular player better fit for points-based than rotisserie scoring. The Yankees' other moves will determine the height of Verdugo's 2024 ceiling -- does he bat in the upper third, or lower third, and is he platooned? -- but he could reach top-100 overall/top-25 outfielder heights. -- Cockcroft (12/6)
Jarred Kelenic traded from Mariners to Braves: This deal, an effective salary dump, also sent SP Marco Gonzalez, who will miss a good chunk of 2024 while recovering from surgery to repair a nerve issue in his forearm, and 1B Evan White to Atlanta in exchange for RP Jackson Kowar and SP Cole Phillips. It cleared roughly $30 million off Seattle's books, so expect the team to make another transactional splash on this page soon.
Nevertheless, it cost the team a still-24-years-old Kelenic, who showed impressive pop over the first 54 days of 2023, batting .297/.350/.564 with 10 home runs in 45 games, but who otherwise has a ghastly .182/.268/.328 hitting line and a 31.1% strikeout rate in his remaining 207 big-league contests. Would anyone be shocked if the 2018 No. 6 overall pick and No. 3 overall prospect on Kiley McDaniel's pre-2021 list finally figures things out in Atlanta? Certainly Kelenic will be worth the late-round gamble -- but everyone will probably be sharing that thought. -- Cockcroft (12/4)
Mark Canha traded from Brewers to Tigers: Detroit acquired Canha's contract in exchange for a minor league pitcher, agreeing to pick up the veteran $11.5 million team option. One of the better on-base specialists currently in the game (although that's as much due to his penchant for being hit by pitches as it is for his strike zone judgment), Canha should occupy a similarly sizable role in Detroit to the ones he occupied for the Athletics, Mets and Brewers over the past five seasons, with similar fantasy production.
Canha was a top-200 overall option (and top-125 hitter) in points leagues, but also a top-300 rotisserie performer in 2023, the latter a credit to his above-average speed and unusually good success rate in stealing bases (80% career). -- Cockcroft (11/7)
Designated hitter
Jorge Soler signs with Giants: Soler slugged 36 home runs for last season's Marlins and a franchise-record 48 for the 2019 Royals, lest anyone think he will struggle to hit for power in San Francisco's pitcher-friendly park. A strong Soler hits baseballs hard, far and high in the air, draws walks at a double-figure clip and he should give the Giants their first 30-HR option since Barry Bonds (no, really). He won't win a batting title or steal myriad bases, but invest in Soler in the first half of drafts. -- Karabell (2/13)
Shohei Ohtani signs with Dodgers:The game's best player -- by many measures -- moves to the NL West. Click here for our complete fantasy reaction to the huge signing. -- Cockcroft (12/9)
Starting pitcher
Blake Snell signs with Giants: The defending NL Cy Young winner finally lands a deal Click here for our complete fantasy reaction to the huge signing. -- Karabell (3/19)
Dylan Cease traded from White Sox to Padres: One of the top candidates to win the 2024 AL Cy Young award will now get a chance to compete for the prize in the NL instead. Click here for our complete fantasy reaction to the deal. -- Karabell (3/14)
Corbin Burnes traded from Brewers to Orioles: The 2021 NL Cy Young award winner and a top-10 finalist for the award in each of the last four seasons, Burnes is one of the first starting pitchers off every fantasy draft board, regardless of format. Pitching in the mighty AL East may be more challenging than the weaker NL Central, but Burnes, who led the NL with a 1.06 WHIP last season and has fanned 200 hitters in three consecutive seasons, should adapt well. Consider Burnes the new Orioles ace and an instant contender for the AL Cy Young award. -- Karabell (2/1)
DL Hall traded from Orioles to Brewers: Milwaukee added two exciting young players in exchange for Burnes (see above). One was the left-handed Hall, who throws hard but has had control issues. Hall thrived out of the bullpen late last season, but he has extensive starting experience in the minor leagues. He may get an opportunity to start for the retooling Brew Crew, and there is definite statistical upside here. -- Karabell (2/1)
Anthony DeSclafani traded from Mariners to Twins: DeSclafani, who was already dealt from the Giants this offseason, thrived in 2021, when he won 13 games with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP for the Giants, but ankle and elbow injuries have stymied him since, and he made only 23 starts over the last two seasons, permitting a 5.16 ERA. DeSclafani lacks strikeout stuff, and his leaving the friendly confines of San Francisco's Oracle Park likely will not help his performance. Fantasy managers must do better. -- Karabell (1/29)
James Paxton signs with Dodgers: Paxton pitched capably for the first half of last season with the Red Sox, posting a 2.73 ERA and strong K-rate over 10 starts, and perhaps fantasy managers bought in. Then everything fell apart. Paxton battled a knee injury in the second half and his ERA ballooned to 6.98. Paxton has always battled injuries, mainly to his arm, though he still delivered solid seasons with the Mariners in his late-20s.
He made only six starts from 2020-22, and there is no telling how much the Dodgers will enjoy his services on this one-year deal. Fantasy managers should keep volume expectations well in check, but do not be surprised if the numbers are intriguing when he takes the mound. -- Karabell (1/23)
Marcus Stroman signs with Yankees: Stroman fills a desperate rotation need for the Yankees and, while there are limits to his skill set and upside, he is annually one of the more underrated fantasy starting pitchers. Stroman, 32, made this past season's NL All-Star team for the Cubs on the strength of a 2.96 ERA, then struggled with injuries and performance in the second half, posting an 8.63 ERA.
Still, the most recent season in which Stroman finished with an ERA higher than 4.00 was 2018. He may not deliver more than 150 innings, a competitive strikeout rate or more than 10 wins, but his innings should be solid, making him worthy of a late-round selection in ESPN standard (points) leagues. -- Karabell (1/11)
Shota Imanaga signs with Cubs: Though the hoopla paled in comparison to that of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Imanaga's prospective impact in the States should not be discounted. That he's five years older than and had weaker ERA and K-rate numbers in Japan than Yamamoto from 2021-23 differentiated them -- Yamamoto's were 1.42 and 27.2% -- but Imanaga's 2.51 ERA/26.1 K% are hardly shabby.
Imanaga, a splitter-reliant pitcher lacking in top-shelf fastball velocity, had a sparking 4.8% walk rate during that three-year span, meaning he profiles as a bit of a left-handed version of Masahiro Tanaka, or perhaps more aptly, Hiroki Kuroda from his Yankees days. That's enough to make Imanaga mixed league-relevant, as he's just outside my top-60 fantasy SP with the move, but he has the upside to vault into the top 40 if everything clicks. -- Cockcroft (1/10)
Robbie Ray traded from Mariners to Giants: The 2021 Cy Young winner with the Blue Jays saw his numbers regress the following season in Seattle, and then Ray made only his opening start in 2023 before eventually needing Tommy John surgery. Ray is likely to miss the first half of this coming season, at least. Still, the Giants coveted his upside and swing-and-miss stuff. Ray has fanned more than 200 hitters in each of the five seasons in which he has made at least 25 starts, although with varying levels of run prevention. It is tough to recommend Ray for 2024 fantasy drafts as he returns from his elbow injury, but he could make for a wise second-half stash during the season. -- Karabell (1/5)
Frankie Montas signs with Reds: The Reds, a promising, up-and-coming team in the wide-open NL Central, took a chance on Montas, who had a breakthrough 2021 but has struggled to stay healthy since. When he's at his best, he has one of the game's best splitters, primarily responsible for his ranking as SP15 in fantasy points and SP22 on the Player Rater in 2021. Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park isn't the best environment for his skill set, but if he's looking sharp during spring training, he could provide a lot of return on your fantasy investment -- think: a top-50 (best case) starter at a top-100 starter's price. -- Cockcroft (12/30)
Chris Sale traded from Red Sox to Braves: After falling short on their quests to sign free agents Aaron Nola and Sonny Gray or to trade for Tyler Glasnow, the Braves settled on a deal for Sale, who has a high statistical ceiling but also a checkered injury past. From 2012-18, 29% of Sale's starts resulted in 25-plus fantasy points, but in the five seasons since, he spent more regular-season days on the IL (498) than he totaled innings pitched (298 1/3).
He did, however, have a 3.92 ERA and 30.7% strikeout rate in his nine uninterrupted, season-ending starts in 2023, so maybe there's something left in his soon-to-be-35-year-old arm. Sale is a risk/reward top-50 fantasy starter, so be prepared with a contingency plan for his inevitable absences. -- Cockcroft (12/30)
Lucas Giolito signs with Red Sox: Giolito still misses plenty of bats, as he is ninth in strikeouts over the last three seasons, and nobody questions his durability, but run prevention has become a big problem. Giolito posted a 4.89 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP over the last two seasons, permitting 65 home runs. He pitched for three teams this past season and somehow permitted eight-plus runs in a game for each -- and all of this after the All-Star break.
Still, innings do matter, even rough ones, and Giolito finished this past season among the top-50 starting pitchers in ESPN points leagues. Remember, Giolito was a top-20 fantasy starter as recently as 2021 and could certainly improve his recent performance for the Red Sox, so even though the numbers may not look so appealing, do not let Giolito slip too far in drafts. He should be a top-50 starter again, with upside. -- Karabell (12/29)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto signs with Dodgers: The most ballyhooed Japanese pitcher to arrive in the States since, well, new teammate Shohei Ohtani, Yamamoto certainly seems worth the asking price, considering his prime-years age (25) and statistical accomplishments. He had 15-plus wins, a sub-1.70 ERA, a sub-1.00 WHIP and 175-plus strikeouts in each of his final three seasons for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan's Pacific League, winning the MVP in each of those campaigns. He also flashed his top-shelf stuff in Olympic and 2023 World Baseball Classic championships, and sports elite mid-90s fastball and splitter with a plus curveball in his back pocket.
Yamamoto also lands in a brilliant spot to maximize his fantasy prospects, as the Dodgers' loaded roster grants him maximum team support (runs and bullpen), even if Dodger Stadium is more hitter-friendly than people perceive. The team's frequent reliance upon six-man rotations, openers and quick hooks for their staters also means that Yamamoto's transition should be smooth. A top-10 fantasy starter case can realistically be made, but with the transition to the U.S. game and a likely 30-start cap, he's wiser drafted around the SP15 neighborhood. -- Cockcroft (12/22)
Adrian Houser traded from Brewers to Mets: The Brewers wanted to move salary, but the Mets wanted a back-end rotation option, since Houser has made 68 starts the past three seasons, with various levels of success. Houser averaged 7.8 fantasy points per outing last season (two games in relief), hardly notable to fantasy managers, but he made strides (finally) in walk and strikeout rate despite losing fastball velocity, so perhaps a change of scenery ignites even better statistics at 31. If Houser makes the rotation and has success, look his way as a streaming option. -- Karabell (12/20)
Martin Perez signs with Pirates: The veteran left-hander was not, as widely expected, able to sustain his surprising 2022 success (2.89 ERA) in 2023 (4.45 ERA), even getting bumped from the Rangers rotation. Now he heads to his first NL franchise -- one which plays in a pitcher-friendly ballpark and should guarantee him a starter's role as long as he performs competently. Perez is competent. Do not expect another sub-3.00 ERA, but volume matters in points formats and Perez should be able to deliver innings, at the very least. -- Karabell (12/19)
Michael Wacha signs with Royals: The underrated Wacha joins his sixth franchise in as many seasons, coming off of a year with 14 wins and a 3.22 ERA for the Padres. He hasn't reached 150 innings in any season since 2017, but he has established himself as a reasonable back-end starter for fantasy managers over the last two years, and he should enjoy hurling regularly in Kansas City. -- Karabell (12/14)
Tyler Glasnow traded from Rays to Dodgers: An elite strikeout pitcher who compiled a 3.20 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and a 12.2 K/9 over parts of six seasons with the Rays, Glasnow returns to the NL after having debuted with the Pirates in 2016. Glasnow's skills are hardly in dispute, with a blazing fastball, a wicked slider he threw nearly 35% of the time and a solid changeup, but his durability certainly is. Glasnow pitched a career-high 120 innings in 2023, making 21 starts. The Dodgers and fantasy managers covet more, but we should at least assume the innings he does provide will be excellent. -- Karabell (12/14)
Ryan Pepiot traded from Dodgers to Rays: A key part of the Glasnow trade, Pepiot likely assumes his spot in the Rays rotation, which is intriguing enough since it is the Rays. Now 26, Pepiot features a terrific changeup and the ability to miss many bats, though his control has been a problem. Pepiot made only three big league starts in 2023, missing significant time due to an oblique injury, but his upside warrants attention even in ESPN standard formats. -- Karabell (12/14)
Jack Flaherty signs with Tigers: Once the ace of the Cardinals and a top-10 fantasy starter, Flaherty has struggled with performance and health over the last four seasons, compiling a 4.42 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. The Orioles dealt for Flaherty last summer, but he pitched so poorly he lost his rotation spot in September and then was relegated to a pair of relief innings of mop-up duty in the playoffs. The Tigers, desperate for veteran innings, will present Flaherty every chance to succeed, but fantasy managers can probably do better. -- Karabell (12/14)
Tyler Mahle signs with Rangers: Mahle emerged during the 2021 season when he struck out 210 hitters with a 3.75 ERA, but he dealt with a sore shoulder the following year for the Reds and Twins and succumbed to Tommy John surgery this past season after only five starts. The Rangers gave Mahle a two-year contract, with the expectation he may return during the second half of the 2024 season. Fantasy managers can hope for the best, but it is a long time to wait, so he may not be worth more than a free agent "add-and-stash" after drafts. -- Karabell (12/14)
Seth Lugo signs with Royals: After years of reliable relief work with the Mets, Lugo finally earned a chance to start for last season's Padres, and he posted a credible 3.57 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and nearly one strikeout per his 146 1/3 innings. Add it all up and Lugo was a top-50 starting pitcher in ESPN points leagues, making him one of the season's mild surprises. Lugo, 34, may lack the statistical upside of other later round starting pitchers, but his new three-year contract all but guarantees him a rotation spot (perhaps as the ace) in a pitcher's ballpark. Pessimists may assume his 2023 campaign was aberrant. It probably wasn't. -- Karabell (12/12)
Eduardo Rodriguez signs with Diamondbacks: Good for Rodriguez, who parlayed an overachieving first half of 2023 (2.64 ERA, 9.3 K/9) into a four-year contract with the defending NL champions. Rodriguez, 30, finished as SP35 in ESPN points leagues scoring, but do not expect another 3.30 ERA, even as he debuts in the NL and in a more pitcher-friendly home ballpark. Rodriguez had a 3.89 second-half ERA, a 1.28 WHIP and a 7.7 K/9, numbers more in line with his career path. Those numbers earn Rodriguez a mid-rotation spot in ESPN leagues, but perhaps outside the top-40 starting pitchers. -- Karabell (12/7)
Luis Severino signs with Mets: Why do we care about a pitcher coming off a nightmare season with a 6.65 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP? Because Severino was terrific the season prior, with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP, and he nearly won a Cy Young award a few seasons before that. Severino offers little-to-no clarity to the Mets or fantasy managers for volume and performance, making only 40 starts over five seasons as he battled one injury after another for the frustrated Yankees, but he isn't even 30 yet. If he regains some fastball velocity and his once-wicked slider, who knows, right? The Mets think it is worth taking a chance on upside, and fantasy managers should consider this late in drafts, too. -- Karabell (11/30)
Sonny Gray signs with Cardinals: The runner-up in AL Cy Young award voting joins his fifth franchise, and his second in the NL. He figures to help his new team considerably more than recent Cardinals innings-eater signings Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn. Those veterans struggle to keep runs off the board. Gray, third in the majors with a 2.79 ERA, led all qualifiers with a 2.83 FIP, and he has struck out a batter per inning over the last two seasons. Gray has earned his career 3.47 ERA, but he is modestly inefficient and doesn't go deep into starts, thus his single-digit win total over each of the last three seasons and fewer than 12 wins in every year since 2015. Still, fantasy managers may view him as a top-30 fantasy starter after he finished as the SP14 in points scoring. -- Karabell (11/27)
Kenta Maeda signs with Tigers: After a mostly disappointing run with the Twins in which he made only 52 starts over four seasons, winning 18 games with a 4.02 ERA, Maeda now moves to Detroit. He missed all of 2022 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Maeda, who finished outside the top-100 starting pitchers in points-league scoring in 2023, turns 36 in April. While he still misses enough bats to matter and fantasy managers have always noticed his low WHIP (career 1.14), it is tough to expect high volume. The Tigers wanted an established, veteran presence in their generally young rotation, but fantasy managers can find more than 75 starting pitchers better suited for their teams on Draft Day. -- Karabell (11/27)
Kyle Gibson signs with Cardinals: The Cardinals sure are assembling an "innings-eater" style rotation, going for consistency over upside. Gibson brings a lesser fantasy reputation than fellow signee Lynn -- but maybe rightly so, having scored 34 more points and placed 13 points-league spots higher (SP49, versus SP62 for Lynn) than his new teammate, though with an identical number of 15-point performances in 2023 (11). Hey, at least both are still in a pitching-friendly environment, so both will have matchups appeal. -- Cockcroft (11/21)
Lance Lynn signs with Cardinals: A longtime second-tier fantasy starter, Lynn's average fastball velocity has dipped significantly over the last two seasons, and his 5.73 ERA in 2023 was the highest of his 12 big-league seasons. Still, his durability carries weight in points leagues -- he was the No. 62 starting pitcher in fantasy points last season -- and Busch Stadium's pitching-friendly confines might help him bring that ERA down somewhat. Consider him to be a borderline 12-team mixed option in those formats. -- Cockcroft (11/20)
Relief pitcher
Liam Hendriks signs with Red Sox: Hendriks gets a two-year deal, with the caveat that he is on the mend from Tommy John surgery and may not actually pitch in 2024. As a result, Hendriks, who saved one game in 2023, is not a wise investment this season, though he does expect to try to throw later in the summer. It is more feasible that Hendriks replaces Kenley Jansen as Boston's closer for 2025. -- Karabell (2/19)
Keynan Middleton signs with Cardinals: Middleton joins a bullpen that could provide some save chances, since Ryan Helsley is far from guaranteed to last for six months, but Andrew Kittredge and JoJo Romero remain in play as well. Middleton has 15 career saves with five organizations over seven seasons, but there is strikeout and run prevention upside. -- Karabell (2/2)
Wandy Peralta signs with Padres: Another lefty added to the Padres' reworked bullpen, Peralta logically fits a secondary setup/lefty specialist role for his new team (although he has been decent recently against right-handed hitters). The wild card: New manager Mike Shildt did at times shuffle his closers or go the committee route, with six different relievers amassing three-plus saves in one of his three full seasons as the Cardinals manager, so maybe Peralta could once again be part of a committee, as he was for a brief time in New York. -- Cockcroft (1/31)
Hector Neris signs with Cubs: Holds matter in ESPN standard scoring, and nobody had more than Neris last season. Do not draft him expecting a repeat of his fortunate 1.71 ERA, but Neris is a reliable reliever, regardless of role, and he does have closing experience with the Phillies. The Cubs may stick with Adbert Alzolay for the ninth inning or welcome competition, but whether Neris earns saves or not, he should pitch effectively enough to attract in-season, fill-in attention in fantasy leagues. -- Karabell (1/27)
David Robertson signs with Rangers: The veteran right-hander with 175 career saves -- 38 of them for four NL franchises over the last two seasons -- heads back to the AL, where saves are again possible. RHP Jose Leclerc is the incumbent closer from the team's World Series run, though he has an inconsistent history of health and performance. Robertson has proven durable and successful even as he approaches his 39th birthday. For now, Robertson should be regarded as, at the least, one of the better setup men in the league with a reasonable chance of earning double-digit saves. -- Karabell (1/26)
Aroldis Chapman signs with Pirates: The well-traveled Chapman probably isn't done traveling. He oddly signed with the non-contending Royals prior to last season, saved a few games and earned a summer trade to the Rangers, where he saved a few games and won a World Series. The Pirates boast RHP David Bednar, one of the top closers in the sport. Chapman remains one of the elite strikeout relievers and is surely valuable, but he may have to wait for saves until another mid-season trade -- and even then, it is no guarantee. Still, expect another solid season for points formats, where the lack of saves is not as big of a deal as it is in traditional roto. -- Karabell (1/22)
Robert Stephenson signs with Angels: Stephenson began last season with the Pirates and with little success in a journeyman's career. Then the Rays dealt for him, taught him a new, dominating cutter, and Stephenson emerged as one of the better relievers in baseball, with an 0.88 WHIP and a 38% strikeout rate. Carlos Estevez saved 31 Angels wins last season, but he was awful over the final two months and enters the final season of his contract as potential trade bait. Stephenson may not close games initially in April, but he should see opportunity soon enough, making him a prime, draft-day sleeper. -- Karabell (1/19)
Josh Hader signs with Astros: Baseball's all-time leader in K/9 and BAA will finally pitch in the majors for an AL team, after being drafted by the Orioles, developed by the Astros, and then mostly dominating for the Brewers and Padres. Hader comes off a 33-save season with a 1.28 ERA and major strikeout rate, but also with a high walk rate and low innings (compared to other top closers) being the lone statistical concerns (albeit minor concerns).
If you wish to make him the No. 1 closer off the board in drafts, we will not argue with you. Hader still relies on an overpowering slider and a hard sinker and shows no sign of slowing down. His acquisition pushes longtime Astros closer Ryan Pressly into setup duty, eliminating much of his fantasy value. -- Karabell (1/19)
Jordan Hicks signs with Giants: Hicks is one of the hardest throwers in the sport, regularly topping 100 mph and, with ground ball tendencies, fantasy managers have waited for true breakout numbers and regular closing opportunities. However, in a shocker, the Giants intend to utilize Hicks as a starter. Hicks made eight starts with the 2022 Cardinals, and he struggled with inefficiency and walks. Perhaps this works out better, and Hicks is able to remain healthy enough for 25 starts and a similar strikeout rate to last season in relief. We love his new home pitcher's park, too. Throw a late draft pick at Hicks and hope to get lucky. Just keep in mind that he will only qualify as an RP to start 2024. -- Karabell (1/12)
Woo Suk Go signs with Padres: By signing Go, the Padres have assembled a trio of closer candidates, including Robert Suarez and Yuki Matsui, who put up gaudy numbers overseas but have yet to be tested in the role in the States. Go's fastball is his ticket to success, fueling a 2.32 ERA, a 30.9% strikeout rate and an average of 29 saves from 2021-23 in South Korea's KBO League, but Suarez's is every bit as good, making this a legitimate spring competition. Monitor how things shake out in March, but Go could be a top-20 fantasy closer if he emerges with the role. -- Cockcroft (1/3)
Yuki Matsui signs with Padres: The closer for Japan's Rakuten Golden Eagles for seven of the last nine seasons, including a dominating 2021-23 stretch during which he saved 95 games with a 1.42 ERA and a 36.4% strikeout rate, Matsui will almost assuredly serve in the same role for the Padres, who lost Josh Hader to free agency. A smallish (5-foot-8, 165 pounds) reliever with sometimes-shaky control -- he had a 9.0% walk rate over the past three years -- Matsui might have to prove his mettle during spring training. Even as the victor of a competition, he might bring more inconsistency than the typical closer. Those stats are tough to ignore, though, and make him a top-15 RP option if he lands the gig. -- Cockcroft (12/20)
Andrew Chafin signs with Tigers: Chafin saved eight wins for the Diamondbacks in the first half of 2023, but then the team found better late-inning options, and they dealt him to the Brewers. Chafin finished with rather rough numbers (4.73 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) and he was well outside the top-100 relief pitchers in ESPN standard scoring, but RHP closer Alex Lange performed better versus same-sided batters, so perhaps Chafin finds his way into save opportunities. -- Karabell (12/10)
Will Smith signs with Royals: The well-traveled lefty saved 22 wins for the champion Rangers this past season, though it was far from a smooth ride, notably later in the campaign. Smith had a 4.40 ERA and, for the second time in three seasons, he lost seven games. Smith boasts 113 career saves and his new teammates do not, though it seems more likely RHP James McArthur, who emerged in September, gets his chance to save games. -- Karabell (12/10)
Craig Kimbrel signs with Orioles: Kimbrel, 35, boasts 417 career saves, second among active pitchers to Boston's Kenley Jansen, and 23 came this past season with the Phillies. This hardly means Kimbrel was awesome, but he finished just outside the top 10 closers for ESPN's fantasy scoring. (Just ignore the playoffs, Phillies fans.) Kimbrel was 41st in fWAR among relief pitchers, 88th among relievers with a 3.88 FIP, and one of 25 relief pitchers to permit double-digit home runs, but thanks to the saves and strikeouts (only six relievers had more Ks), fantasy managers did not care. The Orioles desire an experienced, stable closer after awesome Felix Bautista required Tommy John surgery, and Kimbrel will handle ninth-inning duties over surprising RHP Yennier Cano. It may be an adventure - especially in October -- but it is reasonable to expect Kimbrel to duplicate his successful fantasy performance in 2024, making him a worthy mid-round pick. --Karabell (12/6)
Nick Martinez signs with Reds: It's rare to see a pitcher deliver nearly identical stat lines working in an effective swingman role in back-to-back years, but that encapsulated Martinez's 2022-23 following his four-year stint in Japan. The Reds are likely to plan around his being a member of their rotation -- the role in which he was slightly less effective, thanks to a higher WHIP and walk rate, and a lower average fastball velocity than in relief.
Still, he could end up being effective in a multi-inning relief role if starting doesn't pan out or if the team loads up on rotational depth. For fantasy, Martinez would be a streaming candidate only in a starter's role, but a potentially handy daily-league plug-in if handling 80-plus frames out of the bullpen. -- Cockcroft (11/30)