Fantasy baseball reactions to MLB offseason trades, signings

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. 

With the World Series now over, the MLB offseason has officially begun. While trades are now fully permissible, free agents cannot officially sign with new teams until 5 p.m. Monday, which is also the deadline for teams and players alike to exercise any contract options for 2025.

Some of the biggest bats who might be on the move include the likes of Juan Soto, Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso. Meanwhile, Corbin Burnes and Max Fried are just two of the bigger-name hurlers who could be in new clubhouses come the spring. 

Note: Not every transaction warrants the attention of fantasy managers, but for those signings and trades that do merit analysis, you'll find them listed below. Players will be separated by position and then listed in chronological order of the move within each positional grouping, with the latest news coming first. Also included are links to any standalone analysis stories and/or videos regarding major free agent signings and trades. 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

Travis d'Arnaud signs with Angels: This is a bit of an odd one since the Angels boast much younger C Logan O'Hoppe, who has hit 34 homers over his last 721 PA (over two seasons). Perhaps they wish to corner the market on apostrophe-themed players? The Braves enjoyed d'Arnaud as he hit 44 homers over the last three seasons, mainly in a timeshare role, but he turns 36 in February and figures to see less playing time as a member of the Angels. That isn't ideal in fantasy. -- Karabell (11/12)

Selected potential free agents: James McCann, Max Stassi, Danny Jansen

First base

Selected potential free agents: Paul Goldschmidt, Pete Alonso, Anthony Rizzo, Josh Bell, Christian Walker, Carlos Santana

Second base

Jonathan India traded from Reds to Royals: India, the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year, played in a career-high 151 games last season, reaching double digits in both home runs and stolen bases for the third time. India isn't known for a high batting average, but he is particularly valuable in points leagues for his ability to reach base. Only four players drew more than his 80 walks last season. Playing half of his home games in Kansas City rather than Cincinnati may affect his power stats, but India's discipline should travel, and a spot atop his new lineup is likely. His value shouldn't change much. -- Karabell (11/22)

Selected potential free agents: Gleyber Torres, Brandon Drury, Jorge Polanco, Adam Frazier

Shortstop

Selected potential free agents: Willy Adames, Ha-Seong Kim, Kyle Farmer, Enrique Hernandez, Paul DeJong, Garrett Hampson, Amed Rosario, Jose Iglesias

Third base

Selected potential free agents: Alex Bregman, Yoan Moncada

Outfield

Jose Siri traded from Rays to Mets: Siri is an excellent defensive center fielder, and a reasonable replacement piece to fill the Harrison Bader/Tyrone Taylor role in New York. As a hitter, Siri boasts modest power and speed, having amassed 43 homers and 26 steals over the last two seasons, but still he lacks much fantasy value after hitting just .187 with a 38% strikeout rate in 2024. Until Siri becomes more disciplined and makes more contact (which seems unlikely at this stage), avoid the lure of the counting numbers. -- Karabell (11/19)

Selected potential free agents: Juan Soto, Teoscar Hernandez, Michael Conforto, Mark Canha, Anthony Santander, Harrison Bader, Manuel Margot, Alex Verdugo, Max Kepler, Tyler O'Neill

Designated hitter

Jorge Soler traded from Braves to Angels: We know what the well-traveled Soler is at this point, and he is more valuable than most realize. Soler, 32, has hit 57 home runs over the past two seasons for three clubs, and now he heads back to the AL, where he boasts a HR title for the 2019 Royals. Soler will never win a batting title or a Gold Glove, but consistent power and a double-digit walk rate every season cannot be ignored. He was the OF31 in ESPN points leagues in 2024, a bit underrated as he remained available in many leagues, and there is little reason to expect diminished performance in 2025. The acquisition works well for this power-starved lineup, although adding Soler likely means Mike Trout remains a regular outfielder. -- Karabell (10/31)

Other potential free agents: Marcell Ozuna, Justin Turner, Joc Pederson, J.D. Martinez, Eloy Jimenez, Andrew McCutchen

Starting pitcher

Yusei Kikuchi signs with Angels: The Japanese left-hander has always been a strikeout option (for the Mariners, Blue Jays, Astros and fantasy managers) and expectations figure to be higher in 2025 after he finished so strong for Houston. Kikuchi made 10 starts for the Astros after being acquired near the trade deadline, adjusting his pitch mix to rely heavily on sliders -- arguably his best pitch -- and he was far more effective versus right-handed batters. He averaged 11.3 ESPN fantasy points for the season, but 17.2 points for the Astros. One would think that Kikuchi will bring his new attacking style with him to the Angels, and fantasy managers may consider him as a potential top-40 starting pitcher. -- Karabell (11/25)

Brady Singer traded from Royals to Reds: Singer bounced back in 2024 with modest numbers, though not as excellent as in his breakout 2022 campaign. He will have a rotation spot for the Reds, but switching home ballparks may be a problem. Singer has posted a 3.51 home ERA over the last three seasons but away from Kansas City's large park his ERA was 5.03. The Reds desired an innings-eater but fantasy managers may not enjoy the new results. -- Karabell (11/22)

Kyle Hendricks signs with Angels: Once upon a time, Hendricks was a reasonable fantasy option posting strong ERA and WHIP numbers for the Cubs. Now he's an Angel, but he won't be much of one for your fantasy team. Hendricks, 34, has been a below-average starter since 2020, and he was never much of a strikeout pitcher. Now he is even less of one. Hendricks is coming off his worst season and the Angels are desperate for innings. You shouldn't be. -- Karabell (11/6)

Griffin Canning traded from Angels to Braves: Canning pitched terribly in 2024, his 5.19 ERA being third worst among 59 qualifiers (ahead of only Patrick Corbin and Miles Mikolas) and only one pitcher (Kutter Crawford) permitting more than his 31 home runs. However, we have seen the Braves work magic with pitchers in recent seasons, and Canning, who has one year left on his contract, showed promise in 2023, earning a 25.9% strikeout rate with his pitch mix heavy in sliders and four-seamers. Nobody is saying this is the next Reynaldo Lopez, but it is Atlanta, so we should be a little intrigued as late-round picks go. -- Karabell (10/31)

*Note: Canning was non-tendered by the Braves on 11/22 and is now a free agent.

Other potential free agents: Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Blake Snell, Patrick Corbin, Charlie Morton, Frankie Montas, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Sean Manaea, Jack Flaherty, Shane Bieber, Jose Quintana, Kyle Gibson, Luis Severino, Andrew Heaney, Roki Sasaki

Relief pitcher

Selected potential free agents: Kenley Jansen, Ryan Pressly, Ross Stripling, David Robertson, Aroldis Chapman, Daniel Bard, Drew Smyly, Blake Treinen, Kendall Graveman, Paul Sewald