Fantasy Baseball Offseason Tracker: Key Signings and Trades

Alex Bregman Joins the Red Sox

Alex Bregman trades one short porch for another, swapping Houston's Crawford Boxes for Fenway's Green Monster. This move bodes well for his power potential, but questions remain about his defensive position, with second and third base both in play. This positional uncertainty could impact Kristian Campbell or Rafael Devers depending on the Red Sox's final decision.

For a deeper dive into the potential ramifications of this signing, see Scott White's full analysis.

Nick Pivetta Heads to San Diego

The Padres made a significant investment in Nick Pivetta, despite his career ERA never dipping below 4.04. While some may question this move, Pivetta's historically strong ratios and the Padres' pitcher-friendly ballpark make this an intriguing pairing. The move could help limit Pivetta's home run vulnerability.

"He's always been a good bat-misser," observes Scott White, "but we've been saying that for so long now that it kind of feels like Lucy with the football, even with the change in venue." While White acknowledges some trepidation, he's moving Pivetta up in his rankings, primarily due to his strikeout potential.

Kenley Jansen Signs with the Angels

Kenley Jansen's arrival in Anaheim puts Ben Joyce's closer ambitions on hold. Jansen's experience and track record make him the clear favorite for the ninth inning. This signing makes him a viable, albeit not elite, closer option for Fantasy.

Chris Towers weighs in on the impact on Joyce: "And don't weep too much for Joyce. He'll get his chance to close some games, and besides, he's more 'interesting' than 'good' or even 'exciting' at this point in his career." Towers suggests Joyce is now a deep league target.

Pete Alonso Stays Put with the Mets

While Pete Alonso remaining with the Mets may not be the most exciting offseason news, the surprisingly lukewarm market for his services raises eyebrows. Despite concerns over his rising strikeout rate, Alonso remains a reliable power hitter at a position lacking in them. This signing provides predictability and RBI opportunities batting behind Lindor and Soto.

Scott White dismisses the strikeout concerns: "I mostly think these concerns are overblown... He's a reliable masher at a position that's surprising lacking in them."

Jack Flaherty Returns to the Tigers

Jack Flaherty rejoins the team that helped revitalize his career. His return to Detroit and the tutelage of pitching coach Chris Fetter is good news for Fantasy managers. However, the relatively short-term contract raises some potential red flags.

Max Scherzer Joins the Blue Jays

Max Scherzer's age and injury history raise concerns as he joins the Blue Jays. Reduced velocity and multiple IL stints in 2024 make him a risky proposition for Fantasy. He may go undrafted in many leagues.

Carlos Estevez Signs with the Royals

Carlos Estevez's signing with the Royals creates a closer conundrum, potentially displacing Lucas Erceg. While Estevez has closing experience, he hasn't consistently performed at an elite level. This signing adds complexity to draft decisions.