Fantasy Baseball Offseason Tracker: Blue Jays sign Jeff Hoffman to close; Giants land Justin Verl...

Here's our breakdown of all the offseason moves that matter for Fantasy Baseball
Mr. Luella Gottlieb · about 4 hours ago · 8 minutes read


## Hot Stove: Offseason Tracker**Major Buzzy Moves****Jeff Hoffman Inked by Blue Jays**Jeff Hoffman's potential as a quality starter seems to have taken a backseat as the Jays intend to use him as their primary closer. This elevates his Fantasy value significantly, putting him in the top 12 relievers, despite some concerns about his shoulder.**Justin Verlander Goes to Giants**In a surprising twist, Verlander has signed with the Giants, a team not considered a contender. Age and decline may have caught up to him, leaving him valued as a mid-tier pitcher.**Gavin Lux Traded to Reds**While this trade seems minor, it introduces payroll flexibility for both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds. Lux is headed to a more homer-friendly park, but question marks linger about his playing time and power-hitting potential.**Charlie Morton Joins Orioles**The Orioles acquire Charlie Morton, a seasoned veteran, who offers a solid but streamable innings count, maintaining an outside chance of a borderline top-12 reliever status.**Hyeseong Kim Joins Dodgers**A defensive specialist, Hyeseong Kim, joins the Dodgers without much Fantasy impact but brings flexibility to the infield.**Josh Bell Returns to Nationals**A veteran of previous Nationals dominance, Josh Bell returns to the team. However, after an impressive first stint, expectations are tempered, and he is likely to be a solid, mid-tier fantasy option at best.**Matt Mervis and Vidal Brujan Traded**The Marlins continue their enigmatic signing spree by adding Matt Mervis, a former prospect with limited MLB success. Vidal Brujan, on the other hand, heads to the Cubs as a potential utility player with a chance to make an impact.**Corbin Burnes Lands in Diamondbacks Territory**Corbin Burnes finds a new home with the Diamondbacks, boosting his Fantasy value thanks to a favorable park and late-season tweaks to his arsenal.**Teoscar Hernandez Re-Signs with Dodgers**The Dodgers extend Teoscar Hernandez's stay in Los Angeles, solidifying their outfield and retaining a steady run producer with top 20 upside.**Gleyber Torres Signs with Tigers**Gleyber Torres' move to the Tigers brings an element of stability to the team, but he faces challenges from a weaker lineup and a less favorable home park. While he remains a potential mid-tier starter, other options may prove more reliable.**Walker Buehler Signs with Red Sox**The Red Sox show confidence in Walker Buehler's potential by giving him a substantial contract. A shoulder injury last season remains a concern, but he has the talent to be a versatile late-round pick.**Joc Pederson Signs with Rangers**Joc Pederson provides the Rangers with a reliable DH against right-handed pitching, adding a decent average and power upside. His role, however, limits his overall Fantasy relevance.**Sean Manaea Joins Mets**At a time when deceptive mechanics seem to be a trend, Sean Manaea has found a new lease on his career with the Mets. A breakout in 2024 suggests he could be a valuable mid-tier pitcher.**Jesus Luzardo Traded to Phillies**A trade with health concerns surrounding both players sees Jesus Luzardo join the Phillies. The move may hinder his Fantasy value, but it does make way for top pitching prospect Andrew Painter.**Nathaniel Lowe Traded to Nationals**Nathaniel Lowe departs the Rangers for the Nationals. Despite his contract extension, Lowe's fantasy value takes a hit due to the less favorable park conditions in Washington, making him a mid-tier CI option at best.**Carlos Santana Signs with Guardians**The return of Carlos Santana to the Guardians seems like a risky move for a contending team, adding an aging player whose production might decline sharply.**Josh Naylor Traded to Diamondbacks**Josh Naylor's trade to the Diamondbacks could boost his fantasy stock, despite the move from a hitter-friendly home park to a more challenging one.**Paul Goldschmidt Signs with Yankees**Paul Goldschmidt joins the Yankees, providing a steady first baseman with a solid profile. While he may not be a superstar, his quality of contact suggests he can thrive in the favorable Yankee Stadium environment.**Christian Walker Signs with Astros**The Astros acquire Christian Walker to bolster their corner infield, a solid move for both the player and team. Walker's reliable production makes him a top-tier first baseman in Fantasy.**Max Kepler Signs with Phillies**Max Kepler joins the Phillies, once again fueling hope that he can unlock another gear. However, the move to a pitcher-friendly park raises concerns about his consistency.**Michael Soroka Signs with Nationals**The Nationals bet on Michael Soroka's potential, a risky move given his injury history. If he can regain his pre-injury form, he could be a sleeper to watch.**Cody Bellinger Traded to Yankees**Cody Bellinger's trade to the Yankees marks a shift in scenery that might not elevate his Fantasy value much. The expected impact is more in the downstream effects on other players rather than Bellinger himself.**Tomoyuki Sugano Signs with Orioles**The Orioles sign Tomoyuki Sugano, a veteran Japanese pitcher with a stellar record. While his fastball velocity is down, his pinpoint control and diversified arsenal give him potential as a mid-tier pitcher, resembling Mike Wacha in style.**Jeffrey Springs Traded to Athletics**Injuries cloud Jeffrey Springs' value, prompting a trade to the Oakland Athletics. His prospects for a strong 2025 remain uncertain, especially with a less supportive cast and persisting health concerns.**Kyle Tucker Traded to Cubs**A blockbuster trade moves Kyle Tucker to the Cubs, reshaping Fantasy outlooks for both teams. Tucker's value shifts primarily in tandem with other lineup changes resulting from the deal.**Devin Williams Traded to Yankees**The Yankees bolster their bullpen with a massive move, acquiring former Rookie of the Year Devin Williams from the Brewers. His exceptional strikeout rate makes him an elite closer choice, pushing teammate Luke Weaver to a more specialized role.**Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin Traded to the Brewers**Nestor Cortes brings a reliable mid-tier starter profile to the Brewers, offering similar upside to the departing Corbin Burnes. The trade also sends a prospect, Caleb Durbin, to the Yankees for infield depth options.**Garrett Crochet Traded to Red Sox**A surprising trade brings Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox. Despite impressive underlying talent, his health concerns raise questions about his reliability as a top Fantasy option.**Jake Burger Traded to Rangers**Jake Burger's trade to the Rangers introduces more lineup flexibility for the team. His path to regular playing time is unclear, limiting his Fantasy value as a borderline top 12 pitcher and top 30 infielder.**Andres Gimenez to Blue Jays, Spencer Horwitz to Pirates in Three-Team Deal**Andres Gimenez's move to the Blue Jays increases his upside due to a lineup bump, but he maintains his mid-tier second baseman status. The trade has bigger implications for Spencer Horwitz, who faces increased competition for playing time with the Pirates.**Nathan Eovaldi Signs with Rangers**Nathan Eovaldi re-signs with the Rangers, solidifying his mid-tier starting pitcher value. Expect a consistent contribution of respectable ratios and valuable innings pitched.**Max Fried Signs with Yankees**A lucrative contract with the Yankees secures Max Fried's position as a top-level starting pitcher. Despite some uncertainty surrounding a physical exam, he remains a prized asset for Fantasy teams.**Yimi Garcia Signs with Blue Jays**Yimi Garcia joins the Blue Jays, emerging as a favorite for the closer role. While the competition for saves in Philadelphia stiffens, his acquisition brings potential for a breakout season.**Thairo Estrada Signs with Rockies**Thairo Estrada fills a void at second base for the Rockies. His versatile profile makes him a viable option for roto leagues, especially in Coors Field's hitter-friendly environment.**Jordan Romano Signs with Phillies**Jordan Romano's signing with the Phillies adds an experienced closer to the team but creates a fierce competition for saves. While he remains a formidable closer, the muddled bullpen dynamic makes his Fantasy value less clear.**Alex Cobb Signs with Tigers**Alex Cobb's signing with the Tigers provides a veteran presence to their rotation. His ability to stay healthy will determine his Fantasy relevance, which could be boosted by working with Detroit's pitching coaches.**Jake Blake Treinen Signs with the Dodgers**With a strong save track record, Blake Treinen returns to the Dodgers as a leading candidate for the closer role. He sits just outside the top 15 pitchers due to some uncertainty surrounding his role.**Juan Soto Signs with Mets**Juan Soto's massive contract with the Mets cements his place among the league's elite. His Fantasy value remains constant across different teams, reflecting his exceptional talent.**Michael Conforto Signs with Dodgers**Michael Conforto's exceptional exit velocities and home run potential make him a sleeper pick with the Dodgers. His performance at Oracle Park could exceed his previous numbers.**Willy Adames Signs with Giants**Willy Adames' inconsistent tendencies make him a risky choice despite an impressive stat line in 2024. Statcast data suggests a potential decline in his offensive output at Oracle Park.**Tyler O'Neill Signs with Orioles**Tyler O'Neill's move to the Orioles coincides with adjustments to the Camden Yards outfield fence, boosting his home run potential. His health remains a concern, but he has upside