The Dodgers are projected to have one of the deepest starting rotations in 2025. Some would go so far as to say that it is not only the best in franchise history but also the best in baseball history. After all, this winter, they signed Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki and three-time Cy Young Award Winner Blake Snell to a formidable duo of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and last year’s ace Tyler Glasnow. As if that weren’t enough, future Hall-of-Famer Clayton Kershaw is also scheduled to join the team mid-season. The baseball unicorn, Shohei Ohtani, is also set to return. Should we assume that they will win the World Series going away? Not exactly.

The Winter of 2024

The Dodgers have been here before, at least sort of. The Dodgers entered spring training of 2024 reportedly nine starters deep. Some wondered what Los Angeles would do with the surplus of arms. Before the All-Star Break, the Dodgers were claiming journey-men relievers off waivers to cover innings. By September, every starting rotation member had made a trip to the Injured List. When October arrived, the Dodgers were using bullpen games to survive elimination games, and their coaching staff was searching for answers.

The Best Stuff in Baseball

One of these answers was acquiring Roki Sasaki. The Dodgers have been scouting him since he was 15 years old. Sasaki almost threw back-to-back no-hitters in Japan. His manager took him out of his second game after eight innings. If that isn’t testimony enough, baseball experts marvel at the right-hander’s split-finger fastball as it just disappears.

Blake Snell is no slouch either. Snell’s sinker is heavy and hard to hit. He was shutting down the Dodgers in the 2020 World Series before, some would argue, being taken out prematurely. The Dodgers heaved a sigh of relief, rallied, and eventually won.

Reason For Concern in 2025?

The Dodgers have announced they will have a six-man rotation this year, most likely when Ohtani returns. (Ironically, his timeline has been pushed back.) This will help the Japanese contingent keep their routine and hopefully limit the wear and tear of a long season on an injury-prone set of starters. Lest we forget, Glasnow has never pitched more than 140 innings in a season due to a finicky elbow. Yamamoto missed significant time last season with a shoulder injury, Sasaki has never been through the riggers of a Major League season, and Dustin May is also coming off two major surgeries.

Does the Answer Lie In the Bullpen?

Another way to control the starters’ workload is to shorten games with quality arms in the bullpen. The Dodgers President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, is known for his bargain-hunting in the bullpen. This off-season was different, as he signed Blake Trenien, Kirby Yates, and closer Tanner Scott to bolster the back end of games. It remains to be seen if the Dodgers have their version of  “The Nasty Boys” like the Cincinnati Reds in the 1990s, but it’s certainly in upgrade from recent years.

The Proof is in the Pudding

There is no question that, on paper, the Dodgers have the top starting rotations in baseball. However, it’s a long way to the postseason, and the question will be, how healthy will the starting rotation be if and when the Dodgers get to October?

Main Photo Credits: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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As relief pitcher David Bednar struggles in the spring games, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a closer problem. From 2021-23, the popular right-hander from nearby Mars, Pennsylvania, had 61 saves, a 2.25 ERA, and 1.063 WHIP. He was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023. In the latter year, he led the National League with 39 saves.

I’m incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to play in my hometown for the team I grew up watching as a kid. Ready to get to work. @Pirates #letsgobucs pic.twitter.com/MiiEOKovSG

— David Bednar (@david_bednar) January 20, 2021

Things fell apart for Bednar in 2024. He was 3-8 with a 5.77 ERA, 23 saves, 1.422 WHIP, and seven blown saves. Injuries may have been partly to blame. They prevented Bednar from having much of a spring training. In June, he landed on the injured list.

Bednar Continues to Struggle, Giving Pirates a Closer Problem

It’s not going much better for Bednar in the 2025 exhibition season. After retiring all three batters he faced in Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Bednar has surrendered eight earned runs on 10 hits and three walks in six innings pitched. He’s also struck out eight.

At least in his public statements, Bednar is unconcerned. Same with manager Derek Shelton and pitching coach Oscar Marin. Then again, they won’t say that their player stinks. That’s what Facebook groups are for.

Even so, Shelton has declined to anoint Bednar as the Pirates closer for 2025. He hasn’t named anybody else for the role, either. Unlike 2024, there’s no Aroldis Chapman to take the reins, as he signed with the Boston Red Sox last December. If Shelton decides Bednar needs to step back to lower-leverage situations, he has many other candidates for the closer role. Let’s look at three of them.

The Eighth-Inning Man

Promoting the eight-inning specialist seems natural for a team looking to replace its closer. That would be right-hander Colin Holderman. He’s been a reliable bullpen option since joining the Pirates in 2022 from the New York Mets in a trade for Daniel Vogelbach, who’s now back in the organization as a special assistant. Bednar owes at least part of his success as a closer to the work Holderman has done with the Pirates. Last year, Holderman was 3-6 with a 3.16 ERA, a 1.305 WHIP, and 21 “holds.”

These figures belie the fact that Holderman had struggles of his own. From July 28 through August 7, his ERA shot up from 1.67 to 3.43. Over that five-game stretch, he was 0-4 and gave up nine earned runs, including four homers, in 4 1/3 innings. He then revealed that he was pitching through an injury and was placed on the IL. He returned in September and had a 1.93 ERA and six holds during the month. So far, he’s having a good spring. At the close of Wednesday’s action, he’s given up just one run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings. He has yet to walk a batter.

The knock against Holderman is that he doesn’t have “closer stuff.” His hardest pitch is a sinking fastball that averages between 96 and 97.6 mph, placing the pitch in the 93rd percentile among relievers. Yet, over the last three seasons, on average, it generated a low 5.73 percent whiff rate, which is only in the 37th percentile. He relied increasingly on a sweeper that he developed in 2023. The pitch was thrown 47.6 percent of the time in 2024.

Going with the Best Reliever

That’s what Shelton called Dennis Santana during a testy exchange with a reporter last year. It didn’t get much attention when Santana was picked up on waivers from the New York Yankees last June. With New York, Santana had a 6.26 ERA and 1.354 WHIP. Had general manager Ben Cherington lost his mind?

However, the Pirates unlocked whatever Santana had in him. In 39 games with Pittsburgh, he had a 2.44 ERA, 11 holds, and a 0.925 WHIP. This, despite a rough start that saw him surrender six runs in one inning during his second outing for the Pirates. Soon enough, he had an eight-game streak in July without allowing a run, followed by a 21-game streak without an unearned run from August 8 to September 27.

During the latter streak, Santana played Pirates closer for one day instead of Bednar, earning a save in Chicago. His 2024 success has carried over to the spring games thus far. He’s given up two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings this spring. The resulting 2.70 ERA from this small sample doesn’t begin to tell the story of how well he’s pitched, though. Facing 23 batters, he’s held them to a 0.600 WHIP and a .095 batting average. One of the runs came on a silly wind-blown homer in Monday’s game against the Minnesota Twins.

Why Not a Left-Hander?

Left-handed closers are rarely seen. It can work if the left-hander is effective against right-handed batters. The Pirates have had three left-handed ninth-inning men in the 21st century: Mike González, Tony Watson, and Felipe Vázquez. The fourth could be Ryan Borucki.

After a so-so career with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, Borucki was one of the best relief pitchers in baseball for the Pirates in 2023. In 38 games, he held opponents to a 2.45 ERA and a major league-best 0.744 WHIP. For that, the Pirates rewarded him in 2024 with a $1.6 million contract. Unfortunately, Borucki spent most of 2024 on the IL. When he returned, the results weren’t great. He gave up nine earned runs in 11 innings with Pittsburgh in 2024.

The Pirates returned him for 2025 on a “prove it” minor league deal. So far in spring training, he’s proving it, with “it” being that he’s back to his 2023 form. In eight innings, he’s given up just one run. He’s also surrendered four hits and five walks while striking out 11. He’s a non-roster invitee but looks like a lock to make the team, even though it will mean dropping somebody from the 40-man roster.

Most importantly, in 2023, he held right-handed batters to a .213/.244/.373 slash line while left-handed swingers mustered only .149/.230/.254 against him. An argument against Borucki as the Pirates closer in place of Bednar is that he’s never had a save in the majors. He’s had just one save in professional baseball in 2014 in Low-A.

The Last Word

The only reason this is a debate is because of the existence of the save statistic. Undoubtedly, it causes managers to manage differently than they might otherwise. In 1959, Chicago sportswriter Jerome Holtzman was credited with inventing the save, which is not unlike crediting somebody for inventing the leisure suit. The save became an official statistic in 1969. In recent years, major league managers have operated under the premise that it takes a special talent to pitch in the ninth inning with a lead. Yet, it’s hard to imagine pitchers who have made it as far as the majors wetting themselves over the prospect of pitching at the end of the game. On the contrary, it’s every relief pitcher’s dream.

But do the Pirates need to designate anybody as their closer, whether Bednar or anybody else? The Pirates won NL East Division titles from 1990-92 without a regular closer. Nine pitchers recorded saves for Pittsburgh in 1990, seven in 1991 and 1992. A committee approach based on matchups has often proven to be effective. Analytics have determined that the best use of a team’s top reliever is whenever the game is on the line. That might not be the ninth inning. Shelton was using that approach as recently as 2022. One thing is for sure. There’s no record of a team-leading after eight innings and surrendering because they didn’t have a closer.

Main Photo Credits:  Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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The Braves best hitter in 2024 was not Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley or Matt Olson. Rather, it was Marcell “The Big Bear” Ozuna, in a twist few could have imagined several years ago. In a Braves season marked by injuries and perplexing underperformances, neither applied to Ozuna, not even close. Instead, he played in all 162 games and roared to a fourth-place MVP finish. Now, Ozuna faces an important contract year.

Picking up his $16 million club option for the upcoming season was a no-brainer for Atlanta. The slugger will once again bat in the middle of the lineup and play a key role in a hopeful World Series push. However, many have speculated on what Ozuna’s future holds with the Braves, as he will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. It would seem like another no-brainer to extend him should he have one more great year, right? Well, it’s complicated. But in order to understand how we got here, we must first go back to the beginning.

Marcell Ozuna Faces Contract Year for Braves

An Early Peak

January, 2020. Third baseman Josh Donaldson signs a four-year deal with the Twins, leaving a massive hole in the middle of the Braves lineup. A week later, Atlanta announces the signing of fellow right-handed hitter Marcell Ozuna, then 29, to fill the void. It’s a one-year contract worth $18 million, a prove-it deal for Ozuna to build his value coming off two solid but unspectacular years with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Braves fans would have to wait a few extra months to see The Big Bear, as COVID-19 derailed the start of the season, but in the 60-game campaign that followed, Ozuna was nothing short of spectacular. His ridiculous slash line of .338/.431/.636 was supplemented by a National League-leading 18 home runs, 56 RBI, and 145 total bases. The Braves had seemingly unlocked a superstar to go with their exciting young core.

Believing in this vision, GM Alex Anthopoulos handed the Dominican slugger the long-term deal he sought all along. The four-year, $64 million pact was seen as a win-win, securing Ozuna the first multi-year contract of his career with the potential to become a bargain for Atlanta should he even come close to sustaining his 2020 production. Everything was set for a fruitful partnership, and a championship was on everyone’s mind. Then, everything went wrong.

The Valley

It’s hard to imagine a worse individual season than 2021 for Marcell Ozuna. Months removed from securing the big contract, Ozuna started very slow at the plate and in left field that year. In late Ma,y he fractured two fingers on a headfirst slide and was given a six-week timetable for his return. However, this return would never happen.

Just one day after hitting the injured list, Ozuna was arrested on domestic violence charges for assaulting his wife. The Braves kept him on the IL until September, before he was placed on administrative leave by MLB. Then, Ozuna had to watch from afar as the Braves made a miracle run to win the World Series over the Houston Astros in six games.

Ozuna eventually received a 20-game retroactive suspension from the league, allowing him to suit up for Opening Day the following season. However, 2022 was equally unkind. Ozuna stumbled to a .226/.274/.413 and an 88 OPS+ in 124 games, a far cry from star-level stats. To make matters worse, he ran into more legal trouble when he was arrested and charged with DUI in August, becoming a meme in the process (if ya know, ya know). Between the sunken stats and off-field distractions, Ozuna’s future with the Braves was suddenly uncertain.

His name is Marcell Ozuna and he cashes checks from the Atlanta Braves

— FAX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFAX) March 14, 2025

The Mariana Trench

The latter arrest eventually resolved itself, and given the large financial commitment, Ozuna found himself in the Braves lineup once again to begin 2023. Fans hoped for a resurgence, and instead, Ozuna was…laughably dreadful. His stats at the plate through the month of April are almost unbelievable: 5 for 67, .188 wOBA, and a wRC+ of 10(!). This is not to mention his defense in left field, which was nearly unplayable. Braves fans loudly booed his every move, thoroughly fed up with this shell of a superstar. Then, out of nowhere, everything changed again.

Back to the Peak

As the calendar turned to May 2023, a switch was flipped in Marcell Ozuna. From that point on, he mashed 38 home runs with a .297/.366/.603 line and a 156 wRC+. His final totals of 40 dingers and 100 RBI were near the top of the NL leaderboard. He was a leading contributor for an offense that finished with the highest team slugging percentage in baseball history. Crazily enough, The Big Bear was back and better than ever.

And despite his penchant for season-to-season volatility, Ozuna turned in an even better one the following year. As mentioned at the top, he carried Atlanta’s offense through a comparatively tough 2024 with a .302/.378/.546 line, 39 home runs, 104 RBI, and a 154 OPS+. The redemption arc was complete. Ozuna had gone from the worst hitter in baseball to the best one on a playoff team. Entering 2025, Ozuna will look to make it three consecutive excellent seasons in his last year of club control.

A Decision Awaits

Should Ozuna repeat the last two years, Anthopoulos will have an intriguing decision to make next offseason. At this point, Ozuna’s bat is a staple of the Braves offense and ever-crucial to the team’s success. However, in recent years Anthopoulos has established a trend of letting star players walk in free agency as they approach their early-to-mid 30s (Freddie Freeman, Dansby Swanson, Max Fried).

Ozuna will turn 35 in November of this year. Although his batted ball metrics currently show no sign of decline, this is the age when we typically see this, even from most star players. Additionally, he offers no defensive value at this point in his career (he has played all of two games in left field since 2022). If the Braves decide they want more flexibility to rotate guys in the DH spot moving forward, it could play into a decision to let Ozuna go.

It will likely take Ozuna mashing at an All-Star level once again in his contract year for the Braves to offer him a multi-year extension. Even in this scenario, we can probably expect Anthopoulos to offer him a value slightly below his true worth, and for Ozuna to rightfully seek out top dollar with this likely being his last shot at a big contract given his age.

On his upcoming free agency, Ozuna told Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “I don’t think on that. I just come in and give you my best, as usual, and then play the game, just have fun.” Braves fans should adopt the same mindset. Rather than worry about the future, sit back, relax, and enjoy the Marcell Ozuna show in 2025. It’s all the more mindblowing when you remember where we were just a few short years ago.

Photo Credit: © Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are putting the finishing touches on their domestic Opening Day roster and have optioned right-handed pitchers Landon Knack and Matt Sauer, and outfielder James Outman to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Los Angeles was able to carry a 31-man roster for their opening series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo.

The Dodgers optioned RHPs Matt Sauer and Landon Knack and OF James Outman to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 19, 2025

Dodgers Finalizing (Domestic) Opening Day Roster

A Cushion in the Pen

The Dodgers’ pitching depth is unprecedented, according to some baseball experts. It was on full display in the second game of the Los Angeles mini-sweep of the Cubs. Japanese superstar Roki Sasaki was pulled after three innings in his major league debut. The Dodgers bullpen, reminiscent of last season, had to cover the bulk of the innings. To his credit, Knack hurled two scoreless innings, striking out three and surrendering only one hit. For his efforts, he was awarded the win.

Matt Sauer did not get an opportunity to pitch in Japan, but the experience is something he will never forget. The right-handed reliever is opening some eyes, and is someone to watch in the near future

Fighting for the Last Player Position

Most of the position players, barring an injury, were already decided before the Dodgers entered spring training. However, Andy Pages and James Outman were battling to be the regular center fielder. Outman has played spectacular defense at times. In addition, he was a finalist for National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2023. Unfortunately, his offensive production has fallen drastically. Outman has struggled to have a batting average over .200, and he has a high strikeout rate.

Conversely, Andy Pages has shown some pop, particularly against left-handers. He has hit close to a .300 clip since late last year. However, his baserunning and defense continue to be an adventure. For now, the Dodgers, have opted for offense.

In Waiting…

These roster moves demonstrate that Los Angeles has depth that can be called on at a moment’s notice. They just need to be ready.

Photo Credit: © Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

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Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher José Alvarado has been excellent in spring training. he has not allowed an earned run this spring in eight outings. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Alvarado has added a curveball to his repertoire of pitches this season. Gelb also noted that the 29-year-old lefty has lost weight this offseason. Alvarado has an extra incentive to perform well this season, as Gelb mentions that his contract has a $9 million club option for the 2026 season. After bullpen uncertainty during the offseason, Alvarado, along with Jordan Romano and Orion Kerkering, are in line to be high-leverage relief pitchers. All three have had dominant springs. Additionally, Alvarado has a 0.63 WHIP and 17 strikeouts this spring. 

Jose Alvarado’s 86mph Curveball broke 6 inches the wrong way (arm side, instead of glove side).

Pham’s reaction. pic.twitter.com/9hTsNBGgE9

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 18, 2025

José Alvarado Looking To Return To Form for Phillies

Potential for Increased Role to Start the Regular Season

With Matt Strahm potentially sidelined to start the regular season, Alvarado will probably see an increased workload. Alvarado and Strahm are the Phillies’ left-handed high-leverage relief pitchers. Tanner Banks is the only other lefty reliever likely to be on the Opening Day roster, and there are not really any left-handed pitchers still in contention for the already available bullpen spot. The upcoming decision about Taijuan Walker will impact this. Walker making the team creates a situation where there is only a spot available if Strahm starts the season on the injured list. Alvarado, Banks, and Strahm are the only relief pitchers on the Phillies 40-man roster who are left-handed. Tristan Garnett and Nick Vespi are also in the organization.

Bullpen Adjustments and the Need For Alvarado To Regain Trust

Strahm starting the season on the injured list would lead to Alvarado getting more high-leverage chances. Alvarado would need to pitch more often given the Phillies’ lack of left-handed bullpen depth. Moreover, this would lead to some right-handed pitchers in the Phillies bullpen needing to face more left-handed batters than usual. Alvarado on his own cannot fill the void Strahm would leave. However, Alvarado has the chance to earn back the trust he lost at the end of the 2024 season. He had a 3.92 ERA along with a 2.50 strikeout-to-walk rate in the first half of last season. But in the second half, he had a 4.37 ERA as well as a 1.92 strikeout-to-walk rate. Alvarado carrying over the success from spring training would be huge, especially if Strahm is out.

Previous Big League Success During The 2023 Season

Alvarado might be able to return to a form similar to his dominant 2023 season, based on his spring training performance. That season, Alvarado had a 0-2 record with a 1.74 ERA and 10 saves, along with a 2.41 FIP and a 40 ERA- in 42 games. During that season, he recorded a 37.2% strikeout rate and a 10.5% walk rate. Those numbers went backward in 2024, as he had a 24.4% strikeout rate and a 10.9% walk rate. In 2023, opposing batters had a .195 average against Alvarado, while in 2024, it went up to .214. Through his first seven spring appearances, Alvarado had an impressive 59.3% strikeout rate with an 11.1% walk rate. He had a .083 batting average against in those outings. A return to form for Alvarado would likely give the Phillies their most reliable lefty in the bullpen.

Photo Credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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Opening Day for the Toronto Blue Jays is just over a week away, and four players have a shot at reaching milestone achievements this season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Daulton Varsho, Bo Bichette, and José Berríos are all set to have big seasons this year. Reaching milestones in baseball is worthy of noting since they demonstrate remarkable accomplishments, mold a player’s career, and function as standards for measuring achievements among the exceptional players in the game. Let’s take a look at the milestones that these four players could break this season.

Four Blue Jays Players Could Achieve Milestones This Season

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The 26-year-old slugger is entering the final year of his contract with the Blue Jays before he hits the free-agent market next winter. Vladdy is on pace to reach the milestone of 1,000 career hits. This would be a significant achievement for the Dominican star, who has earned four All-Star nods. He currently has 905 career hits and recorded 199 hits last season. So reaching 1,000 shouldn’t be an issue for him, assuming he stays healthy.

Vladimir Guerrero collects his 800th career hit.

He’s the 8th fastest player in Blue Jays history to reach the milestone (742 games)#TOTHECORE pic.twitter.com/Zo9FoERoeL

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 29, 2024

Daulton Varsho

Varsho has put up a standout performance in spring training thanks to adjustments he has made at the plate that have amounted to more home runs. Last season he hit 18, but with his new approach he could surpass his career high of 27, which he reached in 2022 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The first career 30-homer season for the 28-year old Varsho is not outside the realm of possibility.

José Berríos

This season is already starting on a high note for the 2023 Gold Glove winner, who earned the Opening Day nod for the Blue Jays this season. Berríos has a chance to reach 1,500 career strikeouts this season. He currently owns 1,343 strikeouts and recorded 153 strikeouts last season. He has the tools to reach the 1,500 strikeout mark as he has proven reliable as a starting pitcher during his time in Toronto, particularly in the last two seasons. Berríos also struck out 184 batters in 2023.

Bo Bichette

If it weren’t for a down season last year that was impacted by injuries, Bo Bichette would have likely been on pace to earn 1,000 career hits. But he’s been lights out with a strong performance in camp this season. Toronto’s likely leadoff hitter currently owns 723 hits in his career. While he would have to eclipse Ichiro Suzuki’s single-season record of 262 hits in 2004 in order to reach 1,000, a more plausible milestone for Bichette would be 900 hits. He picked up 191 hits in 2021 and 189 in 2022, leading the AL in hits in back-to-back seasons, so with another strong season, he could reach 900.

Photo Credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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With the St. Louis Cardinals seemingly in a holding pattern this offseason, right-hander Erick Fedde’s future could be up for grabs if they decide to move him at the trade deadline. Mark Axis of CBS Sports notes that while relievers will likely dominate the trade market, Fedde could emerge as a top non-Sandy Alcantara starter available. With a reasonable $7.5 million salary and proven success, he’s an appealing option for contenders. The Cardinals are in a “reset” phase, and with no significant additions, Fedde could be a valuable piece moved at the deadline. Teams like the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves, are expected to show interest in the right-hander.

The Yankees, who are dealing with pitching injuries, may look to add a reliable starter for depth. Meanwhile, the Braves, with a solid rotation but a need for depth, could also see Fedde as a cost-effective option to reinforce their postseason hopes.

Erick Fedde Could Be Top Starter Moved

The Yankees are facing a tough spring with pitching setbacks. Gerrit Cole will miss the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery and Luis Gil is out for at least three months with a lat strain. New York signed Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal. Manager Aaron Boone named Carlos Rodón for Game 1 and Fried for Game 2. Marcus Stroman, who was out of options weeks ago, is expected to be secure in the rotation, but Clarke Schmidt’s start is in jeopardy due to shoulder soreness.

The final spot in the Yankees’ rotation is a battle between veteran Carlos Carrasco and rookie Will Warren. Carrasco has an opt-out clause on March 22, which could trigger his release if he doesn’t secure a roster spot. Allan Winans would likely step in as the sixth starter if Carrasco leaves. Warren could be sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but would be the first called-up in case of another injury, adding further uncertainty to the Yankees’ already injury-prone rotation.

Before and after his trade to St. Louis, Fedde posted a 126 ERA+ and 3.86 FIP, contributing to a 5.6 bWAR. His $7.5 million price stage could be appealing to Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, who’s been cautious about utilizing the team’s financial resources. With Cole’s absence and Gil’s return from injury, Fedde’s affordability and solid performance make him a sensible rental for the Yankees, providing much-needed stability to their rotation.

Braves Rotation: A Potential Powerhouse with Postseason Hopes

The Braves’ rotation is shaping up to be a formidable force, with Chris Sale joining veteran Reynaldo López and promising arms like Spencer Schwellenbach and Grant Holmes. Holmes and Ian Anderson, both out of options, are vying for spots, but once Spencer Strider returns in late April, one may shift to the bullpen. Strider’s return to a rotation that includes Sale gives Atlanta a significant boost as they aim to maintain a strong pitching presence for the season ahead.

Fedde’s 177 1/3 innings last season make him an attractive option for teams like the Braves. Atlanta needs additional depth in their rotation through a trade. Fedde’s ability to cover innings and keep teams in games could be a critical asset with the Braves looking to bolster its postseason push. While rental starts often come with a high cost, acquiring Fedde could provide the Braves with the stability they need to make a serious run after the Wild Card Series exit.

Main Photo: © Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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The MLB trade deadline always brings surprises. However, some moves start gaining traction long before July arrives. Certain players become prime trade candidates as contenders look to add firepower and struggling teams shift toward the future. One name that could dominate the 2025 deadline conversation is Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. As Mike Axis of CBS Sports notes:

“The ChiSox shipped out ace Garrett Crochet over the winter, but they opted to hold onto Robert, and will instead let him rebuild value this season before making a trade. Robert, 27, is coming off a .224/.278/.379 line in 100 games around injuries in 2024. He’s also a year removed from hitting 38 home runs and playing Gold Glove-caliber defense in center. If he’s great, you can keep him for two more years beyond this one. If he’s bad, you can walk away. Similar to the Miami Marlins and Sandy Alcantara, don’t be surprised if the White Sox act quickly to move Robert, especially if he comes out of the gate strong.”

With a team-friendly contract, elite defensive skills and the ability to impact a postseason race, Robert fits the profile of a player who could generate significant interest. If the White Sox decide to move him, teams like the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds could be in the mix as they look to bolster their rosters.

Luis Robert Jr’s Contract and Value Make Him an Attractive Target

While Robert has stated that he is tuning out trade speculation and focusing on his game, discussions surrounding his future have been active for some time. The Cincinnati Reds were actively negotiating with the White Sox for Robert this past offseason. However, the teams “could not find a middle ground on players or dollars,” as noted by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon. The White Sox were reportedly seeking shortstop prospect Edwin Arroyo and pitchers Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder in return, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Following the stalled talks, the Reds signed outfielder Austin Hays to a one-year contract, addressing their immediate outfield needs.

Astros’ Outfield Situation

The Astros are also assessing their outfield configuration. Currently, their projected starters include Jose Altuve in left field, Jake Meyers in center and Chas McCormick in right. Ben Gamel, a left-handed hitter, is a leading candidate for the fourth outfielder spot. Jon Singleton and Luis Guillorme are expected to fill the remaining bench spots. Additionally, prospect Zach Dezenzo is making a compelling case for inclusion on the Opening Day roster. Dezenzo has impressed during spring training, maintaining a .371 batting average and demonstrating versatility in the outfield. Astros manager Joe Espada acknowledged Dezenzo’s strong performance, indicating that such efforts are pivotal in earning a spot on the team.

Phillies’ Outfield Concerns

As for the Phillies, they’ve faced scrutiny regarding their outfield depth. Despite offseason acquisitions like Jordan Romano and Max Kepler, concerns persist about offensive production from the outfield. A recent analysis highlighted that, aside from Nick Castellanos, other outfielders have struggled offensively during the postseason, combining for two hits in the NLDS against the New York Mets. While Kepler’s addition aims to bolster the lineup, it remains uncertain if this move sufficiently addresses the Phillies’ outfield concerns.

Main Photo: © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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Rumors swirled in the offseason about the Reds moving 27-year-old right-hander Graham Ashcraft to the bullpen. His career 4.91 ERA as a starter and the plethora of starting pitching talent on the Reds made Ashcraft the odd man out. He has seemingly received another opportunity this spring as he has made five appearances so far, all starts.

Unfortunately, Ashcraft has struggled mightily in 13 1/3 innings, as it’s more likely that he will begin the season in Louisville, where he’ll try to set things straight in Triple-A.

Ashcraft’s Spring Struggles

So far in spring, Ashcraft has allowed 10 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings while recording 13 strikeouts and eight walks in that span. His ERA and WHIP stand at an unimpressive 6.75 and 1.80 respectively, making it difficult to justify a major league roster spot as of now.

While it is important to acknowledge that spring training stats aren’t everything (Cy Young contender Hunter Greene currently has a 5.63 ERA in spring), it doesn’t exactly look good for Ashcraft as his career struggles have seemingly followed him into 2025.

Ashcraft’s Career Struggles

Coming out of the gate, Ashcraft was touching triple digits with his cutter while sporting a nasty slider. Despite the 4.89 ERA in 105 innings in his rookie campaign, there was optimism that adding a third reliable pitch into his arsenal would solidify him as a solid back-to-middle-of-the-rotation arm in Cincinnati. However, back-to-back years of putrid outings followed, with a 4.76 ERA in 145 2/3 innings in his sophomore season and an even worse 5.24 ERA in 77 1/3 innings in 2024.

Ashcraft’s Metrics

A concern with Ashcraft is the dip in cutter velocity. In 2022, his average velocity on his cutter stood at a blazing 97.3 MPH. In 2023, it took a significant dip, as it went down to 95.8 MPH, and in 2024, it dipped south once again, this time by a small margin at 95.6 MPH. If this dip in velocity was an attempt to bulk up his workload, it certainly didn’t come successfully, as he had a nearly identical innings-per-start average in all three years of his career. As of now, it seems as if the idea of Graham Ashcraft is far better than his actual production, a hole many young pitchers with nasty stuff fall into.

The positive outlook on this situation is that if the Reds do decide to move him into the bullpen, he would be able to go maximum effort out of the game rather than preserving his arm to go deep in games.

Despite the nasty stuff, Ashcraft had an awful 16.3 K% in 2024, which places him in the third percentile league-wide. He doesn’t miss bats at all, with a lowly 22.1 Whiff% (22nd percentile) and 26.2 Chase% (22nd percentile). He was also prone to loud contact, as his 42.7 Hard-Hit% (16th percentile) and 90.6 average exit velocity (7th percentile) are among MLB’s bottom.

The only thing Ashcraft did well in 2024 was generating ground balls, as he had a 49.2 GB%, good for the 82nd percentile. This isn’t a one-off occurrence either, as Ashcraft has always hovered around the bottom of the barrel in all these categories throughout his career.

2025 Expectations

Right now, it isn’t easy to imagine Graham Ashcraft starting the 2025 season as a member of the Reds rotation or bullpen piece. He has done nothing but struggle in his big-league career thus far. Now, entering year four is essentially his “prove it” year. He’s always had the stuff, but the metrics and numbers have consistently been underwhelming. A change of scenery for the bullpen could help, but any experiment will likely take place in Triple-A and not with the big league club.

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Opening Day is just over a week away and the Toronto Blue Jays still have a few unfilled spots on their roster. The Blue Jays’ full-time catcher will be Alejandro Kirk but who will be his primary backup behind the plate? Tyler Heineman has the edge at this point, but Christian Bethancourt has been making his presence known in camp, putting up competition with Heineman for the backup spot. In addition, Addison Barger is fighting for a roster spot this season alongside Leo Jiménez. Both are competing for potential roles as utility players/infielders.

Open Blue Jays Roster Spots Spark Competition

Backup Catcher

Heineman is no stranger to the Blue Jays lineup, as he is now in his third stint with them dating back to 2022. Heineman is a 33-year-old backstop who initially signed with the Blue Jays before that season. As of now, Heineman has the competitive edge over the 33-year-old Bethancourt to be the main backup. Bethancourt has recorded three hits and four RBI in camp this season across 14 at-bats. Heineman has recorded three hits, two RBIs, and a stolen base across 18 at-bats in camp.

Bethancourt has been identified as a solid backup, as he’s provided stability and consistency in that role during his career. His defensive skills make him a steady backstop while also effectively framing pitches. He can also contribute as a solid hitter. In addition, he provides versatility as he can also play in the infield and outfield, and even has some experience pitching. His experience in the majors playing for six different teams has given him a keen feel for situations with added pressure. Last season with the Chicago Cubs, Bethancourt was successful in a brief stint, sporting a .407 batting average and going yard three times with 15 RBI across 11 games.

Heineman carries the added benefit of being a switch-hitter. He is also known for hitting the ball around all areas of the field and has good discipline at the plate. This is reflected in his tendency to not strike out often. Like Bethancourt, he has been a steady backup catcher for several teams in his career.

Barger Vs. Jiménez

Both Barger and Jiménez are competing for a spot on the roster through a utility role or in the infield. Barger remains favored as of now for the offense he can provide in addition to being able to play both in the infield and outfield. Meanwhile, Jiménez possesses strong on-base skills and is a strong defensive shortstop. The Blue Jays are not a team currently lacking in infield depth. They have players such as Orelvis Martinez, Will Wagner, Davis Schneider, Andrés Giménez, Ernie Clement, and Bo Bichette.

Leo Jiménez taking infield in Dunedin. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/rnlP9E5uXV

— The Herd Chronicles (@HERDchronicles) February 27, 2025

Among these players, Martinez, Wagner, Schneider, and Clement are also looking to secure their spots on the roster. It appears as though Jiménez could start the season in the minors (Triple-A) considering the amount of depth that the team has with infielders. Looking at both players, Barger inevitably has the upper hand with his time spent in the majors last season, and the versatility and offensive spark he provides. Barger has also put up impressive camp numbers this season, recording 10 hits, a stolen base, two home runs, and five RBI with a .370 batting average. Jiménez is hitting only .160 (4-for-32) with a .584 OPS this spring, so the edge appears to go to Barger.

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