The Texas Rangers have signed relief pitcher David Robertson to a one-year contract in the $11-12 million range. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The specific amount has yet to be released but the reigning World Series champions add a big arm to their relief corps. Robertson worked to a 2.05 ERA across 40 appearances with the Mets last season but struggled upon a trade to the Miami Marlins at the deadline. The veteran owns a career 2.90 ERA with 175 saves across 793 appearances.
Free agent SP Marcus Stroman is in agreement on a contract with the New York Yankees. (Source: Jeff Passan)
Fantasy Impact: Stroman had a tale of two halves with the Cubs in 2023. He had an ERA of 2.96 in the first half with a BAA of .205. In the second, he dealt with injuries and carried an ERA of 8.63 with a BAA of .327. Stroman is projected to slot in as the No. 3 starter behind Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon. His current ADP is in the 280s and should be considered a fringe SP5 in traditional 5x5 leagues.
Shota Imanaga has reached a tentative deal with the Cubs. (Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Imanaga's pact with the Cubs is still contingent on a physical he is scheduled to undergo in Chicago on Thursday. The 30-year-old southpaw has been excellent over an eight-year career in his native Japan, putting up a 2.96 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 26.0 K% in more than 1,100 innings.
Teoscar Hernandez joins the Dodgers on a one-year deal. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Hernandez had been linked to various other potential suitors in recent weeks, but it's ultimately the Dodgers that come away with yet another serious free-agent pickup. Hernandez brings even more pop to an already deep and powerful L.A. lineup, as he has averaged 28 homers alongside a .481 SLG across the last three seasons. It's a bit surprising to see Hernandez sign just a one-year deal, but the $23.5 million pay day is significant.
The Red Sox have traded SP Chris Sale to the Braves in exchange for INF Vaughn Grissom. (Source: Jeff Passan)
Fantasy Impact: Sale has battled an array of injuries over the past few years, which have limited him to 31 starts since 2020. In 20 starts last season, the 34-year-old racked up 125 strikeouts in 102 2/3 innings, finishing with a 4.30 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. The ERA was inflated (xERA of 3.61), and he still offers strikeout upside. His biggest question mark is health, but he could be worth a flier in later rounds of drafts.
Free agent SP Frankie Montas has agreed to a one-year, $16 million deal with Cincinnati. (Source: Jon Heyman)
Fantasy Impact: Montas appeared in only one game in 2023 due to shoulder surgery. The 30-year-old has a career ERA of 3.90 and WHIP of 1.29, and now he moves to one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball. Montas is much more of a name than he is a fantasy asset and can be passed over on draft day.
Thu, Dec 21st, 2023 11:13pm EST
By Mike Maher
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a deal worth more than $300 million, according to multiple reports. (Source: Jack Curry on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Yamamoto was a star in Japan, and many believe he can step in right away and be the ace of an MLB rotation. With this reported deal and the heavily-deferred $700 million contract the Dodgers gave Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles has now committed more than $1 billion to the pair of Japanese players. As for fantasy implications, Yamamoto has excellent command and a deep repertoire of pitches that make him an instant Rookie of the Year and NL Cy Young award candidate. The Dodgers are an ideal landing spot, especially after they landed Ohtani on his record-breaking deal. Early projections have Yamamoto winning a dozen games with close to 200 strikeouts and an ERA under 4.00.
The Tampa Bay Rays have traded outfielder Manuel Margot to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a blockbuster deal on Thursday evening. (Source: Jeff Passan)
Fantasy Impact: Margot is not the headliner in the deal as right-hander Tyler Glasnow is also headed to the Dodgers in exchange for right-hander Ryan Pepiot and outfield prospect Jonny Decluca. Margot is in the final season of a two-year $19 million contract that contains a mutual option for the 2025 season. He hit .264 with four homers and nine stolen bases in 99 appearances in 2023.
