The Yankees had been so shook they missed on Juan Soto, they went out and paid a nutty amount of cash with a loopy quantity of years for Max Fried. This isn’t about Max Fried. Properly, not but. I’ll get to him. I point out him as a result of the Yankees might’ve simply traded some gamers and acquired a method higher pitcher in Garrett Crochet. I’m not a Crimson Sox homer (which is why after I say, “That’s an uncomfortable cot,” you don’t assume I used to be caught for one thing or that I’m making an attempt to sleep on a cod), however I can’t argue with the strikes they’ve been doing recently. I’m going to Vegas for Christmas, and I’m able to wager on the Crimson Sox to win the World Collection (so they are going to are available in 4th within the AL East). Presently engaged on my 2025 rankings — accessible on Patreon — and most starters fell straight into line with whether or not I needed them or not, however Crochet was the one man who didn’t. I briefly actually needed Crochet, then for a very long time I used to be out on him, now I’m in, however at a degree the place he is likely to be drafted already, so: Hedge. His peripherals are attractive. Could be the very best in baseball. A near-13 Ok/9 and barely 2 BB/9 are ridonk. My first downside was: He had a 3.58 ERA final 12 months in that “nice” 12 months. That’s not nice. Once more, I do know, ERA is tough to account for, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a class. Secondly, his large soar in innings final 12 months is terrifying (from 25 IP to 146). Thirdly, there’s no thirdly. Fourthly, his BABIP was excessive, however not as a consequence of unhealthy luck. His opponents had been barreling his stuff and making arduous contact. That could be a very odd one, so let’s spend two secs on it. He strikes out guys at a 35.1% price, which is a straight bazinga, however, when folks do make contact, they hit it arduous. Bizarre, truthfully. With the Monster, that could possibly be an even bigger situation, since Fenway all the time has a excessive BABIP. Hopefully, we’re not ready for Crochet to win the Cy in 2030 on the Braves. Ultimately, I’m in as a result of the perfs that had been gorge are simply so gorge, however hedged up like a panorama architect for these different causes. Pray there’s not too many moments this 12 months we’re speaking about how hitters cot as much as him. Caught! Not cot. Sorry. Darn, Crochet! 2025 Projections: 13-9/3.47/1.05/193 in 154 IP. Anyway, right here’s what else I noticed this offseason for 2025 fantasy baseball:
Jake Burger – Traded to the Rangers for 3 minor leaguers. I don’t must squint too arduous at Burger and see a poor man’s Matt Olson. Going into In ‘n Out and asking for an Olson, which is a burger with out buns, however “No, not Animal Type. I don’t have cash for lettuce both. I’ll go into your kitchen and you set the burger in my arms.” That’s off the menu and an Olson, and a poor man’s burger. See, a poor man’s Olson is a burger in your arms. I would’ve acquired misplaced in that analogy. Any hoo! Jake Burger is an easy-30-homer hitter who has hit .250 for 3 straight years. Oh, wow, he can sleep with Khris Davis’s spouse now. If she permits it! 30/.250 is extra thrilling within the Rangers’ lineup than the Marlins’ however not as a lot because the Braves’ lineup, therefore why Jake’s a burger in your arms. 2025 Projections: 66/31/74/.250/1 in 529 ABs
Spencer Horwitz – Traded to the Guards, then to the Pirates. It’s a little bit of an issue that half the league’s groups are actively making an attempt to worsen. My guess is the Guards determine they’ll commerce out Gimenez for (placeholder) till Travis Bazzana is prepared in August of 2025 and lose solely, like, two video games and nonetheless make the second Wild Card or one thing very actuarial. As for fantasy, Horwitz is extraordinarily meh with a aspect of bleh. 2025 Projections: 64/14/68/.273/2 in 413 ABs
Luis L. Ortiz – Traded to the Guards. The L in his title is for Like. As in, I do. That is virtually solely “I don’t belief the starter, however I do belief the Cleveland Beginning Pitching Manufacturing unit and every thing they contact turns to one thing stable, besides Triston McKenzie however that’s extra as a result of they’ll’t contact him, as a result of he’s so skinny.” 2025 Projections: 9-8/3.79/1.16/121 in 152 IP
Andres Gimenez – Traded to the Jays. Ooh, Andres Gimenez commerce provides the Jays’ double play combo of Gimenez/Jimenez. Pour one out for Buck Martinez. So, Gimenez shifting from the Guards to the Jays, and individuals are saying the Mets received the Francisco Lindor commerce, however who’s to say? Gimenez has nice contact (15.4%) and is hopefully main off now, except Springer has bare pictures of John Schneider–oh my God, I simply shuddered out of my pores and skin. A little bit assist! I by accident shedded my Earth pores and skin! 2025 Projections: 86/12/61/.274/32 in 587 ABs
Yimi Garcia – Signed with the Jays. To. Dot dot dot. Shut? To arrange. Dot dot dot. Somebody? Bullpens are, typically, a large number across the league. 2025 Projections: 4-2/3.12/1.06/72, 6 saves in 61 IP.
Max Fried – Signed with the Yankees for eight years making this screenshot an NFT collectible:
having the weirdest cravings
[image or embed]
— Razzball (@razzball.bsky.social) October 16, 2024 at 9:59 AM
So, eight years, let’s see what we acquired right here with Fried: One to 2 years for the primary Tommy John surgical procedure restoration, one to 2 years for pitching effectively, one to 2 years for pitching terribly as an over-the-hill vet and one to 2 years for pitching effectively after everybody counted him out and what number of “one to 2 years” is that? Between Rodon, Cole and Fried, the Yankees have sufficient elbow tendons to make one pitcher. Would I be giving out a long-term contract to Fried? I wouldn’t draft him in a redraft league! I would favor Clarke Schmidt if I had been the Yankees. Although, they’ll seemingly get each since Fried can’t throw a full season, can he? 2025 Projections: 13-9/3.49/1.11/154 in 158 IP
Alex Cobb – Signed with the Tigers. What’s the day earlier than Opening Day when groups must make roster strikes? That’s the day for when Cobb is positioned on the IL.
Jordan Romano – Signed with the Phils. I requested a reasonably stunod query on social media, asking is Romano the primary lights-out nearer the Phils have had since Lidge? And have mercy on my soul for asking an open-ended query with subjectivity concerned. I heard issues like, “Jeanmar Gomez wasn’t that unhealthy,” and, the obvious, “Romano wasn’t that good.” Seems like Italian cheese discrimination. What, you a Parm man? So, I like Romano, however being non-tendered by the Jays and having an elbow situation does increase some pink flags. 2025 Projections: 5-3/4.17/1.33/61, 27 saves in 58 IP
Thairo Estrada – Signed with the Rockies. There’s actually no method I’m getting roped in by a Rockies participant ever once more–Maintain up, he went 12/23/.271 in San Fran in solely 495 ABs and he’s now in Coors on the age of 29? Okay, after Thairo, I’ll by no means be roped in by a Rockies participant ever once more. Although, Zac Veen is kinda attention-grabbing…2025 Projections: 64/15/71/.267/17 in 519 ABs
