MLB

Severino heads to Queens as a high-risk, high-upside speculative gamble, following a disastrous 2023 campaign for the Yankees that resulted in a bloated 6.65 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 79/34 K/BB ratio across 89 1/3 innings (19 appearances, 18 starts). The 29-year-old right-hander owns an extensive injury history, but has been a upper-echelon starter — and near-elite fantasy contributor — when healthy in the recent past. He’s a worthwhile gamble for the Mets as a reclamation project and will be a decent late-round lottery ticket for fantasy managers in drafts next spring.

Williams receives the prestigious honor for the second time in his career after recording a career-high 36 saves to accompany a microscopic 1.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 87/28 K/BB ratio across 58 2/3 innings (61 appearances). The 29-year-old right-hander has a real case to be the first reliever off the board in fantasy drafts next spring as a likely top-50 pick.

Bautista takes home the top honor in the America League, despite missing the final five weeks of the 2023 campaign due to a partially-torn UCL in his right elbow, after posting a sublime 1.48 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 110/26 K/BB ratio across 61 innings (56 appearances). The hard-throwing 28-year-old right-hander will likely remain sidelined until the outset of the 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last month.

Alvarez put up some impressive numbers this past season for Triple-A Sacramento in the Giants’ minor league system, slashing .308/.379/.581 with 18 homers and eight steals across 298 plate appearances in 74 contests. The 29-year-old corner infielder will compete in spring training for a role with the Athletics, but will likely open the year at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Ferguson compiled a pedestrian 5.72 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 86/58 K/BB ratio ac ross 78 2/3 innings (51 appearances, three starts) this past season for Triple-A Reno in Arizona’s minor league system. The 30-year-old righty represents extra organizational relief depth for Oakland heading into next season.

Lugbauer spent the last seven years in Atlanta’s minor league system after being selected in the 11th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. The 27-year-old first baseman launched 25 homers in 95 games this past season between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett.

Hampson figures to open next season in a versatile utility role for the rebuilding Royals. The 29-year-old former top prospect, who never quite blossomed into the elite batting average and stolen base threat fantasy managers envisioned during his Rockies tenure, posted a .729 OPS with three homers and five steals in 252 plate appearances last year for the Marlins in a bench role.

It was Veen’s first game action since undergoing season-ending left hand surgery back on June 22. The soon-to-be 22-year-old outfielder — MLB Pipeline’s 92nd-ranked prospect — possesses game-changing speed and stolen base prowess, but was limited to just 46 games this past season for Double-A Hartford due to injury. He’ll make up for lost development time this winter before heading to spring training. There’s a decent shot he makes it to the big leagues at some point during the 2024 campaign.

Morosi adds that the Braves are among the finalists in the Cease sweepstakes, which will likely produce significant fantasy ramifications. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported earlier this week that Atlanta was among teams pursuing the upper-echelon starter. The 27-year-old fantasy ace won’t reach free agency until 2026, but is arbitration-eligible this offseason for the first time in his career, which certainly plays a role in the rebuilding White Sox’ decision-making process. He compiled an underwhelming 4.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 214/79 K/BB ratio across 177 innings (33 starts) this past season, but was one of the American League’s premier hurlers the previous year when he finished second in junior circuit Cy Young Award balloting.

The Orioles are replacing Chris Holt, who is now the Orioles’ director of pitching. The 39-year-old French will be a rare major league pitching coach who never pitched as a pro. He did pitch in college before eventually joining the Astros in 2016. He spent the last three years as the Braves’ bullpen coach.