Marcus Stroman, SP, YankeesThis season carries major financial ramifications for Stroman, who signed a two-year, million deal with the Yankees last January. The veteran right-hander will trigger an million player option for 2026 if he throws at least 140 innings in 2025. Otherwise, he’ll become a free agent at the end of the year, at […]
Marcus Stroman, SP, Yankees
This season carries major financial ramifications for Stroman, who signed a two-year, million deal with the Yankees last January. The veteran right-hander will trigger an million player option for 2026 if he throws at least 140 innings in 2025. Otherwise, he’ll become a free agent at the end of the year, at which point he’ll be going into his age-35 campaign.
This season carries major financial ramifications for Stroman, who signed a two-year, million deal with the Yankees last January. The veteran right-hander will trigger an million player option for 2026 if he throws at least 140 innings in 2025. Otherwise, he’ll become a free agent at the end of the year, at which point he’ll be going into his age-35 campaign.
The Red Sox have since added Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler to their starting staff, which also includes 2024 All-Star Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford and Brayan Bello. But Giolito is still in the mix, too, and he could significantly improve Boston’s postseason chances if his performance looks more like 2019-21 (3.47 ERA, 11.1 K/9) than 2022-23 (4.89 ERA, 9.9 K/9).
That said, Yamamoto was sidelined for nearly three months while dealing with a right shoulder issue and tossed just 90 innings during the regular season, joining a long list of Dodgers starters who missed significant time due to injuries. Los Angeles was able to win it all nonetheless, but it could have a tough time repeating if those problems persist on the mound. Given the checkered injury histories of Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May, the Dodgers will be counting on the 26-year-old Yamamoto to set the tone from a durability standpoint.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, SP, Dodgers
It’s hard to quibble with the outcome of Yamamoto’s first year with the Dodgers after landing the richest contract (5 million over 12 years) ever signed by a pitcher last offseason. The right-hander’s repertoire lived up to expectations as he made the transition from NPB to MLB, and Los Angeles ended up winning the World Series, with Yamamoto making key contributions in the playoffs.
It’s hard to quibble with the outcome of Yamamoto’s first year with the Dodgers after landing the richest contract (5 million over 12 years) ever signed by a pitcher last offseason. The right-hander’s repertoire lived up to expectations as he made the transition from NPB to MLB, and Los Angeles ended up winning the World Series, with Yamamoto making key contributions in the playoffs.
Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF, Yankees
Bellinger’s career has been quite a roller coaster. After establishing himself as one of the top stars in the game over his first three seasons — culminating with the National League MVP Award in 2019 — Bellinger regressed to the point where he was MLB’s worst hitter (minimum 900 plate appearances) across 2021-22 (69 wRC+), leading to him being non-tendered by the Dodgers.
Bellinger’s career has been quite a roller coaster. After establishing himself as one of the top stars in the game over his first three seasons — culminating with the National League MVP Award in 2019 — Bellinger regressed to the point where he was MLB’s worst hitter (minimum 900 plate appearances) across 2021-22 (69 wRC+), leading to him being non-tendered by the Dodgers.
Jordan Montgomery, SP, D-backs
A free agent for the first time last offseason, Montgomery lingered on the open market until late March before finally signing with the D-backs, inking a one-year, million contract with a vesting player option for 2025. Lacking a typical buildup to the season, the left-hander was unable to get into a groove all year, recording a 6.23 ERA over 117 innings. It was a far cry from his performance across 2022-23, which saw him post a 3.34 ERA over 64 starts. He also shined on the postseason stage for the Rangers in 2023, helping the club win a World Series title with a 2.90 ERA over six postseason games (five starts).
A free agent for the first time last offseason, Montgomery lingered on the open market until late March before finally signing with the D-backs, inking a one-year, million contract with a vesting player option for 2025. Lacking a typical buildup to the season, the left-hander was unable to get into a groove all year, recording a 6.23 ERA over 117 innings. It was a far cry from his performance across 2022-23, which saw him post a 3.34 ERA over 64 starts. He also shined on the postseason stage for the Rangers in 2023, helping the club win a World Series title with a 2.90 ERA over six postseason games (five starts).
Hoskins’ contract gave him the ability to opt out at the end of the 2024 campaign, but he decided to exercise his million option to return to the Brewers for the 2025 season. His bat could prove pivotal as Milwaukee looks to replace the substantial production it lost when shortstop Willy Adames departed as a free agent to sign with the Giants.
Jung Hoo Lee, OF, Giants
While the addition of Adames should help their lineup, the Giants are also going to need last year’s marquee free-agent addition, Lee, to step up if they’re going to make noise in a stacked NL West. The outfielder, who signed a six-year, 3 million deal with San Francisco after a stellar KBO career, missed most of 2024 after tearing the labrum in his left shoulder when he crashed into the center-field wall on May 12.
While the addition of Adames should help their lineup, the Giants are also going to need last year’s marquee free-agent addition, Lee, to step up if they’re going to make noise in a stacked NL West. The outfielder, who signed a six-year, 3 million deal with San Francisco after a stellar KBO career, missed most of 2024 after tearing the labrum in his left shoulder when he crashed into the center-field wall on May 12.
When Spring Training begins next month, much of the focus will be on the marquee free-agent additions looking to make an impact with their new teams.
The 36-year-old might be a forgotten man entering 2025, but he could end up playing a pivotal role covering crucial innings for Detroit, especially if manager A.J. Hinch chooses to revisit (whether out of necessity or design) the unorthodox pitching strategy that drove the team’s surprising playoff push last year.
But there are also plenty of players from last year’s free-agent class who have something to prove in 2025. That includes the 10 players below, whose 2024 seasons left a lot to be desired after they signed big contracts in free agency.
Much like Montgomery, however, Stroman currently finds himself without a rotation spot after his team added a marquee starter — Max Fried, in this case — via free agency. As a result, he is also a candidate to be traded before Opening Day, though demand for the right-hander could be limited after he recorded a 4.31 ERA with a career-worst FIP (4.62) and K/BB (1.88) in 2024, fading during the summer for the second straight year.
With Burnes in the fold, the D-backs’ rotation could potentially rank among the best in baseball this season, but they’ll need a bounceback season from E-Rod to solidify the back end of their starting staff.
But while Candelario tied for second on the Reds with 20 homers in 2024, his bat fell back below the league-average line. He posted an 87 wRC+ and -0.4 WAR before missing the final six weeks with a broken left big toe. Attrition also hit the rest of Cincinnati’s infield, with Matt McLain missing the entire season due to a left shoulder injury, Christian Encarnacion-Strand struggling over his first 29 games (.513 OPS, -0.7 WAR) before suffering a season-ending right hand fracture and Noelvi Marte producing -1.5 WAR over 66 games following an 80-game PED suspension. Given the uncertainty surrounding those youngsters heading into 2025, Cincinnati will be counting on Candelario to provide stability.
Jeimer Candelario, 1B/3B, Reds
Candelario was non-tendered by the Tigers on the heels of an 80 wRC+ in 2022, but he rebounded to the tune of a .251/.336/.471 slash (118 wRC+) with 22 homers and 39 doubles over 140 games between the Nationals and Cubs in 2023. The switch-hitter went on to sign a three-year, million deal with the Reds in free agency last offseason, adding a veteran presence to a team brimming with promising young infielders.
Candelario was non-tendered by the Tigers on the heels of an 80 wRC+ in 2022, but he rebounded to the tune of a .251/.336/.471 slash (118 wRC+) with 22 homers and 39 doubles over 140 games between the Nationals and Cubs in 2023. The switch-hitter went on to sign a three-year, million deal with the Reds in free agency last offseason, adding a veteran presence to a team brimming with promising young infielders.
Kenta Maeda, SP/RP, Tigers
After returning from Tommy John surgery to post a 4.23 ERA over 104 1/3 innings for the Twins in 2023, Maeda signed a two-year, million deal with the Tigers in free agency, slotting in behind ace Tarik Skubal in the club’s rotation. While Maeda lost his starting job after getting hit hard (7.26 ERA) over his first 16 outings, he showed improvement as a long reliever, notching a 3.86 ERA with a 5.86 K/BB in 42 innings over 12 games out of the bullpen.
After returning from Tommy John surgery to post a 4.23 ERA over 104 1/3 innings for the Twins in 2023, Maeda signed a two-year, million deal with the Tigers in free agency, slotting in behind ace Tarik Skubal in the club’s rotation. While Maeda lost his starting job after getting hit hard (7.26 ERA) over his first 16 outings, he showed improvement as a long reliever, notching a 3.86 ERA with a 5.86 K/BB in 42 innings over 12 games out of the bullpen.
The southpaw is still with Arizona, having exercised his .5 million player option. But after the club signed ace pitcher Corbin Burnes, Montgomery appears to be the odd man out in the team’s rotation, making him a prime candidate to be traded before Opening Day. No matter where he ends up, the 32-year-old will be looking to prove his value before getting another chance to test the free-agent market at the end of 2025.
Bellinger resurrected his career with the Cubs in 2023, producing a 136 wRC+ with 4.4 WAR (per FanGraphs), but after re-signing with Chicago on a three-year, million deal last January, he took a step backward in 2024 (109 wRC+, 2.2 WAR). Bellinger had the ability to opt out of his contract at the end of the season, but he exercised his .5 million player option to stay with the Cubs. Only, he won’t be playing for Chicago in 2025, having been traded to the Yankees in December.
Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Brewers
After his final season with the Phillies was wiped out by a torn ACL in his left knee, Hoskins signed a two-year, million contract with the Brewers last January. Despite missing the previous year, Hoskins showed no signs of rust coming out of the gate in 2024, going deep nine times with an .813 OPS over his first 38 games. However, his performance dropped off after he was forced to the injured list with a right hamstring strain in mid-May. Following a 15-game absence, the slugger returned to hit .206 with a .683 OPS in his final 93 games. Hoskins still managed to record 26 homers and 82 RBIs on the year, but his overall production (100 wRC+) paled in comparison to his Philadelphia years (126 wRC+).
After his final season with the Phillies was wiped out by a torn ACL in his left knee, Hoskins signed a two-year, million contract with the Brewers last January. Despite missing the previous year, Hoskins showed no signs of rust coming out of the gate in 2024, going deep nine times with an .813 OPS over his first 38 games. However, his performance dropped off after he was forced to the injured list with a right hamstring strain in mid-May. Following a 15-game absence, the slugger returned to hit .206 with a .683 OPS in his final 93 games. Hoskins still managed to record 26 homers and 82 RBIs on the year, but his overall production (100 wRC+) paled in comparison to his Philadelphia years (126 wRC+).
Eduardo Rodriguez, SP, D-backs
The D-backs likely wouldn’t have signed Montgomery if Rodriguez hadn’t suffered a left lat strain during Spring Training, opening up a spot in Arizona’s rotation. Rodriguez, who signed a four-year, million deal with the D-backs in December 2023, didn’t return to the mound until Aug. 7 and was limited to 10 starts on the season. The left-hander was largely ineffective in those outings, completing six innings only once and posting a 5.04 ERA — up from a 3.30 ERA over 26 starts with the Tigers in 2023.
The D-backs likely wouldn’t have signed Montgomery if Rodriguez hadn’t suffered a left lat strain during Spring Training, opening up a spot in Arizona’s rotation. Rodriguez, who signed a four-year, million deal with the D-backs in December 2023, didn’t return to the mound until Aug. 7 and was limited to 10 starts on the season. The left-hander was largely ineffective in those outings, completing six innings only once and posting a 5.04 ERA — up from a 3.30 ERA over 26 starts with the Tigers in 2023.
As they enter the second year of their deals, there’s still time for these players to prove they were worth the investment — or at least improve their stock before making another run at free agency next offseason.
Lucas Giolito, SP, Red Sox
The Red Sox brought in Giolito to lead their inexperienced rotation after signing him to a two-year, million deal last offseason, but he never ended up throwing a pitch for Boston in 2024. The right-hander had an internal-brace procedure to repair the UCL in his right elbow last March, ending his season before it began. While the club’s remaining starters were better than expected, Boston ultimately missed the postseason for the fifth time in six years.
The Red Sox brought in Giolito to lead their inexperienced rotation after signing him to a two-year, million deal last offseason, but he never ended up throwing a pitch for Boston in 2024. The right-hander had an internal-brace procedure to repair the UCL in his right elbow last March, ending his season before it began. While the club’s remaining starters were better than expected, Boston ultimately missed the postseason for the fifth time in six years.
A bounceback season from Bellinger would not only provide a major boost to a Yankees lineup that lost Juan Soto to the crosstown Mets in free agency but also position the 29-year-old for a significant payday next offseason. After all, Bellinger has another option decision looming at the end of 2025: He can either opt in for a million salary next season or take a million buyout and test the open market.
