NIL
Who's left on MLB free
Angels sign Yusei Kikuchi (No. 17) for three years, MJack Flaherty (No. 12)Nationals sign Trevor Williams for two years, M Beyond Sasaki, Flaherty and Pivetta are the only two pitchers left who appear likely to command considerably lucrative multi-year deals. Each comes with potential promise and pitfalls. Flaherty had a generally excellent 2024 campaign and […]
Angels sign Yusei Kikuchi (No. 17) for three years, MJack Flaherty (No. 12)Nationals sign Trevor Williams for two years, M
- Beyond Sasaki, Flaherty and Pivetta are the only two pitchers left who appear likely to command considerably lucrative multi-year deals. Each comes with potential promise and pitfalls. Flaherty had a generally excellent 2024 campaign and is only 29, but his injury track record and fluctuating performance in prior seasons has teams wary. Pivetta may offer more durability and consistency than Flaherty but not as much perceived upside, and will require a team to forfeit a draft pick due to the qualifying offer he received from Boston.
- This quintet is difficult to predict. St. Louis could end up subtracting. The Brewers are banking big on Brandon Woodruff coming back from shoulder surgery; might they look to add insurance on that front? The Astros have plenty of talent on paper and added Hayden Wesneski as useful depth in the Kyle Tucker trade, but still have a ton of uncertainty from a health/durability standpoint. You could argue the Braves belong in “all set” if we assume Spencer Strider comes back at full strength, but that’s a big if — and it’s not like Chris Sale and Reynaldo López don’t come with injury question marks themselves. And the Reds, even after retaining Martinez and acquiring Singer, were reportedly interested in dealing for Crochet. They also need far more help on offense and already have some young arms knocking on the door, so it’s hard to know what to expect from them.
- He has reportedly met with at least seven teams (Dodgers, Padres, Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Rangers and Giants) with more meetings expected to come in the near future, either with additional teams and/or with the few finalists. Because of his age (23), immense talent and the minimal financial outlay required to sign him, every team could and should want Sasaki regardless of their current rotation depth chart. Some staffs (Padres, Giants) need him a lot more than others (Dodgers, Yankees), and his decision may spark a cascading effect elsewhere in the market.
- These contenders have made some of the biggest moves in this arena and, besides a pursuit of Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki (more on him shortly), it seems highly unlikely any of them will be prioritizing adding another starter anytime soon.
- Mets sign Frankie Montas (No. 50) for two years, M
- These teams entered the winter with strong starting staffs and have far more pressing needs elsewhere on their rosters.
- Orioles sign Tomoyuki Sugano (No. 44) for one year, M
- These are the names we’ve heard floated thus far. Others could emerge leading up to Opening Day.
- Quintana and Heaney go together as veteran southpaws who could each reasonably eat innings effectively at the back of a contending club’s rotation. Quintana is coming off a far better season, but Heaney is two years younger, and may be more likely to secure a multi-year deal.
- These deals range from intriguing rehabbers like Sandoval to bounce-back candidates like Cobb and veteran stabilizers like Williams. Nothing too splashy, but these deals help set the market for the lower-tier of starters still seeking jobs — and also can eliminate potential landing spots for such arms as these pitching staffs get more crowded.
- How the rest of the free-agent market shakes out — headlined by Sasaki’s upcoming decision — will dictate clubs’ willingness and aggressiveness toward pursuing these deals. Last winter, Burnes wasn’t traded to Baltimore until February, and the Padres didn’t acquire Cease until mid-March.
- Rangers sign Nathan Eovaldi (No. 18) for three years, M
- Guardians acquire Luis L. Ortiz from Pirates
Phillies acquire Jesús Luzardo from MarlinsReds acquire Brady Singer from Royals
- When surveying the league for potential trade candidates, our instinct is often to focus on veterans making significant salaries and/or players whose contracts are set to expire over the next year or two. Indeed, these pitchers make up the vast majority of the deals we’ve already seen thus far: Crochet, Luzardo, and Singer are each under team control for just two more seasons, while Cortes will hit free agency next winter. Springs has two years left plus a club option in 2027.
- Nick Pivetta (No. 26)
- Red Sox sign Patrick Sandoval for two years, .25M
- Now that we’ve established which teams could still be in the market to add a starter via free agency or trade, let’s take a look at what pitchers remain.
- At the same time, there’s no doubt that teams are also making calls on younger pitchers with markedly more years of team control remaining. While clubs are understandably far more reluctant to part with such arms, these deals are possible under the right circumstances. So far, only Cleveland has managed to do so in its trades for Ortiz (under team control through 2029) and Cecconi (through 2030) from Arizona in the Josh Naylor deal. There’s still time for other clubs to exhibit similar creativity when it comes to bolstering their rotations.
- Tigers sign Alex Cobb for one year, M
- Red Sox sign Walker Buehler (No. 23) for one year, .05M
Let’s start with Crochet’s former Chicago teammate, Dylan Cease. On the surface, it’s strange that Cease finds himself in trade rumors again just a year after San Diego acquired him from the White Sox. It’s not like the Padres are suddenly rebuilding and are trying to flip Cease for a bunch of teenage prospects for the future. They are still in win-now mode. But with a bloated payroll due to a bevy of long-term guaranteed contracts for several of their other stars, the Padres’ financial flexibility currently appears to be severely limited. San Diego’s complete lack of activity this winter despite several notable holes on the roster suggests that it may need to offload some significant salary in order to make any notable additions via trade or free agency, especially if it wants to avoid going into the luxury tax. Trading Cease, who will make approximately .6 million in his final year of arbitration before hitting free agency next winter, would represent such a move.Athletics sign Luis Severino (No. 13) for three years, M
- Each of these clubs has made at least one notable rotation addition but could still use another boost if they want to be taken seriously as viable contenders. The Angels and Athletics made big early splashes with Kikuchi and Severino/Springs but have been quiet since. The Nats have more promising young mound talent already in place, but still sorely lack a bona fide frontline arm.
- For teams more inclined to add pitching via trade than free agency, there are several names worth monitoring as spring training approaches.
- Future Hall of Famers Scherzer and Verlander continue to search for the right landing spot as they each attempt to extend their legendary careers. It’s hard to imagine either getting more than a one-year deal, and it remains to be seen if either is committed to pitching strictly for a contending team or are willing to sign with any club willing to give them a rotation spot.
- You can look at these clubs’ rotations and be like “OK, yeah, I see five solid starters there.” But considering the Mets’ spending power, the Cubs’ urgency to get back to the postseason and the Rangers’ highly active winter thus far, it would hardly be a surprise to see any of these three make another addition in this space.
White Sox sign Bryse Wilson for one year, .05M
Have added, rotation seems set: Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, D-backs
The Giants and Blue Jays have been linked to numerous top free agents on both sides of the ball all offseason. So far, neither has made a notable pitching move. The bottom portion of San Diego’s rotation does not reflect a championship contender but the Padres appear to have the financial flexibility to fix it — just not yet. No matter what the reason, it has been an uncharacteristically quiet winter for general manager A.J. Preller.
Haven’t added, rotation seems set: Mariners, Pirates, Twins, Rays, Royals
Starting pitchers accounted for 20 of our Top 50 free agents at the outset of the offseason. Thirteen of them have signed new contracts:
Have added, but could maybe still use another arm or 2: Mets, Rangers, Cubs
Brewers acquire Nestor Cortes from Yankees
Have added, but still need another arm or 2: Orioles, Tigers, Guardians
With Joe Musgrove out for 2025 due to elbow surgery, San Diego’s rotation is already thin beyond Cease, Michael King and Yu Darvish. A deal involving Cease would either need to net the Padres a younger, cheaper pitcher who can contribute right away (think King as a main part of the Juan Soto trade return a year ago), or afford San Diego enough payroll relief to replace Cease in free agency (a tall task with few high-caliber options left available). It is this context that makes a Cease trade a particularly delicate maneuver for San Diego, and also underscores how massively impactful it would be for the Padres to land Sasaki, a move that would increase their flexibility on multiple fronts on top of the boon of adding a pitcher of his caliber.
Haven’t added … yet: Giants, Blue Jays, Padres
Roki Sasaki (No. 2)
More Jordan Shusterman
Could use more help, but will Angels, A’s and Nationals spend more?
Outside our rankings, there are also still several capable alternatives available: veteran workhorses (Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, Colin Rea), right-handers with a hint of upside (Michael Lorenzen, Spencer Turnbull) and lefty innings-eaters (Martín Pérez, Patrick Corbin).
Wild cards: Cardinals, Brewers, Astros, Braves, Reds
These clubs could end up with an experienced arm on a one-year deal that could either be trade bait in July or serve as veteran leadership for their younger pitchers.
Rebuilding, could use a veteran: Marlins, White Sox, Rockies
Sasaki looms large as not just the top pitcher left on the market, but the most compelling storyline left to monitor this offseason. His fascinating free agency is expected to reach its highly anticipated conclusion sometime between when the international signing period opens on Jan. 15 and when Sasaki’s posting window closes on Jan. 23.
Here are the starting pitchers still unsigned from our rankings:
7 top arms available
Angels sign Kyle Hendricks for one year, .5MMets sign Sean Manaea (No. 14) for three years, M
- Guardians sign Shane Bieber (No. 24) for two years, M
- This baker’s dozen doesn’t include Clay Holmes (No. 29), who we had labeled as a reliever, the role he has occupied for the majority of his big-league career. Holmes signed with the Mets on a three-year deal worth million, and New York plans to transition him to a rotation role, a decision that will be one of the more compelling spring training storylines to monitor. Perhaps another team will sign a reliever on our rankings with the intention of having him start. Jeff Hoffman is reportedly a candidate for such a move. For now, we’ll stay focused on the remaining arms available who we already recognize as traditional starting pitchers.
- As the Cardinals continue to search for a Nolan Arenado trade, they also have three veteran arms who could be moved if St. Louis is committed to offloading payroll through other avenues: Erick Fedde, Steven Matz and Sonny Gray.
- Nationals sign Michael Soroka for one year, M
- Now that January has arrived, it’s time to take stock of where the starting pitching market stands with pitchers and catchers slated to report to Arizona and Florida in roughly six weeks. Which teams have successfully addressed their rotation needs? Which teams are still searching for help? And most important: Who is still available?
Dylan Cease, pictured celebrating after throwing a no-hitter vs. the Nationals in July, is a hot name in trade talk rumors. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) - This huge collection of signings and trades has drastically altered the shape of the starting pitching market. Certain rotation depth charts across the league have filled up while others remain shallow and in need of a boost. Let’s begin with the teams who seem unlikely to invest further into starting pitching this offseason:
D-backs sign Corbin Burnes (No. 3) for six years, 0MFor all the transactions we’ve seen so far during baseball’s offseason, no player subgroup has been more consistently active than the starting pitching market, which has been steadily buzzing from the beginning of winter all the way up until the calendar flipped to 2025.Somewhat similar to Gray is Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo, who too possesses a no-trade clause and is owed nearly million over the next three seasons. Though it remains unknown how likely it is that Castillo would green-light a trade out of Seattle, his name has surfaced in recent reports involving potential deals as the Mariners continue their search for infield upgrades via trade. Though president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto stated earlier this offseason that trading from Seattle’s premium rotation would be “Plan Z,” Castillo always felt far more likely to be available in the right deal than any of the four other excellent right-handers who are all in their mid-20’s — Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo — arguably all of whom were better than Castillo in 2024. Trading Castillo may still not be a preferred route for the Mariners, but the longer they go without making a trade — it’s been a rather uncharacteristic lull in deals for Dipoto and Co. — Castillo’s name will likely continue to swirl in rumors as spring training approaches.Justin Verlander (No. 43)Red Sox acquire Garrett Crochet from White SoxMets sign Griffin Canning for one year, .25M
2024 – false season
The trade market
Yankees sign Max Fried (No. 7) for eight years, 8MA’s acquire Jeffrey Springs from RaysA ton of starters have changed threads already this winter, but the movement is far from over, and rotations are far from set as we sit here in January, especially when factoring the wave of injuries that have unfortunately become an annual part of the spring training experience. Teams will always need more pitching, and that dynamic will continue to spur more transactions among this group of players in the weeks ahead.We’ve also seen seven other big league deals for starters who were not on our Top 50 rankings:
| Player | this bad now, and he seems like a perfect bounce-back candidate for another team to buy low on. He’s still by far the most likely pitcher to be dealt before Opening Day.
More MLB
Reds sign Nick Martinez (No. 19) for one year, .05M (accepted qualifying offer)Finally, there’s D-backs lefty Jordan Montgomery. His debut season in the desert was disastrous as he never found his groove after signing on Opening Day and was ultimately bounced from Arizona’s rotation. His poor performance ensured there was no way he would re-enter free agency by opting out of the .5 million he was owed for 2025, but his financially motivated decision to stay put hardly made his spot on the Arizona starting staff any more secure. A potential path toward earning back a rotation spot became even less clear after Arizona’s surprise signing of Burnes. With the money Montgomery is owed and the brutally bad season he is coming off of, Arizona likely can’t expect much in return in a potential trade.Max Scherzer (No. 42)It was no secret that each of these AL postseason clubs entered the winter in need of rotation reinforcements, and each has gone about addressing those needs in different ways. Cleveland arguably belongs in a separate tier having retained Bieber and added a possible breakout arm in Ortiz with another rotation candidate in Slade Cecconi also acquired via trade. Not having the rehabbing Bieber to start the year has left the current depth chart with a lot of uncertainty. Detroit and Baltimore, though, having added only Cobb and Sugano, respectively, absolutely have work left to do if they are to enter spring training feeling like their rotations are in formidable shape. NILQ&A with Liberty AD Ian McCaw Part 2: CFP changes, Football, Softball, BaseballWe had the privilege of speaking with Liberty Athletic Director Ian McCaw at length about the state of the Liberty Athletic program. We delved into a vast array of topics, focusing on the athletic program’s second year in Conference USA and the numerous changes within the college athletic landscape. We also touched on several topics […]  We had the privilege of speaking with Liberty Athletic Director Ian McCaw at length about the state of the Liberty Athletic program. We delved into a vast array of topics, focusing on the athletic program’s second year in Conference USA and the numerous changes within the college athletic landscape. We also touched on several topics surrounding Liberty football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball and other programs on the Mountain. This will be a multi-part series we release this week. Monday’s feature focused on a recap of the 2024-25 athletic year for the Flames, goals for the athletic department, and the House Settlement, so be sure to check that out if you missed it. Today, we turn our attention to several sports around campus including football, softball, and baseball. ASOR: There’s been a lot of discussion about changing the format of the College Football Playoff in the coming years, wh ere do you see that landing and what does Liberty need to do to be in that conversation as a potential CFP team in the coming years? Ian McCaw: “It’s really essential that the Group of Six continue to have access. I really like the 5+11 model. It seems like that is getting a fair amount of traction right now, and that would ensure that the top Group of Five champion, the highest rated Group of Five champion, would have access. That’s really the most important part for us. Then, if we have a season like we did in 2023, it really positions us to be in the College Football Playoff and obviously that is a tremendous accomplishment for any Group of Six program.” ASOR: The football team was unable to replicate the success from 2023 in 2024, what have you seen from Coach Chadwell and his team that gives you confidence they can get back to the top of the league this fall? Ian McCaw: “I really like the character and the culture and really the makeup of the 2025 Flames. I’ve had a chance to get out and see some of their workouts, and they seem to be a very humble and hungry group. I think that’s a formula for success. I think they’ll be highly motivated to get back to the 2023 level.” ASOR: What do you think of the job Coach Chadwell and his staff have done as they continue to navigate the transfer portal? Ian McCaw: “I think they’ve done a really good job of finding players that fit the culture and also fit the needs of the team. What I’ve been most impressed with, from what I’ve seen thus far, is I think they’ve built a tremendous amount of depth, and that’s very rare at the Group of Five level and in Conference USA. Think that’s going to be a secret sauce for us is that we’re going to be probably the deepest team in Conference USA, and that really pays dividends over the course of the year because injuries occur and things happen. I think we’ve got really quality depth.” ASOR: Coach Richardson and the softball team made history by taking down #1 Texas A&M and advancing to the Super Regionals, how much exposure did that bring to the program and the athletic department? Ian McCaw: “Softball has done a great job of marketing itself, and they get great exposure on ESPN. As a result, playing in the final in the A&M regional was the highest rated regional game. And then the Oregon Super Regional I think was the third highest Super Regional from a rating standpoint. So, just great national exposure for the softball program, the department, the entire University. And again, that’s one of the things that successful athletics does, is it really extends the reach of the University and builds the brand and gets our mission out there. Those are all things that that add value to the institution.” ASOR: Do you think that program has all the resources needed to continue building and potentially reaching the WCWS? Ian McCaw: “Liberty softball is resourced to compete at the national level. Coach Dot does a great job of scheduling, which allows us to be nationally ranked like we were this year by playing such a competitive schedule, especially early in the season. So we’re really fortunate. If Stanford could have held on to the lead in the final game against Oregon, we would have been hosting a Super Regional right here on campus, which would have been absolutely incredible. But again, great season by them, but they certainly have become a nationally known program, and expect that to continue.” ASOR: How do you think Coach LeCroy navigated his first season at Liberty and what needs to happen for that program to get back to competing for conference championships and regionals? Ian McCaw: “I was really impressed with the job that Coach LeCroy did. He arrived late in the summer. I think we only had 13 players on the roster at that point and having to really rebuild. Ultimately, I think he brought in 26 new players. So it was two-thirds of the team was new. His ability to really get them to gel and build a strong culture, and the players absolutely love playing for him. So, I was really encouraged by all those things. I think the future of Liberty baseball is very bright under his leadership.” NILBryce Underwood Transforms Michigan Football with $12M NIL DealBryce Underwood: The Catalyst of Michigan’s Recruiting Renaissance Bryce Underwood is not merely a highly sought-after quarterback; he stands as a symbol of a transformative era in Michigan football recruiting. As the former No. 1 overall recruit, Underwood has quickly become synonymous with the Wolverines’ ambitious resurgence, particularly following the announcement of his groundbreaking $12 […]  Bryce Underwood: The Catalyst of Michigan’s Recruiting Renaissance Bryce Underwood is not merely a highly sought-after quarterback; he stands as a symbol of a transformative era in Michigan football recruiting. As the former No. 1 overall recruit, Underwood has quickly become synonymous with the Wolverines’ ambitious resurgence, particularly following the announcement of his groundbreaking $12 million NIL deal. This monumental agreement has not only solidified his status within the program but has also amplified the expectations surrounding him and the team. A New Era of Expectations With such a significant financial commitment, Underwood’s role extends far beyond that of a typical recruit. He is now tasked with embodying the aspirations of a program eager to reclaim its place among college football’s elite. The spotlight shines brightly on him, and the weight of expectations is palpable. His journey is not just about personal achievement; it is about leading a new generation of talent to Michigan and fostering a culture of excellence. The Ripple Effect of Success Underwood’s impact on Michigan’s recruiting landscape is already evident. His presence has created a wave of enthusiasm, drawing attention to the program from prospective players and fans alike. The excitement surrounding his commitment has sparked a renewed interest in Michigan football, positioning the Wolverines as a formidable contender in the ever-competitive college football realm. His influence is felt beyond the field; it resonates in the hearts of fans and potential recruits who see in him a beacon of hope and possibility. A Leader in the Making As Underwood embraces his responsibilities, he is also learning the nuances of leadership. The pressure to perform at a high level is immense, yet he appears undeterred. His recent reactions to the rising buzz around fellow recruits, including the impressive performances of Cass Tech’s tight end, highlight his commitment to building a cohesive team. Underwood’s ability to connect with his peers and inspire them reflects his maturity and vision as a future leader on the field. Looking Ahead: The Future of Michigan Football The implications of Underwood’s journey extend beyond individual accolades. His presence signals a broader shift in Michigan’s recruiting strategy, emphasizing not only talent acquisition but also the cultivation of a strong team dynamic. As the Wolverines look toward the future, Underwood will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the program’s identity and success. In conclusion, Bryce Underwood is more than just a highly touted recruit; he is a pivotal figure in a recruiting revolution that could redefine Michigan football for years to come. His journey is a testament to the power of ambition and the potential that lies within a single athlete to inspire change and drive a program forward. As the excitement builds, one thing is clear: the future of Michigan football is bright, and Bryce Underwood is at the helm. NILAce Bailey Net WorthLong before he steps his foot on an NBA court, Airious “Ace” Bailey is making ridiculous money in college basketball. The tall man from Rutgers, likely a top-10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, gets lots of eyes for his game skills and his top Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals that grow his brand […] 
 Long before he steps his foot on an NBA court, Airious “Ace” Bailey is making ridiculous money in college basketball. The tall man from Rutgers, likely a top-10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, gets lots of eyes for his game skills and his top Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals that grow his brand fast. Cooper Flagg’s twin brother dominates rivals as he shows that he could be better than his brother Bailey’s NIL portfolioSportskeeda states that Bailey’s NIL is worth somehwere around $1.6 million, one of the top in the country. His great dunks and good scores make him worth a lot, drawing big sponsors and fan groups. Bailey’s two big NIL links are:
This mix of big and local branding helps Bailey get fans all over global social media and at Rutgers too. Already a big name
|
|---|
