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Eric Karabell, ESPN Senior WriterNov 15, 2024, 11:14 AM ET
- ESPN contributor on TV, radio, podcasts, blogs, Magazine
- Charter member of FSWA Hall of Fame
- Author of “The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments”
It’s November and the fantasy baseball offseason is, pardon the pun, in full swing. Right now, most sports fans are devoting the majority of their attention to the NFL, NBA and NHL, where the games (both real and fantasy) take center stage — and understandably so.
So, perhaps you’re only hearing about the latest baseball buzz in passing, if at all. That’s perfectly fine. We’re paying attention to what’s going on and are here to let you know about the top stories of the past week. Are they something you need to file away for Draft Day or are they likely to have little impact when all is said and done?
Read on and find out whether these breaking developments are truly news or if they’re just noise.
Zach Neto may miss the start of 2025
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Neto was one of the top middle-infield surprises of 2024, hitting 23 homers and stealing 30 bases over 155 games. He hurt his right shoulder on a slide during the final week of the season, and underwent surgery in early November, with GM Perry Minasian sharing that Neto may miss the start of the season. Uh oh.
Perhaps the Angels are merely exercising caution and Neto recovers wonderfully in time for Opening Day. Or perhaps Neto misses April and beyond and doesn’t approach 155 games. One never knows. The Angels seem to be acting as if Neto may miss time, trading cash for the Phillies’ Scott Kingery and signing free agent Kevin Newman. Kingery hit 27 homers and stole 26 bases at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Newman can’t provide those numbers, but he is a more natural shortstop.
Fantasy impact: Big news
Tampa Bay Rays will play 2025 home games at minor-league stadium
Fantasy managers may not think much about the Rays moving from Tropicana Field (their home since the team’s 1998 inception) to Tampa’s Steinbrenner Field, but this should have some statistical implications. The Trop, an indoor, non-retractable domed stadium (the only one in MLB) damaged recently by Hurricane Milton, has long played as a pitcher’s park, and the Rays have often tailored their team around the advantages of the mostly unloved venue.
Steinbrenner Field lacks a dome, so heat and rain suddenly will be factors — and they will be! Minor-league park factors may be unreliable, but the Single-A Tampa Tarpons were considerably more productive in home games compared to the road in 2024. The Rays seem likely to find their temporary home base for 81 games to be far friendlier to hitters — even with similar dimensions — than their old place.
This doesn’t mean we should fade intriguing pitchers Shane Baz, Ryan Pepiot and others, or exalt hitters Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe more than they deserve, but you absolutely should consider these factors in drafts and in trades.
Fantasy impact: Relevant news
Mason Miller will remain in the bullpen
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One year ago, Miller remained one of baseball’s top starting pitching prospects, but the Athletics opted to utilize him in a bullpen role to protect his health, and he quickly became their closer and an All-Star. Miller saved 28 games (with Oakland winning only 69 times) with a 2.49 ERA, and he was one of only five relievers to accrue 100 strikeouts. Perhaps it is hardly surprising news that Miller has many saves in his future, but there actually was some doubt. Everyone wants Miller to be healthy and dominant, but the Athletics — and fantasy managers — may have ended up getting more value by watching him overpower hitters during 150-plus innings as a starter, too.
Fantasy impact: Mild news
