As the 2025 fantasy baseball draft season approaches, identifying potential sleeper pitchers can drastically enhance your roster. This article analyzes four starting pitchers—Eduardo Rodriguez, Jesus Luzardo, Jeffrey Springs, and Sandy Alcantara—who possess significant upside relative to their current average draft positions (ADP).

Eduardo Rodriguez, now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, has a low ADP of 533 but boasts a career 4.08 ERA and was signed to a lucrative contract, suggesting potential rebound value. Jesus Luzardo, a former top prospect with the Philadelphia Phillies, is another intriguing option, currently sitting at an ADP of 392 despite past success and health challenges.

Jeffrey Springs, recently with the Athletics, presents a risk-reward scenario as he comes off Tommy John surgery, but his past performance indicates he could be a valuable asset. Lastly, Sandy Alcantara, who won the Cy Young in 2022, is being undervalued at an ADP of 166 after recovering from surgery. Each of these pitchers offers a chance for fantasy managers to gain an edge in 2025 drafts.

The MLB offseason continues into 2025 as several high-profile free agents, including Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes, have signed elsewhere. The Boston Red Sox are among the teams actively seeking upgrades, particularly looking to enhance their infield and add a right-handed bat. They've made notable additions this winter, including Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler, but may pursue further signings or trades, eyeing players like Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado.

Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics have also been active, signing Luis Severino and Gio Urshela, and trading for Jeffrey Springs. General manager David Forst hinted at more potential moves, particularly in starting pitching, though they may not target the top-tier free agents. Veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle remains an attractive option, attracting interest from multiple teams following a strong season with the New York Yankees.

As the MLB offseason continues into 2025, notable names like Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes have already signed, but several key free agents and trade targets remain. The Oakland Athletics, under general manager David Forst, are actively seeking to enhance their roster after signing Luis Severino and Gio Urshela, while also trading for Jeffrey Springs and extending Brent Rooker.

The A's are under pressure to meet payroll requirements related to their revenue-sharing funds. Forst hinted that the team may pursue additional players, particularly starting pitchers, despite a challenging free-agent market dominated by top talents like Jack Flaherty and Max Scherzer.

Meanwhile, veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle is attracting attention, with eight teams reportedly interested in the 35-year-old. Coming off a solid 2024 season with the New York Yankees, where he maintained a 2.11 ERA, Kahnle's experience could be a valuable asset for many contenders looking to bolster their bullpens.

The Tampa Bay Rays successfully navigated salary arbitration for all seven of their eligible players, including pitcher Zack Littell, ahead of the deadline. Littell is set to earn $5.72 million in 2025, a significant increase from his $1.85 million salary in 2024, surpassing the initial projections of $4.8 million.

Since joining the team off waivers in 2023, Littell has transitioned from a career reliever to a reliable starter, achieving impressive statistics. In 2023, he recorded a 3.93 ERA and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings over 14 starts. He improved in 2024, finishing with an 8-10 record and a 3.63 ERA in 29 starts, leading all Rays players with a 2.8 WAR.

Brent Rooker has secured a five-year, $60 million contract extension with the Oakland Athletics, as confirmed by sources to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The agreement features a sixth-year vesting option worth $22 million, which can increase based on performance metrics. The Athletics will allocate $30 million to Rooker over the initial three years of the deal, covering what would have been his arbitration years.

At 30, Rooker has emerged as a valuable player for the A's, who opted to retain him instead of trading him during the offseason. The franchise has been active in the market, having invested over $100 million, including signing pitcher Luis Severino to a record-setting three-year, $67 million contract. This flurry of spending continues with the additions of third baseman Gio Urshela and left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs, signaling a new era for the team as they prepare for the 2025 season.

The Athletics will temporarily play in West Sacramento while awaiting the completion of their new stadium in Las Vegas. Rooker was recently spotted courtside at the Golden 1 Center during an NBA matchup between the Sacramento Kings and the Miami Heat, attending the game alongside A's manager Mark Kotsay and teammates JP Sears, JJ Bleday, and Lawrence Butler.