Drafting for fantasy baseball success is an intricate dance between category specialists and overall balanced players. Marcell Ozuna, hitting 40 home runs in 2023, and Josh Naylor, a powerful RBI contributor now with Arizona, are prime examples of players whose abilities can skew your fantasy stats in one direction. However, selecting them necessitates careful additional picks to maintain balance.

For those aiming for stolen bases, Xavier Edwards of the Marlins is a breakout candidate, while Yainer Díaz from the Astros offers batting average prowess. On the pitching front, Logan Webb of the Giants has shown durability and effectiveness, leading in innings pitched over recent seasons. Meanwhile, Hunter Greene is an under-the-radar strikeout machine. These players present rich opportunities for savvy managers to exploit value in their drafts.

Marcell Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves has made a significant leap in MLB Network's Top 100 Players, rising from No. 83 to No. 47 heading into the 2025 season. His standout performance last season included an impressive .302 batting average with 39 home runs and 104 RBIs, cementing his status as the Braves' top offensive player, and earning him an All-Star nod.

Despite a late-season slump, where he recorded only two home runs in September, Ozuna's overall contributions kept him in contention for awards such as the Silver Slugger, which he was a finalist for. His ranking reflects not only his individual success but also his competitive position amongst elite players like Shohei Ohtani.

Ozuna is joined on the Top 100 list by teammates Michael Harris II and Jurickson Profar, adding to the Braves' representation in this esteemed ranking.

Major League Baseball history is filled with trades that haunt teams for years, and several deals from the past six years stand out as particularly regrettable. Notable trades between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2023, resulted in teams losing players who could still be under their control in 2025. Not included are trades that involved players who had already become free agents or were on the verge of free agency.

The Chicago Cubs’ decision to send Dylan Cease and Eloy Jiménez to the Chicago White Sox for Jose Quintana exemplifies a painful trade. While Quintana was expected to be a top pitcher, he failed to deliver, while Cease has developed into a Cy Young contender.

Another disastrous trade involved the St. Louis Cardinals dealing Sandy Alcántara and Zac Gallen to the Miami Marlins for Marcell Ozuna. Alcántara has become an elite pitcher, making this trade particularly stinging for the Cardinals, especially in light of their recent struggles.

The Atlanta Braves have sparked debate this offseason due to their inactivity in the free-agent market, despite ranking fourth in luxury tax payments at $276 million.

Top earners like Austin Riley and Matt Olson significantly impact the tax threshold, with Riley's salary accounting for 8.95% of it. The Braves have a mix of homegrown talent and players acquired through trades, indicating a strategic approach to roster construction.

While they haven't signed major free agents, their willingness to spend is evident, as shown by their substantial tax bill. The Braves' financial decisions reflect a balance between investing in talent and managing luxury tax implications.

The Seattle Mariners have appointed former Atlanta Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer as their new hitting coach. Seitzer brings a wealth of experience, having contributed to the development of several MLB stars and being part of the Braves' 2021 World Series-winning team.

His straightforward hitting philosophy emphasizes aggression and fastball focus, addressing the Mariners' struggles in 2024 under previous coach Brant Brown. With Seitzer's approach, fans are hopeful for improved offensive performance in the upcoming season.