As the MLB 2025 season approaches, fantasy baseball players are already strategizing for their drafts, focusing on sleeper pitchers who might significantly outperform their average draft positions. Among the highlighted players is Joe Ryan from the Minnesota Twins, who has enhanced his pitching arsenal with new pitches leading to a promising season. Drew Rasmussen of the Tampa Bay Rays is set to return to a starting role post-Tommy John surgery, showing strong metrics from his previous seasons. Max Meyer of the Miami Marlins, a post-hype prospect, is looked at favorably following Miami's pitching overhaul.

Other notable mentions include David Festa from the Twins, who showcased skills suggesting a potential breakout season, and Justin Verlander, potentially undervalued due to past injuries. Shane Baz of the Tampa Bay Rays, despite missing two seasons due to surgery, has demonstrated high strikeout capabilities in the minors. Lastly, Quinn Mathews from the St. Louis Cardinals and Reynaldo Lopez of the Atlanta Braves also present intriguing late-round options for fantasy players.

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.

Clay Holmes is transitioning from a bullpen role to starting pitcher with the New York Mets after a successful stint as a closer with the New York Yankees. He signed a three-year, $38 million contract and hopes his move will encourage superstar Juan Soto to join him.

Holmes, a two-time All-Star, is eager to showcase his full pitching arsenal, including a changeup and four-seam fastball, as he aims for a productive season. He feels confident in the Mets' pitching infrastructure and is excited about the potential of his new role.

Clay Holmes, after six years in the bullpen, is eager to transition to a starting pitcher role with the New York Mets. He signed a three-year, $38 million contract and hopes his move will encourage superstar Juan Soto to join him.

Holmes, a former Yankees closer, has a strong groundball rate and is excited about expanding his pitching arsenal. He believes the Mets' coaching staff can help him succeed in this new role, aiming for 160 innings next season without workload restrictions.

The New York Mets have signed veteran right-hander Clay Holmes to a three-year, $38 million contract, transitioning him from a reliever role to a starting pitcher.

Holmes, previously with the New York Yankees, boasts a solid 2.69 ERA and impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio. His pitch arsenal and above-average control suggest he could thrive as a starter, despite lacking a changeup.

The Mets' decision follows recent successful conversions of relievers to starters, indicating a strategic shift in pitching roles.

Moreover, the deal offers a favorable risk-reward scenario, allowing Holmes to revert to the bullpen if needed, making it a calculated gamble for the Mets.