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.

This offseason, the NL East has emerged as a financial powerhouse in Major League Baseball, largely due to the blockbuster signing of Juan Soto by the New York Mets for a staggering 15-year deal worth $765 million. The overall spending in the division reached nearly $973 million, but excluding Soto, the figure drops significantly to just over $207 million, indicating a mixed bag of activity among the teams.

The Philadelphia Phillies made strategic moves by acquiring Jesús Luzardo and adding depth to their bullpen, though questions linger about their overall improvement. Meanwhile, the Mets have focused heavily on revitalizing their pitching staff, bringing in multiple arms while hoping to retain star slugger Pete Alonso. The Atlanta Braves, however, have remained surprisingly quiet, opting to rely on internal options despite the free agency of key players.

The Washington Nationals have made modest additions but seem to be missing opportunities for significant upgrades, while the Miami Marlins appear to be in rebuilding mode, trading away veteran talents in favor of future prospects.

The NL East has become a financial powerhouse this offseason, primarily driven by the New York Mets' acquisition of superstar Juan Soto for a staggering 15-year contract. Despite this, when Soto's contributions are excluded, the division's spending drastically reduces, revealing a quieter market among its other teams. The offseason has seen the Phillies, Mets, Braves, Nationals, and Marlins making varying degrees of moves, with the Mets' actions standing out significantly.

The Philadelphia Phillies have focused on enhancing their pitching staff, acquiring Jesús Luzardo and signing several players, including Max Kepler and Jordan Romano, but did not make major roster overhauls following their disappointing playoff exit. The New York Mets, however, made headlines with Soto's signing and bolstered their pitching with the re-signing of Sean Manaea and the addition of other arms, aiming to solidify their rotation after losing several starters.

The Atlanta Braves have been relatively silent, opting to rely on internal options after a season marred by injuries, while the Washington Nationals made modest moves without breaking into the top-tier free-agent market. The Miami Marlins appear to be in full rebuild mode, parting with key players like Luzardo and focusing on future prospects.

The Philadelphia Phillies are actively exploring trade options to enhance their roster, particularly eyeing players who could make an immediate impact. Recently, they have indicated their willingness to trade certain players, with left-handed pitcher Ranger Suarez emerging as a potential candidate. Despite a strong first half in 2024, Suarez struggled in the latter part of the season, although he did perform well in the postseason, allowing no earned runs in his lone NLDS start.

With the addition of Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins, the Phillies now have a surplus of pitching talent, which could make Suarez expendable. As he approaches free agency at the end of the 2025 season, the team must weigh the benefits of keeping him against the potential to acquire an upgrade elsewhere. While the surplus of arms is advantageous, the possibility of injuries, especially with Luzardo's history, complicates matters. The front office faces a significant decision: to trade Suarez only if it leads to a clear improvement in another area of the team.

The Philadelphia Phillies are navigating a challenging offseason, having to make critical financial decisions while managing a star-studded roster. With a hefty payroll already in place, the front office has opted for strategic buy-low additions rather than splurging on big names. This shift became evident with the acquisition of Jesus Luzardo and swingman Joe Ross, signaling that both Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez are unlikely to return.

Despite Hoffman's potential as a hybrid pitcher, the Phillies chose Luzardo, who offers solid starting experience. Reports suggest that Hoffman is seeking a more lucrative deal, possibly as a starter, echoing the recent success of other pitchers transitioning roles. The front office's decision reflects a focus on enhancing their rotation rather than reuniting with Hoffman.