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Eric Karabell, ESPN Senior Writer
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.
Baltimore Orioles adjust left field fences for 2025
The Orioles did their pitchers a favor entering the 2022 season when they moved the left field fences back further and higher, seeking a more balanced hitting environment. It worked, but perhaps too well. Camden Yards ceased being among the friendliest places to hit a baseball, though some wondered if the team went too far. This week, the Orioles announced the fences will be moved in — perhaps as much as 20 feet in some areas — and lowered in height.
Precise changes have not been made clear. Still, for Baltimore’s right-handed pull hitters, especially 1B Ryan Mountcastle (who has lost 11 home runs to the adjusted LF fence over the past three seasons), 3B/1B Coby Mayo and others, this should matter. Mountcastle smacked 33 homers in 2021, but he has averaged only 18 per season since then. Don’t assume he returns to hitting 30 homers and don’t make him a top-100 fantasy pick, but do consider the changes for his ilk — and Orioles pitchers — on draft day.
Fantasy impact: News
New York Yankees add 2B/3B Caleb Durbin to 40-man roster
Organizations revised their rosters this week to protect eligible minor leaguers from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Durbin, who hit .312/.427/.548 in the recently completed Arizona Fall League while compiling a record 29 stolen bases in 24 games, is a name fantasy managers need to know. Durbin, 24, was named the AFL’s MVP. The Yankees want to incorporate his speed and contact skills and, depending on whom the team adds (and loses) from their roster this offseason, Durbin may see considerable playing time.
Myriad others with statistical upside were also added to MLB 40-man rosters, including Chicago White Sox SS and top prospect Colson Montgomery, Colorado Rockies OF Zac Veen, Chicago Cubs OF Owen Caissie, Tampa Bay Rays OF Jake Mangum and Miami Marlins 1B Deyvison De Los Santos.
Fantasy impact: News
Cincinnati Reds SP Nick Martinez accepts qualifying offer
Martinez became only the 14th player to accept a team’s qualifying contract offer since baseball’s new rules adjusted in 2012. The other 13 players eligible for the offer this offseason — including Juan Soto and Alex Bregman — all declined so that they could negotiate more lucrative, long-term deals. Martinez, the only player in the group not headed to free agency, will earn the average of the league’s top 125 salaries for 2025, in this case a cool $21.05 million.
It may seem incongruent with how Martinez, 34, performed in 2024, but perhaps fantasy managers should look closer at his September, where he went 4-1 with a 0.83 ERA over five starts as a precursor to a larger breakout. The Reds clearly are invested. This is a viable late-round sleeper.
Fantasy impact: News