According to Maddie Lee of the Sun Times, right-hander Keegan Thompson and the Chicago Cubs have agreed on a contract to avoid salary arbitration. Thompson battled injuries in 2024 but flashed solid potential when he was on the major-league mound. Across 30 1/3 innings on the Northside, the right-hander posted a strong 2.67 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP with two saves. Thompson generated an excellent 28.3% strikeout rate but struggled with control as he held a rough 14.2% walk rate. With Triple-A Iowa, Thompson posted a 2.96 ERA and a 0.91 ERA in 27 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should monitor Thompson's development during spring training, as he could eventually become a candidate to operate as a high-leverage option given the upside he has flashed at times.

The San Diego Padres have non-tendered outfielder Bryce Johnson and shortstop Mason McCoy, according to the team. Johnson appeared in 47 games at the major league level last season and posted a .206/.286/.238 line and hit just two extra-base hits. With Triple-A El Paso, Johnson carried a solid .288/.407/.431 line across 74 games. McCoy appeared in only 19 games in the big leagues in 2024 and posted a .204/.278/.245 line. In Triple-A, McCoy held a .260/.329/.382 slash line. While both players have shown potential at the top level of the minors before, they have yet to earn a consistent opportunity in the major leagues. Fantasy managers should expect both players to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster during Spring Training with their new club.

The San Diego Padres have non-tendered right-handed pitcher Luis Patino, according to the team. Patino underwent Tommy John surgery last April, which will sideline him for likely the entire first half of the 2025 campaign. In 2023, Patino logged 21 2/3 innings to the tune of a 4.57 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. Patino has bounced between both the rotation and bullpen throughout his major league career. He logged a career-high in innings (77 1/3) during the 2021 season and held a 4.31 and a 1.27 WHIP during this campaign. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should monitor Patino's progression while he recovers from Tommy John, as he could have a path to operating as a starting pitcher during the second half of the 2025 campaign with his new club.

Free-agent left-hander Yusei Kikuchi signed a three-year, $63 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. The Angels continue to be the most aggressive team early in free agency this offseason. Kikuchi gives the Halos a much-needed addition to their starting rotation for 2025 and beyond. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw went a combined 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA (3.46 FIP), a 1.20 WHIP and 206:44 K:BB in 175 2/3 innings over 32 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros in 2024. He was much better down the stretch in Houston after being acquired at the trade deadline, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 10 starts. The Japanese hurler had a career-best 31.8% strikeout rate and career-low 5.9% walk rate to help his cause and will look to continue that success in 2025 in his new digs in southern California.

MLB executives believe that the New York Mets are the clear-cut favorites to sign free-agent outfielder Juan Soto, simply because nobody thinks anyone will outbid owner Steve Cohen, possibly before the winter meetings end in early December. The Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox are the only serious suitors for Soto. The Phillies haven't had a single conversation with agent Scott Boras to date. ESPN's Buster Olney reports that teams involved with Soto will start forwarding him offers this week, according to sources. The 26-year-old generational talent is expected to sign a deal for 10-plus years and potentially over $600 million after posting a career-high 41 home runs and a league-leading 128 runs scored in his first year with the Yankees in 2024 while helping them advance to the World Series. It's believed that Soto would prefer to stay on the East coast as well.