According to the New York Post's Joel Sherman, the New York Mets have shown interest in signing free-agent right-hander Walker Buehler this offseason after just signing veteran right-hander Frankie Montas for their starting rotation. The Montas signing and the fact they are interested in Buehler signals that the Mets aren't playing at the top of the starting pitching market for big names like Corbin Burnes and Max Fried. Even after struggling to a 5.38 ERA with a weak 18.6% strikeout rate in 75 1/3 innings during the regular season in his return from Tommy John surgery, plenty of pitching-needy teams are in on Buehler this offseason, including the Athletics. The fact that Buehler showed added velocity and looked much better in the Dodgers' World Series run in October is helping his cause. Even if Buehler doesn't rediscover his pre-injury form, he could be a quite attractive value play in fantasy drafts if he lands in the right situation.

Houston Astros outfield prospect Jacob Melton is expected to make his major-league debut in 2025, but that won't guarantee him everyday playing time. As a result, the Astros tendered contracts to both Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers for the 2025 campaign. Houston would like to add a left-handed bat that could help McCormick and Meyers as options in center field, but the team remains bullish on both players despite their offensive struggles in 2024. Melton, the team's top prospect per MLB Pipeline, has the most upside after slashing .253/.310/.426 with 15 home runs and 30 steals split between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land this year. He spent time at all three outfield spots but played mostly center field. The left-handed hitter's power/speed profile stands out, and the Astros could need his bat if both McCormick and Meyers struggle to hit in 2025.

A few teams are asking about free-agent right-hander Clay Holmes moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation in 2025, including the New York Mets, according to a source. Holmes was a starter throughout his minor-league career, but he hasn't started a game since his debut season with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018. MLB teams are looking more at converting relievers into starters after recent success had by right-handers Seth Lugo, Michael King, Reynaldo Lopez, Jordan Hicks and Zack Littell. Holmes was an All-Star for the second time with the New York Yankees in 2024 as a reliever and has the pitch arsenal to be successful as a starter. In addition, he's been durable, appearing in the eighth-most games in the majors in the last four seasons and another 19 playoff games. Holmes turns 32 in March and led the majors in blown saves (13) this past season.

Free-agent pitcher Kyle Hart is reportedly generating serious interest from major-league teams (up to 13) this offseason after he won the Korean Baseball Organization's Dong-won Award for the best pitcher and also the award for best defensive pitcher in 2024. The 32-year-old left-hander pitched for the NC Dinos in Korea in 2024 and went 13-3 with a 2.69 ERA and 1.03 WHIP while striking out 182 and walking just 38 in 157 innings pitched over his 26 starts overseas. Hart, who was drafted in the 19th round in 2016 out of Indiana University Bloomington, made his big-league debut with Boston in 2020 and allowed 21 runs (19 earned) with 10 walks and 13 K's in just 11 innings over four outings (three starts). Given his success in Korea this year, Hart could parlay that into a decent MLB deal this winter, although he'll be a long shot to become fantasy relevant in 2025.

New York Mets infield prospect Luisangel Acuna had a successful showing in the majors late in the season, posting a .308/.325/.641 slashline with a .406 wOBA and 166 wRC+ in 40 plate appearances. Now, the 22-year-old has continued hitting well in the Venezuelan Winter League for the Cardenales de Lara. Through 19 games, the Mets' 12th-ranked prospect is slashing .375/.455/.500 with 12 stolen bases over 67 plate appearances. While winter league competition doesn't serve as a measuring stick in determining how one would fare versus major league pitching, it is encouraging to see after the speedster was slashing just .258/.299/.355 in Triple-A prior to his MLB call-up. With a healthy Francisco Lindor and offseason transactions yet to take place, it's no certainty that Acuna will be on the Mets opening day roster, but should he earn himself a spot, he would be an intriguing fantasy option that has both good pop and great speed.