Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says that the latest contract-extension proposal his representatives presented to the team was for 15 years and significantly lower than outfielder Juan Soto's deal with the New York Mets -- even lower than $600 million. Toronto and Guerrero were unable to agree on anything before the start of spring training, setting him up to be a free agent after the 2025 season. "I'm looking for 14 [years]. I would like 14, 15, even 20 if they give them to me, but doing it the right way," Guerrero said. In seven games this spring, the 25-year-old slugger is hitting .412 with a 1.121 OPS, a homer and three RBI in seven games. Contract issues aside, Guerrero is the top-ranked fantasy first baseman at RotoBaller this year and has added protection in outfielder Anthony Santander.

Cincinnati Reds closer Alexis Diaz (hamstring) had a solid live batting practice session at camp on Wednesday and has been cleared to pitch again in Cactus League action in the coming days. It's good news for Diaz after he suffered a mild hamstring injury while doing fielding drills late last month. As long as the 28-year-old doesn't have a setback with his hamstring once he gets back into spring games, he'll be ready to go for Opening Day at the end of the month. Although the Puerto Rican right-hander has 65 saves the last two years for the Reds, he's only ranked as RotoBaller's No. 17 fantasy closer going into the 2025 season. That's because he'll probably be on a shorter leash in the ninth inning this year after the velocity on his fastball dropped again, which in turn caused his strikeout rate to fall to 22.7%. Combine that with a 12.8% walk rate and you have the recipe for inconsistency late in games.

Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Aaron Ashby (oblique) said the second opinion of his right-oblique strain was better than the first. However, he'll still be shut down for roughly two weeks before resuming throwing. Ashby still expects to be built up as a starter, but he obviously won't be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season and could miss at least the first month of the season, if not more. It doesn't guarantee that the 26-year-old southpaw will jump back into the Brewers' starting rotation once he's ready to make his season debut, and a bullpen role shouldn't be ruled out, especially given all the health setbacks in his career. Ashby missed all of 2023 due to left-shoulder surgery and struggled for most of last year at Triple-A Nashville. There's no denying his strikeout upside, but between his injuries and inconsistency, fantasy managers in deeper leagues are better off looking elsewhere.

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) is tentatively scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game next Tuesday. Woodruff is currently on a schedule of every six days as he recovers from right-shoulder surgery that kept him sidelined for the entire 2024 season. There isn't a clear timetable for when the 32-year-old veteran will be able to make his 2025 debut, but what we do know is that he will not be a part of the Opening Day starting rotation in Milwaukee. Woodruff was an ace for the Brewers before his shoulder issues, but because of the fact he won't be ready to start the season and his long layoff, RotoBaller has him ranked as only the No. 76 fantasy starting pitcher this year. Not only did he not pitch at all in 2024, but Woodruff only made 11 starts in 2023 before being shut down. Temper expectations for him in 2025.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene has been named the team's Opening Day starter on March 27 against the San Francisco Giants, as expected. It comes as no surprise after Greene made his first All-Star team last year in his third year in the league by going 9-5 with a career-best 2.75 ERA (3.47 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, a career-high 169 strikeouts and 57 walks in 150 1/3 innings over 26 starts for the Reds. The 25-year-old hasn't looked great in spring training, as he's allowed seven earned runs in three starts, but he's also struck out 11 and walked four in eight innings of work. Fantasy managers shouldn't let those spring results dissuade them from taking Greene as a solid No. 3 starter in upcoming drafts. Even though Greene's strikeout rate dropped to 27.7% in 2024, it was still above-average. The next step for him is reaching the 30-start mark and topping 200 K's.