Fantasy Baseball Best Pitchers to Change Teams in the Offseason: Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Devin Williams and More

Corbin Burnes and Arizona recently agreed to a contract worth over $200 million over six years (with opt outs), taking maybe the top remaining free agent off the board. In each of the past three seasons, Burnes started at least 32 games, had at least 180 strikeouts (at least 200 in two of those years), and racked up 37 total wins.

That’s the type of player who is worth an early fantasy draft spot despite changing teams in the offseason. Some guys switch teams because they aren’t good enough to hold on and/or earn a long-term contract, but others are victims of circumstance, often in the form of financial issues.

Burnes was traded from the Brewers to the Orioles before last season because he was entering his last year before free agency, and Milwaukee wasn’t going to pay him. After a strong season, Burnes was one of the biggest free agents available, and he hit the free market because Baltimore also didn’t want to pay him.

Burnes isn’t the only valuable fantasy pitcher to change teams this offseason. A few other aces also moved, along with high-strikeout guys and a lights-out closer. Yesterday, I looked at some of the best position players to move during the offseason, making a star fantasy lineup of sorts. Let’s do the same today with pitchers who have either signed free agent contracts or been traded since the end of last season.

I used names from ESPN’s coverage of offseason moves and will quote some stats from that analysis. Most stats are from MLB.com, and past fantasy scores and rankings are based on ESPN’s “Points” format.

Starting Pitchers

The Aces

Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks

Max Fried, New York Yankees

Blake Snell, Los Angeles Dodgers

These teams are surely happy with their shiny new prizes, and the fantasy owners who end up with these guys will feel the same way (depending on how you go about drafting fantasy pitchers early). Each of the three should be expected to pitch up to their standard when on the mound.

I already talked about Burnes, one of the best pitchers over the past half decade. Moving to a division with the Dodgers isn’t ideal, and he’ll likely have to make a few starts at Coors Field, but he is getting away from the AL East, which can’t be considered a bad thing. Expect him to keep pitching like a star.

Fried moving from the NL East to the AL East could bring a few worries, but that’s more colloquial than anything else, as we tell stories of how players “can’t handle New York/the AL East/the American League,” or whatever cliché you wish to apply. More likely, Fried will continue excelling and form an elite 1-2 punch with Gerrit Cole.

Fried has started at least 28 games in three of the past four seasons, each time recording at least 150 strikeouts and over 165 innings. He has averaged just under one strikeout per inning, a level most of the top guys hit, but he’s close enough, especially considering his run prevention.

Snell has the least volume among these three. He hit 180 innings in both 2018 and 2023, but he has otherwise failed to reach even 130 in any other season (he made his debut in 2016). Snell is a big-time strikeout pitcher, though, having struck out more than one batter per inning every season except for 2017, when he had 119 Ks in 129.1 innings.

Snell has also spent the most time on the IL out of these three, maybe presenting the most risk. Playing with the Dodgers will get him a lot of wins; there’s a lot to like about Snell’s prospects.

Owners who like going after top-tier aces would do well to target this group, especially Burnes.

The Next Big Thing: Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox

Crochet busted out last season for the White Sox, his first as a starter after making 72 relief appearances between 2020-23 (while missing all of 2022). In 32 starts and 146 innings, Crochet accumulated 209 strikeouts and just 33 walks. It was a statement season.

As long as he’s on the mound, Crochet will perform. He was shut down early because of health concerns, part of the reason he wasn’t moved at the deadline. With Boston seemingly not planning to trade him, Crochet can have a more standard usage pattern, which would bring more volume.

Crochet was SP33 last season and will be drafted as a top-20 pitcher this year. With starting pitchers making shorter appearances overall, worry about Crochet having an innings limit isn’t as prevalent. Crochet is a high-ceiling player given his strikeout work.

Former Cy Young Returning from Injury: Walker Buehler, Boston Red Sox

I’m not in on Buehler as a high-level fantasy player. I know he was a superstar at one point and threw some good playoff innings on the way to last year’s World Series title, but injuries have devastated his last few years and sapped his fantasy value.

Buehler will have times he is a worthy streamer, but that isn’t worth using more than a late-round draft pick. Don’t expect Cy Young numbers.

Old Name, New Face: Tomoyuki Sugano, Baltimore Orioles

This is only a new name on this side of the ocean, as Sugano is making his Major League debut after more than 10 years pitching professionally in Japan. He was a star in his home country, winning three MVP awards and holding a career ERA under 2.50.

Like Buehler, Sugano is likely to be more of a streamer than a star. He’s a name to watch, though, as a successful veteran entering a new situation.

Sugano’s fellow countryman, Roki Sasaki, is the much bigger name and a guy who will be worth drafting in fantasy. He won’t sign until January 15 at the earliest, and we’ll know more about his potential fantasy value once he picks a team.

My Favorite Late-Round Flier: Yusei Kikuchi, Los Angeles Angels

Kikuchi got a run at playoff baseball after being traded from Toronto to Houston last year and signed with the Angels this offseason. That probably takes him out of the playoff picture, but he will be on the mound and accumulate positive stats.

Kikuchi has made at least 29 appearances in every season since 2021 (though only 20 starts in 2022). He topped 150 innings each of those years aside from 2022 (100.2 innings) and had more strikeouts than innings pitched in each season.

LA signed Kikuchi for three years at a $12 million average. They are expecting him to be out on the mound eating up innings, even if he doesn’t pitch like an ace. Kikuchi is right on the line of fantasy keeper/streamer; I lean toward keeper and a good late-round pick.

Relievers

Top-Line Closer: Devin Williams, New York Yankees

If New York’s possible offseason outcomes were either sign Juan Soto or spread his money to Fried, Williams, Cody Bellinger, and more, I prefer this path for the best interest of the team. The Yankees stocked up after making a trip to the World Series, ready to put themselves back in that position in 2025.

Williams missed the beginning of last season but returned to make 22 appearances at his usual high standard. He has struck out 308 batters in 195 innings since 2021, acting as one of the most dominant relievers during that time.

Williams is likely to pitch really well for one of the best teams in the league; that sounds like a lot of saves and strikeouts.

Formerly Great Closer Joining a Good Team: Jordan Romano, Philadelphia Phillies

Romano racked up 95 saves for the Blue Jays from 2021-23, making 184 appearances with 230 strikeouts to just 70 walks. He dealt with injuries last season that limited him to 15 games, when Romano had an ERA over 6.50 in just 13.2 innings.

Pitcher injuries are as common as sneezes, but Romano is reportedly ready to roll heading into 2025 and should take on a high-leverage role. If he steps into a true closer spot, Romano will be filling that slot for a team that won 95 games last year and will be projected to compete for the division again.

Chasing saves can have disastrous results; I don’t recommend over-drafting a reliever any time. Romano is a high-level strikeout pitcher, though, and is likely to look more like his old self in 2025.

Starter Who is Eligible at RP: Clay Holmes, New York Mets

Holmes has been a top relief pitcher for the Yankees, making over 60 appearances each of the past three seasons with no starts. He signed with the Mets this offseason with the idea that he will convert to a starter, a role that would raise his fantasy value significantly since he won’t be closing.

Holmes has been close to a strikeout per inning, but guys usually lose some of their K numbers when starting rather than pitching out of the bullpen. Expecting that he would make shorter starts as well, that limits some of Holmes’ potential fantasy value.

While Holmes is likely to be a streamer-level pitcher, guys who can slot into your RP spots and throw as starters are nice players, especially if you’re choosing to mostly eschew saves.

Chasing Strikeouts: Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox

We’ll finish with a guy who has been a fantasy and real-life star at times in the past but experienced some inconsistency recently. Chapman still brings a monster fastball, though, and that gives him intrigue.

If he closes in Boston, Chapman has obvious value. Even if he doesn’t, his strikeout work gives him appeal, especially in deep leagues. Chapman averages well over a strikeout per inning and gets in plenty of games: he has made over 50 appearances in all but two years since 2011, and one of those was the COVID season of 2020.

Chapman is a solid fantasy option who will be even better if he takes on the closer role. Keep an eye on this high-ceiling reliever.