Three MLB Pitcher Signing Breakdowns: Fantasy Baseball Implications

With the NFL in the rearview mirror, focus will start shifting to the MLB. Spring training is closing in, and the deals are heating up.

We discussed a trade between the Brewers and Red Sox, then batter signings, and now are going to check out some pitcher signings.

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Martinez Lands in Tampa Bay

Nick Martinez signed a one-year deal worth $13 million with the Rays.

He has pitched in the big leagues for eight years - he also spent four years pitching in Japan.

Martinez has a career 4.16 earned run average over 940 innings. He has 670 strikeouts and a 48-59 record.

He pitched the past two seasons with the Reds, making 82 appearances (42 starts). Martinez was 11-14 with a 4.45 ERA last season, striking out 116 batters over 165 2/3 innings.

Martinez should help round out a sneaky good starting rotation. Drew Rasmussen, Ryan Pepiot, Shane McClanahan and Steven Matz are the other projected starters.

Martinez is projected to be the No. 4 starter in that group. At his signing price, Tampa Bay should view him as a starting pitcher for the whole season, not someone who could be a long reliever out of the bullpen.

He will likely open the year as just a deep-league fantasy asset, but good matchups and strong pitching could help him work into standard leagues, either as a streamer or as a keeper.

I like the Tampa Bay pitching system, and it could help Martinez to a bounce back season. I don't see him being a top-end fantasy pitcher, but he could deliver enough to help out a lot of fantasy owners.

This landing spot/situation is probably a slight fantasy boost for Martinez, but I still only have him as a deep-league fantasy asset to start the season. We'll see exactly where he's being drafted and if he ever works into standard leagues.

Paddack Signs with Miami

Chris Paddack signed a one-year deal worth $4 million with the Marlins.

Paddack is 30 years old and has pitched for three MLB teams over seven seasons. He has a career 4.64 ERA over 581 2/3 innings, while striking out 529 batters along the way.

He pitched between Minnesota and Detroit last season, making 28 starts over 33 appearances. Paddack had a 5-12 record and 5.35 ERA, so he's a bounceback candidate. He struck out 112 batters over 158 innings.

He is projected to be the fifth starter in Miami, so he will essentially be fighting for a rotation spot in spring training. Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Max Meyer and Braxton Garrett are the other projected starters. Janson Junk, Dax Fulton, Adam Mazur, Ryan Gusto and Bradley Blalock are other rotation options, as are a number of pitching prospects.

In other words, Paddack will need to pitch well to keep his rotation spot. He's just a deep-league fantasy asset to kick off the season, and would need to perform well first before being a standard league streaming option.

He's worth tracking for as long as he's in the team's starting rotation though.

Fedde Headed to Chicago

Erick Fedde is joining the White Sox on a one-year deal. No other contract details are available at this point.

Fedde has pitched in the big leagues for eight years. He also was in Japan for a year. He's 32 years old now, and is about to turn 33.

He has been with five teams, and the White Sox were one of those. Fedde pitched with the Cardinals, Braves and Brewers in 2025, pitching to a rough 5.49 ERA over 141 innings.

He has a career 4.94 ERA in the big leagues, and had a 3.30 ERA in 2024, so he's capable of more. Fedde is another bounceback candidate as a result.

Fedde is projected to be in the White Sox' rotation, sitting in the No. 5 spot right now. Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Sean Burke and Anthony Kay are the other projected starters. Jedixson Paez, Jordan Hicks, other former big leaguers and some pitching prospects are other rotation options, so that will be settled in spring training.

Fedde has the inside track to a rotation spot for now, and as long as he's in the rotation, he's a fantasy asset, albeit just in deeper leagues. He will need to pitch well to prove to fantasy owners that he can be a standard league streaming option.

So like Martinez and Paddack, Fedde is worth tracking this spring and throughout the season. I ordered the pitchers in this story in the order I believe their fantasy values will be this season, but all could be helpful at various times.