Mike Moustakas, a veteran infielder and World Series champion with the Kansas City Royals, has announced his retirement from Major League Baseball after a 13-year career. The 36-year-old will sign a one-day contract with the Royals on May 31 to officially retire as a member of the team where he began his journey. His retirement announcement comes after a solid career in which he amassed 215 home runs and 683 RBIs. Moustakas was a key player in the Royals' 2015 World Series victory, contributing significantly during the regular season and playoffs.

Drafted second overall in 2007, Moustakas made his MLB debut in 2011. He became an essential part of the Royals' lineup, particularly in 2015 when he posted a .284 batting average, 22 homers, and 82 RBIs, helping lead the Royals to an AL Central title and their first World Series title in 30 years. Moustakas had standout seasons, including a career-high 38 home runs in 2017 and a personal-best 95 RBIs in 2018 with the Royals and Brewers.

The AL Central division presents a paradox with teams operating under lower payrolls, yet each vying for postseason glory. The Minnesota Twins are currently viewed as the favorites, driven by key acquisitions like Harrison Bader and Ty France, but face injury concerns with stars Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa. The Tigers, with Tarik Skubal leading a solid rotation, also added Gleyber Torres, yet question their overall offensive depth. Kansas City hopes new additions will improve last year’s struggles, while the Guardians rely heavily on Jose Ramirez’s performance and need pitching help. The Chicago White Sox continue to underperform and face significant challenges ahead of the season.

As spring training heats up, fantasy baseball enthusiasts are gearing up for draft season. In the American League Central, several players present excellent value picks based on their current average draft positions (ADP). David Festa of the Minnesota Twins shows promise after improving significantly in his later appearances. Lane Thomas of the Cleveland Guardians, despite a shaky batting average last season, offers upside with his potential for home runs and steals. Parker Meadows from the Detroit Tigers rebounded nicely after a rough start to showcase his hitting capabilities. Andrew Vaughn of the Chicago White Sox had an impressive finish in 2024, making him a compelling late-round target. Lastly, Vinnie Pasquantino of the Kansas City Royals has demonstrated remarkable contact ability, making him someone to watch for a potential breakout season.

As the 2025 fantasy baseball draft season approaches, late-round third basemen present lucrative opportunities for savvy managers. Maikel Garcia of the Kansas City Royals is projected to bounce back after a disappointing 2024, leveraging his speed on the base paths. Though his batting average dipped, his elite baserunning stats suggest significant upside, making him a potential steal at an ADP of 204.

Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers, recovering from a wrist injury, started strong last season. With a career barrel rate of 11.2%, he holds promise if he can stay healthy, making him an intriguing option at an ADP of 215. Meanwhile, Joey Ortiz is transitioning to shortstop for the Brewers, which may enhance his playing time and fantasy value, projecting to provide solid but unspectacular stats.

Chicago Cubs' prospect Matt Shaw could thrive given the opportunity to start after a strong minor league season, and Deyvison De Los Santos from the Marlins has shown a tantalizing power-speed combination but remains a risk due to his inconsistent performance.

As fantasy baseball drafts approach, the top-12 catchers for 2025 have been highlighted, offering valuable insights for managers. Leading the pack is William Contreras of the Milwaukee Brewers, whose stellar performance last season positioned him as the top option. His brother, Willson Contreras, now with the St. Louis Cardinals, has transitioned to first base, maintaining catcher eligibility while increasing his playing time.

Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles follows, though he faced challenges last season, impacting his stats. Salvador Perez remains a consistent powerhouse, showing no signs of decline. Yainer Diaz and Cal Raleigh are rising stars, while veteran Will Smith provides consistent production. Shea Langeliers and J.T. Realmuto round out the list, with Realmuto looking for a bounce-back season. New names like Logan O'Hoppe and Gabriel Moreno also make the cut, showcasing the depth at the position.