Tue Jan 31 2023 | 00:18 | Angels Have "Strong Interest" In Zack Britton | Zack Britton | RP | Orioles | Obi-Wan |
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Monday that the Los Angeles Angels have "strong interest" in free-agent relief pitcher Zack Britton if his price tag were to drop. The 35-year-old lefty was one of baseball's better relief pitchers from 2014-2020 with the Orioles and Yankees. However, a number of injuries limited Britton to just 19 innings pitched between the 2021-22 seasons. The Angels have already somewhat bolstered their bullpen this offseason by signing Carlos Estevez, and health is a concern for Britton. However, given his experience as a closer and track record of solid pitching, he could have a shot to see considerable save opportunities if he were to join the Angels, which would instantly make him fantasy relevant. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Jan 30 2023 | 14:59 | Marlins Acquire Matt Barnes From Red Sox | Matt Barnes | RP | Red Sox | Free Agent |
The Boston Red Sox and Miami Marlins have reportedly made a deal, per a tweet from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal on Monday morning. According to Rosenthal's tweet, Boston is trading reliever Matt Barnes to Miami for fellow relief pitcher Richard Bleier. Barnes pitched to a 4.31 ERA, a 3.87 FIP, 34 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 39.2 innings for Boston last season while adding eight saves and four holds. Bleier, meanwhile, turned in a 3.55 ERA and a 3.27 FIP in 50.2 innings for the Marlins, while adding 32 strikeouts, 10 walks, seven holds and a save. Of the duo, Barnes likely has more potential for save opportunities this coming season in Miami than Bleier does in Boston given Kenley Jansen's presence at the back end of the Red Sox bullpen. |
Source: Ken Rosenthal | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Jan 30 2023 | 14:23 | Darren O'Day Announces Retirement | Darren O'Day | RP | Orioles | Free Agent |
Relief pitcher Darren O'Day announced on Monday he's retiring from the league in a tweet. O'Day made his Major League debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2008 and has appeared in every Major League season since. The 40-year-old made 644 appearances over the years, pitching for Los Angeles, the New York Mets, Texas, Baltimore, Atlanta, and the New York Yankees. He most recently appeared in 28 games for Atlanta in 2022, pitching to a 4.15 ERA and a 4.04 FIP in 21.2 innings of work while logging 26 strikeouts compared to 10 walks. For his career, the 40-year-old owns a 2.59 and a 3.48 FIP in 609-lifetime innings at the Major League level. He struck out 9.41 batters per nine frames while allowing just 2.54 walks per nine innings. |
Source: Darren O'Day | RotoBaller.com |
Sun Jan 29 2023 | 21:41 | Gleyber Torres Avoids Arbitration | Gleyber Torres | SS | Yankees | Free Agent |
The New York Yankees and second baseman Gleyber Torres avoided arbitration after agreeing to a one-year, $9.995 million deal. The two parties were initially at odds, with Torres filing at $10.2 million and the Yankees offering $9.7. The second baseman has been involved in extensive discussions to be traded at the deadline with Pablo Lopez as the centerpiece, but the Yanks continue to endorse Torres as their second baseman. The 26-year-old cranked 24 HRs while slashing .257/.310/.451 with a .761 OPS. He also amassed 114 OPS+ with a 22.6% strikeout rate. If Torres can show more consistency on the field and at the plate, he should find himself in the Yankees lineup every day despite recent reports that he could find himself on the bench more in 2023. |
Source: New York Yankees | RotoBaller.com |
Sat Jan 28 2023 | 12:06 | Nationals Sign Alexander Colome To Minor-League Deal | Alex Colomé | RP | Rays | Team Erik |
The Washington Nationals signed free-agent reliever Alexander Colome to a minor-league deal on Friday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. The Nationals have had plenty of interest in Colome before, including advanced trade talks with the Chicago White Sox at the 2019 trade deadline. The 34-year-old right-hander was an All-Star back in 2016 with the Tampa Bay Rays when he had a 1.91 ERA and 37 saves, but he's no longer in his prime heading into his 11th big-league campaign. In 47 relief innings for the Colorado Rockies in 2022, he posted a career-worst 5.74 ERA (4.54 FIP), 1.68 WHIP, four saves and 14.9 percent strikeout rate. Colome does have 159 career saves, but he's unlikely to pitch in too many high-leverage situations for the Nats if he makes the team out of spring training. |
Source: The Washington Post - Jesse Dougherty | RotoBaller.com |
Sat Jan 28 2023 | 12:00 | Yandy Diaz Closing In On Extension With Rays | Yandy Díaz | 3B/DH | Indians | Free Agent |
The Tampa Bay Rays and infielder Yandy Diaz are closing in on a three-year, $24 million contract extension on Saturday, according to sources. The deal would include an option for a fourth year. Diaz battled through nagging injuries in 2022 but still managed to play a career-high 137 games in his sixth season in the big leagues, and he finished with a strong .296/.401/.423 slash line with a career-high .824 OPS, nine home runs, 57 RBI, 71 runs scored and career-high three stolen bases in 558 plate appearances. The 31-year-old won't supply fantasy managers with much power (career-high 14 homers in 2019), but he makes a ton of contact and gets on base frequently. Diaz had more walks (78) than strikeouts (60) and will need to continue making frequent hard contact to keep his average high. |
Source: MLB.com - Juan Toribio | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Jan 27 2023 | 18:45 | Rangers Sign Clint Frazier, Danny Duffy To Minor-League Deals | Danny Duffy | SP | Royals | Obi-Wan |
| | | Clint Frazier | CF/LF | Yankees | Buchanalia |
The Texas Rangers signed free-agent outfielder Clint Frazier and left-hander Danny Duffy to minor-league deals on Friday. Once a top prospect for the Cleveland Guardians, Frazier spent the 2022 season with the Chicago Cubs and hit just .216 with a .653 OPS and no home runs in 19 games. Staying healthy has always been a big issue -- he's never played in more than 69 major-league games in a single season -- and he has a career slash line of .238/.329/.427 with a .756 OPS, 29 home runs and 98 RBI in six big-league seasons. Duffy had a left forearm injury that kept him from pitching in 2022. In his 11 major-league seasons with the Kansas City Royals, he has a 3.95 ERA (4.17 FIP), 1.32 WHIP and 21.1 percent strikeout rate in 234 outings (204 starts). Frazier and Duffy will provide some nice veteran depth if they can stay healthy in 2023. |
Source: Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Jan 27 2023 | 18:31 | James Kaprielian, Paul Blackburn Expected To Be Ready | Paul Blackburn | SP | Athletics | Team Sapinski |
| | | James Kaprielian | | | Free Agent |
The Oakland Athletics expect starting pitchers James Kaprielian (shoulder) and Paul Blackburn (finger) to be ready for spring training, according to general manager David Forst. It's the reason the team felt comfortable trading left-hander Cole Irvin to the Baltimore Orioles this week. Kaprielian had surgery to fix the AC joint in his right-shoulder in the offseason. The 28-year-old figures to be a fixture in the A's rotation after posting a 4.23 ERA (4.63 FIP), 1.34 WHIP and 17 percent strikeout rate in a career-high 26 starts in his third MLB season in 2022. Blackburn was excellent for Oakland before a finger caused him to be shut down in July. The 29-year-old was an All-Star last for the first time last year and went 7-6 with a 4.28 ERA (4.21 FIP), 1.26 WHIP and career-high 19.1 percent strikeout rate in a career-high 21 starts in his sixth season in Oakland. |
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Matt Kawahara | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Jan 27 2023 | 18:11 | Cole Hamels Looks Great During Showcase | Cole Hamels | SP | Rangers | Obi-Wan |
Free-agent left-hander Cole Hamels threw for interested teams in Arlington, Texas, on Friday and was said to look "insanely good." Hamels was hitting 88-91 mph with his fastball, and the observer expects Hamels to draw serious interest on the open market with spring training quickly approaching. The 39-year-old southpaw hasn't pitched since the 2020 shortened season and only made one start that year for the Atlanta Braves before injuring his left shoulder. But he looks to be completely healthy now and motivated to continue his career. The four-time All-Star obviously is no longer in his prime and is unlikely to be whiffing many batters, but he could provide a team in need of rotation depth a crafty veteran option. |
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Jan 27 2023 | 13:34 | Cubs Add Tyler Duffey On Minor-League Deal | Tyler Duffey | RP/SP | Twins | Team Joker |
The Chicago Cubs signed free-agent right-hander Tyler Duffey as a non-roster invitee on Friday, according to a source. Duffey will compete for a bullpen job in spring training. He made 295 appearances for the Minnesota Twins over the last eight seasons, and the Cubs have a good track record with these types of free-agent relievers. The 32-year-old veteran has a good shot of making the Cubs bullpen out of spring training. Last year with Minnesota, he had a 4.91 ERA (4.79 FIP), 1.36 WHIP, two saves and 21.1 percent strikeout rate in 44 innings over 40 relief appearances. In eight major-league seasons, he has a 4.57 ERA (3.96 FIP), 1.29 WHIP and six saves in 475 innings. If Duffey makes the big-league club, he won't have much fantasy appeal, if any. |
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Jan 27 2023 | 13:22 | Royals Sign Matt Duffy To Minor-League Deal | Matt Duffy | SS | Rays | Team Joker |
The Kansas City Royals signed free-agent infielder Matt Duffy to a minor-league deal on Friday that includes an invite to major-league spring training. Duffy will give the Royals some more infield depth after they just traded infielder Adalberto Mondesi to the Boston Red Sox this week. The 32-year-old veteran hit .250/.308/.311 with a .619 OPS, two home runs, 16 RBI and 14 runs scored in 247 plate appearances over 77 games for the Los Angeles Angels in 2022. He was much better for the Chicago Cubs the year prior, and there could be some decent playing time available for Duffy with the rebuilding Royals. Duffy has a .279 career batting average in seven big-league seasons, but the power is lacking (29 homers in 626 games). |
Source: Royals Twitter | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Jan 27 2023 | 13:10 | Ian Kennedy Agrees With Rangers | Ian Kennedy | SP | Royals | Team Sapinski |
Free-agent right-hander Ian Kennedy announced in his official Instagram page on Friday that he has agreed to an undisclosed deal with the Texas Rangers. Kennedy hit the open market this offseason when the Arizona Diamondbacks declined his $4 million option for the 2023 season. The 38-year-old reliever struggled in the desert last year with a 5.36 ERA (5.58 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, 10 saves and weak 19.0 percent strikeout rate in 50 1/3 relief innings over 57 appearances out of the bullpen. The 16-year veteran was with the Rangers for 32 appearances in 2021 and pitched well with a 2.51 ERA (3.66 FIP), 1.05 WHIP and 16 saves, but it would be a surprise if he gets many save chances this year with Texas with Jose Leclerc locked in as the primary closer. |
Source: Ian Kennedy on Instagram | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Jan 26 2023 | 13:30 | Rays Sign Jaime Schultz, Gavin Collins | Jaime Schultz | SP | Rays | Free Agent |
The Tampa Bay Rays signed right-hander Jaime Schultz and catcher Gavin Collins to minor-league deals on Wednesday that include invitations to major-league spring training. Schultz didn't pitch at all last year while dealing with an oblique injury, but the former Rays prospect will return to Tampa as pitching depth in 2023. In 26 major-league outings (one start) with the Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers in two seasons, he has a 5.86 ERA (5.55 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP over 35 1/3 innings. Collins has yet to play in the big leagues. The 27-year-old backstop spent the 2022 campaign at Triple-A Columbus in the Cleveland Guardians organization and slashed .235/.326/.370 with a .696 OPS, four home runs, 16 RBI and 15 runs in 41 games. |
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Jan 26 2023 | 13:18 | Giancarlo Stanton Feeling Great | Giancarlo Stanton | RF | Yankees | Free Agent |
New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (Achilles) played in only 110 games last year and hit .211 while dealing with left Achilles tendinitis. However, he told the Yankees that he's feeling great this offseason, according to a source. If he can stay healthy, there's a chance he could work himself into semi-regular appearances in left field. Stanton saw just four regular season games in left field in 2022 and 34 in right field. Despite the low average, the 33-year-old slugger managed 31 home runs, which was the fourth time in his career he's hit that mark. Fantasy managers should know by now that Stanton will likely be on the injured list at some point during the season, but you can't argue with his elite power in a great lineup and home ballpark. |
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Jan 25 2023 | 20:42 | Gleyber Torres Could Find Himself On The Bench More | Gleyber Torres | SS | Yankees | Free Agent |
Last season, when New York Yankees infielders DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres were both healthy on Opening Day, LeMahieu started at second base and Torres was on the bench. The next game, LeMahieu started at third base, which forced Josh Donaldson to the bench and Torres to second. LeMahieu is expected to resume seeing everyday at-bats in a utility role in 2023 if he's healthy, playing mostly second base while jumping in at third and first base when necessary. At shortstop, Isiah Kiner-Falefa is expected to compete for the starting job with prospects Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe. So barring injuries at either short or second base, Torres doesn't project as an everyday player for the Yankees, which is obviously bad news for his fantasy value. The 26-year-old hit .257/.310/.451 with a .761 OPS, 24 home runs, 76 RBI, 73 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in 140 games for the Yanks last year. |
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Jan 25 2023 | 19:55 | Ken Giles To Throw For Interested Teams | Ken Giles | RP | Astros | Obi-Wan |
Free-agent relief pitcher Ken Giles (elbow) will be throwing for interested teams two weeks from Wednesday on Feb. 8 at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. Giles is reportedly "100 percent healthy" after two years removed from having Tommy John surgery. The 32-year-old former closer has eight years of major-league experience with four different teams and also 115 career saves, so there is bound to be some interested teams if he is now healthy and looks anything like his prior self. Giles only appeared in five games in 2022 for the Seattle Mariners, but he tossed 4 1/3 shutout innings. The problem is he hasn't pitched in a full season since 2019, and he'll likely be a long shot to return any fantasy relevance in 2023 if he lands with a new team. |
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Jan 25 2023 | 00:17 | Matt Barnes Designated For Assignment Tuesday | Matt Barnes | RP | Red Sox | Free Agent |
The Boston Red Sox officially designated relief pitcher Matt Barnes for assignment on Tuesday, per the Athletic's Jen McCaffrey. The move was made to make room for recently-signed outfielder Adam Duvall. The 32-year-old righty did see some high-leverage situations over the course of the 2022 season but ended with an 0-4 record, eight of 10 save opportunities converted, and four holds to go with a 4.31 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 19.3% strikeout rate. He also missed time in the middle of the season with right shoulder inflammation. Barnes did earn 24 saves for the Red Sox in 2021, so he may be able to find a high-leverage spot with another team. |
Source: Jen McCaffrey - Twitter.com | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Jan 24 2023 | 15:36 | Yolmer Sanchez Latches On With Braves | Yolmer Sánchez | 2B/3B | White Sox | Team Lorin |
Free-agent infielder Yolmer Sanchez signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. Sanchez, a 30-year-old switch-hitting infielder, played in just 17 major-league games in 2022 with the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets and hit a combined .108/.214/.108 with a .322 OPS, no home runs, two RBI and one run scored in 44 plate appearances. He spent all of the 2021 season with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett and is likely to begin the 2023 season back there. Sanchez spent the first seven seasons of his big-league career with the Chicago White Sox, and he has a .243/.299/.355 career slash line with a .654 OPS, 32 home runs, 217 RBI, 253 runs scored and 30 stolen bases in eight seasons in the majors. He'll serve as infield depth for Atlanta. |
Source: Milb.com | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Jan 24 2023 | 15:24 | Marlins Not Certain To Sign Yuli Gurriel | Yuli Gurriel | 1B | Astros | Team Lorin |
Free-agent first baseman Yuli Gurriel isn't viewed as a certainty to sign with the Miami Marlins now after it was reported over the weekend that the two sides were progressing towards a deal, according to sources. Talks between the two sides have cooled in recent days, although that could change again. The Marlins have been focused on adding bats this offseason, but they could end up passing on the 38-year-old Cuban first baseman. If Gurriel did sign in Miami, he'd likely platoon at first base and designated hitter after having a down season with the Houston Astros in 2022. He also sprained the MCL in his knee in the World Series and probably doesn't have much left offensively as he approaches 40 years old. |
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Jan 24 2023 | 15:14 | Mike Clevinger Under Investigation For Domestic Violence | Mike Clevinger | RP/SP | Indians | Team Sapinski |
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mike Clevinger is under investigation by MLB after allegations of domestic violence and child abuse. Olivia Finestead, the mother of Clevinger's 10-month-old daughter, detailed to investigators incidents of physical, verbal and emotional abuse, including an incident last June in which she said Clevinger choked her. There was another incident two weeks later when she said Clevinger slapped her and threw used chewing tobacco on their child. The White Sox became aware of the allegations after they signed him this offseason. The 32-year-old right-hander had a rough 2022 with the San Diego Padres in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, and now he could be facing a lengthy suspension in 2023. Stay tuned for more details on the situation. |
Source: The Athletic - Brittany Ghiroli and Katie Strang | RotoBaller.com |