Josh Hader Signs With The Astros: Fantasy Impact

There are very few things more volatile in the fantasy landscape than closers. MLB teams continue to adapt and use their bullpens differently to gain an edge. That has left very few elite fantasy closers with more teams opting to go match-ups over having one ninth-inning option. It's not often an elite closer hits the... Read More

Angels, Matt Moore Agree To One-Year Deal Tuesday

The Los Angeles Angels and free-agent relief pitcher Matt Moore agreed to a one-year, $9 million deal Tuesday, per Los Angeles Times' Mike DiGiovanna. The 34-year-old had a solid 2023 season across three teams, including the Angels, going 5-1 with 22 holds, a 2.56 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and a 27.5% strikeout rate in 52... Read More

Jay Jackson Generating Plenty Of Interest

Free-agent reliever Jay Jackson has drawn interest from 14 teams throughout the offseason, and there is growing optimism that he will receive a major-league deal, according to a source. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a 2.12 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023. In his five major-league campaigns... Read More

Carlos Estevez Is The Closer On Paper For Angels

Newly signed right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson said that he doesn't expect to fill in for closing duties in 2024, but he will if necessary. Meanwhile, general manager Perry Minasian noted that right-hander Carlos Estevez is the closer on paper, but the final decision will be made by manager Ron Washington. Estevez made his first All-Star... Read More

Phillies Agree To Terms With Kolby Allard

The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to terms on an undisclosed one-year deal with free-agent left-hander Kolby Allard on Tuesday. Allard will remain in the National League East after returning to the Atlanta Braves for the 2023 season. He only made four appearances (three starts) for the Braves and allowed nine earned runs with four walks and... Read More

Alex Blandino Attempting Comeback As Pitcher

The Cincinnati Reds signed Alex Blandino to a minor-league deal in November. The 31-year-old hasn't played in the majors since 2021 and will be attempting a comeback as a pitcher this spring training, specifically as a knuckleballer. He hit .226 in 279 plate appearances over parts of three seasons with the Reds and suffered a... Read More

Mets Interested In Adam Ottavino Reunion

The New York Mets have reportedly considered free-agent relief pitcher Adam Ottavino as an option to bolster their bullpen this offseason. The 38-year-old veteran pitched well for the Mets last season, going 1-7 with 12 saves and 12 holds along with a 3.21 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 23.8% strikeout rate in 61 2/3 innings pitched.... Read More

Yankees, Mets Interested In Wandy Peralta

The New York Yankees and New York Mets are reportedly interested in free-agent relief pitcher Wandy Peralta. The 32-year-old pitched well for the Yankees last season, going 4-2 with four saves and 18 holds along with a 2.83 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 22.5% strikeout rate. The Yankees have maintained contact with Peralta over the offseason.... Read More

Cooper Criswell To Prepare As Starter In Spring Training

Boston Red Sox right-hander Cooper Criswell was told to prepare to be a starter in spring training after signing a one-year, $1 million deal for the 2024 season. The 27-year-old has pitched in just 12 major-league games, with 10 of them coming in relief in 2023 for the Tampa Bay Rays. Criswell said the Red... Read More

Aroldis Chapman Agrees With Pirates

Free-agent Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman agreed to an undisclosed deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, according to sources. Chapman started last year with the Kansas City Royals before joining the eventual World Series-champion Texas Rangers. In 61 total relief appearances, the seven-time All-Star reliever had a 3.09 ERA (2.52 FIP), 1.25 WHIP, six saves,... Read More

Astros Designate Matt Gage For Assignment

The Houston Astros designated left-hander Matt Gage for assignment on Monday to make room on the 40-man roster for recently signed left-handed reliever Josh Hader, according to a source. Gage made his big-league debut in 2022 with the Toronto Blue Jays and made five relief appearances for the Astros in 2023, allowing two earned runs... Read More

Collin McHugh Announces His Retirement

Veteran right-hander Collin McHugh announced his retirement from professional baseball on Monday on his Instagram account. The 36-year-old spent his final season in the big leagues in 2023 with the Atlanta Braves, recording a 4.30 ERA (4.09 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, 22 walks and 47 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings over 41 appearances (one start) during... Read More

Orioles Agree On One-Year Deal With Cionel Perez

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Monday that they agreed to terms with left-hander Cionel Perez on an undisclosed one-year deal for the 2024 season with a club option for 2025 to avoid salary arbitration. Perez was seeking $1.4 million in arbitration for the 2024 season, and the Orioles had countered at $1.1 million. The 27-year-old... Read More

Mets Interested In Aroldis Chapman, Hector Neris

The New York Mets have expressed interest in free-agent relievers Aroldis Chapman and Hector Neris this offseason, according to league sources. Neris might be a better fit for the New York Yankees, but his asking price of one or two years at $7-11 million per year would fit the Mets' budget. The Mets have also... Read More

Astros Manager Won't Name Closer Between Ryan Pressly, Josh Hader

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada would not name a closer when reporters asked him over the weekend at the team's FanFest. This is notable as the Astros just signed closer Josh Hader to a record-breaking contract. Ryan Pressly, who locked down 31 saves for Houston last season, was the clear incumbent before the Hader signing.... Read More

Ken Giles Will Throw A Bullpen Session For Potential Suitors

Free-agent relief pitcher Ken Giles will throw a bullpen session for interested teams on Friday, Jan. 26 in Phoenix, Arizona, according to Jon Heyman. Due to injury, the 33-year-old has appeared in just nine games over the last three seasons, so he wants to prove to teams that he is finally healthy and ready to... Read More

John Brebbia In Agreement With White Sox

Free-agent relief pitcher John Brebbia is in agreement with the Chicago White Sox on a one-year, $5.5 million deal on Saturday, pending a physical. Brebbia comes to the White Sox after going 3-5 with a 3.99 ERA (3.93 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with 14 walks and 47 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings pitched over 40... Read More

Does Josh Hader Push The Astros Back Over The Top? Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Free agent reliever Josh Hader signed a historic deal with the Houston Astros on Friday. His total figure falls short of the $102 million deal Mets closer Edwin Diaz netted last winter but Hader's five-year, $95 million contract is the largest for a reliever in MLB history as it does not contain any referrals. Diaz's... Read More

Robert Stephenson Agrees To Deal With Angels

Relief pitcher Robert Stephenson will sign with the Los Angeles Angels, pending a physical. The former first-round pick struck out 77 of the 201 batters he faced in 2023, compiling 52 1/3 innings. Stephenson should work the late innings and closing is a possibility in Los Angeles, even though he has three career saves. After... Read More

Josh Hader Signs Megadeal With Astros

The Houston Astros have signed Josh Hader to a historic five-year, $95 million contract. While the total sum does not surpass the five-year, $102 million deal Edwin Diaz netted from the Mets prior to the 2023 season, it is the largest present-day value contract for a reliever in MLB history as it does not contain... Read More

Cardinals Transfer James Naile To Kia Tigers

The St. Louis Cardinals have transferred reliever James Naile to the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization. The right-hander made 10 relief appearances for the Cards in 2023 but surrendered 15 earned runs and nine walks against just seven strikeouts across 10 appearances and 15 1/3 innings of work. Add in his seven outings... Read More

Robert Stephenson Drawing Interest From Dodgers, Mets, Phillies

Free agent reliever Robert Stephenson is receiving interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers and a pair of NL East teams, namely the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. It has been reported that there are numerous teams with significant interest in the right-hander. A converted starter, Stephenson has found far more success as a reliever... Read More

Fantasy Baseball Top 100 Prospects for 2024 First-Year Player Drafts (January 2024 Update)

A number of the top international players that are being posted this offseason have signed, with a few more yet to come. Rankings for players have adjusted, some due to their destination, and a few MLB draft prospects are moving due to some additional viewing of tape and underlying metrics on those players. Otherwise, there... Read More

FIP/xFIP: Using Sabermetrics for 2024 Fantasy Baseball

While we've only examined how to evaluate hitters using advanced stats thus far, sabermetrics are just as useful for pitchers. The first advanced pitching stat most fantasy managers encounter is Fielding Independent Pitching or FIP. FIP measures a pitcher's actual skill instead of the effects of luck or his supporting cast. According to DIPS (Defense... Read More

What Is Yency Almonte's Value With The Cubs? Fantasy Baseball Outlook

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs swung a notable trade recently that saw young infielder Michael Busch and reliever Yency Almonte to the Windy City in exchange for prospects Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope. Full trade: The Chicago Cubs are acquiring third baseman Michael Busch and reliever Yency Almonte from the Los Angeles Dodgers... Read More

Matt Bowman Signs Minor-League Deal With Twins

Free-agent right-hander Matt Bowman signed a minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins on Thursday that includes an invite to spring training, according to a source. He'll make $925,000 if he reaches the majors. Bowman spent the last three seasons in the New York Yankees organization and made three relief appearances for the Bombers in 2023,... Read More

Fernando Rodney Trying To Make A Comeback

Long-time major-league closer Fernando Rodney, who will turn 47 years old in two months, is attempting a comeback. He had 327 career saves, earned three All-Star selections, and won a World Series ring, but Rodney still has dreams of stepping back on a big-league mound. "I'm trying to get to 50," Rodney said flatly, before... Read More

Astros Targeting Josh Hader

Despite already having one of the best closers in postseason history in right-hander Ryan Pressly, the Houston Astros are trying to sign free-agent left-hander Josh Hader, who is considered perhaps the best closer in baseball. According to sources briefed on their discussions, the Astros are making a push for the 29-year-old southpaw who has been... Read More

Tyler Gilbert, Reds Agree To Minors Pact

The Cincinnati Reds have signed left-hander Tyler Gilbert to a minor-league deal with an invite to big-league spring training. The 30-year-old appeared with the Arizona Diamondbacks in each of the last two seasons, working to a combined 4.32 ERA, 9.6% K-BB%, and 36.9% ground-ball rate in that time. Thirteen of his 28 appearances in the... Read More

Is Sean Manaea Trustworthy With the Mets? Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Sean Manaea has been a solid pitcher throughout his eight-year big-league tenure. His 4.10 ERA fits nicely in the middle-to-back of just about every rotation in baseball. However, his most recent results are middling at best. The Mets added Manaea on a two-year, $28 million pact this winter, adding another new arm to a rotation... Read More