Aaron Hicks Avoids Salary Arbitration

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $6 million deal. Hicks has a nice combination of power and speed -- he hit 27 dingers and stole 11 bases in 2018 -- but injuries are a concern for the 29-year-old and the fact that New York has […]

Diamondbacks Settle With Robbie Ray

The Arizona Diamondbacks avoided salary arbitration with starting pitcher Robbie Ray on Friday by signing him to a one-year, $6.05 million deal. Rumored to be on the trade block this offseason, the D-backs ultimately would like to hang onto the talented southpaw. Ray went 6-2 in 2018 with a 3.93 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 165 […]

Dan Winkler Gets A Raise

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Dan Winkler avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.61 million deal, according to a source. Winkler was a huge high-leverage asset for Atlanta last year, posting a 3.43 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 69 K's in 60 1/3 innings with two saves. While he won't be drafted in […]

Dan Straily Avoids Arbitration

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Dan Straily avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.0 million deal. Straily missed some time in 2018 with an injury and made just 23 starts (122 1/3 innings), posting a 4.12 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 99 strikeouts (7.3 K/9). There's not much upside left in the 30-year-old […]

Jose Urena Settles With Marlins

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Urena avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.2 million deal, according to a source. Urena had a 3.98 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 6.7 K/9 across 31 starts (174 innings) for the Fish in 2018. His career 6.1 K/9 in four seasons in Miami leaves a lot […]

Cubs Avoid Arbitration With Kyle Schwarber

The Chicago Cubs avoided salary arbitration with outfielder Kyle Schwarber on Friday by signing him to a one-year, $3.39 million deal. Schwarber played in a career-high 137 games last season and hit .238/.356/.467 with an .823 OPS, 26 home runs, 61 RBI and 64 runs scored. Injury concerns and a high strikeout rate keep Schwarber […]

Yankees Closing In On DJ LeMahieu

The New York Yankees are closing in on a two-year deal with free-agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu. This could signal the end of the Yankees pursuit of free-agent shortstop Manny Machado, as Gleyber Torres would presumably move to the 6 until Didi Gregorius is recovered from Tommy John surgery. LeMahieu, 31 in July, hit .276/.321/.428 […]

Mookie Betts Avoids Arbitration

Boston Red Sox outfielder and 2018 American League Most Valuable Player Mookie Betts avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $20 million deal, according to sources. It's a new high mark for a second-year arbitration-eligible player. Betts is in consideration for the top overall fantasy pick in 2019 after leading all of baseball in […]

Adam Duvall Settles With Braves

Atlanta Braves outfielder Adam Duvall avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.875 million deal, according to a source. Duvall hit an ugly .195/.274/.365 with 15 home runs and 61 RBI in 138 games with the Reds and Braves last season. However, he could see consistent playing time in left field in […]

Jose Peraza Avoids Arbitration

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Jose Peraza avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.775 million deal, according to a source. Peraza put himself on the fantasy map in 2018 by hitting .288/.326/.416 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI, 85 runs scored and 23 stolen bases in 157 games as the team's everyday shortstop. […]

Alex Bregman Undergoes Elbow Surgery

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on Friday to remove loose bodies, according to the team. He will be limited in spring training but is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. It's not a serious surgery, but it's something to keep an […]

Corey Knebel Avoids Arbitration

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Corey Knebel avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.125 million deal, according to sources. Knebel's 2018 season wasn't as fruitful as 2017, as he dealt with an injury and even spent time in the minors. But he bounced back late in the year and looked like his […]

Greg Roman To Become Ravens Offensive Coordinator

The Baltimore Ravens have named Greg Roman as their new offensive coordinator. The Ravens are re-organizing their offensive staff under head coach John Harbaugh, moving former offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg to a different role. Roman has always coordinated run-first offenses, which will continue to be the team's identity with quarterback Lamar Jackson under center. It's […]

Angels Settle With Andrew Heaney

The Los Angeles Angels avoided salary arbitration with starting pitcher Andrew Heaney by signing him to a one-year, $3.4 million deal on Friday. Heaney had his best year in the big leagues in 2018, going 9-10 with a 4.15 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9.0 K/9 in 30 starts, but the left-hander has yet to surpass […]

Arodys Vizcaino Avoids Arbitration

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.8 million deal, according to sources. Injuries limited Vizcaino to just 38 1/3 innings last season, but he was solid when on the field, posting a 2.11 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, career-high 16 saves and a 9.4 K/9. The right-hander […]

Braves Settle With Mike Foltynewicz

The Atlanta Braves avoided salary arbitration with starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz on Friday by signing him to a one-year, $5.475 million deal, according to sources. The 27-year-old had a breakout in 2018 by going 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 202 strikeouts in 183 innings over 31 starts for Atlanta. His fantasy owners […]

Kyle Hendricks Avoids Salary Arbitration

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $7.405 million deal, according to a source. Hendricks went 14-11 with a 3.44 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 7.3 K/9 over 33 starts in 2018. He doesn't strike out many batters (career 7.6 K/9), but he's never had an ERA […]

Bengals Want To Hire Zac Taylor As Next Head Coach

The Cincinnati Bengals want to hire Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor as their next head coach whenever the Rams season is over, according to league sources. Taylor is an up-and-coming offensive mind that has been groomed by Sean McVay, and he's only 35 years old. Cinci's offense will be in good shape with […]

Red Sox Settle With Steven Wright

The Boston Red Sox avoided salary arbitration with pitcher Steven Wright by signing him to a one-year, $1.375 million deal. Knee issues limited the knuckleballer to only 53 2/3 innings (four starts) for the BoSox in 2018, but he was great when on the mound (2.68 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 7.0 K/9). He doesn't strike many […]

Shane Greene Avoids Salary Arbitration

Detroit Tigers closer Shane Greene avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million deal, according to sources. Although Greene managed to close out 32 games for the rebuilding Tigers in 2018, he was one of the worst fantasy closers due to his bloated 5.12 ERA and 1.37 WHIP despite his 65 […]

Angels Avoid Arbitration With Nick Tropeano

The Los Angeles Angels avoided salary arbitration with starting pitcher Nick Tropeano on Thursday by signing him to a one-year, $1.075 million deal, according to sources. Tropeano ended the year on the disabled list and went 5-6 with a 4.74 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 7.6 K/9 in 14 starts (76 innings) for the Halos. He […]

Joe Ross Settles With Nationals

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Joe Ross avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $1 million deal, according to sources. The younger brother of Tyson Ross, the right-hander made just three starts in 2018 due to injury. However, he'll turn 26 in May and has strikeout upside and should have a spot at […]

Yankees Avoid Arbitration With Greg Bird

The New York Yankees avoided salary arbitration with first baseman Greg Bird on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.2 million deal with him. Bird was expected to become the team's primary first baseman in 2018, but he flopped and lost the job to Luke Voit in the second half. Bird hit an embarrassing .199/.286/.386 […]

Domingo Santana Avoids Arbitration

Seattle Mariners outfielder Domingo Santana avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.95 million deal, according to sources. Santana blew up for a career-high 30 homers and 85 RBI in 2017, but he was the odd-man out in a crowded outfield picture in 2018 and wound up being a bust for fantasy […]

Mets Plan To Use Jeff McNeil In The Outfield

With the acquisition of second baseman Jed Lowrie on Thursday, the New York Mets plan to play infielder Jeff McNeil more in the outfield in 2019 than previously thought. McNeil was a pleasant surprise in his rookie season, hitting .329/.381/.471 with three home runs, 19 RBI, 35 runs scored and seven steals in his first […]

Jed Lowrie Agrees With Mets

The New York Mets agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal with free-agent second baseman Jed Lowrie on Thursday, according to league sources. The 34-year-old had a career year in Oakland in 2018, setting career highs in homers (23), RBI (99) and walks (78) for a surprising A's team that made the playoffs. It's a […]

Jimmy Nelson Expects To Be Ready For Spring Training

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (shoulder), who missed all of 2018, said he will be ready to go for spring training. "That's the goal 100 percent. I'm on track right now to throw my bullpens like normal," Nelson said. The right-hander is worth a late-round flier in mixed leagues in case he bounces back […]

Spencer Ware, Sammy Watkins Questionable

Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (hamstring) and wide receiver Sammy Watkins (foot) were both limited in practice all week and are questionable for Saturday against the Colts in the divisional round. Ware hasn't played since Dec. 9 and is likely to play second fiddle to Damien Williams in the backfield against the Colts. […]

Ryan Grant Ruled Out Again

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ryan Grant (toe) didn't practice all week and has been ruled out for the divisional round against the Chiefs on Saturday. Grant also missed the wild-card win over the Texans and has mostly been a non-factor in Indy's offense all year. T.Y. Hilton, Dontrelle Inman and Chester Rogers will be in […]

Cole Beasley, Blake Jarwin Questionable

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley (ankle) and tight end Blake Jarwin (ankle) missed practice all week but are questionable for the divisional round on Saturday against the Rams. Both players are expected to be game-time decisions on Saturday. Even if they play, they're both lottery tickets for fantasy owners. Rookie wide receiver Michael Gallup […]