Sammy Watkins Expected To Play Against Colts

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins (foot), who is questionable for the divisional round against the Colts on Saturday, is expected to play, according to a source. Watkins hasn't played since Week 11, so expecting him to return and put up big numbers against Indy is foolish. Expect Watkins to split snaps with big-bodied […]

Archie Bradley Settles With Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to an undisclosed one-year deal. Many pegged Bradley as the favorite for saves in Arizona's bullpen heading into 2018, but that didn't happen and they preferred to use him in a setup role. The hard-throwing righty had a 3.64 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, […]

D-Backs Avoid Arbitration With David Peralta

The Arizona Diamondbacks avoided salary arbitration with outfielder David Peralta on Friday by signing him to a one-year, $7 million deal, according to a source. Peralta's fantasy value is on the rise after he posted a career year in 2018, hitting .293/.352/.516 with 30 home runs, 87 RBI and 75 runs scored in 560 at-bats. […]

Bears Hire Chuck Pagano As Defensive Coordinator

The Chicago Bears hired former Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano as their defensive coordinator on Friday. Pagano did not coach at all in 2018 and is a bit of an uninspiring choice to run this already strong defensive unit, although Pagano has been a bright coaching mind in the league for a while. He'll […]

Anthony Rendon Receives Hefty Raise

Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $18.8 million deal. Because Rendon doesn't have elite power for a corner infielder -- he's yet to top 30 home runs in six seasons -- he's in the back end of the conversation for the top 10 fantasy third […]

Browns Working On Deal To Hire Steve Wilks

The Cleveland Browns are working on a deal to hire former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks as their next defensive coordinator, according to sources. The Browns have a strong nucleus to work with on that side of the ball, lead by cornerback Denzel Ward and defensive end Myles Garrett. Wilks ran successful defensive units […]

Jose Abreu Settles With White Sox

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $16 million deal. An injury limited Abreu to just 128 games in 2018, and statistically it was his worst year in his five years in the big leagues. The Cuban hit .265/.325/.473 with a career-low .798 OPS, 22 […]

Nick Castellanos Avoids Arbitration

Detroit Tigers outfielder Nick Castellanos avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $9.95 million deal, according to sources. On a rebuilding Detroit squad, Castellanos is an attractive trade commodity that could be dealt before Opening Day. He hit an impressive .298/.354/.500 with a career-high .854 OPS, 23 home runs, 89 RBI and […]

Dodgers Avoid Arbitration With Chris Taylor, Others

The Los Angeles Dodgers avoided salary arbitration on Friday with infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor, outfielders Kike Hernandez and Joc Pederson and relief pitchers Pedro Baez, Josh Fields and Yimi Garcia by signing them to undisclosed one-year deals. Taylor is the most attractive fantasy piece of the bunch because of his ability to player almost anywhere on […]

Corey Seager To Make $4 Million In 2019

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4 million deal, according to a source. It was his first year of arbitration eligibility after making $605,000 last season. Coming off a lost season because of Tommy John surgery, RotoBaller currently has Seager ranked just outside the top […]

Jon Gray Avoids Arbitration

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to an undisclosed one-year deal. It can be tough making a living as a pitcher at Coors Field, and Gray learned the hard way in 2018, going 12-9 with a 5.12 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 9.6 K/9 over 31 starts (172 1/3 […]

Trevor Story Settles For $5 Million

Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5 million deal, according to sources. A late-season injury ended Story's 2018 on a sour note, but it didn't take away from what was a breakout 2018 campaign. The 26-year-old hit .291/.348/.567 with a career-high 37 home runs, 108 RBI, […]

James Paxton, Didi Gregorius Avoid Arbitration

New York Yankees starting pitcher James Paxton and shortstop Didi Gregorius both avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to undisclosed one-year, non-guaranteed contracts. Starting pitcher Sonny Gray, reliever Tommy Kahnle and catcher Austin Romine also settled. Paxton was acquired from the Mariners after going 11-6 with a 3.76 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and career-high 11.7 […]

Indians Avoid Arbitration With Francisco Lindor

The Cleveland Indians avoided salary arbitration with shortstop Francisco Lindor on Friday by signing him to a one-year, $10.55 million deal, according to a source. Lindor can do it all, and he proved it with a .277/.352/.871 slash line, 38 home runs, 92 RBI, 129 runs scored and 25 stolen bases in 158 games for […]

Yankees Settle With Dellin Betances

The New York Yankees avoided salary arbitration on Friday with relief pitcher Dellin Betances by signing him to a one-year, $7.125 million deal. Betances is set to become a free agent after the 2019 season, but general manager Brian Cashman has expressed interest in entering extension talks at some point. The hard-throwing right-hander posted a […]

Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Avoid Arbitration

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts and outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. both avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to one-year deals. Bogaerts will receive $12 million this season, while Bradley will make $8.55 million. Bogaerts is a tier below the top fantasy shortstops after hitting .288/.360/.522 with a career-high 23 long balls, 103 RBI, […]

Gary Kubiak Won't Be Broncos Offensive Coordinator

The Denver Broncos announced on Friday that former head coach Gary Kubiak will not be their offensive coordinator after agreeing with him earlier in the week, according to league sources. The Broncos and Kubiak had different ideas on staffing and different offensive philosophies, so they will go in different directions. It's a surprising turn of […]

Brian Flores The Favorite To Become Dolphins Head Coach

The Miami Dolphins have narrowed the focus of their search for their next head coach to New England Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores, according to sources. Nothing is official yet and the Dolphins can't make the move until the Patriots season is over. Miami moved on from Adam Gase after several mediocre years with him […]

Astros Avoid Arbitration With Roberto Osuna, Others

The Houston Astros avoided salary arbitration on Friday with relief pitchers Roberto Osuna, Brad Peacock, Will Harris and Ryan Pressly, starting pitcher Collin McHugh and outfielder Jake Marisnick by signing them to undisclosed one-year deals. Osuna served a suspension in the middle of the 2018 season and was then traded to the Astros, where he […]

Phillies Settle With Cesar Hernandez, Others

The Philadelphia Phillies avoided salary arbitration with second baseman Cesar Hernandez on Friday by signing him to a one-year, $7.75 million deal. The team also avoided arbitration with outfielder Aaron Altherr ($1.35 million), reliever Jose Alvarez ($1.925 million), pitcher Jerad Eickhoff ($975,000), third baseman Maikel Franco ($5.2 million), pitcher Adam Morgan ($1.1 million), reliever Hector […]

Nomar Mazara Avoids Arbitration

Texas Rangers outfielder Nomar Mazara avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million deal, according to sources. The 23-year-old has been very consistent by hitting exactly 20 home runs in each of his first three seasons in the big leagues. He also added a .258/.317/.436 slash line and 77 RBI in […]

Michael Conforto Gets $4.025 Million From Mets

New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.025 million deal after he made $605,094 in 2018. While Conforto's average suffered a bit last season, he took steps forward by hitting 28 home runs and driving in 84 in 153 games. His lack of speed on the […]

Redskins Would Like To Re-Sign Jamison Crowder

The Washington Redskins want to try and re-sign impending free-agent wide receiver Jamison Crowder, according to head coach Jay Gruden. The slot receiver has been a solid performer for the Redskins, but he has yet to live up to expectations and was injured for a big chunk of the 2018 season. Crowder caught 192 passes […]

Eddie Rosario Avoids Arbitration

Minnesota Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.190 million deal. Even in the pitching-friendly environment of Minnesota, Rosario has hit 51 home runs in the last two seasons and also slashed a very respectable .288/.323/.479 in 138 games. He enters the 2019 season just inside RotoBaller's top […]

Cubs Settle With Kris Bryant

The Chicago Cubs avoided salary arbitration on Friday with third baseman Kris Bryant by signing him to a one-year, $12.9 million deal, according to a source. A shoulder injury derailed Bryant's 2018 campaign and limited him to only 389 at-bats over a career-low 202 games. He hit .272/.374/.460 with just 13 home runs and 52 […]

Javier Baez Earns Raise For 2019

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.2 million deal. The 26-year-old superstar broke out in 2018 with a .290/.326/.554 slash line and career highs across the board in home runs (34), RBI (111), runs (101) and stolen bases (21) on his way to finishing second in […]

O's Avoid Arbitration With Three Players

The Baltimore Orioles avoided salary arbitration on Friday with starting pitcher Dylan Bundy, relief pitcher Mychal Givens and infielder Jonathan Villar by signing them to undisclosed one-year deals. Villar was proving to be a bust in 2018 with the Brewers before he was traded to the Orioles, where he flourished in 54 games by hitting […]

Yasiel Puig Settles With Reds

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $9.7 million deal, according to a source. Inconsistent playing time hurt Puig the most in 2018, as he hit .267/.327/.494 with 23 home runs, 63 RBI, 60 runs scored and 15 stolen bases in 125 games for the Dodgers before […]

Steven Matz Avoids Arbitration

New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.625 million deal. He made just $577,000 last season. While Matz doesn't have the upside of Jacob deGrom or Zack Wheeler, he finally was able to stay healthy in 2018 and make more than 22 starts. The left-hander […]

Zack Wheeler Earns Raise For 2019

New York Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.975 million deal with a $25,000 bonus. Wheeler made $1.9 million in 2018. The 28-year-old right-hander finally took the next step in 2018 and went 12-7 with a 3.31 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 179 strikeouts across 29 starts […]