Reds Targeting David Hernandez

The Cincinnati Reds are targeting free-agent relief pitcher David Hernandez as they look to fortify their bullpen behind closer Raisel Iglesias, according to sources. The Reds and Hernandez aren't close to a deal, but they are involved in serious discussions. Cincinnati is looking at other free-agent relievers, too. After having Tommy John surgery and missing […]

Diamondbacks Avoid Arbitration With Several More Players

The Arizona Diamondbacks avoided salary arbitration with starting pitcher Robbie Ray (one year, $3.95 million), starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (one year, $4.825 million), outfielder David Peralta and infielder Chris Owings. Ray was excellent for fantasy owners in 2017 with a 15-5 record and 2.89 ERA, and he managed to strike out 218 batters in 162 […]

Fernando Rodney Expected To Remain Closer

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Fernando Rodney is expected to remain the team's closer after they signed reliever Addison Reed on Saturday, according to a source. The Twins are honoring their word to Rodney after they signed him, but Reed was signed for more years and more money, so we wouldn't be surprised if he gets […]

Malcolm Mitchell Won't Play Saturday

New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (knee) was not activated from Injured Reserve on Friday and won't play in the Divisional Round against the Titans on Saturday. The deadline for the team to activate him from IR is Wednesday, Jan. 17, if they advance to the AFC Championship game. Even if the Pats advance, […]

Jaydon Mickens Questionable, Marcedes Lewis Good To Go

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jaydon Mickens (hamstring) was limited in practice all week and is questionable to face the Steelers on Sunday. Tight end Marcedes Lewis (ankle) practiced in full the last two days and was taken off the final injury report for the Divisional Round. Mickens is the team's fifth receiver with Marqise Lee […]

Kyle Rudolph Not On Final Injury Report

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (ankle) practiced in full all week and isn't on the final injury report for the Divisional Round against the Saints. It's a great sign that he was a full participant in practice all week, but he's still likely to be less than 100 percent after having extra time to […]

2018 To Be Thomas Davis' Last Season

Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis said that the 2018 season will be his last year in the NFL. Davis has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL over the last several seasons alongside Luke Kuechly in Carolina, but the veteran will be 35 next year and is already resigned to the fact that […]

Brandon Coleman Ruled Out

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandon Coleman (neck) has been ruled out for the Divisional Round against the Vikings. This is a notable development for the Saints offense as they face a stiff Vikings secondary led by cornerback Xavier Rhodes. Receivers Michael Thomas and Willie Snead will have bigger roles with Coleman sidelined, and perhaps […]

Vic Fangio Agrees To Three-Year Deal

Updating a previous report, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio agreed to a three-year deal to stay with the team Friday, according to a league source. Fangio interviewed for the head coaching job in Chicago, but it went to former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy instead. Over the last three seasons, Fangio has taken a […]

Sam Bradford Expected To Be Active Against Saints

Updating a previous report, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (knee) is expected to be active for the Divisional Round against the Saints, according to a league source. Bradford hasn't yet been activated from Injured Reserve and hasn't dressed for a game since Week 5. If Bradford is active, it's unclear if Teddy Bridgewater will dress. […]

Jonathan Villar Avoids Arbitration

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Jonathan Villar avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.55 million deal, according to a source. Villar was one of the bigger busts in 2017, as he had just 11 home runs and 23 steals after clubbing 19 long balls and stealing a whopping 62 bags in 2016. There remains […]

Vic Fangio Agrees To Stay In Chicago

Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio agreed to return for the 2018 season Friday, four days after new head coach Matt Nagy was hired. Mark Helfrich was also hired as the offensive coordinator, and Chris Tabor was brought on as the new special teams coach. It gives the Bears continuity on the defensive side of […]

Phillies, Cesar Hernandez Avoid Arbitration

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.1 million deal, according to a source. Hernandez has quietly put himself on the fantasy map after hitting over .290 each of the last two seasons while also stealing at least 15 bases in each of the past two years, and […]

Kelvin Herrera Avoids Arbitration

Kansas City Royals closer Kelvin Herrera avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.937 million deal, according to a source. He will receive a $50,000 bonus if he makes the All-Star team. Herrera was a disappointment as a full-time closer in KC in 2017, posting a 4.24 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, and he also […]

Sam Bradford Not Expected To Be Active This Weekend

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (knee) is not expected to be active for the Divisional Round against the Saints, with Teddy Bridgewater likely serving as Case Keenum's backup. Bradford could dress as the No. 3 QB, but head coach Mike Zimmer has never dressed three quarterbacks in a game. Bradford also would still need to […]

Shane Greene Avoids Arbitration

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Shane Greene avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.95 million deal, according to a source. A few dominoes fell Greene's way in 2017, and he was given the closer's role on a rebuilding team, going 9-for-10 in save chances on the season. A converted starter, he also posted an […]

Twins, Robbie Grossman Avoid Arbitration

Minnesota Twins outfielder Robbie Grossman avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2 million deal, according to a source. Grossman's ability to draw walks and get on base frequently is his calling card as a designated hitter in Minnesota, but he doesn't carry a ton of fantasy value elsewhere with just modest power and […]

Jimmy Nelson Avoids Arbitration

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.7 million deal, according to a source. 2017 was a career year for Nelson, but a shoulder injury in September cut his season short, and it will cause him to open 2018 on the disabled list. He may still be worth […]

Blue Jays, Devon Travis Avoid Arbitration

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.45 million deal, according to a source. Travis started out hot in 2017, but yet again, injuries derailed his season and limited him to just 50 games and 185 at-bats. The good news is he was showing that his power […]

Steven Souza Jr. Avoids Arbitration

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza Jr. avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.55 million deal, according to a source. Although his batting average remained low (.239) due to inconsistent contact, Souza otherwise had a career year, hitting 30 home runs and driving in 78 runs in 148 games. Despite the lack of […]

Mariners, James Paxton Avoid Arbitration

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.9 million deal, according to a source. Paxton can be elite when healthy, as evidenced by his 2.97 ERA in 24 starts in 2017, as well as his career-high 12.5 percent swinging-strike rate. The main risk with the southpaw has been […]

Jackie Bradley Avoids Arbitration

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6.1 million deal, according to a source. Bradley remains one of the best defensive center fielders in the game, but his bat took a step back in 2017, mainly in the power department. His inconsistencies at the plate have led Boston […]

Terence Newman Questionable Against Saints

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Terence Newman (foot) was limited in practice Friday and will be questionable against the Saints in the Divisional Round, according to head coach Mike Zimmer. We would expect Newman to be fine for the playoff matchup this weekend. Newman is part of a solid Minnesota secondary that was very stingy on opposing […]

Mike McCoy, Rob Chudzinski Candidates For Bills Offensive Coordinator Position

Mike McCoy and Rob Chudzinski are the top two candidates for the Buffalo Bills vacancy at offensive coordinator, according to a source. Both McCoy and Chudzinski have Panthers roots and ties to head coach Sean McDermott. McCoy recently served as the Broncos offensive coordinator before being fired around midseason, and Chudzinski last coordinated the Colts […]

Anthony DeSclafani Avoids Arbitration

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $860,000 deal, according to a source. He will also receive a $75,000 bonus if he makes the All-Star team. DeSclafani did not pitch at all in 2017 due to a ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his elbow, but the Reds are […]

Mets, Travis d'Arnaud Avoid Arbitration

New York Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.475 million deal, according to a source. 2017 was a bounce-back year for d'Arnaud thanks to better health, and he managed 16 home runs and 57 RBI in 112 games, but his average and on-base percentage leave a lot to be […]

Alex Colome Avoids Arbitration

Tampa Bay Rays closer Alex Colome avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.3 million deal, according to a source. While Colome recorded an MLB-leading 47 saves in 2017, his overall numbers elsewhere weren't as impressive as his 2016 campaign. His strikeout and walk rates both went in the wrong direction, and his ERA […]

Rays, Corey Dickerson Avoid Arbitration

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Corey Dickerson avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.95 million deal. Dickerson made some gains against left-handed pitchers in 2017, which is encouraging, but he remains a power stick that is BABIP-dependent. However, he'll be valuable for fantasy owners across all leagues with a full-time outfield role for Tampa […]

A.J. Pollock Avoids Arbitration

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.75 million deal. Injuries remain a concern for Pollock, but he seems to have balanced his power/speed profile, and he resides in an excellent hitter's park. If his health cooperates, Pollock could return to around 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases.

Rangers, Jurickson Profar Avoid Arbitration

Texas Rangers second baseman Jurickson Profar avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.05 million deal, according to a source. It seems like ages ago that Profar was once considered MLB's highest rated prospect, but a serious shoulder injury that wiped out his 2014 and 2015 seasons has taken him off track. With full […]