Mets Still In The Market For George Springer

The New York Mets Thursday blockbuster trade for shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco doesn't mean they are out on top free agents such as outfielder George Springer and relief pitcher Liam Hendriks. The Lindor/Carrasco trade could add more than $30 million to the team's 2021 payroll, and the Mets will likely try […]

Cleveland Lands Amed Rosario, Andres Gimenez, Others

Cleveland is trading away shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco on Thursday in exchange for shortstop Amed Rosario, infielder Andres Gimenez, right-hander Josh Wolf and outfielder Isaiah Greene. Rosario, who has a career slash line of .268/.302/.403 with 32 homers, 148 RBI and 50 steals in four seasons, should have a better chance […]

Mets Acquiring Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco

The New York Mets are finalizing a deal to acquire shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland in exchange for shortstop Amed Rosario, infielder Andres Gimenez, outfielder Isaiah Greene and right-hander Josh Wolf, according to a source. Lindor, who was set to become a free agent after the 2021 season, is a […]

Yadier Molina Inevitably Returning To Cardinals?

The idea of the St. Louis Cardinals re-signing catcher Yadier Molina is approaching inevitable territory, but there is still an opportunity for another team to come in with a higher bid and steal Molina away. But the Cardinals have the trump card that Molina wants two years and he wants to remain with the Red […]

Bubba and Bat Flip 65: 2021 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Preview PT2 - Benched with Bubba (Episode 332)

Bubba (@bdentrek) is joined by Bat Flip Crazy (@BatFlipCrazy) to continue their positional previews with part 2 of their starting pitcher preview. They will go over starting pitchers after the Top 30 in NFBC ADP and then a ton of awesome listener questions to get you ready for the catcher position. Be sure to subscribe […]

Yankees Acquire Greg Allen

The New York Yankees are in the process of acquiring outfielder Greg Allen from the San Diego Padres on Wednesday in exchange for left-hander James Reeves, a 27-year-old who was New York's 10th-round pick in 2015. Allen, 27, was designated for assignment last week in order to clear room for Japanese infielder Ha-Seong Kim. The […]

Joe Musgrove Trending In Promising Direction

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove, who is reportedly drawing trade interest this offseason, could be on the right track to breaking out in 2021 and beyond. The right-hander has a 96 ERA+, but he also has a 3.69 FIP in the last three seasons. The 28-year-old had his best season in 2020 with a […]

White Sox Looking At Brad Hand, Liam Hendriks

The Chicago White Sox are among the teams interested in free-agent relief pitcher Brad Hand. They are seeking a top closer and are also interested in former A's closer Liam Hendriks. Alex Colome is a free agent this offseason after serving as Chicago's closer the last two years. Looking to shed payroll, Hand was waived […]

Nationals Looking For Corner Outfielder

The Washington Nationals are looking to sign a free-agent corner outfielder despite already trading for first baseman Josh Bell this offseason. Marcell Ozuna is the biggest name available, but he could be out of the team's price range after having a big year in Atlanta. Veteran Michael Brantley is more affordable and still brings a […]

Angels Showing Interest In Willson Contreras

The Los Angeles Angels are showing interest in trading for Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras. Manager Joe Maddon has a lot of history with the 28-year-old backstop from his time as the skipper in Chicago and was a strong advocate for Contreras in Chicago. Max Stassi is coming off a strong season with an .886 […]

Shane Bieber Creates Deceiving Spin On His Pitches

Cleveland starting pitcher Shane Bieber won the American League Cy Young award in 2020 by allowing just 14 earned runs in 12 starts (77 1/3 innings) while striking out 122 batters. He has a 2.84 ERA and more than six times as many strikeouts as walks in the last two years. Bieber doesn't throw that […]

Blue Jays, Mets The Likeliest Trade Partners For Francisco Lindor

The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets are the likeliest trade partners for Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor. The Blue Jays, Mets, Giants and Twins appear willing to spend, but it will be difficult to find a match like the Dodgers were for outfielder Mookie Betts last year. Plus, there are solid free-agent shortstops available […]

David Dahl to the Rangers - Fantasy Impact

It's been a rough journey through the majors so far for David Dahl. The potential has been there for the former 10th overall pick, but he has been plagued by injuries nearly every season. A torn hamstring in 2013 and a lacerated spleen in 2015 cost him time in the minors, a stress fracture in […]

Valuable Long Relievers of 2020 and the Lingering Impact (Part 2)

In part one, we examined the bullpens in Toronto and Cincinnati. The circumstantial insanity of the 2020 MLB season necessitated some adjustments in strategy, both for big-league managers and fantasy baseball GMs. One of these adjustments, prompted by frequent doubleheaders and the three-batter minimum rule, was the greater use of long-relievers and a generally reduced […]

Red Sox Have Serious Interest In Jake Odorizzi

The Boston Red Sox have serious interest in right-handed pitcher Jake Odorizzi, according to a source. Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom was with the Rays front office when Tampa Bay acquired Odorizzi in December of 2012, so there is familiarity between the two. Odorizzi is in the middle tier of free-agent starters and had a […]

Dodgers Re-Sign Blake Treinen For Two Years

The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed right-handed pitcher Blake Treinen to a two-year, $17.5 million deal through the 2022 season on Tuesday. The deal includes a team option worth $8 million ($1 million buyout) for the 2023 season, according to a source. The 32-year-old went 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA (11 earned runs in 25 2/3 […]

Three Hitters Set To Break Out Later Than Expected

Finding breakout hitters can be a difference-maker for fantasy teams, especially when those hitters have had limited success at the major league level and are older than when players typically have their best seasons. Whether it be through added playing time, skill improvements, or some combination of the two, post-prime breakouts can be excellent draft […]

Tigers Sign Robbie Grossman

The Detroit Tigers signed outfielder Robbie Grossman to a two-year contract worth $10 million on Tuesday, according to a source. The deal includes $500,000 in incentives for each year of the deal. It's the first multi-year free-agent deal for Detroit since the offseason of 2015-16 when they signed Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Upton to long-term […]

Nick Madrigal Plans To Be Ready For Opening Day

Chicago White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal (shoulder) resumed baseball activity on Monday after having October surgery on his left shoulder. He took ground balls for the first time and some slow dry hacks with a short bat. Madrigal is optimistic of being close to 100 percent for the start of spring training on Feb. […]

Mets Interested In Corey Kluber, James Paxton

The New York Mets will attend free-agent starting pitcher Corey Kluber's (shoulder) throwing session on Jan. 13 in Florida, according to a source. They also sent a representative to free-agent left-hander James Paxton's (back, elbow) workout last month. Both starters are high-upside arms who started a combined six games in 2020 due to injuries. Kluber […]

Tomoyuki Sugano May Not Sign With MLB Team

Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano may not agree to a deal with an MLB club before Thursday's 5 pm ET deadline. Instead, Sugano could return to the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball after the Giants offered him a four-year deal with opt-out clauses after each season. He is not budging on his asking price in […]

Cubs Release Colin Rea

The Chicago Cubs released right-hander Colin Rea on Monday in order to allow the pitcher to pursue an opportunity in Japan. Rea avoided arbitration last month by agreeing on a one-year, $702,500 deal, and he was going to have a chance to compete for the fifth starting job in spring training. As of now, Kyle […]

DJ LeMahieu A Top External Option For Dodgers

Free-agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu is the Los Angeles Dodgers' top external option for third base if the team cannot re-sign Justin Turner. Turner is looking for a four-year deal, according to people with knowledge of the situation, and the Dodgers don't want to commit to more than two years for the 36-year-old. The Dodgers […]

Giants Sign Curt Casali Monday

The San Francisco Giants signed catcher Curt Casali to a one-year, $1.5 million deal on Monday. Casali is a veteran catcher that will become the front-runner to back up Buster Posey next season. Left-hander Andrew Suarez's contractual rights were sold to the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization in a corresponding move. The 32-year-old […]

Mets Showing Interest In Brad Hand

The New York Mets have interest in All-Star closer Brad Hand, who had a 2.05 ERA, 1.37 FIP and 0.77 WHIP while leading the American League with 16 saves in 2020 for the Indians. General manager Sandy Alderson said that the new front-office regime might have claimed Hand off waivers had it been their call […]

Phillies Sign Neftali Feliz, Others To Minor League Deals

The Philadelphia Phillies signed relief pitcher Neftali Feliz, catcher Christian Bethancourt, infielder Ronald Torreyes and right-hander Michael Ynoa to minor league deals on Monday. The 32-year-old Feliz won the American League Rookie of the Year and was an All-Star for the Rangers in 2010, but he hasn't pitched in the majors since 2017. Bethancourt, 29, […]

Blue Jays Willing To Go Big For George Springer?

The Toronto Blue Jays have given some in the industry the impression that they are willing to go to at least $125 million to sign free-agent outfielder George Springer, who was reportedly looking for well over $150 million last week. A $125 million deal would be the largest free-agent contract in Blue Jays history by […]

Liam Hendriks Visits With Blue Jays

Free-agent relief pitcher Liam Hendriks was scheduled to visit with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, according to a source. The Chicago White Sox are also believed to be interested in Hendriks, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. FanSided's Robert Murray reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers also have strong interest, although there are no signs […]

Yasiel Puig Has Multiple Suitors

Free-agent outfielder Yasiel Puig is drawing interest from the Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, Marlins and Orioles, according to sources. The 30-year-old hit 24 home runs with a .785 OPS and 19 stolen bases in 149 games with the Reds and Indians in 2019, but he didn't play at all in 2020 after testing positive for […]

Corey Kluber To Throw For Teams Next Week

Free-agent starting pitcher Corey Kluber (shoulder), who has struggled with injuries in the last two years, is on schedule for a normal spring training and will throw for interested teams next week. The two-time Cy Young winner will throw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Jan. 13 in Florida, where the 34-year-old righty has spent half […]