Astros Interested In Reunion With Jason Castro

The Houston Astros remain interested in free-agent catcher Jason Castro, but a reunion isn't a sure thing as previously thought, according to sources. Other teams are involved with Castro, who was drafted by Houston 10th overall in 2008. The Stanford product played with the 'Stros until 2017 when he signed with Minnesota in free agency. […]

Padres Could Re-Sign Kirby Yates

The San Diego Padres are still looking to bolster their bullpen after pulling off blockbuster trades this week for left-hander Blake Snell and right-hander Yu Darvish, and the club could re-sign relief pitcher Kirby Yates (elbow), who missed most of the 2020 season with bone chips in his right elbow, according to sources. Yates was […]

Cubs Not Shopping Willson Contreras

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said that a report that surfaced that the team was "extensively shopping" catcher Willson Contreras is "fictional." The All-Star catcher has been rumored as a trade candidate and is under contractual control through the 2022 season. But while the Cubs might not be extensively shopping Contreras, it's […]

Kevin Kiermaier Unlikely To Be Traded

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is available in a trade, but the Rays love him as a clubhouse guy and as their Gold Glove center fielder, so the chances of a trade are unlikely this offseason. With left-hander Blake Snell being traded to the Padres this week, Kiermaier is the only player remaining with […]

George Springer Race Down To Two Teams

The race for free-agent outfielder George Springer is down to the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays, according to a source. The 31-year-old is expected to sign with a team in January and figures to command a long-term deal worth well over $100 million. He's the best outfielder on the free-agent market, is an […]

Cardinals Interested In Re-Signing Kolten Wong

The St. Louis Cardinals remain interested in re-signing second baseman Kolten Wong after not picking up his $12.5 million 2021 option. The Cardinals decision not to pick up Wong's option was strictly financial. The 30-year-old has a career 94 OPS+ and had an 87 OPS+ in 2020, plus he's one of the best defenders at […]

Adam Engel Avoids Arbitration

Chicago White Sox outfielder Adam Engel avoided salary arbitration on Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.375 million deal. The 29-year-old was a 19th-round pick out of Louisville in 2013 and made his first playoff appearance in 2020. Engel is known for his defense in the outfield and finished 3-for-12 with a home run in […]

Bubba and Bat Flip 64: 2021 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Preview PT1 - Benched with Bubba (Episode 330)

Bubba (@bdentrek) is joined by Bat Flip Crazy (@BatFlipCrazy) to continue their positional previews with part 1 of their starting pitcher preview. They will go over starting pitchers in 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 […]

Early Positional Breakdowns: Second Base - Bases Loaded Pod

Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) and Jorge Montanez (@Roto_Nino) get an early start on the 2021 positional outlooks. Subscribe to the Bases Loaded podcast, part of RotoBaller Radio's Podcast Network. Like and Subscribe to the RotoBaller channel on Youtube to get all our latest podcasts and catch us on iTunes and BlogTalkRadio as well! Be sure to also tune […]

Yu Darvish to the Padres: Fantasy Impact

The holidays must have been excellent in the Preller household since Padres GM, A.J. Preller is in quite the giving mood to his team's fan base. Over the last few days, Preller has traded for Blake Snell, signed KBO star Ha-Seong Kim, and now is trading for 2020 N.L. Cy Young runner up Yu Darvish. […]

Yasiel Puig Healthy And Looking To Change

Free-agent outfielder Yasiel Puig, who didn't play at all in 2020 after contracting COVID-19 in July, is healthy while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic and is looking to change some of his habits that "bothered" players and coaches in the major leagues. Puig has been a colorful player in his short time in […]

Cubs Extensively Shopping Willson Contreras

The Chicago Cubs are now extensively shopping catcher Willson Contreras after trading starting pitcher Yu Darvish and non-tendering outfielder Kyle Schwarber. Contreras is projected to earn at least $5 million and maybe as much as $7.4 million in salary arbitration in 2020, so he could be a low-cost solution for a team in need of […]

Twins Reach Deal With Hansel Robles Tuesday

The Minnesota Twins signed former Los Angeles Angels closer Hansel Robles to a one-year deal worth $2 million on Tuesday. Robles saved 23 of his 27 chances with the Halos in 2019 and went 5-1 with a 2.48 ERA in 71 relief outings. However, he had a nightmarish 10.26 ERA in 18 relief appearances in […]

Justin Smoak Finalizing Deal To Play In Japan

Veteran first baseman Justin Smoak is finalizing a deal with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan on Tuesday, according to sources. The deal will guarantee him between $6 million and $7 million. The 34-year-old joins a Giants team that won the Central League last year but lost the Japan Series as the country's oldest professional team. […]

Blake Snell to Padres - Fantasy Impact

It would be a massive understatement to say that the San Diego Padres are in "win-now" mode. They have just shipped off their number-three prospect in Luis Patino, as well as Francisco Mejia and two other prospects to acquire lefty Blake Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays. Less than 24 hours later, they made another […]

Royals Sign Ervin Santana

The Kansas City Royals signed right-hander Ervin Santana to a minor league deal on Tuesday. Santana didn't pitch at all in 2020, but the 15-year veteran should provide a young Royals pitching staff with experience. The 38-year-old has a career record of 149-127 and a 4.09 ERA (101 ERA+) in 387 games (384 starts). Santana […]

Phillies Acquire Jose Alvarado In Three-Team Trade

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired left-handed relief pitcher Jose Alvarado in a three-team trade on Tuesday involving the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Rays sent Alvarado to the Phillies, the Phillies sent left-hander Garrett Cleavinger to the Dodgers and the Dodgers sent infielder Dillon Paulson and a player to be named to the […]

Nationals Seeking Another Bat

Despite trading for first baseman Josh Bell last week, the Washington Nationals continue to seek another middle-of-the-order bat to add to a lineup that includes star outfielder Juan Soto. It could mean another trade, with Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant being connected to the Nationals for a while now. Outfielders Marcell Ozuna and George […]

Dodgers In Talks With DJ LeMahieu

The Los Angeles Dodgers could have a big move up their sleeve as a counter-punch to the Padres blockbuster trades the last two days for starting pitchers Blake Snell and Yu Darvish, and the Blue have been in talks with free-agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu. The infielder could fit at second base or third base […]

Cubs Land Zach Davies, Four Prospects From Padres

The Chicago Cubs agreed to send right-hander Yu Darvish and his personal catcher Victor Caratini to the San Diego Padres on Monday night in exchange for right-hander Zach Davies, shortstop Reginald Preciado (Padres No. 11 prospect), outfielder Owen Caissie (No. 13), outfielder Ismael Mena (No. 15) and shortstop Yeison Santana (No. 16). San Diego was […]

Padres Agree To Deal For Yu Darvish, Victor Caratini

The San Diego Padres have reached an agreement with the Chicago Cubs that would send them veteran right-hander Yu Darvish and catcher Victor Caratini, Darvish's personal catcher, for right-hander Zach Davies, shortstop Reginald Preciado (Padres No. 11 prospect), outfielder Owen Caissie (No. 13), outfielder Ismael Mena (No. 15) and shortstop Yeison Santana (No. 16). It […]

Tomoyuki Sugano Has Multiple Suitors

Japanese right-handed pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano's Jan. 7 signing deadline is quickly approaching, and sources say that multiple teams remain in pursuit, including the Blue Jays, Padres, Giants, Mets and Red Sox. The Padres would be out if they acquire Chicago Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish after reportedly agreeing to a blockbuster trade to acquire Tampa Bay […]

J.T. Realmuto Remains A Priority For Phillies

Re-signing catcher J.T. Realmuto remains a top priority for the Philadelphia Phillies under their new front office. They have extended an offer to him, but it will be a waiting game as we approach the new year. Realmuto has been the league's best hitting catcher the last few years and has played really well ever […]

Padres In Active Pursuit Of Yu Darvish

The San Diego Padres are on the verge of acquiring left-handed starter Blake Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays, but they are also in active pursuit of Chicago Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish, according to sources. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that a deal could be done before Tuesday. The 34-year-old Japanese hurler had a sparkling […]

Padres Reach Deal With Ha-seong Kim

The San Diego Padres reached an agreement with Korean star infielder Ha-seong Kim on Monday, according to multiple reports. The 25-year-old was one of the top infielders on the open market when he was posted earlier this month by the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization. Kim primarily played shortstop and third base in […]

Nick Mariano's Early 2021 Fantasy Baseball First Base Rankings

Once again, I'll start by saying the 2021 baseball season is not guaranteed to be a normal one. But for now, let's just close our eyes and dream of a world unencumbered by COVID-19 and talk about our silly little game as if a 162-game season will come next spring. Join me for my position-by-position […]

Padres Acquire Blake Snell

The San Diego Padres have acquired starting pitcher Blake Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for pitcher Luis Patino, catcher Francisco Mejia, infielder Blake Hunt and pitcher Cole Wilcox. Snell, the 2018 AL Cy Young award winner and all-star left hander, will join the projected Padres rotation consisting of right-handed starters Dinelson Lamet, […]

Ha-seong Kim Has Picked A Team

Korean shortstop Ha-seong Kim has picked a team and is negotiating whether the contract will be fully guaranteed at the major league level, according to Korean media reports. The Kiwoom Heroes star had received multiple offers in the five-plus-year range earlier in the week, but it appears that he is closing in on a deal […]

Padres Have Discussed Yu Darvish

The San Diego Padres have been in contact with starting pitcher Yu Darvish after losing out on Japanese right-hander Kohei Arihara this weekend after he signed with the Rangers. The Friars could also attempt to sign Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, who they've talked with as well. Darvish finished second in the National League Cy Young […]