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 […]

Brandon Morrow Likely To Close For Cubs In 2018

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein spoke at the Cubs convention this weekend and said that he has "faith" in relief pitcher Brandon Morrow if he is the team's closer in 2018. The Cubs can still add more arms and have shown interest in free-agent closer Greg Holland. Morrow has had plenty of health […]

Cubs Haven't Closed The Door On Bringing Back Jake Arrieta

Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports that the Chicago Cubs are still willing to bring back free-agent starting pitcher Jake Arrieta. President of baseball operations Theo Epstein said on Friday that "we've never ruled anything out with him." Arrieta remains the top pitcher available along with free-agent starter Yu Darvish, who the Cubs have also shown interest […]

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 […]

A's, Marcus Semien Avoid Arbitration

The Oakland A's and shortstop Marcus Semien have agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.125 million dollar contract, avoiding arbitration. Semien only played in 85 games last season after he missed a huge chunk of time with a broken wrist. He hit .249 with 10 home runs and a career-high 12 stolen bases, however, and […]

Joe Panik, Giants Avoid Arbitration

San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.45 million deal, according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. Panik hit .288 this past season with 10 home runs, but doesn’t hold much value outside of NL-only leagues or deeper mixed leagues.

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 […]

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 […]

A's, Blake Treinen Avoid Arbitration

The Oakland A's and closer Blake Treinen have avoided arbitration, coming to terms on a one-year, $2.15 million contract. Treinen came over to the A's at the trade deadline from the Nationals. Treinen was solid for the A's down the stretch, pitching to a 2.57 ERA with a 10.9 K/9 in his final 14 innings. […]

Matt Shoemaker, Angels Avoid Arbitration

The Los Angeles Angels and right-hander Matt Shoemaker have come to terms on a one-year, $4.125 million contract, avoiding arbitration. Shoemaker made 14 starts for the Angels last year, pitching to a 4.52 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He is expected to be in the starting rotation next season if he's healthy. However, he should […]

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 […]

Evan Gattis, Astros Avoid Arbitration

Robert Murray of FanRag Sports reports that catcher/designated hitter Evan Gattis and the Houston Astros have come to terms on a one-year, $6.7 million deal. Gattis hit .251 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI in 84 games this past year. Outside of AL-only leagues, he won’t hold much value unless he earns an everyday […]

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 […]

Arodys Vizcaino And Braves Avoid Arbitration

The Atlanta Braves and relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.4 million deal, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. Vizcaino had a nice season with a 2.83 ERA, 14 saves and 64 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. He is shaping up to be the Braves closer entering 2018 and […]

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 […]

Scooter Gennett And Reds Don’t Reach Contract Agreement

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports that the Cincinnati Reds and second baseman Scooter Gennett have not come to a contract agreement. Heyman also notes that Gennett would be open to a long-term commitment with his hometown team. Gennett was picked up off the waiver wire from the Brewers before the 2017 campaign and put up a monster […]

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.

Freddy Galvis Settles With Padres

The San Diego Padres and shortstop Freddy Galvis avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $6.825 million. Galvis was acquired by the Phillies earlier in the offseason and will be the Padres everyday shortstop. He is a streaky hitter who offers some pop to his bat, but the move to San Diego will […]

Aaron Sanchez And Blue Jays Avoid Arbitration

Starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez and the Toronto Blue Jays have avoided arbitration by agreeing on a one-year, $2.7 million deal. Sanchez failed to build off a strong 2016 season and made only eight starts this past season due to injuries. He is a candidate to bounce back.

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 […]