Brandon Belt Reportedly Accepts Qualifying Offer

According to The New York Post's Joel Sherman, first baseman Brandon Belt is reportedly accepting the one-year qualifying offer. The veteran will stay with the San Francisco Giants after hitting a career-high 29 home runs in just 381 plate appearances last season. Belt also added three stolen bases while batting .274 with a .378 on-base […]

Robbie Ray Wins AL Cy Young

Toronto Blue Jays starter Robbie Ray won the American League Cy Young Award on Wednesday. The 30-year-old received all but one first-place vote in taking home the award. Ray had a career year in 2021, leading all qualified American League starting pitchers with 193.1 innings pitched, 248 strikeouts, and a 2.84 ERA. The left-hander, who […]

Justin Verlander Re-Signs With Houston

Veteran right-hander Justin Verlander is reportedly re-signing with the Houston Astros, according to a tweet from his brother, Fox Sports' Ben Verlander. Per Ben Verlander's tweet, it's a one-year deal worth $25 million that also includes a player option for the second season. Justin Verlander didn't pitch in 2021 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. […]

Ryan McMahon An Option At Shortstop

Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon appeared at three infield positions in 2021, playing stellar defense at first, second, and third base, but he might be tasked with playing shortstop in 2022. With Trevor Story's departure from the club a foregone conclusion, sliding McMahon over is one of several options the Rockies are considering. The 26-year-old […]

Raisel Iglesias To Reject Qualifying Offer

Free-agent relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias is expected to turn down the $18.4 million qualifying offer extended to him by the Los Angeles Angels and instead take his chances on the open market. This decision does not come as a surprise, as the 31-year-old performed very well in 2021, posting a 2.57 ERA and 0.93 WHIP […]

Billy Eppler To Be General Manager Of The Mets

Billy Eppler and the New York Mets are in the final stages of negotiations on a contract that would make him the new general manager of the team. The deal, reported to be for four years, is expected to be announced on Friday. Eppler previously held the same position for the Los Angeles Angels, though […]

Ryan Zimmerman Intends To Play In 2022

Free-agent first baseman Ryan Zimmerman made a radio appearance Wednesday morning in which he stated, "I still definitely am planning on playing, but we'll see what happens. No decisions either way yet." Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo has made it clear on multiple occasions that the decision to return is entirely up to Zimmerman, […]

Justin Verlander Could Choose New Team This Week

Free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander could choose his new team within the week, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Verlander reportedly has both one-year and multi-year offers on the table. Teams that have expressed interest include the Braves, the Blue Jays, the Yankees and the White Sox, though it is expected that many more […]

Fantasy Baseball Late Round Relief Pitchers with Ryan Rufe - Benched with Bubba EP 415

Bubba (@bdentrek) is joined by Ryan Rufe (@RyanRufe) of RotoWire. With NFBC Draft Champions draft season blowing and going it was time to look for some later-round targets. The guys will go over all 30 MLB teams and discuss some late-round reliever targets for saves and overall quality fantasy production. Be sure to subscribe to […]

Noah Syndergaard to Angels - Fantasy Reaction

It seems like a lifetime ago that baseball fans were watching in awe as Noah Syndergaard broke into the league with his huge frame, his long flowing hair, and his triple-digit velocity. Thor, as he came to be known, seemed like a guy that would be one of the league's best starting pitchers on a […]

Eduardo Rodriguez to the Tigers - Fantasy Baseball Impact

What a way to kick off the baseball week. The Hot Stove is scorching, and it is not even December yet. Over the last week, Many teams have been discussing Eduardo Rodriguez, one being the Detroit Tigers, and on Monday morning, news dropped that Rodriguez would be signing with the Tigers. The deal is five […]

Mariners Would Have Interest In Seiya Suzuki If Posted

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto stated Tuesday that the club would have interest in Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki if he is indeed posted by the Hiroshima Carp as has been reported. Suzuki, a 27-year-old right-handed outfielder, has been one of the best players in NPB over the last several years, slashing .315/.415/.571 with 182 […]

Yankees Inquire About A's Matt Olson

The New York Yankees have reportedly discussed the idea of trading for first baseman Matt Olson of the Oakland Athletics, though talks have not progressed to the point of determining what the player compensation would be in such a deal. Olson enjoyed an outstanding season in 2021, slashing .271/.371/.540 with 39 homers, four steals, 101 […]

Freddie Freeman Negotiations Center On Sixth Year

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman continues to negotiate with the club about a return, and the discussions are now centered on the question of whether the team is willing to offer the franchise icon a sixth season. The 2020 National League MVP would be 37 at the end of such a contract. It's long […]

Trevor Story To Reject Qualifying Offer

Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story is expected to reject the qualifying offer and become a free agent Wednesday. He will hit the open market for the first time after being drafted into the Rockies organization in 2011. Over six big-league seasons, Story has slashed .272/.340/.523 with 158 homers and 100 steals in 745 games. He […]

Kevin Cash Named AL Manager Of The Year Again

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash took home the American League Manager of the Year Award Tuesday. He received 19 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Seattle's Scott Servais and Houston's Dusty Baker. Cash has now won the award in consecutive seasons, becoming the first manager since Bobby Cox in 2004 and 2005 to accomplish the […]

Gabe Kapler Named NL Manager Of The Year

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler was announced as the National League's Manager of the Year Tuesday. Milwaukee's Craig Counsell and St. Louis's Mike Shildt finished second and third. Kapler led San Francisco to the best record in the majors this season, and his 107 wins were the highest in franchise history, considerably better than […]

Red Sox Showing Interest In Javier Baez

The Boston Red Sox are among many teams showing interest in free-agent middle infielder Javier Baez after he finished strong with the New York Mets in 2021. Xander Bogaerts is entrenched as Boston's starting shortstop, but his defense has been a weak spot. Bogaerts also has the option of opting out of his contract after […]

Justin Verlander A Fit For The Angels?

The Los Angeles Angels are interested in big arms on short-term deals, which could make free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander a fit for them. Verlander is expected to turn down the Houston Astros' one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer by Wednesday's deadline. The Halos just signed oft-injured, hard-throwing righty Noah Syndergaard to a one-year, $21 million […]

Rangers Considering Starling Marte

The Texas Rangers, who are seeking offensive upgrades this offseason, are considering free-agent outfielder Starling Marte. After a fine season in 2021, Marte has already been receiving interest from the Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, New York Mets, New York Yankees and Miami Marlins, among other teams. The 33-year-old may be the top outfielder available on […]

Jose Berrios Signs Seven-Year Extension With Toronto

The Toronto Blue Jays are signing right-handed starter Jose Berrios to a seven-year, $131 million contract extension on Tuesday, pending a physical, according to a source. According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Berrios has an opt-out clause after Year 5 and 7 of the extension, and the deal has escalators that can take it up […]

Angels Agree With Noah Syndergaard

The Los Angeles Angels and right-hander Noah Syndergaard agreed to a one-year, $21 million deal on Tuesday, pending a physical, according to sources. The Angels make one of the biggest splashes in free agency with a high-upside power arm and give up a second-round pick to the New York Mets after they extended Thor a […]

Francisco Álvarez - Prospects to Know for 2022

The 2021 season was a major coming-out party for Mets' backstop prospect Francisco Álvarez. Álvarez was signed by the Mets as an international free agent in July of 2018. He signed for a good-sized bonus of $2.7 million. However, if he continues on his current trajectory, there's a good chance that he makes that sum […]

Randy Arozarena Wins AL Rookie Of The Year

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena won the American League Rookie of the Year award on Monday. Arozarena was already on the map after breaking out in the playoffs in 2020. Astros right-hander Luis Garcia finished in second place, with Tampa teammate Wander Franco finishing third. Arozarena became the fourth player in Rays history to […]

Jonathan India Wins NL Rookie Of The Year

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India won the 2021 National League Rookie of the Year award on Monday. India received 29 of the 30 first-place votes and becomes the eighth Reds player to win the award. Marlins pitcher Trevor Rogers received the only other first-place vote. India had an excellent season for the Reds by […]

Yankees To Make A Run At Freddie Freeman?

The New York Yankees have met with the representatives for all of the top left-handed-hitting first basemen, including Freddie Freeman. The Atlanta Braves seem likely to re-sign Freeman, while retaining Anthony Rizzo or trading for Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson might be more realistic options for the Yankees. Freeman, the 2020 National League MVP, […]

Carlos Correa Officially Declines Qualifying Offer

Star free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa officially declined the Houston Astros' one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer on Monday. This comes as no surprise, as Correa is at the top of the prized free-agent shortstop market this offseason. The 27-year-old will be highly sought after, perhaps primarily by the New York Yankees, and is unlikely to return […]

Manny Pina Signs With Braves

The Atlanta Braves signed catcher Manny Pina to a two-year, $8 million deal on Monday that includes a $4 million team option for the 2024 season. Pina is a highly regarded backup catcher that will help take some of the stress off starting catcher Travis d'Arnaud as the Braves attempt to defend their World Series […]

Eduardo Rodriguez, Tigers Agree On Five-Year Deal

The Detroit Tigers and left-handed starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez agreed to a five-year deal worth at least $77 million on Monday. The deal includes an opt-out clause after the second year, plus incentives. The Tigers continue to transition from a rebuild towards contention, and boosting their young pitching staff with E-Rod is a start. Since […]

2021 Fantasy Baseball Batting Awards

We've put a bow on the 2021 season, with the Braves finishing off their surprising season with a World Series victory over the Astros. That leaves fantasy baseball managers to eagerly await an offseason of hot stove rumors and draft prep. Before all that takes place, it's only right to pay tribute to the players […]