Zack Cozart Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training

Los Angeles Angels general manager Billy Eppler said that third baseman Zack Cozart (shoulder) is in a normal hitting progression and all indications are that he'll be active and without restrictions in spring training next year. The 34-year-old has played in just 96 games in his two seasons in Anaheim and has been a massive... Read More

No Timetable For Shohei Ohtani To Pitch In Games Next Year

Los Angeles Angels general manager Billy Eppler isn't giving a timetable for when starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow, knee) will pitch in games next season. The Angels will have more of an idea once the Japanese right-hander completes his throwing progression this month. Ohtani didn't pitch at all last season while recovering from Tommy... Read More

Angels Acquire Dylan Bundy

The Los Angeles Angels acquired starting pitcher Dylan Bundy from the Orioles on Wednesday in exchange for Triple-A pitcher Isaac Mattson and other prospects, according to sources. Bundy has had his fair share of struggles in Baltimore, going 7-14 last year with a 4.79 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 162 strikeouts in 161 2/3 innings over... Read More

Twins, White Sox Heavily Pursuing Madison Bumgarner

The Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins are among the heaviest suitors for starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner now that Zack Wheeler has agreed with the Phillies, according to sources. The Yankees are involved to some extent, too. Veteran lefty Cole Hamels also inked a deal with the Braves on Wednesday. Bumgarner's market has been very... Read More

Rangers, White Sox Interested In Marcell Ozuna, Nick Castellanos

The Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox are both interested in outfielders Marcell Ozuna and Nick Castellanos, according to sources. Ozuna hit .241/.328/.472 with 29 home runs, 80 runs, 89 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 130 games in his second season with the Cardinals, while Castellanos hit a combined .289/.337/.525 with 27 homers, 100... Read More

Zack Wheeler Agrees With Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies and starting pitcher Zack Wheeler are in agreement on a five-year deal worth more than $100 million, according to sources. Wheeler's market was moving very fast and he was expected to sign before next week's winter meetings. The right-hander will slot into a rotation next to the likes of Aaron Nola, Jake... Read More

Madison Bumgarner Could Sign Before Next Week

Starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner's market looks to be just as robust as starting pitcher Zack Wheeler's at the moment. One executive predicts that both starters will sign before next week's winter meetings in San Diego. Teams such as the Phillies, White Sox, Reds, Astros, Angels, Blue Jays, Twins, Yankees, Rangers and Padres could all be... Read More

Diamondbacks Interested In Nick Castellanos

The Arizona Diamondbacks are among the teams interested in outfielder Nick Castellanos, according to one source. Castellanos hit a combined .289/.337/.525 with a career-high 27 home runs, 100 runs scored and 73 RBI in 151 games between the Tigers and Cubs last season. He was even better in his 51 games with the Cubbies, slashing... Read More

Astros In On Zack Wheeler

The Houston Astros are another team interested in starting pitcher Zack Wheeler. At this point, who isn't interested in Wheeler? The right-hander is the third best available starting arm on the market behind Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, and the Astros are looking at replacing Cole potentially with Wheeler. The Phillies, Reds, White Sox, Twins... Read More

Phillies Looking At Stephen Strasburg

The Philadelphia Phillies are looking at starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg. They are also believed to be the top current bidder for starting pitcher Zack Wheeler as they attempt to bolster their starting rotation heading into 2020 and beyond. Strasburg and Gerrit Cole are the top free-agent arms available, with Wheeler a close third on that... Read More

Blue Jays Check In On Michael Pineda

The Toronto Blue Jays have checked in on starting pitcher Michael Pineda, according to sources. The 6-foot-7 right-hander had a 4.01 ERA in 26 starts with the Twins last year before he was hit with a performance-enhancing suspension to end his season. The 30-year-old will continue serving the suspension to start 2020. Toronto is clearly... Read More

Nationals Pursuing Josh Donaldson

The Washington Nationals are pursuing third baseman Josh Donaldson heavily. It could mean that the Nationals believe they have no chance of re-signing Anthony Rendon, who is the most coveted position player on the open market this winter. Donaldson, 33, doesn't have the upside that comes with Rendon and he has his own injury concerns... Read More

Phillies Seen As Top Bidder For Zack Wheeler

The Philadelphia Phillies are seen by sources as the most potent bidders for starting pitcher Zack Wheeler. The Reds and White Sox are also involved, but the Rangers are no longer an option. The 29-year-old right-hander is considered the third best free-agent option on the starting pitching market behind Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. He... Read More

Braves, Cole Hamels Agree To One-Year Deal

The Atlanta Braves and left-handed starter Cole Hamels agreed to a one-year, $18 million deal on Wednesday, according to sources. The veteran southpaw was looking for a short deal with a contending team, and he gets it with the Braves. Hamels is no longer the dominant pitcher he was earlier in his career, but he... Read More

Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Prospects: Top 20 Starting Pitchers

Our journey continues around the minor leagues as we review the top dynasty prospects in baseball. Today, it’s time for the “chin music” as we throw one up-and-in, and break down the best starting pitcher prospects in baseball. It’s not easy to find a good rookie starting pitcher. Only 12 rookies pitched at least 100... Read More

Blue Jays Interested In Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dallas Keuchel

The Toronto Blue Jays are interested in starting pitchers Hyun-Jin Ryu and Dallas Keuchel, among other free-agent starters. It's no secret that Toronto is in need of improving their starting rotation, but they won't shop at the top of the market for arms like Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. Ryu was one of the best... Read More

Josh Hader Likely To Remain With Brewers

At least one of the teams engaged with the Milwaukee Brewers regarding closer Josh Hader is convinced that the Brewers will keep the left-handed reliever heading into the 2020 season. Milwaukee is rightfully asking for a king's ransom for the best left-handed reliever in the game, but it's still possible a desperate team gives up... Read More

Giants Interested In Nick Castellanos

The San Francisco Giants are among the teams showing interest in outfielder Nick Castellanos, according to two sources. The Cubs are also interested in re-signing Castellanos after he posted a 1.002 OPS in 51 games for the team following a deadline deal from the Tigers. Giants general manager Scott Harris was the assistant general manager... Read More

White Sox Talking Trade For Joc Pederson

The Chicago White Sox have engaged in preliminary trade talks involving Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, according to two people with direct knowledge of the talks. The White Sox have spent a major league-leading $123 million to retain first baseman Jose Abreu and sign catcher Yasmani Grandal so far this offseason as they attempt... Read More

Jonathan Villar To See Time At Third Base, Outfield

Miami Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said that newly acquired infielder Jonathan Villar will see time at third base and in the outfield next year. He'll be a fallback option at shortstop and second base. Using Villar at third base and in the outfield will allow the Marlins to give youngster Isan Diaz... Read More

Zack Wheeler At Top Of White Sox's Wish List

Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler is the Chicago White Sox's top pitching target on the free-agent market. They aren't believed to be in on Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg, and seem less so on Madison Bumgarner. Also reportedly interested in Wheeler are the Twins, Rangers, Reds and maybe the Blue Jays and Astros. Chicago could look... Read More

Cole Hamels Thinks White Sox Are A Fit

Starting pitcher Cole Hamels told Chuck Garfien on the Chicago White Sox Talk Podcast that he believes he'd be a good fit with the team. Hamels confirmed that the White Sox have reached out to him. The veteran southpaw is believed to be looking for a one-year deal to pitch for a contender, and the... Read More

Zack Wheeler Could Sign Before Winter Meetings

Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler could sign a deal before the winter meetings next week in San Diego, and reported bidding has already hit $100 million for the right-hander. The White Sox, Twins and Rangers are just several of the interested parties. Wheeler has already met with several teams in person as well. The 29-year-old has... Read More

Yankees To Meet With Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg

The New York Yankees are set to meet with starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg over the next two days, according to sources. Both pitchers are free agents represented by Scott Boras, and they are the two most coveted free-agent arms on the market this winter. Other interested teams have already met with or... Read More

Anthony Rendon Has Met With Dodgers, Rangers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have met with third baseman Anthony Rendon, who some high-ranking officials believe will be the first big free agent to come off the board this winter. Rendon has already met with the Rangers as well. The 29-year-old led the team to a World Series title and finished third in National League... Read More

Travis Shaw, Jimmy Nelson Non-Tendered

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Travis Shaw and starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson were non-tendered on Monday, making them free agents. Shaw hit a combined 63 home runs in 2017 and 2018 but slumped to hit .157 with just seven home runs and 16 RBI last year, leading to the Brewers moving on. He was even demoted to... Read More

Phillies Move On From Maikel Franco, Cesar Hernandez

The Philadelphia Phillies non-tendered third baseman Maikel Franco and second baseman Cesar Hernandez on Monday, making them both free agents. Franco, once a top prospect in the team's system, just didn't make enough contact to be successful. He slashed .234/.297/.409 with 17 home runs, 48 runs and 56 RBI in 389 at-bats for the Phils... Read More

Marlins Acquire Jonathan Villar

The Miami Marlins acquired second baseman Jonathan Villar from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday in exchange for minor league left-hander Easton Lucas. Villar hit .274 with a .792 OPS, 24 home runs, 73 RBI and 40 stolen bases last year for the lowly Orioles. He'll join a similarly bad team in Miami and won't have... Read More

Taijuan Walker, Steven Souza Jr. Hit Open Market

The Arizona Diamondbacks non-tendered starting pitcher Taijuan Walker and outfielder Steven Souza Jr. on Monday, making them both free agents. Walker missed most of the last two seasons after having Tommy John surgery, but he was able to post a 3.49 ERA in 157 1/3 innings in 2017. The right-hander will surely be coveted by... Read More

Kevin Pillar Non-Tendered By Giants

The San Francisco Giants non-tendered outfielder Kevin Pillar on Monday, making him a free agent. The 30-year-old veteran hit a combined .259/.287/.432 with 21 home runs, 83 runs, 88 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 161 games with the Blue Jays and Giants in 2019. He spent the majority of his time with San Fran,... Read More