Mookie Betts Sets Arbitration Record

Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a record-breaking, one-year, $27 million deal, according to a source. The amount breaks the record set by Nolan Arenado last year of $26 million. Boston also reached one-year deals with outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. ($11 million) and relievers Brandon Workman ($3.5 […]

Brewers Agree With Jedd Gyorko

The Milwaukee Brewers agreed to an undisclosed deal with infielder Jedd Gyorko on Friday, according to a source. Gyorko played in only 62 games last year with the Cardinals and Dodgers and hit an embarrassing .174/.248/.250 with two home runs and nine RBI. At this point in his career, Gyorko is more of a utility […]

Braves Settle With Mike Foltynewicz, Dansby Swanson

The Atlanta Braves avoided salary arbitration with starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz and shortstop Dansby Swanson on Friday. Foltynewicz agreed to a one-year, $6.425 million contract, while Swanson settled for one year and $3.15 million. Folty predictably fell back down to Earth in 2019 after posting a 2.85 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in an All-Star 2018 […]

Matt Barnes Avoids Arbitration

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.1 million deal, according to a source. The 29-year-old reliever had a 3.78 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 110 strikeouts over 64 1/3 innings in 70 outings for the BoSox in 2019. He also recorded a career-high four saves […]

Diamondbacks Reach Extension With David Peralta

The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a three-year, $22 million extension with outfielder David Peralta on Friday to avoid salary arbitration. He can make an extra $1.25 million in incentives. Injuries held Peralta to only 99 games for the D-backs in 2019, but he hit a useful .275/.343/.461 with 12 home runs and 57 RBI when […]

Rays Avoid Arbitration With Tyler Glasnow

The Tampa Bay Rays and starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.05 million deal, according to a source. The 26-year-old right-hander only made 12 starts (60 2/3 innings) in 2019 because of injury, but he was electric when he was on the mound, going 6-1 with a […]

Hunter Renfroe Avoids Arbitration

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Hunter Renfroe avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.3 million deal. Renfroe came over to the Rays this offseason in the trade that sent Tommy Pham to the Padres. Although he hit just .216 in 140 games for the Friars, Renfroe delivered on his power potential by […]

Marcell Ozuna Deciding Between Cardinals, Rangers

Free-agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna said he's basically deciding between the St. Louis Cardinals and Rangers in free agency. I’ve been in St. Louis and I like the city. My first option will be St. Louis. If they step up I will stay, if not I will find a new home," Ozuna said. St. Louis just […]

Brandon Drury Avoids Arbitration

The Toronto Blue Jays and third baseman/outfielder Brandon Drury avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.05 million deal. Drury started the 2019 season as the team's starting third baseman, but he became a corner outfielder primarily once prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was called up. The 27-year-old hit an underwhelming .218/.262/.380 on […]

Michael Taylor Avoids Arbitration

The Washington Nationals and outfielder Michael Taylor avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.325 million deal, according to a source. He'll receive $25,000 in incentives if he reaches 300 plate appearances in the majors next season. The 28-year-old speedster hit only .250/.305/.364 in 97 plate appearances in 2019 and was demoted […]

Mitch Moreland Could Return To Boston

Once considered a long shot to re-sign with the Boston Red Sox, it's looking more likely that first baseman Mitch Moreland will return. Sam Travis is now off the 40-man roster, and only Michael Chavis and Bobby Dalbec are capable of playing first base, but both of them are right-handed bats on a team loaded […]

Christian Yelich Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (knee), who fractured his right kneecap last September, said he will be ready for spring training. "If the Milwaukee Brewers had an actual game tomorrow," Yelich said, "then I would be able to participate." The Brewers will be careful with the 2018 National League MVP, but the expectation is that […]

Cardinals Could Trade Dexter Fowler

The St. Louis Cardinals have discussed trading outfielder Dexter Fowler this offseason and could move him in another deal, according to sources, as top prospect Dylan Carlson is expected to play a big role this year. The Cardinals dealt outfielders Jose Martinez and Randy Arozarena to the Rays on Thursday in exchange for top left-handed […]

Rays Acquire Jose Martinez, Randy Arozarena

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired outfielders Jose Martinez and Randy Arozarena from the Cardinals on Thursday in exchange for top left-handed pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore and low-level catching prospect Edgardo Rodriguez. The Cardinals also sent a competitive-balance Round A pick (38th overall) to the Rays, who sent their Round B pick (66th overall) to St. […]

Brewers Agree With Logan Morrison

The Milwaukee Brewers agreed to an undisclosed deal with first baseman/outfielder Logan Morrison on Thursday, according to sources. Morrison slugged a career-high 38 home runs and drove in 85 runs in 149 games for the Rays in 2017, but he has fallen off a cliff since. He hit a miserable .186/.276/.368 with 15 homers and […]

Cardinals Acquire Prospect Matthew Liberatore

The St. Louis Cardinals acquired pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore from the Rays on Thursday, according to sources familiar with the deal. It's part of a trade expected to send major league pieces back to Tampa, who has been searching for outfield bats. Liberatore, 20, is a left-handed starter that was ranked as Tampa's No. 4 […]

Pirates Agree With Guillermo Heredia

The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to an undisclosed major league deal with outfielder Guillermo Heredia on Thursday, according to sources. He was non-tendered by the Rays last month and is known as a strong defender and good clubhouse presence. That's not going to do much for fantasy owners, however. Heredia, 29 later this month, hit just […]

2019 Season in Review: Aristides Aquino

On August 1, 2019, Aristides Aquino was called up by the Cincinnati Reds. Shortly thereafter, bedlam broke out. He hit 11 home runs in his first 63 at-bats, drove in 22 runs, and caused the internet to flood with The Punisher GIFs and newly made t-shirts. When the month of August came to a close, […]

Diamondbacks Agree With Hector Rondon

The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year deal with relief pitcher Hector Rondon on Wednesday, according to sources. Rondon, 32 next month, is guaranteed $3 million. He'll make $2.5 million in 2020 with a $500,000 buyout on his team option. The right-hander had a 3.71 ERA in 62 games last year with the Astros and […]

Indians Expected To Hold Onto Francisco Lindor

Cleveland Indians president Chris Antonetti said on Wednesday that he's more confident that All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor will be with the team to start the season after the Tribe didn't receive a trade proposal to their liking in the last few weeks. The four-time All-Star is under contract through the 2021 season, but the Indians […]

Brewers Give Craig Counsell Contract Extension

The Milwaukee Brewers are signing manager Craig Counsell to a contract extension that will run through the 2023 season, according to sources. It's a well-deserved extension, as Counsell led the Brew Crew to a National League Championship appearance in 2018 before a wild-card showing this past season. The 49-year-old coach started as the head man […]

2020 Early Bullpen Outlooks - A.L. East

Welcome to 2020, fantasy friends. With football season winding down and basketball and hockey in full swing, it's time to start thinking about the 2020 baseball season. Free agency has been a little more front-loaded this season, leaving fewer questions about rosters heading into Spring Training. Still, there will be changes between now and Opening […]

Robinson Chirinos Returning To Rangers

The Texas Rangers agreed to a one-year, $6.75 million deal with catcher Robinson Chirinos on Tuesday, according to MLB sources. He'll make $5.75 million in 2020, and the deal includes a club option for 2021 worth $6.25 million or a $1 million buyout. Texas opted not to pick up Chirinos' option for 2019 and instead […]

Top 570: Early Fantasy Baseball Tiered Rankings (January)

Welcome back RotoBallers, and Happy New Year! Below you will find our staff's early 2020 fantasy baseball tiered rankings (top 570) for mixed leagues. In case you missed it, you can also see our tiered positional rankings and position-by-position analysis breakdowns as well. Four of our lead fantasy baseball analysts - Nick Mariano, Pierre Camus, Riley Mrack and Nicklaus Gaut - have analyzed the […]

Steve Cishek Joining White Sox

The Chicago White Sox and relief pitcher Steve Cishek agreed on a one-year, $6 million deal on Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the agreement. The deal includes an option that could take the deal to a second year at $12 million total. Cishek had a 2.95 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, seven saves and 57 K's […]

Michael Fulmer Avoids Arbitration

The Detroit Tigers avoided salary arbitration with starting pitcher Michael Fulmer on Monday night by agreeing to a one-year, $2.8 million deal, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Fulmer, who turns 27 years old in March, didn't pitch at all in 2019 after having Tommy John surgery in late March. The right-hander […]

Dodgers Agree With Jimmy Nelson

The Los Angeles Dodgers and starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson agreed to a one-year major league deal on Tuesday with a vesting mutual option for another season, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. He's guaranteed to make $1.25 million in 2020 but could make more than $3 million if he's healthy. Nelson's incentive-laden […]

Nationals Agree With Eric Thames

The Washington Nationals agreed to a one-year deal with first baseman Eric Thames on Tuesday that guarantees him $4 million, according to a source familiar with the deal. Thames will make $3 million in 2020 with a $1 million buyout of a mutual option for 2021. The 33-year-old averaged 24 home runs and an .848 […]

Jose Iglesias Agrees With Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with shortstop Jose Iglesias on Monday, according to a source. The deal includes a 2021 team option that would make the deal worth $6 million over two years. Iglesias will replace Jonathan Villar at the 6 and at the top of the order after Baltimore […]

Nationals Bringing Back Daniel Hudson

The Washington Nationals are finalizing a two-year deal to re-sign relief pitcher Daniel Hudson on Monday, according to sources familiar with the agreement. Hudson was excellent for the Nationals after coming over from the Blue Jays in 2019, going 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, six saves and 8.3 K/9 in 25 innings down […]