Jason Vargas Is Mets Fifth Starter

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said that starting pitcher Jason Vargas will be the team's fifth starter to open the 2019 season. The 36-year-old lefty had a pretty ugly year in his first year in New York, going 7-9 with a bloated 5.77 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 in 92 innings (20 starts). […]

2019 To Be CC Sabathia's Final Season

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia will announce at a press conference on Saturday that the 2019 season will be his last. The left-hander will turn 39 in late July and isn't the dominant strikeout guy he was earlier in this career, but he was serviceable for the Yankees in 2018 by going 9-7 […]

Red Sox Still Unlikely To Re-Sign Craig Kimbrel

The Boston Red Sox remain steadfast that they will not have a "big expenditure at the closer position," even on a short-term deal, according to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. That means it remains unlikely that Boston will re-sign closer Craig Kimbrel for 2019. Boston will likely use an "internal" option for the ninth […]

Padres Being Aggressive On Manny Machado

The San Diego Padres have been very aggressive in their pursuit of free-agent shortstop Manny Machado, but he doesn't know if he wants to play there, according to sources. Some of his representatives are pushing for a shorter deal with the Yankees. The Phillies and White Sox are also in on him. San Diego is […]

Mike Minor The Favorite To Start On Opening Day

Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward hasn't officially announced the team's Opening Day starter, but he made it clear that starting pitcher Mike Minor is the favorite. "He is our best pitcher," Woodward said. Texas will be facing the dangerous Cubs at home in the opener, so Minor won't be an attractive streamer for that one […]

Nick Tropeano Suffers Setback With Shoulder

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Nick Tropeano (shoulder) said he had a setback with his right shoulder in December and just recently resumed light throwing. That means he's unlikely to be ready for Opening Day after initially being a candidate for a rotation spot. The 28-year-old also missed all of the 2017 season due to […]

Jordan Montgomery Has Been Throwing

New York Yankees starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (elbow) said he is making 50 throws at 90 feet and has been doing that for around three weeks. He'll throw off a mound next month and is aiming to return to big league action after the All-Star break after he had Tommy John surgery last June. The […]

Yankees Having Extension Talks With Luis Severino

The New York Yankees and starting pitcher Luis Severino have engaged in contract talks, but no deal is close yet. Severino's salary arbitration has yet to be heard. The rising right-hander requested $5.25 million for the 2019 season, while the Yanks are offering $4.4 million. The soon-to-be 25-year-old has big upside as one of the […]

A.J. Puk, Jharel Cotton Progressing

Oakland Athletics starting pitchers A.J. Puk (elbow) and Jharel Cotton (elbow), who are both rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, both took the mound for bullpen sessions in camp on Tuesday. They both threw at roughly 70 percent effort level as they gradually rebuild strength in their arms. Both pitchers are expected to be ready around […]

Alex Reyes To Throw Bullpen Wednesday

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Alex Reyes (shoulder) passed his physical at camp on Wednesday and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session. One of St. Louis' top pitching prospects for the last several seasons, Reyes has monumental upside but hasn't been able to stay healthy. He missed all of the 2017 season due to […]

Carlos Martinez Could Pitch In Relief Again

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez, who saw action as the closer late last year, could be moved to a relief role again in 2019. Pitching coach Mike Maddux said he "liked him out of the bullpen a lot." Martinez is slated for a rotation role right now, but the Cardinals have flexibility with […]

A's Signing Robbie Grossman

The Oakland Athletics are signing free-agent outfielder Robbie Grossman to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to a source. Grossman hit .273/.367/.384 with five home runs and 48 RBI in his final season with the Twins last year in 129 games. At best, the switch-hitter figures to be in a platoon role in Oakland's […]

Aaron Nola Agrees To Four-Year Extension

The Philadelphia Phillies and starting pitcher Aaron Nola agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension through the 2022 season on Wednesday. The deal also includes a club option for the 2023 season for $16 million. Nola, 25, is one of the best young pitching talents in baseball and went 17-6 with a sparkly 2.37 […]

ADP Champ or Chump - Kyle Gibson and Miguel Sano

Fantasy owners frequently like drafting players on good teams because of the benefits of playing in a strong lineup. In 2019, the Astros, Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Dodgers clearly fit into this category. We also like drafting upside plays from rebuilding clubs like the Marlins or Royals because of the opportunity they have. A […]

2019 MLB Fantasy Outlooks - Starting Pitchers

Here at RotoBaller, we've been producing fantasy baseball analysis all offseason. As part of that, our awesome MLB team has written up detailed 2019 fantasy baseball outlooks for 400+ players. These player outlooks include RotoBaller's analysis on how we expect a player to perform in 2019, where to target them in 2019 drafts, and supporting […]

ADP Cost Analysis - Eddie Rosario vs. Aaron Hicks

After years of struggles at the plate early in their careers, Eddie Rosario and Aaron Hicks both figured something out in 2017, which they were able to transfer to 2018. Rosario hit .288/.323/.479 last year with 24 home runs, 77 RBI, eight steals, and 87 runs scored. Meanwhile, Hicks hit .248/.366/.467 with 27 home runs, […]

Sergio Romo Agrees With Marlins

The Miami Marlins agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million deal with free-agent relief pitcher Sergio Romo on Tuesday, according to a league source. The soon-to-be 35-year-old was a versatile piece for Tampa last year, posting a 4.14 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 25 saves while also serving as an opener five times. The slider-heavy right-hander has […]

Danny Salazar Hopes To Pitch Late In Spring Training

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar (shoulder) is playing catch, but his goal is to be back on the mound by the end of spring training. If he's able to achieve that goal, he thinks he will be ready to pitch in a game before the All-Star break. The 29-year-old didn't pitch at all in […]

Corbin Burnes To Compete For Rotation Spot

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes, who pitched out of the bullpen last year, was told he'd be a starting pitcher in 2019. "You know, as we get close to the season, the need may be [different], but I came into camp as a starter and I fully intend on being a starter," Burnes said. The […]

Albert Pujols Cleared For All Activities

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (elbow, knee) is in camp already and is cleared for all activities, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Pujols had multiple surgeries last year and is quickly declining at the plate as he enters his age-39 season. The future Hall of Famer still has some pop (19 homers last […]

Zack Cozart Says He's Ready For Season

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Zack Cozart, who missed the second half of 2018 after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, said he's feeling healthy and should be ready for Opening Day. "Honestly, if today was Day 1 of the actual season, I could play," Cozart said Tuesday. He also […]

Jimmy Nelson Throws Bullpen Tuesday

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (shoulder) threw his first bullpen session this spring on Tuesday and used his full arsenal while throwing 45 pitches. Nelson said everything is on track for him to be ready for the start of the season. The 29-year-old missed all of last year after having surgery, but he should […]

Gerardo Parra Lands With Giants

The San Francisco Giants signed free-agent outfielder Gerardo Parra to a minor league deal on Tuesday, according to sources. Parra, 32 in May, hit .284/.342/.372 with six home runs, 53 RBI and 11 stolen bases as a platoon player in his final season in Colorado in 142 games. He makes decent contact and can hit […]

Angels Targeting May For Shohei Ohtani's Return

Los Angeles Angels manager Brad Ausmus said that designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (elbow) doesn't have a set timetable, but "we're thinking May." He'll miss at least the first month of the season and possibly more, but Ohtani can still be a difference maker at a reduced cost with his bat after hitting .285/.361/.564 with […]

Bryce Harper Down To Giants And Phillies?

USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale thinks it's a two-team race between the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies for free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper. The Dodgers and Nationals are "definitely out of it." The Giants don't want to do a long-term deal with Harper, but they're likely willing to give him five or six years at around […]

Rays Not Rushing To Name Closer

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said there is "no urgency" to name a closer entering the 2019 season. He likes the team's bullpen flexibility and will have a bunch of guys sharing the ninth-inning role. Sergio Romo was the team's primary closer last year, but he's likely to depart in free agency, leaving relievers […]

Dodgers Unsure On Catching Situation

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said "time will tell" on whether catcher Austin Barnes or Russell Martin will see the lion's share of catching this year. Barnes is younger (29) and has more upside both offensively and defensively, but he's coming off a terrible year with the bat in which he slashed .205/.329/.290 with […]

Edwin Encarnacion Expected To Report To Camp

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion is expected to report to spring training this week on Saturday, according to a source. The Mariners have made it known that they'd like to flip Encarnacion after acquiring him from the Indians this offseason, but trade talks haven't advanced in recent days. The veteran's appeal is mostly limited […]

Alex Colome Could Have Leg Up On Closer Duties

The Chicago White Sox are talking more about relief pitcher Alex Colome for ninth-inning duties than they are with Kelvin Herrera. The Pale Hose gave up catcher Omar Narvaez to acquire Colome from the Mariners in the offseason and Colome had 37 and 46 saves for the Rays in 2016 and 2017, respectively. He also […]

Jacob deGrom Won't Negotiate Extension During The Season

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom informed the team that he will not negotiate a long-term contract extension during the season, according to an industry source. The 30-year-old 2018 National League Cy Young winner won't be a free agent until after the 2020 season, but he's seeking a deal that will buy out his […]