
Chris Archer Throwing Bullpens Without Issues
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chris Archer, who had hernia surgery last November, said he has thrown four bullpen sessions already and reported no issues. "We're not going to rush into anything, but by the first week of the season, I'll be ready to throw over 100 pitches. That's the goal," Archer said. Archer was a […]

Anthony Swarzak Behind In Camp
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak (shoulder) will be slightly behind the other pitchers in the throwing program after dealing with mild shoulder discomfort last season with the Mets. The left-hander was a disaster in 2018, posting a 6.15 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, four saves and 31 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings. He'll work in mostly […]

Yankees Not Out On Manny Machado
The New York Yankees may not be the favorites to sign free-agent shortstop Manny Machado, but they are not out on him and their front office continues to check in with Machado's representatives, according to major league sources. The White Sox and Phillies have been more aggressive. People close to Machado continue to believe he'll […]

Didi Gregorius Does Some Throwing Monday
New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (elbow) resumed throwing on Monday for the first time since having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 17. He said he did 25 tosses from 60 feet pain-free. He was also spotted making light throws to first base after fielding grounders at shortstop. Depending on how […]

Michael Chavis In Better Shape
Boston Red Sox top prospect Michael Chavis came to camp at 208 pounds this year after weighing 222 pounds last spring. "I feel faster. I feel more mobile," Chavis said. The 23-year-old corner infielder hit an impressive .298/.381/.538 with nine home runs and 27 RBI in just 47 games in three minor league stops last […]

Kyle Gibson Recovered From Illness
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (illness) said he's pretty much recovered from e-coli issues he dealt with recently and feels that he'll be ready for Opening Day. The 31-year-old put up his best season in the majors in 2018, going 10-13 with a 3.62 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and career-high 8.2 K/9 in 32 starts […]

Brendan McKay To Be Limited To DH Duties
The Tampa Bay Rays will limit two-way prospect Brendan McKay to designated hitter duties this spring as they try to maximize his development as a two-way star. The Rays feel McKay's pregame schedule will be simplified if he doesn't have to worry about first base duties. It should also keep him healthier after he has […]

Giants Expected To Sign Stephen Vogt
The San Francisco Giants are expected to sign free-agent catcher Stephen Vogt. The Giants are looking for catching depth behind Buster Posey after losing Nick Hundley to free agency. Posey is coming off a serious hip surgery last August and will be looking to rest him often early in the season. Vogt, 34, didn't play […]

A's Sign Nick Hundley
The Oakland Athletics signed free-agent catcher Nick Hundley to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training on Monday. The 35-year-old served as the backup in San Francisco the last two seasons and hit .241/.298/.408 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI in 282 at-bats in 2018. He should share backup duties with […]

ADP Debate - Madison Bumgarner vs Jose Berrios
Pitchers and catchers are ready to report, which means baseball season is officially upon us! Maybe you haven’t started prepping for your drafts, but fortunately for you, there have already been plenty of drafts, which means that fantasy players out there have already started dealing with tough draft position decisions. One of the most variable […]

ADP Cost Analysis - Jose Abreu vs Matt Olson
The exciting young gun versus the proven veteran. A sports debate older than fantasy baseball itself, and a decision we’re faced with at every draft pick. That’s why we’re comparing the young gun (Matt Olson) to the proven veteran (Jose Abreu), two first baseman within the same sub-elite yet startable tier that owners must decide […]

Mid-Round Outfielders - Fantasy Baseball Outlooks
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 player to perform in 2019, where to target them in 2019 drafts, and supporting stats […]

Three Up, Three Down for Prospects - Catcher
While this is not a hot take, the catcher position has been dreadful for fantasy owners over the past few seasons. And yet, this does not mean that catching prospects are also on the decline. For example, this writer has four catchers in the top-60 dynasty prospect rankings, and two close to jumping into that […]

Corey Kluber Likely To Stay With Indians
Trade talks surrounding Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber have quieted to a whisper of late and multiple sources said there is almost no chance that the two-time American League Cy Young winner will be dealt before the start of spring training. The Indians aren't expected to be receptive to trade talks during spring training […]

Buster Posey Says He's On Schedule
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (hip) said he has no concerns about his status for Opening Day and is on track after undergoing serious hip surgery in August. He's hoping a healthier lower half will help his power return in 2019. Posey had his hip impingement and torn labrum fixed, as well as microfracture […]

Franklin Barreto Will Be Late To Camp
Oakland Athletics shortstop Franklin Barreto will be late to report to spring training later this week because of visa issues due to political unrest in Venezuela. However, the A's are hopeful he'll report a few days later on Feb. 17. Following the offseason acquisition of second baseman Jurickson Profar, Barreto is expected to see more […]

Willie Calhoun Has Chance To Earn Spot
Texas Rangers infielder/outfielder Willie Calhoun has a real shot to earn an Opening Day roster spot if he proves himself in spring training. "I’d mention Willie Calhoun as a guy that we’re definitely excited to see how it’s going to play out," general manager Jon Daniels said. "I’ve seen the work that he’s put in. […]

Mariners Still Intend To Trade Edwin Encarnacion
The Seattle Mariners have told designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion about their plans to flip him after acquiring him from the Indians earlier in the offseason. He could even be traded before position players report to spring training this Friday, and the Mariners are willing to eat a sizable portion of the $25 million owed to […]

Mariners May Not Have Set Closer
Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais said the team might go into the season without a set ninth-inning option. "There may not be a set closer on a particular night," Servais said. "We might have our hottest reliever come in the game in the eighth inning. … It will frustrate some people, but there’s a method […]

Melky Cabrera Agrees With Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to a minor league deal with free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera on Sunday, according to sources. The 34-year-old outfielder should have a decent shot at making the Opening Day roster in Pittsburgh, especially with right fielder Gregory Polanco not expected to be ready. Cabrera hit .280/.335/.420 with six home runs and 39 […]

Sean Manaea To Start Throwing Program This Week
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sean Manaea (shoulder) is progressing well and is scheduled to start a throwing program this week. It's great news for Manaea and the A's, but the 27-year-old left-hander will be out at least half of the season due to his left shoulder injury. He had his best year in 2018 before […]

Matt Chapman Slightly Behind Schedule
Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman (shoulder, thumb) is slightly behind schedule following two surgeries in the offseason. He is currently on a swing progression but is unlikely to see game action in spring training immediately. Chapman's goal is to be ready for Opening Day in Japan, and he should be fine unless he suffers […]

Giants Plan To Make Short-Term Offer To Bryce Harper
The San Francisco Giants plan to offer free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper a lucrative short-term deal but have no desire to give him a long-term contract approaching the 10-year, $300 million contract that the superstar rejected from the Nationals last year. One high-ranking rival executive predicts that the Giants will ultimately sign Harper. The Giants hadn't […]

Mid-Round Starting Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball Outlooks
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 player to perform in 2019, where to target them in 2019 drafts, and supporting stats […]

Three Up, Three Down for Prospects - Third Base
Third base prospects are when things get serious. It is the position where you find some of your big-power hitters. Of course, you’ll see your share of warts as no prospect is perfect. I know, I know; some will differ greatly on that topic. Essentially, power is excellent, but sometimes it has a cost to […]

ADP Cost Analysis - Buster Posey vs Danny Jansen
For years, the only way for fantasy owners to guarantee having a catcher that didn’t drain their batting average was to draft Buster Posey. Since entering the league in 2009, he has a career BA of .306, more than compensating for his relative lack of power. However, in his ninth season, at 31-years-old, the wear […]

White Sox May Have Upped Their Offer To Manny Machado
The Chicago White Sox are rumored to have made free-agent shortstop Manny Machado an eight-year offer for $250 million, according to a source. That's after most reports linked the White Sox to a seven-year, $175 million offer to Machado earlier this offseason. The new rumored deal would be the fourth richest in baseball and would […]

Shohei Ohtani Can Be Game-Changer At DH
Even though Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) won't pitch at all in 2019 after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, he could be a game-changer for fantasy owners in a DH spot. Ohtani joined Babe Ruth as the only players to hit 20 home runs and make 10 pitching outings […]

Brian Anderson To Be Starter At Third
Miami Marlins third baseman Brian Anderson is set to serve as the team's starting third baseman in 2019, according to manager Don Mattingly. Anderson was a bright spot last season and played 91 games in right field and 71 games at the hot corner, hitting .273 with 11 home runs and 65 RBI to finish […]

Yankees Offering Manny Machado $220 Million?
MLB.com analyst Jim Duquette heard on Friday night that the New York Yankees made an offer to free-agent shortstop Manny Machado in the range of seven or eight years for $220 million. However, "a lot of teams are in that range also" and "another club has gone further than that." The Phillies and White Sox […]