An Extension Is No Guarantee For Phillip Lindsay

Denver Broncos general manager John Elway was non-committal on whether the Broncos would entertain signing running back Phillip Lindsay to a long-term contract extension. Lindsay has been playing for a bargain rate the last two seasons after going undrafted, but not the Broncos had Melvin Gordon III in the backfield as well after they landed […]

Mitch Haniger Rehabbing At Home

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger (back, core) has been doing core exercises for strength and mobility at home after having back and core surgeries in January. Haniger has been the walking wounded the past year, as his 2019 season was ruined by injuries. He played in just 63 games for the Mariners and had a […]

Willie Calhoun Takes Swings Monday

Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun (jaw) took swings on Monday for the first time since fracturing his jaw in spring training three weeks ago. Calhoun got lucky with the season being delayed due to the coronavirus. Otherwise, he definitely wouldn't have been ready for the start of the regular season. With the season not starting […]

Collin McHugh Hasn't Resumed Throwing

Boston Red Sox pitcher Collin McHugh (elbow) still has not resumed throwing but is progressing nicely. The Red Sox are playing it safe with McHugh with the start of the 2020 regular season likely delayed until June or July in a best-case scenario. The veteran right-hander was successful as both a starter and reliever in […]

Chris Sale Has Tommy John Surgery

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery last Thursday. It was already announced more than a week ago that Sale would need elbow reconstruction and miss the entire 2020 season, if there even is a season, but he didn't have the operation until late last week. The hard-throwing left-hander will […]

September Batting Average Risers

After looking at September breakouts for both power and speed, it's time to finish our series by looking at a few guys who saw real batting average spikes during the season's final month. Now, batting averages are often most impacted by hot streaks and lucky stretches, but by looking under the surface and picking apart […]

Jets Re-Sign David Fales

The New York Jets re-signed backup quarterback David Fales to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, according to a source. Fales was Sam Darnold's backup for most of last season and will continue to fill that role after playing for head coach Adam Gase and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains in both Chicago and Miami. Since […]

Doctors Recommend Surgery For Seranthony Dominguez

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez (elbow) has been recommended to have Tommy John surgery. The hard-throwing righty originally hurt his elbow last June, but was able to recover without surgery despite missing the remainder of 2019. Dominguez only pitched one inning of Spring Training this year before reporting tightness in his elbow and being […]

Alex Verdugo (OF, BOS) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~180 CURRENT ADP: ~230 overall ANALYSIS: Verdugo primarily spent the 2018 season in the minor leagues, so we’ll only look at his 2019 numbers. This is a terrific contact hitter who has the ability to contend for the BA title, as evidenced by his low 13.0 K% and high 91.2 Z-Contact%. […]

David Dahl (OF, COL) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~120 CURRENT ADP: ~147 overall ANALYSIS: Dahl hit the ball harder in 2019, with a 1% increase in Brl% and .023 improvement in xwOBAcon. Dahl was also able to find his sweet spot more often, with a 6% increase.  If Dahl could maintain these improvements, it bodes well for his chances […]

Byron Buxton (OF, MIN) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~130 CURRENT ADP: ~157 overall ANALYSIS: Since Buxton only had 94 plate appearances in 2018, we’ll compare his 2017 and 2019 seasons. As you can see in the chart, Buxton began to hit the ball much harder, with a 2.7% increase in Brl%. He also began to hit the ball in […]

Dansby Swanson (SS, ATL) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~210 CURRENT ADP: ~246 overall ANALYSIS: Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson was in the midst of a breakout season in 2019 before he suffered a heel injury in July which cost him five weeks. In the first half of 2019, Swanson posted a .270 average with 17 home runs, 58 RBI, […]

Carter Kieboom (SS, WAS) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~280 CURRENT ADP: ~300 overall ANALYSIS: Washington Nationals third baseman Carter Kieboom, who qualifies at shortstop on most fantasy baseball platforms, had an unimpressive short stint in the majors in 2019. In 11 games in 2019, Kieboom hit just .128 with two home runs, two RBI and 16 strikeouts (over 29 […]

Chris Harris Jr. To Play The Slot For Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said that general manager Tom Telesco, head coach Anthony Lynn and defensive backs coach Ron Milus told him that he will be playing the slot in 2020. "That was the main thing that they brought to me," Harris said. The 30-year-old was asked to cover the opponent's best […]

Brandon Scherff Signing Franchise Tender

Washington Redskins three-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Brandon Scherff is signing his $15-plus million franchise tender on Tuesday, according to a source. If there is a training camp, he will be required to be there. Scherff, 28, has missed most of the past two seasons due to injuries -- 19 games played over that span […]

Adam Vinatieri's Future Still Undecided

The future of kicker Adam Vinatieri remains unknown, according to Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich. Vinatieri has not made a decision on whether he wants to return to kick for a 25th season in the NFL. The 47-year-old future Hall of Famer has been rehabbing his knee following season-ending surgery last year, and the […]

Cardinals, DeAndre Hopkins Having Contract Discussions

Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell said that general manager Steve Keim has had talks with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins about his contract. Hopkins was unhappy with his contract in Houston, which is one of the reasons he was dealt to Arizona for pennies on the dollar. The All-Pro wideout will be a bargain at his […]

Everson Griffen Interested In Seahawks

Former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen has interest in joining the Seattle Seahawks, according to a source close to Griffen. The Seahawks could also be interested in Griffen if they don't re-sign Jadeveon Clowney, who is asking for close to $20 million a season. Clowney will likely have to sign with another team before […]

Seahawks Release Ed Dickson

The Seattle Seahawks released tight end Ed Dickson on Tuesday, according to a source. Dickson was due $3 million in 2020, and the Seahawks will save most of that money with his release. The 32-year-old veteran played in just 10 games (one start) in his only season in Seattle, catching 12 passes for 143 yards […]

NFL Agrees To Expand Playoff Format

NFL owners voted in favor of the playoffs being expanded after the 2020 season, according to a source. The move was expected and became official on Tuesday. One extra team per conference will get into the playoffs moving forward, putting the total playoff teams at 14, up from 12 previously. The new format makes regular […]

LPL & LCK DFS Picks for 4/1/20: DraftKings League of Legends Daily Fantasy Advice

Welcome to RotoBaller's League of Legends DFS column. We'll continue ramping up our analysis for LoL DFS all week, bringing you the insight you need to succeed in ESports! With the LCS and LEC regular seasons over, we shift back to the LPL/LCK for a 6-match slate. We're back into big slates overnight for the next five […]

Justin Verlander "Recovering Well"

Houston Astros starter Justin Verlander (groin, lat) is "right on schedule and recovering very well," according to Astros general manager James Click. Verlander underwent right groin surgery on March 17, but there has been no word yet on whether he has begun throwing again. With the season seemingly months away (if it happens at all), the […]

Bengals Release Dre Kirkpatrick

The Cincinnati Bengals released cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick on Tuesday. The Bengals went all out to improve their defense in free agency, so Kirkpatrick is being shown the door. The 17th overall pick in the 2012 draft, Kirkpatrick should still see significant interest late in free agency now that he's available. The 30-year-old hasn't played in […]

Texans In Active Contract Talks With Laremy Tunsil

The Houston Texans are in active contract talks with Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly. Houston has offered Tunsil $18.5 million per season, but Tunsil's counter-offer is "significantly higher." After the Texans traded two first-round picks and a second-rounder for Tunsil and wide receiver Kenny Stills […]

Everson Griffen Likely On Browns Radar

The Cleveland Browns are likely to have free-agent defensive end Everson Griffen on their radar given his connection with the Browns coaches from their time together in Minnesota. Griffen is 32 years old but had 13, 5.5 and eight sacks in the last three seasons with the Vikings and can still be effective on the […]

Mid-Round Starting Pitchers - Targets and Avoids in 2020

Once you reach the middle-to-late rounds of drafts, it would be smart to consider drafting some upside fliers that can provide a great return on value. You can take a risk or two on a variety of different players, including a prospect, forgotten veterans, players returning from injuries, or even players with skills but have […]

Jaguars Getting Calls On Yannick Ngakoue

The Jacksonville Jaguars have heard from multiple interested teams about a potential trade for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who is turning 25 years old on Tuesday. The Jaguars place a lot of value in the pass-rusher and won't just give him away for a little return. But the former third-round pick in 2016 was unhappy […]

Tyrod Taylor Thinks Chargers Can Make Noise

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who is training this offseason with free-agent quarterback Cam Newton, thinks he can make a lot of noise with the Bolts if he's given the chance to be the team's starter under center. Things could change, but as of now, Taylor is at the top of LA's QB depth […]

James Conner Must Prove It In 2020

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to draft a running back this year with James Conner headed into his contract season. The Athletic's Ed Bouchette doesn't think that the Steelers will give Conner a new deal before the start of the 2020 season, so he'll have to prove his worth and stay healthy to remain with […]

Buccaneers Not Worried About Tom Brady's Arm Strength

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said that the team doesn't think quarterback Tom Brady's skills have diminished or that he'll have any trouble playing in head coach Bruce Arians' vertical passing scheme. "Well, the tape to us showed that he had plenty of arm," Licht said. "We felt that he had the ideal […]