RADIO
CC Sabathia Undergoes Surgery
10/12:New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (knee) underwent another surgery on his knee on Friday after he had the same procedure last year. Sabathia wasn't half bad in 2018, going 9-7 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 across 29 starts. But the 38-year-old is coming off another knee procedure and doesn't have a whole lot left in the tank. He could be pitching elsewhere, too, as he's set to hit free agency. Staying in New York would probably be best for his fantasy value.Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Didi Gregorius To Have Tommy John Surgery
10/12:New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (elbow) underwent an MRI exam on Thursday and will have Tommy John surgery. It's a big blow to a Yankees squad that was bounced in the Division Series by the division-rival Red Sox. It's good news that Gregorius is having the surgery this early in the offseason, but he's still likely to miss the start of the regular season in 2019. The left-handed hitter was one of the more productive shortstops for fantasy owners this year, hitting .268/.335/.494 with 27 long balls, 86 RBI, 89 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. His draft stock will obviously take a hit with this news, but he could become a value pick now, depending on how much time he'll miss.Source: The Athletic - Marc Carig
Keon Broxton Removed From NLCS Roster
10/12:Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Keon Broxton has been removed from the roster for the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers in favor of relief pitcher Xavier Cedeno. Broxton was mainly used as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement in the Division Series, going 1-for-2 at the plate with a solo home run in two games.Source: MLB.com
Rangers Interview Joe Girardi
10/12:The Texas Rangers are interviewing ex-Yankees manager Joe Girardi on Friday for their managerial opening, according to two sources. Girardi had a 910-710 record with the Yankees over 10 seasons and directed them to a World Series title in 2009. Texas has also done background work on Padres minor league manager Rod Barajas, Dodgers third base coach Chris Woodward, MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa, Giants executive David Bell, Rays coach Rocco Baldelli, Phillies third base coach Dusty Wathan and Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr.Source: Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Luke Voit Secures First Base Job
10/12:New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit essentially secured the first base job going into next spring with his strong play to end the 2018 season. “He grabbed that job, there’s no question about it," manager Aaron Boone said. Voit was a godsend for the Yanks late in the year when Greg Bird flopped. The slugger was able to hit .333/.405/.689 with 14 homers and 33 RBI in 39 games for the Bronx Bombers after being acquired from the Cardinals. But with a 26.7 percent strikeout rate and a .365 BABIP in 2018, Voit is highly unlikely to be able to hit for a high average over an extended period of time next year. But the power surely won't go unnoticed in fantasy leagues if he remains the full-time starter.Source: Newsday - Erik Boland
Julio Urias Added To NLCS Roster
10/12:Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias has been added to the roster for the National League Championship Series against the Brewers in favor of lefty reliever Scott Alexander. Ross Stripling also was left off the roster. Most of Urias' 2018 season was spent rehabbing after left shoulder surgery. He only tossed four innings in the big leagues in the final month of the season, striking out seven and walking none while giving up just one hit. He's a talented young arm that figures to eventually work out of the rotation next year, but he'll be coming out of the bullpen in the postseason.Source: Los Angeles Times - Bill Shaikin
Adam Eaton Available Via Trade?
10/11:Some believe that Washington Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton is available in a trade now that prospect Victor Robles is ready for a full-time role in this outfield. Both Robles and Juan Soto are the future for the Nats outfield, so Eaton may see a decrease in playing time if he remains in Washington. He hit a respectable .301/.394/.411 with five home runs, 33 RBI and nine stolen bases, but he continues to be an injury risk and played in just 95 games in his second year in D.C.Source: Fan Cred - Jon Heyman
Dee Gordon Could Be Trade Candidate
10/11:Seattle Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon could be a trade candidate this winter with Robinson Cano reportedly wanting his second base job back. Gordon and shortstop Jean Segura also got into a fight this year. Gordon is making $13 million annually, however, which would make him "untradeable" in the words of a rival executive. It's unclear how the playing time would shake out if Gordon remains with Seattle next year. He hit .268/.288/.349 with only four homers, 36 RBI, 62 runs scored and 30 stolen bases this year. He remains mostly valuable for his speed in fantasy leagues, and his eligibility in the outfield and at the keystone is nice.Source: Fan Cred - Jon Heyman
Phillies Unlikely To Sign Both Manny Machado, Bryce Harper
10/11:The Philadelphia Phillies are unlikely to sign both impending free-agent shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado and outfielder Bryce Harper, but it shouldn't be ruled out. Philadelphia is expected to be the most aggressive team on the free-agent market. They have a strong connection to Machado, but Harper could be the guy they land, as he'd have a chance to play against the Nationals within the division. The Phillies surprisingly contended in the National League East late in the season, and they should be competitive yet again in 2019, especially if they can land of the best sluggers in the game in Machado or Harper.Source: Fan Cred - Jon Heyman
Bob Melvin Expected To Receive Contract Extension
10/11:Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin, a Manager of the Year candidate, is expected to receive a contract extension in the offseason. General manager David Forst and front-office man Billy Beane have also earned extensions with their current contracts up after the 2019 season. After three straight losing seasons, Melvin managed the A's to an excellent 97-65 record and a wild-card appearance. He's been with Oakland as the skipper since 2011.Source: Fan Cred - Jon Heyman
Mickey Callaway To Have Short Leash In 2019
10/11:New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway is expected to have a short leash in 2019, as there is a split on him within the team's front office. Some in the front office see it as a work in progress that may not work out and whether he's suited for New York. Callaway was also hired by ex-general manager Sandy Alderson. The Mets went 77-85 in 2018 in their first season under Callaway.Source: Fan Cred - Jon Heyman
Twins Have Several Candidates For Manager Job
10/11:Minnesota Twins' Derek Shelton is a top candidate to replace Paul Molitor as the team's next manager. Rocco Baldelli, who is on the Rays coaching staff, and Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy are also under consideration, according to 1500 ESPN's Darren Wolfson. Giants front office man Hensley Meulens could be a candidate as well.Source: Fan Cred - Jon Heyman
Dan Straily, Jose Urena Could Be On Trading Block
10/11:Miami Marlins starting pitchers Dan Straily and Jose Urena could be on the trading block this winter. Both pitchers are arbitration-eligible, and Urena figures to be the more attractive piece, as he's younger and had an excellent finish to the year after a bad first half. Straily had a 4.12 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 99 K's in 122 1/3 innings. The right-hander would have more appeal with a better team, but his fantasy upside is limited.Source: Fan Cred - Jon Heyman
Mike Soroka Begins Throwing
10/11:Atlanta Braves starting pitcher prospect Mike Soroka (shoulder) has begun throwing after being shut down at the end of August. Soroka posted a 3.51 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 7.4 K/9 in just five starts in his rookie year for Atlanta. If he can control his pitches, Soroka should be a fine mixed league option with a lot of upside in Atlanta's rotation in 2019.Source: Fan Cred - Jon Heyman
Atlanta Will Consider Re-Signing Kurt Suzuki
10/11:The Atlanta Braves will consider bringing catcher Kurt Suzuki back for another year. They like the combination that both he and Tyler Flowers give them behind the plate. Suzuki hit .271/.332/.444 with 12 homers and 50 RBI in 105 games while splitting time with Flowers. While the limited playing time is a concern in fantasy, Suzuki remains productive enough when he plays to be a consideration in two-catcher leagues. He might be more attractive to fantasy owners if he's a starter somewhere else, though.Source: Fan Cred - Jon Heyman
