2 days agoTexas Rangers general manager Chris Young named several players currently on the roster as potential options to serve as the team's closer in an interview Saturday, per the Athletic's Levi Weaver. This included Jose Leclerc, read more...

2 days agoMLB.com's Mark Sheldon reported Monday that the Cincinnati Reds have agreed to a minor-league contract with free-agent utilityman Chad Pinder. The deal would include an invitation to big-league camp as a non-roster player. The 30-year-old spent most of his time in the outfield in 2022 with the A's, but he also saw time at first and third base. The Reds currently have an opening at third base, so Pinder would likely be competing for playing time at that position. Offensively, Pinder slashed .235/.263/.385 with 12 home runs and 42 RBI in 379 plate appearances. It sounds as though the Reds may still be looking to bring in additional players, and Pinder's recent offensive production has not been so great that he would be fantasy relevant even if he were to see somewhat regular playing time.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Mark Sheldon - MLB.com

2 days agoMLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Monday that the New York Mets are expected to pursue Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in 2023 should he enter free agency. The 28-year-old phenom would be in high demand given his elite hitting and pitching talent. Ohtani slashed .273/.356/.519 with 34 home runs, 95 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 666 plate appearances in 2022 while also going 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 33.2% strikeout rate in 28 starts. While the Mets and owner Steve Cohen have been one of baseball's spendiest teams of late, Cohen said of potentially going after Ohtani, "Hard to think about next year. I'm focused on this season." Ohtani will remain a top fantasy asset wherever he goes, but a move to the Mets would be a clear upgrade over his current team.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 days agoUSA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Monday that the Los Angeles Angels have "strong interest" in free-agent relief pitcher Zack Britton if his price tag were to drop. The 35-year-old lefty was one of baseball's better relief pitchers from 2014-2020 with the Orioles and Yankees. However, a number of injuries limited Britton to just 19 innings pitched between the 2021-22 seasons. The Angels have already somewhat bolstered their bullpen this offseason by signing Carlos Estevez, and health is a concern for Britton. However, given his experience as a closer and track record of solid pitching, he could have a shot to see considerable save opportunities if he were to join the Angels, which would instantly make him fantasy relevant.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers general manager Andrew Friedman said that if he had to guess now, he sees Max Muncy at third base, Gavin Lux at shortstop, Miguel Vargas at second base and Chris Taylor in the outfield, with Miguel Rojas serving in a utility-infield role. The Dodgers have plenty of defensive versatility and competition heading into spring training, though, so nothing will be guaranteed for Vargas. The 23-year-old made his big-league debut in 2022 and went just 8-for-47 with a homer, eight RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base in 18 games. But with Trea Turner and Justin Turner both gone, Vargas will have plenty of opportunity for consistent playing time in what is still one of the best lineups in baseball. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't forget about Vargas.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: CBS Sports - Jim Bowden

2 days agoBaltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said that he expects pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez to open the 2023 regular season in the starting rotation. Elias also thinks outfield prospect Colton Cowser will make his MLB debut at some point this year. Rodriguez is Baltimore's No. 2 prospect and seventh overall in all of baseball, per MLB Pipeline. It's likely that the 23-year-old right-hander would have debuted last year, but a Grade 2 lat strain set him back. Rodriguez was fantastic once he returned from a three-month absence at Triple-A Norfolk, showing that he doesn't have much left to prove on the farm. He'll likely face workload restrictions in 2023, but Rodriguez should have an immediate fantasy impact in all leagues if he stays healthy.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: CBS Sports - Jim Bowden

2 days agoMinnesota Twins outfielder/first baseman Alex Kirilloff (wrist) started swinging a bat early in January and said he's taking 50 to 60 swings per day and is on track with what his doctors wanted to see. He's hoping for "mostly a normal" spring training, but the goal is to be healthy for the most possible regular season games in 2023. Kirilloff, a former first-rounder, tore a ligament in his right wrist in 2022 that required season-ending surgery. Wrist issues continue to be a concern for the 25-year-old left-handed slugger, as he's yet to play in more than 59 games in either of his first two MLB seasons. It remains to be seen if Kirilloff can develop high-end power in Minnesota, but he's worth taking a flier on in deeper leagues as a young hitter that could still become an impact bat with better health.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Do-Hyoung Park

2 days agoThe Boston Red Sox and Miami Marlins have reportedly made a deal, per a tweet from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal on Monday morning. According to Rosenthal's tweet, Boston is trading reliever Matt Barnes to Miami for fellow relief pitcher Richard Bleier. Barnes pitched to a 4.31 ERA, a 3.87 FIP, 34 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 39.2 innings for Boston last season while adding eight saves and four holds. Bleier, meanwhile, turned in a 3.55 ERA and a 3.27 FIP in 50.2 innings for the Marlins, while adding 32 strikeouts, 10 walks, seven holds and a save. Of the duo, Barnes likely has more potential for save opportunities this coming season in Miami than Bleier does in Boston given Kenley Jansen's presence at the back end of the Red Sox bullpen.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: Ken Rosenthal

2 days agoThe Kansas City Royals are reportedly re-signing veteran starting pitcher Zack Greinke, per a tweet from Bob Fescoe of 610 Sports in Kansas City on Monday morning. Fescoe tweeted the following: "Royals have reached a deal to bring Zack Greinke back for one more year, per source. Deal will be officially announced tomorrow afternoon. #royals." The 39-year-old made his return to Kansas City this past season, making 26 starts. In those 26 starts, the right-hander pitched to a 3.68 ERA, a 4.03 FIP, 73 strikeouts, and just 27 walks allowed in 137 innings of work. Kansas City's other rotation options include the likes of Jordan Lyles, Brady Singer, Ryan Yarbrough, and Brad Keller.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: Bob Fescoe

2 days agoRelief pitcher Darren O'Day announced on Monday he's retiring from the league in a tweet. O'Day made his Major League debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2008 and has appeared in every Major League season since. The 40-year-old made 644 appearances over the years, pitching for Los Angeles, the New York Mets, Texas, Baltimore, Atlanta, and the New York Yankees. He most recently appeared in 28 games for Atlanta in 2022, pitching to a 4.15 ERA and a 4.04 FIP in 21.2 innings of work while logging 26 strikeouts compared to 10 walks. For his career, the 40-year-old owns a 2.59 and a 3.48 FIP in 609-lifetime innings at the Major League level. He struck out 9.41 batters per nine frames while allowing just 2.54 walks per nine innings.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: Darren O'Day

3 days agoThe Texas Rangers and outfielder Travis Jankowski agreed to a minor-league deal with a non-roster invitation to the big-league camp. In 2022 the 31-year-old played for the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners. With the Mets, Jankowski collected a 35 OPS+ with just a .445 OPS through 63 plate appearances. He was picked up by the Mariners and made just one plate appearance in the pros before Seattle DFA'd him four days later. The former first-rounder is valued mainly for his defensive attributes, and his bat isn't worth much. He will likely spend the bulk of his 2023 campaign in the minors, but he could make an impact for the Rangers if a replacement is needed. Jankowski is not on the fantasy radar in 2023.--Rephael Negnewitzky - RotoBallerSource: Texas Rangers

3 days agoThe Philadelphia Phillies and infielder Josh Harrison agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal. Harrison was one of the few remaining infielders left in free agency, and he is expected to make an impact in Philly. The 35-year-old spent his 2022 campaign with the Chicago White Sox and slashed .256/.317/.370 with a .687 OPS and 27 RBI. This was a slight drop off from 2021, when he amassed a 10 OPS+, but Harrison continues to utilize his bat despite his high age. He spent most of the season at second base but also saw considerable reps at third. The Phillies will likely platoon Harrison in the infield and hope his bat contributes. He is mainly an option in deep-league and NL-Only formats.--Rephael Negnewitzky - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman

3 days agoThe New York Yankees and second baseman Gleyber Torres avoided arbitration after agreeing to a one-year, $9.995 million deal. The two parties were initially at odds, with Torres filing at $10.2 million and the Yankees offering $9.7. The second baseman has been involved in extensive discussions to be traded at the deadline with Pablo Lopez as the centerpiece, but the Yanks continue to endorse Torres as their second baseman. The 26-year-old cranked 24 HRs while slashing .257/.310/.451 with a .761 OPS. He also amassed 114 OPS+ with a 22.6% strikeout rate. If Torres can show more consistency on the field and at the plate, he should find himself in the Yankees lineup every day despite recent reports that he could find himself on the bench more in 2023.--Rephael Negnewitzky - RotoBallerSource: New York Yankees

3 days agoAccording to New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, the Yankees will have a shortstop battle in Spring Training. Current shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa is defending his spot as the starter, but young stars such as Oswald Peraza and prodigy Anthony Volpe will be evaluated in Spring Training for a possible starting role. Kiner-Falefa slashed .261/.314/.327 in his 531 plate appearances and swiped a career-high 22 bags. Peraza was promoted late last season and retained a .832 OPS through 56 plate appearances. Volpe is yet to be promoted to the pros but is on the cusp of becoming the next Yankees shortstop if he turns some heads in Spring Training. Boone will have critical decisions regarding the Yankees shortstop vacancy, and all three players are strong contenders to win the starting position.--Rephael Negnewitzky - RotoBallerSource: Dan Martin

3 days agoNew York Yankees utility infielder DJ LeMahieu (toe) is reportedly ready for the 2023 season. According to Yankees hitting coach Don Lawson, LeMahieu is back to his old self. The 34-year-old opted not to undergo surgery on his toe and missed the Yankees' 2022 playoff campaign. Currently, LeMahieu is solely hitting off machines and coaches and is nearing live pitching. The California native slashed .261/.357/.337 across 541 plate appearances in 2022. He maintained a 13.1% strikeout rate and amassed a .734 OPS. The Yankees' playoff mishaps proved LeMahieu's value to the organization, and the lack of contact hitting was void. Despite opting not to undergo surgery on his toe during the offseason, LeMahieu is expected to be ready by the start of Spring Training.--Rephael Negnewitzky - RotoBallerSource: Dan Martin