3 mins agoHouston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez won't pitch in this year's World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, according to new general manager Dana Brown. It makes total sense, as Valdez tossed a career-high 201 1/3 innings in the regular season in 2022, which was a big jump from his previous career-high of 134 2/3 from the 2021 campaign. The 29-year-old southpaw was one of the best pitchers in baseball, too, in a breakout season with a 17-6 record, 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), 1.16 WHIP and career-high 23.5 percent strikeout rate in 31 starts overall. RotoBaller currently has Valdez ranked as the No. 25 fantasy starter in all of baseball.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Houston Chronicle - Chandler Rome

10 mins agoAfter rehabbing from thoracic outlet surgery in the fall, Los Angeles Angels first baseman Jared Walsh (shoulder) is looking to return to his All-Star form this year and said he's been feeling great. Walsh had surgery last September, but with better health, he could bounce back in 2023 for the Angels and fantasy managers. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter slashed just .215/.269/.374 with a .642 OPS, 15 home runs, 44 RBI, 41 runs scored and two stolen bases in 118 games a year after making the All-Star team for the first time. Last year was a huge disappointment, and it's fair to wonder how much his injury affected him at the plate. Given some of the Halos' offseason acquisitions, Walsh will have to stay healthy and make much more contact in order to maintain an everyday role.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM

17 mins agoCincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Senzel (foot) is uncertain for the start of the 2023 regular season after spending most of the offseason in a walking boot. Senzel required two surgeries after fracturing a toe in his left foot in September of last year, so he hasn't really had any time this offseason to work on baseball activities. The 27-year-old former second overall pick has been a disappointment so far for the Reds in his four seasons, but he's still relatively young and could still have some good seasons in him. When healthy, he will be Cincy's starting center fielder after hitting .231/.296/.306 with five home runs in 420 plate appearances in 2022. Health remains his biggest obstacle, but Senzel is probably still worthy of a late-round flier in 2023.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Bobby Nightengale

28 mins agoLos Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno said that he wants to keep two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who will be eligible for free agency after the 2023 season. It's one of the sport's biggest upcoming storylines and should result in a record-breaking contract by likely $100 million or more. "I'd like to keep Ohtani," Moreno said. "He's a one of a kind, He's a great person. He's obviously one of the most popular baseball players in the world, and he's an international star." But with winning being Ohtani's main goal, the Japanese sensation may prefer to go elsewhere, via a trade or free agency. However, one rival estimated the Angels have a "five percent chance" to sign Ohtani long term. The Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets are all expected to be involved. Regardless of where Ohtani is playing in 2024 and beyond, he'll remain a high-end fantasy asset as both a starting pitcher and hitter.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman

39 mins agoMilwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said that left-hander Aaron Ashby (shoulder) will be behind in spring training with what the team is calling shoulder fatigue. Ashby spent three weeks on the injured last year with shoulder inflammation, so the Brewers will play it safe with him this spring. It's not exactly what you want to hear with pitchers and catchers reporting to camp very soon. The 24-year-old southpaw had a 4.44 ERA (4.06 FIP), a 1.42 WHIP, one save and 126 strikeouts in 107 1/3 innings for Milwaukee last year over 27 appearances (19 starts). Control issues and problems keeping the ball in the park have been issues for him in the past, though, but the strikeout ability makes him interesting. We'll see what happens with his shoulder situation, but there seems to be a high probability that he won't be ready for Opening Day.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy

4 hours agoThe St. Louis Cardinals have designated right-handed relief pitcher James Naile for assignment on Wednesday, per a tweet from the National League Central club's official Twitter account. The 29-year-old was designated for assignment in order to clear a 40-man roster spot for trade acquisition, and fellow reliever, Anthony Misiewicz. Naile appeared in seven games for St. Louis in 2022, striking out five batters in nine innings while surrendering eight hits, five earned runs, two walks, and a pair of home runs. He logged 44 appearances for the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate last season, pitching to a 3.31 ERA, a 3.71 FIP 64 strikeouts, 21 walks, eight holds and three saves for St. Louis' top minor league club.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Cardinals

4 hours agoThe St. Louis Cardinals acquired relief pitcher Anthony Misiewicz in a trade on Wednesday, the team announced via a tweet from their official Twitter account. Per the tweet, St. Louis sent cash considerations to the Kansas City Royals for the left-hander, who appeared in 32 games for the American League Central club last season. In those 32 games, Misiewicz pitched to a 4.34 ERA, a 4.08 FIP, 27 strikeouts, and 10 walks in 29 innings while registering a win and four holds. He'll give the Cardinals some additional bullpen depth heading into the 2023 season. As of now, St. Louis bullpen options include the likes of Giovanny Gallegos, Ryan Helsley, Chris Stratton, Jake Woodford, Andre Pallante, Jordan Hicks, Drew VerHagen, and Packy Naughton.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Cardinals

18 hours agoCincinnati Reds relief pitcher Tejay Antone (elbow) shared on Twitter Tuesday that he will not be ready to pitch at the start of the regular season. The 29-year-old missed the 2022 season recovering from Tommy John surgery but announced that he received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection for a flexor strain, saying that he would be ready for the second half of the 2023 season. Antone has only pitched 69 innings in his career but has posted a solid 2.48 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 32.3% strikeout rate. He has the stuff of a potential closer, but fantasy managers will need to see him pitch while healthy before he can even be considered.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Bobby Nightengale - Twitter.com

19 hours agoThe Toronto Blue Jays and shortstop Bo Bichette reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year deal Tuesday to avoid arbitration in 2023 and cover his three years of arbitration eligibility, per MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Details of the deal were not disclosed, but the 24-year-old can become a free agent after the 2025 season. Bichette has been a central part of the Blue Jays team and fantasy lineups, slashing .290/.333/.469 with 24 home runs, 93 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in 2022. He should continue to be one of fantasy baseball's top players for years to come.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Keegan Matheson - MLB.com

1 day agoHouston Astros new general manager Dana Brown said the team has begun contract extension talks with outfielder Kyle Tucker and his representatives. The Astros also have a potential arbitration hearing with Tucker this month, but an extension would likely wipe out his arbitration-eligible years. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger made the All-Star team for the first time in 2022, hitting .257/.330/.478 with an .808 OPS, career-high-tying 30 home runs, career-high 107 RBI, 71 runs scored and career-high 25 stolen bases in 609 plate appearances over 150 games played. He's had exactly 30 homers in each of the last two seasons while also picking up 39 stolen bases, making him one of the better young outfielders in the game. RotoBaller currently has Tucker ranked as the No. 6 overall fantasy player.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart

1 day agoThe Miami Marlins and infielder Jon Berti avoided salary arbitration on Monday night by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $2.125 million with a team option for 2024 that is worth $3.5 million. Berti led the majors in stolen bases last year with 41 while hitting .240/.324/.338 with a .662 OPS, four home runs, 28 RBI and 47 runs scored in 404 plate appearances and a career-high 102 games in his fifth major-league campaign. The 33-year-old missed around a month with groin and hip injuries, and there probably isn't more stolen base upside if he's not playing regularly, but Berti will certainly remain plenty attractive in all fantasy leagues because of his speed. He doesn't really have any pop, though, so Berti is pretty much a single-category fantasy asset.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola

1 day agoNew York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (toe) has been hitting, running and working on defense as an offseason regular at the team's player development complex, and his bat speed and swing appear to be back to pre-injury levels, according to hitting coach Dillon Lawson. "Last year with the injury, he couldn't load the way he wanted to, couldn't stay on the back side when he was getting into the way he started rotating into impact. None of that is there now. He's, at minimum, back and maybe a tick beyond that." LeMahieu missed the end of last season, including the playoffs, but the 34-year-old avoided surgery and should be fully ready for the start of the 2023 season as the Yankees' top-of-the-order spark plug.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty

1 day agoNew York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that third baseman Josh Donaldson projects to be the team's starter at third base in 2023 despite hitting .222 with 15 home runs in 2022 in his first year in the Bronx. Donaldson has one year and at least $27 million left on his deal, but the Yankees have explored trading him. Hitting coach Dillon Lawson said that the 37-year-old has been working hard to get back into top form. He saw his walk and strikeout rates go in the wrong direction last year, and his power and on-base percentage also took a dive. Health is also a question as he nears the end of his career. The three-time All-Star and former American League MVP could bounce back in 2023, but there's reason to believe that last year was the beginning of more decline.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty

1 day agoNew York Yankees shortstop Oswald Peraza made his MLB debut last September, and his transition to the big stage in the Bronx appeared seamless after he hit .306 in his first 49 major-league at-bats. The 22-year-old continues to impress this offseason, too. "He has the exit (velocities)," hitting coach Dillon Lawson said. "He has the contact and the bat-to-ball skills. For him, it's refining his plate discipline and making sure that the ball flight is good." Peraza will be competing with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and prospect Anthony Volpe for the starting shortstop job in spring training, and it's looking like Peraza is the early favorite. There's a lot to like about him (mostly speed), but fantasy managers may want to be patient, as his power in the big leagues may take some time to mature.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty

1 day agoNew York Yankees infield prospect Anthony Volpe, who received a non-roster invite to major-league spring training, has worked hard this offseason to make sure he's in midseason form when camp begins. The 21-year-old will compete for the Opening Day shortstop job, and he went to the team's player development complex in late November to get a head start. The 2019 first-rounder will be battling with Oswald Peraza and Isiah Kiner-Falefa for the job. Volpe overcame a slow start At Double-A Somerset in 2022 and finished by hitting .251 with 18 home runs and 44 steals in 110 games. He struggled a bit in 22 games at Triple-A. Volpe is a pretty good bet to make his big-league debut in 2023, and his power/speed combination at a premium position makes him a tantalizing up-and-comer.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty