Five Infielders To Target In 2024 Fantasy Baseball OBP Leagues

Many rotisserie or category fantasy baseball scoring formats have switched out batting average (AVG) for on-base percentage (OBP) or have simply included it as an additional category. While on the surface, it may not significantly affect your pre-draft ranking, several players should be moved a bit higher up your board. If you are new to […]

What Does A Return Season Look Like For Rhys Hoskins? Fantasy Baseball Outlook

It was a tough scene in 2023 spring training when Rhys Hoskins collapsed to the ground attempting to backpedal on a difficult fly ball behind first base in foul territory. Right away, the sight reeked of a blown ACL. That was indeed the case as not only did the injury end his 2023 season before […]

Reds Don't Plan On Re-Signing Joey Votto

Cincinnati Reds general manager Nick Krall told season-ticket holders that the team doesn't plan to re-sign long-time first baseman Joey Votto this offseason. "We don't plan to bring him back as of now," Krall said. This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, considering the Reds have the most infield depth of any team in […]

Angels Designate Alfonso Rivas For Assignment

The Los Angeles Angels have designated first baseman/outfielder Alfonso Rivas for assignment. The move was made after the Angels made the signing of reliever Robert Stephenson official on Wednesday. Unfortunately, it's been a busy offseason transaction-wise for Rivas as he was cut loose but the Pirates following the 2023 season before being picked up by […]

Trey Mancini Inks Minors Deal With Marlins

Free-agent first baseman Trey Mancini has signed a minor-league deal with the Miami Marlins that includes an invite to major-league spring training. The veteran was designated for assignment by the Cubs in early August and while he briefly latched on with the Reds, the club released him by the end of August. While the 31-year-old […]

Brewers, Rhys Hoskins Reportedly Finalizing Two-Year Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers are finalizing a two-year, $34 million deal with free-agent first baseman Rhys Hoskins, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Tuesday. The Brewers have not confirmed the deal, and another source told MLB.com that the sides were still working on final details. If completed, the Brewers would fill their gap of a […]

Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, Joe Mauer Elected To Hall Of Fame

Third baseman Adrian Beltre, catcher Joe Mauer and power-hitting first baseman Todd Helton were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday, with both Beltre and Mauer getting in on their first ballot. Helton was elected on his sixth try. Beltre had 95.1% of the votes, Helton at 79.7%, and Mauer at 76.1%. […]

Miguel Sano Agrees To Join Angels

Free-agent corner infielder/designated hitter Miguel Sano and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training on Tuesday, according to sources. Sano is currently playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic after not playing last summer. The Halos are taking a low-cost flier on a 30-year-old right-handed power bat […]

Nationals, Joey Gallo Agree To One-Year Deal

The Washington Nationals and free-agent left-handed slugger Joey Gallo agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal on Tuesday, according to multiple sources familiar with the deal. The contract is pending a physical and includes an additional $1 million in performance bonuses. Gallo hit just .177 (50-for-282) with 142 strikeouts in 111 games with the Minnesota […]

Brewers Could Make Upside Play For Rhys Hoskins

Rather than re-signing first baseman Carlos Santana, who turns 38 years old on April 8, the Milwaukee Brewers might be inclined to make an upside play for free-agent first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who has a career OPS 25 percent above league average and likely wants to re-establish himself on a short-term "pillow" contract after missing […]

Justin Foscue Working At Third And First Base

Texas Rangers infielder Justin Foscue, who is ranked as the team's No. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline, is in a prime position to break camp with the big-league club in 2024 and has been focused on playing both third and first base this offseason. The 24-year-old is a natural second baseman and could contribute at […]

Orioles Acquire Tyler Nevin From Tigers

The Baltimore Orioles acquired infielder Tyler Nevin on Monday from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations. Nevin made his major-league debut with the Orioles in 2021 and also played for them in 2022, hitting a combined .205 (35-for-171) with three home runs and 19 RBI in 64 games played. The 26-year-old corner infielder […]

Kyle Manzardo Invited To Spring Training

Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Kyle Manzardo, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was one of 12 non-roster invitations to major-league spring training. Right-hander Tanner Burns (No. 20) and outfielder Petey Halpin (No. 21) are the others being invited to spring training that are among the team's top prospects heading into the 2024 […]

Fantasy Baseball Top 100 Prospects for 2024 First-Year Player Drafts (January 2024 Update)

A number of the top international players that are being posted this offseason have signed, with a few more yet to come. Rankings for players have adjusted, some due to their destination, and a few MLB draft prospects are moving due to some additional viewing of tape and underlying metrics on those players. Otherwise, there […]

Matt Carpenter Reuniting With Cardinals

Free-agent designated hitter Matt Carpenter has agreed to a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday that is worth $740,000, according to a source. The Atlanta Braves will be responsible for the remainder of his $5.5 million guarantee. The 38-year-old Carpenter was originally drafted by the Cardinals in the 13th round in 2009 […]

Cubs Unlikely To Trade Christopher Morel

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said that the team isn't trying to trade utility player Christopher Morel this offseason. And as far as where Morel will play in 2024, they view him as a game-changing hitter whom the Cubs want to keep in their lineup, whether he's playing one spot or moving […]

Brewers Considering Garrett Cooper

The Milwaukee Brewers have considered a reunion with first baseman Carlos Santana but have also considered free-agent first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper, according to sources. The 33-year-old right-handed-hitting veteran was originally drafted by Milwaukee in the sixth round in 2013 and is coming off a season with the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres in which […]

Anthony Rizzo Cleared From Concussion

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that first baseman Anthony Rizzo (concussion) is currently cleared from the concussion he suffered last year and that doctors aren't concerned about symptoms returning. Rizzo was probably fine to play in games at the end of the regular season, but the Yankees weren't going to put him […]

Tigers Claim Devin Sweet, Designate Tyler Nevin For Assignment

The Detroit Tigers have claimed right-hander Devin Sweet off waivers from the San Francisco Giants and subsequently designated infielder Tyler Nevin for assignment. Sweet, 27, made his big-league debut with the Mariners and A's in the 2023 season, allowing 10 earned runs on 10 hits and six walks against six strikeouts across just 8 2/3 […]

Yankees Signs Jose Rojas To Minor-League Pact

The New York Yankees have signed utility player Jose Rojas to a minor-league deal. The 30-year-old spent the 2023 season playing for the KBO's Doosan Bears and did well to hit .253 with 19 home runs, 65 RBI, and an .819 OPS across 464 trips to the plate. He also recently spent 13 games playing […]

Plate Discipline: Using Sabermetrics for 2024 Fantasy Baseball

No matter how high a particular player's BABIP may be, his average will be mediocre at best if he strikes out too much. This is why fantasy managers have known for years that players like Joey Gallo are potential drains on a fantasy team's batting average. Furthermore, players who whiff a lot tend to continue […]

Vinesh Kanthan Announced As Marlins' Director Of Baseball Operations

The Miami Marlins officially announced Vinesh Kanthan as the team's director of baseball operations Tuesday. Kanthan spent the past five seasons with the Texas Rangers, most recently as assistant director of baseball operations for the reigning World Series champions. He also held roles in sports science and analytics during his tenure. Kanthan was previously in […]

Dusty Baker To Join Giants As Special Assistant

Former Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is expected to join the San Francisco Giants as a special assistant to the front office, per MLB.com's Maria Guardado. The 74-year-old, who managed the Giants from 1993 through 2002, also served as a special adviser to CEO Larry Baer from 2018-19. His storied playing and managing career will […]

Christopher Morel Likely To Serve In Super-Utility Role

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell and general manager Carter Hawkins said on Saturday that outfielder Christopher Morel will likely be used in a super-utility role again in 2024 rather than focusing on just one position. Morel has been working some at first base this winter and he's played every position but first base and catcher […]

Hitter Batted Ball Distribution: Using Sabermetrics for 2024 Fantasy Baseball

Fly balls can turn into home runs. Ground balls never do. It would seem as though fantasy baseball managers want their batters to hit nothing but flies, yet this is not always the case. Why would this be? The answer, of course, comes down to batted ball distribution. The league average batted ball distribution in […]

Fantasy Baseball Prospect Outlooks for Michael Busch, Yency Almonte, Jackson Ferris, Zyhir Hope - MLB Trade Analysis

The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers hooked up on Thursday, January 11 for a trade that will have an immediate impact in all fantasy baseball leagues, but the deal could have tentacles that reach out for quite some time due to the players that were involved. The interesting part of this was two teams […]

Paul Goldschmidt Extension Talks Will Wait Until Start Of Season

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming season, will need to wait until the start of the 2024 season for potential extension talks to begin. In regards to an extension for Goldschmidt, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told reporters on Saturday"I think right now, […]

Michael Busch Expected To Play First Base In Chicago

The Chicago Cubs acquired infielder Michael Busch and reliever Yency Almonte earlier this week from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for lefty Jackson Ferris and outfielder Zyhir Hope. The Athletic's Keith Law thinks Busch is a natural first baseman and will almost certainly play there for the Cubs. He also has experience at second […]

Joey Votto Says He's Made "Major Improvements"

Free-agent first baseman Joey Votto said he's feeling better physically than he has in years after two months of rehab and strength training since the end of the 2023 season and believes that will be seen on the field, saying he's made "major improvements." Votto hasn't really gotten any bites in his first foray into […]

Braves Agree To Multi-Year Extension With Alex Anthopoulos

The Atlanta Braves agreed to a multi-year contract extension with president of baseball operations and general manager Alex Anthopoulos on Friday that will keep him with the team through the 2031 season. Anthopoulos was promoted to his current role in February of 2020 after joining the Braves as an executive vice president and GM in […]