Hitters Coming Off Career Years - American League

There’s no better story in baseball than when guys come out of nowhere and have career years whether it be at the plate or on the mound. From the up and coming youngsters to the late bloomers we see it every year. This past season there was a handful of talent that took their game […]

Adventures in Scarcity: Stolen Bases Edition

In this series of posts, I will go through a few situations in today's fantasy baseball game where resources are scarce. These are the parts of the game where the smartest and best players really excel, as they recognize the scarcity and know how to use it to their advantage. Category scoring is a zero-sum […]

Matt Carpenter Agrees With Rangers

Free-agent infielder Matt Carpenter agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers on Friday, according to a source. Carpenter had offers for a major league deal from at least one other team, but he decided to bet on himself for a chance to play at home. Carpenter lives in Fort Worth, Texas, and […]

Padres Trade For Luke Voit

The San Diego Padres are acquiring first baseman Luke Voit from the New York Yankees on Friday in exchange for minor league pitcher Justin Lang. Voit could settle into the regular designated hitter role for the Padres this year, and he should help replace some power that will be lost with superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis […]

Dominic Smith Played With Torn Labrum Last Year

New York Mets first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith (shoulder) played with a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder last season. Smith also dealt with a right wrist strain and a groin issue in 2021, but through it all, he still managed to play in 145 games. After his shoulder injury, he wasn't the same hitter […]

Freddie Freeman to Dodgers - Fantasy Baseball Impact

The Los Angeles Dodgers did not need to add a free agent hitter to go into the 2022 MLB season as the league's premier offense. They did not let that fact stop them from signing the cream of the free-agent crop Freddie Freeman to a huge six-year contract. Let's talk briefly about the fantasy impact […]

Universal DH - Biggest Fantasy Baseball Risers

The battle lines have long been drawn between baseball traditionalists (i.e. grumpy old men) and revisionists (those who realize we are in the 21st century). It appears progress has won out and both leagues will finally play under the same rules over a full season going forward. Although nothing has been officially settled in the […]

Bobby Dalbec Homers In Spring Opener

Boston Red Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Thursday's spring opener against the Minnesota Twins. It was a nice start to the spring for Dalbec who is expected to shift between second base, outfield, and first base during camp to gain some versatility. Dalbec could be a solid […]

Colin Moran Signs With Reds

The Cincinnati Reds and infielder Colin Moran have agreed to a one-year deal, according to the Cincinnati Reds. Not exactly the consolation Reds fans were hoping for after trading away Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suarez, and Sonny Gray earlier this week. Moran posted a .258/.334/.390 slash line with 10 home runs across 318 at-bats in 2021 […]

Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene Won't Be Held Back

According to Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila, the team's top two prospects, first baseman Spencer Torkelson and outfielder Riley Greene, will not be kept in the minors in order to save money for the franchise. Avila explained that the team will decide its Opening Day roster solely by determining which players help build the […]

Trey Mancini To See Work In Corner Outfield

Baltimore Orioles first baseman/designated hitter Trey Mancini will get some work in the corner outfield spots this spring, and Ryan Mountcastle will focus on first base, according to manager Brandon Hyde. With Mountcastle likely to be the team's primary first baseman, it's probable that most of Mancini's starts in 2022 will come as the DH. […]

Bobby Dalbec To See Work At 2B, Outfield

Boston Red Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec will get repetitions at second base and in the outfield this spring, according to manager Alex Cora. It will give Dalbec some more versatility in Boston, but he's still expected to see most of his time at first base in 2022 for the Red Sox. The 26-year-old finished […]

Barrels and Brls/BBE: Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball

We've previously looked at how exit velocity is only one piece of the fantasy analysis puzzle. Baseball broadcasts will commonly cite Launch Angle (LA) to complement their EV figures, but it is given in terms of degrees. LA is basically a fancy way of saying things that the fantasy community has used for years. Am […]

AL-Only Draft Sleepers for 2022 Fantasy Baseball

Baseball is back with a vengeance! MLB teams are wheeling and dealing like fantasy managers on a bender, but who is complaining? Not me. The season starts on April 7, so your fantasy draft or auction is right around the corner. I am here to help with seven sleeper options in AL-only leagues. Who is going […]

Mid-Round First Basemen - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Targets

Welcome officially to the 2022 fantasy baseball season! Now that an MLB deal is in place, a lot more fantasy drafts will be taking place – and we're here as always to guide you through it. Once you reach the middle rounds of drafts, everyone is looking to draft players with upside that can provide […]

Freddie Freeman Agrees To Six-Year Deal With Dodgers

Free-agent first baseman Freddie Freeman agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night on a six-year, $162 million deal. The Atlanta Braves are said to have offered $140 million for five years, but Freeman had been looking for at least a six-year deal all along. The 32-year-old five-time All-Star had a .300/.393/.503 […]

Dodgers Making Progress With Freddie Freeman

The Los Angeles Dodgers and free-agent first baseman Freddie Freeman are making progress on a multi-year deal on Wednesday night, according to a source. A potential deal could guarantee Freeman around $150 million. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that the left-handed slugger is expected to receive a six-year, $160 million deal. Freeman said his goodbyes […]

Daniel Vogelbach Signs One-Year Deal With Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed first baseman Daniel Vogelbach to a one-year contract. The contract includes $1 million in guaranteed money with an option for a second year. The 29-year-old spent a little over a season with the Milwaukee Brewers prior to hitting free agency this offseason. Last year, over 93 games, he slashed .219/.349/.381 […]

Matt Duffy Signs With Angels

The Los Angeles Angels have signed infielder Matt Duffy to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. The 31-year-old had a surprisingly impressive 2021 campaign with the Cubs, slashing .287/.357/.381 through 97 games and hitting quite well against southpaws. Along the way, he also posted a 7.8 […]

Kris Bryant Signs With Rockies

The Colorado Rockies are signing star third baseman Kris Bryant to a seven-year deal worth $182 million, according to ESPN.com's Jeff Passan. The pact includes a full no-trade clause for all seven seasons. Bryant, a six-time All-Star, was an MVP candidate in 2021 despite splitting the year between Chicago and San Francisco. When all was […]

Rays Being Aggressive In Freddie Freeman Talks

The Tampa Bay Rays are being aggressive in talks for free-agent first baseman Freddie Freeman, according to sources. It's hard to believe that they are one of the finalists for Freeman's services, as they are currently bidding against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. Freeman would be a huge upgrade over Ji-Man Choi […]

Incorporating a Shift Ban into Hitter Projections

With the announcement of a likely shift ban in 2023, fantasy baseball analysts ought to prepare. Many good articles have been written about the shift ban recently, with most echoing the sentiment that the leaguewide impact will be modest. Further, it is conventional wisdom that pull-heavy lefthanders would benefit the most. However, the size of […]

Red Sox Still In The Mix For Freddie Freeman

The Boston Red Sox remain very much in the mix for superstar free-agent first baseman Freddie Freeman. The New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays have fallen out of the bidding due to acquisitions of Anthony Rizzo and Matt Chapman, respectively. The Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers remain interested in […]

Where to Draft Injured Hitters in Fantasy Baseball

After a stressful few months where seemingly everybody became an expert on the economics of baseball and traded spin rate analysis for PR spin analysis, we can get back to digging into the game itself. It's wonderful news without a doubt. Except possibly for those injured players who were hoping for another few weeks of […]

Brad Miller Agrees With Rangers

Free-agent infielder Brad Miller agreed to an undisclosed deal with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night, according to a source. Miller may not have an everyday starting position with the Rangers, but he could a left-handed hitting platoon option at third base with Andy Ibanez in 2022. The 32-year-old isn't going to help any fantasy […]

Anthony Rizzo Returns To Yankees

The New York Yankees agreed to a multi-year deal to re-sign first baseman Anthony Rizzo on Tuesday night, according to a source. The deal is believed to be for two years and $32 million, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Rizzo finished last year with the Yanks after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs at […]

Jose Martinez Signs With Mexican League Squad

First baseman Jose Martinez has signed a contract with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. The 33-year-old hasn't appeared in the MLB since 2020. He signed with the New York Mets prior to the 2021 season, but tore his meniscus in Spring Training and never debuted with the team. Martinez broke into the […]

Mariners Ink Mike Ford To Minor League Deal

The Seattle Mariners signed first baseman Mike Ford to a minor league contract on Tuesday. The 29-year-old has played in 101 major league games, all for the New York Yankees. Over those 101 games, he's slashed just .199/.301/.422 with 17 home runs, 41 RBI and 41 runs. He's certainly shown power upside in the minors. […]

Max Muncy Playing First Base Tuesday

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy (elbow) is playing first base in the team's simulated game on Tuesday. Muncy suffered UCL damage in his left elbow in the final regular season game last year and wasn't able to play in the postseason. The 31-year-old avoided surgery, though, and is expected to be ready for […]

Padres Enter Bidding War For Freddie Freeman

The San Diego Padres, who had the second-largest payroll in baseball last year, have jumped into the bidding war for free-agent All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, according to a person with direct knowledge of the talks. It could be because the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers are perceived as the favorites for Freeman's services, but the […]