Ryan Braun Not Expected To Play Much First Base

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun isn't expected to see much time at first base this year after the trades of Domingo Santana and Keon Broxton this offseason, according to manager Craig Counsell. The 35-year-old still squares the ball up regularly and hit .254/.313/.469 with 20 home runs, 64 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 405 […]

Bradley Zimmer Looking Good In Rehab

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona had good things to say about outfielder Bradley Zimmer's (shoulder) rehab. "I’d be comfortable saying he is kind of knocking it out of the park. He’s really gotten after it. He’s doing really well. He’s coming quick. He has a ways to go, but he’s done a terrific job," Francona […]

Yoenis Cespedes Expected To Do Baseball Activities Next Week

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (heels), who is almost four months removed from the second of two surgeries to remove calcification and bone spurs from both of his heels, is expected to begin baseball activities next week. He is confident he will return to play this year, but he's unsure if it'll be in […]

Jeff McNeil To See Most Of His Time In Left Field

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said second baseman/outfielder Jeff McNeil will see the bulk of his repetitions in left field this year and won't see much time -- if any -- in center. The Mets regular outfield against right-handed pitchers will be McNeil in left, Brandon Nimmo in center and Michael Conforto in right. […]

Mallex Smith Dealing With Sore Elbow

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mallex Smith is dealing with a sore right elbow and won't be taking part in defensive drills during the first team workouts in camp. Smith should be fine for the start of the regular season and earned a starting job after hitting .296/.367/.406 with two home runs, 40 RBI, 65 runs scored […]

Steven Duggar Likely To Hit At Top Of Order

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy said that he would like to have outfielder Steven Duggar in one of the top two spots in the lineup. He also doesn't have any restrictions this spring after having shoulder surgery. The 25-year-old should play regularly in San Fran's weak outfield after hitting .255/.303/.390 with two home runs, […]

ADP Cost Analysis - Mitch Haniger vs. Michael Brantley

The exciting young gun versus the proven veteran. A sports debate older than fantasy baseball itself, and a decision we’re faced with at every draft pick. That’s why we’re comparing the young gun (Mitch Haniger) to the proven veteran (Michael Brantley), two outfielders within the same sub-elite yet startable tier that owners must decide between […]

Twins Reach Extensions With Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler

The Minnesota Twins reached long-term contract extensions with shortstop Jorge Polanco and outfielder Max Kepler on Thursday. Polanco will receive a seven-year deal that guarantees him $25.75 million through the 2023 season. It also includes two team options for 2024 and 2025. Kepler's contract is for five seasons and $35 million with a sixth-year option […]

Ian Desmond To Be Primary Center Fielder

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black said that outfielder Ian Desmond will be the team's primary center fielder this year while also seeing occasional time in left field. It's part of Colorado's plan to move Charlie Blackmon to a corner outfield spot to take some stress off his body in spacious Coors Field. Desmond's fantasy stock […]

ADP Cost Analysis - David Dahl vs Yasiel Puig

Young, exciting, five-tool ballplayers: that is what you have when considering Yasiel Puig and David Dahl. Both have their warts in the past (Dahl's health and Puig's temperament), but each are great assets leading into 2019. Dahl is going about three rounds higher in NFBC leagues at around pick 67, while Puig is going at […]

Undervalued Draft Targets - Staff Rankings vs. ADP

Here at RotoBaller, we've been producing fantasy baseball analysis all offseason. As part of that, our awesome MLB team has written up detailed 2019 fantasy baseball outlooks for 400+ players. These player outlooks include RotoBaller's analysis on how we expect a player to perform in 2019, where to target them in 2019 drafts, and supporting […]

Pirates Cautiously Optimistic About Gregory Polanco

The Pittsburgh Pirates are "cautiously optimistic" about outfielder Gregory Polanco's (shoulder) progress, according to general manager Neal Huntington. Polanco is in the early stages of his throwing program after having surgery on his left shoulder and is "uninhibited" when it comes to swinging. The 27-year-old won't be ready for the start of the season, which […]

Franmil Reyes Fully Cleared For Workouts

San Diego Padres outfielder Franmil Reyes (knee) has recovered from offseason surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee and has been fully cleared for workouts, but the Padres might take it slow with the 23-year-old this spring. "Coming back from a knee injury, we might hold him out of some running drills early," […]

Teoscar Hernandez, Billy McKinney Battling For Starting Spot

Toronto Blue Jays outfielders Teoscar Hernandez and Billy McKinney are battling for the starting job in left field this spring. The two could wind up platooning at the position as well. Hernandez has far more power in his bat, while McKinney offers better defense and contact at the plate. McKinney also hits left-handed, so he […]

Joc Pederson, Alex Verdugo Fighting For Playing Time In Left Field

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielders Joc Pederson and Alex Verdugo will fight for playing time in left field this spring. Both are left-handed hitters and both could see considerable playing time with manager Dave Roberts' penchant for moving his lineup around often. It makes it hard to predict their production if they'll be splitting time and […]

Jacoby Ellsbury Won't Join Team Until March

New York Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (hip, foot) isn't expected to join the team in spring training until March after having issues with plantar fasciitis while rehabbing from hip surgery, according to manager Aaron Boone. The 35-year-old just cannot stay healthy as he ages. Ellsbury didn't play at all in 2018 and played in only […]

A's Signing Robbie Grossman

The Oakland Athletics are signing free-agent outfielder Robbie Grossman to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to a source. Grossman hit .273/.367/.384 with five home runs and 48 RBI in his final season with the Twins last year in 129 games. At best, the switch-hitter figures to be in a platoon role in Oakland's […]

ADP Cost Analysis - Eddie Rosario vs. Aaron Hicks

After years of struggles at the plate early in their careers, Eddie Rosario and Aaron Hicks both figured something out in 2017, which they were able to transfer to 2018. Rosario hit .288/.323/.479 last year with 24 home runs, 77 RBI, eight steals, and 87 runs scored. Meanwhile, Hicks hit .248/.366/.467 with 27 home runs, […]

Gerardo Parra Lands With Giants

The San Francisco Giants signed free-agent outfielder Gerardo Parra to a minor league deal on Tuesday, according to sources. Parra, 32 in May, hit .284/.342/.372 with six home runs, 53 RBI and 11 stolen bases as a platoon player in his final season in Colorado in 142 games. He makes decent contact and can hit […]

Bryce Harper Down To Giants And Phillies?

USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale thinks it's a two-team race between the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies for free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper. The Dodgers and Nationals are "definitely out of it." The Giants don't want to do a long-term deal with Harper, but they're likely willing to give him five or six years at around […]

Bryce Harper Won't Consider Short-Term Offers

Free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper will not consider or sign a short-term deal this offseason. The Giants may have offered Harper a lucrative short-term deal of late, but he's not expected to consider it. Harper probably wouldn't mind playing closer to his west coast home in Las Vegas, although San Francisco's home park isn't the greatest […]

After Hours With RotoBaller Radio: Fantasy Baseball First Base Preview

Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller Radio discuss the 2019 fantasy baseball season and gets you warmed up for the MLB preseason. Be sure to tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87) - Monday through Friday from 6-7 am ET. You can also find new weekly shows on BlogTalkRadio live or on demand, SoundCloud and on iTunes under RotoBaller […]

Jeff McNeil Could Play Outfield Against Righties

New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said that infielder Jeff McNeil's focus this spring will be "a transition to the outfield because we think we can be a lethal lineup with a McNeil, Conforto, Nimmo outfield against right-handed pitching." McNeil was never a big prospect for the Mets through the minors, but the […]

Willie Calhoun Has Chance To Earn Spot

Texas Rangers infielder/outfielder Willie Calhoun has a real shot to earn an Opening Day roster spot if he proves himself in spring training. "I’d mention Willie Calhoun as a guy that we’re definitely excited to see how it’s going to play out," general manager Jon Daniels said. "I’ve seen the work that he’s put in. […]

Melky Cabrera Agrees With Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to a minor league deal with free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera on Sunday, according to sources. The 34-year-old outfielder should have a decent shot at making the Opening Day roster in Pittsburgh, especially with right fielder Gregory Polanco not expected to be ready. Cabrera hit .280/.335/.420 with six home runs and 39 […]

Giants Plan To Make Short-Term Offer To Bryce Harper

The San Francisco Giants plan to offer free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper a lucrative short-term deal but have no desire to give him a long-term contract approaching the 10-year, $300 million contract that the superstar rejected from the Nationals last year. One high-ranking rival executive predicts that the Giants will ultimately sign Harper. The Giants hadn't […]

Brian Anderson To Be Starter At Third

Miami Marlins third baseman Brian Anderson is set to serve as the team's starting third baseman in 2019, according to manager Don Mattingly. Anderson was a bright spot last season and played 91 games in right field and 71 games at the hot corner, hitting .273 with 11 home runs and 65 RBI to finish […]

RotoBaller's Weekend Warrior Show: American League West Preview

Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller Radio discusses the 2019 fantasy baseball season and gets you warmed up for the MLB preseason. Be sure to tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87) - Monday through Friday from 6-7 am ET. You can also find new weekly shows on BlogTalkRadio live or on demand, SoundCloud and on iTunes under RotoBaller […]

Christin Stewart - Are We Undervaluing This Powerful Prospect?

There’s an undeniable sense of pride that we get as fantasy managers from rostering that brand new stud or breakout star. Owning these tantalizing players makes up for those busts on your squad that you wish you had never even heard of before the season started. Drafting one of these letdowns is an ongoing headache […]

Steven Duggar, Mac Williamson In Good Shape Entering Spring

San Francisco Giants outfielders Steven Duggar (shoulder) and Mac Williamson (concussion) appear to be just fine heading into spring training after ending last season with injuries. Duggar had surgery in September to repair a dislocated left shoulder, and he said recently that he ramped up his hitting beyond 75 percent, and is also throwing without […]