2018 Batting Average Risers and Fallers - What We Learned

The great thing about batting average is that it’s a great starting metric for building a strong fantasy team. It’s one of those rare stats that, when correctly targeted and prioritized, sets the foundation for a season of nearly guaranteed success. In fantasy football, it’s a good idea to acquire players who get red zone […]

Champ or Chump - Freddy Galvis and Jay Bruce

Baseball's hot stove is finally starting to heat up a bit, with names like Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole headed to new addresses in 2018. It's late in coming, but now is the time some fantasy owners begin overlooking the smaller moves to concentrate on the biggest names. Don't make that mistake. This doesn't mean that […]

Randal Grichuk "Not Thrilled" About Being a Fourth Outfielder

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Randal Grichuk is reportedly "not thrilled" with the idea of being a fourth outfielder in 2018. With the Cardinals acquiring outfielder Marcell Ozuna from the Marlins and already employing Dexter Fowler and Tommy Pham, there simply isn't room for Grichuk to have a starting role next season. The source points out that […]

Boston's Reported Offer To J.D. Martinez Not Correct

The Boston Red Sox's reported offer of five years and $100 million to free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez is "not accurate," according to his agent, Scott Boras. Martinez and Boras were said to be looking for a deal close to $200 million at the beginning of free agency, and while the free-agent market has been especially […]

Top 100: MLB Prospect Rankings for Fantasy Baseball

Prospects. For any fantasy baseball enthusiast, it's all about knowing about the prospects, rookies and call-ups. More than any other sport, baseball offers a fresh influx of rookie talent every year, both before and during the MLB season. And adding the right guy at the right time can be a league winner (see Aaron Judge and […]

Ichiro Suzuki May Return To Japan

Free-agent outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, now 44 years old, might be willing to finish his career in Japan. He hasn't had any success on the free-agent market despite 3,080 career hits. The future first-ballot Hall of Famer has had extensive talks with the Mariners and Padres, but both teams have moved on. The free-agent market for […]

Christian Yelich's Relationship With Marlins "Irretrievably Broken"

Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich's relationship with the team is "irretrievably broken," and it's in the best interests of both the outfielder and the organization if the Marlins trade him before spring training, according to his agent. Yelich was upset when the team traded outfielders Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna and second baseman Dee Gordon this […]

Top 450: Points Leagues Tiered Staff Rankings (January)

In case you haven't noticed, we've already been cranking out all sorts of 2018 fantasy baseball rankings at RotoBaller HQ. It's only mid-January but you can already find preliminary staff rankings for mixed leagues, points leagues, AL/NL only leagues, dynasty leagues, top 2018 prospects, dynasty prospects and more. Today we are here to start looking […]

Giants Continue To Talk With Lorenzo Cain

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that the San Francisco Giants "have had an active dialogue with Lorenzo Cain of late, and that’s not likely to change" despite the team acquiring outfielder Andrew McCutchen. Crasnick also notes that the Giants would prefer to play McCutchen as a corner outfielder versus in center field. The Giants have […]

Curtis Granderson Agrees With Blue Jays

Free-agent outfielder Curtis Granderson agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, according to sources. Grandy did manage to hit 26 home runs in 147 games between the Mets and Dodgers in 2017, but he posted a putrid .212/.323/.452 slash line and is no longer a regular lineup fixture. […]

Tommy Pham Working On His Speed

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tommy Pham has reportedly spent the offseason working on his speed. The outfielder's goal is to be a 30-30 player in 2018. He was successful in 25 of his 32 steal attempts last season but seems extremely motivated to reach 30 this time around. Pham is an excellent fantasy outfielder.

New Cubs Hitting Coach Chili Davis Working With Jason Heyward

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that new Chicago Cubs hitting coach Chili Davis has been working weekly with Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward in Arizona since November. Davis is known for his line-drive approach with hitters and the hope is that he can help Heyward get back to his old ways. Davis mentions how Heyward […]

Lorenzo Cain Still In Play For Giants

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the San Francisco Giants can still look into free-agent outfielder Lorenzo Cain. The Giants acquired outfielder Andrew McCutchen earlier in the day, but the Giants have been looking to add two outfielders all offseason. Cain was given a qualifying offer by the Royals. Due to this, the Giants would […]

Nationals Closing In On Deal With Howie Kendrick

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that free-agent infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick is closing in on a deal with the Washington Nationals for two years and $7 million. Kendrick came over from the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline this past season. The 34-year-old hit .315 over 91 games between Washington and Philadelphia in 2017. He’s a solid […]

#TrendingNow - Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Risers and Fallers

We are just under 30 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting! Just under 30 days from the smell of pine tar and freshly cut grass. Just under 30 days from the sounds of fastballs hitting catcher’s mitts and the crack of a wood bat. Just under 30 days until another summer full of memories. […]

Pirates More Willing To Trade Andrew McCutchen?

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington may be more receptive to trade offers for outfielder Andrew McCutchen after the team traded starting pitcher Gerrit Cole to the Astros on Saturday, according to teams that have spoken with the Pirates. The Giants remain the team most interested in trading for McCutchen as they look to boost […]

White Sox and Leury Garcia Avoid Arbitration

Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Chicago White Sox and outfielder Leury Garcia have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.175 million deal. Garcia dealt with some injuries this past season but was productive when he played. In 300 at-bats, Garcia hit .270 with nine home runs and eight stolen […]

Giants Still Hopeful To Land Andrew McCutchen

Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that members of the San Francisco Giants are hopeful that starting pitcher Gerrit Cole being dealt to the Houston Astros will clear the way for the team to acquire outfielder Andrew McCutchen. Cole being moved from the Giants is a definite sign that they are rebuilding, and McCutchen […]

Diamondbacks Avoid Arbitration With Several More Players

The Arizona Diamondbacks avoided salary arbitration with starting pitcher Robbie Ray (one year, $3.95 million), starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (one year, $4.825 million), outfielder David Peralta and infielder Chris Owings. Ray was excellent for fantasy owners in 2017 with a 15-5 record and 2.89 ERA, and he managed to strike out 218 batters in 162 […]

Fantasy Implications - Stephen Piscotty Traded to the Athletics

The trade of Stephen Piscotty to the A’s is one of the feel-good stories of the offseason, as the St. Louis Cardinals front office moved the Northern California native to the A’s so Piscotty could be closer to his ailing mother. It was a rough year both on and off the field for the former prized prospect. […]

Rule 5 Picks to Watch for Keeper Leagues

Every year the MLB Rule 4 draft, more commonly known as the First-Year Player Draft, gets a lot of attention from casual baseball fans and fantasy baseball players alike. In terms of fantasy relevance, though, the Rule 5 draft, which occurs during baseball's annual Winter Meetings, is far more impactful than the Rule 4 draft for […]

Twins, Robbie Grossman Avoid Arbitration

Minnesota Twins outfielder Robbie Grossman avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2 million deal, according to a source. Grossman's ability to draw walks and get on base frequently is his calling card as a designated hitter in Minnesota, but he doesn't carry a ton of fantasy value elsewhere with just modest power and […]

Steven Souza Jr. Avoids Arbitration

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza Jr. avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.55 million deal, according to a source. Although his batting average remained low (.239) due to inconsistent contact, Souza otherwise had a career year, hitting 30 home runs and driving in 78 runs in 148 games. Despite the lack of […]

Jackie Bradley Avoids Arbitration

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6.1 million deal, according to a source. Bradley remains one of the best defensive center fielders in the game, but his bat took a step back in 2017, mainly in the power department. His inconsistencies at the plate have led Boston […]

Rays, Corey Dickerson Avoid Arbitration

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Corey Dickerson avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.95 million deal. Dickerson made some gains against left-handed pitchers in 2017, which is encouraging, but he remains a power stick that is BABIP-dependent. However, he'll be valuable for fantasy owners across all leagues with a full-time outfield role for Tampa […]

A.J. Pollock Avoids Arbitration

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.75 million deal. Injuries remain a concern for Pollock, but he seems to have balanced his power/speed profile, and he resides in an excellent hitter's park. If his health cooperates, Pollock could return to around 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases.

Lonnie Chisenhall Avoids Arbitration

Cleveland Indians outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.587 million deal. 2017 was a lost season for Chisenhall because of various injuries, and he ended up playing in only 82 games, and when he did play, he was platooned in the outfield. However, when he was on the field, he […]

Giants Remain Interested In Andrew McCutchen

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the San Francisco Giants have remained in talks with the Pirates for outfielder Andrew McCutchen. Nightengale also notes that the Giants offered outfielder Jay Bruce a three-year deal before he signed with the Mets, but it was for $10 million less. The Giants have swung and missed on many […]

Giants Still Searching For Outfield Help, Likely To Avoid Giving Up Draft Pick

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports suggests that the San Francisco Giants have targeted free-agent outfielder Lorenzo Cain. The Giants have knowingly been targeting outfielders all offseason. They missed out on trading for Marlins outfielders Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton. They’ve been linked to Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, but nothing has gained traction. Cain, 31, would […]

Jay Bruce Returns To Mets On Three-Year Deal

Jerry Cransick of ESPN.com reports that free-agent outfielder Jay Bruce has agreed to a three-year deal worth $39 million with the New York Mets. Bruce was acquired in 2016 at the trade deadline by the Mets and flipped by the Mets to the Indians during the 2017 trade deadline. In 153 games as a Met, he hit .245 […]