Several Twins Players Test Positive For COVID-19

The Minnesota Twins were notified Thursday morning of several positive COVID-19 tests among their players. The players who tested positive were not working out at Target Field or Fort Meyers, the Twins' spring training site. This news comes just days after the MLB and the Player's Association announced plans for a 60-game season. It certainly... Read More

Marcell Ozuna, Austin Riley DH Options For Braves

Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna's range has declined in recent years, and his arm strength hasn't really returned since he had right shoulder surgery after the 2018 season. The presence of the designated hitter for National League teams this year will allow the Braves to put Ozuna's power bat in the middle of the lineup... Read More

Three NL Outfielders Set To Bust in 2020?

A good portion of busts each year are the result of freak injuries, but some players are particularly risky. Spotting those bust candidates and avoiding them early in drafts can be a difference-maker for fantasy teams.  Although a delayed and shortened season has helped some players recover from injuries and boost their fantasy values, it’s... Read More

Stephen Piscotty Should Be Ready For Season Opener

Oakland Athletics outfielder Stephen Piscotty (oblique), who was shut down from baseball activities earlier this spring, told NBC Sports Bay Area in April that he was pain-free and taking swings. Piscotty said that he was "fully confident" that he will be ready for the 2020 season opener. Fantasy owners will probably want the 29-year-old to... Read More

Seattle Mariners: Top 10 Dynasty Prospects

The Seattle Mariners will be our next stop on the farm to evaluate the best prospects on each MLB team. Once the 2020 MLB season begins, it may turn out that Minor League systems will be more important than usual. Franchises are losing money during the pandemic layoff, so many teams will be looking for... Read More

Ryan Braun's Career Could Be Extended With New DH Rule

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/first baseman Ryan Braun's career could be extended with a universal designated hitter in the National League for the shortened 2020 season and possibly in 2021 and beyond. Braun is 36 years old and is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, leading to questions in March about this potentially being his... Read More

Marlins Player, Staff Member Test Positive For COVID-19

A Miami Marlins player and a staff member at the team's Jupiter, Florida, complex have both tested positive for COVID-19. Both are asymptomatic and will certainly be isolated for the next couple of weeks. With the MLB season getting started in late July and spring training 2.0 kicking off on July 1, this is almost... Read More

Red Sox Player Tests Positive For COVID-19

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said that "one player who was exposed in his hometown, got tested, was positive but he's been asymptomatic and that's resolving. We've been fortunate that's the only other positive test we've had." The identity of the player hasn't been revealed, but Bloom said he is on the... Read More

Alex Verdugo Should Be Ready To Go

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said that outfielder Alex Verdugo (back) should be "all systems go" for spring training 2.0 and the start of the 2020 regular season in late July. Verdugo was the centerpiece of the trade that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers, and he said that... Read More

Diamondbacks Player Tests Positive For COVID-19

The Arizona Diamondbacks had a player test positive for COVID-19 in the last month in Arizona, according to general manager Mike Hazen. However, the player that tested positive wasn't using the team's spring training facilities, so it sounds as though no other players or staff members that were using the team's spring training facilities were... Read More

Multiple Mariners Test Positive For COVID-19

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that "more than one" player on the team has tested positive for COVID-19. Dipto also said that a "few" of them, not all, are showing symptoms of the virus. With spring training 2.0 set to begin next week in Seattle for the Mariners, all of their players will... Read More

Yoenis Cespedes Likely To Serve As Mets DH

The delayed start to the 2020 season makes it likely that New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (heel, ankle) will make the Mets' Opening Day roster and primarily serve as the team's designated hitter. Before spring training was suspended, Cespedes had progressed to running to first base at full speed and hitting regularly in simulated... Read More

Mitch Haniger's Status Uncertain For Spring Training 2.0

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is uncertain about outfielder Mitch Haniger's (back, groin) status for spring training 2.0 in early July. Because Haniger has had two core surgeries and a back operation since last June, his readiness for Opening Day in late July should also be in question. The 29-year-old hit .285 with 26... Read More

Michael Conforto Should Be Ready When Baseball Resumes

New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto (oblique) should be 100 percent ready to play once baseball activities resume. During the suspension of spring training, Conforto had been reportedly taking regular batting practice and team officials were encouraged by his workouts. Conforto, diagnosed with a Grade 1 right oblique strain before spring training was suspended, is... Read More

Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez Could Serve On Taxi Squad

Seattle Mariners CEO John Stanton said that he expects young prospects like outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez, catcher Cal Raleigh and pitchers Logan Gilbert and George Kirby to be on the 30-man taxi squad for the shortened 2020 season. Even this year's first-round pick, Emerson Hancock, has a shot. Kelenic and Rodriguez are one... Read More

Rockies Sign First-Rounder Zac Veen

The Colorado Rockies signed rookie outfielder Zac Veen, their first-round selection at No. 9 overall, to a $5 million bonus on Wednesday. The top-ranked high school player received over-slot value for the ninth overall pick ($4.949 million). Veen features a great left-handed swing with leverage and power. He also features a projectable 6-foot-4 frame, and... Read More

Garrett Cooper, Matt Joyce Candidates For DH Role

With the designated hitter being used in both leagues this season, Miami Marlins first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper and outfielder Matt Joyce are two candidates to be used in the role a lot. Cooper is the much more attractive fantasy commodity in deeper leagues for his ability to hit for average and modest power for the... Read More

Tigers Player Tests Positive For COVID-19

One Detroit Tigers player has tested positive for COVID-19. According to reports, the player just recently tested positive and is still in the recovery process. The name of the player has not been released. In addition, one non-baseball staff member also tested positive. There will be a new COVID-19 injury list during the shortened 2020... Read More

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo Plans To Head Back To The States

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo is planning to head back to the U.S. after going back to Japan during the coronavirus pandemic, according to general manager Erik Neander. Players that spent their down time overseas during the shutdown will now need to make their way back to the States with players expected to report... Read More

Outfielders Ready to Break Out Late

Finding value is crucial on draft day and finding just one or two players later in drafts that provide better numbers than projected can give you a significant edge on the competition as you bid for fantasy glory. All too often, we look for the new shiny object in drafts thinking they’ll come up to... Read More

Los Angeles Dodgers: Top 10 Dynasty Prospects

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be our next stop on the farm to evaluate the best prospects on each MLB team. Once the 2020 MLB season begins, it may turn out that Minor League systems will be more important than usual. Franchises are losing money during the pandemic layoff, so many teams will be looking... Read More

Charlie Blackmon, Two Other Rockies Test Positive For COVID-19

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon and pitchers Phillip Diehl and Ryan Castellani have tested positive for COVID-19 following recent workouts at Coors Field, according to major league sources. One player was showing symptoms and the other two were asymptomatic. All of the other players who were working out were also tested for the virus, but... Read More

Baseball Officially Back; 60-Game Season To Start July 23 Or 24

The Major League Baseball Players Association and the league ironed out the final details on Tuesday, allowing players to report to camps by July 1 and play a 60-game season starting on either July 23 or 24. An agreement on healthy and safety protocols, which was the final hurdle, was ironed out on Tuesday night.... Read More

MLB Teams To Open With 30-Man Rosters

Major League Baseball teams can have 30-man rosters for Opening Day in late July. Rosters will be reduced to 28 on Day 15 of the season and reduced to 26 for the rest of the year on Day 29 of the season. Teams must submit a list of up to 60 players -- entire 40-man... Read More

Players Agree To Report By July 1

The Major League Baseball Players Association has agreed to report to training camps by July 1 and play a 60-game season, according to sources. However, a deal is not yet finalized, as there is one last health-and-safety hurdle to get over amid the coronavirus pandemic. USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reports that there aren't any major... Read More

Cardinals Agree To Terms With Jordan Walker

The St. Louis Cardinals signed first-round pick Jordan Walker for $2.9 million, a bit under the slot value of $3,132,300. Walker is a high school third baseman from Georgia that was a Duke recruit, but will now join the Cardinals organization instead. Walker has huge power potential as an athletic 6-foot-5 18-year-old. He may end... Read More

Off-The-Radar MLB Prospects and Dynasty Assets

Dynasty leagues are always a lot of foresight and mental math. Are you competing this year or in the future? Are you trying to stockpile pitching assets to balance against their heightened risk or take a lot of hitters because of their relative safety? What skills project the best for you? All of these questions... Read More

Players Expected To Vote Yes On Proposals

There is a strong expectation that the Major League Baseball Players Association will vote yes on Tuesday on the league's proposed July 1 report date for spring training and codify the health-and-safety protocol to lock in a 60-game season that will start around July 24, according to sources. However, the health-and-safety issues could cause a... Read More

Owners Vote To Proceed With 2020 Season

MLB owners unanimously voted on Monday night to proceed with the 2020 season under the terms of their March 26 agreement with the Players Association after the union's executive board voted down the league's latest offer of a 60-game season with expanded playoffs. Commissioner Rob Manfred has the power to implement a schedule of his... Read More

MLB Commissioner To Implement 60-Game Season

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is scheduled to implement a 60-game season that will start on July 29, although no official announcement has been made. This comes as the Players Association rejected MLB's latest proposal of a 60-game schedule with expanded playoffs. By rejecting the league's latest offer, the players union retains the right... Read More