Felipe Vazquez Facing New Sex-Related Charges

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez is facing 21 new charges after investigators found evidence of child pornography on devices they say he owned. The charges include 10 counts of child pornography, 10 counts of unlawful contact with a minor and a single charge of corruption of minors. The left-hander was already charged with having sexual... Read More

Edinson Volquez Wants To Keep Playing

The Texas Rangers and pitcher Edinson Volquez are working on a deal now that Volquez has changed his mind on retiring. Volquez made 11 appearances (four starts) for Texas last year and was not effective, posting a 6.75 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 5.6 K/9 in his 16 innings. It's unlikely that he's making starts in... Read More

Braves Still Planning To Use Mark Melancon As Closer

The Atlanta Braves are still planning on using relief pitcher Mark Melancon as the closer to start next season, even after signing Will Smith on Thursday. Melancon, who also pitched for the Giants last year before coming over to Atlanta, had a 3.86 ERA and 11 saves in his 23 appearances for the Braves. He... Read More

Braves Sign Will Smith

The Atlanta Braves have signed left-handed relief pitcher Will Smith, formerly of the San Francisco Giants, to a three-year contract worth $39 million. The deal includes a club option for 2023 worth $13 million. Smith recorded 34 saves for the Giants last season along with a 2.76 ERA and 96:21 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 65 1/3... Read More

Cubs Moving On From Brandon Morrow

The Chicago Cubs declined the 2020 option on relief pitcher Brandon Morrow (elbow) on Monday, making him a free agent. Relief pitchers Tony Barnette and Kendall Graveman also had their options declined. Morrow pitched only half of the 2018 season before landing on the injured list with right biceps inflammation, and he didn't pitch at... Read More

Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo Could Enter Rotation

New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said that relief pitchers Robert Gsellman and/or Seth Lugo could be shifted to starting roles in 2020 with Zack Wheeler potentially moving on in free agency. Lugo and Gsellman have both been more effective in relief, but both could be effective streamers in the right matchups in... Read More

Aroldis Chapman Reaches Extension With Yankees

The New York Yankees and closer Aroldis Chapman agreed to a restructured deal on Saturday that will keep the left-hander with the team through the 2022 season, according to sources. The 31-year-old could have opted out of the final two years of his deal, but instead the Yanks will add another year for $18 million... Read More

Nats Pick Up Options On Sean Doolittle, Adam Eaton

The Washington Nationals picked up their 2020 options on closer Sean Doolittle ($6.5 million) and outfielder Adam Eaton ($9.5 million). Doolittle had a down year in 2019 and struggled with injuries, posting a 4.05 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 29 saves and 66 K's in 60 innings. The left-hander shared closing duties with Daniel Hudson late in... Read More

Cubs Pick Up Jose Quintana's Option, Decline Derek Holland's

The Chicago Cubs picked up starting pitcher Jose Quintana's 2020 option on Saturday and declined pitcher Derek Holland's, making him a free agent. Quintana was 13-9 in 2019 but with a 4.68 ERA in 32 outings. He's gone 33-23 with a 4.23 ERA in 78 outings for the Cubs since being acquired from the White... Read More

Mets Hire Carlos Beltran As Manager

The New York Mets hired former All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran as their new manager on Friday. He'll receive a three-year deal with an option for a fourth season. The nine-time All-Star played for New York from 2005 to 2011, but this will be his first gig as a manager in the big leagues. Beltran spent... Read More

Aroldis Chapman Will Pursue Contract Extension

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman wants to stay with the team and will pursue a contract extension. However, if an extension isn't reached quickly, he will opt out of the $30 million and two years left on his contract. The Yankees will likely extend Chapman sooner than later. He's one of the best closers... Read More

Wilmer Flores Hits The Open Market

The Arizona Diamondbacks declined their team option on infielder Wilmer Flores and pitcher T.J. McFarland on Thursday, making them both free agents. Flores played in just 89 games for the Snakes in 2019 because of injury, but he was solid when on the field, hitting .317/.361/.487 with nine home runs and 37 RBI in 265... Read More

Royals Name Mike Matheny As Manager

The Kansas City Royals hired Mike Matheny as their next manager on Thursday. Matheny, 49, went 591-474 with the Cardinals from 2012-18 and was the first manager to reach the playoffs in his first four seasons. St. Louis lost to the Red Sox in the 2013 World Series. He was hired by the Royals as... Read More

Top 30 Impact Prospects for 2020 Redraft Leagues

The off-season prospects coverage kicked off recently at Rotoballer with the Top 30 Dynasty Prospects list. This week, we’re taking our first stab at projecting the top impact prospects for 2020 redraft leagues. Looking ahead, the 2020 wave of MLB rookies should be much more pitching heavy than it was last year as numerous key... Read More

Phillies Hire Joe Girardi As Manager

The Philadelphia Phillies hired Joe Girardi as their new manager on Thursday, according to a source. Girardi is replacing Gabe Kapler, who was fired after just two seasons and a middling record in Philly. The Phillies signed Bryce Harper last offseason but missed the playoffs and went 81-81 for fourth place in the National League... Read More

Cubs Hiring David Ross As Manager

The Chicago Cubs are hiring David Ross as their next manager on Wednesday, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. An official announcement is expected to come on Thursday. The 42-year-old former catcher played under former manager, Joe Maddon, in 2015 and 2016 and helped the Cubbies win the World Series. Ross has no... Read More

Angels Hire Joe Maddon As Manager

The Los Angeles Angels hired Joe Maddon as their next manager on Wednesday. This was the expected outcome after the Cubs fired Maddon and the Angels let go of Brad Ausmus after just one year. Maddon has over 30 years of experience in the Angels organization and has 16 years of managerial experience between the... Read More

Game 4 Of ALCS Postponed Wednesday

Game 4 of the American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees has been postponed on Wednesday due to inclement weather. The postponement should allow both Game 1 starters -- Zack Greinke for the Astros and Masahiro Tanaka for the Yankees -- to go on regular rest in Game 4 on... Read More

Daniel Hudson Placed On Paternity List

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Daniel Hudson was placed on the postseason paternity list on Friday. As a result, Wander Suero will be on the team's roster to start the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals. Hudson could miss anywhere from one to three games in this series. The right-hander had been serving as the... Read More

Dave Roberts To Return In 2020

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will return next season following the team's early exit in the National League Division Series to the Nationals, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. The 47-year-old has three years remaining on his deal but has made questionable decisions in the postseason the last two years. Roberts... Read More

Phillies Dismiss Gabe Kapler As Manager

The Philadelphia Phillies dismissed manager Gabe Kapler from his post on Thursday. In his two years as the skipper of the Phils, Kapler led the team to a mediocre 161-163 record. The Phillies went 81-81 this year and disappointed by not making the postseason after splurging for superstar outfielder Bryce Harper last offseason. There will... Read More

Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton Are Fine

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that closer Aroldis Chapman (hand) "is fine" after getting hit on the hand during the celebration after beating the Twins in the American League Division Series. Boone also said that reliever pitcher Zack Britton (ankle) could pitch on Wednesday if needed. The Yankees will have both lefties at... Read More

Ryan Yarbrough Goes Two Shutout Innings in Relief

Yarbrough relieved Diego Castillo after just 1.2 innings and went through the order once. He gave up two hits and was pretty lucky with Jose Altuve being thrown out trying to get home on the Alvarez double. Nick Anderson, who has been phenomenal this season, has taken over and will likely get two innings as... Read More

Aroldis Chapman Finishes Off Twins

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman pitched 1 2/3 innings to sweep the Twins and catapult the Yankees into the ALCS. Chapman struck out three batters in his second appearance in the series. The Yankees offense has been impressive through one round but Chapman anchors a nasty bullpen. Chapman finished his regular season strong, striking... Read More

Cardinals Bullpen Comes Up Huge in Game 4

After Dakota Hudson and poor fielding allowed four runs through the first four innings, the Cardinals bullpen came in and shut down the remaining 5.1 innings, allowing just three hits and striking out eight. They gave the Cardinals a chance to come back and we’re now headed to a game 5 in Atlanta.

2019 Fantasy Baseball Season Review - RotoBaller Staff Picks

Playoff fever is in full effect but sadly, the fantasy baseball season has come to an end. We're not ready to let go just yet, so the RotoBaller staff decided to look back at the 2019 season from a fantasy perspective in order to dole out awards for top sleeper, bust, and of course, MVP.... Read More

Mark Melancon Saves 3-0 Win Over the Cardinals

It looked like the Cardinals had something going in the ninth with Paul Goldschmidt and Marcell Ozuna on first and second with just one out. Mark Melancon then decided to go into shutdown mode, striking out Yadier Molina and Kolten Wong to give the Braves the win. It closed off a shutout for the Braves,... Read More

Daniel Hudson Picks Up the Save In Series-Tying Game Two Win

It wasn’t a stress-free ninth-inning, as the game ended with the bases loaded and Corey Seager whiffing at a ball out of the strike zone. Hudson gave up a double to Justin Turner to open the inning, before striking out A.J. Pollock and getting Cody Bellinger to pop out. Max Muncy was then intentionally walked,... Read More

Julio Teheran Replacing Chris Martin On NLDS Roster

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran will replace reliever Chris Martin, who strained his oblique on Thursday, on the team's National League Division Series roster against the Cardinals. It's a blow to the back end of Atlanta's bullpen after Mark Melancon blew the game against St. Louis in Game 1. Max Fried will now be... Read More

Chris Martin Expected To Miss Rest Of Playoffs

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Chris Martin (oblique) is expected to miss the rest of the postseason after suffering an oblique injury in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Cardinals on Thursday. Atlanta can replace Martin on the roster, but it's unclear who the replacement will be. It's a big loss for... Read More