Kyle Zimmer Designated For Assignment Amid Flurry Of Moves

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kyle Zimmer was designated for assignment Friday as the team made room for seven players on the 40-man roster. The club added pitchers Jonathan Bowlan, Collin Snider, and Nathan Webb, catcher MJ Melendez, and infielders Maikel Garcia and Nick Pratto from their own system and claimed infielder Lucius Fox from […]

Phillies Acquire Nick Nelson From Yankees

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired right-handed relief pitcher Nick Nelson and minor league catcher Donny Sands from the New York Yankees on Friday in exchange for minor league infielder T.J. Rumfield and left-hander Joel Valdez. Nelson, 25, was 0-2 with an 8.79 ERA in two starts and nine relief appearances with the Yankees last season, striking […]

Phillies Making Closer A Priority

The Philadelphia Phillies have made finding a closer a priority this offseason, and Jon Heyman of MLB Network is reporting that the club is aiming high, with Josh Hader, Kenley Jansen, and Craig Kimbrel at the top of their wish list. Of those three, only Jansen is a free agent, but the White Sox are […]

Raisel Iglesias To Reject Qualifying Offer

Free-agent relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias is expected to turn down the $18.4 million qualifying offer extended to him by the Los Angeles Angels and instead take his chances on the open market. This decision does not come as a surprise, as the 31-year-old performed very well in 2021, posting a 2.57 ERA and 0.93 WHIP […]

Yankees Sign Joely Rodriguez

The New York Yankees signed left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez to a one-year deal on Wednesday. Rodriguez spent the second half of last season with the Yankees after being acquired from the Texas Rangers as part of the Joey Gallo trade. In 46.1 innings split between Texas and New York, the 29-year-old pitched to a 4.66 […]

Rockies Re-Sign Jhoulys Chacin

The Colorado Rockies have re-signed pitcher Jhoulys Chacin to a one-year deal, according to The Gazette's Danielle Allentuck. Chacin mostly pitched as a reliever last season for Colorado, turning in a 4.34 ERA and a 4.63 FIP in 64 1/3 innings. The veteran recorded 17 holds while also registering 47 strikeouts and 28 walks. He […]

Adam Conley Now A Free Agent

Left-handed relief pitcher Adam Conley is now a free agent after clearing waivers. The Tampa Bay Rays previously designated the reliever for assignment. The 31-year-old made 17 appearances out of the bullpen for the Rays in 2021, pitching to a 2.29 ERA and a 4.08 FIP in 19.2 innings. He also struck out 16 batters […]

Mets, Phillies Talking To Aaron Loup

Free-agent pitcher Aaron Loup is in contract discussions with the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and other teams, per Jon Heyman of the MLB Network. The 33-year-old was impressive in 2021, posting a 6-0 record along with a 0.95 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a 57:16 K:BB over 56 2/3 innings with the Mets. Loup will […]

2022 Fantasy Baseball Breakout Candidates - AL West

Even with the offseason now in full swing with players receiving qualifying offers, it’s never too early to start identifying the players who’ll help your team take the title next season. Of course, impact fantasy players taken near the top of drafts are crucial for fantasy contenders. But, finding breakout candidates late in the draft […]

Tigers Outright Drew Carlton

The Detroit Tigers outrighted right-handed reliever Drew Carlton off the 40-man roster on Tuesday. The 26-year-old appeared in four games for the Tigers down the stretch, surrendering six hits, four walks, two earned runs, and a home run in 3.2 innings. He also registered a strikeout. Detroit enters the offseason with a bullpen featuring closer […]

Raisel Iglesias Receives Qualifying Offer From Angels

Los Angeles Angels closer Raisel Iglesias received a one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer from the team on Sunday. If Iglesias declines the offer and signs with another team in free agency, the Angels will receive draft-pick compensation. The 31-year-old had a career year in 2021 with 34 saves, a 2.57 ERA, 103 strikeouts and 12 […]

Martin Perez, Garrett Richards Become Free Agents

The Boston Red Sox declined their club options on right-hander Garrett Richards ($10 million) and left-hander Martin Perez ($6 million) on Sunday, making them both free agents. Both pitchers started the year in Boston's rotation but ended the season pitching in relief. Richards will receive a $1.5 million buyout, while Perez receives a $500,000 buyout. […]

Craig Kimbrel A Trade Candidate

The Chicago White Sox exercised their $16 million team option on relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel for next year, but he could be on the move with All-Star closer Liam Hendriks still in the fold as the team's ninth-inning guy. With this year's free-agent class of relievers lacking elite closing options, Kimbrel could be at a […]

Phillies Outright Odubel Herrera And Others

The Philadelphia Phillies have outrighted six players off their roster, all of whom have elected free agency. Outfielders Odubel Herrera and Travis Jankowski, infielder Ronald Torreyes, catcher Andrew Knapp, and pitchers J.D. Hammer and Ramon Rosso will all test the market. Of those names, Herrera is the most relevant to fantasy managers, as he slashed […]

Pirates Outright Seven In Flurry Of Moves

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a flurry of moves Saturday, outrighting pitchers Chase De Jong, Enyel De Los Santos, Kyle Keller, Connor Overton, Chasen Shreve, and Shea Spitzbarth as well as infielder Wilmer Difo off the 40-man roster. Shreve elected free agency. In corresponding moves, the team added Steven Brault, Blake Cederlind, Dillon Peters, Jose Soriano, […]

Dodgers Decline Option On Joe Kelly

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (biceps) will head to free agency after the team declined his option Saturday. Kelly would have made $12 million dollars on the option, and he will instead receive a $4 million dollar buyout. This decision could largely be influenced by Kelly's injury status, but recent reports suggest he […]

White Sox Exercise Craig Kimbrel's Option

As expected, the Chicago White Sox exercised their $16 million team option on relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel on Saturday, according to a source familiar with the situation. Kimbrel had a huge bounce-back season in 2021 after he had a 5.28 ERA while walking 7.0 hitters per nine innings in 18 appearances over 15 1/3 innings […]

Dusty Baker Returning To Astros In 2022

The Houston Astros announced on Friday that they signed manager Dusty Baker to a one-year contract extension for the 2022 season after he came just two wins shy of winning the World Series this year. Next season will mark the 72-year-old's 25th season as a manager in professional baseball and his third with the Astros […]

Hunter Harvey Claimed Off Waivers By Giants

The San Francisco Giants have claimed relief pitcher Hunter Harvey off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. The oft-injured right-hander was Baltimore's top pick in the 2013 draft. Harvey has appeared in 23 career major-league games, recording a 1-2 record with a 3.42 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. While Harvey was […]

Phillies Claim Ryan Sherriff Off Waivers

The Philadelphia Phillies have claimed relief pitcher Ryan Sherriff off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays. The left-handed Sherriff appeared in 16 games for the Rays in 2021, recording a 5.52 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with one save and 16 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings. Sherriff has never been a high-strikeout option in either the […]

Padres Exercise Options on Pierce Johnson, Craig Stammen

The San Diego Padres announced several roster decisions on Friday, exercising their contract options on relief pitchers Pierce Johnson and Craig Stammen and declining their contract options on outfielder Jake Marisnick and relief pitcher Keone Kela. Johnson and Stammen return to an excellent bullpen in 2022, one that may not feature Mark Melancon after the […]

Mark Melancon Heads Back To Free Agency

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Mark Melancon declined the option on his contract Friday, instead choosing to re-enter the free-agent pool. He will receive a $1 million buyout. This does not come as a surprise, as Melancon led the majors with 39 saves in 2021. He figures to do better than his $5 million option […]

Twins Decline Option On Alex Colome

The Minnesota Twins declined a 2022 option on relief pitcher Alex Colome, who will become a free agent. Colome signed on with the Twins last offseason to close, though it was a tale of two halves for the veteran, as his season got off to a disastrous start before he finished the year strong, pitching […]

White Sox Outright Brian Goodwin And Three Others

The Chicago White Sox outrighted four players off the 40-man roster Friday. Outfielder Brian Goodwin and pitchers Evan Marshall, Jimmy Cordero, and Jace Fry all cleared waivers and are now free agents. Pitcher Anderson Severino was added to the 40-man roster in a corresponding move. Among those players, only Goodwin was fantasy-relevant at any point […]

Tyler Clippard Returns To Free Agency

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Tyler Clippard is back on the open market. The 37-year-old righty will receive a buyout of $500 thousand dollars in lieu of the $3.5 million dollars he would have made had his mutual option been picked up by both sides. Clippard was injured for much of the 2021 season, but he […]

Jake Diekman Hits Open Market

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Jake Diekman will be looking for a new home in 2022, as the Athletics declined to pick up his $4 million option. They'll instead pay the left-hander a $750,000 buyout. This is a surprising move, as Diekman pitched effectively with a 3.86 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP, 83 strikeouts and seven saves […]

Andrew Chafin Declines Option, Set For Free Agency

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Andrew Chafin is set for free agency after turning down his side of a $5.25 million mutual option. He will receive a $500,000 buyout. After a very strong season in which he registered a 1.83 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP and 64 strikeouts with five saves and 22 holds across 68 2/3 […]

Dylan Lee Starting Game 4 For Atlanta

Atlanta Braves pitcher Dylan Lee will start Game 4 of the World Series against the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Lee made just four appearances for Atlanta this year. Two came in early October at the end of the regular season against the New York Mets, while the last two have come in the playoffs. […]

2021 MLB Strength of Schedule - In Depth Analysis

Strength of schedule analysis is a common thing you'll see in fantasy football analysis. With just 16 (17 now, I guess) games on the schedule every year, the list of teams on your schedule can make a big difference in your final year metrics. If you get to face the league's worst offense twice while […]

Padres Hire Bob Melvin As New Skipper

The San Diego Padres agreed to a three-year deal on Thursday for Bob Melvin to be their next skipper after they let Jayce Tingler go after a disappointing 2021 season in which the team finished 79-83 despite entering the season with World Series aspirations, according to sources. The Oakland Athletics had picked up Melvin's 2022 […]