Edwin Diaz Preparing For Closer Role

On Tuesday, New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz stated that his preparation and mindset for the 2021 season is to be the team's closer. After a shaky 2019, Diaz put together an incredible 2020 campaign. While his overall 2020 save total of six was low, and he did lose the role for a brief […]

RotoBaller Mock Draft Review - Biggest Draft Value Picks

Welcome back RotoBallers! Today we're looking at some of the best value picks from our recent RotoBaller staff mock draft. You can also read about everyone's biggest draft reaches and regrets. As we steamroll into fantasy baseball draft season, the team here at RotoBaller continues to practice what we preach by partaking in mock drafts. […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook - February 23rd

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. I began this column a year ago, and made it about four or five articles in when Major League Baseball decided to shut things down, just like everything else around the globe, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We've at least made it through the first […]

Roster Construction Strategies from the Middle

Drafting a great roster is the vital base for a successful fantasy baseball season. In order to do that, you'll need to find an optimal draft position. All draft spots are not created equal. Finding the right spot for you is your first task. Everyone has their own preference on the best spot to start […]

Tyler Clippard Agrees With Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed free-agent relief pitcher Tyler Clippard to a one-year, $2.25 million deal on Monday night, according to multiple reports. The deal includes $1.75 million this year and a $3.5 million mutual option for the 2022 season with a $500,000 buyout. The 36-year-old right-hander is a two-time All-Star and has made 777 appearances […]

Tyler Clippard Nearing Deal With Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are closing in on completing a one-year deal with free-agent reliever Tyler Clippard, reports Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Clippard is the second reliever with closing experience the Diamondbacks have signed in February after bringing in Joakim Soria earlier this month. Clippard has not been as effective on the mound in […]

Jose Castillo Finally Ready To Contribute Again

San Diego Padres reliever Jose Castillo appears ready to finally contribute again this season. After a stellar 2018 where he posted a 3.29 ERA and electric 12.2 K/9, Castillo has pitched only 2/3 innings in two seasons dealing with myriad arm injuries. Still just 25 years old, the Friars believe he's a "full-go" in spring […]

Jeremy Jeffress Lands With Nationals

The Washington Nationals agreed to a minor league deal with free-agent relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress on Monday that includes an invite to spring training, according to a source. Jeffress would earn $1.25 million with another potential $1.25 million in performance bonuses if he makes the team's big-league roster. The 33-year-old right-hander spent the 2020 season […]

Ian Kennedy Signs With Rangers

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent right-handed pitcher Ian Kennedy to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training on Monday. The 36-year-old veteran of 14 years in the major leagues is coming off a 2020 season with the Kansas City Royals in which he allowed 14 earned runs (seven home runs) in just […]

Top 250 Dynasty Prospects Rankings (Part 3)

Welcome back RotoBallers to Part 3 of my dynasty prospects list, breaking down the 1-50 ranked prospects. You can also read Part 1 and Part 2 from a few days ago, looking at the 51-150 and 151-250 ranked prospects. RotoBaller's Top 250 Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Prospects list is back and refreshed for the 2021 season. Baseball has […]

RotoBaller Mock Draft Review - Biggest Reaches and Regrets

As we steamroll into fantasy baseball draft season, the team here at RotoBaller continues to practice what we preach by partaking in mock drafts. It's the best way to test out plans, gather information to have a better idea of what to expect for the real thing and try out new ideas you've been working […]

Bryan Abreu, Andre Scrubb Earn Early Praise

Houston Astros pitchers Bryan Abreu and Andre Scrubb have earned early praise from pitching coach Brent Strom in spring training. Abreu made the roster for the American League Championship Series in 2019 but showed up out of shape last year and didn't pitch well. Scrubb took advantage of his opportunity in the shortened 2020 season […]

Ryan Pressly The Leading Candidate To Close

It appears that the closer role this year is Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly's to lose after he converted 12 of 16 save chances last year when Roberto Osuna was injured and lost for the season, according to pitching coach Brent Strom. Pressly was an All-Star setup man in 2019 and converted 11 of […]

First Base Preview: Fantasy Baseball 2021 ADP Analysis

Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller discusses 2021 fantasy baseball first base rankings and 1B draft sleepers who can be sneaky later-round picks. He breaks down and compares the ADPs of three different MLB players at the first base position. Fantasy players should consider picking up these players for their drafts this MLB Season. Be sure to […]

Giants, Shun Yamaguchi Agree To Terms Saturday

The San Francisco Giants agreed to terms with pitcher Shun Yamaguchi on Saturday, per the San Francisco Chronicle. The deal is likely to be a split Major League/Minor League deal. The 33-year-old made his big-league debut last season, posting a poor 8.06 ERA and 1.75 WHIP over 25 2/3 innings pitched with the Blue Jays. […]

Ranger Suarez Behind Schedule

Philadelphia Phillies left-handed pitcher Ranger Suarez is one of five players not in camp due to visa issues, with the others being Neftali Feliz, Mauricio Llovera, Francisco Morales and Christian Bethancourt. Because of Suarez's delayed arrival, he will not be built up as a starter when he arrives to spring training. The 25-year-old Venezuelan southpaw […]

Top 250 Dynasty Prospects Rankings (Part 2)

Welcome back RotoBallers to Part 2 of my dynasty prospects list, breaking down the 51-150 ranked prospects. You can also read Part 1 and Part 3 from a few days ago, looking at the 1-50 and 151-250 ranked prospects. RotoBaller's Top 250 Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Prospects list is back and refreshed for the 2021 season. Baseball has […]

Kenley Jansen Expected To Close To Start 2021

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen is expected to serve as the team's closer to start the 2021 season, according to manager Dave Roberts. Jansen struggled during the 2020 postseason and recorded an ERA over 3.00 in the regular season for the third straight year. The 33-year-old is no longer the dominant ninth-inning option he […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook - February 19th

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. I began this column a year ago, and made it about four or five articles in when Major League Baseball decided to shut things down, just like everything else around the globe, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Well, things are at least a little more […]

Playing For Keeps: Making Keeper Decisions for 2021

Spring training is officially underway, and with that comes the start of fantasy baseball draft season. While the majority of people participate in redraft leagues, keeper formats are also popular, and fantasy managers in those leagues are already weighing their decisions on which players to retain and which to toss back into the pool for […]

Matt Harvey May Not Start For Orioles

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday that he will keep his options open with newly signed pitcher Matt Harvey. In terms of whether Harvey would be considered as a starter or a bullpen option, Hyde said: "Nothing is set in stone and we're just going to give him an opportunity to make the team." […]

Scott Oberg On Track To Return In 2021

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Scott Oberg (shoulder) is on track to return to the bullpen this year, according to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post. The 30-year-old right-hander missed the entire 2020 season due to blood-clotting issues in his throwing arm, which eventually required thoracic outlet surgery on his right shoulder in September. Oberg told reporters […]

Tigers Sign Wily Peralta To Minor League Deal

The Detroit Tigers have signed relief pitcher Wily Peralta to a minor league deal and he has been invited to spring training with the team. Peralta sat out the 2020 season after being designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals in 2019. During his last year in the big leagues in 2019, he totaled […]

Jordan Hicks "Ready To Go"

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks (elbow) is "ready to go," according to Cardinals bullpen coach Bryan Eversgerd. Hicks has reportedly been throwing without issue and is now about 19 months removed from his Tommy John surgery. Entering camp, Giovanny Gallegos was considered the favorite for saves in St. Louis, but if Hicks is indeed […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook - February 18th

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. I began this column a year ago, and made it about four or five articles in when Major League Baseball decided to shut things down, just like everything else around the globe, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Well, things are at least a little more […]

Trevor Rosenthal Agrees To One-Year Deal With A's

The Oakland Athletics and relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal are in agreement on a one-year, $11 million contract, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Rosenthal figures to slot into the closer role after Liam Hendriks departed Oakland in free agency. Rosenthal was superb last season, converting 11 of 12 save chances with a 1.90 ERA […]

Oliver Perez Returns To Cleveland

The Cleveland Indians have made a deal with relief pitcher Oliver Perez on Thursday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. The 39-year-old lefty has shifted around quite a bit over his 18-year career, but he's finally found a bit of stability in Cleveland. He owns a 2.67 ERA thus far in Cleveland, including a 2.00 mark […]

Top 250 Dynasty Prospects Rankings (Part 1)

RotoBaller's Top 250 Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Prospects list is back and refreshed for the 2021 season. Baseball has undergone a lot of change over the past 12 months due to the pandemic and no area of the game has been more heavily impacted than the minor leagues. Since this time last year, Minor League Baseball has […]

Demarcus Evans Won't Throw Off Mound Until Mid-March

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Demarcus Evans (lat) isn't cleared to throw off a mound and won't be until mid-March after offseason surgery. Evans showed promise in his first four MLB games last year, throwing four innings with four strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA. It was a small sample size, but the hard-throwing youngster projects to […]

Joely Rodriguez Behind Schedule

Texas Rangers pitcher Joely Rodriguez (ankle) is reportedly a bit behind schedule, according to Levi Weaver of The Athletic. Rodriguez pitched in 12 games last year for the Rangers, posting a 2.13 ERA with 17 strikeouts. A strong 2020 season could propel Rodriguez into a larger role in 2021, though the injury setback could be […]