Red Sox Talking With Alex Cora

The Boston Red Sox are expected to interview former manager Alex Cora in the coming days, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. Boston parted ways with Cora last January due to his part in the Astros' sign-stealing scandal during 2017, and Cora was suspended for all of 2020. According to The Boston Globe's Alex […]

Brad Hand, Carlos Santana, Domingo Santana Become Free Agents

The Cleveland Indians declined 2021 options on relief pitcher Brad Hand ($10 million), first baseman Carlos Santana ($17.5 million) and outfielder Domingo Santana ($5 million) on Friday, making them free agents. Hand will receive a $500,000 buyout and the Santanas will each receive $250,000. The 30-year-old Hand led baseball with 16 saves this year, but […]

Phillies Decline Option On Hector Neris, Other Relievers

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris had his $7 million club option for the 2021 season declined and will face arbitration for the second straight season. Philadelphia also declined club options on relievers David Robertson and David Phelps as it has become clear the team is set on trimming payroll after the pandemic-shortened season. Neris […]

Mets Claim Nick Tropeano Off Waivers From Pirates

The New York Mets claimed right-handed reliever Nick Tropeano off of waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. In 2020, Tropeano posted a 1.15 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, and struck out 19 in 15 2/3 innings pitched for the Pirates. Despite the solid performance in 2020, albeit in a limited number of innings, Tropeano owns […]

Jacob Barnes Claimed Off Waivers By Mets

Right-handed reliever Jacob Barnes was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets on Friday. In 2020, with the Los Angeles Angels, the 30-year old posted an unimpressive 5.50 ERA, and 1.28 WHIP in 18 innings pitched. Notably, however, Barnes throws in the mid-to-upper 90s and posted a 2.25 FIP with 24 strikeouts in 2020. […]

Tigers Officially Hire A.J. Hinch

The Detroit Tigers officially hired former Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch as their new manager on Friday. Hinch was a backup catcher for the 2003 Tigers. The hiring comes one year after he was fired by Houston for his part in the sign-stealing scandal, and he was suspended for all of the 2020 season. Hinch […]

Tigers Finalizing Deal To Make A.J. Hinch Their Manager

The Detroit Tigers have made progress in finalizing a deal to make former Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch their next manager, according to sources. Hinch lost his job with Houston before the start of the 2020 season for his role in the team's sign-stealing scandal. Former Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire retired on Sept. 19 with […]

Yankees Pick Up Option For Zach Britton

New York Yankees relief pitcher Zach Britton had his $14 million option picked up by the team on Thursday, keeping him with the Yankees through the 2022 season. Britton was characteristically excellent in 2020 with a 1.89 ERA over 19 innings, and the 32-year-old collected eight saves in closer Aroldis Chapman's early-season absence. Chapman's contract […]

White Sox Name Tony La Russa Their New Manager

The Chicago White Sox named Tony La Russa, a three-time World Series champion, as their new manager on Thursday. The 76-year-old hasn't served as a big league manager since ending his 16-year run with the Cardinals in 2011, a season that ended in his third championship. La Russa has a 2,728-2,365 managerial record and began […]

Brad Hand Placed On Outright Waivers

The Cleveland Indians placed left-handed reliever Brad Hand on outright waivers on Thursday, according to a source. Hand has a $10 million team option for the 2021 season that the Indians plan on declining if he goes unclaimed. If another team claims the southpaw, Cleveland would be off the hook for the $1 million buyout […]

Astros Put Roberto Osuna On Outright Waivers

The Houston Astros placed relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (elbow) on outright waivers on Thursday. Osuna pitched in only four games for the team in 2020 before he was shut down with elbow soreness at the start of August. The right-hander's initial diagnoses recommended Tommy John surgery, but it was later changed to a forearm strain […]

White Sox Close To Hiring Tony La Russa?

The Chicago White Sox could officially name Tony La Russa as their new manager as early as Thursday. La Russa got his start in the big leagues in 1979 with the White Sox, and rumors have been swirling for more than a week that he'd land there. The 76-year-old won three straight American League pennants […]

Sergio Romo's 2021 Option Not Picked Up

The Minnesota Twins declined relief pitcher Sergio Romo's $5 million 2021 option on Wednesday, making him a free agent, according to sources. The Twins will give Romo a $250,000 buyout. The 37-year-old veteran was a key late-inning contributor for Minnesota for a Twins bullpen that was among the best in the American League in 2019 […]

Rays To Be Aggressive With Bullpen Stable

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team will "get aggressive" with their bullpen stable of arms in Game 6 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Tuesday. "If we can somehow get a lead and limit them, we've got some of the big guys in the back end of the bullpen that […]

Rangers To Use Two Pitching Coaches In 2021

The Texas Rangers will use Doug Mathis and Brendan Sagara as co-pitching coaches for the 2021 season, with Mathis working from the dugout and Sagara working out of the bullpen. Former pitching Julio Rangel was let go after two seasons on the job and after Texas pitchers combined for a 5.07 ERA the last two […]

Matt Strahm To Have Knee Surgery

San Diego Padres left-handed pitcher Matt Strahm (knee) will undergo a patellar tendon repair in his right knee. He underwent a similar surgery on his left knee in 2017 when he was with the Royals. Strahm went 0-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 19 outings in his third season with the Friars this year. The […]

Tigers Interview George Lombard, Marcus Thames

The Detroit Tigers have interviewed Dodgers first base coach George Lombard and Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames, who both previously played for the Tigers, for their managerial opening, according to sources. The two join long-time Tigers coach Lloyd McClendon as candidates who have interviewed for the job. McLendon served as the interim manager following Ron […]

White Sox Interview Tony La Russa

The Chicago White Sox have interviewed Tony La Russa for their managerial opening, and he remains a top candidate in their search, according to two sources. General manager Rick Hahn and executive vice president Kenny Williams each spoke with the 76-year-old. La Russa managed the White Sox from 1979-86 before moving to the Athletics and […]

Dodgers Expected To Go With Bullpen In Game 2

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wasn't willing to divulge who would start Game 2 of the World Series against the Rays on Wednesday. "It's going to be a bullpen, whatever, kind of game, using various arms," Roberts said. "Who starts that game, I just don't know yet." They'll be opposed by 2018 American League […]

Rays Add Brett Phillips, Ryan Sherriff To World Series Roster

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Brett Phillips and left-handed pitcher Ryan Sherriff have been added to the team's roster for the World Series. Right-hander Aaron Slegers and left-handed reliever Jose Alvarado were subsequently dropped from the roster. Tampa will go with 13 pitchers against the Dodgers, one fewer than they used during the American League Championship […]

Luis Perdomo Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

San Diego Padres pitcher Luis Perdomo (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery last week and will miss the entire 2021 season. The 27-year-old was once a staple in the Friars staff, making 64 appearances (49 starts) across 2016-2017, but struggled to achieve consistency in the majors. Relegated to long relief and mop-up duties in 2020, Perdomo […]

Aaron Boone Will Return As Manager In 2021

New York Yankees managing general partner/co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner said on Tuesday that manager Aaron Boone will return next season for his fourth year as the Yankees skipper, but also that he was "very disappointed" with the team's inconsistent play in 2020. Boone became the first big-league manager to win 100 or more games in each […]

White Sox Mutually Part Ways With Rick Renteria

The Chicago White Sox mutually agreed to part ways with manager Rick Renteria on Monday. The team also parted ways with pitching coach Don Cooper on Monday. General manager Rick Hahn is looking for something a bit different moving forward as the White Sox move from a rebuilding phase to their goal of winning multiple […]

How I Won Tout Wars

I am extremely fortunate to be able to write an article entitled, “How I Won Tout Wars.” It is truly a humbling experience, and I am both excited and proud to pen today’s words. Including all of the draft preparation that I describe in my aforementioned articles, here a few of the reasons that (I […]

Aroldis Chapman Collects First Postseason Save This Year

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman picked up a four-out save against the Rays on Thursday, striking out two and allowing one baserunner. Chapman used his slider sparingly on Thursday with his sinker (two pitches) and splitter (one pitch) combining to account for more of his total pitches than his slider (two pitches), but the […]

Yimi Garcia Blows Game 1

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Yimi Garcia blew the game (with an assist from manager Don Mattingly) in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. Garcia got just one out, allowing three runs on three hits. He also allowed two inherited runners to score. Starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara was inexplicably allowed to start the seventh […]

Yankees Add Michael King To Postseason Roster

New York Yankees pitcher Michael King was added to the team’s postseason roster in advance of the ALDS. Used as a reliever and a spot starter during the regular season, King is likely to be used exclusively in relief (if at all) this postseason, and the 25-year-old’s status as an early-relief innings eater makes him […]

Champ or Chump: Year in Review

Now that the 2020 fantasy baseball season has come to a close, it is time to assess your performance. Did you ignore red flags that you wish you hadn't? Was a strong process foiled by unpredictable factors outside of anybody's control? Both of these things are likely true to some extent. The key is to […]

Craig Stammen Serves As Opener For Game 3 Friday

San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Craig Stammen will open Game 3 of Friday’s wild-card series versus St. Louis. Stammen hasn’t made a start since Aug. 4, 2010, a healthy indicator that he won’t be long for Friday’s contest, with the Padres slated to have an “all hands on deck” approach. The longest that Stammen has […]

Sean Doolittle Posts Message To D.C. Before Free Agency

Washington Nationals left-handed pitcher Sean Doolittle put together a message on Twitter ahead of his impending free agency, thanking fans for their support during his time with the organization. Doolittle battled through injuries in 2020 to post a 5.87 ERA in 11 appearances, losing his closer’s gig early on in the year. But during his […]