Pirates Call Up Jose Osuna

The Pittsburgh Pirates have called up corner infielder Jose Osuna from the Indianapolis Indians. They also activated relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez from the 10-day disabled list. To make room for these two, the Bucs have optioned relief pitcher Dovydas Neverauskas and catcher Jacob Stallings to Triple-A. Osuna has been dominating minor league pitchers with a […]

NL-Only Waiver Wire Team of the Week: MLB Week 12

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to […]

Relief Pitchers Deeper Dive - Week 12

Today and every Tuesday moving forward throughout the 2018 MLB season, we will take a deep dive into some of the lesser-owned relief pitchers on the market that are worth keeping tabs on. This can be a good tool for those in deeper holds leagues, although any pitcher in a position to make a move on […]

Sergio Romo Blows Save Monday Versus Houston

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Sergio Romo blows a save Monday versus the Astros. He came into the game with a 4-3 lead but would only record one out before the Astros would beat him. The only positive for Romo owners Monday was that this was the second night in a row that Romo came into […]

Dellin Betances Unhittable Once Again

The New York Yankees had another masterful performance from their bullpen in Monday’s victory over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. After Jonathan Holder successfully walked the tightrope of a two-on, nobody out jam, David Robertson tossed a scoreless seventh. This set up Dellin Betances for his familiar spot in the eighth inning. The 30-year-old, […]

Jonathan Holder Escapes Mega Jam In Victory

After starter Sonny Gray put the first two runners on the corners to kick off the sixth inning Monday night at Nationals Park, the New York Yankees went to reliever Jonathan Holder. Clinging on to a two-run lead, Holder had his work cut out for him, but he came up huge to preserve the lead. […]

More Random Thoughts - Champions Analysis Podcast

Rotoballer Expert Kyle Richardson is joined by Blake Sullivan and Jesse Hiatt to dive into more random thoughts. The guys cover more fantasy baseball questions and listener trades. Plus, which players are off to hot starts and will or wont keep it up. Plus, do the Astros or Yankees have the most fantasy relevant assets on […]

Felipe Vázquez Notches 14th Save

The Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vázquez struck out two Brewers to collect his 14th save of the season on Monday night. Vázquez got his first save in three days after giving up a lead-off single to Christian Yelich, striking out Ryan Braun and Eric Thames, and then getting Hernan Perez to ground out. Vázquez has […]

Kevin McCarthy, Tim Hill Headline Possible Replacements for Kelvin Herrera

Kansas City Royals relief pitchers Kevin McCarthy and Tim Hill are the leading candidates to replace Kelvin Herrera's closer role, now that Herrera has been traded to Washington. McCarthy has thrown 30 1/3 innings this season with a 3.86 ERA and just 19 strikeouts. Hill has a less favorable 4.98 ERA and 23 strikeouts in […]

Done Deal: Kelvin Herrera Traded to Nationals for Three Minor League Prospects

Relief Pitcher Kelvin Herrera has been traded from the Kansas City Royals to the Washington Nationals for outfielder Blake Perkins, third baseman Kelvin Gutierrez, and right-handed pitcher Yohanse Morel. Herrera is a free agent at the end of this season and most scouts believe the Royals got a good return for a rental player. Herrera […]

Felix Pena Will Start Tuesday Against Diamondbacks

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Felix Pena will start Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks according to manager Mike Scioscia. Pena has a 3.51 ERA in 33 2/3 innings in Triple-A this season along with a 10.13 ERA in just 2 2/3 innings in the majors. For his short career, Pena has a 5.28 ERA and […]

Report: Kelvin Herrera Close to Being Traded to Nationals

Former Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera has reportedly been traded to the Washington Nationals. Herrera is being sent to Washington for what is described as three good minor league prospects that are not Victor Robles. Herrera had been the Royals' closer since the departure of Greg Holland and Wade Davis, but was excellent […]

Hector Neris Optioned to Triple-A

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris has been optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday. Neris gave up four runs during his most recent outing on Sunday. He's allowed nine runs, five home runs, and 15 hits over his last eight innings of work. The Phillies called up lefty Austin Davis to take over the […]

Brian Duensing Placed on Bereavement List

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Brian Duensing (personal) has been placed on the bereavement list on Monday. He can be away from the team for 3-7 days. The Cubs recalled Rob Zastryzny to take Duensing's spot in the bullpen. Neither player should be owned in any fantasy leagues right now.

Cleveland Signs Marc Rzepczynski

The Cleveland Indians signed relief pitcher Marc Rzepczynski to a minor league contract on Monday. He was assigned to Triple-A Columbus. Rzepczynski was released by Seattle after struggling to a 9.39 ERA. He's been a solid lefty specialist in previous seasons, however, and should be able to contribute to the Cleveland bullpen soon.

Roberto Osuna’s Leave Extended Through June 25

Today in the “Roberto Osuna’s leave extended again” category, the Toronto Blue Jays closer’s administrative leave has...wait for it...once again been extended, this time to June 25. As we write every week, this is simply just a formality as the legal process plays out. His leave will continue to be extended by Major League Baseball […]

Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for June 19

Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. This article, which began last season, runs seven days a week. We are always ready to stream. For those who are newcomers to this feature - use this column on a daily basis to improve upon your neediest categories, and target players who may be […]

Mets Reportedly Begin Trade Discussions

The New York Mets have reportedly opened the doors to trade discussions, and “virtually everyone” is available according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The two big fish here are obviously starting pitchers Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, but with both being under control for awhile, dealing either might not make the most sense unless […]

Juan Nicasio, Chris Herrmann Activated From Disabled List Monday

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Juan Nicasio (knee) and catcher Chris Hermann (oblique) were activated from the disabled list on Monday. In a corresponding move, the Mariners sent pitcher Rob Whalen and catcher David Freitas down to Triple-A Tacoma. Herrmann will take his place as Mike Zunino’s primary backup, but fantasy value may eventually lie with […]

Sergio Romo Earns A Save Sunday Versus The Yankees

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Sergio Romo earned his third save of the season Sunday versus New York. He would pitch a scoreless ninth inning to maintain and close out the 3-1 lead. Romo has been serving multiple roles this season, including starting several times. This split role makes it tough for fantasy owners to use […]

Hector Rondon Picks Up Fourth Save In Win

Houston Astros reliever Hector Rondon picked up his fourth save in six chances Sunday as the Astros won again 7-4. The offense is absolutely humming right now and the team may have found its closer for the foreseeable future. Rondon has not allowed a single run yet on the road this season in 13 1/3 […]

Joe Jimenez Picks Up Save

Detroit Tigers reliever Joe Jimenez worked a perfect ninth inning and struck out the side against the White Sox on Sunday to pick up his second save of the season. Normally the team's setup man, Jimenez was called upon to fill in as the closer with Shane Greene unavailable. Greene had earned saves in each […]

Hector Neris’ Best Efforts To Blow Lead Not Enough

The Philadelphia Phillies headed into the ninth inning of Sunday’s series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers with a five-run lead, seemingly headed for an easy victory at Miller Park. The day after recording his first save of the month, reliever Hector Neris was summoned to record the final three outs of the game, but he […]

Resolution To Roberto Osuna’s Case Won’t Be For Awhile

The first court date for Toronto Blue Jays reliever Roberto Osuna is on Monday, but fantasy owners shouldn’t expect an outcome anytime soon. Monday’s initial hearing for Osuna’s sexual assault charge is “largely procedural”, and Osuna himself won’t even be in attendance for it. The only real purpose for this hearing is that it will […]

Alex Wilson Extends Scoreless Inning Streak

Detroit Tigers reliever Alex Wilson came into the seventh inning Sunday against the White Sox and tossed 1 1/3 innings of scoreless ball, extending his scoreless innings streak to 11 innings over his last 10 appearances. Wilson spent about a month on the disabled list earlier this season with a tear in his plantar fascia, […]

Trading Up - Edwin Diaz

If you've read this column before, you know my standard guidance is to sell rather than buy closers. Today we take a look at the number one closer I'd actively target in a trade. I’m working on another article right now titled: “If You Only Buy One.” The idea behind it is that if you […]

AL-Only Waiver Wire Team of the Week: MLB Week 12

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to […]

Wilmer Font Pitches a Career-High Length Sunday Versus New York

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Wilmer Font came within one out of qualifying for a win Sunday versus the Yankees. He would go a career-high 4 2/3 innings allowing one run while striking out five. Font played for Oakland and the Dodgers in 2018 before getting to the Rays. He struggled mightily in those two stops […]

Kenley Jansen Escapes With 17th Save Of Season Saturday

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen earned his 17th save on Saturday in an exciting 3-1 game against the Giants. Jansen entered the ninth inning up two, and several batters later (after a Justin Turner throwing error and a walk among other things) Jansen had runners on second and third with two outs. He was […]

The Cut List (Week 12): Time to Let Go?

Welcome to Week 12 of the Cut List. This week I take a look at Jed Lowrie, Justin Smoak, Yoan Moncada, and Mitch Moreland. What’s the common denominator here? They’re barely standard league viable and they were all super hot at one point or another this season. Lowrie was arguably the fantasy MVP in April, […]