Reds Targeting David Hernandez

The Cincinnati Reds are targeting free-agent relief pitcher David Hernandez as they look to fortify their bullpen behind closer Raisel Iglesias, according to sources. The Reds and Hernandez aren't close to a deal, but they are involved in serious discussions. Cincinnati is looking at other free-agent relievers, too. After having Tommy John surgery and missing […]

Brandon Morrow Likely To Close For Cubs In 2018

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein spoke at the Cubs convention this weekend and said that he has "faith" in relief pitcher Brandon Morrow if he is the team's closer in 2018. The Cubs can still add more arms and have shown interest in free-agent closer Greg Holland. Morrow has had plenty of health […]

Fernando Rodney Expected To Remain Closer

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Fernando Rodney is expected to remain the team's closer after they signed reliever Addison Reed on Saturday, according to a source. The Twins are honoring their word to Rodney after they signed him, but Reed was signed for more years and more money, so we wouldn't be surprised if he gets […]

Rule 5 Picks to Watch for Keeper Leagues

Every year the MLB Rule 4 draft, more commonly known as the First-Year Player Draft, gets a lot of attention from casual baseball fans and fantasy baseball players alike. In terms of fantasy relevance, though, the Rule 5 draft, which occurs during baseball's annual Winter Meetings, is far more impactful than the Rule 4 draft for […]

Kelvin Herrera Avoids Arbitration

Kansas City Royals closer Kelvin Herrera avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $7.937 million deal, according to a source. He will receive a $50,000 bonus if he makes the All-Star team. Herrera was a disappointment as a full-time closer in KC in 2017, posting a 4.24 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, and he also […]

A's, Blake Treinen Avoid Arbitration

The Oakland A's and closer Blake Treinen have avoided arbitration, coming to terms on a one-year, $2.15 million contract. Treinen came over to the A's at the trade deadline from the Nationals. Treinen was solid for the A's down the stretch, pitching to a 2.57 ERA with a 10.9 K/9 in his final 14 innings. […]

Shane Greene Avoids Arbitration

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Shane Greene avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.95 million deal, according to a source. A few dominoes fell Greene's way in 2017, and he was given the closer's role on a rebuilding team, going 9-for-10 in save chances on the season. A converted starter, he also posted an […]

Arodys Vizcaino And Braves Avoid Arbitration

The Atlanta Braves and relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.4 million deal, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. Vizcaino had a nice season with a 2.83 ERA, 14 saves and 64 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. He is shaping up to be the Braves closer entering 2018 and […]

Alex Colome Avoids Arbitration

Tampa Bay Rays closer Alex Colome avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.3 million deal, according to a source. While Colome recorded an MLB-leading 47 saves in 2017, his overall numbers elsewhere weren't as impressive as his 2016 campaign. His strikeout and walk rates both went in the wrong direction, and his ERA […]

Brewers, Corey Knebel Avoid Arbitration

Milwaukee Brewers closer Corey Knebel avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.65 million deal. Knebel took over the closer's role in Milwaukee in 2017 and ran away with it. He was highly effective and extremely dominant (14.9 K/9) for the fantasy owners that swooped him up. Knebel has earned the closer's job heading […]

Zach McAllister, Indians Avoid Arbitration

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Zach McAllister was able to reach an agreement to avoid arbitration with the team, signing a one-year, $2.45 million contract. McAllister was an important part of the Cleveland bullpen in 2017, posting a 2.61 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 66/21 K/BB ratio in 62 innings. He'll return to a middle-relief role in […]

Zach McAllister And Indians Avoid Arbitration

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that relief pitcher Zach McAllister has avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.45 million contract with the Indians. McAllister had a strong season out of the bullpen last year for the Tribe. Over 62 innings, he had a 2.61 ERA with 66 strikeouts. He will be eligible to reach […]

2018 Relief Pitchers - Early Fantasy Baseball Tiered Rankings

We wind up our mixed league rankings analysis with a look at the most volatile position of all, relief pitchers. Whether you choose to grab a top-notch closer early or prefer to work the waiver wire all season, these early rankings will give you a good sense of where the current market values each reliever, before […]

Nate Jones Expected To Be Ready For Opening Day

Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Nate Jones (elbow) has begun throwing and is expected to be ready by spring training. Jones made 11 appearances last year before having season-ending nerve repositioning surgery on his right elbow in mid-July. If Jones doesn’t suffer any setbacks, he is a candidate to be […]

Matt Belisle, Twins Interested In Reunion

The Minnesota Twins and free-agent relief pitcher Matt Belisle are interested in a reunion in 2018, but no deal is close, according to sources. Belisle was a nice surprise for the Twinkies in 2017, going 9-for-11 in save chances, although he did sport a 4.03 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings. Belisle worked […]

J.J. Hoover Agrees To Minor League Deal With Brewers

Free-agent relief pitcher J.J. Hoover has agreed to a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. Hoover recovered with the Diamondbacks after a rough year with the Reds in 2016. This past season. he posted a 3.92 ERA and 1.77 WHIP over 41 1/3 innings. He will have a chance to earn a spot with […]

Brad Brach Doing More Cardio Heading Into 2018 Season

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brad Brach is changing his offseason workout routine to include more long-distance running in order to remain more effective deep into the season. With closer Zach Britton (Achilles) not expected to be ready until around midseason, Brach is expected to begin the year as Baltimore's primary closer. In the last two […]

Chris Young Signs Minor League Deal With Padres

Free-agent pitcher Chris Young has agreed to a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres. Should Young make the opening day roster, he will receive $1 million plus an extra $6 million in incentives. Young, 38, struggled this past season with a 7.50 ERA in 30 innings. Even if he makes the opening day […]

Cubs Are In On Greg Holland

Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reports that the Chicago Cubs are “in the picture” for free-agent closer Greg Holland. The closer had a phenomenal comeback year for the Colorado Rockies this past year. The Rockies moved on after adding former Cubs closer Wade Davis. Holland has previously been linked to the Cardinals and Nationals. […]

Kazuhisa Makita Agrees With Padres

Japanese relief pitcher Kazuhisa Makita agreed to a two-year, $4 million deal with the San Diego Padres on Saturday, according to sources. Makita posted stellar numbers for the Seibu Lions the last two years overseas, but he's likely to have just a setup role in the San Diego bullpen in 2018, which means he is […]

Mets And Jenrry Mejia Avoid Arbitration

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the New York Mets and relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia avoided arbitration. Mejia will be paid $1.729 million, but he is unlikely to receive any of that due to a suspension. Mejia is currently on the permantly ineligible list after failing a third performance-enhancing drug test in 2016. The […]

Padres Are “Strong Favorites” To Sign Kazuhisa Makita

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that the San Diego Padres "have emerged as strong favorites" to sign Japanese reliever Kazuhisa Makita. Makita, 33, pitched to a 2.30 ERA this past year in 58 games. He’s not a strikeout pitcher, having just 35 this past year in 62 2/3 innings. Unless he becomes a closer, […]

Astros Could Be Landing Spot For Greg Holland, Addison Reed

The Houston Astros could emerge as a landing spot for free-agent closer Greg Holland, who is the top remaining closer on the free-agent market. Some people within the Astros organization see the closing spot as a potential issue for the team, according to sources, with current closer Ken Giles struggling during the playoffs. Free-agent relief […]

Champ or Chump - Mike Minor and Tyler Chatwood

Now that big names like Giancarlo Stanton and Shohei Ohtani have moved, it's easy to stop paying attention to the lesser names on the transaction wire. Don't fall into that trap! The most prepared owners frequently perform the best, and everybody will have an educated opinion on guys like Stanton. Spin rate is still beyond […]

Champ or Chump - Brad Boxberger and Welington Castillo

The hot stove has been more of an ice box so far this season, as few moves have been made of any fantasy consequence. This seems poised to change in the near future, as both Shohei Ohtani and Giancarlo Stanton should provide some clarity regarding their intentions before the new year. That said, the two […]

Shohei Ohtani - What Should We Expect in 2018 and Beyond?

Shohei Ohtani is already the most talked-about player in the baseball world and he doesn't even belong to a Major League team. Not yet, at least. When Giancarlo Stanton is practically an afterthought at the GM meetings, you know you have something big on your hands. The Japanese sensation has dominated headlines lately and is now […]

Reviewing JB's 2017 Bold Predictions

What’s even more fun than making bold predictions? Looking back at the end of the season to see how good (or so, so hilariously bad) they were. As Michael Scott once said, "It takes a big man to admit his mistakes, and I am that big man." Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball […]

Reviewing Pierre Camus' Bold Predictions for 2017 MLB

Never have I looked forward to writing a season recap so much. I didn't do as well in my fantasy leagues this year, mainly due to lack of time attending to my lineups. Nor did half of these predictions come close to coming true. Sometimes it just takes one thing to make it all worthwhile. […]

Reviewing Bill Dubiel's Bold Predictions for 2017

Let's mine through the poop pile and see if we can dig out...I don't know, some undigested corn or something. There's a few good ones here. SHUT UP, I don't see you making any bold predictions. 1. Max Kepler hits 30 bombs AND is a top-30 outfielder.Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball […]

Reviewing Edward Sutelan's 10 Bold Predictions for 2017

One of the my favorite articles of the year is to write up my bold predictions for what will happen in the upcoming fantasy baseball season. Another one of my favorite articles is looking back on those bold predictions to see how great (terrible) my predictions wound up being. I will tell you right now, […]