Jose Iglesias Avoids Arbitration

Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias avoided salary arbitration Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year deal. Financial terms weren't disclosed. Iglesias is a glove-first player that doesn't carry much value in fantasy leagues, especially now that he'll be hitting at the bottom of a rebuilding team's lineup. In 2017 he hit .255/.288/.369 with only six home […]

Top 100: MLB Prospect Rankings for Fantasy Baseball

Prospects. For any fantasy baseball enthusiast, it's all about knowing about the prospects, rookies and call-ups. More than any other sport, baseball offers a fresh influx of rookie talent every year, both before and during the MLB season. And adding the right guy at the right time can be a league winner (see Aaron Judge and […]

Top 450: Points Leagues Tiered Staff Rankings (January)

In case you haven't noticed, we've already been cranking out all sorts of 2018 fantasy baseball rankings at RotoBaller HQ. It's only mid-January but you can already find preliminary staff rankings for mixed leagues, points leagues, AL/NL only leagues, dynasty leagues, top 2018 prospects, dynasty prospects and more. Today we are here to start looking […]

Gleyber Torres Likely To Need More Time In Minors

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said it is "more likely" that shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres will need extra time in the minors in 2018, and service time will not be in play when considering him for the opening day roster. There is a chance that Torres makes the opening day roster as the […]

Orioles Discussing Mike Moustakas, Brandon Drury

The Baltimore Orioles are discussing Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Brandon Drury as a potential return for third baseman Manny Machado. The D-backs have become the most serious suitors for Machado, but there is no indication that the sides are close to a deal. Drury is under team control through 2022 and hit .271/.319/.448 in parts of […]

Diamondbacks Avoid Arbitration With Several More Players

The Arizona Diamondbacks avoided salary arbitration with starting pitcher Robbie Ray (one year, $3.95 million), starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (one year, $4.825 million), outfielder David Peralta and infielder Chris Owings. Ray was excellent for fantasy owners in 2017 with a 15-5 record and 2.89 ERA, and he managed to strike out 218 batters in 162 […]

A's, Marcus Semien Avoid Arbitration

The Oakland A's and shortstop Marcus Semien have agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.125 million dollar contract, avoiding arbitration. Semien only played in 85 games last season after he missed a huge chunk of time with a broken wrist. He hit .249 with 10 home runs and a career-high 12 stolen bases, however, and […]

Freddy Galvis Settles With Padres

The San Diego Padres and shortstop Freddy Galvis avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $6.825 million. Galvis was acquired by the Phillies earlier in the offseason and will be the Padres everyday shortstop. He is a streaky hitter who offers some pop to his bat, but the move to San Diego will […]

Jordy Mercer Avoids Arbitration

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6.75 million deal. Mercer's 2016 and 2017 seasons were nearly identical, as he had just three more homers last year and one less RBI in four fewer games. He doesn't have much pop and won't help in stolen bases or average, so […]

Mets, Wilmer Flores Avoid Arbitration

New York Mets infielder Wilmer Flores avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.4 million deal. Flores missed more time with injuries in 2017, and his value really lies in his ability to fill multiple positions for fantasy owners on the infield. He's an excellent cheap daily pick against left-handed pitchers, but he could […]

Twins, Eduardo Escobar Avoid Arbitration

Minnesota Twins infielder Eduardo Escobar avoided salary arbitration Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.85 million deal, according to a source. Mostly a utility player for Minnesota, he wound up playing more than expected at shortstop and third base, and he hit a career-high 21 dingers in 129 games. A bloated fly-ball rate was responsible […]

Champ or Chump - Christian Arroyo & Denard Span

We have previously seen that both West Coast teams and bad teams are great places to mine for fantasy gold because nobody is keeping up with their games. There is a third category that also goes underappreciated: the Tampa Bay Rays. The team isn't projected to be bad (80-82 projection by Steamer) and they're not […]

2018 Shortstops - Early Fantasy Baseball Tiered Rankings

It's time to examine the glamour position of the infield, shortstop. Once considered strictly a defensive position, there are now a host of options that can fit into your fantasy lineup and deliver. 2017 saw 10 different shortstops score over 400 in points leagues. Speed was key component, as five qualified SS stole over 20 […]

Dynasty Shortstops - Top MLB Prospects for Fantasy Baseball

Welcome back, RotoBallers. I'll be breaking down impact prospects in dynasty leagues by position over the next several weeks. I’ve already covered catchers, first basemen, second basemen and third basemen. Today I'm bringing you my top 10 shortstops - dynasty prospect rankings for 2018 dynasty baseball leagues. Though there are still plenty of players who could […]

Champ or Chump - Zack Cozart and Evan Longoria

Fantasy baseball has long been a game of perception. Will Player A continue his hot start or slump back into mediocrity? Are Player B's recent struggles signs of things to come or a temporary blip on the radar? An analysis of each specific player is the best way to answer these questions, but fantasy owners […]

2018 Dynasty Baseball Strategy - The Batting Average Nightmare

Last week, we discussed prioritizing power hitters when constructing your roster. In order to compete, most leagues require an average of roughly 25 home runs per active roster spot. Hitting that target requires a plan. However, power alone will not win a championship. Roster too many Joey Gallo types and you'll be left with a […]

Fantasy Implications - Zack Cozart to Angels

We seem to have one team every offseason who comes out of nowhere to go all in for a shot at a championship. The calendar hasn’t even switched to 2018 and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have already solidified themselves as one of the top winners this offseason. The Angels made a splash by […]

2018 Dynasty Baseball Strategy - The Home Run Elephant in the Room

We've all heard about the home runs. A total of 6,105 balls left the yard in 2017 - or avoided outfielders sufficiently for an inside-the-park home run. The previous record of 5,693 home runs was set in 2000 during the peak of the steroid era. This time, juiced balls and mechanical changes seem to be […]

Reviewing Kyle Bishop's Bold Predictions for 2017

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. Just like with the preseason pieces in March, I’m kicking off the review of our RotoBaller staff’s 2017 bold predictions. Let's get to it.Be sure to check all […]

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, […]

Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for September 29

Welcome to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. Use this column to improve upon your neediest categories in this, the final week of the season. Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Friday, September 29. Let's get to it.Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and […]

Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for September 28

Welcome to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. Use this column to improve upon your neediest categories in this, the final week of the season. Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Thursday, September 28. Let's get to it.Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools […]

Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for September 27

Welcome to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. Use this column to improve upon your neediest categories in this, the final week of the season. Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Wednesday, September 27. Let's get to it.Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools […]

Week 26 Middle Infield (MI) Waiver Wire Targets

Championship week is among us! If you have made it this far, you are certainly doing something right. With the final week among us I will be digging deep to find some hot bats to help you out in the final week.  As I normally mention, when it comes to the back-end of your rosters […]

Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for September 26

Welcome to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. Use this column to improve upon your neediest categories in this, the final week of the season. Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Tuesday, September 26. Let's get to it.Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools […]

Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets for September 25

Welcome to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. Use this column to improve upon your neediest categories in this, the final week of the season. Below are your pitcher and hitter streaming targets for Monday, September 25. Let's get to it.Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools […]

Week 26 Cut List: Players on the Chopping Block

Welcome back, one last time in 2017, to the Cut List. With the season coming to a close next weekend, almost any player who isn’t helping your cause could justifiably be considered a cut in redraft leagues. That makes this final installment somewhat more challenging, and necessitates a minor tweak in format. Instead of spotlighting […]