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 […]
Fantasy Implications - Carlos Santana to Phillies
After spending the first eight years of his career in Cleveland, Carlos Santana is finally getting a change in scenery as he joins the Philadelphia Phillies. The signing comes as somewhat of a surprise, as the Phillies finished with the third-worst record in MLB in 2017 and are clearly in a rebuilding mode. Santana will take […]
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 […]
Padres Not Planning To Alter Eric Hosmer Offer
San Diego Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler said that the team isn't planning on making big changes to their contact offer to free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer. The Padres presented Hosmer's agent, Scott Boras, with a seven-year deal worth less than $140 million earlier this month, and the Padres apparently haven't budged from that position. […]
Champ or Chump - Yangervis Solarte and Mitch Moreland
Much is made of a team's projected batting order early on in the offseason, but the discussions quickly become moot as the realities of the regular season alter every team's plans. Slumping players move down the batting order, replaced by their more productive teammates. A utility guy could escape the bench and become a fixture […]
Justin Morneau To Retire
First baseman/designated hitter Justin Morneau will retire Wednesday, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Bollinger adds that Morneau will join the Minnesota Twins as a special assistant. The four-time All-Star spent the bulk of his 14-year career with the Twins before spending two years with the Colorado Rockies and one season with the Chicago White […]
Nationals Closing In On Deal With Howie Kendrick
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that free-agent infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick is closing in on a deal with the Washington Nationals for two years and $7 million. Kendrick came over from the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline this past season. The 34-year-old hit .315 over 91 games between Washington and Philadelphia in 2017. He’s a solid […]
#TrendingNow - Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Risers and Fallers
We are just under 30 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting! Just under 30 days from the smell of pine tar and freshly cut grass. Just under 30 days from the sounds of fastballs hitting catcher’s mitts and the crack of a wood bat. Just under 30 days until another summer full of memories. […]
Luke Voit Working in the Outfield
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Luke Voit has been taking fly balls in the outfield this offseason in hopes to increase his versatility. Voit started 12 games in left field in 2006 while he was in Double-A, so it's not a brand new thing for him. Voit is trying to crack the Opening Day roster, […]
Mets, Adrian Gonzalez Agree To Deal
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the New York Mets and free-agent first baseman Adrian Gonzalez have agreed to terms. Gonzalez was dealt from the Dodgers to the Braves in a salary dump. He was bought out by the Braves, and they will be on the hook for about $22 million of Gonzalez's remaining […]
Jose Abreu And White Sox Settle At $13 Million
Robert Murray of FanRag Sports reports that the Chicago White Sox and first baseman Jose Abreu have agreed on a $13 million deal to avoid arbitration. Abreu remains one of the more underrated hitters in both real life and fantasy. This past year he hit .304 with 33 home runs and 102 RBI. He should […]
Mets Considering Lucas Duda Reunion
The New York Mets may not be done just yet in terms of reuniting with players they traded in 2017. After re-signing outfielder Jay Bruce on Wednesday, the Amazins are reportedly considering making a run at free-agent first baseman Lucas Duda as well. In 126 games last season between the Mets and Tampa Bay Rays, Duda […]
Champ or Chump: Chase Headley & Starlin Castro
The following analysis is presented with some misgivings. Both Chase Headley and Starlin Castro were moved this offseason, making them candidates for a change of scenery examination. However, these veteran players do not present an obvious fit with their presumably rebuilding clubs and have been included in trade speculation, with Castro reportedly asking to be […]
Fantasy Implications - Yonder Alonso to Indians
It was a breakout year for Yonder Alonso in 2017, as he recorded career-highs in home runs (28), on-base percentage (.365) and slugging percentage (.501). Alonso has generally been able to get on base at a good rate with a career .340 OBP, but it was the power surge that was the most surprising for […]
Jay Bruce Returns To Mets On Three-Year Deal
Jerry Cransick of ESPN.com reports that free-agent outfielder Jay Bruce has agreed to a three-year deal worth $39 million with the New York Mets. Bruce was acquired in 2016 at the trade deadline by the Mets and flipped by the Mets to the Indians during the 2017 trade deadline. In 153 games as a Met, he hit .245 […]
Howie Kendrick Could Be A Potential Fit For The Mets
Free-agent infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick could be a potential fit for the New York Mets, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. Puma also notes that the team could look at Kendrick as a clubhouse leader and also as their second baseman. Kendrick played all over the diamond last year between the Nationals and […]
Mets Considering Logan Morrison, Adam Lind
The New York Mets are open to adding free-agent first basemen Logan Morrison or Adam Lind as they look to give young first baseman Dominic Smith some competition in 2018. It's been a slow-developing free-agent market, so Morrison and Lind could fall into the team's lap on the cheap. However, Morrison may be too expensive […]
2018 First Base - Early Fantasy Baseball Tiered Rankings
We continue our fantasy baseball tiered rankings analysis with the first base position. RotoBaller writers Kyle Bishop, Jeff Kahntroff, and I have come up with our initial pre-draft rankings to give you a sense of player values as early as possible. There are plenty of free agents yet to sign, so keep in mind that these rankings […]
Champ or Chump - Magneuris Sierra and Matt Moore
Last week, we looked at how West Coast players frequently become fantasy values because not everyone can stay up late enough to watch them play. The same principle applies to teams that fantasy owners expect to be utterly terrible. The 2018 iteration of the Miami Marlins is therefore a great place to look for potential […]
Champ or Chump - Jhoulys Chacin and Yonder Alonso
If you want to know the secret to finding unheralded fantasy assets, the answer could be as simple as looking at poor teams out west. Most media coverage centers on east coast players that the entire country is awake to see. Exceptions might be made for studs like Mike Trout or Clayton Kershaw, but no […]
Eric Hosmer Has Seven-Year Offer From Padres
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer has a seven-year offer from the San Diego Padres. Nightengale says the offer would be the largest contract given out in franchise history. Hosmer would fill a leadership role in San Diego for a team that is not ready to compete this upcoming […]
Cardinals Remain Interested In Eric Hosmer
Jon Morosi of the MLB Network reports that the St. Louis Cardinals remain involved with free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer. He notes that the flexibility of infielder Matt Carpenter allows the club to pursue an option like Hosmer or look to trade for a third baseman such as Josh Donaldson. Hosmer's market has been slower […]
Dynasty First Basemen - 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. Today I'm bringing you my top 10 first basemen - dynasty prospect rankings for 2018 dynasty baseball leagues. The group of first base prospects simultaneously lost its star-power and recovered. Cody Bellinger, Josh […]
Champ or Chump - Stephen Piscotty and Carlos Santana
As sabermetrics become more widely accepted, analytical stats such as OBP are replacing more luck-based metrics such as batting average in a lot of formats. Playing in leagues like this frequently indicates a willingness to embrace a more realistic approach to the game, but many owners fail to adjust their rankings to their new reality. […]
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 […]
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 […]