Statcast Review - Noteworthy Hitting Leaders (xSLG)

xSLG isn’t a stat you’ll find on the back of a baseball card or one you’d find on a baseball reference page. However, as far as advanced stats go, xSLG is pretty straightforward. It is the expected slugging percentage of a hitter based on hit probability his batted balls in play, regardless of outcome. So if […]

Mets Acquire J.D. Davis

The New York Mets acquired infielder J.D. Davis and minor league infielder Cody Bohanek from the Houston Astros on Sunday in exchange for minor league outfielder Ross Adolph, infielder Luis Santana and catcher Scott Manea. Davis was a third-round pick in 2014 and hit just .175 with a home run in 103 at-bats in 2018. […]

Using Sabermetrics For Fantasy Baseball Part 1 - BABIP for Hitters

Hello fellow RotoBallers! Sabermetrics have become an integral tool for fantasy baseball draft prep, but a concise resource for understanding the basics can be difficult to find. This series attempts to define and explain all of the metrics fantasy owners may find useful, citing examples of how to use them in the process. Twenty degrees […]

ADP Champ or Chump - Shane Bieber and Matt Chapman

The new year is upon us, which means that it's officially time to start preparing for your 2019 fantasy baseball drafts (if you haven't yet). This column will take a deep dive into two player profiles to attempt to predict how players will perform for their fantasy owners before they take the plunge. We'll start by […]

Daniel Descalso Joins Cubs

The Chicago Cubs agreed to an undisclosed deal with free-agent infielder Daniel Descalso on Tuesday. Descalso was a utility player for Arizona the last two years and hit .238/.353/.436 with a career-high 13 home runs and 57 RBI in 138 games last season. He spent most of his time at second base (51 games) and […]

Matt Chapman Undergoes Shoulder Scope

Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman (shoulder) underwent a left shoulder scope on Friday, but it was a minor cleanup procedure. The A's say that Chapman should be swinging a bat again in six weeks. Chapman is one of the better young third basemen in baseball both offensively and defensively. He hit .278/.356/.508 with 24 […]

Carlos Santana and Edwin Encarnacion Swapped - Fantasy Impact

For Cleveland fans, last year was an odd viewing experience, as for the first time in eight years Carlos Santana was not suiting up for the team. Well, those days are over, as Santana is returning to the corner of Carnegie and Ontario as part of a three-team deal. At the time of writing, Carlos […]

Padres Discussing Trade For Jurickson Profar

The San Diego Padres are discussing a potential trade for Texas Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar, but no deal is imminent, according to sources. The Friars are in the market for an infielder who can cover at the 6 until their top prospect, Fernando Tatis Jr., is ready for the big leagues next year. Profar can […]

Rays Acquire Yandy Diaz From Tribe

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired infielder Yandy Diaz from the Cleveland Indians on Thursday in exchange for first baseman Jake Bauers in a three-team deal that also included the Mariners. It's unclear how much playing time Diaz will get in his new home, but he should have a chance to carve out an everyday role […]

Padres Interested In Marwin Gonzalez

The San Diego Padres are interested in free-agent infielder/outfielder Marwin Gonzalez. With the Padres seeking a utility infielder who can play shortstop until prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. is ready, other options include Daniel Descalso, Nick Ahmed, who is a favorite of Padres skipper Andy Green, and Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar. Gonzalez had a great year […]

A's Talking About Jurickson Profar

The Oakland Athletics are among the teams talking to the Texas Rangers about a trade for infielder Jurickson Profar, according to sources. Profar would be an option to play the keystone if free-agent second baseman Jed Lowrie signs elsewhere on the open market. Franklin Barreto is also an internal possibility. Profar was a post-hype breakout […]

Orioles Hire Brandon Hyde As Next Manager

The Baltimore Orioles hired former Chicago Cubs bench coach Brandon Hyde to be their next manager on Tuesday, according to sources. Hyde has a lot of work ahead of him for a team that finished with the worst record in baseball (47-115) and in last place in the tough American League East. A turnaround for […]

Yankees May Be Willing To Trade Miguel Andujar

The New York Yankees are open to moving third baseman Miguel Andujar, according to rival executives. This could be part of the rumored three-team trade involving the New York Mets and Miami Marlins that would also send catcher J.T. Realmuto to the Mets. If the Yanks get rid of Andujar, it'd make them more active […]

Jake Lamb To Play Some First Base In 2019

Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said that third baseman Jake Lamb will play some first base next year along with third base. 2018 was a lost season for Lamb, who required shoulder surgery. He played in just 56 games and was bad before his injury, hitting .222/.307/.348 with six home runs and 31 RBI. […]

Rays Interested In Edwin Encarnacion, Yandy Diaz

The Cleveland Indians are willing to listen to trade offers for designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion and infielder Yandy Diaz. It would be somewhat of a backup plan if they are unwilling to find the right return for either starting pitchers Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer this winter. The Tampa Bay Rays have asked about both […]

Mariners Not Motivated To Move Kyle Seager

The Mariners remain open for business on first baseman Carlos Santana and starting pitcher Mike Leake, but teams that have checked in on him say the Mariners are not motivated to trade third baseman Kyle Seager. His value is obviously down after struggling to a .221/.273/.400 slash line with 22 home runs and 78 RBI […]

Nationals Make Contact With DJ LeMahieu, Marwin Gonzalez

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said the team has made contact with free-agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu and infielder Marwin Gonzalez. With aging Howie Kendrick, who is coming off a serious injury, currently slated to be the team's starting second baseman, the Nats are definitely looking to upgrade at the position, and both LeMahieu […]

White Sox Interested In Marwin Gonzalez

The Chicago White Sox are believed to be interested in free-agent infielder/outfielder Marwin Gonzalez. While Gonzalez wasn't as good in 2018 as he was in 2017, he still managed 16 home runs and 68 RBI in 489 at-bats and offers fantasy owners with a variety of positions to play him at. The switch-hitter will be […]

Luis Valbuena Dies In Car Crash

Free-agent infielder Luis Valbuena and former major leaguer Jose Castillo were both killed in a car accident in Venezuela on Thursday. Both players were leaving the stadium after playing in a game in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Authorities said their car went to the opposite side of the road while trying to avoid a […]

Angels Interested In Marwin Gonzalez

The Los Angeles Angels are believed to be interested in free-agent infielder/outfielder Marwin Gonzalez. Gonzalez had a career-high 23 home runs in 2017 and hit .303, but he fell back to Earth last season by hitting .247/.324/.409 with 16 home runs and 68 RBI in 145 games with the Astros. He still has some notable […]

Astros Considering Josh Harrison

The Houston Astros have considered free-agent infielder Josh Harrison, who would serve as a replacement for Marwin Gonzalez at a much lower cost if they can't re-sign Gonzalez. Harrison would fill the utility role that Gonzalez handled in Houston. The 31-year-old Harrison had a bad year in 2018, hitting .250/.293/.363 with eight home runs and […]

Top 10 Dynasty Catchers - Fantasy Baseball Prospects

In 2018, the average catcher in fantasy baseball posted a WRC+ of 90. That means that, on average, a catcher in the Majors was ten percent worse than any other position. If this does not show the dearth of talent right now for fantasy owners at the position than nothing will. This, in fact, keeps […]

Kris Bryant To Begin Hitting In January

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (shoulder) is progressing without limitations and is expected to begin hitting in January, according to president Theo Epstein. Bryant's left shoulder injury was the story of his disappointing 2018 season, as it limited him tremendously in the second half. He hit .272/.374/.460 and his counting stats (13 homers, 52 […]

Braves Planning To Hit Josh Donaldson Second In Order

The Atlanta Braves are currently planning to hit third baseman Josh Donaldson in the second spot in the batting order in 2019, with first baseman Freddie Freeman hitting third and outfielder Ronald Acuna either leadoff or cleanup. Second baseman Ozzie Albies and center fielder Ender Inciarte are options for the leadoff spot as well. Donaldson […]

Nick Senzel's Rehab On The Right Track

Cincinnati Reds third base prospect Nick Senzel (elbow), who is ranked as the team's top prospect and No. 6 in all of baseball, is feeling better after having surgery to remove bone chips in his left elbow in mid-October and is expected to be ready to swing a bat by the end of December. The […]

Buy Low(er) - Dynasty Baseball Players Due For A Rebound

Dynasty teams are great to own and develop; they are my favorite teams to manage actually. In real life and fantasy, there are managers who find happiness by having a finished organization that can run itself with very little decision-making on their part. There are other people who find pleasure building an organization up and […]

Dodgers Announce Extension For Dave Roberts

The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a four-year contract extension with manager Dave Roberts on Monday. It's well-deserved after he has guided the Blue to back-to-back World Series appearances. In his three seasons as the skipper in LA, Roberts has a record of 287-200. He made some head-scratching decisions in the World Series that wound […]

Nick Senzel Could Play Center Field In 2019

Cincinnati Reds third base prospect Nick Senzel is a candidate to play center field in 2019 after the team non-tendered Billy Hamilton on Friday, making him a free agent. Senzel is the team's top prospect and No. 6 overall in baseball, but he's been in infielder his entire college and professional career so far. Scott […]

Nationals Pursuing Extension For Anthony Rendon

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he expects to continue pursuing an extension for third baseman Anthony Rendon. The Nats will possibly lose superstar outfielder Bryce Harper in free agency this offseason, so they do not want to lose their next biggest star in Rendon. The 28-year-old has hit .305/.389/.534 with 85 doubles and […]

Kris Bryant: Fantasy Baseball Year-in-Review

After capturing National League MVP honors and helping the Cubs end their 108-year championship drought in 2016, there was really nowhere to go but down for Kris Bryant. Indeed, his 2017 performance fell a bit short of the lofty heights he'd reached the prior year as all of his counting stats decreased, but he remained […]