Batting Order: Using Sabermetrics for 2024 Fantasy Baseball

You may be wondering why there aren't any advanced stats aimed at predicting a player's counting stats like runs and RBI. The answer is simple: modern sabermetrics reject the idea of a "clutch RBI guy" and therefore do not bother inventing predictive metrics for it. Runs and RBI are team-dependent stats and are unhelpful in ascertaining […]

David Rubenstein, Mike Arougheti To Purchase Orioles For $1.725 Billion

David Rubenstein of the Carlyle Group and Mike Arougheti of Ares Management Corporation will reportedly purchase the Baltimore Orioles franchise from the Angelos family for $1.725 billion, per the Athletic's Brittany Ghiroli. There is no timetable for when the deal will be made official, although owners' meetings will take place next week in Orlando. Should […]

Colt Keith To Play Second Base In 2024

Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said the team won't shut the door on prospect Colt Keith playing third base in the future, but he will play second base in 2024. "We think Colt can play second and third. We think he has the chance to be an average or better second baseman. […]

Justin Turner Inks One-Year Deal With Blue Jays

Free-agent infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner signed a one-year deal with a $13 million base salary on Tuesday with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to a source. The deal includes $1.5 million in roster and performance bonuses for the 2024 season. While Turner can play both third and first base, he's primarily expected to serve as […]

Mariners Acquire Jorge Polanco From Twins

The Seattle Mariners acquired second baseman Jorge Polanco from the Minnesota Twins on Monday, according to sources. It's unclear what the Twins are receiving in return. The Twins exercised Polanco's $10.5 million club option for the 2024 season, even after he played in just 80 regular-season games due to ankle, knee and hamstring injuries. The […]

Plenty Of Concerns About Justin Turner

Free-agent infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner slashed a strong .276/.345/.455 with the Boston Red Sox in 2023 and is widely regarded as a great clubhouse presence. However, evaluators think most of Turner's playing time needs to be at DH, which is how he was used in Boston. He had 98 games at DH, 41 at first […]

Justin Turner Decision Likely To Be Made This Week

Free-agent infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner is expected to make a decision on free agency this week regarding where he will be playing in 2024. The 39-year-old slashed .276/.345/.455 with 23 home runs in 146 games played, posting a 114 wRC+ last year with the Boston Red Sox. Turner has maintained a wRC+ of at least […]

Pull%: Using Sabermetrics for 2024 Fantasy Baseball

We have previously determined that fantasy managers generally prefer batters to hit the ball into the air to have a chance at a home run. Yet, all fly balls are not equal for this purpose. A player can maximize his power production by pulling the ball in the air. One way to illustrate this is […]

Tigers Sign Colt Keith To Six-Year Contract Extension

The Detroit Tigers signed infield prospect Colt Keith to a six-year, $28.64 million contract extension that runs through the 2029 season on Sunday, followed by club options for the 2030, 2031 and 2032 seasons. If all of Keith's options are exercised, the 22-year-old would make $82 million over nine years, which would buy out all […]

Five Fantasy Baseball Hitters To Target In Mid-to-Late Rounds of 2024 Drafts

We are still a ways away from the thick of fantasy baseball draft season, but enough drafts have been completed to start getting an idea as to when players are being drafted. It is never too early to start strategizing for your drafts. While there are many different draft strategies and tactics, it is generally […]

Top Fantasy Baseball Hitter Prospects - 2024 Draft Targets and Sleepers

If you’re playing in a non-dynasty/keeper fantasy baseball league, it’s imperative to draft players who will make an immediate impact on your squad. Everybody in your league will have a win-now mindset; in order to dominate draft day, you must prepare a list of breakout candidates at each position. Sometimes, these gems aren’t new to […]

Rangers Sign Jared Walsh, Matt Duffy To Minor-League Deals

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent first baseman Jared Walsh, infielder Matt Duffy and left-hander Blake Taylor to minor-league deals with invitations to major-league spring training on Thursday. Walsh was a first-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he hit .277 (147-for-530) with a career-high 29 home runs in 144 games. However, he […]

Damiano Palmegiani Has Path To Big Leagues In 2024

Toronto Blue Jays infield prospect Damiano Palmegiani, who is ranked as the team's No. 18 prospect on MLB Pipeline, offers a positional fit at third base, power potential and the ability to crush left-handed pitching. At some point in 2024, the Blue Jays will need all three of those things, making Palmegiani a candidate to […]

Jeimer Candelario To Be Everyday Player For Reds

Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Jeimer Candelario was signed this offseason to be a steady presence in a very young lineup, despite an already crowded infield picture in Cincinnati. He has played in 746 major-league games, and no other Reds position player has appeared in more than 380 games. "Adding a guy like Jeimer takes some […]

Yoan Moncada Feeling Healthy Ahead Of Spring Training

Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada is feeling healthy and motivated as spring training nears. The veteran dealt with knee and back issues in the 2022 and 2023 seasons as he appeared in just 92 games in 2023 after appearing in just 104 games in the 2022 campaign. "I'm motivated and excited because I'm […]

Yankees Showing Interest In Matt Chapman

The New York Yankees are reportedly one of a number of clubs interested in signing free-agent third baseman Matt Chapman. The veteran remains one of the top free agents left on the market and perhaps the best infielder available. The 30-year-old tailed off after a blistering start at the plate in 2023 but still hit […]

Third Base Fantasy Baseball Rankings and Tiers - Roto Leagues (January Updates)

It's an exciting time for baseball. Spring Training is approaching, and Opening Day is about two months away. It's never too early to prepare for your upcoming fantasy baseball drafts. At RotoBaller, we'll help you dominate your draft and win your league with our MLB team's early 2024 fantasy baseball third base rankings and tiers […]

Five Infielders To Target In 2024 Fantasy Baseball OBP Leagues

Many rotisserie or category fantasy baseball scoring formats have switched out batting average (AVG) for on-base percentage (OBP) or have simply included it as an additional category. While on the surface, it may not significantly affect your pre-draft ranking, several players should be moved a bit higher up your board. If you are new to […]

Christian Arroyo Signs Minors Pact With Brewers

Free-agent infielder Christian Arroyo has signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. The deal is worth $1.5 million, plus incentives, if Arroyo is able to crack the big-league roster. The 28-year-old has spent the last three seasons with the Red Sox, most recently hitting .241 with three home runs, one stolen base, and a […]

Noelvi Marte On Track To Be Ready For Camp

Cincinnati Reds general manager Nick Krall said the hamstring injury that infield prospect Noelvi Marte suffered late in November while playing in the Dominican Republic winter league came with a six- to 10-week recovery process, meaning he's on a good track to be ready for the start of spring training. Barring a setback in his […]

Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, Joe Mauer Elected To Hall Of Fame

Third baseman Adrian Beltre, catcher Joe Mauer and power-hitting first baseman Todd Helton were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday, with both Beltre and Mauer getting in on their first ballot. Helton was elected on his sixth try. Beltre had 95.1% of the votes, Helton at 79.7%, and Mauer at 76.1%. […]

Miguel Sano Agrees To Join Angels

Free-agent corner infielder/designated hitter Miguel Sano and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training on Tuesday, according to sources. Sano is currently playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic after not playing last summer. The Halos are taking a low-cost flier on a 30-year-old right-handed power bat […]

Matt Chapman Could Be Fallback Plan For Cubs

If left-handed-hitting outfielder Cody Bellinger signs elsewhere in free agency this offseason, the Chicago Cubs could turn to right-handed-hitting third baseman Matt Chapman while seeking another left-handed bat some other way. Ultimately, the Cubs may want to give the majority of their designated hitter at-bats to Christopher Morel, as they did in 2023. The 30-year-old […]

Justin Foscue Working At Third And First Base

Texas Rangers infielder Justin Foscue, who is ranked as the team's No. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline, is in a prime position to break camp with the big-league club in 2024 and has been focused on playing both third and first base this offseason. The 24-year-old is a natural second baseman and could contribute at […]

Orioles Acquire Tyler Nevin From Tigers

The Baltimore Orioles acquired infielder Tyler Nevin on Monday from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations. Nevin made his major-league debut with the Orioles in 2021 and also played for them in 2022, hitting a combined .205 (35-for-171) with three home runs and 19 RBI in 64 games played. The 26-year-old corner infielder […]

Fantasy Baseball Top 100 Prospects for 2024 First-Year Player Drafts (January 2024 Update)

A number of the top international players that are being posted this offseason have signed, with a few more yet to come. Rankings for players have adjusted, some due to their destination, and a few MLB draft prospects are moving due to some additional viewing of tape and underlying metrics on those players. Otherwise, there […]

Yankees Sign Utility Man Jose Rojas

The New York Yankees signed free-agent utility man Jose Rojas to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, according to a source. Rojas can play right field, third base and second base. The 30-year-old left-handed hitter made his big-league debut in 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels and has hit […]

Cubs Unlikely To Trade Christopher Morel

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said that the team isn't trying to trade utility player Christopher Morel this offseason. And as far as where Morel will play in 2024, they view him as a game-changing hitter whom the Cubs want to keep in their lineup, whether he's playing one spot or moving […]

Tigers Claim Devin Sweet, Designate Tyler Nevin For Assignment

The Detroit Tigers have claimed right-hander Devin Sweet off waivers from the San Francisco Giants and subsequently designated infielder Tyler Nevin for assignment. Sweet, 27, made his big-league debut with the Mariners and A's in the 2023 season, allowing 10 earned runs on 10 hits and six walks against six strikeouts across just 8 2/3 […]

Yankees Signs Jose Rojas To Minor-League Pact

The New York Yankees have signed utility player Jose Rojas to a minor-league deal. The 30-year-old spent the 2023 season playing for the KBO's Doosan Bears and did well to hit .253 with 19 home runs, 65 RBI, and an .819 OPS across 464 trips to the plate. He also recently spent 13 games playing […]