Luke Voit Fully Recovered From Core Surgery

New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit is reportedly in the best shape of his life after recovering from core surgery this offseason. Plenty of players report being in unusually great shape coming into spring training, but it's significant that Voit feels good. Core injuries pushed Voit’s hard-hit rate down to a career-worst 89.7 mph […]

Astros Choose Dusty Baker As Next Manager

The Houston Astros are expected to choose Dusty Baker as their next manager following the fallout from the sign-stealing scandal, according to a person familiar with the hiring. Baker's contract isn't officially finalized, but the 70-year-old three-time National League Manager of the Year is lined up to receive the job. He has guided four teams […]

Early Mock Draft Analysis: MLB Mixed Leagues

Don't tell us it's not draft season yet! Truth be told, the RotoBaller crew was already planning a mock draft days after the World Series ended. As it turns out, we decided to wait until some free agent moves were made and settled for a slow draft that began shortly after the Winter Meetings. We […]

Luis Rojas To Be New Mets Manager

The New York Mets are finalizing a deal with Luis Rojas on Wednesday to be the next manager. He'll replace Carlos Beltran, who the team parted ways with last week in the wake of Beltran's role in the Astros sign-stealing scandal. The 38-year-old was the team's quality control coach in 2019 and interviewed for the […]

Rays Acquire Jose Martinez, Randy Arozarena

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired outfielders Jose Martinez and Randy Arozarena from the Cardinals on Thursday in exchange for top left-handed pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore and low-level catching prospect Edgardo Rodriguez. The Cardinals also sent a competitive-balance Round A pick (38th overall) to the Rays, who sent their Round B pick (66th overall) to St. […]

Brewers Give Craig Counsell Contract Extension

The Milwaukee Brewers are signing manager Craig Counsell to a contract extension that will run through the 2023 season, according to sources. It's a well-deserved extension, as Counsell led the Brew Crew to a National League Championship appearance in 2018 before a wild-card showing this past season. The 49-year-old coach started as the head man […]

Top 570: Early Fantasy Baseball Tiered Rankings (January)

Welcome back RotoBallers, and Happy New Year! Below you will find our staff's early 2020 fantasy baseball tiered rankings (top 570) for mixed leagues. In case you missed it, you can also see our tiered positional rankings and position-by-position analysis breakdowns as well. Four of our lead fantasy baseball analysts - Nick Mariano, Pierre Camus, Riley Mrack and Nicklaus Gaut - have analyzed the […]

Edwin Encarnacion Signs With White Sox

The Chicago White Sox have signed first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion to a one-year, $12 million contract that includes a club option for $12 million in 2021. The White Sox struggled mightily to find production out of their designated hitter spot in 2019. Encarnacion hit .244 with 34 home runs and 86 RBI in 109 […]

White Sox Serious About Edwin Encarnacion

The Chicago White Sox are in serious pursuit of first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, although nothing is likely to be completed until after the holidays. Encarnacion, 37 in January, would be Chicago's full-time designated hitter if he lands with them, while occasionally spelling Jose Abreu at first base. It'd be a good setup for the […]

White Sox Talking With Edwin Encarnacion

The Chicago White Sox had talks with first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion at the winter meetings and since. Encarnacion will turn 37 next month, but he still managed to hit .244/.344/.531 with 34 home runs and 86 RBI in 418 at-bats with the Mariners and Yankees. Staying in New York would be ideal for his […]

Blue Jays Make Offers To Hyun-Jin Ryu, Edwin Encarnacion

The Toronto Blue Jays have made competitive offers to starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu and first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion. The Jays are still looking to upgrade their rotation after adding Tanner Roark. Ryu has been flying under the radar despite going 14-5 with a 2.32 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 163 strikeouts in 182 2/3 innings […]

Blue Jays Interested In Edwin Encarnacion, Travis Shaw

The Toronto Blue Jays are interested in first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion. They've also monitored Travis Shaw, while Mitch Moreland and Eric Thames could also be options. Encarnacion isn't getting any younger -- he'll turn 37 in January -- but he still managed to hit .244/.344/.531 with 34 home runs, 81 runs and 86 RBI […]

No Timetable For Shohei Ohtani To Pitch In Games Next Year

Los Angeles Angels general manager Billy Eppler isn't giving a timetable for when starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow, knee) will pitch in games next season. The Angels will have more of an idea once the Japanese right-hander completes his throwing progression this month. Ohtani didn't pitch at all last season while recovering from Tommy […]

Pirates Hire Derek Shelton As Manager

The Pittsburgh Pirates hired Derek Shelton as their new manager on Wednesday. It will be his first managerial job after he spent the last two seasons as the Twins bench coach. Shelton was also a quality control coach for the Blue Jays in 2017 and was the hitting coach for the Rays for seven years. […]

J.D. Martinez Doesn't Opt Out Of Deal

Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter J.D. Martinez chose not to opt out of his contract with the team, so he can earn $62.5 million over the next three years: $23.75 million for 2020 and $19.375 million for both 2021 and 2022. As long as he doesn't have a lengthy stay on the injured list, Martinez […]

Mets Hire Carlos Beltran As Manager

The New York Mets hired former All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran as their new manager on Friday. He'll receive a three-year deal with an option for a fourth season. The nine-time All-Star played for New York from 2005 to 2011, but this will be his first gig as a manager in the big leagues. Beltran spent […]

Royals Name Mike Matheny As Manager

The Kansas City Royals hired Mike Matheny as their next manager on Thursday. Matheny, 49, went 591-474 with the Cardinals from 2012-18 and was the first manager to reach the playoffs in his first four seasons. St. Louis lost to the Red Sox in the 2013 World Series. He was hired by the Royals as […]

Yankees Decline Edwin Encarnacion's Option

The New York Yankees declined their 2020 option for first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion on Thursday, making him a free agent. The 36-year-old slugger was lost at the plate in the postseason for the Yanks, but he was productive in 44 games for them in the second half, hitting .249/.325/.531 with 13 home runs and […]

Howie Kendrick Blasts Nationals Ahead in Seventh Inning

Houston Astros relief pitcher Will Harris replaced starting pitcher Zack Greinke after he gave up a homer to Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon and a walk to outfielder Juan Soto. Harris followed and designated hitter Howie Kendrick answered with a dinger off the right field foul pole in Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday. It gave the […]

Yordan Alvarez Establishes Astros in Game 5 Win

Alvarez blasted a 95-MPH sinker over the centerfield wall in the second inning to put the Astros up 2-0 in game five of the World Series. It was a series of unfortunate events for the Nationals, with Yuli Gurriel singling off of an infield deflection the batter before. Alvarez ended up going 3-for-3 before getting […]

Shohei Ohtani Up To 100 Feet In Throwing Program

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (elbow, knee) is up to 100 feet in his throwing program and is on track to get on a mound in late November. The Japanese star had knee surgery in September. Ohtani is also working his way back from Tommy John surgery. He was only used as […]

Yordan Alvarez The Odd Man Out In Game 3

Houston Astros rookie outfielder Yordan Alvarez is not in the starting lineup for Game 3 of the World Series against the Nationals on the road with the designated hitter no longer in play. Josh Reddick will stick in right field and will hit seventh on Friday against Nationals starter Anibal Sanchez. Alvarez took the league […]

Phillies Hire Joe Girardi As Manager

The Philadelphia Phillies hired Joe Girardi as their new manager on Thursday, according to a source. Girardi is replacing Gabe Kapler, who was fired after just two seasons and a middling record in Philly. The Phillies signed Bryce Harper last offseason but missed the playoffs and went 81-81 for fourth place in the National League […]

Cubs Hiring David Ross As Manager

The Chicago Cubs are hiring David Ross as their next manager on Wednesday, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. An official announcement is expected to come on Thursday. The 42-year-old former catcher played under former manager, Joe Maddon, in 2015 and 2016 and helped the Cubbies win the World Series. Ross has no […]

Yordan Alvarez Looking To Build Off Game 1

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez will try and build off his 2-for-3 performance in Game 1 of the World Series. Alvarez also drew a walk and reached base three times for the first time in the postseason. The rookie is coming off an ALCS where he hit only .045 and is hitting .205 over […]

Howie Kendrick Looks To Stay Hot In World Series

Washington Nationals designated hitter Howie Kendrick will start and hit fifth in Game 1 of the World Series against the Astros. Kendrick will try to stay hot against some elite starting pitching and will face the dominant Gerrit Cole Tuesday night. Kendrick is coming off a NLCS MVP award and is slugging .474 in the […]

Giancarlo Stanton Gets The Game 5 Start

New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton will start and hit cleanup in the Yankees crucial Game 5 matchup against the Astros. Stanton has not played since October 12 with a quadriceps injury but it is do-or-die for the Yankees season. Stanton went 2-for-4 with a home run in Game 1 of the series and […]

Edwin Encarnacion Not In Game 5 Lineup

New York Yankees designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion will ride the bench in Game 5 of the ALCS. The veteran is having a brutal series, going only 1-for-15 (.067) through the first four games. Encarnacion will take a seat due to brutal career numbers against the Astros expected starter, Justin Verlander. In 41 career at-bats against the veteran […]

Can Yordan Alvarez Snap Slump?

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is only 1-for-15 (.067) in the ALCS as the Astros will try and win the pennant in Game 5 against the Yankees. The rookie phenom has torn through the league all season and hit .375 in the ALDS but now is slugging only .294 through 34 postseason at-bats. The […]

Angels Hire Joe Maddon As Manager

The Los Angeles Angels hired Joe Maddon as their next manager on Wednesday. This was the expected outcome after the Cubs fired Maddon and the Angels let go of Brad Ausmus after just one year. Maddon has over 30 years of experience in the Angels organization and has 16 years of managerial experience between the […]