Edwin Encarnacion Being Flipped To Tampa

The Seattle Mariners will send recently acquired designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion to the Tampa Bay Rays in a separate deal, according to sources. It's unclear what the return for Seattle will be. The Mariners are firmly in a rebuild after shipping first baseman Carlos Santana, who they acquired from the Phillies earlier this month, to […]

Indians Get Carlos Santana, Jake Bauers

The Cleveland Indians are acquiring first baseman Carlos Santana from the Mariners and first baseman Jake Bauers from the Rays on Thursday in a three-team swap. The Tribe shipped designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion to Seattle and infielder Yandy Diaz to the Rays. The Tribe now has a surplus of DH/first base types, although Bauers could […]

Edwin Encarnacion Heading To Seattle

The Seattle Mariners will acquire designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion and a compensatory Round B selection from the Cleveland Indians on Thursday in exchange for first baseman Carlos Santana in a three-team deal also involving the Rays. E5 can also play some first base, but he'll likely serve mostly as a DH in Seattle. He'll turn 36 […]

Mariners Close To Acquiring Edwin Encarnacion

The Seattle Mariners are close to acquiring designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion from the Cleveland Indians on Thursday, according to sources. The deal could be a three-team swap also involving the Rays, with first baseman Carlos Santana moving to the Indians. There could be a lot more moving parts to this deal, so stay tuned for […]

Shohei Ohtani Could Be Everyday DH

Los Angeles Angels manager Brad Ausmus said that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) probably doesn't need to sit against left-handed pitchers going into next season. While Ohtani still will need to be cleared to regular serve as the DH in 2019, the expectation is that he'll be able to swing despite undergoing Tommy John surgery […]

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 […]

Twins, Rays In Play For Nelson Cruz

The race to sign free-agent designated hitter Nelson Cruz is down to the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays, according to a source. Cruz will have to serve as the full-time DH for either club, as he'll be turning 39 years old next summer and is a defensive liability in the outfield. Injuries will be […]

Mutual Interest Between Nelson Cruz, Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have "running dialogue" and have discussed parameters with free-agent designated hitter Nelson Cruz. Cruz's agent, Bryce Dixon, said Cruz is interested and calls it "a perfect fit." Three to four other teams are also interested in the power-hitting veteran. Cruz will be 39 next July, but he's managed to stay relatively […]

Shohei Ohtani Has Full Range Of Motion

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is doing well in his rehab from Tommy John surgery and has full range of motion with his arm. He will come back to the United States in January for a checkup, but it's too early for the team to set up a hitting plan for […]

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 […]

Twins In The Mix For Nelson Cruz

The Minnesota Twins have entered the mix for free-agent designated hitter Nelson Cruz. The Astros, Rays and possibly the White Sox are also interested. Cruz will turn 39 years old next July after hitting .256/.342/.509 with 37 home runs and 97 RBI in 144 games with the Mariners last season. Despite his advanced age, Cruz […]

Mike Napoli Retires Saturday

Free-agent first baseman/designated hitter Mike Napoli announced on Twitter on Saturday that he is retiring from baseball. His best season in the big leagues came with the Red Sox in 2011 when he hit .320 with a .631 slugging percentage, 30 home runs and 75 RBI. He'll finish his 12-year career with a .246/.346/.475 slash […]

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 […]

Shawn Wooten Hired as Angels Hitting Coach

The Los Angeles Angels have hired former infielder Shawn Wooten to be their hitting coach. Wooten was previously coaching in their minor league system. The career .272 hitter will look to help an offense that is lead by Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Justin Upton and Albert Pujols.

Statcast Review - 2018 Hitting Leaders (Exit Velocity)

After a full fantasy season of using Statcast measures to predicting risers and fallers each week, it’s time to take a step back and view the big picture. One of the most straightforward Statcast measurements we relied on was exit velocity or the speed the ball comes off the bat immediately after being hit. It […]

Alex Cora Receives One-Year Extension

The Boston Red Sox signed manager Alex Cora to a one-year contract extension through the 2021 season. The deal includes a team option for the 2022 season. Cora more than deserved it after leading the team to 108 wins in the regular season and a World Series title in his first year at the helm. […]

Brian Snitker Awarded NL Manager Of The Year

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker was named the 2018 National League Manager Of the Year on Tuesday. Snitker led the Braves to the NL East title and received 17 first-place votes to finish ahead of Brewers manager Craig Counsell and Rockies skipper Bud Black. The Braves spent 115 days in first place in 2018 and […]

Bob Melvin Named AL Manager Of The Year

Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin was named the 2018 American League Manager Of the Year on Tuesday. Oakland's plus-22 win total from the previous season was the highest increase in baseball from 2017 to 2018. The A's also entered the year with the lowest payroll on Opening Day, but they managed to win 97 games […]

Shohei Ohtani Awarded AL Rookie Of The Year

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was named the 2018 American League Rookie Of the Year on Monday. He beat out Yankees infielders Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres for the award and tallied 25 of 30 first-place votes. Ohtani was the first player in history to be a starting pitcher and full-time hitter […]

Dodgers Exercise Dave Roberts' Option

The Los Angeles Dodgers exercised manager Dave Roberts' option for the 2019 season on Wednesday, according to president Andrew Friedman. However, the team still expects to sign Roberts to a long-term deal soon. The option buys the team more time to negotiate with Roberts on an extension. Roberts has led the Dodgers to three straight […]

Three Teams Showing Interest In Nelson Cruz

The Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays are showing interest in trading for Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz. Seattle is apparently willing to discuss almost any player in trades this winter, with the 38-year-old Cruz being one of the most likely players to be moved. Despite his age, Cruz managed to […]

Rick Renteria Receives Contract Extension

Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said that manager Rick Renteria signed a contract extension some time ago and that 2019 will not be his last season under contract. Renteria has gone 129-195 in his two years as the skipper for the Pale Hose. The White Sox are in the midst of a rebuilding […]

Miguel Cabrera On Track For Spring Training

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (biceps) is on track to be ready in time for the start of spring training, according to general manager Al Avila. Cabrera missed the final three and a half months of the season after he had surgery to fix a ruptured left biceps tendon. Miggy hit .299/.395/.448 in just […]

Shohei Ohtani On Schedule After Surgery

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is progressing on schedule after having Tommy John surgery, and he is almost fully able to extend his right elbow. General manager Billy Eppler said there won't be a more clear timeline for Ohtani's return until January. All we know is that Ohtani won't be able […]

Rangers Hire Chris Woodward To Be Next Manager

The Texas Rangers hired Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Chris Woodward to be their next manager on Friday. The 42-year-old Woodward has spent the last three seasons as the third base coach for the Dodgers and played in the big leagues for 12 years in stints with the Blue Jays, Mets, Mariners and Red […]

Indians Will Listen To Trade Offers On Veterans

Due to market restraints, the Cleveland Indians will listen to trade offers for some of their veterans this winter, including starting pitchers Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion and catcher Yan Gomes. Shortstop Francisco Lindor and infielder Jose Ramirez will definitely be held. Despite being on the wrong side of 30 years […]

Angels Promote Jeremy Reed to Hitting Coach

The Los Angeles Angels have promoted Jeremy Reed to their new hitting coach. Reed will replace Eric Hinske. Reed was a minor league hitting coordinator last season, and was mentioned by Kole Calhoun and Francisco Arcia as a big help to them rebuilding their swings. Prior to joining LA, Reed had been a hitting coach […]

Mets Sticking With Mickey Callaway As Manager

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway will remain as the team's manager in 2019, according to new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen. "I fully support him," Van Wagenen said. There was speculation that Callaway would get the boot with a new GM coming in, but that won't be the case. The Mets had a very […]

A's Reach Extensions With Bob Melvin, Billy Beane, David Forst

The Oakland Athletics gave multi-year contract extensions to vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane, general manager David Forst and manager Bob Melvin on Monday. Melvin's deal will run through the 2021 season and will make him one of the top five highest paid managers at roughly $3.5 million per year. Forst's extension is for […]

Dave Roberts Expected To Receive Long-Term Deal

Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Andrew Friedman said that the team plans to complete a long-term contract extension for manager Dave Roberts. Roberts has successfully led the team to back-to-back World Series appearances, but the Dodgers have come out losers both times. He owns a 287-200 record in his three seasons as the Los Angeles […]