Astros Targeting Brad Hand, Alex Colome, Others

The Houston Astros continue to search for bullpen help and are targeting some of the biggest free-agent relievers on the market, including Brad Hand, Alex Colome, Liam Hendriks and Trevor Rosenthal, according to sources. Houston saw veteran relievers Roberto Osuna, Chris Devenski and Brad Peacock to free agency. They signed Ryne Stanek on Thursday to […]

Astros Sign Ryne Stanek On Thursday

The Houston Astros signed veteran reliever Ryne Stanek to a one-year deal worth $1.1 million on Thursday, according to a source. The 29-year-old was used as an opener by the Rays in 2018-19 and made 56 starts, none of which lasted more than two innings. Stanek allowed eight runs in 10 relief innings for the […]

Mets Still In The Market For George Springer

The New York Mets Thursday blockbuster trade for shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco doesn't mean they are out on top free agents such as outfielder George Springer and relief pitcher Liam Hendriks. The Lindor/Carrasco trade could add more than $30 million to the team's 2021 payroll, and the Mets will likely try […]

White Sox Looking At Brad Hand, Liam Hendriks

The Chicago White Sox are among the teams interested in free-agent relief pitcher Brad Hand. They are seeking a top closer and are also interested in former A's closer Liam Hendriks. Alex Colome is a free agent this offseason after serving as Chicago's closer the last two years. Looking to shed payroll, Hand was waived […]

Valuable Long Relievers of 2020 and the Lingering Impact (Part 2)

In part one, we examined the bullpens in Toronto and Cincinnati. The circumstantial insanity of the 2020 MLB season necessitated some adjustments in strategy, both for big-league managers and fantasy baseball GMs. One of these adjustments, prompted by frequent doubleheaders and the three-batter minimum rule, was the greater use of long-relievers and a generally reduced […]

Dodgers Re-Sign Blake Treinen For Two Years

The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed right-handed pitcher Blake Treinen to a two-year, $17.5 million deal through the 2022 season on Tuesday. The deal includes a team option worth $8 million ($1 million buyout) for the 2023 season, according to a source. The 32-year-old went 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA (11 earned runs in 25 2/3 […]

Mets Showing Interest In Brad Hand

The New York Mets have interest in All-Star closer Brad Hand, who had a 2.05 ERA, 1.37 FIP and 0.77 WHIP while leading the American League with 16 saves in 2020 for the Indians. General manager Sandy Alderson said that the new front-office regime might have claimed Hand off waivers had it been their call […]

Phillies Sign Neftali Feliz, Others To Minor League Deals

The Philadelphia Phillies signed relief pitcher Neftali Feliz, catcher Christian Bethancourt, infielder Ronald Torreyes and right-hander Michael Ynoa to minor league deals on Monday. The 32-year-old Feliz won the American League Rookie of the Year and was an All-Star for the Rangers in 2010, but he hasn't pitched in the majors since 2017. Bethancourt, 29, […]

Liam Hendriks Visits With Blue Jays

Free-agent relief pitcher Liam Hendriks was scheduled to visit with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, according to a source. The Chicago White Sox are also believed to be interested in Hendriks, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. FanSided's Robert Murray reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers also have strong interest, although there are no signs […]

Valuable Long Relievers of 2020 and the Lingering Impact (Part 1)

The circumstantial insanity of the 2020 MLB season necessitated some adjustments in strategy, both for big-league managers and fantasy baseball GMs. One of these adjustments, prompted by frequent doubleheaders and the three-batter minimum rule, was the greater use of long-relievers and a generally reduced workload for rotation pitchers. That makes sense from the perspective of […]

Year-In-Review: Rafael Dolis and Jordan Romano

As I created my early 2021 Relief Pitcher rankings, I realized how wide open so many bullpens are right now due to free agency. One team that will surely add a late-inning arm this offseason is the Toronto Blue Jays, as Anthony Bass and Ken Giles are both now free agents. But are they in […]

Padres Could Re-Sign Kirby Yates

The San Diego Padres are still looking to bolster their bullpen after pulling off blockbuster trades this week for left-hander Blake Snell and right-hander Yu Darvish, and the club could re-sign relief pitcher Kirby Yates (elbow), who missed most of the 2020 season with bone chips in his right elbow, according to sources. Yates was […]

Twins Reach Deal With Hansel Robles Tuesday

The Minnesota Twins signed former Los Angeles Angels closer Hansel Robles to a one-year deal worth $2 million on Tuesday. Robles saved 23 of his 27 chances with the Halos in 2019 and went 5-1 with a 2.48 ERA in 71 relief outings. However, he had a nightmarish 10.26 ERA in 18 relief appearances in […]

Phillies Acquire Jose Alvarado In Three-Team Trade

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired left-handed relief pitcher Jose Alvarado in a three-team trade on Tuesday involving the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Rays sent Alvarado to the Phillies, the Phillies sent left-hander Garrett Cleavinger to the Dodgers and the Dodgers sent infielder Dillon Paulson and a player to be named to the […]

Red Sox Sign Matt Andriese

The Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year deal with right-handed pitcher Matt Andriese on Wednesday. The deal includes a team option for the 2022 season. In addition, Boston claimed catcher Deivy Grullon off waivers from the Reds. Andriese made 16 appearances (one start) for the Angels in 2020 and had a 4.50 ERA, 1.00 […]

Dodgers Agree With Tommy Kahnle

The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a two-year deal with reliever Tommy Kahnle (elbow) on Wednesday, according to a source. Kahnle will receive $750,000 in 2021, $3.45 million in 2022 and a $550,000 signing bonus. The deal includes $750,000 in performance bonuses in 2022. The right-hander had Tommy John surgery in August while with the […]

Sam Fuld Promoted To General Manager

Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced on Tuesday that the team promoted Sam Fuld to general manager. Former GM Matt Klentak was reassigned in October. The 39-year-old Fuld has been in the team's front office since 2017, joining them initially as the major league player information coordinator. He was the director of […]

Giants Sign John Brebbia Monday

The San Francisco Giants signed right-handed reliever John Brebbia (elbow) to a one-year deal on Monday. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. The 30-year-old missed all of the 2020 season after having Tommy John surgery in June. He had a 3.14 ERA in 175 innings with the Cardinals from 2017-19, including a 1.10 WHIP […]

A Year to Forget: Relievers Who'll Rebound in 2021

The 2020 season was so weird, unprecedented, awkward, and chaotic, it might be wise to toss out most of the stats when prepping for your 2021 fantasy drafts. But we are also human, and sometimes getting that bad taste a down season leaves in your mouth can be nearly impossible no matter the circumstances. These […]

Matt Barnes Penciled In As Red Sox Closer

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that relief pitcher Matt Barnes is currently penciled in as the team's closer for the 2021 season. The 30-year-old right-hander had nine saves in 13 tries last year, with most of them coming after the club traded Brandon Workman to the Phillies. "If the season started tomorrow and […]

Cubs Agree With Jonathan Holder

The Chicago Cubs agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Jonathan Holder on Thursday on a 2021 non-guaranteed contract. The 27-year-old is 10-6 with 14 holds and a 4.38 ERA with 86 earned runs allowed in 176 2/3 innings over 157 major league games in his career, with all but two coming as a reliever. Holder […]

Scott Oberg Playing Catch

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black said that relief pitcher Scott Oberg (arm) is playing catch again after missing all of the 2020 season due to blood clots in his right arm. "He's slowly picking up the intensity," Black said. "Feel really good about Scotty." Without setbacks, the 30-year-old could be back to full strength by […]

Year-In-Review: Diego Castillo and Nick Anderson

As I created my early 2021 Relief Pitcher rankings, I realized how wide open so many bullpens are right now due to free agency. But there is at least one team that can sleep well knowing the back end of their bullpen is solid as bedrock and that's the Tampa Bay Rays. Diego Castillo and […]

Angels Sign Alex Claudio

The Los Angeles Angels signed left-handed reliever Alex Claudio to a one-year, $1.125 million deal on Wednesday. The 28-year-old had a 3.44 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 311 appearances for the Rangers and Brewers from 2014 to 2020, recording 217 strikeouts and 78 walks in 311 2/3 innings. Left-handers have hit just .202/.246/.310 against him […]

Reds Closing Job Amir Garrett's To Lose?

Cincinnati Reds left-handed reliever Amir Garrett thinks the 2021 closer job is "mine to lose" after the team traded former closer Raisel Iglesias to the Angels last week. The 28-year-old intends to fill the ninth-inning role, and manager David Bell said that Garrett will be a candidate, along with Lucas Sims and Tejay Antone. Garrett […]

Mariners Acquire Rafael Montero From Rangers

The Seattle Mariners acquired right-handed reliever Rafael Montero from the Texas Rangers on Tuesday in exchange for 17-year-old pitching prospect Jose Corniell and a player to be named later. Montero, 30, was Texas' closer for most of last year with Jose Leclerc (shoulder) making just two appearances. He was 0-1 with a 4.08 ERA. Montero […]

Dusty Baker Unsure If He'll Return Beyond 2021

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is unsure if he wants to manage the team beyond the 2021 season. "Maybe," Baker said. "Depends how I feel. Depends on how the team feels about me. ... You never know what changes are going to come about in life." The 71-year-old is entering the final year of his […]

Greg Holland Re-Signs With Royals

The Kansas City Royals re-signed reliever Greg Holland on Monday to a one-year deal worth at least $2.75 million. Holland can make as much as $4.5 million with performance bonuses, according to sources. The 35-year-old went 3-0 with six saves and a nice 1.91 ERA in 28 appearances for the Royals during the shortened 2020 […]

Year-In-Review: Framber Valdez

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez has been one of the team's many intriguing prospects over the past several seasons. He first got consistent playing time (mostly in relief) in 2019 and put forth poor results with a 4-7 record, 5.86 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and 20.7% strikeout rate over 70 2/3 inning pitched. He also pitched […]

Biggest Fallers of 2020 – Relief Pitchers

In an abbreviated 60-game season, a large number of relievers previously considered to be lockdown closers or dominant set-up men struggled consistently, ultimately resulting in a negative impact on their fantasy value. As we previously did with RP risers, we will now look at the biggest fallers of the 2020 season as we gear up […]