Dodgers Being Aggressive On Dellin Betances

The Los Angeles Dodgers are among the most aggressive suitors for relief pitcher Dellin Betances. They are pivoting to high-end relievers after not being able to land Gerrit Cole on the free-agent market. L.A. just signed Blake Treinen, who had a down year in Oakland last season, and Betances would also fit that mold after […]

Twins Looking At Dellin Betances

The Minnesota Twins are interested in relief pitcher Dellin Betances. 2019 was a lost season for the dominant right-handed reliever, as he pitched in just one game for the Yankees due to right shoulder issues and an Achilles tear. But when he's healthy, he's one of the nastiest and hardest-throwing relievers in baseball. Betances has […]

Yankees Pursuing Josh Hader

The New York Yankees "have been the most active pursuer" of Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader. The Brewers are willing to listen to offers on Hader this winter, but it would take an offer Milwaukee couldn't refuse for them to part ways with the most dominant left-handed reliever in baseball the last few seasons. He […]

Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Prospects: Top 12 Potential Relievers

This week we’re doing something a little different. We’ve been traveling through the minor leagues reviewing the best dynasty prospects at each position. Now, we find ourselves looking at the relievers. This position is a bit of an anomaly. Teams often don’t directly develop impact relievers - they’re often initially starters that fail to fully […]

Rockies Extend Scott Oberg For Three Years

The Colorado Rockies signed relief pitcher Scott Oberg to a three-year, $13 million extension on Wednesday. The deal includes an $8 million team option for 2023. The 29-year-old has been excellent for the Rockies the last two seasons, and he finished with a nice 2.25 ERA in 2019. Oberg has struck out 115 batters and […]

Dodgers Sign Reliever Blake Treinen

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed relief pitcher Blake Treinen to a one-year, $10 million contract on Wednesday. Treinen reportedly had several similar offers and chose to go to the Dodgers. He was exceptional in 2018 before taking a huge step back with the Oakland A's in 2019. The Dodgers are hoping he pitches more like […]

Dodgers Interested In Blake Treinen

The Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in relief pitcher Blake Treinen, according to a source. Treinen was non-tendered by the A's on Monday after he had a rough year with Oakland, posting a 4.91 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 59 strikeouts and 16 saves in 58 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old right-hander was the best reliever in baseball […]

Josh Hader Likely To Remain With Brewers

At least one of the teams engaged with the Milwaukee Brewers regarding closer Josh Hader is convinced that the Brewers will keep the left-handed reliever heading into the 2020 season. Milwaukee is rightfully asking for a king's ransom for the best left-handed reliever in the game, but it's still possible a desperate team gives up […]

A's Non-Tender Blake Treinen, Josh Phegley

The Oakland Athletics non-tendered relief pitcher Blake Treinen and catcher Josh Phegley on Monday, making them both free agents. Treinen was one of the best closers in baseball in 2018, but he fell flat in 2019 and lost the closing gig to Liam Hendriks. Treinen posted an ugly 4.91 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 59 K's and […]

Josh Hader Available For Trade

Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader is available in a trade this offseason, according to major league sources. "We listen on a wide variety of players throughout the offseason. A lot of players get discussed," general manager David Stearns said. Hader has been the best left-handed reliever in baseball the last few seasons, winning the Trevor […]

Phillies Interested In Dellin Betances, Austin Romine

The Philadelphia Phillies are interested in relief pitcher Dellin Betances and catcher Austin Romine, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The Phillies have also been linked to shortstop Didi Gregorius. It makes more sense now that manager Joe Girardi, who coached this trio with the Yankees, is the skipper of the Phillies. […]

Yankees Interested In Blake Treinen

The New York Yankees are one of the teams interested in trading for Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Blake Treinen, according to sources. The A's could facilitate a trade with Treinen, who is a non-tender candidate this offseason. The 31-year-old's stock is way down after he posted a 4.91 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 16 saves in […]

2019 Season in Review - Edwin Diaz

After a lights-out 2018 campaign, Edwin Diaz emerged into the elite class of closers heading into the 2019 season. He wrapped up his historic year with the second-most saves in a single season (57) to go along with a sparkling 1.96 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 44.3% K-rate. The Mariners sold high on their young hurler […]

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. […]

Padres Agree With Drew Pomeranz

The San Diego Padres agreed to a four-year, $34 million deal with left-hander Drew Pomeranz on Wednesday, according to sources. The 31-year-old southpaw had a tidy 2.39 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and eight walks in 26 1/3 innings of relief for the Brewers last year after starting the year in San Francisco's […]

Luis Urias And Eric Lauer Traded To Brewers For Trent Grisham, Zach Davies

A source has told ESPN’s Jeff Passan the San Diego Padres have traded infielder Luis Urias and pitcher Eric Lauer to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Trent Grisham and pitcher Zach Davies. The highlight of the deal is the prospect-for-prospect swap of Urias for Grisham. Urias has been touted as one of the Friars top […]

Cubs Acquire Jharel Cotton

The Chicago Cubs have acquired starting pitcher Jharel Cotton from the Oakland Athletics for cash considerations. Cotton is a former top prospect for the Athletics, but has struggled with injuries up to this point in his career. Cotton last pitched in the Majors in 2017. The righty returned to pitch in 2019 after recovering from […]

Felipe Vazquez Facing New Sex-Related Charges

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez is facing 21 new charges after investigators found evidence of child pornography on devices they say he owned. The charges include 10 counts of child pornography, 10 counts of unlawful contact with a minor and a single charge of corruption of minors. The left-hander was already charged with having sexual […]

Edinson Volquez Wants To Keep Playing

The Texas Rangers and pitcher Edinson Volquez are working on a deal now that Volquez has changed his mind on retiring. Volquez made 11 appearances (four starts) for Texas last year and was not effective, posting a 6.75 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and 5.6 K/9 in his 16 innings. It's unlikely that he's making starts in […]

Braves Still Planning To Use Mark Melancon As Closer

The Atlanta Braves are still planning on using relief pitcher Mark Melancon as the closer to start next season, even after signing Will Smith on Thursday. Melancon, who also pitched for the Giants last year before coming over to Atlanta, had a 3.86 ERA and 11 saves in his 23 appearances for the Braves. He […]

Braves Sign Will Smith

The Atlanta Braves have signed left-handed relief pitcher Will Smith, formerly of the San Francisco Giants, to a three-year contract worth $39 million. The deal includes a club option for 2023 worth $13 million. Smith recorded 34 saves for the Giants last season along with a 2.76 ERA and 96:21 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 65 1/3 […]

Cubs Moving On From Brandon Morrow

The Chicago Cubs declined the 2020 option on relief pitcher Brandon Morrow (elbow) on Monday, making him a free agent. Relief pitchers Tony Barnette and Kendall Graveman also had their options declined. Morrow pitched only half of the 2018 season before landing on the injured list with right biceps inflammation, and he didn't pitch at […]

Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo Could Enter Rotation

New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said that relief pitchers Robert Gsellman and/or Seth Lugo could be shifted to starting roles in 2020 with Zack Wheeler potentially moving on in free agency. Lugo and Gsellman have both been more effective in relief, but both could be effective streamers in the right matchups in […]

Aroldis Chapman Reaches Extension With Yankees

The New York Yankees and closer Aroldis Chapman agreed to a restructured deal on Saturday that will keep the left-hander with the team through the 2022 season, according to sources. The 31-year-old could have opted out of the final two years of his deal, but instead the Yanks will add another year for $18 million […]

Nats Pick Up Options On Sean Doolittle, Adam Eaton

The Washington Nationals picked up their 2020 options on closer Sean Doolittle ($6.5 million) and outfielder Adam Eaton ($9.5 million). Doolittle had a down year in 2019 and struggled with injuries, posting a 4.05 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 29 saves and 66 K's in 60 innings. The left-hander shared closing duties with Daniel Hudson late in […]

Cubs Pick Up Jose Quintana's Option, Decline Derek Holland's

The Chicago Cubs picked up starting pitcher Jose Quintana's 2020 option on Saturday and declined pitcher Derek Holland's, making him a free agent. Quintana was 13-9 in 2019 but with a 4.68 ERA in 32 outings. He's gone 33-23 with a 4.23 ERA in 78 outings for the Cubs since being acquired from the White […]

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 […]

Aroldis Chapman Will Pursue Contract Extension

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman wants to stay with the team and will pursue a contract extension. However, if an extension isn't reached quickly, he will opt out of the $30 million and two years left on his contract. The Yankees will likely extend Chapman sooner than later. He's one of the best closers […]

Wilmer Flores Hits The Open Market

The Arizona Diamondbacks declined their team option on infielder Wilmer Flores and pitcher T.J. McFarland on Thursday, making them both free agents. Flores played in just 89 games for the Snakes in 2019 because of injury, but he was solid when on the field, hitting .317/.361/.487 with nine home runs and 37 RBI in 265 […]

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 […]