Francisco Rodriguez (RP, MIL) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target Mid-to-Late Rounds in All Leagues ANALYSIS: I just did a fantasy baseball draft, and let's just say that Francisco Rodriguez was taken much later than he should have been. Maybe it's the fact the he signed late this offseason, or maybe people just don't believe in his skill set. Well at his current ADP […]

Brett Cecil (RP, TOR) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target Late in All Leagues ANALYSIS: Brett Cecil looks like a very attractive third closer for your fantasy team with an average ADP of 280. Cecil put up an elite 12.8 K/9 in 2014, which is up there with the best closers in the MLB. While Cecil wasn't closing in 2014, he's lined up to […]

MLB Closer Breakdown: NL East Edition - 2015 Fantasy Baseball

We previously looked at the closer and bullpen situations in the AL East, AL Central, AL West. Today we chck out the NL East. Make sure to also bookmark our MLB Closer Depth Charts, which are updated every day for your viewing pleasure. Atlanta Braves Head Honcho: Craig Kimbrel, Next in line: Jason Grilli Craig Kimbrel still finds himself among […]

Three Relief Pitchers Who Will Outperform Their 2015 ADP: Rankings Analysis

Reliever Hijinks Last season was my best year of fantasy baseball in the dozen years I've played, as I managed to secure championships in all three of my leagues. This was in spite of the fact that I endured what I'll lightly term as the season from hell as far as closers are concerned. Most […]

Auction Draft Strategy Part One: How to Prepare for Auction Drafts

Going Once, Going Twice... An auction is the most exciting way to draft in fantasy baseball, but it can also be the most difficult. For this article and the three to follow, I will be using the assumption that your league’s standard settings give you a $260 allowance. For those unfamiliar with the process, that is […]

MLB Podcast on RotoBaller Radio: Top Minor League Prospects For 2015

Preseason Analysis: Impact Dynasty League Targets RotoBaller is very excited about the launch of our very own radio station. You can now find our new shows on BlogTalkRadio live or on demand, and on iTunes under podcasts. Every Wednesday night at 9:30 PM EST, RotoBaller co-founder Real Talk Raph and co-host Anthony Aniano of DraftSmashers Radio will […]

Five MLB Trade Candidates to Monitor

The Landscape Trades: they're the worst nightmare of AL and NL-Only League owners. But even in standard leagues, a player’s value can drastically change depending on his location. Often, players are traded from a bad team to a good situation. Other times, productive players are put into less important roles – a fantasy killer! Let’s take […]

MLB Podcast on RotoBaller Radio: Breakout Players Coming Out Of Spring Training

Potential Breakout Pitchers & Hitters For 2015 RotoBaller is very excited about the launch of our very own radio station. You can now find our new shows on BlogTalkRadio live or on demand, and on iTunes under podcasts. Every Wednesday night at 9:30 PM EST, RotoBaller co-founder Real Talk Raph and co-host Anthony Aniano of DraftSmashers Radio will […]

Cuban Defectors That Will Have Most Fantasy Impact In 2015

Cuba lost some of its top players as they signed blockbuster deals to come over and play in the MLB. Each team hopes their guy follows in the footsteps of last year’s Cuban defector Jose Abreu, who hit 36 home runs, 107 RBI and a .317 batting average, winning the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2014. There […]

Pitch Framing Metrics: Impact On Fantasy Baseball Pitchers

I’m obsessed with Chuck Shaw wine from Trader Joe's. It’s a $3 bottle of hooch that smells like paint thinner mixed with alcohol. It stings the nostrils. But after a glass or two, it’s the best damn bottle of wine you can get for under $5. I happened to be drinking some of this wine […]

MLB Podcast on RotoBaller Radio: Closers & Catchers To Target Late

Preseason Analysis: Closer & Catcher Draft Strategy RotoBaller is very excited about the launch of our very own radio station. You can now find our new shows on BlogTalkRadio live or on demand, and on iTunes under podcasts. Every Wednesday night at 9:30 PM EST, RotoBaller co-founder Real Talk Raph and co-host Anthony Aniano of DraftSmashers Radio will be […]

Craig Kimbrel (RP, ATL) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings Analysis

CURRENT ADP: 50 RANKINGS STATUS: Fairly Valued ANALYSS: Craig Kimbrel has been the king of the fantasy closers since his first full season in the role in 2011, but somehow he has lost that distinction to Cincinnati's Aroldis Chapman heading into 2015. Nothing against Chapman, but Kimbrel should still be the first closer off the board on draft […]

Save Prospecting: Top Five Non-Closing AL Relief Pitchers

Last week I looked at the top five non-closer NL relief pitcher options. Today we take a look at the top AL relief pitchers currently not occupying closer roles.   Top Five Non-Closing AL Relievers Wade Davis - RHP, Kansas City Royals If we are talking about American League bullpens, you have to start the […]

Three Closers (RPs) Who Will Underperform Their 2015 ADP

Don't Pay For These Saves You hear it every year: Don't pay for saves. A simple, effective strategy if you're an active and intelligent owner. Which, if you're reading this, you are. And handsome to boot! Have you lost weight? Sometimes, though, that strategy can be a bit of a boondoggle. I changed closers more […]

MLB Closer Breakdown: AL West Edition - 2015 Fantasy Baseball

  Los Angeles Angels The Angels received Huston Street in a six-player trade in July of last year, and they were not disappointed. He converted 23 of his 24 save chances with the Padres, and would go on to save 17 more games for the Halos in an All-Star caliber season. The 41 saves were […]

Save Prospecting: Top Five Non-Closing NL Relief Pitchers

  Every year in fantasy baseball leagues about one third of all the opening day closers lose their jobs due to injury or poor performance. It's just the nature of the game. Below are five NL relievers to watch closely in 2015 who could have significant fantasy baseball value if the closer on their team were to […]

2015 Dynasty / Keeper Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Relief Pitchers

The Final Chapter I considered skipping out on this article because of how volatile the closer position is in fantasy baseball. At the end of the day though, every fantasy team needs closers, dynasty and redraft leagues. Closers are the only relief pitchers we really value in the fantasy baseball community unless you play in a […]

MLB Closer Breakdown: AL Central Edition - 2015 Fantasy Baseball

Detroit Tigers The Tigers closer situation is fairly settled, though not exactly awe-inspiring. Joe Nathan is currently set to lock down the ninth inning, with Joakim Soria and Al Alburquerque backing him up. The 40-year-old Nathan is a far cry from the perennial All Star that used to close for the Twins in the 2000s, and […]

MLB Closer Breakdown: AL East Edition - 2015 Fantasy Baseball

  New York Yankees This is going to be one of the most closely monitored closer competitions in the spring of 2015. The Yankees are currently examining two gigantic (literally) options for the closer spot, in the forms of lefty Andrew Miller and righty Dellin Betances, both of whom throw absolute smoke. Both did plenty […]

Tony Cingrani (SP, CIN) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings Analysis

CURRENT ADP: 325 RANKINGS STATUS: Undervalued ANALYSIS: An injury to the shoulder and a breakout campaign by Alfredo Simon limited the production of Tony Cingrani in 2014. He was unable to match his rookie season success in which he logged 104.2 innings with a 2.94 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and 120 strikeouts (an incredible 10.4 K/9) […]

Video: Analyzing the Top 3 Closers (RP) That Will Outperform Their ADP

The 2015 fantasy baseball season is fast approaching RotoBallers. We are here to provide you with the most current and in-depth analysis every single day leading up to the busy draft season, and the start of the 2015 MLB season. Several times per week, RotoBaller co-founder Real Talk Raph will review the key player news and […]

Milwaukee Brewers Re-Sign Francisco Rodriguez

First reported by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez and the Milwaukee Brewers have come to an agreement on a two-year, $13 million deal. The Brewers will also have a club option for the 2017 season. K-Rod has agreement with brewers 2-yr deal — Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) February 26, 2015 The Brewers […]

Detroit Tigers Re-Sign Joba Chamberlain

With pitchers and catchers reporting to camp, the Detroit Tigers will have relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain reporting to camp soon after coming to an agreement on a one-year deal. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that Chamberlain was spotted at Tigers' Spring Training camp. Joba Chamberlain spotted in #Tigers’ camp. In agreement with club on […]

2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Relievers (RP) - February Update

Last month, we brought you RotoBaller's preliminary relievers fantasy baseball rankings. The February update is here. We'll be releasing all the other positional rankings updates this week, with analysis from all the RotoBaller writers on their favorite risers and fallers at each MLB position. Make sure to also check out our MLB Fantasy Baseball Rankings blog, along with all of RotoBaller's reliever […]

Soothsaying, Particle Acceleration, and R.O.I.D.S

What Happens When Javier Baez and Archie Bradley Collide? The final cycle of Fantasy Baseball ROIDS, your quasi-scientific guide to drafting players that will consistently outperform their ADP, has arrived. Previously, we've talked about Ranking anomalies, new Opportunities, the impact of International players and the conspiracy of a Dark Horse in the draft. Sometimes, I […]

Jansen Undergoes Foot Surgery, Out 8-12 Weeks

The Dodgers announced Tuesday closer Kenley Jansen will be out at least 8-12 weeks after undergoing surgery on his left foot. The announcement, via Jon Weisman states: “This morning at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, Dodger pitcher Kenley Jansen underwent surgery to remove a growth from a bone in his left foot. This was discovered when Kenley […]

Royals, Herrera Finalizing a Two-Year Deal

Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star is reporting that the Kansas City Royals and relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera are finalizing a two-year deal worth $4.15 million to avoid arbitration. Heard the Royals are finalizing a two-year, $4.15 million deal to avoid arbitration with Kelvin Herrera. — Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) February 12, 2015 Herrera, 25, […]

Carlos Rodon (SP/RP, CWS) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target Late in Keeper Leagues ANALYSIS: At some point this season, Carlos Rodon will be a member of the Chicago White Sox. He features a low-to-mid 90’s fastball and a devastating, late-breaking slider. In three seasons at North Carolina State University, Rodon compiled a 25-10 record with a 2.24 ERA and a 1.06 […]

Nationals Sign Janssen to One-Year Deal

After spending his entire eight-year career in Toronto, reliever Casey Janssen will finally be pitching for another team, joining the Washington Nationals on a one-year, $5 million deal that also includes a mutual option for 2016. Janssen recently served as the Blue Jays’ closer, converting 81 saves over the past three seasons combined. However, the […]

Yusmeiro Petit (SP/RP, SF) - 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Target in Late Rounds if Given A Rotation Spot ANALYSIS: As a spot starter and long reliever, Yusmeiro Petit logged 117 innings with a 3.69 ERA in 2014, setting an MLB record for consecutive batters retired in the process. As a result, his name has rightly been tossed around in sleeper conversations. Petit's […]