Projecting Power in 2021: Early ADP Air% Exit Velocity

Looking at average exit velocity to project future power is not very useful compared to looking only at balls hit in the air. Because who cares how hard ground balls are hit? However, it can be even more useful to parse out those velocities into more refined bins and cast a more critical eye to […]

Mets In Serious Talks With James McCann

The New York Mets are in serious talks with free-agent catcher James McCann, according to league sources. McCann is the team's target over J.T. Realmuto and is said to be looking for a four-year deal. The Mets are also engaged with outfielder George Springer. New York could be bypassing the more expensive Realmuto so that […]

A Year to Remember: Players with Career Years in 2020

The 2020 baseball season was a short one, but still a season where some players could jump onto the scene and give fantasy players something to look forward to in the coming years. Some will say 60 games are not enough for a "career season," but I beg to differ, and so do the four […]

Top 250 Dynasty Prospects for 2021

The 2020 baseball season was unlike any year we’ve ever seen with its shortened season and schedule that can perhaps be best described as organized chaos. The absence of a minor league season played havoc with prospect prognosticators. The 2021 season — and perhaps beyond — will continue to present unique challenges as the pandemic […]

Biggest Risers of 2020 – Relief Pitchers

In 2020, we saw a large number of relief pitchers, previously not in the upper tier of fantasy rankings, breakout or bounce back from 2019 decrepitude. Below we will take a look at a few of the biggest relief pitcher risers of the 2020 season as we gear up for 2021 drafts in the spring. […]

Top 50 Fantasy Baseball Redraft Prospects for 2021

The abbreviated, wild-ride known as the 2020 MLB season has come to an end and the playoffs are in full swing. Sadly, that means fantasy baseball seasons are finished. And prospects watchers have turned their attention towards the 2021 season. The 2020 season saw a significant number of key contributions from rookies and, had you […]

Nick Mariano's Early 2021 Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Rankings

The 2021 MLB season isn't guaranteed to be normal but I have hope that next spring will be much healthier. As such, I will approach ranks as if a traditional 162-game season is coming. Join me for my position-by-position ranking series for the 2021 fantasy baseball season. How much weight do we give 2020? How […]

Nick Mariano's Early 2021 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Rankings

The upcoming 2021 season may not be normal -- going from 2020 to 2021 doesn't wave a magic wand -- but there's still comfort in baseball. As such, I will approach ranks as if a traditional 162-game season is coming. Join me for my position-by-position ranking series for the 2021 fantasy baseball season. How much […]

Jake Odorizzi Makes Sense For The Mets

With the New York Mets still looking to upgrade their starting rotation, free-agent starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi makes perfect sense. Odorizzi will turn 31 in March and went 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA on his way to his first All-Star selection. However, he struggled during the shortened 2020 season by going 0-1 with a 6.59 […]

Year-In-Review: Indians Pitching Staff

What a wild and wacky MLB season that was. Between the rule changes, schedule adjustments, and constant fear the whole thing could come crashing down, 2020 certainly presented a unique set of challenges to our national past time. One of the biggest challenges within the game, however, was hitting the Cleveland Indians pitching staff. The […]

Mets Making Serious Push For James McCann

The New York Mets are in active talks with free-agent catcher James McCann and are making a serious push for him, according to league sources. A deal isn't close yet, but it's looking likely that he'll receive a four-year deal. If New York lands McCann, it could signal that they are going after other top […]

Year-In-Review: Jesse Winker

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker had a 2020 season that, in many ways, reflected the arc of his career. His excellent approach allows him to get on base while also hitting for average and power. However, he also experiences stretches of unproductivity and has battled injuries and inconsistent playing time. This makes him a difficult player […]

Mets Sign Trevor May

On Tuesday, the New York Mets agreed to a contract with free-agent reliever Trevor May. The deal is pending a physical. May is coming off a solid 2020 campaign with the Minnesota Twins in which he posted a 3.86 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP with eight holds while striking out 38 in 23 1/3 innings […]

George Springer Remains One Of Mets Top Free-Agent Targets

The New York Mets continue to pursue free-agent outfielder George Springer despite reported interest from the Toronto Blue Jays. SNY reported on Monday that Springer is one of the Mets top targets that they are pursuing in free agency. In 2020 with the Houston Astros, Springer posted a .265/.359/.540 slash line over 189 at-bats with […]

Projecting Power in 2021: Elite Levels of Air% Exit Velocity

Everyone wants more power, even more so when it comes relatively cheap. But even when pricey, you're going to need to draft a bomber or two. One of the best ways to see how a player's power is trending is to sift through their exit-velocities to see what they're saying. Most know by now that […]

Nick Mariano's Early 2021 Fantasy Baseball Outfield Rankings

I think most of us would agree that looking forward to 2021 is a good idea. For me, that means immersing myself in the upcoming baseball season. While there's no guarantee COVID-19 won't affect the '21 season, I will approach ranks as if a traditional 162-game season is coming. Join me for my position-by-position ranking […]

Mets Aiming To Be Aggressive This Offseason

The New York Mets aim to be aggressive for the best available players this offseason. One source said that it's true that the Mets are targeting more than just one of the big four -- outfielder George Springer, catcher J.T. Realmuto, starting pitcher Trevor Bauer and Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor. There has been speculation that […]

Year-in-Review: Shane Bieber

2020 AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber was just simply remarkable in every definition of the word this past season. He led the majors in a number of statistics such as ERA (1.63) and strikeouts (122) and tied for the major league lead in wins (8) and quality starts (10). The deeper you look into […]

Early 2021 Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft - ADP Surprises

Of course, there are many changes to be made throughout the offseason. It feels as if the dust is still settling on the 2020 World Series yet baseball fans are more ready for the upcoming season than ever. We have no idea whether a full schedule can be played, what games will look like, and […]

Nick Mariano's Early 2021 Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Rankings

As we begin to look towards the 2021 baseball season, we can only hope that COVID-19 will be handled well enough to let the season run as normal. Since this is a mere early ranking exercise and we have so much ahead of us, let's just close our eyes and chat as if a 162-game […]

Nolan Arenado Could Be An Option For Mets

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado could be an option for the New York Mets and could be more attractive as a trade target than Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor because of his contract. Arenado and Lindor can become free agents after the 2021 season, but Arenado would need to opt out of the $164 million […]

Robinson Cano Tests Positive For PED, Suspended For 2021

New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano has tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug on Wednesday. Cano will be suspended for the entire season and will forfeit his $24 million salary in 2021. This is the second positive test for Cano in his career, which results in the automatic 162-game suspension. After struggling in his […]

Nick Mariano's Early 2021 Fantasy Baseball Third Base Rankings

Hope springs eternal for the 2021 baseball season, but it's hard to imagine we'll be completely past COVID-19 by then. Plus, we could see opening salvos for the CBA debates to come. But for now, let's just close our eyes and dream of a perfect world and chat as if a 162-game season will come […]

Nick Mariano's Early 2021 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Rankings

As usual, I'll start by saying the 2021 baseball season may still be affected by COVID-19. Maybe even more labor disputes just for a curveball. But for now, let's just close our eyes and dream of a perfect world and chat as if a 162-game season will come next spring. Join me for my position-by-position […]

Year-In-Review: Pete Alonso

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso endured a 2020 season which fell short of expectations coming off his breakout 2019 rookie campaign. After posting a .260/.358/.583 line in 2019, Alonso put up just a .231/.326/.490 line over 239 plate appearances in 2020. Alonso also clubbed 16 home runs, with six doubles and 35 RBI […]

Mets Prioritizing George Springer, Trevor Bauer?

The New York Mets appear more focused on outfielder George Springer and right-hander Trevor Bauer than pursuing catcher J.T. Realmuto in free agency, but those expecting new owner Steve Cohen to land multiple big-ticket free agents this winter are likely to be disappointed. Realmuto would fit a huge need for the Mets, but they also […]

Mets The Favorites To Land J.T. Realmuto?

Free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto could be the best position player available in free agency as a Gold Glove-winning backstop with power, on-base skills and speed. MLB.com predicts Realmuto's most likely landing spot being the New York Mets, followed by him returning to the Phillies. The Angels, Yankees and Nationals could also be heavily in the […]

Marcus Stroman Accepts Mets Qualifying Offer

New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman accepted the team's qualifying offer on Wednesday, which is valued at $18.9 million. Stroman will now return to the Mets for the 2021 season. Stroman put together a terrific 2019 season that helped him earn his first All-Star selection before getting shipped across the border to join the […]

Mets Think Trevor Bauer Would Be A Good Fit

New York Mets president Sandy Alderson said that he's a fan of free-agent starting pitcher Trevor Bauer's brash personality. "If guys see someone performing, they'll live with whatever the baggage is. I actually think Bauer would be a great personality in New York. I think he's the kind of guy that fans would embrace," Alderson […]

Luis Rojas Likely To Return As Manager

New York Mets manager Luis Rojas is likely to return for his second season after the sale of the team to new owner Steve Cohen. President Sandy Alderson said it's "very likely" that Rojas will remain at the held but has "left the door slightly ajar" pending his decision on a new president of baseball […]