Thomas Szapucki, Franklyn Kilome Added To Player Pool

The New York Mets added pitchers Thomas Szapucki, Franklyn Kilome, Jordan Humphreys and Stephen Gonsalves to their 60-player pool on Tuesday, according to a source. Per MLB Pipeline, Szapucki is the team's No. 7 prospect, while Kilome comes in at No. 12 and Humphreys at No. 14. Szapucki, a left-hander, returned from Tommy John in […]

A Crash Course for MLB's Sprint Season

In true 2020-style, baseball is about to get funky. Maybe you’re excited about the idea of getting some strange baseball, or maybe the word “fluid” reminds you of the morning after your last visit to Taco Bell. Either way, it’s time to start sorting the chalupas from the chimichangas. Let’s acknowledge that we’re venturing into […]

Jacob deGrom Working Toward 100 Pitches On Opening Day

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom said he expects to ramp up to 85 pitches in his last simulated game before the regular season begins. This would put deGrom in line for about 100 pitches on Opening Day. The reigning National League Cy Young winner appears to be in midseason form in camp and […]

Jacob deGrom Looks Dominant in Simulated Game

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom looked dominant in a simulated game on Sunday. Facing the Mets everyday lineup, deGrom threw two shutout innings, allowing two hits, striking out three and walking none. deGrom is coming off of a National League Cy Young award season in which he posted an 11-8 record, 2.43 ERA […]

Mets Manager Non-Committal To Edwin Diaz At Closer

New York Mets manager Luis Rojas did not commit to reliever Edwin Diaz as the Mets closer on Sunday when asked about the Mets ninth inning bullpen situation. Rojas, instead, mentioned Diaz, Dellin Betances, Seth Lugo, and Jeurys Familia in the context of a possible closer-by-committee. This is a situation the bears monitoring as we […]

Amed Rosario Joins Mets Camp

Following up on an earlier report, New York Mets shortstop arrived at and participated in Mets' camp on Sunday afternoon. Rosario had previously been absent on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning. No reason for his absence has been provided by the Mets. Rosario is coming off a great sophomore season in which he slashed .287/.323/.432 […]

Jed Lowrie Reportedly A Full Go

New York Mets infielder Jed Lowrie (knee) is reportedly a full go according to manager Luis Rojas and is expected to play in a simulated game on Sunday. Lowrie played just nine games in 2019 due to knee issues and has dealt with complications related to knee surgery since the spring. If Lowrie proves to […]

Amed Rosario Still Absent From Camp

New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario remained absent from camp on Sunday. Manager Luis Rojas had speculated that he would be present, but that did not materialize. Andres Gimenez played shortstop in a sim game in Rosario's place. No explanation has been provided by the Mets regarding his absence from camp since Friday. In 2019, […]

Melky Cabrera May See Time At First Base

New York Mets outfielder Melky Cabrera will work out at first base in addition to the outfield, according to manager Luis Rojas. With Pete Alonso and Dominic Smith rostered, the decision to work Cabrera out at first base is strictly to provide the Mets versatility during the shortened season. Cabrera is more likely to see […]

Amed Rosario Expected To Participate In Camp Very Soon

Following up on a prior report, New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario did not work out with the team on Friday or Saturday. Manager Luis Rojas indicated that Rosario is expected to join the club very soon, possibly on Sunday. No explanation has been provided by the Mets regarding his absence. In 2019, Rosario hit […]

Yoenis Cespedes Impresses In Camp

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (heel, ankle) drew rave reviews from fellow outfielder Michael Conforto and manager Luis Rojas on Saturday. Conforto stated that Cespedes looks motivated, "like a monster," and praised his light defensive work. Although it appears that Cespedes is well on the road to full health ahead of the season opener […]

Mock Draft Review - Bases Loaded Podcast

Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland), Jorge Montanez (@Roto_Nino) and Zach Braff (@braffz) are jopined by Brent Herzog of the Exit Velocity Podcast all get in on this one as back up a draft strategy episode with an episode discussing a mock draft they just put on. Subscribe to the Bases Loaded podcast, part of RotoBaller Radio's Podcast […]

Why You Need Middle Relievers In 2020 - Top Draft Targets

Heading into the 2020 fantasy baseball season, much of the talk is focused on the randomness that we're likely to see unfold. With a 60-game season, it feels a bit like anything can happen. However, instead of that reality causing you to throw your hands in the air in dismay, I think it's the perfect […]

Marcus Stroman Expected To Work Out In Camp On Sunday

New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman did not work out in camp on Friday, but is expected to appear on Sunday. No reason was given for his absence on Friday. In 32 starts in 2019 between Toronto and New York, Stroman compiled 159 strikeouts in 184 1/3 IP while posting a 3.22 ERA and […]

Amed Rosario Did Not Work Out Friday

New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario did not work out with the team on Friday. No explanation was provided by the Mets. In 2019, Rosario hit .287 with 75 runs, 15 home runs, 72 RBI, and 19 stolen bases. Hopefully, Friday's absence is not related to an undisclosed injury or the pandemic. If healthy, Rosario […]

Jed Lowrie Still Using Knee Brace

New York Mets infielder Jed Lowrie (knee), who played nine games last September because of knee issues, worked out with his knee brace tucked underneath his uniform on Friday. It sounds like he's in no better position than when spring training was shut down in March. The Mets are unsure if Lowrie will be full-go […]

Dellin Betances Looks Good During Bullpen Session

New York Mets relief pitcher Dellin Betances (shoulder, Achilles) looked "really good" during his bullpen session on Friday, according to manager Luis Rojas. Shoulder and Achilles injuries limited Betances to only one game last season for the Yankees. If Betances is in fact ready for the July start of the 2020 season, he and Seth […]

Jacob deGrom Appears To Be In Midseason Form

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom appears to be in midseason form, according to Mets manager Luis Rojas. Rojas made those statements on Friday following a bullpen session thrown by deGrom. deGrom is coming off of a National League Cy Young award season in which he posted an 11-8 record, 2.43 ERA and 0.97 […]

Yoenis Cespedes Ramps Up To Sprinting

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (heel, ankle) was able to ramp up to sprinting speed while quarantined. Cespedes, named to the Mets 60-man player pool, is coming off of heel and ankle injuries that have kept him sidelined since July of 2018. The Mets have indicated that they want to see him in person […]

Drew Smith Throwing Off Mound Since March

New York Mets reliever Drew Smith (elbow) has been throwing off a mound since this past March. Smith, who was still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery during spring training, has made the Mets 60-man player pool and could see time with the team during the season. The 26-year-old last pitched in 2018 for the Mets […]

Short-Season Draft Risers and Fallers: RotoBaller Staff Picks

Recently, the RotoBaller MLB staff provided their thoughts on the best draft strategies for a shortened season. You can read that article right here. The fantasy baseball season is ready to kick up (finally) but things won't be the same as usual. Some players may be more appealing now that they've had time to work […]

30 Burning Questions (and Answers) for 2020 Fantasy Baseball

Upon hearing that Major League Baseball was finally set to return to action and the fantasy season was back, a million questions popped in my head. Sadly, I forgot most of them by the next day so I'm left with just 30, coincidentally a nice even number. Actually, my initial plan was to do 60 […]

Top DH Options for National League Teams

There is finally a plan for Major League Baseball in 2020! After months of negotiations and discussions, baseball is tentatively scheduled to open up in late July, and with it, a couple of new rules. The most notable new rule for 2020 is the implementation of the designated hitter in the National League, which certainly […]

A.J. Ramos Agrees With Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a minor league deal with relief pitcher A.J. Ramos on Thursday, according to a source. Ramos will be added to the 60-man player pool with summer camps beginning this weekend. The 33-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in the big leagues since June of 2018, when he underwent labrum surgery on […]

KBO Betting Picks (7/3/2020) - Moneylines, Totals, Runlines

On Thursday we saw Doosan took care of business early, scoring seven runs on Kiwoom before blowing their late-game lead. KT and LG going under was a disappointment, as the Wiz scattered 15 hits but could only muster four runs. Now we head into the weekend and begin a new set of series some interesting […]

Rick Porcello Will Help Mets

Two talent evaluators with strong knowledge of the NL East have mentioned New York Mets starting pitcher Rick Porcello as a reason the Mets could emerge with the clear-cut second-best rotation in the division. The evaluators cited the fact that Porcello moved away from his sinker and two-seam fastball last season. They speculate that a […]

Jared Hughes Signs With Mets

The New York Mets signed relief pitcher Jared Hughes to a big league deal worth a prorated $700,000 on Tuesday, according to a source. Assuming MLB plays a full 60-game season, Hughes would make around $260,000. The veteran right-handed reliever will immediately join the team's 60-player pool. Hughes, 35 this Saturday, had a 4.04 ERA, […]

KBO Betting Picks (7/1/2020) - Moneylines, Totals, and Runlines

Samsung got a great start out of Chae-heung Choi to quiet the already weak SK lineup. Meanwhile, Kia got hit with a rain storm that postponed the game, so Wednesday's matchup is almost exactly the same as Tuesday and my writeup on that game below is almost exact because I still like that game a […]

Dellin Betances Appears Ready To Go

The New York Mets are excited about where relief pitcher Dellin Betances (shoulder, Achilles) is physically. He has thrown live batting practice and sim games over the past two weeks and will be ready to go once summer camp opens. Shoulder and Achilles injuries limited Betances to only one game last season for the Yankees. […]

Mets Sign Second-Rounder J.T. Ginn

The New York Mets signed second-rounder J.T. Ginn (52nd overall) to a contract worth $2.9 million on Monday. The Mississippi State right-handed pitcher signed for well over the slot value of the 52nd overall pick at $1.403 million. Ginn has nasty stuff, including a 91-97 mph fastball and a wipeout slider, but he underwent Tommy […]