Shane Baz To Be Built Up Slowly

Tampa Bay Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said that right-hander Shane Baz (elbow) has completed his rehab. However, his issue is a lack of past workload, so he will be on a slow buildup coming out of spring training. The 24-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery almost 17 months ago and didn't pitch at […]

Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen Expected Back Later This Year

Tampa Bay Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander is expecting left-hander Jeffrey Springs (elbow) to return around July or August this year, with right-hander Drew Rasmussen (elbow) returning sometime after that. Springs had Tommy John surgery in late April of last year, so when the 31-year-old does return, he'll most likely be on a […]

Top 25 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings - Eric Cross' 2024 Draft Targets

Shiny New Toy Syndrome (SNTS) is a condition that impacts thousands of fantasy baseball managers around the world. If you or a loved one have been impacted by SNTS, please contact the fantasy baseball offices of Cross and RotoBaller today and we will unfortunately not be able to assist you as there are a plethora […]

Junior Caminero Not Expected To Make Opening Day Roster

Tampa Bay Rays rookie infielder Junior Caminero isn't expected to make the team's Opening Day roster out of spring training. Caminero made his major-league debut in 2023 as a September call-up and went 8-for-34 (.235) with a home run and seven RBI in just seven games played. This news makes sense, considering the fact that […]

Starting Pitchers Who Changed Scenes - Projecting Fantasy Baseball Values for Tyler Glasnow, Chris Sale, Sonny Gray

We're a mere week or so away from spring training as it's the most important time of the year for fantasy baseball managers. The MLB offseason isn't exactly flight of foot, but we have still seen some big moves this winter. Numerous high-profile pitchers changed uniforms this offseason, whether it be due to trade or […]

Strike Zone Rate Analysis: Starting Pitchers Who Attack The Zone (2024)

So what's this article all about? Well, we want to take a look at pitchers who attack the zone (Zone% > 45%), have swing-and-miss stuff (SwStr% > 13%), and have a better-than-league-average zone contact (Z-Contact% < 85.4%) to see if their approach is working for them. For context, the league average Zone% in 2023 was […]

Top 300 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty League Rankings and Tiers (2024)

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to more fantasy baseball rankings! It's an exciting time for fantasy baseball as pitchers and catchers report soon while the heart of the draft season is rapidly approaching. Today, we will review our 2024 fantasy baseball dynasty league rankings. These rankings cover both hitters and pitchers. It's never too early to begin […]

Starting Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Breakouts Who'll Continue To Improve in 2024

There seemed to be no shortage of rookie starting pitchers impressing last year. And the danger with drafting them on the back of a solid debut season is whether or not they can back it up. That's even truer for more established starters who debuted before 2023 but had their best season in the majors […]

Best Ball Infield Values for Fantasy Baseball Drafts (2024)

The fantasy baseball season is right around the corner. While some of you have been drafting for months, others are just returning from football. For either party, best ball formats are an excellent way to get your feet wet and dig deeper into the player pool. Best ball can help you get an early look […]

Closers and Relief Pitcher Draft Rankings - Fantasy Baseball Roto Leagues (February Updates)

It's time to consider the one position on your roster that many fantasy baseball players find the least palatable: relief pitchers. I hear the collective groan. But here's the thing: this doesn't have to be painful. If you slot pitchers into tiers and convince yourself that you will be happy getting a guy from those […]

Curtis Mead Motivated To Make An Impact For Rays

Tampa Bay Rays infield prospect Curtis Mead, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the team's No. 3 prospect for a reason, has crushed the ball wherever he's played and had a .302/.376/.514 slash line in the minors. However, MLB.com's Adam Berry says it's difficult to envision a consistent path to playing time for Mead […]

Rene Pinto To See A Lot Of Reps

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Rene Pinto, who is the only catcher currently on the team's 40-man roster, "is going to get a lot of reps," manager Kevin Cash said. Pinto's pitch-blocking was a concern last year, but he graded out well in other defensive areas. His low on-base percentage and high strikeout rates as a […]

Taj Bradley Will Have Opportunity To Settle Into Rotation

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team expects "a much more comfortable version of Taj Bradley" this year. Both Bradley and Ryan Pepiot should have an opportunity to settle into the starting rotation behind Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale and Zack Littell. Bradley made his major-league debut in 2023 and finished with 21 starts, […]

Rays Sign Erik Neander, Kevin Cash To Extensions

The Tampa Bay Rays agreed to long-term contract extensions on Thursday with both president of baseball operations Erik Neander and manager Kevin Cash. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed, but both deals will carry into and beyond the team's planned 2028 move into a new St. Petersburg stadium. Cash was heading into the […]

Details Of Phil Maton's Deal Revealed

While the Tampa Bay Rays' signing of free-agent relief pitcher Phil Maton is pending a physical exam and may not be finalized until next week, the framework of the deal is now in place, per Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. The 30-year-old is set to make $6.25 million in 2024, with a 2025 option for […]

2024 Starting Pitcher Dynasty Rankings, Part 2 - The Toolshed Fantasy Baseball Podcast (Ep. 271)

Welcome to episode 271 of The Toolshed Podcast with Clegg and Cross brought to you by RotoBaller. The Toolshed is a dynasty and prospects-focused podcast. Each week, hosts Eric Cross (@EricCross04) and Chris Clegg (@RotoClegg) dive into the world of dynasty leagues and cover all levels of prospects from the MLB Draft up to the […]

Phil Maton Finalizing Deal With Rays

Free-agent right-hander Phil Maton is finalizing an undisclosed deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, according to a source. Maton had the best season of his career in 2023 with the Houston Astros, going 4-3 with a 3.00 ERA (3.74 FIP), a 1.12 WHIP, his second career save, 25 walks and 74 strikeouts in […]

5 Mid-To-Late Round Sleepers: AL East - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

The stars you draft in the top half of your fantasy baseball league will almost always dictate how good your team will be. But it's those sleepers in the middle to late rounds that might matter more. Those unexpected players that you draft in the 11th or 12th round that turn out to be strong […]

Does A Move To The Mariners Affect Jorge Polanco's Fantasy Value? Fantasy Baseball Outlook

The Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins swung one of the bigger trades of the offseason recently, a deal that sent veteran middle infielder Jorge Polanco to the Mariners in exchange for outfield prospect Gabriel Gonzalez, reliever Justin Topa, right-hander Anthony DeSclafani, and minor league pitcher Darren Bowen. The Twins have been aiming to cut payroll […]

When Does Spring Training Start? 2024 Offseason Outlook

It’s February! And even though most of us are dealing with dreary winter weather, the calendar turning over to the shortest month of the year is cause for celebration. Why? Pitchers and catchers report this month! And then come full-squad workouts! And finally, at long last, the resumption of real live baseball with the first […]

Top 250 Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Prospects Rankings (January 2024 Update)

Welcome back RotoBallers to the January update of our MLB team's dynasty fantasy baseball prospects rankings for the 2024 season. We're now into 2024 with an eye on the upcoming year, and moves by MLB teams have begun to shape how we look at prospects. Comments about potential playing time, big contracts offered to players […]

Five Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers To Target In 2024 Drafts

The starting pitcher climate continues to evolve and fantasy baseball managers have to adapt. Gone are the days when starters routinely throw over 100 pitches in a start while getting through seven or more innings of work. While that does represent new challenges, it also opens up more pitching strategies. Regardless of how you plan […]

The Biggest Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Fallers of 2023: K-BB%

Uncovering trends and identifying a potential hidden gem late in a draft or identifying a player you should draft ahead of their ADP will help you be prepared when it comes time to make your selections. Of course with better preparation, the better chance you have to win. So, conversely, knowing which players to shy […]

Way Too Early 2024 MLB Cy Young Award Favorites

It’s the middle of winter and what is everybody thinking about? The 2024 MLB season, of course! While it may technically be too early to be thinking about end-of-season awards, it certainly is fun. The major award for pitchers is the Cy Young Award, given to one pitcher from each league. Whether you’re a fan […]

Ariel Cohen's Takeaways From The 2023 Fantasy Baseball Season

As the 2023 Major League Baseball World Series has now concluded, I would like to share several takeaways that stand out to me from the fantasy baseball season. Some of these points will be a data-driven look at 2023 trends or anomalies. Some of these topics will help shape some fantasy draft strategy in 2024. […]

Wander Franco Due Back In Court Next Week

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco will be back in a courtroom on Feb. 8, according to court officials in the Dominican Republic, this time to be present as a judge interviews the teenage girl at the center of the sexual-abuse probe that has indefinitely put Franco's baseball career on hold. Franco is accused of […]

Fantasy Baseball Outlooks For Rhys Hoskins, Robert Stephenson, Aroldis Chapman, James Paxton - MLB Signings Analysis

There has been a host of significant free-agent signings over the last few days with the MLB offseason nearing its end before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Rhys Hoskins, Robert Stephenson, Aroldis Chapman, and James Paxton all found new homes for the 2024 season of late. Each club certainly improves with their respective […]

Top Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Prospects - 2024 Draft Targets and Sleepers

In fantasy baseball redraft leagues, each draft pick is expected to provide results immediately, as many formats don’t offer minor league slots to stash fantasy baseball prospects who will emerge in the summer. It’s a lot harder to predict the immediate impact of starting pitching prospects as opposed to hitters for a plethora of reasons. […]

Top Fantasy Baseball Hitter Prospects - 2024 Draft Targets and Sleepers

If you’re playing in a non-dynasty/keeper fantasy baseball league, it’s imperative to draft players who will make an immediate impact on your squad. Everybody in your league will have a win-now mindset; in order to dominate draft day, you must prepare a list of breakout candidates at each position. Sometimes, these gems aren’t new to […]

Outfielders - 2024 Fantasy Baseball ADP Analysis, Draft Targets, Avoids

It feels like the 2023 season just ended, but we're already about three months away from the start of the 2024 season and fantasy drafts are beginning to pick up. Especially now since fantasy football has come to an end for the most part. The outfield position is once again a tricky position to navigate […]