Wander Franco Facing Lesser Charges In Dominican Republic

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is facing a lesser charge after a judge in the Dominican Republic analyzed evidence that alleges he had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent. Franco was originally accused of commercial and sexual exploitation and money laundering, charges that carry […]

Wander Franco Likely To Be Banned From Entering U.S.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco will likely not be allowed to enter the United States while facing accusations of sexual abuse of a minor, an aggravated felony in his native Dominican Republic, according to two immigration attorneys who have worked with major-league teams and players. Based on this, Franco's presence at spring training and […]

Rays Sign Rob Brantly To Minors Deal

The Tampa Bay Rays signed free-agent catcher Rob Brantly to a minor-league deal on Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Rene Pinto is currently the only catcher on Tampa's 40-man roster, so Brantly should have a chance to earn the backup catching gig in spring training. The 34-year-old veteran left-handed hitter was […]

Rays Shopping Harold Ramirez

The Tampa Bay Rays have been shopping designated hitter Harold Ramirez, whose OPS+ the last two seasons is 21 percent above league average, according to sources. Ramirez is projected to earn $4.4 million in arbitration next season, according to MLB Trade Rumors, and trading him would create even more at-bats for Jonathan Aranda and 25-year-old […]

Rays Acquire Jose Caballero From Mariners

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired infielder Jose Caballero from the Seattle Mariners on Friday in exchange for outfielder Luke Raley, according to a source. Caballero will now be in play to start at shortstop for the Rays in 2024, given Wander Franco's off-the-field situation in the Dominican Republic and the possibility that he'll face a […]

Rays Land Richie Palacios In Trade With Cardinals

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired left-handed-hitting outfielder Richie Palacios from the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday in exchange for right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge, according to a source. Palacios made his debut for the Cardinals in 2023 when he was promoted on Aug. 18, and he posted an impressive .823 OPS with six home runs and […]

Cardinals Acquire Andrew Kittredge From Rays

The St. Louis Cardinals acquired relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge from the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday in exchange for outfielder Richie Palacios, according to a source. Kittredge returned from Tommy John surgery in August of 2023 and was able to hold opponents to a .683 OPS in his 14 relief appearances for Tampa. The 33-year-old […]

Mariners Set To Acquire Luke Raley From Rays

The Seattle Mariners are reportedly set to acquire outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for infielder Jose Caballero. The potential deal follows up on a blockbuster trade in which Seattle sent former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for outfielder Mitch Haniger and right-hander […]

2024 Fantasy Baseball Catcher Rankings, Tiers, Analysis - Roto League Drafts

Last season saw multiple catchers across Major League Baseball emerge as potential future stars, the most obvious being Baltimore's Adley Rutschman. But Seattle's Cal Raleigh, Arizona's Gabriel Moreno, Atlanta's Sean Murphy, and New York's Francisco Alvarez also raised their stock and were difference-makers offensively for their respective teams at points during the MLB season. Proven […]

Wander Franco Officially Charged

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was officially charged with commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering following allegations that he had a relationship with a minor whose mother also faces the same charges in the Dominican Republic on Thursday after initially being arrested on Monday for failing to appear at a summons late last week. […]

Can Yoshinobu Yamamoto Continue His Dominance in the MLB?

In a normal offseason, signing a player to a 12-year $325 million deal would be a team's biggest acquisition, but with Shohei Ohtani signing with the Dodgers for $700 million, it has been anything but a normal offseason. With the addition of Ohtani, the Dodgers fortified their lineup but were still in need of some […]

Wander Franco Arrested In Dominican Republic

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Monday for no-showing at his meeting last Thursday with the prosecutor who is investigating him for alleged relationships with underaged girls, according to sources. The arrest was because Franco did not show up to his summons and not because there has been […]

Way Too Early 2024 MLB Rookie of the Year Favorites

The temperature outside is near freezing here in the Northeast, there's a warm glow in the fireplace, and the ball that draws 2023 to a close has yet to drop in Times Square. So, you know what that means... it's the perfect time to speculate who will take home MLB Rookie of the Year in […]

Wander Franco To Be Questioned By Police Thursday

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco has been officially summoned by police in the Dominican Republic to appear for questioning on Thursday, according to sources. Franco is currently under investigation by police and Major League Baseball for alleged inappropriate relationships with minors. Allegations that Franco was in a relationship with a minor surfaced on social […]

Can Tyler Glasnow Make Good on His Hefty Draft Day Price Tag?

Tyler Glasnow came into the league with the Pirates in 2016, but it wasn't until he joined the Rays during the 2018 season that he began to really see success. He pitched exclusively as a reliever for the Pirates in 2018; however, he was a starter in all 11 games he appeared in for the […]

MLB Rumors: Landing Spots for Blake Snell and 2024 Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Blake Snell posted an MLB-best 2.25 ERA, .181 OBA, and H/9 of 5.8 in 2023 on the way to his second Cy Young award and an All-MLB Team selection. He also ranked sixth in K with 234 and second in K/9 at 11.7. All of this makes him one of the most coveted offseason free […]

Top 250 Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Prospects Rankings (2024 Update)

Welcome back RotoBallers to the 2024 update of our MLB team's dynasty fantasy baseball prospects rankings for the 2024 season. This update includes a few changes/additions. First, while they may not be considered "prospects" in many leagues, foreign signees from Japanese or Korean professional leagues will be eligible in first-year player drafts, so they are […]

Third Base and Shortstop - Early 2024 Fantasy Baseball ADP Analysis

It might only be the second week of December, but 2024 draft season is already beginning to heat up. Sites like NFBC and Fantrax make it easy to scratch that early draft itch and I've already completed one draft for 2024, a 50-round draft champions draft on NFBC. I've been working through my early 2024 […]

Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers Finalizing Five-Year Extension Friday

Right-hander Tyler Glasnow and the Los Angeles Dodgers are finalizing a five-year, $135 million contract extension on Friday, according to sources. Once the deal is complete, the trade of Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Dodgers for right-hander Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny DeLuca will be complete. The deal […]

Rays Pick Up Ryan Pepiot, Jonny DeLuca From Dodgers In Tyler Glasnow Deal

The Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers agreed on a trade on Thursday that will send right-hander Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot to the Dodgers in exchange for right-hander Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny DeLuca, according to sources. Pepiot pitched in only eight games (three starts) for the Dodgers in 2023 while missing […]

Dodgers Acquiring Tyler Glasnow, Miguel Margot From Rays

The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed with the Tampa Bay Rays on a deal that will send right-hander Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot to the Dodgers for right-hander Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny DeLuca, contingent on Glasnow signing an extension with the Dodgers, which is expected, according to sources. The 30-year-old Glasnow was set […]

Dodgers Discussing A Trade For Tyler Glasnow

The Los Angeles Dodgers are discussing a trade in which they would acquire right-hander Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for right-hander Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny DeLuca, according to sources. No deal is complete at this time and it's possible that changes could be made to the […]

Cooper Criswell Signs Major-League Deal With Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox and pitcher Cooper Criswell agreed to a one-year, major-league deal Tuesday, per Boston Globe's Alex Speier. The 27-year-old will make a guaranteed $1 million. Criswell spent time mostly as a starter with Triple-A Durham and as a reliever with the Rays in 2023, compiling a 3.93 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 21.6% […]

Marlins Acquire Christian Bethancourt

The Cleveland Guardians have agreed on a trade to send catcher Christian Bethancourt to the Miami Marlins. It's being reported that the Guardians will get cash considerations in exchange for Bethancourt. That's not too bad, considering the Guardians picked up Bethancourt off waivers last month. However, they no longer needed his services after signing catcher […]

Erasmo Ramirez Re-Signs With Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays re-signed right-hander Erasmo Ramirez to a minor-league deal earlier this week. Ramirez will return to Tampa after he was outrighted off the 40-man roster following the conclusion of the 2023 season. The 33-year-old veteran swing man from Nicaragua appeared in 38 games (two starts) for the Rays and Washington Nationals last […]

Chris Devenski Re-Signs With Rays On One-Year Deal

Free-agent right-handed reliever Chris Devenski and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with a team option on Tuesday, according to sources. Devenski began the 2023 season with the Los Angeles Angels and finished it off with the Rays. The 33-year-old had a combined 4.46 ERA (3.96 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with […]

Christopher Morel's Name Has Surfaced In Trade Talks For Tyler Glasnow

Chicago Cubs outfielder Christopher Morel's name has come up in talks with the Tampa Bay Rays about right-hander Tyler Glasnow. The Rays are expected to trade Glasnow this offseason, potentially right after two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani decides his next team. In addition to the Cubs, the Cincinnati Reds and their glut of young talent already […]

Rays Simply "Listening" To Trade Talk For Randy Arozarena, Isaac Paredes

Tampa Bay Rays baseball operations president Erik Neander said Monday, "I would very much classify anything as listening," referring to trade talks related to key players other than starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow. This includes outfielder Randy Arozarena and infielder Isaac Paredes, whose names have popped up in trade rumors this offseason. While Glasnow is due […]

Brandon Lowe Not Expected To Have Limitations In 2024

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (knee) said his broken right kneecap has healed and that he should not have limitations going forward this winter or going into the 2024 campaign. Lowe barely played in over 100 games for the second time in his six seasons in the big leagues and slashed .231/.328/.443 with […]

Isaac Paredes Receiving Trade Interest

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes could be on the move this offseason. The 24-year-old is coming off a career season in 2023. He slashed .250/.352/.488 with 31 homers and 98 RBI in 571 plate appearances. Both the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners are reportedly showing interest in the young slugger. Parades is […]