Angels Trade Jose Alvarez to Phillies for Luis Garcia

The Los Angeles Angels have traded left-handed reliever Jose Alvarez to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for right-hander Luis Garcia. Alvarez was one of LA's steadiest relievers, posting a 2.71 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in 63 innings last season. Garcia is a flame-throwing right-hander who posted an excellent 10.0 K/9 last season, but struggled […]

Goldy Finds a New Home in St. Louis

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt was in the last year of his deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the 31-year-old was thought to be a trade candidate this offseason. The deal was finalized on Wednesday, as the Cardinals got their man and Goldy was traded for Luke Weaver, Carson Kelly, Andy Young, and a Competitive Balance […]

Yan Gomes to Washington - Fantasy Impact

Last week the Cleveland Indians traded All-Star catcher Yan Gomes to the Washington Nationals for a package of prospects. For Cleveland fans, this move was expected, and hopefully not the last deal this offseason for a team in flux. The fantasy implications are clear, with one of the better catchers moving, and toolsy prospects coming […]

Bryce Harper Not A Target For Cardinals

After the St. Louis Cardinals acquired first baseman Paul Goldschmidt on Wednesday, they are not targeting free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper, according to sources. The team will shift their offseason priorities to improving their bullpen and adding a left-handed hitting bench player. Harper will have plenty of other suitors despite hitting only .249 in 2018. However, […]

Patrick Corbin to Nationals - Fantasy Impact

Starting pitcher Patrick Corbin was one of the top free agents on the market this winter, with his market dwindled down to the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals. On Tuesday, the Nationals got over the line with Corbin, inking a six-year/$140 million deal with the 29-year-old lefty. This was a mild shock […]

Nationals Sign Patrick Corbin

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with free-agent starting pitcher Patrick Corbin on a deal expected to be for six years and over $125 million, according to a person familiar with the situation. The Phillies and Yankees were the favorites, but the Nats won out and now have perhaps the best rotation in baseball […]

Teams Begin To Court Bryce Harper

Officials from the Dodgers, White Sox, Phillies and Yankees are among upward of a dozen teams that have traveled or plan to travel to Nevada to meet with free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper, according to league sources familiar with the discussions. The Cubs and Padres are also expected to check in. The Nationals, who already offered […]

2018 Pitching Leaders - ERA

It was an impressive year for ERA in 2018, as MLB's combined 4.14 ERA was the lowest since league pitching recorded a 3.95 ERA in 2015. Just to give you an idea of how much pitching improved this year, all four of the pitchers that will be mentioned in this list finished in the top-10 […]

Jean Segura to Phillies - Fantasy Impact

The Mariners' teardown continued apace on Monday as the rumors were finally announced as fact: Jean Segura is on his way to Philadelphia. Joining him in the better half of the state of Pennsylvania will be relievers Juan Nicasio and James Pazos. Meanwhile, Carlos "Smooth" Santana and former top prospect J.P. Crawford have been sent […]

Red Sox Likely To Have Interest In Kelvin Herrera

The Boston Red Sox may be in need of a closer next year if free-agent Craig Kimbrel doesn't return, and they could look to free-agent reliever Kelvin Herrera (foot). General manager Dave Dombrowski tried to trade for Herrera at the trade deadline last summer. Herrera tore the Lisfranc ligament in his left foot on Aug. […]

Howie Kendrick On Schedule In Rehab

Washington Nationals second baseman Howie Kendrick (Achilles) said he has started running and is on schedule in his rehab from a ruptured Achilles last season. He expects to be ready for the start of spring training but knows he still has several hurdles to clear before then. The 35-year-old is a nice utility guy to […]

Erick Fedde Bulking Up

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Erick Fedde has gained around 15 pounds in the offseason and is trying to add seven more pounds as he attempts to pitch deeper into games in 2019. Fedde went 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 46 punchouts in 50 1/3 innings over 11 big league starts in 2018. […]

Carter Kieboom To Focus On Second Base

Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Carter Kieboom said he will focus more on second base work in the offseason, given that he has more experience at shortstop. The last time he played the keystone regularly was when he was a small kid. Kieboom is the team's No. 2 prospect and could see his major league debut […]

Sean Doolittle Says Foot Injury Is Behind Him

Washington Nationals closer Sean Doolittle (foot) is confident that his foot injury is behind him and has new inserts for his cleats. Doolittle missed most of the second half with a stress reaction in his foot, but he was lights-out when he was healthy. The left-hander posted a 1.60 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 25 saves and […]

Nationals Pursuing Extension For Anthony Rendon

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he expects to continue pursuing an extension for third baseman Anthony Rendon. The Nats will possibly lose superstar outfielder Bryce Harper in free agency this offseason, so they do not want to lose their next biggest star in Rendon. The 28-year-old has hit .305/.389/.534 with 85 doubles and […]

Nationals Acquire Yan Gomes Friday

The Washington Nationals acquired catcher Yan Gomes from the Indians on Friday in exchange for pitcher Jefry Rodriguez, outfield prospect Daniel Johnson and a player to be named. Gomes, who hit 16 home runs in 2018, will form a duo behind the plate with the recently signed Kurt Suzuki. Even though Gomes will be splitting […]

Nationals In Discussions For Yan Gomes

The Washington Nationals are in serious discussions about a trade for Cleveland Indians catcher Yan Gomes, according to sources. The Nats signed Kurt Suzuki already this offseason, but they'd like to pair another backstop with him in 2019. Gomes is coming off a 2018 season in which he batted .266/.313/.449 with 16 home runs and […]

What To Do With Bryce Harper in Dynasty?

At some point in the last year, Bryce Harper went from perennial first-rounder to being described as an “overvalued” and “losing player.” He was recently voted as “the most overrated player in the game.” The perception is a predictable outcome for a player who was hailed as baseball’s new phenom when he was still in […]

Patrick Corbin Meets With Nationals

Free-agent starting pitcher Patrick Corbin met with the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. The most sought after free-agent starter is making the rounds and is highly coveted by most teams this winter. The left-hander was a fantasy ace in 2018 by going 11-7 with a 3.15 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 246 strikeouts in 33 starts. Washington's […]

RotoBaller Early Mock Draft Analysis (Rounds 3-10)

A group of 10 RotoBaller fantasy baseball experts recently came together to conduct a slow mock draft for the 2019 season. Was it way too early? That all depends on who is asking. But with it complete, we can start to look at where players ended up on the board. This is the first staff […]

RotoBaller Early Mock Draft Analysis (Rounds 1-2)

I know what you are probably thinking as you click this link, who is doing fantasy baseball drafts in October and November?! Well, the answer to that is 10 Rotoballer Fantasy Baseball enthusiasts who are already longing for the long hot days of summer and the return of everyday baseball. This is the first of […]

Statcast Review - 2018 Pitching Leaders (Exit Velocity)

Frost has layered baseball diamonds across the country. The holidays are the darkest times for baseball junkies, with the World Series miles in the rearview mirror and Spring Training too far away. Luckily at RotoBaller, we try to match the flurry of real front office activity with ample offseason fantasy content of our own. Exit […]

James Paxton to The Yankees - Fantasy Impact

The first major move of the 2018 MLB offseason was made on Monday night, as the Seattle Mariners sent James Paxton to the New York Yankees for Justus Sheffield, Erik Swanson, and Dom Thompson-Williams. By trading Paxton, the Mariners got a top-50 prospect in the lefty Sheffield, a controllable arm in the righty Swanson, and an […]

2018 Pitching Leaders: Hard Hit Rate

What's up all you fellow sad Fantasy Baseball fans? Now that the 2018 MLB season is behind us, and we were blessed to witness the greatest baseball team to ever play on a diamond (yes I am a Sox, fight me), we are left to reflect on an incredible season with some incredible players. For […]

Chris Archer: Fantasy Baseball Year-in-Review

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chris Archer came into the 2018 season with the Tampa Bay Rays as a known commodity of a strikeout pitcher. Archer, who had pitched at least 200 innings in each season from 2015-2017, topped 200 strikeouts in each of those seasons as well. He was lacking in wins, 12 in 2015 […]

Statcast Review - 2018 Hitting Leaders (Exit Velocity)

After a full fantasy season of using Statcast measures to predicting risers and fallers each week, it’s time to take a step back and view the big picture. One of the most straightforward Statcast measurements we relied on was exit velocity or the speed the ball comes off the bat immediately after being hit. It […]

Dylan Bundy: Fantasy Baseball Year-in-Review

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dylan Bundy was the fourth pick of the 2011 Draft, making the big leagues the very next season. Although he only threw 1 2/3 innings at the end of the season, the righty had ripped through the minors with a 2.08 ERA in 2012, posting a sub-1.00 WHIP and striking out […]

Prospects Who Shined - 2018 Season Recap

Prospects are one of my favorite aspects of fantasy sports. You get to cheer for young men who are striving to be the best they can in all facets of their chosen occupation. It is fun to track their progress and to prophesize over which prospect will be the next great player. Often times minor […]

Cardinals Not Planning To Pursue Bryce Harper

The St. Louis Cardinals are not interested in signing free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper to a deal well in excess of $300 million this winter, according to major league sources. While we can't rule out that they will eventually jump into the mix for the superstar, the Cardinals are currently more focused on a corner infielder […]

Nationals Made Aggressive Offer To Bryce Harper

The Washington Nationals offered free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper an "aggressive" long-term deal on the last day of the regular season, but he predictably turned it down. The offer included no opt-outs and was for less than the $400 million some have speculated that Harper could receive on the open market, according to a person with […]