News for Free Agent Players - 2011 Park Slope Rotisserie League

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Mon Mar 2509:45Jesse Chavez Inks Minor League Deal With BravesJesse ChavezRPRoyalsFree Agent
The Atlanta Braves have signed pitcher Jesse Chavez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The 40-year-old journeyman spent last season in Atlanta, but was recently cut by the Chicago White Sox after a tough time in the Cactus League this spring. Despite his rough numbers with the White Sox this spring, he had a great season in 2023 with a 1.56 ERA and should have an opportunity to earn a bullpen spot with the Braves. Even with his impressive numbers in 2023, he doesn't provide much in the fantasy world and can be left on the waiver wire for now.
Source: Atlanta BravesRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 2417:42Jesse Chavez Signing Is Not OfficialJesse ChavezRPRoyalsFree Agent
The Minnesota Twins were reportedly in agreement with relief pitcher Jesse Chavez earlier on Sunday. However, the two sides have not officially agreed on a deal. It sounds like the Twins and Chavez are discussing a one-year contract, but haven't made it official. The 40-year-old is looking to pitch at least one more season in the big leagues. Whether it's the Twins or elsewhere, Chavez will likely be a middle reliever. That means, Chavez probably won't carry much fantasy value on any organization.
Source: John BonnesRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 2417:04Twins Sign Veteran Reliever Jesse ChavezJesse ChavezRPRoyalsFree Agent
The Minnesota Twins have signed veteran reliever Jesse Chavez to a one-year big league deal and he will serve in a middle relief role or pitch in matchup-specific opportunities. It will be the 40-year-old's tenth different major league club and 17th season, which is an enviable feat in and of itself. The Twins have lost some bullpen arms recently and needed to sure it up before the season began. While Chavez has found a niche for himself over his many MLB seasons, he's not going to log many innings and isn't a power strikeout pitcher, so his usefulness for fantasy purposes is pretty much limited to leagues where Holds are counted as a category.
Source: Twins Daily - Matthew TruebloodRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 2400:11Jose Iglesias, Luke Voit Won't Make Mets Opening Day RosterJosé IglesiasSSRed SoxFree Agent
Luke VoitFree Agent
The New York Mets have informed Jose Iglesias, Tomas Nido, and Luke Voit that they did not make the team's Opening Day roster. Voit signed a minor-league contract with the Mets in February but failed to latch onto the team's main roster after hitting .097 with a home run and four RBI over 31 spring at-bats. Iglesias had a solid spring, but it wasn't enough to make the team's Opening Day roster. This spring, he hit .278 with a home run and three RBI over 36 at-bats. Both Voit and Iglesias will look to latch onto another team. Neither Iglesias nor Voit will provide much fantasy value even if they sign with another club ahead of 2024 fantasy drafts.
Source: Anthony DicomoRotoBaller.com
Sat Mar 2310:59Eduardo Escobar Released By The Blue JaysEduardo EscobarSSWhite SoxFree Agent
Veteran third baseman Eduardo Escobar was granted his release by the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. The 35-year-old was a non-roster invitee and was a long shot to make the roster, but was hitting just .122 (5-for-41) with 17 strikeouts in 15 spring appearances. Escobar was an All-Star as recently as 2021 but has seen his Contact% fall for three consecutive seasons while his K% has increased three consecutive seasons. He may not have much left in the tank, but he does have the ability to play multiple positions and can bat from both sides of the plate, so perhaps he could latch on somewhere.
Source: Toronto Blue JaysRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1919:18Alex Cobb To Make Cactus League Debut FridayAlex CobbSPRaysFree Agent
San Francisco Giants right-hander Alex Cobb (hip) will make his Cactus League debut on Friday against the Chicago Cubs and will throw three innings. Cobb was initially expected to return around midseason after he underwent surgery on his hip last October, but the 36-year-old veteran has made excellent progress this offseason and now might be able to join San Fran's starting rotation just a few weeks into the year. Cobb made his spring debut in a minor-league game last Saturday and struck out five in two scoreless innings. He's still going to open the year on the injured list, but Cobb now becomes a more attractive matchup-based streaming option in 2024. However, health issues probably aren't going to go away for a pitcher that was far too hittable in 2023.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan SlusserRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1118:40Alex Cobb Throws Batting Practice SessionAlex CobbSPRaysFree Agent
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb (hip) threw a 30-pitch batting practice session on Monday. The right-hander was originally expected to be sidelined until around June. Now, it sounds like Cobb would return at some point in April. There is certainly still plenty of rehabbing left before Cobb is ready to rejoin the Giants rotation. However, it sounds like the 36-year-old is heading in the right direction. He pitched well with the team last year and could be an interesting deep league option once he returns.
Source: Susan SlusserRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 316:23Alex Cobb Shouldn't Miss Much TimeAlex CobbSPRaysFree Agent
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb (hip) isn't expected to miss much time and should return relatively soon, according to Giants general manager Farhan Zaidi. The veteran right-hander is working his way back from offseason hip surgery. He'll open the season on the injury list but isn't expected to miss much time. The 36-year-old exceeded expectations with the Giants last season. When healthy, Cobb should be worth rostering in mixed leagues.
Source: Alex PavlovicRotoBaller.com
Thu Feb 2912:28Keaton Winn, Alex Cobb Set For BullpensAlex CobbSPRaysFree Agent
Keaton WinnFree Agent
San Francisco Giants right-hander Keaton Winn (elbow) will throw a bullpen session this weekend, while right-hander Alex Cobb (hip) will throw a bullpen on Thursday. People around camp have been impressed with how far along Cobb seems to be, but he'll still miss a big chunk of time at the start of the year. Meanwhile, Tristan Beck (arm), who was the favorite for the No. 5 rotation spot to begin the year, was diagnosed with an aneurysm in his arm and could need surgery. Winn cut his last bullpen short over a week ago due to right-elbow soreness. It's unclear when the 26-year-old will be cleared to pitch in spring training games, but the Giants are holding out hope he'll be ready to be in the team's Opening Day rotation. With Beck hurt, Sean Hjelle is the favorite now for the final rotation spot in San Francisco.
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Alex PavlovicRotoBaller.com
Tue Feb 2016:16Alex Cobb Throws Off MoundAlex CobbSPRaysFree Agent
San Francisco Giants right-hander Alex Cobb (hip) threw 12 fastballs off the mound in camp on Sunday with a catcher in front of the plate and felt great on Monday. Cobb was scheduled to repeat the process on Tuesday and remains on track as he comes back from left-hip surgery that he had in October. The 36-year-old veteran is making good progress, but he won't be much of an option in shallow mixed leagues based on the fact that he isn't going to be an option for the Giants' starting rotation until later this summer. Cobb exceeded expectations in his second year in the Bay Area in 2023 by making 28 starts and going 7-7 with a 3.87 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 37 walks and 131 strikeouts in 151 1/3 innings pitched.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan SlusserRotoBaller.com
Fri Feb 1600:25Eduardo Escobar Agrees To Deal With Blue JaysEduardo EscobarSSWhite SoxFree Agent
Updating a previous report, free-agent veteran third baseman Eduardo Escobar has agreed to an undisclosed deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night, pending a physical. Escobar will give the Blue Jays even more infield depth at the hot corner for the 2024 season after hitting a combined .226/.269/.344 with six home runs, 31 RBI and 32 runs scored in 99 games with the New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels a year ago. The 35-year-old Venezuelan switch-hitter has 13 years of major-league experience but didn't look like he had much left to offer in 2023. In Toronto, he'll be competing for playing time at third base with Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Cavan Biggio and Santiago Espinal. More often than not, Escobar will most likely come off the bench in his new digs.
Source: New York Post - Jon HeymanRotoBaller.com
Thu Feb 1523:01Eduardo Escobar Close To Deal With Blue JaysEduardo EscobarSSWhite SoxFree Agent
Free-agent infielder Eduardo Escobar is moving toward a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night, according to sources familiar with the situation. Escobar became a free agent after the 2023 season when the Los Angeles Angels declined his $9 million team option for 2024. The 35-year-old veteran hit just .226/.269/.344 with six home runs, 31 RBI and 32 runs scored in 99 total games with the Angels and New York Mets. In Toronto, he'll now join Cavan Biggio, Santiago Espinal and Isiah Kiner-Falefa in a competition for playing time at the hot corner this year. Kiner-Falefa seems like the favorite to see the most reps at third, with Escobar serving as a veteran bench bat. The move to a hitter-friendly park in Toronto in a strong lineup is a good one for Escobar, but consistent playing time will likely be hard to come by.
Source: FanSided - Robert MurrayRotoBaller.com
Wed Feb 1412:40Alex Cobb Hopes To Be Cleared To Throw Off Mound SoonAlex CobbSPRaysFree Agent
San Francisco Giants right-hander Alex Cobb (hip) said his hip feels great and he's hoping to be cleared to throw off a mound soon. His goal is to face hitters by the end of spring training and go from there. Cobb started throwing on flat ground a few weeks ago after having left-hip surgery in October. The 36-year-old veteran starter isn't going to be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season, though, but he's hoping to join the rotation before the All-Star break in July. Cobb was pretty fortunate to have an ERA under 4.00 in 28 starts and 151 1/3 innings in his second year with the Giants in 2023 with a drop in velocity, which can likely be attributed to his hip injury. With around half a season's worth of work projected for 2024, Cobb is much less attractive in fantasy.
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Alex PavlovicRotoBaller.com
Fri Feb 912:02Corey Kluber Announces His RetirementCorey KluberRPIndiansFree Agent
Right-hander Corey Kluber officially announced his retirement from professional baseball on Friday. The 37-year-old starter was never really the same pitcher once he left the Cleveland Guardians, and injuries ended up derailing his career the last several seasons. He appeared in only 15 games (nine starts) for the Boston Red Sox in 2023 and had a rough 7.04 ERA (7.11 FIP), a 1.64 WHIP, one save, 21 walks and 42 strikeouts in 55 innings pitched. In his prime, though, Kluber was one of the better pitchers in the game and he made three straight All-Star appearances from 2016-18. Kluber also won two American League Cy Young awards in his 13-year MLB career, ultimately finishing with a 3.44 ERA (3.23 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with a 25.8 percent strikeout rate in 1,641 2/3 innings pitched with Cleveland, the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Red Sox.
Source: The Athletic - Ken RosenthalRotoBaller.com
Thu Feb 819:05Jesse Chavez, Danny Mendick Sign With White SoxJesse ChavezRPRoyalsFree Agent
Danny MendickFree Agent
Free-agent relief pitcher Jesse Chavez and infielder Danny Mendick were among 11 to sign minor-league deals with invites to major-league spring training with the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Chavez missed three months in 2023 due to a microfracture in his left shin, but when he was healthy, he was great despite being 40 years old. He posted a strong 1.56 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 39 strikeouts and one save for the Atlanta Braves in 34 2/3 innings pitched. Given how weak the White Sox's bullpen is entering spring training, it would be a surprise if the veteran reliever wasn't pitching for the big-league club in 2024, but he won't be on the fantasy radar. Mendick, 30, spent the first four years of his career in Chicago. The utility man played in 33 games with the New York Mets last year and went 12-for-65 (.185) with a homer and four RBI.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Daryl Van SchouwenRotoBaller.com
Sun Jan 2112:17Alex Cobb Begins Throwing ProgramAlex CobbSPRaysFree Agent
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb (hip) started throwing from flat ground over the weekend as he continues to recover from offseason hip surgery. "Sixty feet. Nothing crazy. But it feels great," the 36-year-old told reporters. He added, "It feels way better than it did at the end of the year." It's an encouraging sign for Cobb, who underwent hip surgery back in October and was given a six-month timetable for his return to action. He has a shot, without any setbacks, to make it back to the Giants' rotation sometime in the first half. He finished the 2023 season with a solid 3.87 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 131:37 K/BB ratio over 151 1/3 innings (28 starts) before being shut down last September. His injury will likely push him into the late rounds/undrafted territory in upcoming fantasy drafts but he could make an impact in the second half for managers.
Source: San Jose Mercury NewsRotoBaller.com
Thu Jan 1821:14Alex Cobb Hopes To Start Throwing SoonAlex CobbSPRaysFree Agent
San Francisco Giants right-hander Alex Cobb (hip) is hoping to start a flat-ground throwing program in the next few days. It's unclear when Cobb will be ready to pitch in games leading up to the 2024 season after he had surgery in late October to fix a torn labrum and remove three bone chips from his left hip. The 36-year-old said he expects to be pitching for the Giants in the first half of the season, but when exactly that will be is unclear. We should have a better idea on his timetable once the club begins preparations at spring training. Despite being long in the tooth, Cobb was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and went 7-7 with a 3.87 ERA (4.01 FIP) and 1.32 WHIP with 37 walks and 131 strikeouts in 28 starts (151 1/3 innings). Given the injury, Cobb's age and his declining strikeout rate, he's not going to be a terribly attractive fantasy starter in 2024.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan SlusserRotoBaller.com
Fri Jan 514:25Michael Brantley Calls It A CareerMichael BrantleyCF/LFIndiansFree Agent
Long-time big-league outfielder Michael Brantley has announced his retirement from baseball. The veteran spent 15 seasons in the majors, 10 with the then-Cleveland Indians followed by another five with the Houston Astros. Injuries plagued the 36-year-old throughout his career as he appeared in 120 games or more in just seven of his 15 campaigns. He was limited to just 15 games in the 2023 season and only 64 in the 2022 campaign. However, his bat was excellent when healthy as he hit .300 or better in seven seasons and retires with a career .298 average across 1,445 games played. He also slugged 129 home runs and stole 125 bases in that time.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue Dec 5 202316:12Jose Iglesias Signs Minors Deal With MetsJosé IglesiasSSRed SoxFree Agent
Free-agent infielder Jose Iglesias signed a minor-league deal with the New York Mets on Tuesday. The deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Iglesias will provide infield depth, mainly at shortstop, for the Mets heading into next spring. The 33-year-old Cuban didn't surface in the big leagues at all in 2023 but did impress in 28 games for Triple-A El Paso in the San Diego Padres system with a .317/.356/.537 slash line, .892 OPS, four home runs and 27 RBI in 135 plate appearances. Iglesias was an All-Star for the Detroit Tigers in 2015, when he hit .300 with only two homers, 23 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 120 games. He's always been a glove-first player and has only 47 home runs in 11 major-league seasons.
Source: New York MetsRotoBaller.com
Fri Nov 10 202319:18Corey Kluber Undecided On FutureCorey KluberRPIndiansFree Agent
Starting pitcher Corey Kluber is not sure if he will look to pitch in 2024. Kluber's option wasn't picked up by the Red Sox this offseason. The 37-year-old had a 7.11 FIP, the worst of his career. If he plans on pitching next season, the two-time Cy Young Award winner may have to settle for a minor league pact. Kluber pitched to a 3.54 FIP in 2022 over 31 starts, so if he can get another chance in 2024, he could be a fantasy option in AL or NL-only leagues at best.
Source: Chris CotilloRotoBaller.com
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