News for Free Agent Players - 2012 Park Slope Rotisserie League

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Wed Mar 2720:02Jake Odorizzi Starting At Triple-AJake OdorizziSPRoyalsFree Agent
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-hander Jake Odorizzi (shoulder) will make a start for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, April 2, and then the team will go "start-to-start" on deciding when/if they'll bring him to the major-league level. Not only did Odorizzi not sign with the Rays until March 15, but he didn't pitch at all in 2023 while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. The 34-year-old veteran should eventually become a rotation option for Tampa this year, but he'll certainly be on an innings limit and already didn't come with much fantasy upside. The former first-rounder (32nd overall) of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008 went 6-6 with the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves in his last season in 2022, sporting a 4.40 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 35 walks and 86 K's over 22 starts.
Source: Bally Sports Florida - Ryan BassRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2714:35Will Smith Inks 10-Year Extension With DodgersWill SmithFree Agent
Will SmithSPRoyalsFree Agent
The Los Angeles Dodgers and catcher Will Smith are finalizing a 10-year, $140 million contract extension. The 28-year-old has been one of the most productive offensive catchers since entering the big leagues in the 2019 season, putting together a career .263 average with 91 home runs and an .842 OPS across 486 games played. Most recently, he hit .261 with 19 home runs, 80 runs, 76 RBI, and a .797 OPS across 554 trips to the plate in the 2023 season. ATC projects Smith to club 21 home runs along with 74 RBI and an .823 OPS in 124 games in the 2024 season as he is every bit worthy of his 80.46 ADP as the fourth catcher off the draft board this spring.
Source: Jeff PassanRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2617:41Jake Odorizzi Pitching On TuesdayJake OdorizziSPRoyalsFree Agent
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Jake Odorizzi (shoulder) was scheduled to pitch in Tuesday's exhibition game at Tropicana Field against the Detroit Tigers rather than in a minor-league game on Wednesday. Odorizzi sees it as a truer test of his progress in what will be his first game pitched since Oct. of 2022 due to arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. The 33-year-old veteran signed with the Rays late in spring training this year and will begin the 2024 campaign in the minor leagues as a result. If Odorizzi doesn't have any setbacks with his shoulder, he should have a spot open for him in the rotation with both Shane Baz (elbow) and Taj Bradley (pectoral) recovering from injuries. Even in deeper fantasy leagues, managers will probably want to wait and see before trusting Odorizzi in starting lineups whenever he makes his 2024 debut.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc TopkinRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2612:37Carlos Carrasco Makes Cleveland's RotationCarlos CarrascoPIndiansFree Agent
Veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco has made the Cleveland Guardians' Opening Day starting rotation and is slated to make his 2024 debut on Sunday against the Oakland Athletics and right-hander Paul Blackburn. Although the 37-year-old Carrasco doesn't have much fantasy appeal these days, he could be a sneaky streamer this weekend against the A's. We'll see how Carrasco fares to open the season, but when Gavin Williams (elbow) is healthy, there's a good chance Carrasco will be bumped from the rotation. In 20 starts (90 innings) for the New York Mets in 2023, he wasn't good, going 3-8 with a 6.80 ERA (5.86 FIP) and 1.70 WHIP while walking 38 and striking out 66. Carrasco will most likely serve as a multi-inning reliever for Cleveland for most of the year.
Source: MLB.com - Zack MeiselRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2509:45Jesse Chavez Inks Minor League Deal With BravesJesse ChavezRP/SPAthleticsFree 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 ChavezRP/SPAthleticsFree 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 ChavezRP/SPAthleticsFree 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 Escobar3B/SSTwinsFree 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
Mon Mar 1819:11Martin Perez Strikes Out Eight BattersMartín PérezSPRangersFree Agent
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Martin Perez continued his impressive spring during Monday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The left-hander struck out eight batters over five innings of work during Monday's victory. It's worth noting that Perez never struck out eight hitters during a single start last season. His velocity was down during this game and he was still extremely effective. Perez has allowed one earned run in 12 innings this season. Perez probably won't be a reliable 12-team fantasy option, but could still be worth a look in deep leagues.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Sat Mar 1615:09Kole Calhoun Hangs Up His CleatsKole CalhounRFAngelsFree Agent
Free-agent outfielder Kole Calhoun has decided to retire from professional baseball. The veteran announced his retirement in a lengthy statement online after a solid 12-year run in the majors. Calhoun began to cement himself in the 2013 season when he hit .282 with eight homers in just 58 games. He went on to become the everyday right fielder for the Angels the following season when he hit .272 with 17 home runs and a .775 OPS across 127 games in the 2013 campaign. He would be an integral part of the Angels' offense for the next five seasons, launching a career-high 33 home runs in the 2019 campaign. All told, the 36-year-old posted a .242 average with 179 long balls and 34 stolen bases across 1,239 appearances in the big leagues.
Source: Jeff FletcherRotoBaller.com
Fri Mar 1508:41Jake Odorizzi Returns To Rays On Minor League DealJake OdorizziSPRoyalsFree Agent
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times is reporting that starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi (shoulder) has returned to the Rays on a minor-league deal. Odorizzi spent 2023 recovering from shoulder surgery and last suited up in 2022 for the Atlanta Braves. The right-hander will return to familiar grounds with the club that he spent five of 11 seasons with. He does own a career 3.99 ERA, but this is merely a depth piece and he can be avoided in all fantasy formats for now.
Source: Marc TopkinRotoBaller.com
Fri Feb 2314:07Carlos Carrasco Slated To Start Spring OpenerCarlos CarrascoPIndiansFree Agent
Cleveland Guardians right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco (finger) is expected to start Saturday's Spring Training game against the Cincinnati Reds, according to Nick Camino of WKYC. Carrasco inked a minor league deal this season with the Guardians, for whom he played 11 seasons from 2010 through 2020. He most recently pitched for the New York Mets, posting a 4.93 xFIP, 6.60 K/9, and 3.80 BB/9 through 20 starts last year before a 50-pound barbell fell on his finger and prematurely ended his season. A trusted veteran presence familiar with the Cleveland system, Carrasco will compete for a back-of-the-rotation role in camp.
Source: Nick CaminoRotoBaller.com
Fri Feb 1600:25Eduardo Escobar Agrees To Deal With Blue JaysEduardo Escobar3B/SSTwinsFree 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
Fri Feb 1600:18Danny Duffy Competing For Fifth Rotation SpotDanny DuffySPRoyalsFree Agent
Texas Rangers veteran left-hander Danny Duffy is a bona-fide contender to make the Opening Day roster and is being evaluated for the fifth starting rotation spot in spring training, alongside fellow lefty Cody Bradford and at least six other pitchers. The 35-year-old southpaw has had three straight injury-plagued seasons, including last year with the Rangers on a minor-league deal, but he didn't allow a run in 15 2/3 innings in the Puerto Rican winter league. If he doesn't make the rotation, he'll be happy to work in a multi-inning relief role. Duffy said he hasn't felt as good as he does now since May of 2021, when he had a 2.51 ERA after 13 games before his elbow started barking. He has experience, but if he is pitching in the majors in 2024 for Texas, he'll be a very risky fantasy option in AL-only leagues.
Source: RangersToday.com - Jeff WilsonRotoBaller.com
Thu Feb 1523:01Eduardo Escobar Close To Deal With Blue JaysEduardo Escobar3B/SSTwinsFree 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
Thu Feb 1517:53Daniel Bard Receives Good News On His KneeDaniel BardRP/SPRed SoxFree Agent
Doctors performed an arthroscopy/cleanup on Colorado Rockies right-hander Daniel Bard's left knee on Wednesday and did not need to do a meniscus repair as originally believed. The general recovery time frame is one month, which is a little less than the five to seven weeks the team originally believed he'd have to miss. It's good news for the 38-year-old reliever, but he still seems likely to open the 2024 season on the injured list. Bard could be in the mix for saves in Colorado when he's healthy, and at the very least he'll be a candidate for consideration in deep holds leagues, but the Rockies probably won't give their relievers many save chances. He had 54 saves in 2021 and 2022 but is an extremely risky reliever because of his past history with anxiety and the yips.
Source: MLB.com - Thomas HardingRotoBaller.com
Tue Feb 1313:55Daniel Bard Expected To Open On Injured ListDaniel BardRP/SPRed SoxFree Agent
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard (knee) is expected to open the 2024 season on the injured list due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. Bard opened last year on the injured list and also ended the 2023 campaign on the injured list due to a right flexor strain. The 38-year-old veteran wasn't really going to be much of a fantasy option to begin with due to the fact that Justin Lawrence is the team's projected closer. In 50 appearances out of Colorado's bullpen last year, Bard had a 4.56 ERA (6.13 FIP) and 1.70 WHIP with one save, 49 walks and 47 strikeouts. He had 54 saves in 2021 and 2022 after returning from a case of the yips, but some of his anxiety issues returned last spring. Fantasy managers should stay away from Bard in all leagues.
Source: The Denver PostRotoBaller.com
Mon Feb 1218:29Jake Odorizzi Throwing Without RestrictionsJake OdorizziSPRoyalsFree Agent
Free-agent right-hander Jake Odorizzi (shoulder), who was an All-Star starter in 2019, is throwing without restrictions and is looking to sign a major-league deal in the coming weeks. The 33-year-old has pitched off a mound this offseason in front of evaluators from 10 to 12 big-league teams. Odorizzi had an arthroscopic debridement surgery on his right shoulder last April, which caused him to sit out all of the 2023 season. With the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves back in 2022, Odorizzi went 6-6 with a 4.40 ERA (4.28 FIP) and 1.33 WHIP while walking 35 and striking out 86 in 106 1/3 innings over 22 starts. It remains to be seen if he'll sign with a team in time to become a legitimate starting rotation option for the start of the 2024 season. Odorizzi was a first-time All-Star back in 2019 with the Minnesota Twins.
Source: MLB Network - Jon MorosiRotoBaller.com
Sun Feb 1112:22Lucas Luetge Joining Red SoxLucas LuetgeRPMarinersFree Agent
Free-agent left-hander Lucas Luetge announced on Saturday that he has signed an undisclosed deal to join the Boston Red Sox for the 2024 campaign. The 36-year-old southpaw had a rough 7.24 ERA (4.86 FIP) and 1.76 WHIP with seven walks and 14 strikeouts in just 13 2/3 relief innings for the Atlanta Braves last year. As a result, the Braves outrighted him to Triple-A Gwinnett after he went unclaimed following being designated for assignment. In 22 relief appearances for Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi, Luetge had a 3.51 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with nine walks and 29 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings pitched. He'll represent relief depth as a lefty for Boston entering the 2024 season and he has a career 3.60 ERA (3.55 FIP), a 1.37 WHIP, five saves and 226 strikeouts in 232 1/3 innings over seven major-league seasons with the Braves, Mariners and Yankees.
Source: Lucas LuetgeRotoBaller.com
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