News for Free Agent Players - 2018 Park Slope Rotisserie League

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Mon Mar 1819:11Martin Perez Strikes Out Eight BattersMartín PérezRP/SPRangersFree 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
Mon Mar 1813:18Chris Martin May Not Be Ready For Opening DayChris MartinRPRangersFree Agent
The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham writes that right-hander Chris Martin (groin) may not be ready for Opening Day on March 28. Closer Kenley Jansen (back) was scratched from making his second Grapefruit League appearance on Monday, but the team still believes he has a shot to be ready by Opening Day. The 37-year-old Martin threw a live batting practice session in camp on Saturday, but he's running out of time to get ready for the start of the regular season. He's expected to need four spring training appearances in order to be ready for Opening Day. This is notable because Martin figures to be the BoSox's next man up for save chances if Jansen misses any time due to injury in 2024. Given Jansen's recent string of injuries and his age (36), it's likely he's going to miss time at some point. Josh Winckowski is another name that could see save chances early in the year if both Jansen and Martin aren't 100%.
Source: The Boston Globe - Pete AbrahamRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1813:06Byron Buxton Scratched With Back TightnessByron BuxtonCFTwinsFree Agent
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (back) was scratched from Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox due to lower-back tightness on his right side, according to the team. It's unclear exactly how serious Buxton's back injury is, but given his lengthy injury history, we shouldn't be surprised if it ends up being something that causes him to start the 2024 season on the injured list. The oft-injured 30-year-old was unable to play a single game in the outfield for Minnesota last year due to a knee injury that required offseason surgery. Buxton played in only 85 games in 2023 and hit a weak .207 (63-for-304) but also hit 17 home runs and drove in 42. He has played in over 100 games just one in nine big-league seasons, so Buxton's inability to stay on the field now far outweighs his actual power/speed capabilities.
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Betsy HelfandRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1809:59Brandon Lowe Goes YardBrandon Lowe2B/OFRaysFree Agent
Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League matchup versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 29-year-old has now homered twice with a pair of RBI this spring, but has struggled with just three hits in 23 at-bats. Lowe has historically been a good source of power that will sink one's batting average, but has struggled with injuries over the last two seasons. His value isn't what it once was, but with an ADP of 330, his power is worth the gamble.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Sat Mar 1621:20Taylor Ward Hits First Spring HomerTaylor Ward3B/CAngelsFree Agent
Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 4-3 spring loss to the Chicago Cubs. Ward took Keegan Thompson deep in the bottom of the sixth inning for his first home run of spring training. The 30-year-old has had a solid spring, slashing .286/.375/.457 with a home run, six RBI, and five runs scored over 14 games during spring training. His 2023 season ended prematurely. Ward suffered multiple facial fractures after being hit by a pitch in the face against the Blue Jays in July. He is slated to be the Angels' starting left fielder and is projected to hit fifth in the team's lineup. Ward has an NFBC ADP of 221 in March and has a chance to pop 20-plus homers in 2024, making him a solid pick at his current price tag in upcoming fantasy drafts.
Source: MLBRotoBaller.com
Sat Mar 1612:26Dylan Cease To Make Debut With Padres On MondayDylan CeaseSPWhite SoxFree Agent
San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease will make his debut with the team as the starter in the second exhibition game on Monday against the LG Twins after Jhony Brito starts the first game on Sunday. Manager Mike Shildt said Cease will probably aim for two to three innings in that start. The Padres made an unexpected spring splash when they acquired Cease from the Chicago White Sox this week to give them a starting rotation boost for 2024 alongside Joe Musgrave, Yu Darvish and Michael King. The 28-year-old former sixth-round pick in 2014 by the Cubs disappointed with a 4.58 ERA and 79 walks in 177 innings in 2023, but he's struck out 200-plus hitters in each of the last three seasons and was the runner-up for the American League Cy Young in 2022. The move to SD makes Cease an even more attractive No. 3 fantasy starter because of his swing-and-miss stuff.
Source: MLB.com - Do-Hyoung ParkRotoBaller.com
Sat Mar 1612:18Keynan Middleton To Start The Year On Injured ListKeynan MiddletonRPAngelsFree Agent
St. Louis Cardinals right-handed reliever Keynan Middleton (forearm) has a forearm strain and will be shut down from throwing for at least 10 days. It means that he'll start the 2024 regular season on the injured list. The Cardinals are planning to be without him for at least a couple of weeks into the season in April. The 30-year-old signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the team last month after he pitched for both the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees in 2023, posting a decent 3.38 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, two saves and 64 strikeouts in 50 2/3 relief innings. When healthy, Middleton can be valuable in deep holds leagues as a late-inning setup man for the Cardinals alongside Andrew Kittredge and Giovanny Gallegos in front of closer Ryan Helsley.
Source: The Athletic - Katie WooRotoBaller.com
Sat Mar 1609:46Hunter Harvey Continues His Strong SpringHunter HarveyRPOriolesFree Agent
Washington Nationals reliever Hunter Harvey pitched one inning of relief on Friday in a 7-3 Grapefruit League win over the Mets. Harvey has had a nice spring, allowing six hits and two earned runs with a 10:1 K:BB over six and one-third innings pitched (2.84 ERA). The 29-year-old is coming off the best season of his career and looks primed to have a repeat performance in 2024. Staying healthy has always been an issue for him, but even missing time last season he was still able to collect 10 saves and 19 holds. If the Nats' primary closer Kyle Finnegan falters, Harvey would be in a prime spot to take over the duties full-time.
Source: ESPNRotoBaller.com
Fri Mar 1522:31Pirates Agree With Domingo German On Minor-League DealDomingo GermánRP/SPYankeesFree Agent
The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed with free-agent right-hander Domingo German on a $1.5 million minor-league deal on Friday. The 31-year-old Dominican hurler tossed a no-hitter against the lowly Oakland Athletics last year while with the New York Yankees, but that was easily the highlight of his season, as he finished with a 5-7 record, 4.56 ERA (4.65 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 34 walks and 114 strikeouts in 108 2/3 innings pitched over his 20 appearances (19 starts) in his sixth year in pinstripes. He'll have a better opportunity with the rebuilding Pirates, but German is unlikely to be much of a fantasy asset outside of NL-only leagues if he's with the big-league roster in 2024. In his six-year career, German holds a 4.41 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 2.8 walks per nine innings and 9.4 K's per nine innings in 522 1/3 frames.
Source: Pittsburgh PG - Jason MackeyRotoBaller.com
Fri Mar 1520:50J.D. Davis Signs With A'sJ.D. Davis3BAstrosFree Agent
Free-agent third baseman J.D. Davis signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Oakland Athletics on Friday. The deal includes another $1 million in performance-based incentives. Davis will stay in the Bay Area after spending all of 2023 with the San Francisco Giants, where he slashed .248/.325/.413 with 18 home runs, 69 RBI and 61 runs scored in 144 games and 546 plate appearances. He was expendable in San Fran when the Giants signed Matt Chapman. Given the state of the perpetually rebuilding A's roster, the 30-year-old right-handed slugger should immediately slot in as Oakland's starting third baseman in 2024, boosting his fantasy appeal as a corner-infield option in deep-mixed leagues. Davis has a career .261/.343/.432 slash line with a .775 OPS and 68 homers in seven major-league seasons.
Source: New York Post - Jon HeymanRotoBaller.com
Fri Mar 1519:09Nestor Cortes Gets Opening Day StartNestor CortesRP/SPOriolesFree Agent
New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes has been tabbed as the club's Opening Day starter against the Houston Astros on the road on March 28. It was recently reported that Marcus Stroman did not wish to alter his spring schedule to line up for Opening Day, and manager Aaron Boone said Carlos Rodon was not a candidate. With Gerrit Cole (shoulder) on the shelf, it's Cortes who dealt with his fair share of injuries last season, limiting him to just 12 starts. He worked to a 4.97 ERA and a 17.7% K-BB% in that time, just one season after breaking out with a 2.44 ERA across 28 starts in the 2022 campaign. ATC is projecting a bounce-back in 2024 for the 29-year-old, who projects for a 3.97 ERA and a quality 17.8% K-BB% across 26 outings (23 starts) this season.
Source: Bryan HochRotoBaller.com
Fri Mar 1517:24Kevin Gausman Throws Without IssuesKevin GausmanSPOriolesFree Agent
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (shoulder) was able to throw one inning of live batting practice on Friday. The right-hander threw 23 pitches during this session without any issues. Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters that Gausman looked great during the outing. The organization has not given a timetable for his return to the mound. At this point, Gausman is unlikely going to be ready for the beginning of the season. However, this issue doesn't seem to be too serious, so he should be ready relatively early in the regular season.
Source: Hazel MaeRotoBaller.com
Fri Mar 1513:02Kevin Gausman Looking Unlikely For Opening DayKevin GausmanSPOriolesFree Agent
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder) will throw one inning of live batting practice in camp on Friday and build back up from there. It's now looking unlikely that he'll be able to start on Opening Day for the team on March 28. "We just want him to be good, and if that means 30 starts as opposed to 32, we'll be pretty happy with that," manager John Schneider said. The Blue Jays aren't going to push their 33-year-old ace back too soon just so that he can start on Opening Day. Gausman has been dealing with right-shoulder fatigue in spring training, but he's making progress now and should make his 2024 debut in mid-April, barring any setbacks as he builds back up. Both his injury and Alek Manoah's (shoulder) means that both Bowden Francis and Mitch White are likely to open the year in Toronto's rotation.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan MathesonRotoBaller.com
Thu Mar 1412:48Michael Kopech Moving To The BullpenMichael KopechSPWhite SoxFree Agent
Chicago White Sox right-hander Michael Kopech is being moved to the bullpen, according to general manager Chris Getz. It doesn't come as a huge surprise after Kopech finished last year pitching in relief for the Pale Hose. However, it's a bit more surprising after Chicago just traded ace Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday evening. The 27-year-old Kopech, a former first-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2014, had a career-worst 5.43 ERA (6.46 FIP) and 1.59 WHIP with a league-high 91 walks and a career-high 134 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings over 30 outings (27 starts) in 2023. Given the lack of closing options in Chicago's current bullpen, Kopech might be the favorite for saves now, which would make him much more valuable in fantasy than if he remained in a starting role.
Source: The Athletic - James FeganRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 1321:56Anthony Santander Not Hitting For Much AverageAnthony SantanderRFOriolesFree Agent
Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder Anthony Santander couldn't end his spring struggles in Wednesday's 7-5 Grapefruit League loss to the Atlanta Braves, going hitless in two at-bats with one walk and a run scored. Santander may have cranked two home runs against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, but in 32 ABs overall during spring training, he's hitting only .156 (5-for-32) with three homers and six RBI. The 29-year-old switch-hitting slugger is going to play a big role as Baltimore's likely everyday cleanup man, and he should drive in plenty of runs in 2024 after slashing .257/.325/.472 with 28 four-baggers, 41 doubles, and 95 RBI in 591 ABs last season. While Santander should be a great source of slugging numbers in fantasy leagues at his 132.4 Yahoo ADP, his lack of speed and batting average will hurt his value a bit.
Source: ESPNRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 1319:27Padres Acquire Dylan Cease From White SoxDylan CeaseSPWhite SoxFree Agent
The San Diego Padres have acquired star right-hander Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox. The 28-year-old's name has been a staple in the rumor mill this offseason with Cease being connected to a number of teams. Ultimately, it's the Padres who have acquired the 2022 AL Cy Young runner-up. Cease worked to a 2.20 ERA in that 2022 campaign but regressed to a 4.58 ERA across 33 starts in the 2023 season. He sports a career 3.83 ERA across 123 big-league starts along with a strong 28.1% K% in that time. However, he also tends to struggle with control by way of a 10.4% career walk rate. Cease's fantasy value gets a boost from a wins perspective on a superior Padres club but a move from the weak AL Central to what should be a strong NL West can have a negative impact.
Source: Jeff PassanRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 1314:46Jordan Romano Looking Good In Grapefruit League ActionJordan RomanoSPRangersFree Agent
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano has enjoyed a nice spring to this point as he prepares for the 2024 campaign. The right-hander has worked in five games so far, tossing a 2.08 ERA with six strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings of action. He has walked two hitters while limiting the opposition to a minuscule .133 batting average. The veteran is coming off another stellar season in which he worked to a 2.90 ERA with 36 saves across 59 innings of work. He has posted a sub-3.00 ERA in four straight seasons and has locked down 36 saves in each of his last two campaigns. He remains a high-end closer ahead of the 2024 season and is a candidate to pace the American League in saves in the process.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 1313:11Rob Refsnyder Dealing With Fractured ToeRob Refsnyder1B/LF/RFRaysFree Agent
Boston Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder (toe) suffered a fractured left pinkie toe when he was hit by a pitch in a Grapefruit League game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. The Red Sox haven't put a timetable on Refsnyder's recovery from his fractured toe, but with Opening Day just several weeks away, the 32-year-old veteran outfielder is almost certain to begin the 2024 regular season on the 10-day injured list, at the very least. When healthy, Refsnyder will serve as outfield depth in Beantown, making him only useful for bench depth in AL-only fantasy leagues. Refsnyder's injury to begin the season should open the door for young center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela to make the team's Opening Day roster, and he could be a lineup regular.
Source: The Boston Globe - Pete AbrahamRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 1300:07Rangers, White Sox Potentially In Discussions For Dylan CeaseDylan CeaseSPWhite SoxFree Agent
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday that there are "growing indications" that the Chicago White Sox are more serious about trading starting pitcher Dylan Cease, and that the Texas Rangers may have been in recent discussions. The reigning World Series champions currently have several key injured rotation pieces and also lost Jordan Montgomery to free agency, so bringing in a pitcher like Cease would greatly help them. While he has yielded varying results throughout his career, Cease still projects as a higher-end fantasy option. Joining the Rangers would certainly give his fantasy value a relative boost.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1216:12Rob Refsnyder Has Crack In His ToeRob Refsnyder1B/LF/RFRaysFree Agent
Boston Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder (toe) was hit by a pitch on his left foot in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the St. Louis Cardinals, and he said he has a crack in his small toe. It sounds like Refsnyder is dealing with a fracture in his toe, which isn't serious, but there's a good chance he won't be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season now. The 32-year-old veteran is merely a depth outfielder in Boston that will mostly be inserted into the starting lineup on occasion when the team is facing a left-handed pitcher. The former fifth-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2012 out of Arizona played in 89 games last year for the BoSox and hit .248/.365/.317 with a homer, 28 RBI and seven stolen bases. Refsnyder can be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Ian BrowneRotoBaller.com
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