News for Free Agent Players - 2018 4x4 AL League - $260 Cap

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Wed Mar 2722:00Kris Bryant In A "Great Place" PhysicallyKris Bryant3BCubsFree Agent
Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black says first baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant is in a "great place" physically, and he believes 25 home runs is a possibility for the veteran. Bryant is entering the third season of a seven-year, $182 million contract that is widely perceived as an albatross, but the 32-year-old four-time All-Star did hammer three homers and draw six walks over 43 plate appearances during spring training. Set to primarily occupy first base in 2024, Bryant should have a much better chance of staying healthy at the cold corner after appearing in just 122 of a possible 324 games in the past two years for the Rocks. Only rostered in one-third of Yahoo leagues to begin the season, the former National League MVP can't be discounted as a potential bounce-back candidate with plenty of slugging upside from a premium lineup spot in Colorado's lineup at the hitter's paradise that is Coors Field.
Source: Patrick Saunders - Denver PostRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2720:02Jake Odorizzi Starting At Triple-AJake OdorizziSPTwinsFree 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 2719:55Eduardo Rodriguez Starts Throwing ProgramEduardo RodriguezSPRed SoxFree Agent
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (late) started his throwing program on Tuesday and appears to be ahead of schedule. Rodriguez threw from 60 feet on Tuesday, which was the first time he had done any throwing since suffering a left-lat strain in spring training on March 19. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw is still going to start his first year in Arizona on the injured list, but his stay there may not end up being a lengthy one. In any event, the Snakes still felt the need to add lefty Jordan Montgomery to their rotation on Tuesday. E-Rod had career-highs in ERA (3.30) and WHIP (1.15) in his final year in Detroit in 2023, but fantasy managers should be expecting regression from an injury-prone pitcher that has exceeded 160 innings just once in his eight major-league seasons.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Theo MackieRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2719:31Chad Green To Lead Closer Committee In Toronto?Chad GreenRPYankeesFree Agent
TSN's Scott Mitchell writes that the Toronto Blue Jays will use a closer-by-committee setup and matchup-based choices to open the season with relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) starting the year on the injured list. Mitchell says that his pecking order for saves would be Chad Green first, followed by Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza. Green, 32, has 11 career saves in eight big-league seasons and posted a career-worst 5.25 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, four walks and 16 K's in just 12 innings last year in Toronto in his return from Tommy John surgery. He struck out 11 hitters in 7 2/3 Grapefruit League innings this spring but also allowed seven runs. While Green might get first crack at saves in Toronto to open the year, the fact that both Garcia and Mayza could also be involved means that fantasy managers shouldn't invest much in any of these three names off the waiver wire.
Source: TSN Sports - Scott MitchellRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2719:25Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson Officially Heading To Injured ListErik SwansonSPMarinersFree Agent
Jordan RomanoSPRangersFree Agent
Toronto Blue Jays relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) will officially open the 2024 season on the injured list, according to manager John Schneider. As a result, Nate Pearson and Wes Parsons will open the year in Toronto's bullpen. Swanson has already resumed playing catch, while the Blue Jays hope Romano can begin throwing off a mound next week. Hopefully, both pitchers will be able to return in the middle of April, but there's no guarantee. Romano should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues for the time being. With both Romano and Swanson on the shelf, the Blue Jays are expected to roll with a closer-by-committee approach, consisting of arms like Chad Green, Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza.
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Shi DavidiRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2719:21Kevin Gausman To Make Season Debut Sunday Or MondayKevin GausmanSPOriolesFree Agent
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that the team still hasn't decided on when right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder) will make his first start of the season, but it will be either Sunday in Tampa Bay against the Rays or on Monday in Houston versus the Astros. Gausman came out of his only Grapefruit League start on Monday fine and will not need to open the regular season on the injured list after dealing with shoulder fatigue in spring training. Neither matchup is ideal for the 33-year-old's first start after missing time in spring training, so he'll be more risky than normal in season-long fantasy leagues and in DFS in his first start of 2024. But fantasy managers should feel comfortable that the Blue Jays' ace can put his shoulder injury in the rearview and put forth another strong season as a No. 1 starter.
Source: TSN Sports - Scott MitchellRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2717:50Gleyber Torres Will Bat Leadoff On Opening DayGleyber TorresSSYankeesFree Agent
New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres is set to bat leadoff against the Houston Astros on Thursday. Yankees manager Aaron Boone made it official that Torres will take the first at-bat of the regular season for New York. It won't be an easy task against left-hander Framber Valdez. Boone said that Juan Soto is batting second and Aaron Judge hitting third. The move to the leadoff spot should give Torres a boost in fantasy value until DJ LeMahieu (foot) returns to the lineup.
Source: Bryan HochRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2717:31Max Scherzer Making Solid ProgressMax ScherzerSPNationalsFree Agent
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (back) continues making progress from his offseason back surgery and was able to play catch on Wednesday. The veteran right-hander won't be ready for Opening Day, but might not miss too much time. Rangers manager Chris Young doesn't believe that Scherzer will need to be placed on the 60-day injured list. Instead, Young suggested that Scherzer could be back as early as May. The Rangers are likely going to be cautious with the 39-year-old. His injury might push him back into the later rounds of fantasy drafts.
Source: Buster OlneyRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2714:35Will Smith Inks 10-Year Extension With DodgersWill SmithFree Agent
Will SmithRPGiantsFree 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
Wed Mar 2713:19Yankees Acquire Jon Berti From MarlinsJon Berti2BBlue JaysFree Agent
The New York Yankees acquired infielder Jon Berti from the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, according to a source. It's unknown what the Marlins will receive in return. The Yankees are going to be without both DJ LeMahieu (foot) and Oswald Peraza (shoulder) for the start of the 2024 regular season, so the 34-year-old Berti will give the Yanks more infield depth until those two are able to return. Berti can also play in the outfield, but most of his playing time early in the season figures to come at third base for the Bombers. Berti stole a league-high 41 bags in 102 games for the Marlins in 2022 but came back down to Earth in that category last year with only 16 swipes, but he did manage to hit .294 (114-for-388) in 133 contests. He won't supply much power but his fantasy stock in AL-only leagues is now on the rise for his speed.
Source: Sports Grid - Craig MishRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2713:13Jackson Stephens Elects Free AgencyJackson StephensSPRedsFree Agent
Relief pitcher Jackson Stephens elected free agency on Wednesday after the Atlanta Braves outrighted him to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday. The 29-year-old right-hander will now look to latch on with another organization with Opening Day in 2024 just one day away. The former 18th-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2012 out of high school was let go by the Braves after the signed veteran reliever Jesse Chavez just the other day. In the last two seasons with the Braves, Stephens went 3-3 with a decent 3.56 ERA (3.58 FIP), a 1.37 WHIP, two saves, 28 walks and 58 strikeouts in 65 2/3 frames over 44 appearances (one start). In his 12 Grapefruit League innings this spring, he allowed four earned runs on 13 hits while walking five and striking out 11.
Source: The Athletic - David O'BrienRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2713:08Marlins Acquire Burch Smith From RaysBurch SmithSPRoyalsFree Agent
The Miami Marlins acquired right-hander Burch Smith from the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations. Smith had an assignment clause in his minor-league contract, and the Rays didn't have a spot for him on their major-league roster out of spring training. The Marlins selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville after the trade. The 33-year-old last pitched in the majors in 2021 with the Oakland Athletics, posting a 5.40 ERA (4.21 FIP) and 1.38 WHIP with 11 walks and 28 strikeouts in 43 1/3 relief innings. He'll be completely off the fantasy radar in what's expected to be a long-relief role for the Fish. In five big-league seasons, Smith has a poor 6.03 ERA, a 1.56 WHIP, one save, 87 walks and 184 strikeouts in 191 innings pitched.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc TopkinRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2709:56Freddie Freeman Finishes Spring With Fourth HomerFreddie Freeman1BBravesFree Agent
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman finished Spring Training with a 1-for-4 performance against the Los Angeles Angels. Freeman's lone hit was a solo home run. For the spring, the veteran finishes with four homers, 16 RBI and a .282 average. Although he is another year older, Freeman remains as consistent as they come. One of the safest picks this season, Freeman should once again put-up big power numbers with a healthy batting average. He remains as safe of a pick as there is entering 2024 and should have even more RBI opportunities with Shohei Ohtani joining Mookie Betts as the two batters in front of Freeman this season.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2709:37Rafael Devers Finishes Spring With Fifth HomerRafael Devers3BRed SoxFree Agent
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers went 1-for-2 with a solo home run on Tuesday versus the Texas Rangers to close out Spring Training. His home run would be his fifth this spring and 11th RBI to go along with a stellar .380 batting average. Devers has been one of the best players in the league throughout his career and is still just entering his prime at age 27. He remains a top-20 player in mixed leagues. One of the safest picks on a yearly basis, managers should have zero hesitation about drafting Devers in upcoming drafts.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2700:36Pablo Sandoval States He Is Not RetiringPablo Sandoval3BGiantsFree Agent
San Francisco Giants corner infielder Pablo Sandoval said after Tuesday's 3-1 exhibition loss to the Athletics that he is not retiring and will report to Triple-A Sacramento if he gets the chance, per the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser. The 37-year-old veteran went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout, with his broken-bat hit coming in his final at-bat in the ninth inning. Sandoval batted .250 with no home runs in 28 spring at-bats and hasn't played in a big-league organization since 2021. However, he had a storied career during his time with the Giants, earning three World Series Championships, two All-Star appearances, and one World Series Most Value Player Award. Regardless of the outcome, the Panda made a lasting mark in the Giants' organization.
Source: Susan Slusser - Twitter.comRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2700:15Mariners Release Brian AndersonBrian Anderson3BMarlinsFree Agent
The Seattle Mariners released third baseman Brian Anderson on Tuesday. The 30-year-old signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training this off-season in hopes that he could win a platoon/backup role. While he did slash .250/.344/.536 in 28 Cactus League at-bats, it wasn't enough to earn a spot. Injuries have hindered Anderson's career, and he hasn't hit above .250 since 2020. At this point, he may try to find another team to join where he could have a clearer path to a role.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2621:16Jordan Montgomery, Diamondbacks Agree On One-Year DealJordan MontgomerySPYankeesFree Agent
Free-agent starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a one-year, $25 million deal with a vesting player option for 2025, pending a physical. With Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) set to begin the year on the injured list, the D-backs bolster their rotation with the move. Montgomery began 2023 with the St. Louis Cardinals but ended the season winning a World Series ring with the Texas Rangers, totaling a 3.20 ERA (3.56 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 166:48 K:BB over 188 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old southpaw likely won't miss enough bats (21.4% strikeout rate in '23) to be an upper-echelon fantasy starter in 2024, but he will have an outstanding defense behind him in the desert. Although it's unclear if he'll be ready for Arizona's opening series of the regular season starting on Thursday, Montgomery should not be lingering on any waiver wires ahead of Opening Day.
Source: Ken Rosenthal - The AthleticRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2619:44Miguel Sano Makes Opening Day RosterMiguel SanĂ³3BTwinsFree Agent
Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington confirmed on Tuesday that first baseman Miguel Sano has made the team's Opening Day roster. "He's very deserving," Washington said. Sano is looking to bounce back in the big leagues with the Angels in 2024 after not playing at all in 2023. The former All-Star with the Minnesota Twins in 2017 reportedly lost 58 pounds in the offseason after playing just 20 games in his final year in Minnesota in 2022 due to a knee injury. The 30-year-old right-handed slugger has reached the 30-homer mark twice in his career, including his last full season in 2021, but he's never hit for average and is a pretty big injury risk as he looks to help fill some of the Halos' designated hitter at-bats this year. At best, he's an AL-only flier for some power to begin the year.
Source: The Associated Press - Greg BeachamRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2619:30A's Acquire T.J. McFarland From DodgersT.J. McFarlandRPDiamondbacksFree Agent
The Oakland Athletics acquired minor-league left-hander T.J. McFarland from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations and selected his contract from Triple-A Las Vegas to their 40-man roster. The 34-year-old southpaw was drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in the fourth round in 2007 and he has 11 years of major-league experience with five different teams, including the A's back in 2020. McFarland made three appearances out of the New York Mets' bullpen in 2023 and has a career 4.14 ERA (4.20 FIP), a 1.47 WHIP, one save, 154 walks and 279 strikeouts in 474 innings in his 11 major-league seasons. Now with the rebuilding A's, McFarland certainly has a much better chance at contributing at the big-league level again in 2024 now that he's out of LA.
Source: Oakland A's CommunicationsRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2619:16Orioles Sign Tony KempTony Kemp2BAstrosFree Agent
The Baltimore Orioles signed infielder/outfielder Tony Kemp to an undisclosed major-league contract on Tuesday and designated third baseman Nick Maton for assignment in a corresponding move. Kemp was in spring training with the Cincinnati Reds but opted out of his minor-league deal and is now headed back to the American League after slashing just .209/.303/.304 with five home runs, 27 RBI and a career-high 15 stolen bases in 124 games with the Oakland Athletics in 2023. In addition to being able to play the outfield, the 32-year-old left-handed-hitting veteran can also fill in at second base for the Orioles. At best, Kemp is going to fill a reserve role for the O's in 2024 and isn't much of a fantasy asset. The former fifth-round pick of the Houston Astros in 2013 out of Vanderbilt is a career .238/.325/.352 hitter with only 35 homers in eight big-league seasons.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy KostkaRotoBaller.com
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