News for Free Agent Players - 2021 5x5 Mixed League - $260 cap

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Sun Dec 1018:44Max Stassi Traded To White SoxMax StassiCAngelsFree Agent
The Atlanta Braves have agreed to trade catcher Max Stassi to the Chicago White Sox. Stassi is on the move again after being acquired by Atlanta earlier in the week. In exchange, the Braves will receive a player to be named later. It sounds like the Braves are going to cover a majority of the $7 million salary for Stassi next season. The 32-year-old is a solid defensive catcher, but doesn't bring much to the plate with the bat. He could end up seeing decent playing time after the departure of Yasmani Grandal this offseason. Despite that, Stassi isn't expected to be a fantasy relevant player.
Source: ESPNRotoBaller.com
Sun Dec 1018:35Jordan Balazovic To Remain In The BullpenJordan BalazovicSPTwinsFree Agent
Minnesota Twins pitcher Jordan Balazovic is expected to remain in the team's bullpen, according to manager Rocco Baldelli. The 25-year-old was once one of the Twins' best starting pitching prospects. However, Balazovic has been primarily pitching out of the pen with the big league club. He posted a 4.44 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 18 appearances with the Twins last season. The right-hander figures to remain a middle relief type of pitcher for Minnesota. That being said, Balazovic probably won't have much fantasy value heading into next season.
Source: Do-Hyoung ParkRotoBaller.com
Sun Dec 1018:26Austin Hedges Signs With GuardiansAustin HedgesCIndiansFree Agent
The Cleveland Guardians have reportedly signed free-agent catcher Austin Hedges. The deal is a one-year contract for $4 million for the upcoming 2024 season. The expectation is that Hedges is going to be the backup to Bo Naylor. Hedges is a solid defensive catcher, but his skills with the bat are not desirable. He slashed 184/.234/.227 with one home run and 16 RBI last season. Hedges won't be someone worth rostering in fantasy formats. Although, it's a nice pickup for the Guardians on a cheap one year deal.
Source: Jon HeymanRotoBaller.com
Sun Dec 1018:18William Smith Signs With RoyalsWill SmithRPBravesFree Agent
The Kansas City Royals have agreed to a contract with relief pitcher William Smith. The two sides have agreed on a one-year, $5 million deal for the 2024 campaign. The veteran southpaw began his career with the Royals back in 2012. Last season, Smith began the year as the closer with the Texas Rangers. However, he fell out of the role and became more of a late-inning option. He finished the season with a 4.04 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 22 saves, and a 55/17 K/BB ratio across 57 1/3 innings. Smith should be in the mix for the saves with the Royals not having a solidified closer. Fantasy managers will have to wait until Spring Training to see what the Royals plan to do with Smith in the bullpen.
Source: Jeff PassanRotoBaller.com
Sun Dec 1018:12Andrew Chafin Joins TigersAndrew ChafinRPAthleticsFree Agent
The Detroit Tigers have agreed to a deal with relief pitcher Andrew Chafin. The left-hander will get a one-year deal worth $4.25 million for the upcoming 2024 season. The deal includes a $6.5 million club option for the 2025 campaign. The veteran southpaw pitched well during his time with the team in 2022. Last season, Chafin posted a 4.73 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and eight saves across 51 1/3 innings. He'll likely be used as a late inning or set-up reliever, which means there won't be a ton of fantasy value here.
Source: Evan PetzoldRotoBaller.com
Sat Dec 915:42Shohei Ohtani Signs Massive Contract With The DodgersShohei OhtaniDH/SPAngelsFree Agent
The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed free agent two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow) to a 10-year, $700 million contract on Saturday. Ohtani's deal is the largest in MLB history and includes no opt-outs. The 29-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in September and will not pitch during the 2024 season. Ohtani will be the Dodgers' primary designated hitter after slashing .304/.412/.654 with 44 home runs, 95 RBI, 102 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases over 594 plate appearances for the Angels in 2023. Ohtani also posted a (10-5) record with a 3.14 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 167:55 K: BB across 132 innings. He will hit in the heart of the order for a loaded Dodgers lineup that includes Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Ohtani becomes arguably the Dodgers' best offensive weapon and is a surefire first-round pick in upcoming 2024 fantasy baseball drafts.
Source: Jess Passan of ESPNRotoBaller.com
Sat Dec 913:09Byron Buxton To Start In Center Field Next SeasonByron BuxtonCFTwinsFree Agent
Minnesota Twins outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton is slated to start in center field next season, according to manager Rocco Baldelli. The Twins skipper told reporters during MLB winter meetings that Buxton is recovering well from his October arthroscopic knee surgery and should be ready to go for spring training. The oft-injured dynamic 29-year-old served as a DH-only last season to keep him healthy. He ended up playing in just 85 games, however, and put up a poor .207/.294/.438 batting line to go along with 17 home runs, 42 RBI, and nine stolen bases. Buxton will always carry considerable injury risk, but when he is locked in and healthy, he's one of the most productive fantasy outfielders in the league.
Source: Bobby Nightengale of The Star TribuneRotoBaller.com
Fri Dec 819:55Shohei Ohtani Not In TorontoShohei OhtaniDH/SPAngelsFree Agent
Contrary to an earlier report on Friday, free-agent two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was not on a plane that landed in Toronto that many assumed he was on. It's been a whirlwind day for Ohtani news, and this is yet another conflicting report with what had been released earlier in the day. As of right now, nothing is official in the Ohtani sweepstakes and he remains unsigned, despite reports that he was expected to make a decision on his next team by Friday. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the favorites to land the two-time MVP all offseason, but the Blue Jays could be going strong for the generational talent after losing out on Juan Soto this week. Stay tuned.
Source: Bob NightengaleRotoBaller.com
Fri Dec 819:30Evan White Traded To AngelsEvan White1BMarinersFree Agent
First baseman Evan White is headed from Atlanta to the Los Angeles Angels. White was just acquired by Atlanta from Seattle. He hasn't appeared in the big leagues in two years. The 27-year-old has pop but it doesn't look like he has a good enough hit tool to carve out a regular role for a big-league squad.
Source: FOX SportsRotoBaller.com
Fri Dec 819:24David Fletcher, Max Stassi Headed To AtlantaMax StassiCAngelsFree Agent
David Fletcher2B/SSAngelsFree Agent
Infielder David Fletcher and catcher Max Stassi are on the move from the Los Angeles Angels to the Atlanta Braves. Fletcher is a 29-year-old utility man who provided a 0.1 WAR in 89 games last season. Stassi is 32 years old and hit .180 in 2022. He did not play in 2023 due to a family medical issue. If Stassi is to return in 2024, it probably won't be with Atlanta, as they are stacked at catcher. Neither player moves the needle much in fantasy leagues.
Source: FOX SportsRotoBaller.com
Fri Dec 819:10Nick Robertson, Victor Santos Heading To St. Louis For Tyler O'NeillTyler O'NeillLFCardinalsFree Agent
Pitchers Nick Robertson and Victor Santos have been reported as the package being sent from Boston to St. Louis for Tyler O'Neill. Robertson is a relief pitcher with major league experience and good strikeout numbers in a cup of coffee. He appeared in 22 1/3 innings for the Red Sox and Dodgers, striking out 26. However, he finished the season with a 6.04 ERA and 1.75 WHIP. He'll likely head into Spring Training with a chance to win a bullpen spot for the Cardinals. Santos looks like a fringe starter with low strikeout rates and an average. WHIP. It could take a couple of injuries for him to start in the bigs in 2024.
Source: Alex SpeierRotoBaller.com
Fri Dec 817:48Tyler O'Neill Heading To Red SoxTyler O'NeillLFCardinalsFree Agent
The Boston Red Sox are acquiring outfielder Tyler O'Neill from the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. It's unclear at the time what the Cardinals will receive in return. The 28-year-old Canadian has an intriguing mix of power and speed, but injuries have limited him to just 168 games the last two years and made him expendable in St. Louis after an impressive 2021 campaign that saw him hit .286 (138-for-482) with career-highs in home runs (34), RBI (80), stolen bases (15) and runs scored (89) in 138 contests. Despite the last two disappointing seasons, O'Neill should have plenty of appeal as a value pick in fantasy drafts in hopes that he will bounce back with a change of scenery and better health in Beantown. If he's fully healthy, O'Neill should be an everyday player in Boston's outfield in 2024, something that wasn't going to happen if he stuck around in St. Louis.
Source: New York Post - Jon HeymanRotoBaller.com
Fri Dec 816:37Twins Receiving Trade Interest On Jorge PolancoJorge Polanco2B/SSTwinsFree Agent
The Minnesota Twins have received increased trade interest in infielder Jorge Polanco over the last week. The Twins exercised their $10.5 million option on Polanco for the 2024 season, but teams have come calling on the 30-year-old veteran this offseason. Durability issues have been Polanco's Achilles heal, as he missed a considerable chunk of time in 2023 due to ankle, knee and hamstring issues. But he was solid at the plate when he was on the field, slashing .255/.335/.454 with a .789 OPS, 14 home runs, 18 doubles, 48 RBI, four stolen bases and 38 runs scored in 343 trips to the plate over 80 total games. The switch-hitting Dominican might have a better fantasy outlook outside of Minnesota, but durability concerns aren't going to go away. If the Twins do trade Polanco, Edouard Julien would become the team's regular at the keystone in 2024.
Source: MLB Network - Jon MorosiRotoBaller.com
Fri Dec 815:04Rangers Unlikely To Re-Sign Jordan MontgomeryJordan MontgomerySPYankeesFree Agent
Free-agent pitcher Jordan Montgomery is unlikely to re-sign with the Texas Rangers due to the fact the club lost a local television deal. The left-hander is certainly in heavy demand after dazzling during the 2023 campaign. Montgomery worked to a career-best 3.20 ERA across 32 starts between the St. Louis Cardinals and Rangers this past season and went on to post a 2.90 ERA across six appearances (five starts) for the Rangers in the postseason en route to a World Series championship. The 30-year-old has quietly been one of the more reliable starting pitchers in baseball since debuting in 2017, as he owns a career 3.68 ERA across 141 outings between the Yankees, Cardinals, and Rangers.
Source: Texas Rangers InsiderRotoBaller.com
Fri Dec 814:52Shohei Ohtani Reportedly Set To Sign With Blue JaysShohei OhtaniDH/SPAngelsFree Agent
Free-agent designated hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani is reportedly set to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays. The most coveted free agent in baseball history is likely headed north of the border with a $500 million contract, or more, certainly in play. The two-way phenom underwent another procedure on his UCL in September, which will prevent him from pitching at all in the 2024 season. He also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018, which kept him off the mound the following season. The right-hander worked to a stellar 3.14 ERA across 23 starts before going down to injury and also slugged 44 home runs alongside a .304 average and 20 stolen bases across 599 trips to the plate, cruising to his second AL MVP award in the process in the 2023 campaign.
Source: Dodgers NationRotoBaller.com
Fri Dec 814:34Billy McKinney, Anthony Misiewicz Re-Sign With YankeesBilly McKinneyLF/PH/RFDodgersFree Agent
Anthony MisiewiczRP/SPMarinersFree Agent
Outfielder Billy McKinney and left-hander Anthony Misiewicz have both re-signed with the New York Yankees. Both contracts are of the minor-league variety. McKinney, whose career began with New York in the 2018 season, returned to the organization in the 2023 season and hit .227 with six home runs and one stolen base across 147 trips to the plate. His 101 wRC+ suggests his production was 1% superior to the league average. As for Misiewicz, the 29-year-old made 11 MLB appearances between the D-backs, Tigers, and Yankees in the 2023 season and worked to an unhealthy 7.36 ERA in that time. The southpaw owns a career 4.71 ERA across 130 big-league outings, most of which came with the Seattle Mariners as he made a career-high 66 appearances out of the Mariners' bullpen in the 2021 campaign.
Source: MLB Transaction TrackerRotoBaller.com
Fri Dec 811:07Shohei Ohtani's Decision Is ImminentShohei OhtaniDH/SPAngelsFree Agent
Free-agent two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani's decision on his next team is imminent, and it's possible he signs as early as Friday, according to a source. There have been a handful of teams that have been connected to Ohtani this offseason, and the Japanese superstar reportedly met with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. The Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels and Atlanta Braves were mentioned as suitors as well, but the Dodgers are the overwhelming favorites due to their location and perennial winning tradition. Wherever the 29-year-old two-time MVP goes, he's expected to land a record-breaking contract worth over $600 million, even though he won't be able to pitch at all in 2024 following right-elbow surgery.
Source: MLB Network - Jon MorosiRotoBaller.com
Fri Dec 800:21Royals Sign Tyler Duffey, Mike BrosseauTyler DuffeyRPTwinsFree Agent
Mike Brosseau1B/2B/3BRaysFree Agent
The Kansas City Royals agreed to terms on minor-league deals with right-handers Tyler Duffey and Dan Altavilla, infielder Mike Brosseau and left-hander Sam Long on Thursday. Duffey and Brosseau are the most notable names. The 32-year-old Duffey made only one relief appearance with the Chicago Cubs in the majors in 2023, but he carries nine years of big-league experience with a career 4.57 ERA (3.97 FIP), 1.29 WHIP and six saves in 477 innings pitched. Brosseau, 29, hit just .205 (15-for-73) with four home runs and eight RBI in 29 games for the Milwaukee Brewers this past season before being cut and heading overseas to play in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. All four of KC's signings on Thursday will add minor-league depth for the 2024 campaign.
Source: Kansas City RoyalsRotoBaller.com
Thu Dec 723:59Jorge Lopez Agrees To One-Year Deal With MetsJorge LópezSPOriolesFree Agent
Free-agent right-handed reliever Jorge Lopez and the New York Mets agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal on Thursday, according to sources. The 30-year-old pitched for the Minnesota Twins, Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles in 2023 and had a poor 5.95 ERA (5.76 FIP), 1.51 WHIP, three saves, 22 walks and 49 strikeouts in 59 innings out of the bullpen over 61 appearances. The 30-year-old was a first-time All-Star the year prior with the Orioles and Twins when he had a 2.54 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, a career-high 23 saves and 72 strikeouts in 71 innings pitched. If Lopez is able to bounce back in 2024 for the Mets, he'll be a nice late-inning bridge to returning closer Edwin Diaz (knee) alongside setup men Brooks Raley and Drew Smith.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff PassanRotoBaller.com
Thu Dec 722:15Wander Suero Signs With AstrosWander SueroRPNationalsFree Agent
Free-agent right-hander Wander Suero signed a minor-league deal with the Houston Astros on Thursday. Suero will simply give the Astros some extra relief depth entering the 2024 season. The 32-year-old veteran reliever pitched in eight innings in five appearances out of the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen in 2023 and allowed seven earned runs on six hits (two home runs) while walking five and striking out nine. He didn't pitch at all in the majors in 2022 and has a 4.75 ERA (3.89 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with one save, 71 walks and 209 strikeouts in five major-league seasons. Suero was with the Nationals from 2018 through 2021. He will most likely begin the 2024 campaign with Triple-A Sugar Land.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
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