News for Free Agent Players - 2022 Ezra Stiles Rotisserie Association

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Wed Mar 2714:35Will Smith Inks 10-Year Extension With DodgersWill SmithC/DHDodgersTeam Lorin
Will SmithRPBravesFree 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 2713:13Jackson Stephens Elects Free AgencyJackson StephensRP/SPBravesFree 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 2701:02Hoy Park To Start Season At Triple-AHoy Park2BPiratesFree Agent
Oakland Athletics utility man Hoy Park was told on Tuesday that he will start the season with Triple-A Las Vegas, per Athletics Nation's Connor Ashford. The 27-year-old signed a minor-league deal this off-season and put forth a strong showing, batting .477 with one home run and two stolen bases in 44 spring at-bats. Park has spent little time in the big leagues throughout his career and now has even further to go to become fantasy-relevant.
Source: Connor Ashford- Athletics NationRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2620:02Huascar Brazoban Placed On Restricted ListHuascar BrazobanRPMarlinsFree Agent
The Miami Marlins placed right-hander Huascar Brazoban on the restricted list on Tuesday after he never reported to spring training due to visa issues. The move opens up a spot on Miami's 40-man roster. In his second major-league season with the Fish in 2023, Brazoban appeared in 50 games out of the bullpen and posted a 4.14 ERA (3.94 FIP) with a 1.43 WHIP, 31 walks and 65 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings pitched. The 34-year-old Dominican could still pitch at some point for the Marlins in 2024, but considering the fact he missed all of spring training, he'll have to start his season in the minor leagues and work his way back to the big-league bullpen.
Source: Miami Herald - Jordan McPhersonRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2619:30A's Acquire T.J. McFarland From DodgersT.J. McFarlandRPCardinalsFree 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 2619:25Mets Release Reliever Phil BickfordPhil BickfordRPDodgersFree Agent
The New York Mets released right-handed reliever Phil Bickford on Tuesday. The move comes after the Mets designated Bickford for assignment last weekend. The 28-year-old former Dodgers reliever will now be on the open market with Opening Day coming on Thursday. Bickford spent the 2023 season with both the Dodgers and Mets, pitching to a 5-5 record with a 4.95 ERA (4.46 FIP), a 1.45 WHIP, one save, 39 walks and a career-high 76 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He was originally drafted 18th overall in 2015 by the San Francisco Giants out of Southern Nevada. Bickford has a career 4.43 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with two saves and 204 strikeouts in 180 2/3 innings with the Dodgers, Mets and Brewers in four MLB seasons.
Source: Metsmerized - Mike MayerRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2619:10Michael Toglia, Alan Trejo Make Opening Day RosterAlan TrejoSSRockiesBuchanalia
Michael Toglia1B/RFRockiesFree Agent
Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black announced on Tuesday that first baseman/outfielder Michael Toglia and non-roster infielder Alan Trejo have made the Opening Day roster. In addition, right-hander Victor Vodnik made the bullpen, while outfielder Sean Bouchard has been optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. Toglia is a switch-hitting 24-year-old who was taken 23rd overall in 2019 out of UCLA. He showed plenty of power in the minors but hit just .163 (23-for-141) with four homers and nine RBI in 45 games for the Rockies in 2023. Toglia will have a low fantasy ceiling as a platoon option against righties in the outfield while also being a backup at first. Trejo, 27, mostly offers the Rockies defensive versatility on the infield as a bench player. He has just nine homers in 76 career games and hit .224/.284/.507 in a career-high 45 contests in Colorado in 2023.
Source: MLB.com - Thomas HardingRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2616:38Nationals Place Cade Cavalli On 60-Day Injured ListCade CavalliSPNationalsFree Agent
The Washington Nationals announced on Tuesday that they placed right-hander Cade Cavalli (elbow) on the 60-day injured list while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. In corresponding moves, the team selected the contract of right-hander Derek Law and moved infielder Trey Lipscomb to minor-league camp. Cavalli had elbow reconstruction in March of last year and is hoping to rejoin Washington's starting rotation in June of this year. The 25-year-old former first-rounder is the club's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline and possesses an electric upper-90s fastball, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to temper expectations for him when he returns from Tommy John this summer. For a pitcher that has displayed only average command so far, that could be an issue for him in the second half in 2024.
Source: The Washington Post - Andrew GoldenRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2614:54Jose Urena Cracks Rangers Opening Day RosterJosé UreñaSPRockiesFree Agent
Texas Rangers right-hander Jose Urena has made the team's Opening Day roster after inking a minor-league pact with the club this winter. The veteran has struggled mightily in recent seasons, working to a 6.45 ERA across 10 outings between the Rockies and White Sox in the 2023 season, although his 4.10 ERA in five outings with the White Sox was far superior to his 9.82 ERA in five appearances with the Rockies to begin the season. Urena's inability to miss bats has long plagued him as he sports a minuscule 15.5% K% in is career. He generates ground balls at a hearty 48.2% clip but has still surrendered a 1.24 HR/9 clip in his 199 career outings. He remains well off the fantasy radar moving forward.
Source: Jon HeymanRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2612:27Tommy Henry, Ryne Nelson Both Make The RotationTommy HenrySPDiamondbacksFree Agent
Ryne NelsonSPDiamondbacksFree Agent
With Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) opening the year on the injured list, the two pitchers that were competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation in spring training, Tommy Henry and Ryne Nelson, will both make the Opening Day rotation. Henry appeared to be behind Nelson in the battle for the fifth spot this spring, so he figures to be in more danger of getting booted once E-Rod makes his season debut. The 26-year-old southpaw pitches to contact and shouldn't be attractive outside of NL-only fantasy leagues. Nelson, 26, had a nice 2.66 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 20 1/3 Cactus League innings. He was underwhelming in 2023 with a 5.31 ERA and 1.42 WHIP but has more upside than Henry in NL-only affairs now that he's officially locked into a rotation spot in the desert.
Source: MLB.com - Steve GilbertRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2612:19Walker Buehler Throws Four Simulated InningsWalker BuehlerSPDodgersFree Agent
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) threw four simulated innings to Dodgers hitters before the team's exhibition game at Dodger Stadium on Monday. A rehab assignment is "close" for Buehler, but up next will be a bullpen session in two to three days. "He's been through the rehab process, facing his own hitters, the simulated games quite a bit over the last year. I think he's sort of over it," Roberts said. The 29-year-old missed all of last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery and will begin the 2024 campaign on the injured list. While the Dodgers are going to bring Buehler along slowly in the first half so they won't have to limit his innings down the stretch, he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues and could be a difference-maker for managers once he's fully healthy.
Source: SB Nation - Eric StephenRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2600:25Gregory Santos To Undergo MRI ThursdayGregory SantosRP/SPGiantsFree Agent
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Gregory Santos (lat) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday, per the Seattle Times' Ryan Divish. Santos has been dealing with a lat strain this spring which has slowed his progress on and off. The 24-year-old will continue his throwing program if the MRI comes back clean. While he may not provide a ton of fantasy value upon his return to the team, the Mariners will welcome him back as their bullpen depth is currently short with Matt Brash (elbow) dealing with right elbow inflammation.
Source: Ryan Divish - Twitter.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2519:09Kevin Ginkel Likely To Open As D-Backs CloserKevin GinkelRPDiamondbacksFree Agent
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo doesn't want to name a closer right away to open the season with right-hander Paul Sewald (oblique) starting the year on the injured list due to a Grade 2 left-oblique strain, but Kevin Ginkel is the most likely option to get the first crack at the job. Nothing is set in stone, though, and Scott McGough, who had nine saves in 2023, and Miguel Castro could be other options that Lovullo turns to late in games until Sewald is able to return. It's obviously a pretty big blow for Sewald's fantasy value to open the year, but Arizona's closer should be stashed in all fantasy leagues. The 30-year-old Ginkel picked up four saves in 2023 while also sporting a nice 2.48 ERA with 23 walks and 70 K's in 65 1/3 frames. Ginkel will now be a hot waiver-wire pickup for saves.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick PiecoroRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2518:39Joey Votto Likely To Stay In Extended Spring TrainingJoey Votto1BRedsFree Agent
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Joey Votto (ankle) is feeling better but has still yet to resume full baseball activities in camp. He will likely stay in extended spring training when the Blue Jays open the 2024 season later this week against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 40-year-old rolled his right ankle recently in a Grapefruit League game and will not be ready for the start of the regular season, although the injury isn't considered serious. It gives Votto a chance to stay in spring training to work on his swing after signing with the club late in spring training. Once he's healthy, he'll most likely head to Triple-A Buffalo while hoping to eventually join the Blue Jays in the big leagues as a veteran bat off the bench at both first base and designated hitter.
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden ZwellingRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2516:30Esteury Ruiz Not Projected To Be A StarterEsteury Ruiz2B/OFPadresFree Agent
MLB.com's Martin Gallegos doesn't have outfielder Esteury Ruiz included in his projected Opening Day lineup, although he writes that the speedy outfielder should get plenty of at-bats this year. Instead, Gallegos has Lawrence Butler, JJ Bleday and Seth Brown starting from left to right across the outfield. Bleday figures to start the year as the starter in center field for the A's, at least against right-handed pitching, which is a major knock to Ruiz's fantasy value for those seeking stolen bases. As a result, fantasy managers should expect fewer counting stats for the 25-year-old Dominican outfielder, but his elite speed is still worth chasing in mixed leagues. In his first year in Oakland in 2023, Ruiz hit .254 (114-for-449) with a league-leading 67 swipes in 132 games played.
Source: MLB.com - Martin GallegosRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2516:23Alexander Canario Being Sent DownAlexander CanarioRFCubsFree Agent
The Chicago Cubs are sending outfield prospect Alexander Canario down to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2024 season. Canario, the team's No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, won't open the season in the big leagues for the first time in his career, but we expect to see the 23-year-old make at the major-league level at some point in 2024. He missed most of last season after having multiple surgeries but was called up to the big leagues in Chicago, going 5-for-17 with a homer and six RBI in six games played. Canario should eventually gain outfield eligibility for fantasy managers in NL-only and dynasty/keeper leagues, but it's hard to envision him finding much playing time in Chicago unless an injury or two strikes. He can be avoided in mixed leagues for now.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse RogersRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2509:45Jesse Chavez Inks Minor League Deal With BravesJesse ChavezRP/SPBravesFree 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/SPBravesFree 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 2417:09Ezequiel Tovar Signs Massive ExtensionEzequiel TovarSSRockiesFree Agent
Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar has reportedly signed a long-term extension with the organization on Sunday. It's a seven-year deal with a club option for the 2031 season. Tovar could earn up to $84 million if the team does exercise his option. The young infielder was fairly productive through his first big league season. Tovar slashed .253/.287/.408 with 15 homers, 73 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. The organization is hopeful that Tovar will take a step forward offensively in 2024. It appears that the Rockies believe Tovar is the future at shortstop and he very well could be if he keeps progressing.
Source: Daniel Alvarez-MontesRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 2417:04Twins Sign Veteran Reliever Jesse ChavezJesse ChavezRP/SPBravesFree 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
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