St. Louis Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said there's a chance that the team will discuss a long-term deal with starting pitcher Jack Flaherty this spring. Flaherty was the best pitcher in baseball in the second half last year and finished with an 11-8 record, 2.75 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 231 strikeouts in 196 1/3 innings over his 33 starts for the Red Birds. At just 24 years old he has become St. Louis' ace, and he will be one of the most coveted fantasy starters heading into spring drafts after his excellent 2019 performance.]]>
The Atlanta Braves signed starting pitcher Felix Hernandez to a minor league deal on Monday. He will make $1 million if he's in the big leagues, and he will compete to become the team's fifth starter this spring. King Felix was once the cream of the pitching crop in baseball, but he's fallen far since then. The 33-year-old Venezuelan went 1-8 with a scary 6.40 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 57 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings over his 15 starts for the Mariners in 2019. Even if he wins a rotation with Atlanta to begin the season, Hernandez will be a shaky mixed league fantasy streamer who is very close to the end of the line. The best bet is that the veteran right-hander becomes a mop-up long reliever in Atlanta.]]>
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina said he hopes to play beyond the 2020 season, perhaps for two more years. However, he only wants to continue playing for the Cardinals, so if they don't want him back after the 2020 season, he will retire. The 37-year-old Molina played in just 113 games (his fewest since 2014) and hit .270 with 10 home runs, 57 RBI and six stolen bases. The power production saw a substantial dip after he had clubbed a combined 38 long balls the previous two seasons. Molina remains a solid defensive backstop, but you won't be able to count on him with the stick moving forward in single-catcher leagues. The future Hall of Famer is a nine-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glover, but age and health are becoming question marks as he nears the end of his career.]]>
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Harrison Bader is confident that he'll be the starting center fielder in 2020. "I'm the starting center fielder," the 25-year-old Bader said. "It's my position. I'm going to take it. There's no sense in talking about it. I'm looking forward to showing up Day 1, guns blazing and ready to go." Bader is excellent with the glove, but he hit just .205 with 12 homers, 39 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 2019 and was demoted to the minors in late July. Despite Bader's confidence in himself, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak envisions center field and left field as open tryouts this spring. Dylan Carlson, a first-round pick in 2016, will be Bader's primary competition in center field.]]>
The Marlins, Cubs, Rangers and Brewers are believed to be interested in relief pitcher Pedro Strop. The right-hander had a down year with the Cubs in 2019 by posting a 4.97 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in his 41 2/3 innings of work over 50 outings. He did have 10 saves, however, and has closed out 23 games for the Cubbies the last two seasons due to injuries to Brandon Morrow. With Craig Kimbrel now entrenched as Chicago's ninth-inning fireman, staying in Chicago probably isn't the most ideal situation for Strop's fantasy value. A move to Miami would give him the best chance for saves, but a closing gig for a rebuilding team also isn't that attractive in terms of fantasy.]]>
The Miami Marlins and New York Yankees completed a trade on Wednesday, sending pitcher Stephen Tarpley to Miami in exchange for third baseman James Nelson and cash. In a corresponding move, pitcher Brian Moran was designated for assignment by the Marlins. Tarpley had a 5.88 ERA and issued 21 walks in just 33 2/3 innings last season, but he does have swing-and-miss stuff as evidenced by his 47 strikeouts. He can work as a starter or a reliever, but likely won't develop any fantasy appeal with the fish. Nelson is a prospect who was excellent in 2017 but has struggled mightily in Single-A since.]]>
The Minnesota Twins and free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson have reportedly agreed to a four-year, $92 million contract. The contract also is reported to have a fifth-year option for the 34-year-old slugger. Donaldson hit 37 homers and drove in 94 runs for the Atlanta Braves during the 2019 season while playing on a one-year contract. He will join an already powerful Minnesota lineup that set an MLB record with 307 homers during 2019. Donaldson's addition will slot Miguel Sano in as the team's everyday first baseman after he spent the majority of his career at third base. Donaldson should be in line for another top-notch season of fantasy production as he will see ample run-producing opportunities in the loaded Minnesota lineup.]]>
The Philadelphia Phillies designated outfielder Odubel Herrera for assignment on Tuesday and claimed outfielder Nick Martini off waivers from the Reds in a corresponding move. Herrera was handed an 85-game suspension to close out the year for a domestic-violence incident, and he hit just .222/.288/.341 with a home run, 16 RBI and two steals in his 126 at-bats with the Phillies in 2019. He was an All-Star in 2016, but his free-swinging ways and mediocre power profile left him as a risky outfield investment entering the 2019 season. He could get another chance with another team, but Herrera will have to prove himself to win an everyday job. Martini will strictly be outfield depth for Philadelphia.]]>
The St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies have started exchanging names in their discussions about a blockbuster trade involving third baseman Nolan Arenado, according to one source. Sources have advanced beyond a preliminary stage, but ESPN's Jeff Passan says the exchange of names has not been very productive. It's still considered a long shot that Arenado is dealt in the short term. Colorado has interest in right-hander Dakota Hudson, who went 16-7 with a 3.35 ERA in 32 starts in 2019. There's no indication that the Cardinals are willing to include starter Jack Flaherty. The Rockies are also expected to ask for at least one of the Cardinals four top prospects in outfielder Dylan Carlson, third baseman Nolan Gorman, left-hander Matthew Liberatore or catcher Andrew Knizner. Matt Carpenter could also be included in a potential deal. Arenado is owed $234 million over the next seven years, and a separate source said the Cardinals are concerned about the opt-out clause he has following the 2021 season. Arenado has a full no-trade clause, but he's believed to be intrigued by the chance to play for the Cardinals.]]>
The Minnesota Twins and third baseman Miguel Sano agreed to a three-year contract extension, according to a source familiar with the deal. The deal includes a club option for the 2023 season and will buy out two years of free agency. The extension is for $30 million, with $27 million spread out over the first three years and $3 million on a fourth-year option. The 26-year-old had 34 home runs and 79 RBI for the Twins last season after getting off to a horrendous start. The slugger batted .279 with a .994 OPS after June 28 and was one of the best hitters in baseball to close out the season. Sano hit just .199 with 13 home runs in 71 games for Minnesota in 2018. There is volatility here, but he remains one of the best true sources of power in baseball.]]>
The Chicago Cubs and outfielder Kyle Schwarber avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $7.01 million deal. Schwarber slashed .250/.339/.531 with a career-high 38 home runs, 82 runs scored and 92 RBI in his 155 games for the Cubs in 2019. The big left-handed slugger has at least 26 round-trippers in each of the last three years and has hit the 30-homer mark in two of the last three seasons. However, he won't do your fantasy team any favors in the batting average department with his swing-and-miss ways.]]>
Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million deal. It was his first year of arbitration eligibility. Contreras sees a nice raise after hitting .272/.355/.533 with a career-high 24 home runs and 64 RBI in 105 games. It was a much-needed bounce-back performance after he hit only .249 in 2018 with 10 homers and 54 RBI in 138 contests. At the barren catcher position, Contreras is a high-end option for fantasy owners in single-catcher formats.]]>
Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $10 million deal, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. The superstar infielder will almost double his 2019 salary. Despite his free-swinging ways, Baez continues to be a stud, as he hit .281/.316/.531 with 29 home runs, 85 RBI, 89 runs and 11 stolen bases in 138 games for the Cubbies in 2019. He's been an All-Star the last two seasons and isn't going anywhere anytime soon, although fantasy owners shouldn't necessarily expect a high average as long as his plate discipline remains erratic. Still, he's one of the most attractive fantasy middle infielders in the game.]]>
The New York Mets and starting pitcher Steven Matz avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5 million deal. The 28-year-old southpaw has now made 30 starts for the Mets in back-to-back seasons after dealing with arm issues earlier in his five-year career. He went 11-10 with a 4.21 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 153 strikeouts in his 160 1/3 innings in 2019. It was a slight drop from when Matz posted a 3.97 ERA in his 30 starts in 2018 despite a 5-11 record. Consistency has been an issue for him in his big league career, but the good news is he's been able to stay healthy the last two years. Consider him a back-of-the-rotation streamer in mixed leagues.]]>
New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5 million deal, according to a source. It's a pretty big raise for Sanchez in his first year of arbitration eligibility. He played in just 106 games due to injuries in 2019 and hit .232/.316/.525 with a career-high 34 home runs and 77 RBI. Sanchez swings and misses a lot, but the power is elite at his position, which is the weakest in baseball. With better health, there's a real possibility that he could reach the 40-homer mark in the Bronx in 2020. Sanchez is an elite fantasy backstop.]]>
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $17.5 million deal. Bauer posted a 4.48 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 253 strikeouts in 213 innings in 34 starts for the Indians and Reds in 2019. The right-hander had an ugly 6.39 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in his 10 starts for Cincinnati to close the season. He's certainly not as attractive in a hitter-friendly park like Great American Ballpark and out of the weak American League Central, but Bauer still possesses plenty of strikeout upside (career 9.5 K/9) to make him attractive in mixed leagues.]]>
Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $17.5 million deal. Lindor has been the subject of heavy trade rumors this offseason and could still be dealt before spring training. He started late in 2019 due to injury but still finished with an excellent line of .284/.335/.518 with 32 home runs, 101 runs scored, 74 RBI and 22 stolen bases in 598 at-bats for the Tribe. The four-time All-Star can contribute across all categories for fantasy owners and is an elite shortstop no matter where he's playing in 2020 and beyond.]]>
Chicago White Sox outfielder Nomar Mazara avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.56 million deal. Mazara was traded from the Rangers this offseason after hitting .268/.318/.469 with 19 home runs, 69 runs and 66 RBI in 429 at-bats in Texas in 2019. Mazara has been consistently mediocre in his four seasons in the big leagues, as he hit exactly 20 long balls in each of his first three seasons with the Rangers. There's not much speed to speak of here either, so Mazara will most likely be an afterthought in many mixed leagues. However, he has a chance to thrive with his change of scenery on a team that should be much better offensively around him.]]>
San Diego Padres closer Kirby Yates avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $7.062 million deal. Yates was in the final year of arbitration eligibility. The right-hander was one of the best relievers in the game last season and posted a microscopic 1.19 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 41 saves and 101 strikeouts in 60 2/3 frames over his 60 appearances. Yates has become an elite fantasy closer for a Padres team that should be even better in 2020. That means he'll be one of the first handful of closers to come off the board in drafts.]]>
Colorado Rockies outfielder David Dahl avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.475 million deal. It was Dahl's first year of arbitration eligibility. The 25-year-old has the ability to be a five-category fantasy contributor if he can just stay healthy, which is something that has eluded him in his career to this point. He played in 100 games for the Rockies in 2019 and hit a nice .302/.353/.524 with 15 home runs, 61 RBI and four stolen bases. He should once again have an everyday role for Colorado in 2020 and is worth the risk for his high ceiling.]]>