4 months agoFree-agent second baseman
Scooter Gennett said that he's fine with sitting out the 2020 season. Gennett hasn't gotten what he considers a fair offer for his services on the open market this year. The 30-year-old made the All-Star team two years ago with the Cincinnati Reds when he hit .310 (second in the league) with 23 home runs and 93 RBI. It all went downhill when he injured his groin in spring training last year, sidelining him for three months. Gennett returned too early from his injury and hit just .217 in 21 games before being traded to the Giants. He was released by San Francisco after only 21 games. He was expecting offers in the $5 million range this offseason, but the best he got was for $1.5 million and $500,000 in incentives. Unless Gennett unexpectedly receives a better offer with guaranteed money, it sounds like he's unlikely to return to the big leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
4 months agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks are opening Chase Field on Friday for individual workouts for the first time since baseball was shut down due to COVID-19. Several players arrived on Thursday for workouts at the team's spring training facilities at the Salt River Fields. Players are preparing for a potential spring training 2.0 that would take place in mid to late June, with a potential start to the 2020 season coming in early July if the MLB owners and Players Association can reach an agreement. Nothing is official yet and the two sides continue to negotiate, but make sure to check back for any new updates on a specific start date for the beginning of the season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
4 months agoThe St. Louis Cardinals announced that they have reopened their spring training facility (Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida) for "very limited" access to baseball activities. They have also notified all full-time staff that they will continue to be paid their full salaries through the end of June, and that there are no planned furloughs. So far, the Yankees, Rays and Marlins have also opened their facilities for limited access (the Marlins share Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium with the Cardinals). Most other teams figure to follow suit with the reopening, but unfortunately a few teams have not been able to promise the continued salaries and the absence of furloughs.
--David A Marcillo - RotoBallerSource: Derrick Goold on Twitter
4 months agoNew York Yankees outfielder
Giancarlo Stanton (calf) has been taking batting practice as he continues to recover from a calf strain suffered early in spring training. The Yankees have been optimistic that Stanton would be healthy for the start of the season, and taking BP is a strong sign in that direction. Stanton is sometimes unfairly labeled as injury-prone, but he’s played in at least 150 games in two of the past three seasons and should be expected to have a full workload in 2020.
--Sam Chinitz - RotoBallerSource: Meredith Marakovits
4 months agoNew York Yankees outfielder
Aaron Judge (rib) has yet to resume swinging, indicating that he still hasn’t had an additional CT scan. Judge is scheduled to undergo a CT scan sometime soon, but he hasn’t swung pain-free since the beginning of spring training and is unlikely to start swinging before getting a clean scan. Until Judge can comfortably swing, fantasy owners should expect the outfielder to miss significant time. Judge may miss the entire season if he requires surgery, so fantasy owners should be cautious drafting him in early rounds.
--Sam Chinitz - RotoBallerSource: Bryan Hoch
4 months agoTampa Bay Rays pitching prospect
Brent Honeywell (elbow) underwent a decompression procedure on his right ulnar nerve on Wednesday in Los Angeles. The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The Rays are saying that scar tissue was removed from the area of the nerve. Honeywell is scheduled to begin strength and mobility exercises on Monday in Port Charlotte, Florida. The right-hander remains one of the team's top pitching prospects (No. 6 per MLB Pipeline), but he just can't shake his elbow issues. The 25-year-old missed the entire 2018 season after having Tommy John surgery and missed all of last year due to a fractured elbow. This latest surgery doesn't sound too serious, but it's a setback nevertheless. Honeywell might be able to contribute at some point in 2020 if there is a season, but we'd expect the Rays to be even more cautious in an abbreviated season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Josh Tolentino
4 months agoThe Tampa Bay Rays will open Tropicana Field on Monday, May 25, for limited and mostly individual player workouts. It will be the first official action at a team facility since March 17 during an optional workout at the Port Charlotte spring training facility before it was shut down due to COVID-19. Players will be limited to using the field for playing catch, running and other cardio exercises and some light weight workouts. They won't be allowed to throw off mounds, hit in batting cages or go into the weight room or clubhouse, but those restrictions could be loosened in the coming weeks. Only players on the 40-man roster are invited, and they will be limited to small groups. MLB owners and players are negotiating for a potential return to play in early July, with a second phase of spring training starting several weeks before that. The Marlins opened their spring facilities in Florida on Tuesday for limited workouts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
4 months agoPittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Kevin Kramer underwent hip surgery and will be out for four to six months. With the 2020 season not likely to start until at least early July because of COVID-19, this effectively will end Kramer's chances of playing this year. The 26-year-old has played in only 43 major league games the last two seasons and has hit a weak .152/.222/.165 with no home runs and nine RBI in 79 at-bats with the Pirates. The second-round pick in 2015 hit .260/.335/.417 with 10 home runs and 54 RBI in 113 games with Triple-A Indianapolis last year. Kramer wasn't going to be on anyone's fantasy radar, even entering a normal full season in 2020.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Stephen J. Nesbitt
5 months agoThe Colorado Rockies released starting pitcher
Tim Melville on Monday after he bounced around in the minors for most of his time with the team. Melville was recalled by the Rockies late last season and went 2-3 with a 4.86 ERA in seven starts. The 30-year-old right-hander was on a minor league contract in 2020 and figured to see very little, if any, time in the team's starting rotation again. In 17 starts for Triple-A Albuquerque last year, Melville was 10-5 with a 5.42 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 94 strikeouts in 96 1/3 frames. He also made two starts for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic independent league before signing on with the Rockies.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Denver Post - Kyle Newman
5 months agoArizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Starling Marte announced on his social media on Monday that his wife, Noelia, has died of a heart attack. "It is a moment of indescribable pain. On behalf of my family, I am grateful for the expressions of esteem and solidarity in this difficult time," Marte wrote. The 31-year-old outfielder was traded to the D-backs in January after playing eight seasons with the Pirates. The team said "our hearts are truly saddened by this news." Marte is a power-speed threat that will start in center in his first year in Arizona, and he can contribute across all scoring categories for fantasy owners. RotoBaller extends its condolences to Marte's family and friends at this difficult time.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
5 months agoFree-agent relief pitcher
Francisco Rodriguez last pitched in the major leagues for the Detroit Tigers in June of 2017, but he's hoping to make his way back onto a major league roster. The 38-year-old has pitched in the Nationals minor league system, an independent team in the United State and in Mexico since his release in 2017. K-Rod played in parts of 16 seasons in the major leagues and was a six-time All-Star. He ranks fourth on the all-time list for saves with 437 behind
Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman and Lee Smith, all of whom are in the Hall of Fame. It's unlikely that Rodriguez will get another shot in the majors, but even if he does, it would be doubtful that he'd work his way into the closer's role anywhere after three years away from MLB. "As long as I have that conviction, as long as I have that flame, I’m going to keep trying. And I know that I’m going to do it," Rodriguez said.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLive.com - Evan Woodbery
5 months agoFree-agent starting pitcher
Bartolo Colon, who hasn't thrown a pitch in the major leagues since September of 2018, is hoping to pitch one more season in the majors, and he would prefer it being with the New York Mets if he was given the choice. Colon has pitched 21 seasons in the big leagues and has won 247 games during that time. "If it was up to me, I would retire with the Mets. I would like my career to end in New York," Colon said. The veteran right-hander will turn 47 years old next week, and while it would be a cool story if he made it back to the Show in 2020 or beyond, it seems highly unlikely at this point. Big Sexy didn't pitch at all in affiliated ball in 2019.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Marly Rivera
5 months agoMinnesota Twins starting pitcher
Rich Hill (elbow) believes he'll be ready to go if baseball returns in July. The veteran starter's rehab has been compromised a bit due to the pandemic, though he was able to toss a 65-70 pitch bullpen session earlier on Friday. Injuries have been a concern with Hill- he's missed time over the last few seasons with knee, arm, and hand injuries. Still, from 2016-2018, he has won 35 games and has pitched to a 3.03 ERA. Hill may operate more as a spot-starter for the Twins if baseball returns, lowering his fantasy ceiling.
--Tim Capurso - RotoBallerSource: Betsy Helfand
5 months agoSt. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher
Jordan Hicks (elbow), who likely would've been out until at least the All-Star break under a normal season in 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last June, could be back within a short time from the start of a reconfigured 2020 season. The 23-year-old has been throwing regular bullpen sessions at his home in Houston, according to general manager John Mozeliak. The hard-throwing right-hander has 20 career saves and 865 pitches clocked at 100 mph or more, so he's a leading candidate for ninth-inning work in St. Louis when he's back to full health. Hicks also has Type 1 diabetes, so he might be more at risk of complications during the coronavirus pandemic. Hicks may still be worth a speculative grab and stash in deep mixed leagues with this news, but
Giovanny Gallegos is expected to be the leader of a closer committee in St. Louis if/when the 2020 season starts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Baseball Weekly - Rick Hummel
5 months agoTampa Bay Rays starting pitcher
Blake Snell said the risk of returning to play in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic is "just not worth it," at least not for significantly less than his original $7 million salary for this season. "Y’all gotta understand, man,
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