This article references A.j. Pierzynski, Alex Avila, Alex Gordon, Alex Rios, Asdrubal Cabrera, Austin Jackson, Bartolo Colon, Ben Zobrist, Brandon Morrow, Brett Anderson, Chase Utley, Chris Davis, Chris Denorfia, Chris Iannetta, Cliff Lee, Colby Rasmus, Daniel Murphy, Darren O'day, David DeJesus, David Freese, David Price, Denard Span, Dexter Fowler, Dioner Navarro, Doug Fister, Gerardo Parra, Hisashi Iwakuma, Howie Kendrick, Ian Desmond, Ian Kennedy, Jason Heyward, Jeff Samardzija, Jeremy Guthrie, Jimmy Rollins, Joakim Soria, Joe Nathan, John Lackey, Johnny Cueto, Jordan, Jordan Zimmerman, Jordan Zimmermann, Justin Morneau, Justin Upton, Marco Estrada, mark buehrle, Mark Lowe, Mark Reynolds, Marlon Byrd, Matt Wieters, Mike Leake, Mike Napoli, Mike Pelfrey, Rajai Davis, San Diego Padres, Scott Kazmir, Shawn Kelley, Stephen Drew, Steve Pearce, Tim Hudson, Tim Lincecum, Torii Hunter, Tyler Clippard, Wei-Yin Chen, Yoenis Cespedes, Yovani Gallardo, Zack Greinke and more! Now that we've entered the MLB offseason, it's time to talk qualifying offers. Teams will spend the next few days deciding whether or not to extend a qualifying offer to their impending free agents. The qualifying offer system was designed to replace the old arbitration-based system that used Type A, B, and C free agents. If the qualifying offer is rejected, the team will receive a compensatory pick after the first round of the amateur draft. The team signing the player will lose their first [...]Keep on reading: 2016 Free Agents and Potential Qualifying Offer Fates

This article references Alex Rodriguez, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Beltran, Cliff Lee, Garrett Jones, Joe Mauer, Justin Smoak, Kris Bryant, Mark Teixeira and more! The term sleeper is overused and commonly confused in fantasy sports. Too many people confuse the concept of a player being undervalued (i.e. a player getting drafted in the seventh round that is going to return fifth round value) versus a player being a true sleeper.   In a 12 team, 5x5 league that is typically played by fantasy owners, the end of the draft is oftentimes where the league is won. For the purpose of this post, we are going to identify three different categories of deep sle[...]Keep on reading: Five Undervalued Corner Infielders for 2015

This article references Cliff Lee, Didi Gregorius, Justin Smoak, Nathan Eovaldi, Phil Hughes, Ricky Nolasco, Stephen Drew and more! The term sleeper is overused and commonly confused in fantasy sports. Too many people confuse the concept of a player being undervalued (i.e. a player getting drafted in the seventh round that is going to return fifth round value) versus a player being a true sleeper. When I think sleeper, I think Rip Van Winkle. I think of somebody that has been off the radar (or maybe has never been on the radar) for so long that people aren't even thinking about them. When talking about sleepers, especiall[...]Keep on reading: AL Only Deeper Draft Sleepers: Winter Hibernation Ends

This article references Bronson Arroyo, Cliff Lee, Jordan Zimmerman, Jordan Zimmermann, Marcus Stroman, Masahiro Tanaka, Stephen Strasburg, Tanner Roark, Yu Darvish, Zack Wheeler and more! The Plague of Failing Elbows Since the beginning of spring training, we have seen starting pitchers Yu Darvish, Marcus Stroman, Cliff Lee, and Zack Wheeler all go down with with injuries. This, along with the outbreak of Tommy John surgeries in baseball the past few seasons, has left fantasy owners searching for "safe" starting pitching. How do we weed out the risks to ensure a healthy rotation? The simple answer to this question is to not draft pitchers with injury concerns. Stroman [...]Keep on reading: Fantasy Baseball Draft Plans: The Lessons Of Starting Pitcher Injuries

This article references Andrew Cashner, Andrew McCutchen, Chris Sale, Clayton Kershaw, Cliff Lee, Collin McHugh, Dallas Keuchel, Felix Hernandez, Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton, Homer Bailey, jose reye, Jose Reyes, Marcus Stroman, Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Wacha, Sonny Gray, Tyson Ross, Yordano Ventura, Yu Darvish, Zack Cozart and more! [...]Keep on reading: Wait. On. Pitchers. (Until Rounds 7-8) – 2015 Fantasy Baseball Strategy

This article references Adam Wainwright, Cliff Lee, Hisashi Iwakuma, Johan Santana, Madison Bumgarner, Max Scherzer, SP, WR and more! Below, you’ll find three starting pitchers I’ve identified as potential underperformers based on ADP. Keep in mind that this isn’t to say you should necessarily avoid drafting these three players. Rather, it's a warning to make sure that other more worthy candidates are already off the board before you pull the trigger. After all, remember that in 2014, the difference between a championship and second place could well have been selecting Max Scherzer over Cliff Lee.   Madison[...]Keep on reading: Three Starting Pitchers Who Will Underperform Their 2015 ADP: Rankings Analysis

This article references Cliff Lee, SP and more! If Cliff Lee has to go under the knife again, it could end the southpaw’s career. The Philadelphia Phillies’ starting pitcher was shut down over the weekend due to renewed concerns about his left elbow. Lee, 36, had his season cut in half in 2014 because of a flexor pronator strain in his left elbow. On Thursday, Lee held the Houston Astros to two scoreless innings, but reported discomfort in the days afterward. By Monday, it was reported that Lee is mulling elbow surgery, and that Dr.[...]Keep on reading: Cliff Lee Mulling Surgery, Career

This article references Cliff Lee, SP and more! Cliff Lee stated on Monday that the ramifications of having surgery on his left elbow might be significant. If Lee were to opt for the surgery as opposed to rest, he would likely miss the entire 2015 season. However, Lee is also aware of the possibility that his career could be over. “It would be 6-8 months out. So basically if I have the surgery this season will be done. Possibly my career I guess. I don't know. We'll have to see.” Lee said courtesy of Matt Breen of Philly.com. Breen[...]Keep on reading: Cliff Lee Could Retire With Elbow Surgery

This article references Adam Wainwright, Alex Cobb, Alex Wood, Alfredo Simon, Andrew Cashner, Anibal Sanchez, Bartolo Colon, Brandon Beachy, Brandon McCarthy, Carlos Carrasco, Carlos Martinez, Carlos Rodon, CC Sabathia, Chris Archer, Chris Sale, Chris Tillman, Clay Buchholz, Clayton Kershaw, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and more! Last month, we brought you RotoBaller's preliminary starting pitcher fantasy baseball rankings. The February update is here. We'll be releasing all the other positional rankings updates this week, with analysis from all the RotoBaller writers on their favorite risers and fallers at each MLB position. Make sure to also check out our MLB Fantasy Baseball Rankings blog, along with all of RotoBaller's starting pitcher rankings content.    2015 Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Ra[...]Keep on reading: 2015 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Starting Pitcher (SP) – February Update

This article references Cliff Lee, DEF, SP and more! BALLER MOVE: Target as SP3ANALYSIS: From 2008-2013, Cliff Lee averaged 31 GS, 14 W, 222 IP, 33 BB and 200 K, along with a 2.90 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, despite pitching in the bandbox that is Citizen's Bank Park. Lee made only 13 starts in 2014 and was a non-factor in the fantasy baseball world as a result of his left elbow soreness. While his record, walks and strike-out numbers were on par with previous seasons, but he allowed more hits, leading to a .358 BABIP and an unimpressive 1.38 WHIP.[...] Keep on reading: Cliff Lee (SP, PHI) -- 2015 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper