All articles tagged with #starting pitcher
Eric Samulski's weekly fantasy baseball column combines a streaming-start week plan with analysis of pitch-mix changes for Cavalli and Cease (plus notes on Alcantara, Gore, and Vasquez). It colors options by day and confidence level, offers matchup context and roster percentages, and highlights a two-start week, giving managers a concise view of who to stream and how these arms might evolve this season.
Provides three days of starting pitcher streamer rankings for fantasy baseball (3/28–3/30) organized in four tiers (Auto Start, Probably Start, Questionable Start, Do Not Start) with daily tables and notes on PL Pro/PL Bot projections, PLV-based offense rankings, and how streaming success is scored (PQS); includes examples of top picks and directs readers to the PL Pro hub for full access.
Rotoworld’s fantasy baseball rankings update for 2026 emphasizes a shaken top tier after Hunter Greene’s groin/hip/back injury, likely sidelining him until July. The piece explains a tier-based approach to top starters, analyzes health risk and pitch mixes beyond surface stats, and notes multiple veteran arms facing injury woes (e.g., Snell, Cole, Bieber) that could reshape early-draft strategies as opening day approaches. The author reiterates he doesn’t rely on projections, instead evaluating tools, peripherals, and team context to gauge upside and risk for a 12-team format with IL spots.
FantasyPros’ 2026 breakout list spotlights Emmet Sheehan, Matthew Liberatore, Cam Schlittler, Cody Ponce, and Chase Dollander as pitchers with clear paths to more innings and strikeouts at manageable costs, thanks to workload potential, diverse repertoires, and favorable team contexts; plan to secure steady innings early and target upside with late-round darts.
RotoBaller uses Stuff+, Location+, and Pitching+ metrics to identify 2025 starters who flashed elite stuff but underperformed, then highlights 2026 sleeper breakout candidates likely to be available later in drafts: Cam Schlittler (big fastball, room to harness third pitch), Ryan Pepiot (high-movement fastball with upside but slider needs work), Sandy Alcantara (post-TJ rebound potential with strong second half), Drew Rasmussen (high floor with a nasty cutter, potential for more strikeouts), Shane Baz (big stuff, needs a more consistent fourth pitch after a mid-season move), and Jack Leiter (big room for improvement with midseason adjustments). These pitchers offer upside in dynasty/redraft leagues for those chasing late-draft gains based on Stuff+ trends.
The Blue Jays remain in on free-agent starter Framber Valdez, having met him at the GM Meetings, and see him as a high-end #2 with ace potential to bolster a rotation that already includes Cease, Gausman, Bieber, Yesavage, Ponce and Berríos. Valdez’s late-season slump and age 32 temper expectations for a long-term deal, though Toronto could circle back if his market softens; they’re also weighing cheaper options like Max Scherzer. Signing Valdez would push Toronto’s CBT payroll toward the top of the MLB scale, reflecting its aggressive spending.
Texas traded five minor leaguers to add left-hander MacKenzie Gore, hoping his front-line upside can be unlocked in a Texas rotation behind a healthy Eovaldi and deGrom. Gore, 26 turning 27, is under club control for 2026–27 at a modest $5.6M and has flashed TORP (top-of-rotation pitcher) ability in bursts, but has battled command issues and injuries that have limited him to 2-3 win seasons overall. If Texas can refine his pitch usage and location, this could be a cost-controlled TORP upgrade; if not, he remains a solid 2-3 win pitcher and valuable depth for a playoff contender.
New York traded four prospects—led by Dillon Lewis—for left-hander Ryan Weathers, hoping the 26-year-old can solidify the fifth spot and provide a reliable, controllable starter for the next two seasons. Weathers has shown a legitimate MLB ceiling thanks to velocity upgrades (fastball around 97 mph) and improved changeup and sweeper, turning from a fringe depth option into a bona fide rotation piece, and the move gives the Yankees flexibility to pursue further upgrades without sacrificing long-term depth. The deal also reflects Miami’s rebuild approach, monetizing upside while addressing needs on both sides.
The Houston Astros have agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract with Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, a top free agent coming off a strong season in Japan, adding depth to their starting rotation amid some injury concerns among current starters.
The Boston Red Sox aim to acquire a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher this offseason through trade or free agency to strengthen their pitching staff for playoff success, with a focus on players who can start high-stakes games and contribute immediately.
Cincinnati Reds' manager Terry Francona and team president Nick Krall have downplayed the possibility of trading young ace Hunter Greene, emphasizing the importance of keeping him due to the difficulty of acquiring such pitching talent and his recent strong performance. Greene, under a favorable contract, is considered a valuable asset, and the Reds have a stable group of young starters that they aim to retain.
The Boston Red Sox are considering acquiring Dylan Cease from the San Diego Padres as part of trade deadline moves, with Cease being a surprising starter being floated in trade talks due to his potential despite a down year and playoff struggles. Cease's strong stuff and upcoming free agency make him an intriguing, cost-effective option for the Red Sox, who are below the luxury tax threshold.
Clarke Schmidt of the New York Yankees is likely to undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the season and possibly most of the next. The Yankees face the challenge of replacing a key pitcher and are considering internal options like prospect Cam Schlittler or acquiring a veteran starter through trades, with potential targets including Sandy Alcantara and Freddy Peralta, as the trade deadline approaches.
The Baltimore Orioles are in need of an ace pitcher to compete in the AL East, especially after rivals like the Yankees and Red Sox bolstered their rotations. With limited options available, the Orioles are eyeing Dylan Cease, who is reportedly on the trade market as the Padres explore his value before he hits free agency. Cease, a consistent performer with a strong track record, could be a key acquisition for the Orioles if they are serious about contending for the World Series in 2025.
MLB teams, including the Mets, are considering transitioning reliever Clay Holmes into a starting pitcher role. Holmes, who hasn't started since 2018 but was a starter in the minors, is seen as a potential rotation asset due to his diverse pitching arsenal and durability. This interest follows recent successful transitions of relievers to starters, like Seth Lugo and Michael King. The Mets, avoiding high-end rotation markets, might offer Holmes a short-term deal, leveraging his ability to also serve as a reliever if needed.