Fantasy Baseball News

Adalberto Mondesi agreed to a one-year, $2.525 million deal with the Royals to avoid arbitration. (Source: Alec Lewis on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Mondesi was arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason. Despite his inconsistent approach at the plate, he's one of the best sources for steals in all of baseball.

Rafael Devers agreed to a one-year, $4.575 million deal with the Red Sox to avoid arbitration. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Devers had a down 2020, by his standards, with a .263 batting-average and a .793 OPS/ The sky is the limit for the 24-year-old third baseman, though, who gets a pay raise from the Sox.

Brandon Nimmo agreed to a one-year, $4.7 million with the Mets to avoid arbitration. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Nimmo was arbitration eligible for the second time this winter and should be locked as the Mets starting center fielder in 2021.

Willson Contreras agreed to a one-year, $6.65 million deal with the Cubs to avoid arbitration. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Contreras' name has come up in trade discussions as the Cubs have been shedding payroll this offseason. He's a name worth keeping an eye on in the coming weeks, especially for teams that miss out on the J.T. Realmuto sweepstakes.

Luis Castillo agreed to a one-year, $4.2 million deal with the Reds to avoid arbitration. (Source: Robert Murray on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: While this looks like a relative bargain for Castillo, considering his career trajectory, this is actually a decent salary bump for him. He was rumored to be in some trade talks earlier this offseason but it would be a surprise if Cincinnati moved him at this point.

Javier Baez and the Cubs agreed to a one-year, $11.65 million deal to avoid arbitration. (Source: Mark Feinsand on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This is a solid pay day for Baez, who is coming off of a brutal 2020 in which he hit .203 with a .598 OPS. He's a nice bounce back candidate for fantasy purposes as this was his final year arbitration eligibility.

Yonny Chirinos agreed to a one-year, $1.175 million deal with the Rays to avoid arbitration. (Source: Marc Topkin on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Chirinos underwent Tommy John surgery during the season and won't be available to pitch until 2022. It's nice that he can collect a salary while rehabbing.

Trea Turner and the Nationals avoid arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $13 million deal. (Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Turner still has one year left of salary arbitration, but settles for $13 million for the upcoming season. He was terrific in 2020, slashing .335/.394/.588 with 12 home runs, 41 RBI, 46 runs scored and 12 stolen bases across 59 games. Turner is expected to be one of the top players off the board in upcoming fantasy drafts and currently sixth overall in the latest expert consensus draft rankings.

Richard Rodriguez agreed to a one-year, $1.7 million deal with the Pirates to avoid arbitration. (Source: Jason Mackey on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Rodriguez notched four saves with a 2.70 ERA and 0.86 WHIP across 23 1/3 innings for the Pirates last year. He has a chance to open as the closer in Pittsburgh next season.

Rafael Montero and the Mariners agreed to a one-year, $2.25 million deal to avoid arbitration. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Mariners acquired Montero from the Rangers in a trade back in December. He put up a 4.08 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 17 2/3 innings with Texas last season. He'll compete for Seattle's closer gig to open the year.

Joe Musgrove agreed to a one-year, $4.45 million deal with the Pirates to avoid arbitration. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Musgrove has been a hot name in trade discussions this offseason and now that his salary is locked for next year, he could moved any day now. He registered a 3.86 ERA over 39 2/3 innings last year with the Pirates.

Colin Moran agreed to a one-year, $2.8 million deal with the Pirates to avoid arbitration. (Source: Adam Berry on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Pittsburgh rewarded the third baseman, who was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. He slashed .247/.325/.472 with 10 home runs and 23 RBI over 178 at-bats last season for the Pirates.

Josh Bell and the Nationals avoid arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6.35 million deal. (Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Bell was traded to the Nationals during the offseason and is expected to be the team’s everyday 1B. He struggled in 2020, slashing .226/.305/.364 with eight home runs, 22 RBI and 22 runs scored across 223 plate appearances for the Pirates. Bell is one year removed from crushing 37 homers and considered an excellent bounce back candidate in 2021.

Rhys Hoskins and the Phillies avoid arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.8 million deal. (Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hoskins underwent Tommy John surgery during the offseason, but Phillies’ manager Joe Giradi is optimistic he will be ready by Spring Training. He slashed .245/.384/.503 with 10 homers, 26 RBI and 35 runs scored across 185 plate appearances in 2020. Hoskins is currently 16th among all first baseman in the latest expert consensus draft rankings.

Jordan Hicks avoids arbitration with the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The deal is worth $862,500 for the 2021 season. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hicks didn't play in the 2020 season as he opted out due to COVID-19. Hicks should be fully healthy to play in the 2021 season.

Lucas Giolito avoids arbitration with the Chicago White Sox, agreeing to a deal worth $4.15 million for the 2021 season. (Source: James Fegan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Giolito went 4-3 last year and had a 3.48 ERA, 1.037 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts. Giolito also threw one of two no-hitters in the 2020 season.

Edwin Diaz avoids arbitration with the New York Mets, agreeing to a deal worth $7 million. (Source: Mark Feinsand on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: In 25.2 innings, Diaz had a 1.75 ERA, 1.247 WHIP, and had six saves in the 2020 season.

Seth Lugo avoids arbitration by signing a contract worth $2.925 million, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. (Source: Mike Puma on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: In 36.2 innings for the Mets, Lugo tallied 47 strikeouts, an ERA of 5.15, and a WHIP of 1.364. Lugo acted as both a starter and a relief pitcher last season, but the Mets intend to pitch him out of the bullpen this season.

The Reds and RHP Tyler Mahle avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.2 million contract. (Source: Robert Murray on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This was his first time eligible for arbitration. Mahle is coming off a successful 2020 campaign, posting a 3.59 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings.

The Indians and SS Amed Rosario avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.4 million contract. (Source: Zack Meisel on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Rosario was recently acquired in the Francisco Lindor blockbuster. He has been working with swing guru Doug Latta this offseason, which gives him some late-round sleeper appeal.