Matthew Pouliot
@matthewpouliot.bsky.social
Baseball fan. Rotoworld.com.
Daryl Thompson pitched six scoreless innings in the Puerto Rican Winter League yesterday. He was the Expos' eighth-round pick in 2003, their next-to-last draft. Chad Cordero was their first-rounder that year.
December 15, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Daryl Thompson pitched six scoreless innings in the Puerto Rican Winter League yesterday. He was the Expos' eighth-round pick in 2003, their next-to-last draft. Chad Cordero was their first-rounder that year.
That's fine then. Zerpa, like Jose A. Ferrer, is another underrated lefty groundball machine. Sure would be nice to see the Royals get a legit starting outfielder, though. Neither Collins not Lane Thomas can be viewed as a starter.
December 13, 2025 at 11:31 PM
That's fine then. Zerpa, like Jose A. Ferrer, is another underrated lefty groundball machine. Sure would be nice to see the Royals get a legit starting outfielder, though. Neither Collins not Lane Thomas can be viewed as a starter.
The Royals better not be giving up Kris Bubic for that.
The Brewers have traded Nick Mears to the Royals, Robert Murray is reporting. Isaac Collins has also been informed he is being traded, per sources.
December 13, 2025 at 11:22 PM
The Royals better not be giving up Kris Bubic for that.
Yastrzemski was really kind of intriguing because of the way he sliced 20-25% off his K rate and had slightly better than usual EV numbers last season. But he's 35, he's a platoon guy and the Braves don't need him in the outfield. Seems like there were better ways to spend that money.
Breaking: Mike Yastrzemski agrees to Braves deal. 2 years, plus option $23M.
December 11, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Yastrzemski was really kind of intriguing because of the way he sliced 20-25% off his K rate and had slightly better than usual EV numbers last season. But he's 35, he's a platoon guy and the Braves don't need him in the outfield. Seems like there were better ways to spend that money.
Trading for Willson Contreras >>> Paying Pete Alonso $155 million
December 11, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Trading for Willson Contreras >>> Paying Pete Alonso $155 million
Reposted by Matthew Pouliot
I'm tracking all the MLB free agent moves this offseason over at NBC Sports/Rotoworld.
Each move links back to Rotoworld player news blurbs with more info. Pretty handy! Bookmark and stay tuned.
www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/mlb...
Each move links back to Rotoworld player news blurbs with more info. Pretty handy! Bookmark and stay tuned.
www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/mlb...
MLB Free Agent Tracker 2025-26: Kyle Schwarber stays with Phillies, Edwin Díaz lands with Dodgers
Stay up to date with the MLB free agent market this offseason, including player signings, contract details, and team fits as the 2025-26 Hot Stove heats up.
www.nbcsports.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I'm tracking all the MLB free agent moves this offseason over at NBC Sports/Rotoworld.
Each move links back to Rotoworld player news blurbs with more info. Pretty handy! Bookmark and stay tuned.
www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/mlb...
Each move links back to Rotoworld player news blurbs with more info. Pretty handy! Bookmark and stay tuned.
www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/mlb...
Funny how it lines up.
- Kent doesn't make the HOF without Bonds in front of him.
- Kent gets in on the BBWAA ballot if either Bonds gets voted in quickly or gets banned from the ballot entirely.
- Kent gets in today in no small part because Bonds/Clemens essentially made it a six-man ballot.
- Kent doesn't make the HOF without Bonds in front of him.
- Kent gets in on the BBWAA ballot if either Bonds gets voted in quickly or gets banned from the ballot entirely.
- Kent gets in today in no small part because Bonds/Clemens essentially made it a six-man ballot.
December 8, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Funny how it lines up.
- Kent doesn't make the HOF without Bonds in front of him.
- Kent gets in on the BBWAA ballot if either Bonds gets voted in quickly or gets banned from the ballot entirely.
- Kent gets in today in no small part because Bonds/Clemens essentially made it a six-man ballot.
- Kent doesn't make the HOF without Bonds in front of him.
- Kent gets in on the BBWAA ballot if either Bonds gets voted in quickly or gets banned from the ballot entirely.
- Kent gets in today in no small part because Bonds/Clemens essentially made it a six-man ballot.
With Bonds/Clemens/Sheffield out of the mix, here's my suggested eight-man ballot for the 2028 Contemporary Baseball Era committee:
Lou Whitaker
Dwight Evans
Ryan Braun
Rafael Palmeiro
Bartolo Colon
Miguel Tejada
Jose Canseco
Paul Lo Duca
Lou Whitaker
Dwight Evans
Ryan Braun
Rafael Palmeiro
Bartolo Colon
Miguel Tejada
Jose Canseco
Paul Lo Duca
December 8, 2025 at 2:39 AM
With Bonds/Clemens/Sheffield out of the mix, here's my suggested eight-man ballot for the 2028 Contemporary Baseball Era committee:
Lou Whitaker
Dwight Evans
Ryan Braun
Rafael Palmeiro
Bartolo Colon
Miguel Tejada
Jose Canseco
Paul Lo Duca
Lou Whitaker
Dwight Evans
Ryan Braun
Rafael Palmeiro
Bartolo Colon
Miguel Tejada
Jose Canseco
Paul Lo Duca
And I'm kind of surprised about the anti-Kent sentiment. There's a pretty good chance the BBWAA would have wound up electing him if the HOF hadn't reduced the years on the ballot from 15 to 10. He was up 46.5% in his 10th year. This would have been his 13th year.
December 8, 2025 at 12:56 AM
And I'm kind of surprised about the anti-Kent sentiment. There's a pretty good chance the BBWAA would have wound up electing him if the HOF hadn't reduced the years on the ballot from 15 to 10. He was up 46.5% in his 10th year. This would have been his 13th year.
That's how I feel, especially given the makeup of the committee. Throwing out Bonds and Clemens, because I assumed the committee would, I probably would have guessed Kent and Delgado would get the fewest votes of the remaining six.
Jeff Kent elected to the Hall of Fame. Carlos Delgado closest non-electee. I don't know anything.
December 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
That's how I feel, especially given the makeup of the committee. Throwing out Bonds and Clemens, because I assumed the committee would, I probably would have guessed Kent and Delgado would get the fewest votes of the remaining six.
Bob spoiled the BBWAA awards with some advanced knowledge. He might have the goods here, too.
The Hall of Fame announcement is coming at 730 ET on the MLB Network where Don Mattingly is favored to be elected, and could be joined by at least one or two others.
December 8, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Bob spoiled the BBWAA awards with some advanced knowledge. He might have the goods here, too.
Just say no to evaluating relievers based on ERA. Ferrer had the fourth highest groundball rate in baseball last year and struck out 4.5 guys for each one he walked. He did this while throwing to arguably the game's worst catching tandem and in front of a bottom-three defense.
December 6, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Just say no to evaluating relievers based on ERA. Ferrer had the fourth highest groundball rate in baseball last year and struck out 4.5 guys for each one he walked. He did this while throwing to arguably the game's worst catching tandem and in front of a bottom-three defense.
Love Ferrer for a contender, but that he's such an extreme groundballer isn't something the Mariners are going to take as much advantage of as others would have. Still, like this for both teams. Never been completely sold on Ford, but the Nationals badly needed an intriguing alternative to Ruiz.
December 6, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Love Ferrer for a contender, but that he's such an extreme groundballer isn't something the Mariners are going to take as much advantage of as others would have. Still, like this for both teams. Never been completely sold on Ford, but the Nationals badly needed an intriguing alternative to Ruiz.
One of the most important questions for the Cubs right now is whether Kevin Alcántara is going to be assigned a fourth option year (he's used his three), and it doesn't seem like any reporter has even touched on it.
I'm guessing he will, but I'd love to hear what the unnamed sources would say.
I'm guessing he will, but I'd love to hear what the unnamed sources would say.
December 5, 2025 at 4:46 AM
One of the most important questions for the Cubs right now is whether Kevin Alcántara is going to be assigned a fourth option year (he's used his three), and it doesn't seem like any reporter has even touched on it.
I'm guessing he will, but I'd love to hear what the unnamed sources would say.
I'm guessing he will, but I'd love to hear what the unnamed sources would say.
Good for Garcia that he'll get to play. Bad that he'll be doing so in the league's most difficult home run park for righties.
Oviedo is nice as an underrated averagish SP who doesn't make much, but the Red Sox already have a few of those guys and shouldn't be blocking the high-ceiling youngsters.
Oviedo is nice as an underrated averagish SP who doesn't make much, but the Red Sox already have a few of those guys and shouldn't be blocking the high-ceiling youngsters.
Two others moving in the Oviedo-for-Password deal, per sources: left-hander Tyler Samaniego and catcher Adonys Guzman are going to the Red Sox. The Pirates will get one player in addition to Jhostynxon Garcia.
December 5, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Good for Garcia that he'll get to play. Bad that he'll be doing so in the league's most difficult home run park for righties.
Oviedo is nice as an underrated averagish SP who doesn't make much, but the Red Sox already have a few of those guys and shouldn't be blocking the high-ceiling youngsters.
Oviedo is nice as an underrated averagish SP who doesn't make much, but the Red Sox already have a few of those guys and shouldn't be blocking the high-ceiling youngsters.
The youngest of those players is 67 and retired 30 years ago. Four are over 80. Definitely would seem to bode better for Mattingly, Murphy and Valenzuela than the more recent players.
Voters for the HOF's Contemporary Era ballot:
HoF'ers: Fergie Jenkins, Jim Kaat, Juan Marichal, Tony Pérez, Ozzie Smith, Alan Trammell, Robin Yount.
Execs: Mark Attanasio, Doug Melvin, Arte Moreno, Kim Ng, Tony Reagins, Terry Ryan.
Media: Steve Hirdt, Tyler Kepner, Jayson Stark.
HoF'ers: Fergie Jenkins, Jim Kaat, Juan Marichal, Tony Pérez, Ozzie Smith, Alan Trammell, Robin Yount.
Execs: Mark Attanasio, Doug Melvin, Arte Moreno, Kim Ng, Tony Reagins, Terry Ryan.
Media: Steve Hirdt, Tyler Kepner, Jayson Stark.
December 2, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The youngest of those players is 67 and retired 30 years ago. Four are over 80. Definitely would seem to bode better for Mattingly, Murphy and Valenzuela than the more recent players.
Got one right.
FWIW, I had Valdez at 5 yr, $150 million and Suárez at 5 yr, $135 million. Expect that this will be the biggest contract for a SP.
FWIW, I had Valdez at 5 yr, $150 million and Suárez at 5 yr, $135 million. Expect that this will be the biggest contract for a SP.
November 26, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Got one right.
FWIW, I had Valdez at 5 yr, $150 million and Suárez at 5 yr, $135 million. Expect that this will be the biggest contract for a SP.
FWIW, I had Valdez at 5 yr, $150 million and Suárez at 5 yr, $135 million. Expect that this will be the biggest contract for a SP.
Reposted by Matthew Pouliot
Hope I don't regret asking (I can predict some of the replies), but curious what you fine folks think...
🤔 What do you want to see from us at Rotoworld in the future? How can we make your fantasy sports experience better?
No promises, but I'm an open book and genuinely interested in your answers!
🤔 What do you want to see from us at Rotoworld in the future? How can we make your fantasy sports experience better?
No promises, but I'm an open book and genuinely interested in your answers!
November 26, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Hope I don't regret asking (I can predict some of the replies), but curious what you fine folks think...
🤔 What do you want to see from us at Rotoworld in the future? How can we make your fantasy sports experience better?
No promises, but I'm an open book and genuinely interested in your answers!
🤔 What do you want to see from us at Rotoworld in the future? How can we make your fantasy sports experience better?
No promises, but I'm an open book and genuinely interested in your answers!
This makes a couple of times recently where Rosenthal has gotten sniped because of The Athletic's apparent desire to present breaking news as an article, rather than to have it just tweeted out. Interesting, to me anyway.
November 23, 2025 at 10:40 PM
This makes a couple of times recently where Rosenthal has gotten sniped because of The Athletic's apparent desire to present breaking news as an article, rather than to have it just tweeted out. Interesting, to me anyway.
I would have understood signing Larnach for ~$3 mil today. I don't understand tendering him and potentially having him more than double his salary. MLBTR projections have him going from $2.1 million to $4.7, even though he was thoroughly mediocre (quantity tends to trump quality in arbitration).
I'll be honest with y'all: I did not see the Larnach non-non-tender coming. Surprising for a lot of reasons, and I'm curious to see next steps.
November 21, 2025 at 11:50 PM
I would have understood signing Larnach for ~$3 mil today. I don't understand tendering him and potentially having him more than double his salary. MLBTR projections have him going from $2.1 million to $4.7, even though he was thoroughly mediocre (quantity tends to trump quality in arbitration).
Globe Life Field played as the worst in the league for right-handed hitters last season. Third worst in 2024. I think García will be a nice get on a one-year deal.
Outfielder Adolis Garcia has been non-tendered by the Texas Rangers.
November 21, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Globe Life Field played as the worst in the league for right-handed hitters last season. Third worst in 2024. I think García will be a nice get on a one-year deal.
Been waiting for this for 19 years. Really excited for everything, but I'm especially looking forward to seeing if we can make the Futures Game and the MLB Draft events people are more excited to tune into.
MLB and NBC Sports announce a new, three-year media rights agreement beginning in the 2026 season that will bring exclusive games to NBC, Peacock and the newly formed NBC Sports Network.
Major League Baseball to return to NBC and Peacock next season with new rights deal
The three-year media rights agreement will include "Sunday Night Baseball" and the entire wild-card round of the postseason.
nbcnews.to
November 19, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Been waiting for this for 19 years. Really excited for everything, but I'm especially looking forward to seeing if we can make the Futures Game and the MLB Draft events people are more excited to tune into.
Reposted by Matthew Pouliot
MLB returns to NBC on Opening Day
MLB returns to NBC on Opening Day
Under the terms of a new three-year agreement announced Wednesday, NBC will broadcast its first MLB game since 2000 on Opening Day 2026.
dlvr.it
November 19, 2025 at 8:50 PM
MLB returns to NBC on Opening Day
Finished up my pitching projections, so here's an updated top 300 for 2026.
www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/base...
www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/base...
Way-Too-Early 2026 Fantasy Baseball Top 300 Rankings
Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani at the top? Our early 2026 Top 300 rankings highlight key fantasy storylines heading into the MLB offseason.
www.nbcsports.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Finished up my pitching projections, so here's an updated top 300 for 2026.
www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/base...
www.nbcsports.com/fantasy/base...
Fascinating. Big swing for the fences by the Angels, though it probably doesn't bode well that the Orioles were down on Rodriguez enough to make the deal. Still think it's worth it. Ward has only one year left before FA.
The Orioles have swung a deal, trading away right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward.
Rodriguez hasn’t pitched in a major league game since midway through 2024.
Rodriguez hasn’t pitched in a major league game since midway through 2024.
November 19, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Fascinating. Big swing for the fences by the Angels, though it probably doesn't bode well that the Orioles were down on Rodriguez enough to make the deal. Still think it's worth it. Ward has only one year left before FA.