Borussia Dortmund's Diant Ramaj has declared he will not return to the German club just to be second choice goalkeeper next season.

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• Ramaj makes bold statement after impressive spell with Copenhagen
• German goalkeeper not interested in a backup role at Dortmund
• Calls himself the 'best goalkeeper of the young generation'

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Riding high in confidence after a stupendous spell with Copenhagen, Ramaj made some bold claims in an interview with . The German goalkeeper is demanding a regular role at the club next season, claiming he's the best young goalkeeper available.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After completing a move to Bundesliga in the 2024-25 winter transfer window from Ajax, Ramaj was loaned out immediately to Danish club Copenhagen. The German's loan spell worked wonders for both the player and club as they went on to complete the double, winning the league title and Danish Cup. Now, with his loan spell ending, he has voiced his opinion on his future making it clear that he wants regular football.

• WHAT DIANT RAMAJ SAID

  The shot stopper said: "I really enjoyed the season in Copenhagen; what we've achieved is fantastic. And one thing's clear to me: I have to keep playing, get minutes, and match practice. Therefore, one thing's clear to me: I'm not sitting on the bench in Dortmund! It's clear to me that I won't be coming to Dortmund to line up at the back, that I have no chance of playing behind Gregor Kobel. I have to play."

  He added: "I said I'm the best goalkeeper of the young generation. And I think I've proven that in the past few months!"

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR DORTMUND?

  First choice goalkeeper Kobel has reportedly been a transfer target for Chelsea, but after Dortmund's Champions League qualification under Niko Kovac, the German saw a resurgence and is expected to stay. That could see Ramaj push for a summer transfer.

MatériaMais Notícias

da apostaganha： O Botafogo decidiu se movimentar neste fim de janela e demonstrou interesse na contratação deMatías Rojas, meia-atacante do Racing.O jogador pode não ser muito conhecido pelos torcedores brasileiros, mas tem ganhado cada vez mais fama no futebol argentino.

O atleta vem sendo um dos protagonistas do Racing nas últimas temporadas e possui credenciais para ser titular do Glorioso. O paraguaio tem 27 anos e construiu boa parte da carreira na Argentina.

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HISTÓRICO DA CARREIRA

Matías Rojas começou nas categorias de base doCerro Porteño. Após ganhar espaço e se destacar no profissional, foi emprestado ao Lanús, mas não conseguiu obter uma sequência positiva de jogos e retornou para equipe paraguaia.

A volta do meia-atacante ao Cerro não durou muito tempo. Depois de algumas semanas no Paraguai, ele foi emprestado aoDefensa y Justicia. O jogador marcou um gol na estreia e atraiu olhares dos dirigentes do Racing, que decidiram comprá-lo em definitivo.

O atleta chegou ao clube em maio de 2019 e se transformou rapidamente em um dos protagonistas da equipe argentina. As boas atuações fizeram com que ele fosse convocado para disputar jogos pela Seleção Paraguaia nos últimos anos.

CARACTERÍSTICAS DO JOGADOR

Matías Rojas é canhoto, participa da construção das jogadas e também gosta de chegar na frente para finalizar. Uma de suas principais características é aparecer pelo lado direito, driblar para dentro e chutar de fora da área. A bola parada também é uma arma forte do jogador.

O paraguaio pode atuar como meia armador, aberto pela ponta direita ou até mesmo como um segundo atacante. O atleta gosta de realizar dribles curtos, possui qualidade no passe e tem muita potência no chute.

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BOTAFOGO NA BRIGA

Os dirigentes alvinegros formalizaram uma proposta de pré-contrato e querem adquiri-lo sem custos de transferência, mas não descartam investir na contratação do jogador.Matías Rojas tem vínculo no Racing até junho deste ano e não descarta uma vinda ao futebol brasileiro.

Tom Latham to lead while Kane Williamson has been rested for the three-match series

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-2023New Zealand have called up three uncapped players – allrounder Josh Clarkson, fast bowler Will O’Rourke and legspinner Adi Ashok – in their 13-man squad for the ODI series at home against Bangladesh.Tom Latham will lead the side as regular ODI captain Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, and Devon Conway have been rested ahead of the home season.Michael Bracewell (achilles), Matt Henry (hamstring), Lockie Ferguson (achilles), James Neesham (ankle), Ben Lister (hamstring) and Henry Shipley (back) were unavailable for selection due to injury. Trent Boult made himself unavailable.Ashok, the 21-year old from Auckland, had made his T20I debut against UAE in August and will be part of the squad for the second and third ODIs, when legspinner Ish Sodhi takes a planned break after the first game. Ashok has 24 wickets from 18 List A matches.Clarkson, 26, has played 68 List A games, averaging 32.37 with the bat at a strike rate of 99.48. As a medium-pacer, he’s taken 27 wickets in 23 innings at an average of 26.55 with an economy of 5.31.Canterbury’s O’Rourke, 22, has played 17 games, and taken 27 wickets at an average of 23.25 and economy of 5.01.”The volume and intensity of the cricket over the winter this year means we need to strike a balance with workloads for players, particularly those that play multiple formats,” New Zealand selector Sam Wells said. “That need for balance also creates opportunities and it’s great to be able to give some players their first call-ups.”Josh is someone who, while still only young, has played over 150 matches for the Stags, developing his skills with bat and ball to become a consistent contributor. Adi and Will are both still fresh to domestic cricket but have been impressive in their early efforts and stepped up well this year in the New Zealand A matches against Australia A.”Both offer valuable skillsets, Adi with impressive control as a young legspinner, and Will with natural bounce and variation as a tall pace bowler.”The squad will assemble on December 14 in Dunedin, the venue for the first ODI against Bangladesh on December 17. The second ODI is in Nelson on December 20 and the third in Napier on December 23.New Zealand squad for Bangladesh ODIsTom Latham (capt), Adi Ashok (games 2 & 3), Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi (game 1), Will Young

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace have largely been in excellent form since the start of 2025, only losing three times in their last 11 Premier League matches, keeping eight clean sheets in all competitions this calendar year and earning themselves a spot in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

The Eagles didn’t start the campaign at 100mph. After losing the likes of Michael Olise and Joachim Anderson in the summer, Palace had to reassemble their tools, find ways to recruit and replace those players and then begin to build.

After the first ten matches of the season, Palace found themselves 17th, only picking up seven points in that time.

But due to their excellent form since then, Palace now find themselves in mid-table in the Premier League, with the top seven not too far out of reach.

So why did it take a while at the start of the season, and how much did Glasner’s side miss Olise?

Michael Olise's creative burden

Olise was sold to Bayern Munich in the summer, joining the German giants for a fee of around £50m. Since joining Bayern, Olise has been in sublime form, making 43 appearances, scoring 13 goals, and providing 16 assists.

But, the Frenchman was key in his time at Palace, making 90 appearances in his three years at the club, netting 16 times, providing 25 assists and totaling 5,782 minutes played.

Having Olise on the right and Eberechi Eze on the left made it tough for teams to contain the Eagles, with the duo often combining to create chances out of nothing.

With Olise gone, more focus being solely on Eze and a right-hand side that had to be re-invented, it was always going to take some time to find the best way to replace the French wingers’ presence.

That being said, Glasner has certainly found a way to do it.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Glasner's "spectacular" duo have replaced Olise

Crystal Palace signed Ismaila Sarr from Marseille in the summer, joining for a fee of around £12.6m. The 27-year-old was the clear signing destined to take the spot of Olise on that right-hand side, but the difference in overall quality is clear, and therefore, a new dynamic on that side would be needed.

Daniel Munoz, working in tandem with Sarr on the right, has been Glasner’s key weapon to replacing Olise’s output, with both players proving to be very direct, making clever runs in behind and stretching play for their teammates. This right side has proven to be a key outlet for Palace this season.

Goals

0.17

0.29

Assists

0.14

0.11

xG

0.15

0.33

xAG

0.14

0.26

Progressive Carries

1.51

2.52

Progressive Passes

2.44

2.91

Shots Total

1.04

1.93

Key Passes

1.22

1.41

Passes into Pen Area

0.72

1.41

Shot-Creating Actions

2.29

3.85

Successful Take-Ons

0.61

0.60

When looking at the pair’s underlying metrics this season, you can see how their combined effort has helped to replace the French star, both getting forward and getting shots off, both putting balls into the box, chipping in with output and contributing in build up.

Munoz was described as “spectacular” by Jefferson Lerma and that is certainly one way to describe the pair down that right-hand side, working in tandem to attack in a direct fashion and create chances for the team.

Whilst Olise will never fully be replaceable, losing a world-class talent is always tough to replace, even more so when you are a mid-table Premier League side.

Therefore, Palace fans must be fairly happy with their right-side rebrand, with Glasner proving he can make it work.

Contact made: Crystal Palace make move to sign "Pique-esque" £5m defender

The Eagles have made an approach for a defender, who is also attracting interest from West Ham United.

ByDominic Lund Apr 10, 2025

“It would be crazy not to look at the players who are in form,” Mitchell McClenaghan said on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out Live

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Apr-20243:03

Should Mayank be fast-tracked into India’s T20 WC squad?

Mayank Yadav has played only two IPL games but the conversation has already started if he should be part of India’s squad for the T20 World Cup in June.On his IPL debut on Saturday, Mayank picked up 3 for 27 against Punjab Kings and was named the Player of the Match. During his spell, he clocked 155.8kph, the fastest delivery of IPL 2024.Three days later, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, he bettered it. He clocked 156.7kph and picked up 3 for 14 to claim his second consecutive Player-of-the-Match award.Related

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Talking on ESPNcricinfo’s show T20 Time Out Live, Tom Moody said: “He is definitely in the conversation. Whether you take that risk punting on him or not is another conversation because you also need to consider what skillset you need in that reserve fast bowler – is it someone who is a powerplay bowler, or someone who has the ability to bowl at the death, all those subtle skillsets are important when you are talking about a T20 World Cup.”Mitchell McClenaghan, Moody’s co-panellist, said if Mayank continues in the same manner, he would be “right in the mix” to join the T20 World Cup squad.”If his form continues throughout this tournament, the World Cup starts six days after the IPL, I think it would be crazy not to look at the players who are in form going into that tournament,” McClenaghan said.”He may not have the caps behind him, but if he continues this vein of form and can keep his pace up throughout the whole tournament and keep winning games – he has won two games in a row, his first two games – then you are right in the mix. Long shot but you wouldn’t say never.”3:15

Moody: Mayank has great control and a mature head to go with his pace

Fast bowler Varun Aaron also had the same view. “I think no matter what the chatter is, he should focus on one game at a time,” he said. “Because that is going to automatically help him make his case. With the kind of work he has put in in the last two games, that does bring a lot of eyeballs but it has to be repeated over a period of time. The T20 World Cup, I am sure, he is going to be a contender if he backs it up with a few more performances because he is bowling absolute gas.”Apart from the searing pace, what has stood out is Mayank’s accuracy. On Tuesday, he bowled 17 dots in his spell, and not a single wide or no-ball.”What’s so impressive is it’s not only just the pace – it’s like everyone likes seeing a Nicholas Pooran hit the ball out of the ground, it is exhilarating to watch – but it’s his control,” Moody said. “Not only he has got the control, but he looks like he has got quite a mature head on his shoulders with regards to how he is bowling, and what lines he is bowling and lengths he is bowling. He is a real find.”Aaron was equally impressed with Mayank’s control.”Going into the game, we said that lines are going to be important,” he said. “Not just lines, even lengths he adapted. He bowled a few yorkers, it’s not just bowling back of length and being one-dimensional. The ball to Cameron Green was beautiful. He had hit him for a really convincing pull the previous ball.”I think he was a second late on that [wicket] ball. It just ricocheted off the stumps, I think it went one-bounce four. It is great signs. He has got really good control. And he has got a really, really repeatable clean action that enables him to bowl those lines time and again. Not a single cut, not a single ball down the leg side. Unbelievable.”

There could be a huge summer on the cards for Michael Edwards and Arne Slot at Liverpool due to potential player movement in and out of Anfield.

Firstly, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all out of contract at the end of this season, and it remains to be seen if any of them will put pen to paper on extensions on Merseyside.

Losing any of them would be a significant blow for Liverpool, as they are all regular starters, but Salah could be the biggest loss as he has scored 32 goals and provided 22 assists in all competitions this season.

Rather than finding a one-for-one replacement, which would be incredibly difficult to do, the Reds could sign players in several positions in hope that they all step up to make up for the goals and assists lost.

For example, Liverpool have been linked with a move to sign Atletico Madrid centre-forward Julian Alvarez, who they reportedly ‘appreciate’ and hold a long-term interest in.

Why Liverpool need to sign a player like Julian Alvarez

Salah has been Liverpool’s main source of goals from a right wing position and that has papered over the cracks in the front three, as Slot has had a problem in the centre-forward position this season.

Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez have both had attempts at being the main number nine for the Reds, but they have both failed to provide a reliable presence in front of goal. The former has scored five goals from 7.21 xG and the latter has scored five times from 5.28 xG in the Premier League.

These statistics show that Liverpool do not possess a ruthless number nine who can make the most of the chances that come their way in the box, which is why they need to go out and sign a player like Alvarez.

The former Manchester City man joined Atletico Madrid last summer to bolster Diego Simeone’s squad, and has proven to be a big hit in Spain with his performances at the top end of the pitch.

Starts

22

10

xG

8.86

2.38

Goals

11

7

Minutes per goal

166

113

Big chances missed

5

1

Assists

2

1

As you can see in the table above, Alvarez has outperformed his xG in both LaLiga and the Champions League this term, which shows that he can be ruthless in front of goal.

In fact, the Argentina international has only missed 26 ‘big chances’ in all competitions for Atletico and Man City combined since the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Nunez, for comparison, has missed a staggering 81 ‘big chances’ in all competitions for Liverpool in that time, having joined from Benfica in 2022, which illustrates the stark difference in quality between the two centre-forwards.

The Reds, though, are also interested in signing a defender who could be as important of a signing as Alvarez in the summer transfer window.

Liverpool have held talks to sign Premier League star

According to journalist Bence Bocsak, Liverpool “have held talks” with Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez over a potential move to Anfield next season.

The reporter claims that the club “like” the Hungary international but that a transfer to Merseyside is not advanced at this moment in time, with nothing beyond those initial talks.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Bocsak’s article for Anfield Watch expands on the news, adding that Liverpool wanted to sign Kerkez from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2023, but the player decided to move to Bournemouth instead to play regular football.

The report reveals that Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester City are also keeping tabs on the Hungarian dynamo, which suggests that there will be plenty of competition for his services this summer.

Michael Edwards, though, must push to sign the left-back, who is reportedly valued at £40m by the Cherries, because he could be as important of a signing as Alvarez.

Why Liverpool need to sign Milos Kerkez

Liverpool are reportedly in the market to sign a replacement for veteran left-back Andy Robertson this summer, and Kerkez would be a dream signing to take the Scottish star’s place.

The Scotland international has been a terrific servant for the Reds over the years, racking up 66 assists in 336 appearances in all competitions for the club, as a consistent creative threat down the left flank.

However, Robertson’s powers appear to be waning. The 31-year-old star has failed to register a single goal or assist in his 27 appearances in the Premier League this season, along with just one assist in his eight outings in the Champions League.

He is heading towards the latter stage of his career and has not been as influential as in previous seasons, as shown by his lack of production in the final third, and that is why a new long-term left-back option should be a priority this summer.

Kerkez, at the age of 21, is ten years younger than Robertson and could, therefore, be the new left-back for the club for the next decade, if all goes to plan, which is one of the reasons why he would be such an important addition this summer.

The Hungarian star’s performances in the Premier League for Bournemouth this season also suggest that he would come in as an immediate upgrade on the current Liverpool defender.

Appearances

29

27

Goals

2

0

Assists

5

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.6

2.0

Clearances per game

2.7

1.3

Dribbled past per game

0.4x

0.6x

Ground duel success rate

58%

51%

Aerial duel success rate

33%

27%

As you can see in the table above, Kerkez has vastly outperformed Robertson with his play in and out of possession in the top-flight, as he has made a bigger impact at the top end of the pitch whilst being far more active and reliable defensively.

Wingers find it harder to get past the Bournemouth star, as he makes more tackles and interceptions whilst being dribbled past less, and opposition defenders find it harder to deal with him, as he has scored more goals and provided more assists.

Therefore, Kerkez could come in as a big upgrade on Robertson at left-back this summer, which is why Liverpool must push hard to get a deal done for him this summer.

As important as Alvarez and the addition of his finishing quality would be for the Reds, signing a Premier League proven left-back with the potential to be a key player for the next decade is equally as important.

He earns more than Gakpo: Edwards must sell Liverpool's "pointless" star

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ByDan Emery Mar 19, 2025

RCB’s overseas batters haven’t fired and they are up against a bowling attack with a superb powerplay and death-over record this season

Karthik Krishnaswamy05-Apr-20242:36

McClenaghan: Royals arguably have best bowling combination this IPL

Match detailsRajasthan Royals (RR) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Jaipur, 7.30pm IST (2pm GMT)Big picture – RCB stars looking for spark New season, newish team name, same old problems. Four games into IPL 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have just one win. The top quarter of their line-up is full of superstars, but most of them are yet to fire, which has put immense pressure on the not-quite-superstars who make up the rest of their batting. The bowling has been, well, RCB.Rajasthan Royals have a pair of not-quite-firing superstars too, right at the top of their line-up, but that hasn’t impacted their results so far, with their opening three games bringing them three wins. How good could the Royals be, then, if Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler begin scoring runs?Equally, though, it may take just one of Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green to find form for RCB’s campaign to spark to life. It’s still early days in IPL 2024, and you only have to go back to last season to know that a good start is only a start. Royals began with four wins in their first five games, and RCB with two wins in five, but by the end of the league stage both teams had the same points and similar net run rates.There’s a long way to go, then, but RCB will know that a turnaround, if there is to be one, will need to begin soon.Form guideRoyals WWW (most recent match first)
RCB LLWL1:59

Moody on Maxwell: ‘You need to allow the free spirit to be free’

Team news and Impact Player strategyRajasthan Royals
Sandeep Sharma missed Royals’ last match, away in Mumbai, with a niggle. If he’s fit again, expect him to slot back, with Nandre Burger slipping back into the Impact Player rotation alongside the likes of Rovman Powell and Shubham Dube. Royals like to use their substitute depending on match situation rather than in a wholly toss-dependent way, and ideally like to have six full-time bowling options whenever possible.Likely XII 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 Jos Buttler, 3 Sanju Samson (capt & wk), 4 Riyan Parag, 5 Shimron Hetmyer, 6 Dhruv Jurel, 7 R Ashwin, 8 Trent Boult, 9 Avesh Khan, 10 Sandeep Sharma, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal, 12 Royal Challengers Bangalore
Since making an impressive 25-ball 48 in the season opener in Chennai, Anuj Rawat has scored 25 off 48 balls across his next three innings. There is a chance RCB might leave him out on Saturday and hand the keeping gloves back to Dinesh Karthik. It could allow them to start Mahipal Lomror instead of using him as an Impact Player, and give the middle-order batter Suyash Prabhudessai or the allrounder Manoj Bhandage a look-in. There could be a temptation to try and bring Will Jacks into the mix too, but RCB may find it hard to fit him in unless they leave out their big-money trade signing Cameron Green.Likely XII 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Faf du Plessis (capt), 3 Rajat Patidar, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Cameron Green, 6 , 7 Mahipal Lomror, 8 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 9 Mayank Dagar, 10 Reece Topley, 11 Mohammed Siraj, 12 Yash Dayal.In the spotlight: Shimron Hetmyer and Dinesh KarthikHe has one of the most specialised batting roles in the IPL, to the extent that R Ashwin routinely bats ahead of him if Royals feel the ideal entry point for their death-overs hitter hasn’t yet arrived. Consequently, IPL 2024 has seen very little of Shimron Hetmyer so far. He’s batted only twice in their first three games, and one of his innings was an unbeaten 14 off seven balls. And when Royals bring in a bowler as Impact sub, it’s usually Hetmyer who makes way. If he makes an appearance in his designated role on Saturday, he’ll be up against an RCB attack that has an economy rate of 11.30 in the death overs this season, while picking up just four wickets in that phase in four games.2:39

Jaffer: Green has to bat at No.3 and Rawat at 4

For RCB, Dinesh Karthik plays a similar role to Hetmyer, his entry point is often delayed so he can bat at the death. Royals are aware of this, and also of Karthik’s preference for batting against pace. Karthik is particularly averse to batting against legspin, and doesn’t have a great record against Yuzvendra Chahal. In all their IPL meetings, Chahal has bowled 51 balls to Karthik and conceded only 47 runs while dismissing him three times. Chahal is happy to bowl at the death, and Royals are happy to keep two of his overs for that phase whenever they’re up against RCB and Karthik. Chahal bowled the 17th and 19th overs in both meetings between these sides last season, picking up 2 for 11 in that mini-spell in Bengaluru, where he got to bowl to Karthik, and 0 for 22 in Jaipur, where he didn’t.Stats that matter RCB did the double over Royals in IPL 2023, beating them by seven runs in Bengaluru and walloping them by 112 runs in Jaipur, where Royals were bowled out for 59. Jaipur is the scene of one of Virat Kohli’s most jaw-dropping international innings, an unbeaten 52-ball 100 against Australia in a landmark ODI chase in 2013, but it hasn’t been a happy venue for him in the IPL. In eight innings here, he’s yet to score a half-century, and he averages 21.28 while striking at less than a run a ball. Of all venues where he’s batted at least eight times in the IPL, he has the worst average in Jaipur. Du Plessis, Maxwell and Green have scored 159 runs between them so far this season at an average of 13.25 and a strike rate of 119.5. Royals have by far the best death-overs economy rate (7.41) of any team in IPL 2024 so far, with Lucknow Super Giants a distant second best at 9.60. Royals also have the second-best powerplay economy rate (8.44) of all teams behind Chennai Super Kings (8.16), while taking more wickets (9) in that phase than any other team. Any Royals-RCB game is an opportunity to bring up Kohli vs Sandeep Sharma. In 15 IPL meetings, Kohli has scored 87 off 67 balls from Sandeep while being dismissed seven times. No bowler has dismissed Kohli as often, with Ashish Nehra in second place with six dismissals.Pitch and conditionsRoyals have won both their home games so far, batting first both times and defending totals of 193 and 185. The chasing team was in with a good chance in both games, so the Sawai Mansingh Stadium isn’t necessarily a bat-first ground, though the large outfield and relative lack of dew do tend to even things up for the team bowling second.

2021 Miami Marlins

After going 120-203 with two last-place finishes in the NL East, the Marlins took advantage of the 60-game schedule to sneak into the playoffs for the first time since 2003. In their other two postseason appearances in the team’s 28 years in the league, the Marlins won two World Series titles (1997 and 2003).

Even with success, Miami allowed 41 more runs than they scored. The Marlins ranked 21st in ERA (4.86), 22nd in runs scored (263), and 25th in home runs (60).

In the offseason, Miami tried to revamp their bullpen by signing RP Anthony Bass, RP Adam Cimber, RP Ross Detwiler, RP Zach Pop, and RP Paul Campbell. None of these arms look impactful, while Bass and Cimber should help in the seventh and eighth innings. Overall, this bullpen will rank in the bottom half of the league.

In mid-February, they acquired RP John Curtiss in a minor deal with Tampa. Miami signed OF Adam Duvall, leading to OF Harold Ramirez getting released.

The only star player in the starting lineup is OF Starling Marte. The Marlins have three serviceable bats – OF Corey Dickerson, 1B Jesus Aguilar, and 3B Brian Cooper. The rest of the starting lineup needs to be rebuilt via the minor league system. Miami has the most help at the outfield position in the upper two levels of the minors, while SS Jazz Chisholm is their top hitting prospect.

The move forward in the standings came from their starting pitching. SP Sixto Sanchez is going to be an elite ace. SP Pablo Lopez showed growth in 2020, with more upside expected if he can handle 30 starts. SP Sandy Alcantara will give Miami plenty of innings, and his arm looked sharp last year despite missing five weeks with a battle with Covid.

The Marlins should hang around the .500 mark this season with some good stretches when their offense supports their pitching staff. Over the long haul, the lack of offense will lead to losing streaks and no ticket to the postseason.

Starting Lineup

1. SS Jon Berti

Berti gave the Marlins some good at-bats off the bench in 2019 (.273 with six home runs, 24 RBI, and 17 steals over 256 at-bats), but his minor league resume (.258 with 35 home runs, 296 RBI, and 270 stolen bases over 3,007 at-bats) doesn’t paint a high upside picture.

Last year he failed to win a starting job with Jonathan Villar added to the Marlins roster. In his limited at-bats (120), Berti hit .258 with two home runs, 14 RBI, and nine steals.

Early in the minors, he brought a speed skillset with a reasonable approach. Berti struggled over five different seasons at AAA (.222 with 77 runs, 10 HRs, 47 RBI, and 42 steals over 514 at-bats).

With Miami, his contact batting average (.380) came in better than his minor league resume (.317). Berti had a weak average hit rate (1.390) in the minors. Last year his walk rate (15.4) jumped to an elite area while showing top of the order value in the minors (9.5).

2021 Fantasy Outlook: Berti looks to be a placeholder to bat leadoff for the Marlins until they add another bat via free agency. His strikeout rate (25.3) with Miami is too high for his base-stealing skill set, but his success in the minors (16.2) does give him a chance to be improved. With 550 at-bats, I could see 80-plus runs, 10 home runs, 55 RBI, and 35 stolen bases. His ADP (263) is based on him starting, which may not be the case in April. Berti is a possible late speed out with some batting average risk if he doesn’t clean up his approach.

2. OF Starling Marte

With Marte becoming a free agent in 2022, the Diamondbacks decided to move him last summer to add some minor league system prospects.

He led the National League in games played (61) while turning in a steady season. His stats projected over 550 at-bats came to 87 runs, 14 home runs, 65 RBI, and 24 steals.

Marte came up short in his average hit rate (1.531), highlighted by his drop in home runs. His contact batting average (.342) has been in a tight range over the past four seasons, pointing toward a .280 hitter.

Over the last two seasons, Marte lowered his strikeout rate (16.2) while still having no pulse in his walk rate (4.4). He continues to have a ground ball swing path (50.7 percent in his career). His HR/FB rate (11.8) was below his second-highest level in 2019 (18.5).

2021 Fantasy Outlook: In the 2020 draft season, Marte was a popular choice on the 2/3 turn in the 15-team high-stakes market. His change to Miami and step back in power lowered his ADP to 50 in the early draft season in late-January. His speed looks intact, but his ceiling in runs and RBI will be lower due to hitting in the Marlins’ weaker lineup. I’ll set his bar at .280 with 80 runs, 20 home runs, 70 RBI, and 25 steals.

3. 3B Brian Anderson

After having a league average approach in 2018 and 2019, Anderson brought a swing and miss style to the plate last year, leading to a much higher strikeout rate (28.8 – 20.4 over the previous two seasons). He continues to improve on his walk rate (28.8).

His contact batting average (.381) was a career-best, which helped Anderson minimize the downside damage in his batting average (.255), with more strikeouts added to the equation.

The growth in his RBI rate (20) should earn him a middle of the order opportunity this year. Anderson’s increase in his average hit rate (1.824) gives him a chance at 30+ home runs if he adds more loft to his swing path (30.4 percent fly-ball rate in 2020 – 35.3 in 2019 and 30.8 in his career). Anderson finished with a spike in his HR/FB rate (26.8 – 16.3 in 2019).

His 2020 stats projected over 550 at-bats came to 74 runs, 30 home runs, and 105 RBI.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: When building a winning fantasy team, a fantasy owner needs to decide where he wants to gain his edges. The next step is adding competitive, trusted pieces to the puzzle. Anderson fails in a steady building block category with the skill set to hit .270 with 80 runs and 80 RBI. In 2021, he should set a career-high in home runs while drawing a mid-range ADP (225). Anderson is a reliable cheat at third base while offering a corner infield return on his draft value.

4. 1B Jesus Aguilar

Aguilar played nine seasons in the minors before getting his first starting opportunity with the Brewers in 2017. He hit .271 with 120 runs, 51 RBI, and 160 RBI over 771 at-bats over his first two seasons with the Brewers while doing most of the damage in 2018 (.274/80/35/108).

After losing his swing and confidence in 2019 between Milwaukee and Tampa, Aguilar regained a pulse with the Marlins last season.

He finished with strength in his RBI rate (21) for the fourth season in a row. Aguilar came up short over his last 502 at-bats in his average hit rate (1.651) after showing 35+ home run upside earlier in his career.

His strikeout rate (18.5) moved into a favorable area while improving in each season since 2017. Aguilar has had a walk rate over 10.0 in almost every year in the majors.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: The lack of home runs in 2019 and 2020 allowed Aguilar to have an attractive ADP (321) again this season. A fantasy owner won’t find many clean up hitters in this area of the draft, which is where I expect him to hit in 2021. All the signs are there for him to be a valuable power source while not being dead in the water in batting average. Think .270 with 30 home runs and 85+ RBI.

5. OF Corey Dickerson

Four games into the 2019 season, Dickerson landed on the injured list for nine weeks with a right shoulder injury. His bat was well worth the wait over his next 74 games (.313 with 32 runs, 11 home runs, and 57 RBI over 247 at-bats), but he ended the year with 19 more missed games with a broken left foot.

In his first season in Miami, Dickerson struggled to make hard contact while losing his confidence with runners on base. His RBI rate (10) came well below the league average, with a decline in his average hit rate (1.560) and contact batting average (.314).

On the positive side, Dickerson was tougher to strike out (16.7) with a rebound in his walk rate (7.1).

His swing wasn’t dead in the water against left-handed pitching in 2019 (.271 with three home runs and 15 RBI over 59 at-bats), but he managed only 11 hits in 52 at-bats with three home runs and 14 RBI vs. lefties last season.

Over 2,910 at-bats in the majors, Dickerson hit .284 with 122 home runs, 387 RBI, and 24 stolen bases.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: His ADP (370) puts him in the free-agent pool in 12-team leagues while being an early bench option in 15-team formats. There is a 25+ home run player here with the tools to help in batting average. Dickerson can be streaky, which makes him attractive when his swing is on time.

6. OF Adam Duvall

After offering a power bat in 2016 (.241 with 33 home runs and 103 RBI over 552 at-bats) and 2017 (.249 with 31 home runs and 99 RBI over 587 at-bats), Duvall faded to a bench role of the past three seasons.

He continues to have a high average hit rate (2.244), which supports well over 30 home runs with a full-time job. His strikeout rate has been high in his career (27.2) while posting a career-low in 2020 (25.8) over 190 at-bats.

Last year he gave the Braves a hot 150 at-bats (.260 with 29 runs, 15 home runs, and 32 RBI) off the bench, helping Atlanta and fantasy teams.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: With the Marlins, Duvall should get a full-time job with a chance to hit close to the middle of the lineup. His ADP (395) works well in deep leagues for someone looking out in power while excepting his batting average risk.

6. 

7. C Jorge Alfaro

Last year Alfaro missed the start after testing positive for Covid. His swing didn’t look right, leading to regression across the board in his key indicators.

Alfaro played well over his first 46 games in 2019 (.282 with 21 runs, nine home runs, and 25 RBI over 163 at-bats), but he failed to repeat over his final 84 contests (.250 with 23 runs, nine home runs, and 32 RBI over 268 at-bats).

His approach continues to be a mess (strikeout rate – 36.4 and walk rate – 4.0) while almost matching his major league resume. Alfaro lost some momentum in his contact batting average (.368) and his average hit rate (1.524).

Over eight seasons in the minors, Alfaro hit .262 with 74 home runs, 360 RBI, and 39 stolen bases over 2,416 at-bats.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: Alfaro brings batting average risk to the table, which can be offset somewhat if he regains his high contact batting average. He has strength in his HR/FB rate (20.8) in his time in the majors, but a weak fly-ball rate (29.8) restricts his upside in power. Alfaro has an ADP (251) which gives him a C2 value. His preseason snapshot comes to .250 with 50 runs, 15 home runs, and 50 RBI.

8. 2B Isan Diaz

After playing at a high level at AAA (.305 with 89 runs, home runs HRs, 70 RBI, and five steals over 377 at-bats), Miami awarded Diaz with about a third of a season in the majors in 2019.

His minors' success didn’t translate well, which led to a high strikeout rate (29.4) with emptiness in his CTBA (.258). On the positive side, Diaz performed well with runners on base (RBI rate – 19) while maintaining strength in his AVH (1.774).

He only had four hits in 40 at-bats against left-handed pitching with 14 strikeouts.

Over six seasons in the minors, Diaz hit .263 with 88 home runs, 327 RBI, and 57 steals over 2,152 at-bats with a top of the order walk rate (12.3) and weakness in his strikeout rate (24.9).

In 2020, the fear of Covid led to him choosing to sit out the season. With Miami making a postseason push, Diaz decided to return in late September. He finished with four hits in 22 at-bats with seven strikeouts.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: Diaz has a lot to prove at the major league level while having a swing that should deliver 30+ home runs down the road. I expect him to win the second base job for Miami. Diaz won’t be drafted in leagues based on his early ADP (673).

Bench Options

SS Miguel Rojas

Rojas improved his play over the past two seasons for Miami (.272 with 20 home runs, 119 RBI, and 20 steals over 971 at-bats), putting him more in the starting conversation at shortstop.

His strikeout rate (12.6) remains low, with a shallow walk rate (6.4 in his career) that improved in 2020 (11.2).

Over 12 seasons in the minors, he hit .245 with 21 home runs, 224 RBI, and 78 stolen bases over 2,633 at-bats.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: Rojas will battle for the starting shortstop job. His ceiling is low, which is why the Marlins should use him more in a utility role.

SS Jazz Chisholm

Over four seasons in the minors, Chisholm hit .255 with 192 runs, 56 home runs, 173 RBI, and 49 stolen bases over 1,209 at-bases. His counting stats grade well, but he struck out over 30 percent of the time.

His contact batting average was high over his first three seasons in the minors, which offsets some of his batting average risk. Chisholm finished with an impactful average hit rate (2.000) in 2019.

The Marlins gave him 56 at-bats in 2020, which led to four events (two home runs and two steals) and 19 strikeouts. His approach mirrored his minor league career.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: Miami doesn’t have anyone on the major league roster with more upside, which means they should let him develop in Miami. His bat is going to be streaky with job loss risk when he’s not making contact—possible 30/20 player down the road with growth in his approach.

OF Garrett Cooper

Cooper had a weak power-hitting resume over six seasons in the minors (.304 with 46 home runs, 274 RBI, and five steals over 1,627 at-bats) for a first baseman.

His swing did make a step forward at AAA in 2017 (.366 over 17 home runs and 82 RBI over 279 at-bats), but he missed most of the 2018 season a triceps issue and hamstring injury.

In 2019, Cooper played well off the Marlins bench (.281 with 15 home runs and 50 RBI over 381 at-bats). A left-hard injury cost him most of April, plus he sat out the final two weeks of the year with a knee issue.

Last season Cooper fell victim to the Covid outbreak in Miami, leading to him missing a month. He hit .283 over 120 at-bats with six home runs and 20 RBI. His strikeout rate (23.3) was the lowest in his time with the Marlins.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: The NL doesn’t look like it will use the DH in 2021, a strike for Cooper's potential at-bats. He saw time in the outfield last season, but his glove is more suited at first base. Cooper is a big man (6’5” and 235 lbs.), giving him sneaky power upside. I don’t see a full-time job, and he does have plenty of injuries on his major league resume. Cooper is only an injury cover option if he’s getting everyday at-bats.

OF Lewis Brinson

The Rangers drafted Brinson out of high school in the 1st round (29th) in the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft. Over his first two seasons in the minor, he flashed power (28 home runs) and speed (38 stolen bases) over 684 at-bats, but Lewis did strikeout 265 times (34.5 percent). He cleaned up his strikeout rate (23.6 percent) over his last five years in the minors while having just above a league average walk rate (8.4).

Brinson had over 450 at-bats for the first time between AAA (296) and the majors (226) for the first time in 2019. Brinson didn’t hit a home run in the majors over 226 at-bats with only 15 runs and 15 RBI.

His game improved in his five seasons at AAA (.313 with 34 home runs, 131 RBI, and 34 stolen bases over 741 at-bats).

He continues to look overmatched in the majors (.189 over 761 at-bats with 16 home runs, 72 RBI, and eight steals). With Miami, his strikeout rate (29.4) remains too high.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: This candle doesn’t have a flicker at this point in his career. Brinson is nothing more than a desperation option for a fantasy team with an ADP of 624

OF Magneuris Sierra

Sierra made the jump from AA to the majors in 2017, but his game wasn’t ready to make an impact in Miami's starting lineup. He has a Judy-like skill set, but he didn't have separator steals on his minor league resume. His average hit rate (1.408) at AAA in 2019 was a career-best.

Over seven seasons in the minors, he hit .284 with 20 home runs, 222 RBI, and 145 stolen over 2,603 at-bats.

His path paints him as a five HR/30 SB guy with more steals when/if he learns to improve his success rate (70.7). His walk rate (5.7) isn't strong enough to hit at the top of the batting order, while his strikeout rate (17.4) is a bit high for his empty power. His swing will produce a high volume of ground balls with a minuscule HR/FB rate. Sierra is a great defender, while his hitting talents will improve quickly with added bulk and strength.

He now has over a year’s worth of experience at AAA (.265 with eight home runs, 38 RBI, and 40 stolen bases over 682 at-bats), plus 291 at-bats four seasons with the Marlins (.247 with no home runs, 20 RBI, and 12 steals).

2021 Fantasy Outlook: Sierra only has a defensive type of replacement at this point in his career. In 2021, he’ll compete for a bench for Miami.

Starting Pitching

1. SP Sixto Sanchez

Sanchez pitched great in 2019 at AA (8-4 with a 2.53 ERA and 97 strikeouts over 103 innings), which came after two shaky starts at High A (4.91 ERA).

His 2019 season didn’t start until May due to Miami trying to limit his exposure in innings. In his 18 starts at AA, Sanchez allowed three runs or fewer in every start except one disaster showing (eight runs, 10 baserunners, and three home runs over 3.2 innings). His walk rate (1.7) remains elite, with a below-par strikeout rate (7.9).

Over five seasons in the minors, Sanchez has a 2.58 ERA and 294 strikeouts over 335.1 innings.

Miami called him up to start on August 22nd last season, leading to five great games (3-1 with a 1.69 ERA and 29 strikeouts over 32 innings). Sanchez gave back his shining moments over his final two starts (nine runs and 18 baserunners over seven innings) due to fade in his command (six walks and four strikeouts).

His fastball came in at 98.9 MPH. Sanchez had the most success with his changeup (.131 BAA), but his slider (.300 BAA) failed to live up to expectations.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: There is greatness in Sanchez once his slider becomes an impact swing and miss pitch. His ADP (131) puts him in a cheat ace area, but he will be tough to time in drafts as many fantasy owners will be looking to draft and pay a premium. Sanchez throws strikes, and I expect him to have a long career while being drafted in the first two rounds of many leagues over the next decade. Worth the bet at almost any price as a sub 3.00 ERA and an impactful WHIP pays off in spades with 180 innings pitched. The final piece comes in strikeouts that have a range of 175 to 225 in 2021.

2. SP Sandy Alcantara

Alcantara was going to be a good fantasy selection last year, but he lost five weeks of the season due to Covid.

He threw the ball well in his first start (one runs over 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts). His only struggle came in his next game (five runs and eight baserunners over four innings) after his long layoff. Alcantara finished the year with a 2.30 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 31.1 innings in September.

His growth came from a higher strikeout rate (8.4) and fewer walks (3.2 per nine – 3.7 in 2019).

His AFB (97.4) pushed even higher. Batters struggled to hit his sinker (.203 BAA), four-seam fastball (.206 BAA), and changeup (.235 BAA).

Over five seasons in the minors, Alcantara went 23-32 with a 3.94 ERA and 461 strikeouts over 496 innings while pitching better over 53 games for Miami (11-19, 3.71 ERA, and 230 strikeouts over 281.2 innings).

2021 Fantasy Outlook: Alcantara is developing into a workhorse arm over the last two seasons based on him averaging 6.1 innings over his 39 starts. He’ll pitch deeper in games with further growth in his command. Alcantara has an ADP of 140, which isn’t a slam dunk. My bar is a 3.50 ERA and 1.200 WHIP with a chance at 175 strikeouts, but wins have been a problem in his whole career.

3. SP Pablo Lopez

There was a lot to like about Lopez in 2020 except two starts (12 runs, 15 baserunners, and two home runs over 5.2 innings. He allowed two runs or fewer in his other nine games, leading to six wins with a 1.91 ERA and 51 strikeouts over 51.2 innings.

His next step is solving lefties (.269 BAA) and pitching better on the road (4.91 ERA). Lopez did clean his struggles with home runs (0.6 per nine – 1.2 in 2019).

He had growth in his fastball (94.4 MPH). Lopez offered four pitches of value (four-seam fastball – .230 BAA, sinker – .225 BAA, changeup – .195 BAA, and cutter – .222 BAA). His fastball's improved command drove his success in the majors despite walking more batters (2.8 per nine).

Over his six seasons in the minors, Lopez had a 3.14 ERA and 323 strikeouts over 410.1 innings.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: His ADP (132) came in the middle of Sixto Sanchez and Sandy Alcantara. Even with a step forward in his game last year, I’d rank him third of these choices. Lopez throws strikes while offering a plus changeup. His repeated value and growth hinges on his fastball being tough to hit again. Trending toward a 3.25 ERA with a rising strikeout rate (9.3).

4. SP Elieser Hernandez

Hernandez is another Marlins’ arm with minimal innings of experience at AAA (3-1 with 1.95 ERA and 71 strikeouts over 50.2 innings).

Miami called him up on May 28th in 2019, which led to 15 starts and six relief appearances. He looked serviceable over his first eight games (4.11 ERA and 36 strikeouts over 30.2 innings).

Hernandez served up nine home runs over his next seven games over 22.2 innings, leading to a 7.15 ERA. His season ended on the uptick (one run over five innings with nine strikeouts), with a rebound in value in his final six starts (4.34 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 29.0 innings).

In 2020, Hernandez looked sharp over 25.2 innings (3.16 ERA and 34 strikeouts), but his season ended in early September due to a lat injury. Miami never pitched him more than 5.1 innings while allowing him to build up his arm strength. His pitch count had this path (66, 82, 81, 89, and 96).

He lowered his walk rate (1.8), which jumped his strikeout rate (11.9). Hernandez still gave up too many home runs (1.8 per nine innings – 1.9 in his time with the Marlins).

His AFB (91.7) remains short while improving slightly. Hernandez offers a plus slider (.108 BAA) while mixing in a low-value changeup (no hits over 32 pitches – .207 BAA in the majors).

Hernandez went 28-25 with a 3.15 ERA and 470 strikeouts over 451 innings over eight seasons in the minors.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: In 2021, he has a mid-level ADP (240) based on a small amount of data. Hernandez throws enough strikes to increase his innings to six per start. In 2019, he pitched 130.1 innings, his highest total by 20+ innings in his career. The question for me is, can he be trusted to make 30 starts? His ERA and WHIP project well, while his strikeouts hinge on Hernandez's ability to handle a full workload. I don’t predict over 10 wins.

5. SP Trevor Rogers

In the 2017 June Amateur Draft, Miami drafted Rogers with the 13th overall pick. A left forearm injury pushed back his debut in the minors until late May in 2018.

He struggled over 17 starts at A ball (5.82 ERA). His season started with an 8.78 ERA and 1.875 WHIP over 13.1 innings. Rogers settled into a better rhythm over his next 11 starts (4.09 ERA and 58 strikeouts over 50.2 innings) before blowing up in his final two games (11 runs and 19 baserunners over 8.2 innings with 11 strikeouts).

Rogers looked worthy of his high draft selection in 2019 (2.90 ERA and 150 strikeouts over 136.1 innings) while seeing regression after his promotion from High A (2.53 ERA) to AA (4.50 ERA).

Miami gave him seven starts in 2020, leading to a battle of greatness (2.57 ERA, 1.238 WHIP, 28 strikeouts over 21 innings in seven games) and disaster (13 runs and 19 base runners over seven innings in two lousy starts).

His AFB (94.3) came below his expected scouting report coming out of high school. Rogers threw a winning changeup (.189 BAA), but his slider (.346 BAA) didn’t look right.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: Rogers has a wide range of outcomes early in his career. He looks to need more time in the minors, but a lost season of developing may lead to him starting the season with the Marlins. A forearm injury added to struggles with a slider could be a red flag of future TJ surgery. Rogers looked the ace part at High A in 2019 while showing strikeout ability in the majors (12.5 per nine). His ADP (503) puts him in the free-agent pool in all redraft leagues. A must follow this spring, but I sense a bumpy ride early in his career.

SP Nick Neidert

In 2019, Neidert pitched poorly over his first three starts at AAA (8.71 ERA) before landing on the injured list for two and half months with a right knee issue. After building up his arm again at rookie ball and High A in July, he looked better but not great over his final six starts at AAA (3.82 ERA, 1.533 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts over 30.2 innings).

Over his first four seasons in the minors, Neidert went 30-12 with a 3.01 ERA and 368 strikeouts over 406.2 innings.

Miami gave him four appearances in 2020. Neidert was bombed in one appearance (five runs and seven base runners over two innings). In his other three games, he didn’t allow a run over 6.1 innings with four strikeouts.

He has a low walk rate (2.0) in the minors, while his strikeout rate (8.1) showed more life in 2017 (9.4) and 2018 (9.1).

His fastball came in at 91.8 MPH, with his changeup offering the most upside. Neidert continues to work on his slider, which will give him more strikeout ability going forward.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: More of a backend starter unless he adds more zip to his fastball and life in his secondary pitches. This season he has a shot wins the fifth starting job out of spring training.

SP Edward Cabrera

Cabrera had a tough time over his first three seasons in the minors. He posted a 4.21 ERA at rookie ball in 2016, followed by weakness at Low A (5.30) and Single-A (4.22 ERA).

In 2019, his arm was much improved (9-4 with a 2.23 ERA and 116 strikeouts over 96.2 innings). Cabrera had about the same success at High A (2.02 ERA) and AA (2.56 ERA).

His walk rate (2.9) is favorable while flashing a rising strikeout rate (8.7).

Cabrera has a mid-90s fastball with triple-digit upside. His growth in 2019 was tied to the development of his changeup while also improving with his slider.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: Cabrera has explosive upside, and he would give Miami another exciting piece to their starting rotation. With a year off, his arm could be vastly improved. His ADP (534) is just behind Trevor Rogers (503), with fantasy owners coin flipping on which arm has the most value in 2021. Cabrera should start the year at AAA while being a quick call away from the Marlins rotation.

CL Yimi Garcia

Garcia was a dark horse for saves in Miami in 2020, but he landed on the injured list (Covid) for about five weeks after tossing 1.2 shutout innings. Over his final 12 games, he allowed one run over 12.1 innings with seven hits, two walks, and 17 strikeouts. Garcia picked up three wins while converting one of two save chances.

His arm flashed in 2015 with the Dodgers (3.34 ERA and 68 strikeouts over 56.2 innings), but Garcia missed almost all of 2017 and 2018 with TJ surgery.

Over the last two seasons, he posted a 3.03 ERA and 85 strikeouts over 77.1 innings. His walk rate (1.8) has been elite in the majors, but he has battled home runs (1.6 per nine) at times.

His AFB (94.6) remains above his early seasons with Los Angeles. Batters struggled to hit his four-seam fastball (.122 BAA) last year, while his curveball (.143 BAA) proved to be an edge.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: Garcia lines up as the top closing option for the Marlins in early February. His ADP (381) will indeed move up in spring training when Miami gives an update on their bullpen's ninth-inning structure. Garcia has top-12 closing upside with help in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts.

RP Anthony Bass

Over his first seven seasons in the majors, Bass went 5-9 with a 4.60 ERA and 188 strikeouts over 284.0 innings. His strikeout rate (6.0) was extremely weak while also walking too many batters (3.4 per nine).

Bass developed into a reliable late-inning reliever over the past two years (3.54 ERA, 64 strikeouts, and 12 saves over 73.2 innings). He was much tougher to hit (.182 BAA) while picking up some strikeouts (7.8 per nine).

The improved velocity on his sinker (95.1) was key to his development. Bass throws a plus slider (.177 BAA) and a very good show-me split-finger fastball (no hits over 29 pitches in 2020).

2021 Fantasy Outlook: Even with some saves over the past two seasons, Bass doesn’t have the command or explosiveness in his strikeout rate to dominate late in games. I view him more as a seventh innings arm, but Miami may be forced to pitch him later in games.

RP Adam Cimber

Cimber went 20-11 with a 3.06 ERA and 212 strikeouts over 306.1 innings over five seasons in the minors. He walked only 1.6 batters per nine innings with a low strikeout rate (6.2).

Over three years in the majors, he went 9-12 with a 3.89 ERA and 104 strikeouts over 136.1 innings. Last year Cimber struggled over his 11.1 innings (3.97 ERA and 1.324 WHIP) while only picking up four strikeouts.

His AFB (86.0) is well below the league average. When at his best, Cimber works over a sinker/slider combination of pitches.

2021 Fantasy Outlook: Cimber has no chance of closing other than a game or two. He is a high volume ground ball pitcher (56.2 percent) with questionable value against lefties (.298 BAA). 

We at are proceeding as planned like the 2022 MLB season will begin more or less on time. I’ve attached the top 200 starters and 100 relievers by SIscore and included my stat projections for each player. This should help fantasy manager get a feel for each player's value for the 2022 draft season.

2022 Fantasy Baseball Rankings

Pitchers by SIscore

Updated: April 5, 2022
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MORE: Hitters by Position (Updated 4/5)

Top 200 starting pitchers

When it comes to Arsenal’s best-ever forward, there is only one answer: Thierry Henry.

The French magician joined the club in 1999 and, alongside Arsène Wenger and some other sensational players, helped to define an era of English football.

In all, the former Les Ulis-born phenom racked up a tally of 228 goals and 96 assists in 37 appearances for the Gunners, and while no striker has been able to replace him in the years since, the club have had at least a few stand-out centre-forwards.

However, Arteta might well have had his own version of Henry had Edu Gaspar and Co not sold a highly-rated youngster for what now looks like pennies on the dollar in the summer.

Arsenal's best strikers since Henry

It would be fair to say that the first seriously successful striker Arsenal had in the years after Henry’s departure was Robin Van Persie.

The Dutchman might be persona non grata at the Emirates today because of his transfer to Manchester United in 2012, but during his final two campaigns with the club, he was simply unstoppable, amassing a tally of 22 goals and seven assists in 33 games in 2010/11, and then 37 goals and 11 assists in 48 games the following year.

Following the departure of the Rotterdam-born poacher, Wenger and Co signed Olivier Giroud from Montpellier for just £12m, and while he was never as prolific as RVP, he did enjoy a reasonably successful career in North London.

For example, in 253 appearances, across five and a half seasons, the World Cup winner scored 105 goals, provided 37 assists and won three FA Cups.

However, in January 2018, the Chambéry-born marksman was sold to Chelsea to facilitate the signing of Borussia Dortmund star Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, who for some time was arguably the Gunners’ best forward since Henry.

Olivier Giroud’s Arsenal record
Appearances	253
Goals	105
Assists	37
Goal Involvements per Match	0.56
All Stats via Transfermarkt

The Gabonese international hit the ground running, becoming the fastest player in the club’s history to reach 50 Premier League goals in July 2020 and then playing a pivotal role in the club’s record 14th FA Cup triumph a month later.

However, after signing a blockbuster new deal that September, the wheels started to come off, and following lacklustre form and fallings out with the manager, he was allowed to join Barcelona for free in early 2022.

Since then, Arteta has used Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz up top, and while both players have had their moments, the former has suffered far too many injuries and the latter still hasn’t done enough to quell calls for the club to sign a new striker.

Unfortunately, Arteta might have already had his answer to those calls in a player compared to Henry had Edu and Co not sold him in the summer.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ series has everything you need.

The former Arsenal gem compared to Henry

Now, comparing a young forward to a player as sensationally gifted as Henry could be seen as unfair, but that was exactly what Sun journalist Jon Boon did with Mika Biereth in July 2021.

It was in the aftermath of Arsenal poaching the young talent from Fulham’s academy that Boon suggested he ‘might just be the next Thierry Henry.’

While that might sound a little ridiculous, he did so because, in just 27 appearances for the Cottagers’ youth sides the season prior, the young Dane had scored 22 goals and provided 13 assists, and at that point, no Arsenal forward had hit double figures for goals and assists since the great Frenchman, until Bukayo Saka did a couple of years later.

The youngster would spend the following season with the Gunners’ youth sides, and then, in the 22/23 campaign, he was sent out on loan for the first time to Dutch side RKC Waalwijk, but with just two goals in 12 appearances, it was not a successful stint.

Fortunately, last season went far better for the young forward, as, across two spells, first with Motherwell and then with Sturm Graz, he racked up a brilliant tally of 15 goals and nine assists in 37 appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.54 games, and was enough to convince the Austrian side to spend £4m to make his move permanent.

The “crazy” talent, as dubbed by former GOAL reporter Robin Bairner, picked up where he left off at the start of the campaign and, by January, had already scored 14 goals and provided five assists in just 25 appearances, which tempted AS Monaco to spend £10.8m plus £1.75m in add-ons on the young Dane.

Since moving to the French Riviera, the former Arsenal prospect has gone from strength to strength and now looks like one of the most in-form strikers in European football, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists in 12 appearances, totalling 860 minutes, which works out to 1.16 goal involvements every game, or one every 61.42 minutes.

Biereth’s 24/25
Team	Sturm Graz	AS Monaco
Appearances	25	12
Minutes	1971′	860′
Goals	14	11
Assists	5	3
Goal Involvements per Match	0.76	1.16
Minutes per Goal Involvements	103.73′	61.42′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

That means the player Edu let go for a pittance in the summer has managed to score 25 goals and provide eight assists in just 37 appearances across two teams, which is a level of output that Arteta could have used this year.

Ultimately, while the club might have felt like Biereth wasn’t going to be good enough to play for Arsenal in the long term, it surely would have been a smart idea to have at least given him a chance this year, as his form at Monaco suggests he has what it takes to thrive in a top five league.

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