Opting for an AL-only league format can transform your fantasy baseball experience, making drafts feel more intense and high-stakes due to a limited player pool. However, with this excitement comes the risk of missteps that could jeopardize your season. To navigate these waters, cautious selection of hitters is crucial. This article highlights five hitters to avoid in AL-only leagues, providing insights into their potential risks and performance metrics.

Boston Red Sox's Ceddanne Rafaela, with an ADP of 173, presents significant risk due to subpar advanced metrics despite decent counting stats. Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles is also a name to steer clear of, as an influx of talent has diminished his fantasy value significantly. Trevor Story and Anthony Santander, both of the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays respectively, pose similar concerns with their fluctuating performances. Lastly, while Jose Altuve remains a reliable second baseman, signs of decline may make him less appealing in the upcoming season.

The current state of Major League Baseball's starting pitchers is uncharacteristically weak, with no pitcher exceeding 230 strikeouts last season, a notable decline from previous years. Paul Skenes from the Pittsburgh Pirates stands out with an average fastball speed of 98.8 mph, ranking first in ERA but facing injury risks. Tarik Skubal, excelling in multiple pitching metrics, may lack offensive support. Zack Wheeler remains a consistent choice, though his strikeout rate is moderate. Chris Sale, a former Cy Young winner, poses injury concerns as he ages. Dark horse candidates include Blake Snell and Garrett Crochet, both capable of leading in strikeouts but plagued by inconsistencies. Lastly, Jacob deGrom's historical excellence contrasts with recent injury struggles.

Boston Red Sox fans are in a frenzy after Rafael Devers stated he has no intention of leaving third base. This has sparked a debate among fans and analysts regarding the best approach for manager Alex Cora. New addition Alex Bregman has offered flexibility, expressing his willingness to play any position, while teammate Triston Casas staunchly defended Devers, claiming he is the best third baseman in the league. Despite the tensions, Cora has maintained a calm demeanor, indicating that there is no significant discord within the team.

As Spring Training progresses, Bregman has been practicing at both second and third base. Given his accolades, including a Gold Glove from last season, many argue he is a stronger defender than Devers. Analysts like Jim Bowden suggest sticking with an alignment featuring Casas at first, Bregman at second, Story at short, and keeping Devers at third to keep morale high, noting that moving Devers to designated hitter is not advisable at this stage. However, others believe that such a move could open opportunities for promising prospects like Kristian Campbell and Ceddanne Rafaela. Ultimately, the alignment will evolve as players’ performance unfolds during the season.

Major League Baseball is set to test an Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS) during spring training, following four years of minor league trials. This system, which aims to assist home plate umpires rather than replace them, will allow teams to challenge up to two calls per game starting in 2024. The technology uses a network of cameras to accurately track pitches and determine whether they are strikes or balls, with umpires relaying the calls to players and fans.

The ABS is being implemented in 13 spring training ballparks, affecting 19 teams, with 60% of games set to trial the system. Teams will be able to retain challenges if successful, similar to existing video review rules. The strike zone defined by the ABS differs slightly from traditional calls, as it is rectangular rather than oval and is based on pre-measured player heights.

The Houston Astros face a pivotal season after losing two key players, Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman. Bregman, now with the Boston Red Sox, is likely to shift to second base, leaving a significant gap at third. Rafael Devers, Boston's current third baseman, is reportedly unhappy about the position change and has publicly stated he prefers to remain at third. This situation raises questions about team dynamics and future trades.

Should the Red Sox and Devers fail to reach an agreement, the Astros could step in, potentially facilitating a trade that would swap Devers for a key Astros player. This move could enhance Houston's lineup despite their recent losses. The prospect of such trades, particularly involving a star like Devers, presents a fascinating twist in the ongoing rivalry between these two franchises.