Chris Flexen On The Radar In Deep Leagues Against Royals
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Flexen is scheduled to toe the slab to begin the second half of the season in Friday's series opener against the division-rival Kansas City Royals. Flexen hasn't been particularly relevant in fantasy in 2024, posting a 4.82 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 71:36 K:BB over 97 innings, but he should draw some interest in deep leagues against a middling Royals lineup on Friday. In four appearances versus Kansas City in his career, the 30-year-old soft-throwing right-hander has a 2.25 ERA and 12:4 K:BB across 20 frames during this stretch. Consider Flexen a low-end streaming option for fantasy purposes in his first start post-All-Star break.
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Flexen threw six innings of one-run ball in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the Rays. Flexen allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out eight. The 29-year-old's previous high-water mark for strikeouts this season was four. The win brings his record to 2-3 with a 4.29 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Over his last five appearances (three starts), Flexen has pitched well, posting a 1.61 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, and a 7:18 BB:K over 22 1/3 IP. While that is commendable, you likely aren't trusting him for fantasy with a career ERA of 4.90 and 1.47 while pitching for the second-worst team in baseball.
Chicago White Sox right-hander Chris Flexen is lined up to start on Friday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. It will be Flexen's fourth start of the season. The 29-year-old former 14th-round pick by the New York Mets in 2012 has appeared out of the bullpen for the Pale Hose his last two times out and is now sporting a 6.41 ERA (5.75 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with seven walks and 11 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings pitched. Flexen has been more effective in his two relief appearances than his three starts, and the matchup against Tampa doesn't really make him attractive as a streaming sleeper in deep fantasy leagues on Friday. He'll be making the start on three days of rest. Flexen could be sent right back to Chicago's bullpen once Mike Clevinger is finally ready to make his season debut.
Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday that newly-signed pitcher Chris Flexen is expected to be part of the team's starting rotation and provide a starter's workload in 2024, per MLB.com's Scott Merkin. The 29-year-old has served as both a starter and a bulk reliever throughout his career, functioning as both in 2023 with the Mariners and Rockies. While Flexen has produced serviceable ERA marks at times in his career, he offers little strikeout upside and pitches to contact, resulting in high WHIP marks. Flexen went 2-8 with a 6.86 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and 15.9% strikeout rate in 29 appearances (16 starts) and 102 1/3 innings pitched in 2023. While he should be able to provide innings for the White Sox, fantasy managers may not want to turn to him for value to their teams.
Free-agent right-hander Chris Flexen is in agreement on a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. Flexen will have a chance to pitch out of the rotation for Chicago. He was ineffective last year, making 16 starts between Colorado and Seattle. The 29-year-old pitched to a 68 ERA+, 32 percent worse than league average. Flexen was running a WHIP near 2.00 for the Mariners before being traded to and subsequently released by the Mets. He then moved on to Colorado and pitched to a 5.92 FIP. It's been a few seasons since he was an above-average pitcher. Even though he had an ERA of 3.73 in 2022, his ERA+ was 99 and his FIP registered at 4.49. It wouldn't be surprising if Flexen didn't make Chicago's rotation at all out of spring training.
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chris Flexen has been recalled to take the mound against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday. The right-hander looked strong during his two starts in Triple-A Albuquerque. He signed with the Rockies a few weeks ago after being released by the Seattle Mariners. Flexen struggled during his four starts with Seattle, but has a favorable matchup on Saturday. Despite that, Flexen won't be a recommended streaming option in Coors Field for Saturday's slate.
Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Chris Flexen had a strong start for Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday and could be an option for the Rockies as soon as this week. Flexen threw five shutout innings tonight, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out six. The Rockies signed Flexen last Thursday after he was released by the Seattle Mariners earlier in the year. He had a dismal 7.71 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, and 29:19 K:BB ratio in 42 IP with the M's. Although he has had decent seasons in the past, pitching in Coors Field will take away any long-term fantasy appeal Flexen had. He could be a streaming option on the road depending on how he looks, but for now it is better to steer clear.
The Colorado Rockies signed free-agent right-hander Chris Flexen to a minor-league deal on Thursday. He will be reporting to Triple-A Albuquerque. Flexen began the year with the Seattle Mariners, but he was cut after posting a 7.71 ERA (6.66 FIP), 1.86 WHIP, 19 walks and 29 strikeouts in 42 innings over 17 appearances (four starts). In six major-league seasons, Flexen has appeared in 104 games and made 68 starts, so he'll provide the Rockies with starting depth in the minors to begin the second half of the season. As a swingman for the Mariners in 2021 and 2022, the 29-year-old was much better, posting a 3.66 ERA (4.15 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, two saves and 220 strikeouts in 317 1/3 innings over 64 appearances (53 starts).
Mets Acquire Chris Flexen, Trevor Gott From Mariners
The New York Mets acquired right-handers Chris Flexen and Trevor Gott from the Seattle Mariners on Monday in exchange for left-hander Zach Muckenhirn, according to sources. Flexen was originally drafted by the Mets and spent the first three seasons of his big-league career with them from 2017-19. The M's designated him for assignment after he posted a rough 7.71 ERA (6.67 FIP) and 1.86 WHIP in 17 appearances (four starts) for them earlier this year. The 29-year-old will likely work in relief in his return to Queens, but he could also be a rotation option down the line. Gott, 30, will provide bullpen relief for the Mets after posting a 4.03 ERA (3.01 FIP), 1.41 WHIP, eight walks and 32 strikeouts in 29 relief innings for Seattle this year. Neither Flexen nor Gott are fantasy options.
The Seattle Mariners designated right-hander Chris Flexen for assignment on Tuesday and reinstated right-hander Trevor Gott (back) from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Flexen gets the boot off the roster after 36 runs on 59 hits (11 homers surrendered) while walking 19 and striking out 29 in 42 innings of work over 17 appearances (four starts) for the M's in 2023. The 28-year-old swingman just wasn't the same pitcher that posted a 3.66 ERA and 1.29 WHIP for Seattle in a versatile role the previous two seasons for the team. Since the start of June, Flexen had surrendered 13 earned runs in just 8 2/3 innings, so it was time for the M's to go in another direction in their bullpen.
