January 21, 2026
The Chicago White Sox acquired second baseman
Luisangel Acuna from the New York Mets in exchange for outfielder
Luis Robert Jr. on Tuesday evening. Additionally, the White Sox acquired right-handed pitcher Truman Pauley. The 23-year-old second baseman received his first full stint in the big leagues last season, following a brief 14-game stint back in 2024. Through 98 games with the Mets last summer, Acuna posted a .234/.293/.274 slash line with seven doubles and 16 stolen bases. While he generated a low .271 xwOBA, he flashed immense speed upside, sitting in the 99th percentile, suggesting he could increase in that department if given a full-time role. Through 159 games with Triple-A split over the last two campaigns, Acuna has carried a .265/.307/.360 line seven home runs and 48 stolen bases. Managers should expect Acuna to compete for a starting role in the Chicago infield during spring training. If he earns a consistent role, he would have appeal in deeper category formats given his speed production.
--Andy SmithSource: Jeff Passan
January 21, 2026
The New York Mets have acquired outfielder
Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder
Luisangel Acuna and right-handed pitcher Truman Pauley. Robert has been linked to trade rumors for over a year and has finally found a suitor. The 28-year-old has taken a bit of a step back in terms of offensive production over the past two seasons, but a change of scenery could provide him with a much-needed spark. In 2025, Robert held a .223/.297/.344 line with 14 home runs and 33 stolen bases. In 2024, he also hit 14 home runs but stole only 23 bases. However, from 2021 through 2023, the outfielder looked like a budding star, as he held an overall .287/.331/.511 line with 21 home runs per season (and a high of 36 back in 2023). Despite modest production in 2025, Robert generated a 99th percentile bat speed with an above-average barrel rate, suggesting he still carries power upside. Managers should expect Robert to take over center field duties in Queens and see his counting stats increase, batting alongside
Francisco Lindor,
Juan Soto, and
Bo Bichette.
--Andy SmithSource: Jon Heyman
January 20, 2026
The Texas Rangers announced on Tuesday that they have signed free-agent right-hander
Josh Sborz to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Sborz returns to the organization he has spent the past five seasons with. The 32-year-old relief pitcher missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Over his six-year major league career, Sborz has posted a 4.96 ERA (3.94 FIP), a 1.33 WHIP, and 193 strikeouts across 163 1/3 innings. From a fantasy perspective, it's unlikely Sborz breaks camp with the big league club, and even if he does, he is not expected to be fantasy relevant. Although the Rangers' bullpen roles aren't crystal clear, most drafters expect
Robert Garcia to open the 2026 season as the primary closer, with
Chris Martin and
Cole Winn also in the mix.
--Marty TallmanSource: Texas Rangers X Account
January 20, 2026
Longtime MLB outfielders
Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones were elected to the baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday. Beltran spent four years on the ballot, and he fell only a few percentage points shy of election last year. He spent 20 years in the majors, making nine All-Star appearances and winning Rookie of the Year. Through 2,586 career games, he slashed .279/.350/.486 with 435 home runs and 312 stolen bases. In addition to being a standout player on the field, the former World Series champion was regarded for his leadership among teammates in the clubhouse. Joining Beltran in the 2026 class is Jones, who won 10 consecutive Gold Glove awards during the peak of his 17-year career. He made five All-Star Games and led all of MLB with 51 home runs in 2005. Over 2,196 big-league games, he slashed .254/.337/.486 with 434 home runs and 67.0 fWAR. Both players will be inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame, alongside Era Committee electee Jeff Kent, on July 26.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Passan
January 20, 2026
The Washington Nationals have claimed catcher
Mickey Gasper off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, according to an announcement from the organization. In a corresponding move, the Nationals designated right-handed pitcher
Andry Lara for assignment. Gasper was the Yankees' 27th-round pick in 2018, but he made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2024 by way of the Rule 5 draft. He spent last season with the Twins, splitting time between the majors and Triple-A. At the big-league level, he posted a disappointing .158/.257/.232 slash line with a 9.1% walk rate, 18.2% strikeout rate, and a 42 wRC+. He produced -3.4 fWAR on defense, making appearances at catcher, first base, second base, and left field. Gasper primarily played behind the dish with Minnesota, but we could see him move around more with the Nats, who already have catchers
Keibert Ruiz and
Riley Adams in the majors. With that being said, Gasper has two option years remaining, so Washington can shuttle him freely between the majors and minors this season. It's not guaranteed that he'll remain on the 40-man roster by Opening Day, but his connection to the Nats' front office is noteworthy. Several members of the Nationals' brain trust, including president of baseball operations Paul Toboni, worked for the Red Sox' front office when Boston acquired Gasper two years ago.
--Andersen PickardSource: Washington Nationals
January 20, 2026
The Seattle Mariners announced they have signed starting pitcher
Bryce Miller to a one-year deal, avoiding arbitration. According to Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, Miller had asked for $2.625 million and the Mariners filed at $2.25 million. They ultimately met right in the middle, as his new deal will pay him $2,437,500 in 2026. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the deal also includes a club option for 2027. The option is worth $6.075 million and comes with a $15,000 buyout, bringing the guaranteed amount of his new deal to $2,452,500. The 27-year-old is coming off a career-worst season, during which he amassed a 5.17 FIP and exactly 0.0 fWAR, despite making 18 starts. He tossed a career-low 90.1 big-league innings while allowing 7.37 K/9, 3.39 BB/9, and an alarming 1.69 HR/9. Miller enters 2026 as the No. 5 arm in a strong, young pitching rotation that also includes
Bryan Woo,
Logan Gilbert,
Luis Castillo, and
George Kirby. He ranks as the #68 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest draft rankings for fantasy baseball.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Jude
January 20, 2026
During an appearance on the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast, free agent starting pitcher
Rich Hill said that he doesn't plan to play during the 2026 season. Hill stopped short of declaring his retirement, but his comments seem to indicate that he has thrown his final professional pitch. The 21-year MLB veteran said that he is "looking for open possibilities to stay in the game of baseball and be a contributory factor," which seems to indicate that he could be interested in joining a coaching staff or front office. If his playing time has indeed come to an end, Hill finishes with a storybook career that included 388 big-league appearances across 21 seasons with 14 organizations. He never made an All-Star Game, but he maintained a respectable 4.02 ERA with 9.1 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9. The 45-year-old most recently played for the Kansas City Royals, who tossed him for nine innings across two starts during the 2025 campaign.
--Andersen PickardSource: Baseball Isn't Boring Podcast
January 20, 2026
Athletics infielder
Max Muncy is expected to be the team's primary third baseman during the 2026 season, barring an unforeseen signing or trade, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The A's reportedly tried to acquire
Nolan Arenado, but after falling short in their pursuit of the veteran third baseman, they'll pivot to an internal option in Muncy. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut last season, but his offensive output fell short of expectations. He slashed just .214/.259/.379 with a 72 wRC+, a 4.5% walk rate, and a 30.9% strikeout rate through 63 games. He also slugged nine home runs and produced -3.8 fWAR on defense. Despite the frustrating rookie campaign, Muncy could bounce back with a full spring training ahead of him. After all, it's not uncommon for mid-season call-ups to struggle at first, but produce much better once they've had a normal camp and make the Opening Day roster. Plus, it doesn't sound like Muncy will be playing every day -- or at least, not at the hot corner. Rosenthal reports that
Brett Harris and
Darell Hernaiz are also in the mix for corner infield reps.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 20, 2026
The San Diego Padres were trying to acquire third baseman
Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals, but he was ultimately dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks because the Snakes were able to take on more of his salary than the Padres, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. After their Arenado pursuit fell short, the Padres are pivoting and would like to "invest more heavily in a starting pitcher," writes Rosenthal. San Diego lost
Dylan Cease in free agency, but they still have a solid front half of their rotation with
Michael King,
Nick Pivetta, and
Joe Musgrove. Rosenthal notes that the Padres waited until Feb. 17 last year to sign Pivetta to a four-year deal, and they could follow a similar process this offseason.
Nick Martinez,
Lucas Giolito, and
Justin Verlander are all listed in The Athletic's article as potential signings, but if San Diego is truly looking to make a multi-year investment, Verlander might not make the most sense. The Brewers'
Freddy Peralta is also identified as a potential trade target.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 20, 2026
Before the St. Louis Cardinals traded veteran third baseman
Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Athletics had a deal in place for him, people briefed on the discussions told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The A's were set to absorb more money than the D-backs, who will pay Arenado $11 million of the $42 million he's owed the next two seasons. However, Arenado preferred Arizona or the San Diego Padres, and he wouldn't necessarily approve a trade to the A's. Now that Arenado is in Arizona, the Athletics plan to use
Max Muncy at the hot corner, with
Brett Harris and
Darell Hernaiz also in the mix. If the A's aren't sold on Muncy, they could look to the free-agent market and sign
Eugenio Suarez or
Yoan Moncada. The 34-year-old Arenado continues to decline offensively with a career-low .237 average and a bottom-10 percentile exit velocity. The move to Arizona is a boost in ballpark factor, but the rest of Arenado's offensive profile doesn't look pretty.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
January 20, 2026
The Miami Marlins acquired right-hander
Bradley Blalock from the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday in exchange for a minor-league pitcher, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Rockies had designated Blalock for assignment last week, and now he'll head to Miami to give the Fish additional pitching depth after they traded both
Edward Cabrera and
Ryan Weathers. Blalock, a former 32nd-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2019, has only two years of major-league experience and didn't perform well. In 89 1/3 innings over 21 appearances (18 starts) with the Rockies and Milwaukee Brewers, Blalock has an 8.16 ERA (6.73 FIP) and 1.82 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 43 walks. He started 12 games for Colorado in 2025 and allowed 61 earned runs in only 58 2/3 innings pitched. The 25-year-old will be off the fantasy radar going into the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
January 20, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies infielder/outfielder
Weston Wilson was designated for assignment on Tuesday when the team officially re-signed
J.T. Realmuto. Wilson was behind both
Otto Kemp and
Edmundo Sosa as utility bench pieces for the Phillies, and he'll now be available via trade or waiver wire claim to the rest of the teams in the majors. Over the last three years, he has played 103 games for the Phillies, slashing .242/.328/.428 in 245 career plate appearances. While he played mostly left field in the majors, he's also received time at second base, third base, first base, shortstop, and right field in the minors. His versatility and decent numbers could help him catch on as a utility piece with another team, or if no one claims him, the Phillies will likely give him the option of heading to the minors, where he could provide non-roster depth in 2026.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Phillies
January 20, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop
Masyn Winn (knee) feels healthy and says he is extremely excited to take the field again, facing no limitations in Spring Training. The Gold Glove-winning shortstop was shut down in mid-September for an arthroscopic procedure on his knee to deal with a torn meniscus. He impressed with a .253/.310/.363 triple-slash line despite playing through the knee issue most of the season. The injury may have limited his aggression on the basepaths, where he finished with nine stolen bases to go with his nine homers, 51 RBI, and 72 runs scored. He's expected to be a key part of the Cardinals' lineup in 2026, and he could be a sneaky source of steals and run production if fully healthy and hitting at the top of the order. The Cardinals did lose some key bats, though, so the lineup could struggle as a whole next season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Derrick Goold
January 20, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder
Mookie Betts says he "for sure" plans on retiring at the end of his current contract, which runs through the 2032 season. Betts pointed out that he'll be 40 at that point and will be looking to spend more time with his family at that point. The 2018 AL MVP and four-time World Series champ signed a 12-year monster deal with the Dodgers after being traded from the Red Sox in 2020. He hit .258 in 158 games last year with 20 homers and a .318 wOBA. While his numbers were down a bit, he should bounce back this season while hitting near the top of a stacked lineup. While he still has several years to go, it looks like he has a clear plan at this point to hang them up after seven more seasons in Dodger Blue, which would give him a 19-year career in the majors.
--Zach ThompsonSource: MLB.com
January 20, 2026
Free-agent pitcher
Zach Penrod and the Washington Nationals reached an agreement on a minor-league deal. The 28-year-old lefty spent last year in the Red Sox and Dodgers minor-league systems, going 2-1 in 26 appearances (six starts) with a 7.83 ERA and 6.80 FIP. He pitched in seven games out of the bullpen in the majors for Boston in 2024, allowing one earned run in four innings on three hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Penrod will look to work his way back to the majors this year, but he'll likely start the season in Triple-A as bullpen depth for the Nats.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Will Sammon
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