January 4, 2026
The Kansas City Royals signed manager Matt Quatraro to a three-year contract extension on Sunday. He was already signed through the 2026 campaign, but he will now be under contract through 2029. The deal also includes a club option for the 2030 season, so the Royals are clearly committed to Quatraro as their long-term manager. With him at the helm, the Royals have a 224-262 record during his three seasons in Kansas City. The front office hasn't exactly given Quartraro great talent to work with over the last few seasons. He has won over 80 games in each of the last two seasons. The front office believes he's the right man for the job, with him now in Kansas City through 2029.
--Andy WebbSource: Kansas City Royals
January 4, 2026
The San Francisco Giants have signed right-hander
Caleb Kilian to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. This is a low-risk move by the Giants to add some depth to their pitching staff. Kilian missed a majority of the season in 2025 due to injuries. When healthy, Kilian registered a 7.47 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, and 14/8 K/BB ratio across 15 2/3 innings with Triple-A Iowa in the Chicago Cubs organization. The 28-year-old has posted ugly numbers during his short time in the MLB, but he has decent minor-league stats. The Giants took Kilian in the eighth round of the 2019 draft. They believe they can tap into something, but he'll likely spend most of his time at Triple-A.
--Andy WebbSource: Jeff Young
January 4, 2026
The New York Yankees have signed free-agent infielder
Paul DeJong to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. This isn't a blockbuster move, but the veteran infielder does give this team extra depth. Last season, DeJong slashed .228/.269/.373 with six home runs and 23 RBI across 57 games with the Washington Nationals. His best days are likely behind him, but DeJong does have three 20-plus-homer seasons under his belt. The 32-year-old is capable of playing three different infield positions and does have some postseason experience as well. This is a low-risk move to add another bench bat, but DeJong is unlikely to offer much fantasy value.
--Andy WebbSource: Jon Heyman
January 4, 2026
Miami Marlins starting pitcher
Edward Cabrera has been one of the bigger names floated around in trade discussions this offseason. According to Chris Kirschner, the New York Yankees are reportedly expressing interest in acquiring Cabrera. It's unclear how close the two sides are to a deal, but Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has stated he wants to add another starting pitcher this offseason. The 27-year-old is going to cost more than some other potential trade options, but that's because Cabrera isn't a free agent until 2029. Last season, Cabrera posted a 3.53 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 150/48 K/BB ratio across 26 starts with the Marlins. It'll likely be a hefty return for Cabrera, but adding him to the Bronx rotation would certainly be a huge boost for this team.
--Andy WebbSource: Chris Kirschner
January 4, 2026
Free-agent pitcher Kona Takahashi has decided not to sign with an MLB organization and will head back to Japan. The right-hander has until the end of Sunday to sign with a team, but it doesn't sound like it's going to happen. There wasn't a huge market for Takahashi, who only reportedly received a few offers from MLB teams. Takahashi has decided to return to Japan and continue working on his craft, with the goal of a possible MLB return in the future. The 28-year-old lacks strikeout numbers with only 88 punchouts across 148 innings this past season in Japan. It doesn't seem like organizations felt his stuff would translate well to the MLB game, but maybe something will change in the future.
--Andy WebbSource: Will Sammon
January 4, 2026
The Minnesota Twins have signed free-agent shortstop
Orlando Arcia to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. Arcia will look to bounce back after an ugly season in 2025. He slashed .202/.238/.291 with three home runs and 13 RBI across 76 games with the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies last year. Arcia is only a few years removed from an All-Star campaign he had with the Braves in 2023. It's a low-risk gamble for the Twins, who could potentially be getting a quality backup infielder in Arcia.
--Andy WebbSource: Chris Cotillo
January 3, 2026
The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a contract with free agent third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. While the exact terms of Okamoto's contract are not yet known, his signing represents another sizable move for Toronto, which has already added starting pitcher
Dylan Cease to a roster that was one win away from the World Series in 2025. Across 293 plate appearances in Japan's NPB in 2025, Okamoto, who turns 30 years old in June, slashed .327/.416/.598 with 15 home runs, 49 RBI, and 38 runs scored. He's also posted double-digit walk rates in each of the last three seasons and slashed his strikeout rate to a career-best 11.3% in 2025. In Toronto, he'll likely have a chance to be the team's everyday third baseman and deepen what is already a strong lineup.
--Will BradySource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
January 3, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox have discussed a trade for Cardinals utility man
Brendan Donovan, per Will Sammon and Katie Woo of The Athletic. Across 515 plate appearances for St. Louis in 2025, Donovan slashed .287/.353/.422 with 10 home runs, 50 RBI, 64 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Donovan turns 29 in mid-January and is under club control through the 2027 season. His best attribute might be his versatility, as he's spent time at second base, third base, corner outfield, and even shortstop. In Boston, Donovan would likely see most of his playing time in the infield, depending on whether or not the Red Sox bring back free agent third baseman
Alex Bregman. Donovan is a better real-life player than a fantasy asset, given his limited power and speed contributions. However, he could see a slight jump in value if he lands an everyday role in a more potent lineup, such as Boston's.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Will Sammon, Katie Woo
January 3, 2026
In a recent radio appearance on First Up with Korolnek & Colaiacovo, ESPN insider Buster Olney reported that the Boston Red Sox have made an "aggressive" offer to free agent third baseman
Alex Bregman. Olney also predicts that Bregman will ultimately end up re-signing with the Red Sox. Across 495 plate appearances in his first season in Boston in 2025, Bregman slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, and 64 runs scored. Although he owns a middling 6.1% career barrel rate, Bregman remains one of the MLB's best hitters in terms of controlling the strike zone with a career 11.8% walk rate and 13.4% strikeout rate. A reunion with Boston might be the best fit for Bregman from a fantasy perspective, as it would allow him to continue to take advantage of the Green Monster at Fenway Park. In addition to Boston, Bregman has also been linked to the Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Detroit Tigers, among others.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Buster Olney
January 3, 2026
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reports that the Toronto Blue Jays "remain the favorite" to sign free-agent outfielder
Kyle Tucker. Tucker, who turns 29 in mid-January, may be the most sought-after position player in this winter's free-agent market. Across 597 plate appearances in 2025 for the Chicago Cubs, Tucker slashed .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs, 73 RBI, 91 runs scored, and 25 stolen bases. Tucker also dropped his strikeout rate to a career-best 14.7%, although his hard-hit rate fell to a career-worst 40.2%. In Toronto, Tucker would be an everyday corner outfielder and would likely hit in front of star first baseman
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Tucker has missed 110 games due to injury over the last two seasons, so he carries some risk for both MLB teams and fantasy managers. However, his ability to be a five-category contributor makes him a priority early-round target in fantasy drafts, particularly if he winds up in a solid lineup like Toronto's.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
January 3, 2026
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto is "likely" to agree to a deal on Saturday, and that the San Diego Padres "could be the frontrunner." Okamoto's posting window closes on Sunday, so he is facing a deadline to choose an MLB destination. Across 293 plate appearances in the NPB in 2025, Okamoto slashed .327/.416/.598 with 15 home runs, 49 RBI, and 38 runs scored. He's also posted double-digit walk rates in each of the last three seasons and slashed his strikeout rate to a career-best 11.3% in 2025. If he does sign with San Diego, Okamoto would likely move to first base or designated hitter due to the presence of star Padres third baseman
Manny Machado. Okamoto has also been linked to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox, among others. However, Feinsand reports that "it's unlikely that he will wind up in Pittsburgh."
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
January 2, 2026
The Minnesota Twins acquired infielder
Eric Wagaman from the Miami Marlins on Friday in exchange for left-hander
Kade Bragg, according to the Marlins. Wagaman will head to the American League Central after the Marlins designated him for assignment earlier in the week. The 28-year-old made his big-league debut in 2024 with the Los Angeles Angels and went 18-for-72 (.250) with two homers and 10 RBI in just 18 games played. He appeared in 140 games for the Fish in 2025, slashing .250/.296/.378 with a .674 OPS, nine home runs, 54 RBI, 56 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 514 plate appearances. In Minnesota, Wagaman will most likely compete for a platoon job against lefties in a corner outfield spot or at first base. Wagaman had a .783 OPS against southpaws. At best, he'll be a bench bat in AL-only leagues in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Miami Marlins
January 1, 2026
The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that the New York Yankees and New York Mets are concentrating on free-agent outfielder
Cody Bellinger at this time, with Bellinger being the Yankees' No. 1 priority. The Mets also love Bellinger for his all-around play and defense in both the outfield and at first base. Heyman also mentioned the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and potentially the Toronto Blue Jays as landing spots for Bellinger, depending on how things work out with free-agent outfielder
Kyle Tucker. Bellinger declined his $25 million player option for the 2026 season with the Yankees and decided to test free agency after a strong .272/.334/.480 slash line with 29 home runs, 98 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in 152 regular-season games in the Bronx in 2025. Re-signing with the Yanks would likely be the best thing for Bellinger's fantasy value going into next year and beyond.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
January 1, 2026
The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that the New York Yankees are among the teams showing interest in free-agent shortstop
Bo Bichette this offseason. In addition to the Yankees, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs have checked in on Bichette. The Yankees could try to pry the superstar shortstop away from the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays. The 27-year-old is open to moving to second base long-term, which will expand what is a weak middle-infield market this winter. Bichette had a down year in 2024, but he rebounded nicely in 2025 with a .311/.357/.483 slash line with 18 home runs and 94 RBI in 139 regular-season games for Toronto. His 2026 fantasy value will depend on where he lands, but Bichette has proven that he's a strong candidate to hit around 20 home runs while delivering a high average for fantasy managers. Adding second base eligibility would make him even more attractive.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
January 1, 2026
The Houston Astros signed Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai to a three-year deal worth up to $63 million on Thursday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Imai will make $18 million a year with the potential for $3 million more in performance bonuses per season based on innings pitched. He will receive $54 million in guarantees. The 27-year-old will have opt-out clauses after all three years of the deal as well. Although Imai isn't projected to be as dominant as Dodgers right-hander
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, he'll certainly help replace left-hander
Framber Valdez, who is expected to depart Houston in free agency this offseason. Last season with the Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball, Imai had a sharp 1.92 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 178:45 K:BB ratio in 163 2/3 innings. He stands at 5-foot-11 and features a five-pitch mix. Imai will need his control gains from 2025 to stick as he transitions to MLB.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
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