January 5, 2026
According to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic, the Toronto Blue Jays have designated right-handed pitcher
Paxton Schultz for assignment. This transaction opens a spot on the roster for infielder Kazuma Okamoto, whom the team officially signed earlier on Monday. Okamoto inked a four-year $60 million contract with the Blue Jays on Saturday. Schultz made his MLB debut during the 2025 campaign with the Blue Jays. During his brief stint in the big leagues, the right-hander posted a 4.38 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP across 24 2/3 innings of work. He flashed decent strikeout upside, tallying 28, and served up only eight free passes. At Triple-A, he held a solid 3.31 ERA with a 46:17 K:BB across 49 frames. Schultz will likely open the season at Triple-A Buffalo if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
--Andy SmithSource: Mitch Bannon
January 5, 2026
The Washington Nationals claimed outfielder
Joey Wiemer off waivers from the San Francisco Giants on Monday, according to Andrew Golden of The Washington Post. The former top-100 prospect has played in 180 major-league games since debuting in 2023 with the Milwaukee Brewers, and he's slashed .205/.279/.359 with 16 home runs, 54 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases in three seasons. Last year, Wiemer played in 27 games at the MLB level with the Miami Marlins and went 13-for-55 (.236) with three homers, 12 RBI, and seven runs scored in 61 plate appearances. The 26-year-old right-handed hitter was traded to the Giants in November and will now head to the National League East to compete for a roster spot in spring training with the Nats. The fact that he's out of minor-league options should help his case for making the Opening Day roster, but likely in a reserve role.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Washington Post - Andrew Golden
January 5, 2026
The trade market for Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
Freddy Peralta is heating up, with the Dodgers, Braves, Red Sox, and both New York clubs among the teams showing interest, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Teams with lower payrolls are also in play to absorb his $8 million salary in the final year of his club-controlled contract. Even with the 29-year-old starter under club control for one more season, the Brewers' asking price remains high, as they are targeting a major-league-ready starting pitcher as part of the return so that Milwaukee can stay in win-now mode. Peralta is coming off a terrific 2025 campaign, throwing a career-high 176 2/3 innings with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a 19.1% K-BB%. While no deal appears imminent, multiple teams are actively pursuing him, and a trade could materialize sooner rather than later.
--Kyle McCarthySource: The Athletic
January 4, 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies are among a number of big-market MLB teams to have shown interest in free-agent shortstop
Bo Bichette, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. In addition to the Phillies, the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays are believed to have interest in Bichette. The 27-year-old is the only player to hit .300 against fastballs, breaking balls, and changeups/splitters. Bichette had an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, playing in just 81 games, but he was able to bounce back nicely in his seventh big-league season in 2025. In 139 regular-season games, he slashed .311/.357/.483 with an .840 OPS, 18 home runs, 94 RBI, 78 runs scored, and four steals. Under the right circumstances, Bichette has told teams he's willing to move to second or third base. If he were to land in Philly, Bichette would most likely transition to third base.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
January 4, 2026
The Los Angeles Angels signed left-handed relief pitcher
Tayler Saucedo to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. The 32-year-old was let go by the Seattle Mariners after struggling with the team last season. The southpaw registered a 7.43 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, and a 12/6 K/BB ratio across 10 appearances with Seattle in 2025. Before that, Saucedo had two strong seasons as a middle reliever in Seattle. At best, Saucedo will earn himself a middle-relief role with the Halos. He's unlikely to see any save chances, which means Saucedo won't offer any real fantasy value.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
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
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