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
January 20, 2026
Free-agent first baseman/outfielder
Cody Bellinger could come off the market soon, since MLB Network's Jim Bowden reports that Bellinger is mulling over multiple offers from multiple teams and is expected to make his decision soon. Last season, Bellinger hit .272 in 152 games with the Yankees, smashing 29 homers and posting a .207 ISO and a .347 wOBA. Bellinger has been linked to the Mets and Yankees in recent reports, with the Giants, Phillies, Blue Jays, Angels, and Reds also mentioned as teams with interest in the power-hitting lefty. He could be the next free agent domino to fall as teams try to get their lineups locked in before Spring Training begins in a few weeks.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Jim Bowden
January 20, 2026
Free Agent first baseman/outfielder
Seth Brown signed a minor league contract with the Yankees on Monday, and he will also receive an invite to Spring Training. The 33-year-old lefty has provided good power production in the past and could be a good fit for Yankee Stadium if he finds his way to playing time at some point this season. He split last year between the Athletics and Diamondbacks, playing a total of 38 MLB games and 35 games in Triple-A. He hit .185 in the majors but .352 with 13 homers in his 35 minor-league games, showing there could be some gas left in the tank. He has been a predominantly pull hitter with a high home run rate and high strikeout rate throughout his career. His pull-heavy approach could be a nice fit for Yankee Stadium, and he could be a cheap source of home runs if he works his way into playing time with a good spring.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Aram Leighton
January 20, 2026
Washington Nationals right-handed pitching prospect
Jarlin Susana is a name to monitor in spring training. The right-hander is currently considered the No. 87 overall prospect on MLB.com and the No. 4-ranked prospect in the Washington system. He began the 2025 campaign with High-A but needed only nine innings to prove he was ready to join Double-A Harrisburg. With the Senators, Susana flashed immense strikeout upside, tallying 79 across 47 1/3 innings of work. In this stint, the 21-year-old posted a solid 3.61 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP. However, Susana underwent right lat surgery late in the second half, which could potentially limit him in spring training. While Susana was not in the mix to debut in Washington in the first half of 2026, if he continues this high-end production, he could make a strong case to debut later in the year.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 20, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed prospect pitcher
Hunter Barco is expected to compete for a role in the starting rotation during spring training. Last season, the southpaw was promoted in September for his MLB debut. Across three innings of work (all out of the bullpen), the lefty did not allow a run and struck out three hitters. He began 2025 with Double-A but needed only 25 2/3 innings to prove he was ready to join Triple-A. During this brief stint at Double-A, the left-hander did not allow a run and held a dominant 0.70 WHIP. At Triple-A Indianapolis, Barco logged 73 2/3 innings with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He tallied 82 strikeouts and 42 walks. Managers in deeper leagues should keep an eye on his progress in camp, as he will likely be competing for a starting role alongside
Thomas Harrington. If he can crack the rotation, he would have sleeper appeal in deeper 12+ team formats, given his strikeout potential.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 20, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitching prospect
Logan Henderson looked quite comfortable in his first taste of the majors last season and appears primed to take on a large role in 2026. Through his first 25 1/3 innings with the Brewers (five starts), the former fourth-round pick posted an elite 1.78 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP. Henderson struck out 33 batters and allowed free passes at an 8.1% rate. He generated a strong 32.8% hard-hit rate and a 32.6% chase rate, suggesting his strikeout totals should remain high over a full season. However, the right-hander saw his workload closely monitored and dealt with injuries and was eventually shut down with a flexor strain in the second half. Fortunately, he is not expected to face any limitations in spring training. With
Freddy Peralta's name in many trade discussions, Henderson appears poised not only for a spot in the rotation but also to take on a significant role in the pitching staff in the upcoming season.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 20, 2026
According to Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals plan to give top infield prospect
J.J. Wetherholt a chance to make the Opening Day roster. Goold noted that the team will give him "every opportunity" to be in the team's Opening Day lineup. Wetherholt, who is viewed as St. Louis' top prospect and the No. 5 overall prospect in the sport on MLB.com, was in strong contention to debut in the second half of 2025. The former seventh overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft opened the season with Double-A but needed just 62 games to reach Triple-A Memphis. Through his first 47 games with Triple-A, Wetherholt held a stellar .314/.416/.562 line with 14 doubles, 10 home runs, and nine stolen bases. With third baseman Nolan Areando now in Arizona, Wetherholt faces even less competition to earn a key role. Managers should closely monitor his status in camp as he would become a must-draft player in all formats once named to the final roster.
--Andy SmithSource: Derrick Goold
January 20, 2026
Boston Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect
Connelly Early could enjoy a breakout season in 2026. The team's No. 4-ranked prospect (according to MLB Pipeline) made his MLB debut in the second half and looked quite comfortable, logging 19 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.33 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. During this stint, the southpaw struck out an eye-catching 29 hitters while allowing only four free passes. He began the 2025 campaign with Double-A but was able to reach Triple-A Worcester after just 71 2/3 innings. With Double-A, he tallied 96 punchouts with a 2.51 ERA and contended to show similar productivity at Triple-A, logging 28 2/3 innings with a 2.83 ERA. However, managers should closely monitor his status in camp as he may not be guaranteed a spot in the rotation. With the Red Sox bringing in
Ranger Suarez and having other budding arms like
Payton Tolle, Early may have to earn his spot in spring training. If he can claim the No. 5 spot, he would become a top late-round target in all formats, given his high-end command and elite strikeout upside.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 20, 2026
New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect
Jonah Tong is a name to closely monitor in spring training. Tong progressed through the Mets' system quite quickly in 2025, but stumbled as soon as he reached the big leagues. Through his first 18 2/3 innings with the Mets, Tong posted a hefty 7.71 ERA with a 1.177 WHIP. He struck out only 22 hitters while allowing walks at a high 10.3% rate. However, in the minor leagues, Tong looked like a budding ace as he tossed 113 1/3 innings (primarily at Double-A) to the tune of a 1.43 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 179:42 K:BB. At Double-A, he held an incredible 1.59 ERA across 102 innings. While he possesses high upside, he may not be guaranteed a spot in the rotation out of camp, as he will likely be in contention for the final spot alongside
Clay Holmes and
Brandon Sproat. Given his unexpected role, he is only worth targeting in deep 12+ team leagues in early drafts.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 19, 2026
Free-agent outfielder
Miguel Andujar, who is coming off a big season with the Athletics and Reds, is drawing significant interest from the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, and A's. Andujar hit a combined .318/.352/.470 with an .822 OPS, 10 home runs, 44 RBI, and 36 runs scored in 94 games with the A's and Reds. He missed time with a Grade 2 right-oblique strain and a quadriceps injury. The 30-year-old was a lefty killer and will most likely be a candidate for a platoon outfielder role wherever he lands. Fantasy managers definitely shouldn't expect him to come anywhere close to his 208 production with the New York Yankees, when he hit a career-best 27 home runs and drove in 92 in 149 games. In deeper fantasy leagues, Andujar is attractive for his power and dual eligibility at third and outfield.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
January 19, 2026
The Chicago Cubs and agent Scott Boras have continued to talk about free-agent right-hander
Zac Gallen, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. "Those talks are ongoing. My reporting is the possibility is that it'll be a shorter-term type of deal," Levine said. Gallen has been connected with the Cubs in free agency since early December, but the two sides have been unable to work anything out. The 30-year-old All-Star is coming off a career-worst 4.83 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 175 strikeouts and 66 walks in 33 starts over 192 innings in 2025 in his seventh year in the big leagues. Going with a shorter deal would allow Gallen to build some of his value back up before potentially hitting free agency one more time as he nears the tail end of his career. Gallen is probably past his prime, but going to Wrigley Field could help lower his home run rate, which was a career high in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: 670 The Score - Bruce Levine
January 19, 2026
The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they signed free-agent infielder
Jorge Mateo to a one-year, $1 million deal. Mateo will essentially be insurance after it was announced over the weekend that infielder
Ha-Seong Kim (finger) will miss around the first six weeks of the 2026 season due to finger surgery. Like Kim, the 30-year-old Dominican has been injured in recent seasons, playing in only 110 combined games the last two years with the Baltimore Orioles, slashing .214/.253/.362 with six home runs, 21 RBI, 39 runs scored, and 28 stolen bases. He hit only .177 in 42 games for the O's last year. The most likely scenario to open the year with Kim injured is that utility man
Mauricio Dubon will begin as the primary shortstop in Atlanta. If Mateo does get an extended chance at the 6 or another position for the Braves, he could be interesting for his speed (he stole a league-high 35 bags in 2022).
--Keith HernandezSource: Atlanta Braves
January 19, 2026
Cleveland Guardians top prospect
Travis Bazzana is expected to begin the 2026 season with Triple-A Columbus. The Guardians selected the second baseman with the top pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Oregon State. Following the draft, Bazzana was given a brief 27-game taste of High-A to conclude 2024, where he struggled, holding a modest .238 AVG with a .738 OPS. In 2025, Bazzana began the season with Double-A and was eventually able to earn a promotion to Triple-A. Across 77 games split between the top two levels in the Cleveland system, Bazzana held a .246/.383/.430 line with an .813 OPS, nine home runs, and 11 stolen bases. Unfortunately, multiple oblique injuries significantly limited his total playing time. While Bazzana figures to compete for a first-half MLB debut, fantasy managers should expect the top prospect to begin 2026 at Triple-A.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 19, 2026
Chicago Cubs catcher/first base prospect
Moises Ballesteros could see a full-time role on the MLB roster in the 2026 season. The team's top catching prospect made his MLB debut last season and showed flashes in his limited 20-game stint. During this small taste, the 22-year-old held a .298/.394/.474 line with two home runs. However, with
Kyle Tucker off the roster, the team's primary designated hitter last season,
Seiya Suzuki, will likely shift back to right field, opening a spot in the lineup for Ballesteros. Additionally, the backstop could serve as the No. 2 option to
Carson Kelly, further opening up opportunities. Through 114 games at Triple-A last summer, Ballesteros flashed immense upside, holding a .316/.385/.473 line. He is a name to closely monitor during camp, as he could be a top late-round power target if he claims the primary DH role.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 19, 2026
Seattle Mariners top prospect
Colt Emerson is a name to keep a close eye on during camp, as he could push for an early MLB debut in 2026. Last summer, the No. 9-ranked prospect in the sport according to MLB Pipeline began the season in High-A and finished the season with Triple-A Tacoma. With High-A, Emerson posted a .281/.388/.453 line with 16 doubles, 11 home runs, and six stolen bases. Through his first taste of Double-A, Emerson held a .282 AVG with a solid .790 OPS across a 34-game stint. Then, during his brief six-game taste of Triple-A, Emerson continued to play at a high level, hitting two home runs with a .364/.444/.727 line. While Emerson figures to earn a full stint at Triple-A to start 2026, he could debut in Seattle much earlier than expected if he can continue his current trajectory.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
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