December 17, 2025
Free-agent shortstop
Bo Bichette has been telling interested teams this offseason that he is willing to make the position switch from shortstop to second base, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Bichette hasn't been an excellent defender at the 6, but he showed in the World Series that he can play the keystone just fine after being forced to second base in the postseason due to a knee injury late in the season. Feinsand mentions the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, and even the Toronto Blue Jays as teams with openings at the keystone. The 2025 season was a major bounce-back campaign for Bichette in his walk year, as he hit .311 with 63 extra-base hits, 94 RBI, 78 runs, 281 total bases, and an .840 OPS in 13 regular-season games for Toronto. Returning to Toronto is probably best for Bichette's fantasy outlook, but even if he departs, he has a high floor as a middle infielder, averaging 20 homers and 10 steals since he became a full-time starter.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
December 17, 2025
Free-agent right-hander
Brad Keller and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a two-year, $22 million deal on Wednesday, sources told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. There were reports this offseason that several clubs were interested in moving Keller, who excelled in a relief role in 2025 with the Chicago Cubs, back to the starting rotation. At least to open next season, the Phillies intend to keep the 30-year-old in the bullpen after he had a career-best 2.07 ERA (2.93 FIP), 0.96 WHIP, a career-high three saves, 75 strikeouts, and 22 walks in 69 2/3 innings over 68 appearances (one start) in the regular season for Chicago. With more velocity on his heater, Keller's strikeout rate spiked to a career-high 27.2% this past season, and he should be plenty valuable in holds leagues as the primary setup man in front of closer
Jhoan Duran in 2026 in Philly.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
December 17, 2025
The New York Mets are finalizing a two-year, $22 million deal on Wednesday with free-agent right-handed reliever
Luke Weaver, a source told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The Mets lost All-Star closer
Edwin Diaz in free agency to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but they have gained Weaver and right-hander
Devin Williams, who both pitched across town with the New York Yankees in 2025. The 32-year-old Weaver will most likely open the 2026 campaign in Queens as the primary setup man in front of Williams, but he could factor into the ninth inning if Williams struggles like he did in pinstripes. Weaver wasn't at his best in the second half in the Bronx this past season and finished with a 3.62 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, a career-high eight saves, 21 holds, 72 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 64 2/3 innings in relief. With an elite strikeout rate and plenty of holds coming his way with the Mets, Weaver will continue to have plenty of appeal in fantasy as a high-leverage reliever.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
December 16, 2025
The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with left-handed reliever
Drew Pomeranz. Pomeranz enjoyed a strong 2025 campaign with the Chicago Cubs, posting a 2.17 ERA, 28.1% strikeout rate, and 1.07 WHIP across 57 appearances. The 37-year-old veteran also recorded 14 holds and surrendered the lead just twice all season. For 2026, Pomeranz is expected to serve as a high-leverage lefty and offers limited fantasy value outside of leagues that count holds.
--Marty TallmanSource: Ari Alexander
December 16, 2025
Right-handed reliever
Jordan Romano has agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. Romano, 32, struggled in 2025 with the Philadelphia Phillies, posting an 8.23 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 25.1% strikeout rate, and 9.1% walk rate across 42 2/3 innings. He landed on the injured list in late August with inflammation in his right middle finger, an issue that reportedly affected his velocity throughout the season. The two-time All-Star now looks to revive his career in Southern California. With the Angels losing
Kenley Jansen to free agency and no clear closer in their bullpen, Romano could quickly move up the depth chart and see save opportunities. For fantasy purposes, Romano is a high-risk, high-reward option, and as of now, it appears he will be the closer in Los Angeles.
--Marty TallmanSource: Jeff Passan
December 16, 2025
San Diego Padres right-hander
Yu Darvish (elbow) may retire after completing rehab from his latest injury, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic. Over the weekend, Darvish spoke at a charity event and said he is focused on his rehab and is unsure if he will try to pitch again after the process is complete. The 39-year-old veteran underwent surgery in October to repair a flexor tendon and the UCL in his right elbow. Darvish is one of the most decorated Japanese pitchers in MLB history. Over his 13-year career, he has a 3.65 ERA with 2,075 strikeouts across 1,778 innings. Hopefully, we get to see the five-time All-Star pitch again, but if not, he had an amazing career.
--Marty TallmanSource: Dennis Lin
December 16, 2025
The Arizona Diamondbacks have expressed interest in free-agent third baseman
Alex Bregman, though re-signing him remains the Boston Red Sox's top priority. Bregman, 31, opted out of his three-year deal with Boston after slashing .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, and 64 runs scored across 495 plate appearances, good for a 125 wRC+. While he would fit well with either club, Fenway Park is the preferred landing spot for fantasy purposes, as his pull-heavy approach plays perfectly off the Green Monster. For 2026, Bregman profiles as a top-10 third baseman with top-five upside if he lands in the right situation.
--Marty TallmanSource: Bob Nightengale
December 16, 2025
The Los Angeles Angels may allow outfielder
Mike Trout to play center field again in 2026. General manager Perry Minasian said he's keeping his options open, which includes Trout seeing time at all three outfield positions. Trout, 34, appeared in 130 games last season, his highest total since 2019. He served as the designated hitter in 106 games and played right field in just 22, reinforcing the idea that keeping him out of center field is likely the best path to preserving his health. In 2025, Trout slashed .232/.359/.439 with 26 home runs, 64 RBI, and 74 runs scored, good for a 120 wRC+. With a current ADP of 194, the future Hall of Fame slugger offers power upside without requiring a significant draft-day investment.
--Marty TallmanSource: Rhett Bollinger
December 16, 2025
Free-agent righty reliever
Chris Martin has agreed to a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. Martin, 39, was effective in 2025, posting a 2.98 ERA (3.11 SIERA) and a 24.7% strikeout rate over 42 1/3 innings. He recorded two saves and 13 holds last season and could see a few matchup-based closing chances again in 2026 because the incumbent closer,
Robert Garcia, is a lefty. However, the Rangers also recently signed
Alexis Diaz, so fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach before drafting any of the Rangers' relievers.
--Marty TallmanSource: Jeff Passan
December 16, 2025
The San Francisco Giants announced on Tuesday that they agreed to terms with free-agent right-handed reliever
Jason Foley (shoulder) on an undisclosed one-year major-league deal. Foley had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and didn't appear at all in the big leagues in 2025 as a result. The 30-year-old veteran comes to San Francisco with a career 3.16 ERA (3.22 FIP), 1.24 WHIP, 35 saves, 150 strikeouts, and 51 walks in 199 2/3 innings over 210 appearances out of the bullpen for the Detroit Tigers in four seasons. Foley won't be on the fantasy radar at all next year, especially since he's not expected to be ready to pitch for the Giants until around the All-Star break in mid-July. He'll be under team control through the 2028 season, though. In his last season in Detroit in 2024, Foley had a 3.15 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with a career-high 28 saves in 69 outings.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco Giants
December 16, 2025
Free-agent left-handed reliever
Caleb Ferguson agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, pending a physical, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Ferguson brings much more real-life value to Cincinnati's bullpen for the 2026 season than he carries fantasy appeal. The 29-year-old southpaw appeared in a career-high 70 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners last season over 65 1/3 innings pitched. He had a combined 3.58 ERA (3.26 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 22 walks. Ferguson's strikeout rate dropped to a career-low 18.9% in 2025, but he held left-handed hitters to a weak .184/.261/.204 slash line on the year. He'll continue to be a lefty specialist in 2026 for the Reds and won't carry any real fantasy appeal.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
December 16, 2025
Free-agent right-hander
Adrian Houser and the San Francisco Giants agreed on a two-year, $22 million deal on Tuesday that includes a club option for a third season, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. In addition to Houser, the Gigantes also added right-handed reliever
Jason Foley on Tuesday to help shore up their pitching staff. Houser, 32, looked much better this past season, going 8-5 with a 3.31 ERA (3.81 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP with 92 strikeouts and 38 walks in 125 innings over 21 starts with the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. He was much better in Chicago, posting a nice 2.10 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 47:22 K:BB ratio in his 11 starts. Houser showed better velocity than he did in a rough 2024 season with the New York Mets, in which he had a career-worst 5.84 ERA, but he still had a weak 17.8% strikeout rate. The landing spot in SF is nice, but Houser brings limited fantasy upside with his 18.4% career K rate.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
December 16, 2025
Free-agent left-hander
Foster Griffin and the Washington Nationals agreed on a one-year, $5.5 million deal on Tuesday, pending a physical, sources familiar with the deal told Robert Murray of FanSided.com. With incentives, Griffin can make up to $6.5 million. The 30-year-old southpaw will make a return to the U.S. after three seasons pitching for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball. Griffin had a nice 2.57 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with a 25.1% strikeout rate in 315 2/3 innings in Japan the last three seasons, and he'll be competing for a spot in Washington's starting rotation in spring training. He was originally a first-round pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2014. Griffin made his MLB debut in 2020 in KC but only appeared in seven big-league games in two seasons, allowing seven runs (six earned) in eight innings pitched.
--Keith HernandezSource: FanSided - Robert Murray
December 16, 2025
With newly signed outfielder
Adolis Garcia taking over in right field for the Philadelphia Phillies next season, the team is looking to use prospect
Justin Crawford as a center fielder, according to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "We believe so," president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. "We'd like to have that happen. "If you're going to give Crawford an opportunity, you've got to give it to him. And that's where we are. We're going to give him an opportunity and have him play a lot."
Brandon Marsh will likely be the left fielder, at least against right-handed pitchers. The Phillies are unlikely to add another outfielder this offseason. There's plenty to like about the 21-year-old Crawford in fantasy baseball after he hit .334/.411/.452 with seven homers and 46 steals at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025. His defense is a work in progress, but for his speed alone in a stacked Philly lineup, Crawford's stock is on the rise. Per MLB Pipeline, Crawford is the Phillies' No. 3 prospect.
--Keith HernandezSource: Philadelphia Inquirer - Scott Lauber
December 15, 2025
Sendai University right-hander Genei Sato is transferring to a school in the United States in February to become MLB draft-eligible in 2027, according to Yakyu Cosmopolitan. The Japanese pitching prospect has impressed with a fastball that tops out at 99 mph. The soon-to-be 21-year-old will be taking an atypical path to the big leagues, as most Japanese players end up coming through the posting system, which was introduced in the late 1990s. Rintaro Sasaki, who is the first Japanese high-schooler to choose the NCAA over Nippon Professional Baseball, is still only a sophomore at Stanford. In addition to his high-90s fastball, the 6-foot, 180-pound Sato features a low-90s splitter and a slider. "He's real," top draft prospect Roch Cholowsky told Baseball America. "[He] was like 97-99, throwing a splitter at like 92. A lot of ride on the fastball. Throws his splitter hard but has depth on it, too."
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru
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