February 3, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher
Will Smith has produced positive fWAR as a hitter and fielder every season throughout his career, and he remains a top fantasy baseball threat in 2026. Smith is coming off the best year of his career, slashing .296/.404/.497 with 17 home runs and a career-high 153 wRC+. His strikeout rate jumped to 20.4%, but he also posted a career-best 14.7% walk rate. Behind the dish, he contributed -8 FRV but 1.6 fWAR. Between hitting and fielding combined, he produced 4.1 fWAR. That ranked third-highest on the Dodgers, trailing only
Shohei Ohtani and
Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Now that the Dodgers are armed with
Kyle Tucker, and Smith is a prime candidate for slight regression, FanGraphs is projecting the veteran backstop for 3.3 fWAR in 2026. That ranks sixth-highest on the team but is still an incredible mark, especially for a catcher. He is the #8 backstop in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 3, 2026
Baltimore Orioles outfielder
Taylor Ward is coming off the best power surge of his career, and he'll look to keep the home runs coming at a new home ballpark. Ward was dealt from the Angels to the Orioles during the offseason, and he'll now get to play half of his games at Camden Yards, one of the friendliest environments for power-hitting right-handers. 33 of Ward's 36 home runs last season would have left Oriole Park; only five other ballparks in MLB would have produced more favorable results for the veteran left fielder. While he did drop closer to the Mendoza line with a .228/.317/.475 slash line, Ward solidified himself as a very strong power threat while still posting an 11.3% walk rate and 117 wRC+. The biggest concern about Ward's game was his strikeout rate (26.4%), but that's a natural side effect of tapping into more power. He currently ranks as the #40 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 3, 2026
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Robbie Ray was healthy in 2025 after being limited to just seven starts the year prior. He made 32 appearances in the Giants' rotation, pitching to an 11-8 record with a 3.65 ERA and 3.93 FIP. He continued to flash impressive control with 9.18 K/9 and 3.60 BB/9, but he was only moderately effective when limiting loud contact. Ray's four-pitch mix is headlined by a low-to-mid-90s fastball with its Stuff+ grading out at 106, according to FanGraphs' model. However, the model grades his slider, changeup, and knuckle curve as well below-average. The veteran hurler won't light up the radar gun or rack up strikeouts at an absurd rate, but he gives the Giants innings while keeping walks and loud contact at a reasonable clip. Staying healthy all season long will be key to Ray having a good season, especially after he failed to do so in 2023 and 2024. He currently ranks as the #40 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 2, 2026
Seattle Mariners right-handed closer
Andres Munoz has established himself as a high-end closing option for fantasy managers after posting a 1.92 ERA (2.88 FIP), 0.99 WHIP, 60 saves, 160 strikeouts, and 54 walks in 121 2/3 innings for the Mariners in the last two seasons. The 27-year-old Mexican reliever had career highs in ERA (1.73) and saves (38) last year while also striking out 83 batters and posting a strong 1.03 WHIP in 62 1/3 frames. Munoz's 88.4% team save share was second-best among closers in 2025. He's no stranger to injuries, but Munoz has been an All-Star the last two years while staying healthy. His slider is one of the nastiest pitches in the league among relievers. For a Mariners team that should be in contention again in 2026. Munoz has high-end fantasy upside, although walks could be an issue. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 4 fantasy closer.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
February 2, 2026
Even though Atlanta Braves outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. has played in over 100 games just four times in his eight big-league seasons, which includes two torn ACLs, he's a top-10 overall fantasy player at RotoBaller heading into the 2026 campaign. The five-time All-Star, former Rookie of the Year, and MVP has league-winning upside when healthy, but he's also among the biggest first-round risks because of his lengthy injury history. Acuna played in only 95 games in 2025, slashing .290/.417/.518 with a .935 OPS, 21 home runs, 42 RBI, 74 runs scored, and nine steals in 412 plate appearances. It was a bit worrisome that he had only nine stolen bases after recording 73 in his last full season in 2023, but he should run more another year removed from knee reconstruction. On the bright side, Acuna is still on the right side of 30 and can do things that most other ballplayers can't. He's a five-category contributor that will be hard to pass up in the first round of fantasy baseball drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
February 2, 2026
The season-ending elbow injury to Seattle Mariners right-hander
Logan Evans means that right-hander
Emerson Hancock will enter spring training built up as a starter, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Hancock, who was the team's first-round pick back in 2020, made the transition to a relief role late last year and gave up just two runs in 8 2/3 innings out of the bullpen in September. The 26-year-old went 4-5 with a career-worst 4.90 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 64:31 K:BB in 90 innings over 22 appearances (16 starts) in his third big-league season with the Mariners. Even though Hancock has a better shot at being in the Opening Day starting rotation in Seattle as the No. 5, it's not a lock at all. He will most likely be in a swing role again in 2026, limiting his fantasy appeal to AL-only leagues. In his three MLB seasons, Hancock has been a below-average pitcher with nothing that really stands out in his arsenal.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
February 2, 2026
The Boston Red Sox agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent right-hander
Vinny Nittoli on Monday, a source told Ari Alexander. The deal includes an invitation to spring training. Nittoli has pitched in the major leagues for four seasons with the Athletics, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, and Seattle Mariners, but he's only thrown 18 2/3 frames. The 35-year-old veteran has a 2.41 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and five walks in 15 relief appearances. Nittoli didn't pitch at all in the majors last year and had a 4.85 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 15 walks in 39 1/3 innings at Triple-A. He will most likely start the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Worcester. Nittoli is not on the fantasy radar in any leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: 7 News - Ari Alexander
February 2, 2026
Mexican right-handed pitcher
Valente Bellozo signed a minor-league deal with the Colorado Rockies on Monday, sources told Francys Romero. The 26-year-old will have a strong chance to make the big-league roster out of spring training in Colorado after pitching for the Miami Marlins each of the last two years. Bellozo has a 4.20 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 98:44 K:BB in 150 big-league innings over 45 appearances (19 starts) in his two MLB campaigns. He pitched in 32 games (six starts) for the Fish in 2025, going 1-4 with a 4.65 ERA (5.20 FIP), 1.33 WHIP, 54 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 81 1/3 innings pitched. Although he'll have more opportunities to pitch with the Rockies, the landing spot won't help his cause in hitter-friendly Coors Field. Bellozo will operate as a swingman for the Rockies going into his third MLB campaign, but he could start at Triple-A Albuquerque.
--Keith HernandezSource: Francys Romero
February 2, 2026
Seattle Mariners outfielder/designated hitter
Luke Raley is expected to be on the strong side of a platoon in right field and at DH with
Dominic Canzone in 2026, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. "But as a baseline, I would expect to see Luke and Dom against righties, and Vic and Rob against lefties," general manager Justin Hollander said. Right-handed hitting outfielders
Victor Robles and
Rob Refsnyder will platoon in right field and at DH against lefties. Raley has hit .178/.246/.282 with a .528 OPS and 55 wRC+ against lefties, while slashing .242/.333/.453 with a .786 OPS and 126 wRC+ versus righties. The 31-year-old veteran missed half of last year with back and oblique injuries. He was more successful against righties, but overall, he hit a disappointing .202 with only four dingers and 19 RBI. If he's healthier in 2026, Raley could be a sneaky source of power in AL-only fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
February 2, 2026
Seattle Mariners outfielder
Victor Robles is expected to be in a short-sided platoon role between right field and designated hitter in 2026 after the team signed
Rob Refsnyder to a one-year, $6.25 million deal in December, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. "But as a baseline, I would expect to see Luke and Dom against righties, and Vic and Rob against lefties," general manager Justin Hollander said.
Dominic Canzone and
Luke Raley, who hit left-handed, will most likely play in right field and at DH against right-handed pitchers. Robles has hit .264/.350/.365 with a .714 OPS and 101 wRC+ against lefties while slashing .240/.306/.369 with a .674 OPS and 84 wRC+ against righties. The 28-year-old had a breakout season in Seattle in 2024 after coming over from Washington, but he played in only 32 regular-season games in 2025 due to a dislocated left shoulder. Robles' speed is the only thing you can really bank on, but in a limited role, he'll have limited fantasy appeal in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
February 2, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals acquired outfielder
Colton Ledbetter from the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday in a three-team deal that also included the Seattle Mariners, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. Ledbetter, 24, was originally a second-round pick by the Rays in 2023 out of Mississippi State. The left-handed hitter has recorded a .269/.341/.428 slash line with a .768 OPS, 25 home runs, 126 RBI, 142 runs scored, and 74 stolen bases in his three minor-league seasons in the Rays system. He hit .265/.337/.378 with seven home runs and 37 steals in 123 games at Double-A Montgomery last year. Ledbetter can play anywhere in the outfield and will now become organizational outfield depth for the Cardinals. He may open the 2026 campaign in his new digs at Triple-A Memphis.
--Keith HernandezSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
February 2, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals acquired outfielder
Tai Peete from the Seattle Mariners on Monday in a three-team trade that also included the Tampa Bay Rays, a source told Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Peete was taken 30th overall by Seattle in 2023, and he's hit .247/.318/.406 with a .724 OPS, 28 home runs, 154 RBI, 141 runs scored, and 76 stolen bases in three minor-league seasons. The 20-year-old hit just .217 (103-for-475) in 125 games with High-A Everett in 2025, but he also managed to club a career-high 19 home runs while also adding 63 RBI, 58 runs scored, and 25 steals. The power/speed combination is intriguing, but Peete's hit tool remains questionable for the long term after he had a below-average 79 wRC+. He has transitioned nicely from shortstop to center field and has plenty of time to develop. Peete will now head to the National League Central, where he'll most likely return to High-A to begin 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
February 2, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals acquired switch-handed pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje from the Seattle Mariners on Monday in a three-team deal that also included the Tampa Bay Rays, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman. St. Louis also gets outfielder
Tai Peete from the M's. Cijntje, 22, can throw with both arms, although it was announced over the weekend that he would focus on throwing from the right side during spring training. He was taken 15th overall by Seattle out of Mississippi State in 2024, and he had a 3.99 ERA with 120 punchouts and 51 walks in 108 1/3 innings with High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas last year. Cijntje was viewed as a mid-rotation arm when he was drafted, and he primarily is a fastball-slider pitcher. He was much more effective as a right-hander in the minors last year, and his slider was especially tough on right-handed hitters. If Cijntje doesn't make it as a starter at the big-league level, he could be used in a high-leverage bullpen setup role.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Joel Sherman
February 2, 2026
The Tampa Bay Rays are acquiring third baseman
Ben Williamson from the Seattle Mariners on Monday in a three-team deal that also includes the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Williamson is mostly known for his glove at the hot corner. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2023 made his major-league debut in Seattle in 2025 and hit .253/.294/.310 with a .604 OPS, only one home run, 21 RBI, 36 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 277 at-bats over 85 games played. It was looking like he would benefit in 2026 with
Eugenio Suarez signing with the Reds in free agency, but now that he's in Tampa, he'll most likely begin the season at Triple-A Durham with
Junior Caminero locking down the third base job at the big-league level. Williamson also makes decent contact, but as a bench player with limited power, he won't be on the fantasy radar in Tampa.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Joel Sherman
February 2, 2026
The Seattle Mariners are officially acquiring infielder/outfielder
Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday in a three-team trade that will include third baseman
Ben Williamson going to the Tampa Bay Rays and pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje going to the Cardinals, a source told Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Donovan has mostly played second base in St. Louis in his four years in the big leagues, but he can also play third, shortstop, and the outfield, giving Seattle some positional versatility. In his new digs, Donovan will most likely play third base and is a candidate to hit atop the batting order for the M's. The 29-year-old was a first-time All-Star in 2025 with the Cards, but he could have had an even bigger season if not for toe and groin injuries that limited him to 118 games. Donovan slashed .287/.353/.422 with a .775 OPS, 10 homers, 50 RBI, and 64 runs. He makes plenty of contact and can hit for average, but outside of that, he's not a great fantasy baseball asset with limited power and speed.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Joel Sherman
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