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Kyle Stowers' Long-Term Future Could be at First Base
Miami Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said that first baseman/outfielder Kyle Stowers could see time at both first base and the outfield next year. Stowers was a 2025 Gold Glove finalist in left field, but due to recurring hamstring issues in 2026, his long-term future could be better suited for first base. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger, a former second-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 from Stanford, was a first-time All-Star in 2025, when he slashed .288/.368/.544 with a .912 OPS, a career-high 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 117 games across 457 plate appearances. Stowers played in a career-high 121 games in 2026 despite his hamstring issues, but he hit just .239 (107-for-447) with 21 home runs and an elevated 31.4% strikeout rate. He also missed the final four regular-season games due to an abdominal injury. The power from the left side is certainly intriguing, but a lengthy injury history and problems with strikeouts should scare off some fantasy managers in drafts next spring. It could be worth Stowers losing outfield eligibility for him to stay at first base so that he can stay on the field more.
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Aaron Boone Will Return as Yankees' Manager
Aaron Boone will return as the New York Yankees' manager for the 2027 season, a source confirmed to ESPN's Jorge Castillo. Boone will be returning to the Bronx for his 10th season as the skipper, with the news coming more than a week after the team was eliminated in the American League Division Series by the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game sweep. The Yankees have now been eliminated in the ALDS in two straight seasons. His contract runs through next season to complete a two-year, $10.5 million extension that he signed with the Yankees in February of 2025. Boone's .583 winning percentage is tied for 17th in major-league history, and the Yankees have reached the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons while not finishing worse than two games over .500. It has extended the franchise's MLB-record streak of 34 straight winning seasons. However, they have not won a World Series since Joe Girardi led them to the title in 2009. The 17-year drought is the second-longest in franchise history. The Yankees are tied for the fourth-longest streak in MLB postseason history with 13 straight playoff appearances without a World Series title. In Boone's only World Series appearance with the Yankees in 2024, the Yankees lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Teruaki Sato Will be Posted This Offseason
The Hanshin Tigers have announced that they will approve the posting of third base/right fielder Teruaki Sato to the MLB this offseason, according to the Yakyu Cosmopolitan. Sato had 39 homers and 106 RBI for the Hanshin Tigers this season, while hitting .306 on his way to the Japanese Triple Crown. Sato should be one of the top hitters on the free agent market this off-season.
Source: Yakyu Cosmopolitan
Source: Yakyu Cosmopolitan
Chandler Simpson Has Productive Game 5
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson showed off his skills in the team's 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the ALCS on Sunday. Simpson was 2-for-3 at the plate with a double, a single, a stolen base, and a run scored. Simpson showed off his speed and how much of a threat he is in the run game with his second stolen base of the postseason. The speedster had 46 stolen bases during the regular season. Simpson is hitting just .238 in the postseason, but he had a nice game in Game 5 and will look to build on that back home as the Rays try to put away the Guardians and make the World Series in Game 6 at Tampa Bay.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Orioles Hire Jared Banner As New General Manager
The Baltimore Orioles have made a hire in their search for a new general manager, and according to the team, it is Jared Banner, the former assistant general manager with the Chicago Cubs. The Orioles say that Banner will "work alongside President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias, managing the baseball operations department on a day-to-day basis. Banner will lead the organization's player development, coaching, and performance efforts, while also partnering with Elias on strategy, staffing, and talent acquisition, among other duties." Banner recently completed his 18th season in baseball operations and has worked as assistant GM of the Cubs since 2024.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Enrique Hernandez Hoping to Return to Dodgers in 2027
Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Enrique Hernandez said he is hoping to return to Los Angeles for the 2027 season, per Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times. Hernandez is set to hit free agency after slashing .222/.271/.400 with four home runs, 12 RBI, and 12 runs scored across 96 plate appearances with the Dodgers in 2026. The 35-year-old has been a below-average contributor at the plate for several seasons now. However, his ability to line up all over the diamond defensively allows him to still provide value to Los Angeles. Hernandez is also a staple in the Dodgers clubhouse, having spent 10 of his 13 MLB seasons in LA. Still, Hernandez is unlikely to provide fantasy-relevant production at this point in his career.
Source: Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Source: Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Garrett Mitchell Homers Again on Thursday, Sends Brewers to World Series
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell homered for the second straight day in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night to help send the Brewers to the World Series for the first time since 1982. Mitchell went 1-for-4 at the plate with a solo home run to help the Brewers win 6-4 in a comeback victory in the four-game sweep of the Dodgers. The former UCLA star has gone 6-for-29 (.207) so far this postseason with two home runs, a triple, three RBI, a stolen base, and six runs scored in eight games played for the Brew Crew. Mitchell and first baseman Jake Bauers hit clutch back-to-back home runs off lefty starter Blake Snell in Game 3 of the NLCS on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium to stun Dodgers fans late in the game. If Mitchell is finding his groove heading into the World Series, the Brewers could be in great shape after losing just one game in the NLDS and NLCS.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jake Bauers Plays Starring Role Once Again in NLCS Game 4
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers played a starring role for the second straight night in his team's 6-4, series-clinching win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday. Bauers hit a two-run double off Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow in the fourth inning, and then drew a walk with the bases loaded to tie the game at 4-4 in the fifth. The 31-year-old emerged as a surprise cog in the middle of the Milwaukee lineup during the regular season, hitting .266/.389/.484 with 26 home runs, 86 RBI, 93 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 578 plate appearances. Bauers has continued to produce for the Brewers in the playoffs, slashing .269/.441/.423 with six RBI across 34 trips to the plate.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Petey Halpin Comes Through for Cleveland in ALCS Game 3 Victory
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Petey Halpin was the hero of his team's 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday, slugging a go-ahead, two-run home run off Rays right-hander Griffin Jax in the fifth inning. It was Halpin's lone hit of the game, but it put Cleveland ahead for good and allowed the Guardians to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Halpin is on Cleveland's playoff roster for his speed and defense in center field, as he hit .225/.268/.326 with four home runs, 14 RBI, 27 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across 195 plate appearances in the regular season. However, the 24-year-old has been an unlikely contributor in the postseason, logging three extra-base hits in 13 plate appearances. Given his play thus far, Halpin may profile as Cleveland's starting center fielder the rest of the way in the ALCS.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Kyle Schwarber to See More Time at First Base in 2027
The Philadelphia Phillies are planning for outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber to work at first base in spring training and play around 30 games there during the season, according to The Athletic's Matt Gelb and Charlotte Varnes. In the games that Schwarber is at first base, Bryce Harper will serve as the DH. Harper played in all 162 regular-season games in 2026, but he dealt with nagging pain at times after moving to the outfield in the second half. Schwarber appeared at first base only eight times in 2026, starting six games there. If the Phillies follow through with their plan to use the 33-year-old left-handed slugger more at first base, he will add first base eligibility to his fantasy profile, making him even more attractive for his elite power. In his 12th year in the majors in 2026 (fifth with the Phillies), Schwarber continued to be a force to be reckoned with, leading the league with 45 home runs while also leading the league with 220 strikeouts. He had a .232/.354/.503 slash line with an .857 OPS, 97 RBI, 95 runs scored, and three steals in 156 regular-season games played.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb, Charlotte Varnes
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb, Charlotte Varnes
Garrett Mitchell Hits Key Home Run in Game 3 Win in NLCS
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell logged one of the key hits in his team's 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday, hitting a solo home run off Dodgers lefty Blake Snell to extend Milwaukee's lead to 4-2 in the seventh inning. Across 531 plate appearances in the regular season, Mitchell hit .262/.354/.416 with 11 home runs, 65 RBI, 74 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. The 28-year-old struck out in 31.5% of his plate appearances, but his elite 52.7% hard-hit rate allowed him to his .387 on balls in play. Mitchell's swing-and-miss issues have carried over to the postseason, as he's posted a 41.4% strikeout rate across 29 plate appearances. Still, the versatile outfielder has also logged a home run, two RBI, five runs scored, and a stolen base. With his power upside, Mitchell adds a different dynamic to a Milwaukee lineup that excels at putting the ball in play.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Jake Bauers Slugs Clutch Home Run in NLCS Game 3
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers logged the biggest hit of the night in his team's 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday, hitting a go-ahead, two-run home run off Dodgers lefty Blake Snell in the seventh inning. Bauers had a breakout season for Milwaukee in 2026, slashing .266/.389/.484 with 26 home runs, 86 RBI, 93 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 578 plate appearances. The 31-year-old is known for his patient approach at the plate, as he logged a 16.3% walk rate during the regular season. He's carried that approach over into the playoffs so far, posting a .433 on-base percentage over 30 plate appearances. If Bauers can find his power stroke as well, he could help drive Milwaukee to a World Series title.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Jackson Chourio Homers in NLCS Game 3 Win on Wednesday
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio got his team going in their 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday, hitting a solo home run off left-hander Blake Snell to lead off the game. It was Chourio's only hit of the night, but it set the tone for Milwaukee to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Across 573 plate appearances in the regular season, Chourio hit .291/.351/.487 with 25 home runs, 75 RBI, 96 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases. The 22-year-old's overall slash line in the postseason doesn't look amazing, as he's hit .200/.242/.400. However, Chourio has consistently come through with timely hits, logging seven RBI in seven games.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Fernando Tatis Jr. Prefers Playing Second Base to Right Field
San Diego Padres outfielder/second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. is known to prefer playing second base, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic. Tatis Jr. had only very briefly played second base in the big leagues prior to 2026. However, he played over 50 games at the position this past season after Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth missed extended time due to a concussion. For what it's worth, Tatis Jr. was significantly better at the plate after shifting back to his normal position in right field in the second half of the season. Still, the 27-year-old will likely remain an elite fantasy asset regardless of where he lines up defensively, and could have more value to managers if he retains second base eligibility beyond 2027. Cronenworth still has four years and over $49 million remaining on his current contract with San Diego, which may block Tatis Jr. from a full-time move to the infield.
Source: The Athletic - Dennis Lin
Source: The Athletic - Dennis Lin
Joe Espada Will Not Return as Astros Manager in 2027
The Houston Astros announced on Wednesday that Joe Espada will not return as the team's manager in 2027. Espada took over in Houston in 2024 and led the Astros to a 256-229 record across his three years at the helm. The Astros won two American League West division crowns under Espada, but failed to win a single postseason game. Houston has also gotten progressively worse over the last three seasons, winning 88 games in 2024, 87 games in 2025, and 81 games this past season. Espada has already met with the Seattle Mariners about their managerial vacancy, so he could remain in the AL West.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
