December 13, 2025
Free-agent reliever
Alexis Diaz has agreed to a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers. Díaz endured a turbulent 2025 season, beginning the year on the injured list with a hamstring issue and quickly losing his closing role with the Cincinnati Reds after surrendering three home runs in a single outing during his mid-April debut. The 29-year-old was subsequently demoted to Triple-A and later traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he lasted only a few weeks before being designated for assignment. He was then claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves and finished the season with a career-worst 8.15 ERA and a 14.1% walk rate, while striking out just 20% of batters faced. With the Rangers, Díaz projects as another bullpen arm, and at this point, he holds no fantasy relevance.
--Marty TallmanSource: Jeff Passan
December 13, 2025
Free-agent catcher
Danny Jansen has agreed to a two-year, $14.5 million contract with the Texas Rangers. In 2025, Jansen slashed .215/.321/.399 with 14 home runs, 36 RBI, and 38 runs scored, good for a 103 wRC+ across 337 plate appearances. The 30-year-old also posted a career-high 25.5% strikeout rate, offset by a solid 12.5% walk rate. Jansen is expected to serve as the Rangers' primary catcher, though he will split time with
Kyle Higashioka. From a fantasy standpoint, Jansen profiles best as a second catcher in two-catcher formats and is unlikely to be a viable option in standard 10- or 12-team leagues.
--Marty TallmanSource: Robert Murray
December 13, 2025
Right-hander
Tyler Glasnow has "come up in conversations" between the Los Angeles Dodgers and other teams, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Gonzalez added that any potential trade remains a "long shot," though the Dodgers would not be opposed to moving Glasnow. The 6-foot-8 righty is owed $30 million in both 2026 and 2027, with Los Angeles holding a club option for 2028. Since joining the Dodgers two seasons ago, Glasnow has posted a 3.37 ERA with 274 strikeouts and a 1.01 WHIP over 224 innings. When healthy, the 10-year veteran is among the elite pitchers in baseball, but durability remains the biggest concern, as he has never surpassed 134 innings in a single season. From a fantasy perspective, Glasnow's ADP sits just outside the top 100, making him a calculated gamble with massive upside if he can finally stay on the mound.
--Marty TallmanSource: Alden Gonzalez
December 12, 2025
Mass Live's Chris Cotillo writes that the Boston Red Sox could be pursuing a trade for St. Louis Cardinals first baseman
Willson Contreras, according to a source. The Red Sox continue to look for upgrades to their offense after missing out on sluggers
Kyle Schwarber and
Pete Alonso this week. Boston is one of many teams interested in Cardinals second baseman
Brendan Donovan, too, but St. Louis might not move him. Contreras, a three-time All-Star, is believed to be available with two years and $41 million (plus a 2028 option) left on his deal. He has full no-trade protection, but the 33-year-old veteran might be open to waiving it for the right situation. Acquiring Contreras would give the BoSox a steady right-handed bat while also providing insurance at first base with
Triston Casas coming back from knee surgery. Contreras had career-highs in RBI (80), doubles (31), and runs (70) after moving to first base full time in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: Mass Live - Chris Cotillo
December 12, 2025
The Washington Nationals avoided salary arbitration with right-hander
Josiah Gray (elbow) on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.35 million deal, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Gray is expected to be ready to pitch in spring training after missing all of the 2025 campaign due to right-elbow surgery. The 27-year-old will make the same money that he did this past season. Gray was a former second-round selection by the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 out of Le Moyne College in New York. He broke into the big leagues in 2021 with the Los Angeles Dodgers before making his way to D.C. Gray was an All-Star in 2023 despite going 8-13 with a 3.91 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 30 starts. He made only two starts in 2024 before being shut down with elbow issues. Fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach on Gray in 2026, especially since he will probably face a strict innings limit in his first season back.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
December 12, 2025
Free-agent right-hander
Bryse Wilson signed an undisclosed deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. This could end up being a minor-league deal with an invite to big-league spring training. The 27-year-old will most likely compete for a multi-inning relief role for the Phils in spring training. Wilson was very hittable this past season in 20 appearances (five starts) with the Chicago White Sox, posting a 6.65 ERA (6.30 FIP) and 1.82 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 19 walks in 47 1/3 innings pitched. The former fourth-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2016 holds a 4.82 career ERA with a 1.41 WHIP, four saves, a well below-average 16.6% strikeout rate, and a 7.5% walk rate in eight big-league seasons with the White Sox, Braves, Brewers, and Pirates. Wilson will not be on the fantasy radar to begin next season.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
December 12, 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired right-hander
Chase Lee from the Detroit Tigers on Friday in exchange for minor-league left-hander Johan Simon, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Lee, a 27-year-old sidearmer, made his major-league debut this year in Detroit and appeared in 32 games out of the bullpen. He allowed 17 earned runs on 32 hits (seven home runs) while walking nine and striking out 36 over 37 1/3 frames. Lee finished his first year in the Show with a 4.10 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. Lee won't be guaranteed to win an Opening Day roster spot for the Jays out of spring training, and if he does, he'll most likely be just another middle-relief option that carries zero fantasy value. Simon, 24, had a 3.42 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 79:29 K:BB ratio in 71 innings at three minor-league levels in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
December 12, 2025
The Seattle Mariners are close to striking a deal to sign veteran free-agent catcher
Andrew Knizner on Friday, industry sources told Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. If signed, Knizner would serve as the top backup to
Cal Raleigh. The Mariners need catching depth after recently trading top catching prospect
Harry Ford to the Washington Nationals last week in exchange for reliever
Jose A. Ferrer. Knizner, 30, became a free agent last month when he was non-tendered by the San Francisco Giants. The former seventh-round pick in 2016 out of North Carolina has spent five of his seven big-league seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. His best season came in 2023 in St. Louis, when he hit 10 home runs with a .712 OPS and 1.0 bWAR in 70 games. Knizner hit .221 (17-for-77) with a homer, five RBI, and 12 runs in only 33 games for the Gigantes in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
December 12, 2025
Chris Cotillo of Mass Live reports that the Detroit Tigers continue to pursue free-agent right-handed reliever
Kenley Jansen, even after they re-signed
Kyle Finnegan. The reliever market has moved quickly this past week, and Jansen might be the next one to sign with a team. It's a bit curious that Detroit is still in the market to add the 38-year-old Jansen, though, since they already have both Finnegan and
Will Vest to handle closing duties going into next season. If Detroit were to sign Jansen as well, it's unclear how they would structure the back end of their bullpen. Jansen had a solid season in 2025 with the Halos and was tied for eighth in the league with 29 saves. He is nowhere near the dominant closer he once was, but he still posted a very respectable 2.59 ERA and 0.95 WHIP while striking out 57 hitters in 59 innings. The future Hall of Famer's 476 career saves could make him the favorite for closing duties if he were to land in Motown.
--Keith HernandezSource: Mass Live - Chris Cotillo
December 12, 2025
Free-agent right-handed reliever
Tyler Rogers and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a three-year, $37 million deal on Friday that includes a fourth-year vesting option, a source told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Rogers has been one of the most consistent relievers over the years and will head to Toronto to help fortify their bullpen in 2026 and beyond. The Jays have been serious about adding arms this winter, already having signed starters
Dylan Cease and
Cody Ponce. The 34-year-old Rogers had a career year with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets in 2025, posting a sharp 1.98 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and only seven walks in 77 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. The submarining righty had a career-high 13 saves in 2021 with the Giants and could become a ninth-inning option in Toronto if
Jeff Hoffman continues to struggle. Rogers has a weak 17.6% strikeout rate, though, so if he's not a candidate for saves, he doesn't hold much fantasy value.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
December 12, 2025
Free-agent outfielder/designated hitter
Christopher Morel agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with the Miami Marlins on Friday, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The Marlins are in desperate need of a first baseman, and it appears the Fish plan to play him there in 2026 despite his lack of experience at the position. The 26-year-old right-handed slugger has plenty of pop from the right side, but he swings and misses far too often. He opened eyes with 26 home runs and an .821 OPS with the Chicago Cubs in 2023, but he has struggled to replicate those numbers over the last two seasons. In 2025 with the Tampa Bay Rays, Morel hit just .219/.289/.396 with a .684 OPS, 11 homers, 33 RBI, 37 runs, seven steals, and 109 strikeouts in 305 plate appearances. If the Marlins can somehow get him to make more contact, Morel will be relevant in all fantasy leagues for his power.
UPDATE: Morel's one-year deal is worth $2 million.--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
December 12, 2025
Third baseman
Maikel Garcia and the Kansas City Royals are finalizing a five-year contract extension on Friday that includes a club option for a sixth year, sources tell Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 25-year-old won a Gold Glove in 2025 at the hot corner and will stay on the left side of KC's infield with All-Star shortstop
Bobby Witt Jr. for years to come. According to MLB.com's Anne Rogers, the deal is worth a guaranteed $57.5 million and can reach $85 million if he hits his escalators and his option is exercised. Garcia was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this year as a Super 2 qualifier, but this deal will cover all of his arbitration years and one year of free agency. After swiping 37 bases in 2024, Garcia broke out with the bat in 2025, slashing .286/.351/.449 with 16 homers, 23 steals, 74 RBI, and 81 runs in 160 games. Garcia improved his strikeout and walk rates, launched the ball more, and hit the ball harder. His power/speed combo makes him an attractive target in fantasy once the high-end names come off the board.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
December 11, 2025
The Milwaukee Brewers have signed infielder/outfielder
Greg Jones to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training, according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Jones, 27, is a switch-hitter who has spent nearly his entire professional career in the minors. Over six minor-league seasons, he has tallied 51 home runs, 172 stolen bases, and a .262/.346/.434 slash line across 1,677 plate appearances. He has appeared in the majors only briefly, totaling eight plate appearances. The Brewers are taking a look at Jones because of his athleticism and defensive versatility, particularly his ability to handle the outfield. While he's unlikely to break camp with the major-league club, it's hard not to root for a player who has worked this long and this hard to reach the Show.
--Marty TallmanSource: Todd Rosiak
December 11, 2025
Free-agent outfielder
Akil Baddoo has agreed to a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Baddoo appeared in only seven games for the Detroit Tigers last season, slashing .118/.167/.176 with no home runs and a -8 wRC+. He has yet to recapture the promise he showed during his 2021 rookie campaign, when he posted a 108 wRC+ with 13 homers and 18 steals. For Milwaukee, Baddoo is far from a lock to make the roster out of Spring Training, but his athleticism keeps him on the radar as a potential early-season watch-list candidate.
--Marty TallmanSource: Todd Rosiak
December 11, 2025
The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox met with first baseman
Pete Alonso at the Winter Meetings before he ultimately signed his five-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post. While details of the discussions remain unclear, it's noteworthy that the Cubs sat down with the 31-year-old slugger. Chicago's current first baseman,
Michael Busch, is coming off a career year in which he slashed .261/.343/.523 with 34 home runs, 90 RBI, 78 runs, and four stolen bases, good for a 140 wRC+. The one notable concern is his performance against left-handed pitching. Busch hit just .207 against southpaws last season and struck out 26 times in 95 plate appearances, raising the possibility that the Cubs may view him as a long-term platoon option. For fantasy managers, Busch's usage against same-handed pitching is something worth monitoring moving forward.
--Marty TallmanSource: Jon Heyman
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