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
December 11, 2025
Free-agent right-hander
Colin Holderman has agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Cleveland Guardians, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. Holderman, 30, has a career 4.13 ERA with a 22.2% strikeout rate and a 1.40 WHIP across 161 1/3 innings. He endured a difficult 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, posting a career-worst 7.01 ERA while dealing with multiple injuries. For Cleveland, Holderman is expected to serve primarily as extra bullpen depth, and for now, he carries no fantasy relevance.
--Marty TallmanSource: Robert Murray
December 11, 2025
Free-agent outfielder
Lane Thomas has agreed to a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Kansas City Royals, with an additional $1 million available through incentives, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. Thomas battled injuries last season and struggled at the plate, slashing .166/.245/.290 with five home runs and five stolen bases over 177 plate appearances with the Cleveland Guardians. The 30-year-old has yet to recapture his 2023 breakout form, when he hit 28 home runs, stole 20 bases, and posted a .268/.315/.468 slash line with a 109 wRC+. For the Royals, Thomas is expected to open the season as the starting left fielder and will likely slot into the lower part of the batting order. Fantasy managers can safely take a wait-and-see approach for now, but he's a name to monitor early in the season in case he rediscovers his previous level of production.
--Marty TallmanSource: Will Sammon
December 11, 2025
The Athletics are in agreement with free-agent relief pitcher
Mark Leiter Jr. on a one-year deal worth around $3 million, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Leiter Jr. will turn 35 years old in March 2026. Across 48 1/3 innings (59 games) with the New York Yankees last season, Leiter Jr. pitched to a 6-7 record with a 4.84 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and 54 strikeouts. Leiter Jr.'s 3.72 xERA and inflated .374 opponent batting average on balls in play could be indicators of poor luck and better results going forward. Still, Leiter Jr. also saw his strikeout rate drop from an excellent 33.6% in 2024 to 24.7% in 2025, his lowest mark since the 2018 season. Leiter Jr. has a tiny bit of closing experience, recording seven saves across two seasons with the Chicago Cubs in 2022 and 2023. With the Athletics, Leiter Jr. could have an outside chance at the closer role, but is more likely ticketed for middle relief.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Jesse Rogers
December 11, 2025
San Diego Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller recently shut down any possible trade speculation surrounding outfielder
Fernando Tatis Jr., telling Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune that Tatis is "somebody that we're not talking about." Preller has been known for making big moves in the trade market during his time in charge in San Diego, but it does not appear that the team is interested in trading away its superstar. Across 691 plate appearances for the Padres in 2025, Tatis Jr. slashed .268/.368/.446 with 25 home runs, 71 RBI, 111 runs scored, and 32 stolen bases. He upped his walk rate to a career high 12.9% while also slashing his strikeout rate to a career low 18.7%. San Diego has Tatis Jr. locked up under contract through 2034, so there is little impetus for the team to move him other than to save money or get back a monstrous haul of talent.
--Will BradySource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
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