January 18, 2026
The Chicago Cubs have signed right-handed relief pitcher
Yacksel Rios to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. This is a depth signing for the Cubs to add another arm for camp. Rios hasn't pitched in the MLB since the 2023 season with the Athletics. The veteran right-hander holds a 6.32 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and a 93/56 K/BB ratio across 92 big league appearances. It seems unlikely that Rios is going to make a significant impact on the Cubs' bullpen. They've done a nice job at turning around struggling pitchers in the past, so we'll see what they can do with Rios.
--Andy WebbSource: Francys Romero
January 18, 2026
According to Jon Heyman, the Milwaukee Brewers are still fielding offers on right-handed starter
Freddy Peralta. The stud pitcher is reportedly drawing interest from the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Giants, and Braves. Peralta is extremely valuable right now, given he's only due $8 million for the upcoming 2026 season. That's a steal for the kind of production Peralta has been giving on the mound lately. The 29-year-old is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season, which makes him a prime trade candidate. We've seen the Brewers trade their star players in contract years many times in the past. This very well could be a storyline throughout the season, assuming a deal doesn't get finalized before the season begins.
--Andy WebbSource: Jon Heyman
January 18, 2026
Cincinnati Reds shortstop
Elly De La Cruz won't participate in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic tournament. He was expected to represent the Dominican Republic in the tourney, but that won't be happening now. The Reds reportedly have told De La Cruz to skip the WBC and focus on his health after battling a quad injury during the second half of the season. You can't blame the Reds for wanting to make sure their star infielder is healthy heading into the 2026 season. We've seen players get injured during the tourney before, and the Reds don't want to take that chance. It would be exciting to see De La Cruz play for his home country, but maybe he can play in the next one.
--Andy WebbSource: Cincinnati Enquirer
January 17, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed right-handed reliever
Nick Robertson to a minor-league deal, according to Ari Alexander of WHDH. Robertson was originally selected by the Dodgers in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He came up through Los Angeles' farm system and debuted with the organization in 2023, but he was shipped off to the Boston Red Sox shortly after. He appeared in the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals in 2024 before spending all of last season in the minors. He split 2025 with the Triple-A affiliates of the Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros, pitching to a 4.30 ERA and 8.9 K/9, but his rate of 5.2 BB/9 was worrisome. He'll look to clean up his control issues while offering depth at the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate this upcoming season.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ari Alexander
January 17, 2026
Boston Red Sox first baseman
Triston Casas (knee) said that being ready for Opening Day will be a "tight squeeze," according to Tim Healey of the Boston Globe. He hopes to ease his way back into action by playing in some games during spring training. Casas is recovering from a ruptured left patellar tendon, and doctors gave him a 12-month recovery timeline that would put his projected return in early May. He had slashed .182/.277/.303 with three home runs and 56 wRC+ through 29 games before suffering his season-ending injury. Boston would definitely like to get its left-handed slugger back, but the organization presumably feels a little less urgency after acquiring
Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals. Regardless of Casas' health, Contreras should start at first base when the Red Sox open their season in Cincinnati on March 26.
--Andersen PickardSource: Tim Healey
January 17, 2026
San Diego Padres infielder
Sung-Mun Song (oblique) is expected to miss four weeks while recovering from an oblique injury that he suffered during a recent batting practice session, according to Jee-ho Yoo of Yonhap News Agency. Yoo notes that Song recently visited a clinic in Yokohama, Japan, to receive extensive treatment before arriving in Arizona for his first MLB spring training. The four-week timeline indicates that Song should be ready near the start of camp. The 29-year-old inked a deal with the Padres after an impressive two-year stretch in the KBO, during which he posted a .327 batting average with 45 home runs, 194 RBI, 46 stolen bases, a 10.6% walk rate, and a 14.3% strikeout rate. Song primarily played third base with the Kiwoom Heroes, but he also earned reps at second base and first base. His versatility gives him value with the Padres, whose left side of the infield is typically patrolled by
Manny Machado and
Xander Bogaerts. As a result, he'll likely play second base for San Diego.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jee-ho Yoo
January 17, 2026
Free-agent right-handed pitcher
Trevor Gott has signed a minor-league deal with the Washington Nationals, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The 33-year-old reliever spent last season with the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets, posting a 4.45 FIP and 8.7 K/9 over 58 innings of work. His solid numbers over a large sample size indicate that he likely will receive an invite to spring training, where he'll compete to make the Nationals' Opening Day roster out of camp. Gott throws five different pitches, giving preference to a cutter that he uses 39% of the time. By FanGraphs' Stuff+ metric, Gott's best pitches are his four-seam fastball and sinker, which account for roughly 50% of his pitches. He rounds out his repertoire with a curveball and changeup. This signing represents another patchwork bullpen addition for the Nats, who also landed
Griff McGarry in the Rule 5 draft and
Paxton Schultz via waivers.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 17, 2026
Right-handed reliever
Ryan Pressly has announced his retirement from professional baseball, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Pressly played in 13 major league seasons with three different teams, but the best portion of his career came with the Houston Astros. He was a pivotal part of the Astros' success in the late 2010s and early 2020s, earning two All-Star nods and a World Series ring. He posted a stellar 2.06 FIP with 11.4 K/9 in 2021, and he racked up a total of 90 saves from 2021 through 2023. He finished his career with the Cubs in 2025, making 45 appearances with a 5.05 FIP before being released in August. Pressly's final career stat line includes a 3.33 ERA, 9.4 K/9, and 117 saves over 667 games.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chandler Rome
January 17, 2026
The Cincinnati Reds offered star shortstop
Elly De La Cruz a contract extension last spring that would have been the largest contract in franchise history, according to MLB.com's Manny Randhawa, but De La Cruz declined the offer. The largest current contract in Reds history is
Joey Votto's 10-year, $225 million deal in 2012. De La Cruz became the fifth player in MLB history to hit at least 20 home runs (25) and steal at least 60 bases (67) in a single season in 2024. The 6-foot-5, 200-pounder took a step back offensively in 2025, though, hitting 22 home runs and stealing 37 bases in 162 games played. However, a left-quad injury that he played with during the second half of the season may have been to blame. Despite his defensive shortcomings, De La Cruz is an elite athlete who could definitely bounce back offensively in 2026 with better health.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Manny Randhawa
January 17, 2026
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Toronto Blue Jays offered superstar outfielder
Kyle Tucker a massive 10-year, $350 million contract before he chose to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday evening. Tucker opted to ink a four-year, $240 million contract with the two-time reigning World Series Champions. Throughout the winter, the Blue Jays were viewed as favorites to land the star outfielder. While they were unable to land him, they have enjoyed a productive offseason, signing infielder
Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million contract and starting pitcher
Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $120 million contract. Additionally, they could still look to pursue
Cody Bellinger in free agency if they are looking to further bolster their outfield. Tucker, who carries five-category potential, holds high-end OF1 value heading into 2026 as he is joining the best lineup in the sport.
--Andy SmithSource: Jon Heyman
January 17, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez is expected to remain on the Dodgers but will shift to left field following the signing of
Kyle Tucker. On Thursday night, the Dodgers signed Tucker to a four-year, $240 million contract. While Hernandez spent time in left field during his first season in Los Angeles in 2024, he shifted to right field last summer. However, given Tucker's lack of experience in left field, the Dodgers will look to keep their newly-acquired superstar in right field to begin the 2026 season. Last summer, Hernandez took a slight step back and remained a productive power hitter, posting a .247/.284/.454 line with 25 home runs. Given that he will continue to bat in the heart of one of the most potent lineups in baseball, Hernandez remains a viable OF2 in all formats as he should provide high-end power production with elite counting stats.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 17, 2026
Several teams have reached out to the Cincinnati Reds in hopes of acquiring one of their top pitchers, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. While a source noted that teams doubt the Reds would entertain a trade offer for their top arms like
Hunter Greene,
Nick Lodolo, or
Andrew Abbott, a depth pitcher like
Brady Singer could very well be on the trade block. Currently, the Reds have several budding arms in their system who appear poised to take on a full-time role on the MLB roster in the near future. Last season, Singer struggled in his debut campaign in Cincinnati, posting a 4.03 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP across 1692/3 innings of work. While former top prospect
Chase Burns appears poised to earn a spot in the starting rotation, Singer could block other young arms like
Rhett Lowder and
Chase Petty. Managers should pay close attention to the Cincinnati rotation in spring training, as many roles appear up for the taking.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 17, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Baltimore Orioles are among the clubs that have shown interest in free agent right-handed pitcher
Justin Verlander. Rosenthal noted that the 43-year-old is still receiving interest from several clubs, but given his connection with Orioles GM Mike Elias, the Orioles appear to be among the favorites to land him. However, given that the Orioles are still actively pursuing starting pitching, they could look to pivot to an option with more upside, according to Rosenthal. Last season, Verlander logged 152 innings with the San Francisco Giants and held a 3.85 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP. He struck out only 137 hitters and generated a 37th percentile 4.24 xERA under the hood. Given his decreasing strikeout production and high ratios, Verlander would only be worth targeting in deep 15+ team/AL-only formats if he were to sign with the Orioles.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 17, 2026
Cincinnati Reds second baseman
Matt McLain has added 12 pounds in the offseason as he has focused on getting stronger. The former 17th overall pick has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his two-year MLB career and is eyeing a "fresh start." McLain made his debut in 2023 but missed the entire 2024 campaign due to a rib and shoulder injury. In 2025, McLain appeared in a career-high 147 games but struggled at the plate, posting a .220/.300/.343 line with 18 doubles, 15 home runs, and 18 stolen bases. Under the hood, he generated a low .290 xwOBA. This was a stark drop from the promising .290/.357/.507 line he held during his debut campaign in 2023. Managers should keep a close eye on his status during camp, as the young infielder does possess five-category upside when on the field.
--Andy SmithSource: Charlie Goldsmith
January 17, 2026
According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, New York Mets third baseman
Brett Baty is expected to play numerous positions, including left field. On Friday, the team signed infielder
Bo Bichette, who is now slated to take over the everyday role at third base, shifting Baty into a super-utility role. While Baty may struggle to find at-bats in the infield, he could carve out a role in the New York outfield that traded
Brandon Nimmo this offseason and failed to sign
Kyle Tucker. Throughout his MLB career, Baty has only made one appearance in left field, but is expected to earn opportunities there during camp. Last season, the 26-year-old held a .254/.313/.435 line with 13 doubles and a career-best 18 home runs across 130 contests. While Baty's short-term fantasy value did take a hit following Bichette's signing, he could eventually carve out a role in the outfield. For now, he is best left for deeper redraft formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Jon Heyman
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