January 30, 2026
According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Houston Astros could look to target Boston Red Sox outfielder
Wilyer Abreu before spring training. The Astros have expressed interest in adding a left-handed bat and would have the assets to acquire Abreu from Boston. Their infield is currently quite crowded, and third baseman
Isaac Paredes has also been linked to Boston throughout the winter, as they have a need at the hot corner. Abreu turned in a solid 2025 campaign, posting a .241/.317/.469 line with 22 home runs and six stolen bases. He generated an above-average .355 xwOBA with a strong .475 xSLG. He is also an elite defender, placing in the 94th percentile in range and 77th percentile in arm value. If Abreu were to join Houston, he would likely take on a full-time role in right field, which would limit the playing time of both
Jesus Sanchez and
Cam Smith.
--Andy SmithSource: Chandler Rome
January 30, 2026
Free agent starting pitcher
Zac Gallen remains linked to the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Baltimore Orioles. Gallen is one of the top remaining starting pitchers on the open market. Last season, the 30-year-old logged 192 innings to the tune of a modest 4.83 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP. He struck out just 175 hitters. However, he held a slightly improved 4.26 xERA under the hood, suggesting he could face some positive regression in 2026. The previous summer, Gallen posted a much stronger 3.65 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP across 148 frames. In 2023, he showed similar success, logging 210 innings with a strong 3.47 ERA. Managers should expect Gallen to hold mid-end SP4/SP5 upside in 2026, given his inconsistencies last season.
--Andy SmithSource: Jon Heyman
January 30, 2026
According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman/outfielder
Tommy Edman (ankle) will have a delayed start to spring training and is in danger of missing Opening Day. Edman is currently recovering from a right ankle operation. According to Woo, there is a "growing likelihood" that Edman will not be ready for Opening Day. The 30-year-old appeared in 97 regular-season games for the Dodgers and held a .225/.274/.382 line. He hit 13 home runs and swiped three bags. He logged 66 starts at the keystone, one as a DH, and spent his other 25 appearances in center field. With Edman likely missing the start of the season, it appears
Andy Pages will face minimal competition for the starting job in center field, while
Teoscar Hernandez and newly-acquired
Kyle Tucker cover the corners.
--Andy SmithSource: Katie Woo
January 30, 2026
Athletics shortstop
Jacob Wilson prioritized increasing his strength during the offseason. Wilson noted that it was the "main focus" and spent the entire offseason in the Athletics facility, adding strength. The 23-year-old shortstop enjoyed an impressive rookie season in the majors, posting a .311/.355/.444 line with 13 home runs and five stolen bases. He generated an elite 90th percentile xBA with a 100th percentile strikeout rate. However, he rarely made hard contact, as evidenced in his low 2.2% barrel rate abnd 24.7% hard-hit rate, both of which placed him in the second percentile among qualified hitters. However, with Wilson prioritizing improving this aspect of his game, he could take a step forward in the power department in 2026. Managers should continue to view Wilson as an elite batting-average contributor with the upside to push for double-digit home runs in the upcoming season.
--Andy SmithSource: Martin Gallegos
January 30, 2026
Colorado Rockies infielder/outfielder
Tyler Freeman is being viewed primarily as an "outfielder" ahead of spring training. In 2025, Freeman saw time at several positions, logging 17 stats at second base, 66 in the outfield, 28 as a DH, and even one as a third baseman. Through 110 games, Freeman showed strong contact skills, posting a .281 AVG with an elite 11.9% K%. However, he hit only two home runs and posted a modest .715 OPS. He did show upside on the basepaths, stealing a career-high 18 bags while placing in the 80th percentile in sprint speed. Freeman was typically deployed as the team's leadoff hitter and scored 50 runs, despite batting in one of the worst lineups in the sport. However, with Freeman ticketed for a primary outfield role in 2026, he could be in danger of losing at-bats as the Rockies brought in
Jake McCarthy this offseason. Managers in deep five-outfielder leagues should monitor his usage in camp. If Freeman can earn a prominent role, he would be a solid late-round target when looking to improve your steals total and batting average.
--Andy SmithSource: Thomas Harding
January 30, 2026
According to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, the Texas Rangers have signed right-handed pitcher
Cal Quantrill to a minor-league deal that includes an invite to spring training. The 30-year-old spent the 2025 season with the Marlins and Braves and finished the campaign in Triple-A Round Rock, in the Texas organization. Through his 117 2/3 innings in the majors last summer, Quantrill posted a 6.04 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP. He struck out only 85 hitters and generated a high 5.81 xERA. With Triple-A Round Rock, the veteran showed some improvement, posting a 1.64 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP across 11 innings. Managers should expect Quantrill to serve as a depth option in Texas and could win a role as a bulk reliever out of camp. However, given his low strikeout upside and struggles last season, Quantrill is not expected to carry much fantasy value in standard formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Evan Grant
January 29, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander
Blake Snell admitted that his arm was "tired" and "exhausted" after five playoff starts and a relief appearance in Game 7 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays last fall, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. The Dodgers have stressed the importance of managing their starting rotation's workload in 2026, which will include Snell. The 33-year-old southpaw has slow-played his winter throwing program. The plan is to be ready for Opening Day in late March, but Harris writes that it is "not seen as a certainty within the organization." Snell still has plenty of strikeout upside and pitches for the back-to-back World Series-champion Dodgers, but he missed four months in 2025 with shoulder inflammation. The two-time Cy Young winner has only reached the 30-start mark twice in his 10-year career. Snell is a risk/reward No. 2 fantasy starter going into his second year in L.A.
--Keith HernandezSource: The California Post - Jack Harris
January 29, 2026
The Kansas City Royals are signing free-agent reliever
Eli Morgan to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. Morgan is looking for a bounce-back season after missing most of the year due to elbow issues. He posted an ugly stat line in 12 appearances with the Chicago Cubs. In 2024, Morgan registered a 1.93 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 34/11 K/BB ratio in 32 appearances with the Cleveland Guardians. The 29-year-old has posted multiple successful seasons during his time in Cleveland. This is a low-risk move by the Royals, who could end up getting a steal if Morgan can get back to form.
--Andy WebbSource: Kansas City Royals
January 29, 2026
Houston Astros starting pitcher
J.P. France has been designated for assignment by the organization on Thursday. The team is acquiring pitcher
Kai-Wei Teng from the San Francisco Giants and must free up a 40-man roster spot. France is the odd man out after failing to make much of an impact over the last two seasons. Since 2024, France has only made five appearances in Houston with an ugly 6.75 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and 27/14 K/BB ratio. France has been unable to follow up on his successful rookie campaign, where he registered a 3.83 ERA in 24 games with Houston. The 30-year-old should draw some interest as a possible back-end of the rotation or depth option.
--Andy WebbSource: Chandler Rome
January 29, 2026
The San Francisco Giants are trading starting pitcher
Kai-Wei Teng to the Houston Astros. In exchange, the Giants will receive catching prospect Jancel Villareal. The assumption is that the Giants made this move to free up a 40-man roster spot for newly signed
Harrison Bader. Last season, Teng posted a 6.37 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and a 39/17 K/BB ratio in eight games (seven starts) with the Giants. He posted much better numbers in the minors and could operate in a swingman-type role for the Astros. As for Villareal, he's a 21-year-old catcher who will still need more seasoning in the minor leagues. In a corresponding move,
J.P. France has been designated for assignment by Houston to make room for Teng on the roster.
--Andy WebbSource: Chandler Rome
January 29, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed relief pitcher
Ryder Ryan to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. Ryan will try to latch on with the team in camp and will earn $800K if he makes the 26-man roster. Last season, Ryan posted a 4.73 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and a 61/38 K/BB ratio across 42 games (three starts) in Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Ryan did pitch 15 games with the big league club in 2024, but struggled to the tune of a 5.66 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He'll most likely join his brother River in Triple-A to begin the season.
--Andy WebbSource: Fabian Ardaya
January 29, 2026
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Osvaldo Bido has been designated for assignment by the organization on Thursday. Bido was claimed off waivers by the Angels from the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. The Halos have given Bido the boot after acquiring
Jayvien Sandridge from the New York Yankees on Thursday. The right-hander has been claimed off waivers four times since the end of the season. Bido posted an ugly 5.87 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and a 68/35 K/BB ratio across 26 games (10 starts) with the Athletics last season. The 30-year-old looked solid as a swingman with the A's in 2024. It wouldn't be shocking for another organization to claim Bido to use him in a possible swingman type of role.
--Andy WebbSource: Angels PR
January 29, 2026
Chicago White Sox third baseman
Bryan Ramos has been designated for assignment by the organization on Thursday. The team needed to clear a 40-man roster spot with the signing of reliever
Seranthony Dominguez becoming official. Ramos was the odd man out after struggling to swing the bat last season. The 23-year-old has seen limited time on the big league roster since making his debut in 2024. He spent most of his time in Triple-A Charlotte last season. Ramos slashed .216/.309/.396 with 16 home runs, 51 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in 105 games in the minors. There seems to be enough upside here that a team could potentially place a waiver claim on him with hopes of a bounce-back campaign in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Francys Romero
January 29, 2026
The San Diego Padres have signed left-handed pitcher
Marco Gonzales to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. If he ends up in the majors, he'll have a $1.5 million salary with an additional $1 million available in the form of performance-based incentives. Gonzales, who turns 34 years old before Opening Day, hasn't pitched since a seven-game stint with the Pirates in 2024. During his brief tenure in Pittsburgh, he amassed a 4.71 FIP across seven starts. His appearances occurred somewhat sporadically, as he dealt with a nagging left forearm strain that ultimately shut him down in August. Gonzales didn't sign a contract in 2025, but it appears that he's fully healthy and ready to make a comeback of sorts. He'll offer the Padres experienced minor league pitching depth behind a veteran-heavy rotation of
Michael King,
Nick Pivetta,
Joe Musgrove,
Randy Vasquez, and
JP Sears.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jon Heyman
January 29, 2026
The Los Angeles Angels have acquired left-handed reliever
Jayvien Sandridge from the New York Yankees in exchange for cash considerations. In a corresponding move, right-handed pitcher
Osvaldo Bido was designated for assignment to make space on the Halos' 40-man roster. Sandridge, who was recently DFA'd by New York, made his MLB debut last season but finished his lone appearance with two earned runs over 0.2 innings of work. He fared much better at Triple-A, where he posted a 3.65 FIP, 13.36 K/9, and 4.83 BB/9 across 31.2 frames. Originally drafted by the Orioles in the 32nd round of the 2018 draft, the 26-year-old is now headed to his fifth organization. He has two options remaining, so even if he doesn't make the Angels' bullpen out of spring training, he can offer depth on the 40-man roster.
--Andersen PickardSource: Angels PR
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