January 23, 2026
According to Spencer Nusbaum, Andrew Golden, and Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post, the Nationals have shopped star shortstop
CJ Abrams on the trade market this offseason. While they have yet to find a trade partner, they are actively looking to move the infielder. On Thursday, the Nationals traded their ace,
MacKenzie Gore, to the Texas Rangers in exchange for numerous top prospects, and could now look to pursue talks for Abrams. Abrams began his career with the Padres but was shipped to Washington in the
Juan Soto trade in August of 2022. Last season, Abrams posted a .257/.315/.433 line with a career-high 35 doubles. He hit 19 home runs and swiped at least 31 bases for the second-straight campaign. The 25-year-old remains a solid No. 1 SS in category formats, given his ability to hit for power and steal bases. If he were to be traded to a contender, he would see his counting stats receive a major boost.
--Andy SmithSource: Spencer Nusbaum, Andrew Golden, Chelsea Janes
January 23, 2026
According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, free-agent pitcher
Brent Suter continues to draw interest among many clubs on the open market. Murray noted that the left-hander is currently evaluating his options. In 2025, Suter spent the entire campaign with the Reds and logged 67 2/3 innings, primarily as a reliever (three starts). He posted a modest 4.52 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. He struck out just 53 batters but did limit hard contact, generating a 32.9% hard-hit rate with a 7.8% barrel rate. Additionally, Suter showed strong command, serving up free passes at a low 6.2% rate. Managers in deeper leagues that reward holds should monitor his status as he could become a late-inning option for a team. However, he is not expected to compete for any closer role, as he has tallied just three saves in his 10-year MLB career.
--Andy SmithSource: Robert Murray
January 23, 2026
Free-agent right-handed pitcher
Zack Littell is drawing significant interest on the open market, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.com. Littell spent the 2025 campaign with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds. Across 186 2/3 innings of work (32 starts), the right-hander posted a 3.81 ERA with a strong 1.10 WHIP. Littell showed elite command, allowing walks at a 4.2% rate, placing him in the 98th percentile among qualified pitchers. However, he generated much higher 4.36 xERA, suggesting he could face some regression in 2026. Additionally, he only struck out 130 batters (12th percentile), which lowers his ceiling for fantasy purposes. Managers should monitor his status, as he could be a viable boost to your WHIP ratio but will not have much impact in the other categories.
--Andy SmithSource: Robert Murray
January 23, 2026
Free agent infielder
Isiah Kiner-Falefa met with several teams through virtual meetings over the past week, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.com. Kiner-Falefa spent the 2025 season with the Pirates and Blue Jays. Across 138 games, the 30-year-old posted a .262/.297/.334 line with two home runs and 15 stolen bases. While he does not make much of an impact in the batter's box, the infielder can play at numerous defensive positions, which gives him great value as a depth piece. Last summer, Kiner-Falefa had double-digit stats at second base, third base, and shortstop. Earlier in his career, he also saw time in the outfield. Managers in deeper 15-team formats should monitor Kiner-Falefa's free-agent market as he could hold value as a bench option given his defensive versatility.
--Andy SmithSource: Robert Murray
January 23, 2026
Texas Rangers first baseman
Jake Burger (wrist) is fully recovered from offseason wrist surgery and is expected to be a full-go for spring training, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. In 2025, Burger appeared in only 103 games and had a disappointing season in the batter's box, posting a low .236/.269/.419 line with 16 home runs and a high 24.7% K%. During the season, he battled numerous lingering injuries, including a wrist injury that now looks to be behind him. In 2023 and 2024, Burger launched at last 29 home runs in each season and held an overall .250/.205/.488 line with a 793 OPS. Managers should expect the 29-year-old to operate as the primary first baseman in Texas. He is a solid target late in drafts if looking for power, as he should return to his 25+ HR upside following a healthy offseason.
--Andy SmithSource: Shawn McFarland
January 23, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, free agent starting pitcher
Max Scherzer is not in a rush to sign a contract. Scherzer is reportedly fully healthy and prepped to sign with a team. However, the veteran is willing to wait for his offers to find the perfect opportunity. Rosenthal and Sammon even noted that there is a possibility that Scherzer waits until after Opening Day to sign with a preferred club. Last season, Scherzer spent the 2025 campaign with the Blue Jays and posted a 5.19 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 85 innings. He struck out only 82 hitters but showed strong command, allowing walks at a 6.4% rate. In 2024, Scherzer logged only 43 1/3 innings. Once Scherzer does sign with a club, he will likely only hold value in deeper formats given his declining strikeout upside.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 23, 2026
New York Yankees right-handed pitching prospect
Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz is a name to closely monitor during spring training. Rodriguez-Cruz is currently viewed as the No. 3-ranked prospect in the Yankee system and No. 97 overall on MLB.com. Last summer, the right-hander began the season at High-A but was promoted through the system quickly and ended the season at Triple-A. At High-A, Rodriguez-Cruz logged 83 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.26 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 99 punchouts. At Double-A, he continued to succeed, striking out 74 hitters across 61 1/3 innings with a 2.64 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. During his brief five-inning taste of Triple-A, Rodriguez-Cruz allowed four runs. Given that the Yankees will likely be without
Gerrit Cole (elbow) and
Carlos Rodon (elbow) for the start of the season, Rodriguez-Cruz could push to make his MLB debut much sooner than expected.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper enjoyed a very productive 2025 season and has left the door open for a late 2026 MLB debut. He begna the 2025 seaons with High-A Cedar Rapids and held a .293/.385/.479 line across a 54 game stint. He then earned a ticket to Double-A Wichita, where he continued to swing a hot bat, posting a .285/.367/.460 line with seven doubles, 11 home runs, and 10 stolen bases. Overall, he finished his 2025 season carrying an impressive .844 OPS with 20 home runs and 25 stolen bases across 113 contests. While managers should expect Culpepper to begin the 2026 season with Double-A, a strong showing in camp could give him the opportunity to begin the season with Triple-A. He is a name to continue to monitor in deeper redraft leagues, as he could emerge as a viable stash candidate if he continues to show this five-category potential.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
January 23, 2026
San Francisco Giants first base prospect
Bryce Eldridge will be in a good position to break camp with the MLB roster. The team's top prospect received a brief 10-game stint in the majors late last season. While he only posted a low .107/.297/.179 line during this stretch, he generated a strong .362 xwOBA, suggesting he is due for significant positive regression during his second stint. He began the campaign with Double-A and needed only 34 contests to prove he was ready to join Triple-A Sacramento. With Sacramento, Eldridge posted a .249/.322/.514 line with an .836 OPS, 13 doubles, 18 home runs, and an 88:28 K:BB. In the offseason, he underwent wrist surgery but is not expected to be limited during camp. Currently, Eldridge is expected to serve as a first baseman/designated hitter for the Giants, sharing time with
Rafael Devers. He is a name to monitor in camp, as he could push for a full-time role early this season.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
Athletics infield prospect
Leodalis De Vries could be in the mix to make his MLB debut in the second half of the 2026 campaign. De Vries was the headliner piece that went to the Athletics in return for relief pitcher
Mason Miller, who was traded to the Padres at the deadline. De Vries is currently viewed as the No. 3 overall prospect in baseball on MLB.com. The 19-year-old spent most of the 2025 campaign with High-A and posted an overall .249/.354/.426 line with a .780 OPS, 10 home runs, and nine stolen bases. He was then promoted to Double-A Midland late in the season and continued to perform well over his brief 21-game look. During this short look, De Vries led a .281/.359/.551 line with five long balls. If the 19-year-old can continue this pace at Double-A to begin the season, he should be in the mix for an early promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas, leaving the door open for the late-season MLB debut. He is a top dynasty asset heading into the 2026 season.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect
Zyhir Hope has seen his stock increase over the past year and is seen as not only one of the top prospects in the Dodgers system but in all of baseball. In 2025, Hope began the campaign with High-A and spent 121 games with Great Lakes. During this stint, the 21-year-old outfielder posted an elite .264/.377/.428 line with an .805 OPS. He hit 27 doubles, added 13 long balls, and swiped 26 bases. He then earned a brief six-game stint with Double-A to conclude the season, where he went 6-for-19 with two doubles and a stolen base. Hope now sits as the No. 20-ranked prospect in baseball and the No. 2-ranked in Los Angeles, only behind fellow outfielder
Josue De Paula. While Hope is unlikely to debut in 2026, he is a name to follow in dynasty/keeper leagues as he appears to be a budding five-category producer.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
The Washington Nationals acquired first-base prospect
Abimelec Ortiz, along with Gavin Fien, Alejandro Rosario, Devin Fitz-Gerald, and Yeremy Cabrera from the Texas Rangers, in return for left-handed pitcher
MacKenzie Gore. Gore saw his name in many trade discussions throughout the winter, and the Nationals were able to acquire several high-end prospects in return. Oritz was viewed as the No. 18-ranked prospect in the Texas system on MLB.com prior to the trade. Last summer, the first baseman opened the campaign with Double-A but was able to join Triple-A Round Rock after an 89-game stint. With Double-A, Ortiz held a .247/.343/.444 line with 19 doubles, 16 home runs, and three stolen bases. During his first taste of Triple-A, Ortiz looked quite comfortable, holding a .283/.388/.565 line with a .953 OPS and nine home runs (across 41 games). Given Washington's lack of options at first base, Ortiz could make a strong case to begin the season in the big leagues. He is a name to closely monitor heading into camp.
--Andy SmithSource: Robert Murray
January 22, 2026
The New York Mets announced they have designated left-handed reliever
Richard Lovelady for assignment as a corresponding 40-man roster move following their acquisition of infielder
Vidal Brujan from the Minnesota Twins. Lovelady is out of minor-league options, and if he clears waivers and is outrighted, he would have the right to elect free agency. The 30-year-old southpaw pitched just 11⅔ innings for the Mets in 2025, allowing seven earned runs while striking out nine and issuing four walks. Across his six-year major league career, Lovelady has struggled to find consistency, compiling a 5.35 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 111 innings. For him to carve out a stable role at the major league level, he would need to rediscover his 2021 form, when he struck out 27.4 percent of opposing hitters and posted a 3.85 xERA. Looking ahead to 2026, even if Lovelady does find himself on a major league roster, he is unlikely to provide any meaningful fantasy value.
--Marty TallmanSource: New York Mets X Account
January 22, 2026
Free-agent outfielder
Corey Julks signed a minor-league contract with the Detroit Tigers last week, and The Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold reports that the deal includes a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training and would pay $875,000 if Julks makes the major-league roster. Julks has spent the past three seasons with the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox. Across 525 MLB plate appearances, the 29-year-old has slashed .234/.288/.337 with nine home runs, 23 doubles, and 20 stolen bases, good for a 74 wRC+. He has also posted a 24.4% strikeout rate alongside a modest 7.0% walk rate. A right-handed hitter, Julks has historically crushed left-handed pitching in the minors but has yet to translate that success to the major league level. Defensively, he has experience at all three outfield spots, though he is best suited for a corner role. Looking ahead to 2026, the Tigers already have
Riley Greene,
Wenceel Perez,
Kerry Carpenter,
Parker Meadows, and
Jahmai Jones on the 40-man roster. If Julks does receive a call-up, it is unlikely to be a long-term opportunity unless he significantly outperforms expectations. Outside of the deepest dynasty leagues, you can leave Julks off your fantasy radar for now.
--Marty TallmanSource: Evan Petzold
January 22, 2026
The Washington Nationals announced they have designated catcher
Riley Adams for assignment, a corresponding move for their claim of right-hander
Gus Varland. Adams had been one of the longest-tenured Nationals, having been acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021 in exchange for left-handed reliever
Brad Hand. Over five major league seasons, the 29-year-old has slashed .211/.287/.354 with 21 home runs in 849 plate appearances. While Adams has shown occasional power, his 79 wRC+ over that span indicates his offense has done more harm than good, particularly given that he grades out as a below-average defender. Washington further crowded its catching depth chart in December by acquiring
Harry Ford from the Seattle Mariners in the José A. Ferrer trade. With
Keibert Ruiz and
Drew Millas already on the 40-man roster, Adams' designation seemed inevitable.
--Marty TallmanSource: Washington Nationals X Account
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