December 3, 2025
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that former Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres general manager Josh Byrnes will be the new Colorado Rockies GM under president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta, according to sources. Byrnes had been the Los Angeles Dodgers' senior vice president of baseball operations since 2014. The 55-year-old served as the Rockies' assistant GM under Dan O'Dowd from October 1999 through the 2002 season. Byrnes worked with DePodesta in the late 1990s in Cleveland when they were both starting their careers. He was also the assistant GM with the Boston Red Sox from 2003-05 and was part of their World Series championship in '04. Byrnes served as Arizona's GM from 2005-10 and as the Padres' GM from 2011-14. His work with the Dodgers, while helping them win three World Series titles, was key to his return to Colorado.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
December 3, 2025
Free-agent left-hander
Anthony Kay and the Chicago White Sox agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract on Wednesday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Kay, a former first-round pick by the New York Mets in 2016 out of the University of Connecticut, will make a return to the U.S. after a two-year stint in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Yokohama Bay Stars. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw posted a 2.53 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 249 strikeouts and 94 walks in 291 2/3 frames over the last two years in Japan. He was exceptional this past season, with a 1.74 ERA and a 57.8% ground-ball rate. Kay should have a decent chance to open the 2026 season in Chicago's starting rotation, and he'll be looking to show that he's a different pitcher after recording a 5.59 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and 22.4% strikeout rate in his first five MLB seasons. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues will have better starting options to choose from.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
December 3, 2025
The Miami Marlins have a glaring need at first base going into next season, but MLB.com's Christina De Nicola writes that as of now, the team doesn't plan to give catcher
Agustin Ramirez reps there. However, that could change if he doesn't show progress as a defender behind the plate. The 24-year-old Dominican backstop hit only .231 (124-for-537) in his first major-league season in 2025, but he impressed with 21 long balls, 67 RBI, 72 runs scored, and even 16 stolen bases in 136 games played. Another thing that could change the Marlins' mind with Ramirez playing some first base is if catching prospect
Joe Mack, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, forces their hand and wins the starting catching job on Opening Day. With the glove, Ramirez was one of the worst defensive catchers in baseball last year, so he's going to need to continue to hit to keep a spot in the starting lineup regularly.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
December 3, 2025
The Athletic's Chandler Rome writes that Houston Astros right fielder
Jesus Sanchez is drawing considerable trade interest this offseason. However, Sanchez's dismal performance following his trade from the Marlins to the Astros might impact his value. Multiple sources believe the Astros' best avenue to acquire an established starting pitcher is via a trade, which could be Sanchez or center fielder
Jake Meyers. Sanchez, 28, hit .256/.320/.420 with 10 homers, 36 RBI, 40 runs, and nine steals in 86 games with the Fish before being traded to Houston. With the Astros, he hit .199 (29-for-146) with four homers, 12 RBI, and 40 strikeouts in 48 games. Despite dropping his strikeout rate to 22.1% in 2025 while sporting a 43.4% hard-hit rate, 11.1% barrel rate, and 91.3 mph average exit velocity, Sanchez's OPS sat at just .699. His metrics point to more potential, but a breakout is unlikely to happen if he's not allowed to face left-handed pitching.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
December 3, 2025
Free-agent All-Star outfielder
Kyle Tucker visited the Toronto Blue Jays training facility in Florida on Wednesday, according to Robert Murray of Fansided.com. The Blue Jays have already signed free-agent right-hander
Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract and right-hander Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract, but apparently, they are not done adding after coming up just short in the World Series. Tucker is the biggest free agent on the market, and he is projected to land an 11-year, $418 million contract. Last year for the Chicago Cubs, the four-time All-Star hit 22 home runs with 91 runs, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in 597 plate appearances. The biggest concern with Tucker is his inability to stay on the field, but because of that, fantasy managers can now scoop him up in the second round of most drafts.
--Marty TallmanSource: Robert Murray
December 3, 2025
The Cleveland Guardians agreed to a major-league deal with free-agent right-hander
Connor Brogdon on Wednesday, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Brogdon, 30, has had limited success in his six seasons in the majors, posting a 4.36 ERA with a 15.3 K-BB% across 192 innings. However, with the Los Angeles Angels last year, he pitched to a 3.86 SIERA with a 24.6% strikeout rate while averaging 95.5 miles per hour on his fastball in 47 innings. For Cleveland, Brogdon is just another arm in the bullpen, but he could help fantasy managers who play in leagues that count holds as a category.
--Marty TallmanSource: Ken Rosenthal
December 3, 2025
The Cincinnati Reds re-signed closer
Emilio Pagan on a two-year, $20 million deal on Wednesday, according to Ken Rosenthal and C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. Pagan, 34, took over the closer role for a struggling
Alexis Diaz early last season and never looked back. Pagan finished the year with 32 saves while pitching to a 2.88 ERA (3.18 SIERA) and a 30% strikeout rate. The veteran right-hander is expected to open 2026 as the Reds' primary closer again, with
Tony Santillan and
Graham Ashcraft also contributing in the back end of the bullpen. Hats off to those fantasy managers who drafted him at his current 185.09 ADP, because he is quickly going to move up draft boards now that he's officially back in Cincy to close games.
--Marty TallmanSource: Ken Rosenthal and C. Trent Rosecrans
December 3, 2025
Veteran infielder
Miguel Rojas and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million deal on Wednesday, according to Daniel Alvarez-Montes of El Extrabase. The World Series hero will spend another season in Dodger blue as a backup utility infielder. Last year, Rojas filled in as needed and slashed .262/.318/.397 with seven home runs, 35 runs, 27 RBI, five stolen bases, and a 100 wRC+ across 317 plate appearances. Once he retires, he's expected to remain in the organization and move into the player-development department. From a fantasy perspective, Rojas is only viable in the deepest of leagues or as a short-term injury replacement for your middle or corner infielders.
--Marty TallmanSource: Daniel Álvarez-Montes
December 3, 2025
Free-agent outfielder
Cedric Mullins and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed on a one-year deal on Wednesday, pending a physical, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Mullins, 31, struggled last year with the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets, posting a .216/.299/.391 slash line with 17 home runs, 58 runs, 59 RBI, 22 stolen bases, and a 94 wRC+ over 498 plate appearances. Mullins had a career-low .209 xBA, while his 24.1% strikeout rate was the highest it has been since the 2020 season. For Tampa Bay, the left-handed hitter figures to be the everyday starting center fielder, and since the Rays led the league in steals last year by a wide margin, he should have the green light on the base paths quite often. For fantasy managers, Mullins may drag down your batting average, but he can still hit up to 15 home runs while collecting 20-plus steals. At his current ADP (400.13), he is a viable late-round flier.
--Marty TallmanSource: Marc Topkin
December 3, 2025
With interest in right-hander
Freddy Peralta so significant this offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers are now considering "cracking the door open" for trade discussions, a person briefed on the team's situation told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. If the Brewers get a strong enough offer for Peralta, they think the presence of veteran
Brandon Woodruff and their other options will give them enough rotation firepower to contend in the National League Central. Peralta's trade value is considerable since he's 29 and is set to make only $8 million in his final season before free agency. If the Brewers were to trade Peralta, they'd likely be looking for a major-league-ready starting pitcher in return. If Peralta is dealt, Woodruff,
Jacob Misiorowski, and
Quinn Priester would be the team's top three starters. Candidates to fill out the rotation would be
Robert Gasser,
Chad Patrick,
Logan Henderson, and
Tobias Myers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
December 3, 2025
The Cincinnati Reds are serious about signing free-agent outfielder/designated hitter
Kyle Schwarber, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Schwarber, who grew up around 35 miles north of Cincinnati in Middletown, is interested in a possible homecoming, according to people briefed on his thinking. Schwarber is projected to receive a five-year, $145 million deal on the open market, and Rosenthal writes that the problem for the Reds is that the Philadelphia Phillies "almost certainly" will offer him more money as they try to re-sign him. The Reds are expected to have around $20 million to spend, but Schwarber, who is coming off a career-best 56 home runs, will cost much more than that annually. Unless Cincy makes an exception for Schwarber, it doesn't make sense financially for a player who isn't expected to give the Reds a hometown discount. The San Francisco Giants have been mentioned as a possible suitor, and big-market teams like the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox could also get involved.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
December 2, 2025
Free-agent right-hander Cody Ponce agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Ponce is the second big pitching acquisition that Toronto has made this offseason after adding right-handed starter
Dylan Cease to a big seven-year contract worth over $200 million. The 31-year-old Ponce was a former second-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers back in 2015. He'll be returning to the big leagues for the first time since 2021. In his 20 MLB appearances, Ponce had a 5.86 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP and 48:17 K:BB over 55 1/3 innings. He played three years in Japan and last season in Korea, where he had a fantastic 1.89 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 180 2/3 innings to earn the league's MVP award. Ponce struck out 252 hitters. Toronto is hoping his swing-and-miss stuff the last few years overseas will translate to the AL East.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
December 2, 2025
The Houston Astros agreed to an undisclosed deal with free-agent right-hander
Ryan Weiss on Tuesday, a source told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Weiss, 28, will come over to the United States after pitching the last two years in Korea, and he's expected to pitch in a starting role. He made 46 starts for the Hanwha Eagles and had a 3.16 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 305 strikeouts in 270 1/3 innings pitched the last two seasons. Weiss pitched in independent ball in 2023. The soon-to-be 29-year-old hurler had a 2.87 ERA with 207 strikeouts and 56 walks in 178 2/3 innings over 30 starts for the Eagles this past season. Weiss has never appeared in a big-league game, so he'll be more of a long shot to open the 2026 campaign in Houston's starting rotation.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
December 2, 2025
The Chicago Cubs announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent infielder
Scott Kingery to a minor-league deal with an invite to major-league spring training, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times. Kingery played in 19 games with the Los Angeles Angels this past season in the big leagues for the first time since his final season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022. He went 4-for-27 (.148) at the plate in Anaheim with a stolen base, 11 strikeouts, and three runs scored at the plate. The 31-year-old veteran will most likely serve as infield depth for the Cubbies next year if he remains in the organization, and Kingery is likely to begin the year at Triple-A Iowa. In 344 MLB games since his debut with Philly in 2018, Kingery has slashed .227/.278/.382 with 30 homers, 96 RBI, and 26 stolen bases. Nineteen of his career long balls came in his second season in 2019.
--Keith HernandezSource: Chicago Sun-Times - Maddie Lee
December 2, 2025
Kiwoom Heroes third baseman Song Sung-mun of the Korean Baseball Organization will be posted for MLB teams this offseason, according to Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News. Sung-mun's 30-day negotiating window with major-league teams will open at 8 am ET the day after MLB notifies its teams. The 29-year-old has been a late bloomer and has come on strong the last two years in Korea. He most recently hit .315/.387/.530 with 26 home runs, 90 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in 2025. Sung-mun is primarily a third baseman, but he also has the ability to move over to the keystone, if needed. He bats from the left side and throws right-handed. Like many position players who join MLB from overseas, Sung-mun could be vulnerable to the increased velocity of big-league pitchers, especially because he's known for having a long swing.
--Keith HernandezSource: Yonhap News - Jeeho Yoo
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