January 21, 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies "hope" that top pitching prospect
Andrew Painter will make the Opening Day rotation, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Painter was the Phillies' first-round pick in 2021, but he missed the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons due to Tommy John surgery, pushing back the ETA for his MLB debut. He tossed 118 innings in the minors last year, which was his highest innings total since being drafted. More than 106 of those innings came at Triple-A, where he posted a 4.34 xFIP, 9.4 K/9, and 3.9 BB/9. He allowed a significant amount of loud contact, but despite some of the concerning metrics, he looked healthy for the first time since 2022. His health will put him in the mix for the No. 5 starter role when the Phillies break camp in a couple of months. His chances to make the rotation are higher than ever with
Ranger Suarez departing in free agency and
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) still recovering. As it stands, Painter ranks as the #102 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: Matt Gelb
January 21, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) continues to recover from thoracic outlet syndrome, and manager Rob Thomson indicated that the veteran right-hander could be ahead of schedule. It was previously reported that Wheeler's estimated return was sometime in May, but now, Thomson has told the media that the 35-year-old has been handling "a very heavy workload for him." Additionally, Matt Gelb of The Athletic writes that Wheeler "will be behind the other pitchers in camp, but by every indication, he will not be too far behind." This phrasing suggests that Wheeler still has a chance to be ready for Opening Day. If so, he could fill a key role in a Phillies rotation that saw
Ranger Suarez depart during free agency. Wheeler, who had a 2.73 xFIP, 11.73 K/9, and 1.98 B/9 through 24 starts last year, ranks as the #51 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: Matt Gelb
January 21, 2026
The New York Mets have signed free-agent relief pitcher
Luis Garcia to a one-year, $1.75 million contract, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. The deal includes an additional $1.25 million in potential incentives. The veteran right-hander turns 39 years old next week and split last season with the Dodgers, Nationals, and Angels. He made 58 relief appearances in 2025, amassing a 3.28 FIP with 7.8 K/9, 4.2 BB/9, and 0.3 HR/9. He had some issues with control but consistently forced weak contact, as evidenced by his respectable 49.7% ground ball rate. New York might not deploy him in a high-leverage role, but he's capable of eating relief innings and lighting up the radar gun with a fastball that averages 97 mph.
--Andersen PickardSource: Bob Nightengale
January 21, 2026
The Minnesota Twins have acquired infielder
Tristan Gray from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for catcher
Nate Baez, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. Gray, 29, was the Pirates' 13th-round pick out of Rice University in 2018. He was later traded to the Rays and made his MLB debut with Tampa Bay in 2023. He split 2024 with the Marlins and Athletics before returning to the Rays for the 2025 campaign. This offseason, Tampa Bay traded him to the Red Sox in exchange for reliever
Luis Guerrero. Now, he's on the move once again, despite never playing in a game for Boston. In 30 big-league games last year, he slashed .231/.282/.410 with a 7.0% walk rate, 22.1% walk rate, and an 89 wRC+. He produced 0.1 fWAR and played all four infield positions, but most of his reps came up the middle. The catching prospect headed back to Boston is Baez, who was drafted by the Twins out of Arizona State in 2022. He slashed .278/.371/.423 with eight home runs between High-A and Double-A, amassing a wRC+ of 124. He'll offer minor league depth for a Red Sox organization that could be looking to replace backup catcher
Connor Wong in the future.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Passan
January 21, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers star outfielder
Kyle Tucker is expected to bat second or third during the 2026 season, according to manager Dave Roberts. Tucker inked a massive four-year, $240 million contract last week, penciling him into an everyday role with the reigning World Series champions. The 29-year-old is coming off a slightly down year by his standards, but he still put together a .266/.377/.464 slash line with 22 home runs, 25 stolen bases, a 14.6% walk rate, a 14.7% strikeout rate, and a 136 wRC+ in his lone season as a Cub. He has produced at least 4.2 fWAR in each of his last five seasons and will now have an opportunity to extend that streak in a star-studded Dodgers lineup.
Shohei Ohtani projects as Los Angeles' leadoff hitter, leaving Tucker and
Mookie Betts in the second or third spots. Tucker ranks as the #9 hitter and #5 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: Katie Woo
January 21, 2026
Losing out on free-agent infielder
Bo Bichette -- he eventually signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the division-rival New York Mets -- was a "gut punch" for the Philadelphia Phillies, according to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. The Phillies thought they "were very close to having a deal done" and were willing to rearrange their roster in a significant way to accommodate Bichette. The Phillies actually called catcher
J.T. Realmuto's agent to tell him the team was going in another direction. Philly offered Bichette a seven-year deal in the range of $190 million to $200 million. After re-signing Realmuto for three years and $45 million, the Phillies are not expected to pursue any other multi-year deals with free agents. In New York, Bichette is expected to play third base, a position he has never played before.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
January 21, 2026
The New York Yankees have re-signed outfielder
Cody Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million contract that includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the deal includes a full no-trade clause and a $20 million signing bonus. Bellinger was viewed as the top remaining bat on the open market following the signing of
Kyle Tucker. The Yankees have been linked to Bellinger all winter, along with the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays. Bellinger enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in the Bronx last season and will now look to spend the foreseeable future with the Yankees. In 2025, Bellinger launched 29 home runs and swiped 13 bags. He held a .272/.334/.480 line with an .814 OPS. His home run total was his highest since his 47-HR campaign back in 2019. While he only generated a low .327 xwOBA, his left-handed swing is built for Yankee Stadium, which raises his ceiling. The 30-year-old carries high-end OF2 upside in all formats as he should push for 20+ home runs, double-digit steals, and high-end counting stats batting alongside
Aaron Judge and
Jazz Chisholm Jr.--Andy SmithSource: Jeff Passan
January 21, 2026
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports that free-agent utility man
Enrique Hernandez (elbow) "remains a target" of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hernandez underwent surgery on his left elbow early in the offseason, so he may not be ready for the start of 2026. Still, it appears Los Angeles may still be interested in bringing him back into the fold. Hernandez posted a .203/.255/.366 slash line with 10 home runs, 35 RBI, and 30 runs scored across 256 plate appearances with the Dodgers in 2025. However, he's been a standout playoff performer across multiple postseasons with Los Angeles, and he spent time at every defensive position other than shortstop and catcher this past season. The Dodgers have a crowded depth chart, so Hernandez would likely fill a super-utility role off the bench when healthy if Los Angeles does indeed retain his services.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
January 21, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman/outfielder
Tommy Edman (ankle) underwent ankle surgery early in the offseason. At the time of the procedure, the expectation was that Edman would be ready for Opening Day. However, The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya speculates that the team's "desire to add (utility infielder)
Andy Ibanez seemingly suggests that Edman's availability to start the season is in doubt." Ibanez signed a one-year, big-league contract with the Dodgers in early January. Edman, who is projected to be the starting second baseman in Los Angeles, posted a .225/.274/.382 slash line with 13 home runs, 49 RBI, 49 runs, and three stolen bases across 377 plate appearances in 2025. If he does indeed miss time to begin the year, the Dodgers would likely turn to a combination of Ibanez,
Miguel Rojas, and
Hyeseong Kim to fill in at second base.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
January 21, 2026
Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports that the New York Yankees have "checked in" with free-agent outfielder
Harrison Bader. New York's priority is known to be re-signing free agent outfielder
Cody Bellinger, but Bader could represent a potential replacement option in left field. Across 501 plate appearances split between the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies in 2025, Bader posted a .277/.347/.449 slash line with 17 home runs, 54 RBI, 61 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. The Yankees are familiar with Bader, as he appeared in 98 games with New York across the 2022 and 2023 seasons and struggled to a .237/.274/.353 slash line with seven home runs, 46 RBI, 43 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases. However, Bader logged his best barrel rate (10.2%) in 2025 since the 2020 season, which could have the Yankees back in on him. Even if New York misses on Bellinger and signs Bader, he would likely split playing time with young outfielder
Jasson Dominguez. As a right-handed hitter with a strong defensive profile, Bader would pair well with the switch-hitting Dominguez, who has defensive issues and had trouble with left-handed pitching in 2025.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
January 21, 2026
Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports that the Toronto Blue Jays explored the idea of trading for current Cleveland Guardians outfielder
Steven Kwan at the 2025 trade deadline. Toronto is known to be searching for potential outfield upgrades, having reportedly made a sizable offer to outfielder
Kyle Tucker before he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Guardians have two years of team control remaining over Kwan before he hits free agency, which is typically around the time Cleveland usually considers turning players into future assets. Across 693 plate appearances for the Guardians in 2025, Kwan posted a .272/.330/.374 slash line with 11 home runs, 56 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases. He's won four consecutive Gold Glove awards in left field, so an acquiring team would likely plug him in as its everyday left fielder. If Toronto were to trade for Kwan, Blue Jays outfielders
Nathan Lukes and
Anthony Santander would likely lose playing time.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
January 21, 2026
Miami Marlins catching prospect
Joe Mack is a name to keep a close eye on during spring training. Mack is currently considered the No. 4-ranked prospect in the Miami system and No. 70 overall on MLB.com. The 23-year-old began the 2025 campaign with Double-A but needed only another 13 games there to prove he was ready to join Triple-A Jacksonville. During his first taste of action with the top club in the minor leagues, Mack held a .250/.320/.459 line with 18 doubles and 18 home runs. Through 99 games, Mack swiped eight bags but carried a 115:35 K:BB. He was used primarily behind the dish, as he logged 83 of his 112 total games behind the plate. Given that
Agustin Ramirez struggled as a catcher during his first stint in the major leagues and was nearly deployed just as often as a DH, Mack could be a strong candidate to be the team's primary catcher early in 2026.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 21, 2026
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect
Chase DeLauter has flashed immense potential in the minors but has struggled to stay on the field, pushing back his MLB debut. Last summer, DeLauter actually joined the club for their postseason run and appeared in two games. Given that he is set to enter spring training with a clean bill of health, DeLauter seems positioned not only to make the MLB roster but also to claim the starting job in center field. Earlier in 2025, DeLauter held an impressive .278/.383/.476 line with eight doubles, five home runs, and a 23:22 K:BB across 34 games at Triple-A. While he has not reached the 50-game mark in each of his last two minor league seasons, when on the field, DeLauter has been very productive. Managers should monitor his status in spring training as he could become a top-sleeper pick in five-outfielder formats if he is penciled into their Opening Day lineup.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 21, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays top infield prospect
Carson Williams made his MLB debut late in the season and appears to be the favorite to land the starting shortstop job out of spring training. During his first 32-game stint with Tampa Bay, the former 28th overall pick (from the 2021 MLB Draft) posted a .172/.219/.354 line but showed solid power upside, launching five home runs. However, his hefty 41.5% K% tainted his production. Earlier in the season, Williams spent the entire campaign with Triple-A Durham, where he posted a .213/.318/.447 line with a .765 OPS. He hit 23 home runs and swiped 22 bases. While his strikeout rate will hinder his upside in points leagues, Williams has shown a solid power and speed skill set that could translate to deeper category formats. He is worth monitoring in spring training as he could be a viable late-round depth middle infielder in 15+ team formats.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 21, 2026
The Washington Nationals acquired top catching prospect
Harry Ford from the Seattle Mariners earlier in the offseason in exchange for reliever Jose Ferrer. Ford was considered one of the top catching prospects in the sport as he was progressing through the Seattle system. However, playing in a club with superstar
Cal Raleigh was going to prevent Ford from seeing consistent at-bats. As a result, the Mariners opted to move him to Washington, where he could immediately take on a starting role in 2026. Outside of a small eight-game taste of the majors, Ford spent the majority of the 2025 campaign with Triple-A. Across 87 games, Ford posted a .283/.408/.460 line with 18 doubles, 16 home runs, seven stolen bases, and a strong 88:77 K:BB. Given
Keibert Ruiz's immense struggles last season, Ford could claim the starting role in spring training. He is named to closely monitor in two-catcher leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
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