December 22, 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired right-handed pitcher
Hunter Dobbins and right-handed pitching prospects Blake Aita and Yhoiker Fajardo from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for veteran first baseman
Willson Contreras, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. As part of the deal, St. Louis will cover $33.5 million of the $41.5 million remaining on Contreras' contract. The Cardinals are in rebuild mode and did not see Contreras as their first baseman of the future. Dobbins, 26, logged a 4.13 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 45 strikeouts over 61 innings during the 2025 season before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee while attempting to cover first base. He has since begun a throwing program and is expected to be ready for spring training, where he'll compete for a rotation spot. Aita, 22, spent last season between Single-A and High-A Greenville, posting a 3.98 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 14.9% K-BB rate across 115 1/3 innings. He is expected to remain in the minors next season. Fajardo, the youngest of the trio at 19, recorded a 2.81 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with a 28.8% strikeout rate over 51 1/3 innings last season. Although Fajardo is a few years away from being called up to the majors, his strikeout ability gives him the highest ceiling among the three pitchers.
--Marty TallmanSource: Ken Rosenthal
December 21, 2025
The Boston Red Sox are acquiring first baseman
Willson Contreras in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. In return, the Cardinals will receive right-hander
Hunter Dobbins along with right-handed pitching prospects Yhoiker Fajardo and Blake Aita. According to Passan, the Red Sox will be responsible for $33.5 million of the $41.5 owed to Contreras. Boston had previously pursued
Pete Alonso and was rumored to be in on a few other sluggers, but the club now appears to have found its first baseman. Contreras is coming off a season in which he hit 20 home runs while slashing .257/.344/.447 across 563 plate appearances. With the Cardinals in the middle of a rebuild, the organization did not view Contreras as part of its long-term future. The 33-year-old former catcher is expected to take over for
Triston Casas at first base, who struggled to a .580 OPS in 112 plate appearances last season. Casas is often hurt and has missed significant time over the years. Overall, this move is a net positive for Contreras' fantasy value, as he joins a more potent offensive lineup in a substantially better hitting environment.
--Marty TallmanSource: Jeff Passan
December 21, 2025
The Seattle Mariners remain interested in re-signing free-agent third baseman
Eugenio Suarez, according to Mariners general manager Justin Hollander, who spoke on MLB Network Radio. Last season, Suárez tied his career high with 49 home runs, 13 of which came as a Mariner. Seattle's top offseason priorities were re-signing first baseman
Josh Naylor and infielder
Jorge Polanco, but with both now off the market, attention has shifted back to Suárez. Despite maintaining a 14.3% barrel rate, Suárez has become a below-average defender and continues to strike out nearly 30% of the time. The 34-year-old slugger is projected to earn a two-year, $45 million contract. With an ADP of 112, it appears the market believes he has another productive season in him. Although that is very possible, the strikeouts are a concern, and hitting at T-Mobile Park isn't helping him if he ends up back in Seattle. Unless he slips significantly on draft day, he may be someone to pass on, especially with the Giants'
Matt Chapman going about 60 picks later.
--Marty TallmanSource: Justin Hollander
December 21, 2025
The Cleveland Guardians have designated left-hander
Justin Bruihl for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever
Shawn Armstrong, the team announced Saturday night on their X account. Cleveland acquired Bruihl for cash considerations on Wednesday after the Toronto Blue Jays designated him for assignment. The 28-year-old was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021 and has spent time with four teams over his five-year career. Over those years, he has posted a 4.72 ERA, 69 strikeouts, and a 1.372 WHIP across 89 2/3 innings. At this point, Bruihl has no fantasy relevance for 2026.
--Marty TallmanSource: Cleveland Guardians X Account
December 21, 2025
The Detroit Tigers have designated outfielder
Justyn-Henry Malloy for assignment to clear room for reliever
Kyle Finnegan on the 40-man roster, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Malloy, 25, slashed .221/.346/.308 with one home run, 17 RBI, 15 runs scored, with zero stolen bases across 127 plate appearances in 2025. The former sixth-round pick out of Georgia Tech just has not been able to find his footing as a big-leaguer. Although he has a good eye at the plate, he is a below-average defender and has posted a .137 ISO with a 32.8% strike out rate over his 357 career plate appearances. For 2026, fantasy managers can safely remove Malloy from their radar until further notice.
--Marty TallmanSource: https://x.com/EvanPetzold/status/2002536812687077687
December 21, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired second baseman
Brandon Lowe and outfielder Jason Mangum earlier this week, but according to GM Ben Cherington, the team is not done searching for another proven hitter, reports Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Earlier in the offseason, it was reported that the Pirates attempted to sign free-agent slugger
Kyle Schwarber, but they came up short. Pittsburgh is in desperate need of an offensive upgrade after its two best hitters,
Oneil Cruz and
Bryan Reynolds, both posted a below-league-average wRC+ last season. It appears the Pirates are doing everything they can to build a contender around Cy Young winner
Paul Skenes.
--Marty TallmanSource: Colin Beazley
December 21, 2025
Free-agent right-hander
Paul Blackburn and the New York Yankees have agreed to a one-year deal worth $2 million, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. After being released by the Mets last year, Blackburn signed with the Yankees and made eight appearances, posting a 5.28 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 15 1/3 innings. Over the past two seasons, the 32-year-old has dealt with injuries to various parts of his body, including his shoulder, knee, spine, and hand. Blackburn hasn't posted an ERA below 4.28 since his rookie season in 2017. For the Bronx Bombers, he will most likely serve as just another bullpen arm and currently holds no fantasy relevance.
--Marty TallmanSource: Jon Heyman
December 21, 2025
Japanese infielder Munetaka Murakami and the Chicago White Sox have agreed to a two-year, $34 million contract, sources tell Jeff Passan of ESPN. Murakami, 25, has slashed .270/.394/.557 with 246 home runs, 647 RBI, 535 runs scored, and 59 stolen bases across 3,780 plate appearances in eight NPB seasons. Passan went on to say that Murakami is expected to play first base for the White Sox. There are concerns that the 25-year-old has a lot of swing-and-miss in his profile, but he also has a ton of power. The Japanese star has an ADP of 232, making him a calculated gamble that could pay off in a big way. However, the transition from the NPB is not easy, so nothing is guaranteed. As a result,
Lenyn Sosa, who spent time at first base with the White Sox last season, will likely shift to the keystone or the DH spot, and
Miguel Vargas, the other primary first baseman, will now likely cover the hot corner for most of 2026.
--Marty TallmanSource: Jeff Passan
December 20, 2025
The Kansas City Royals are willing to move left-hander
Kris Bubic (shoulder) to shed some payroll, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Bubic is projected to earn $6 million in arbitration, and the Royals are looking to add a bat. Royals have been linked to Red Sox outfielder
Jarren Duran and Cardinals second baseman/outfielder
Brendan Donovan. Bubic is coming off a strong year in which he posted a career-low 2.55 ERA (3.15 xERA) with a 24.4% strikeout rate and a 1.18 WHIP across 116 1/3 innings. He missed most of the second half of the season with a left rotator cuff strain, but is expected to be ready by the time pitchers and catchers report. The 28-year-old southpaw has a 211.85 ADP and could move up draft boards if he is traded to a winning team.
--Marty TallmanSource: Ken Rosenthal
December 20, 2025
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Toronto Blue Jays are showing interest in free-agent third baseman
Alex Bregman. Bregman just opted out of his contract with the Boston Red Sox and is looking for a multi-year deal. In 2025, Bregman missed 59 games due to a strained quadricep, yet still hit 18 home runs with 62 RBI and 64 runs scored while slashing .273/.360/.462 across 495 plate appearances. For fantasy purposes, the 31-year-old re-signing with Boston would be ideal given his pull-heavy approach and the Green Monster. That said, the Blue Jays had the fourth-best offense last year, and Rogers Centre is one of the most home-run-friendly ballparks in MLB. Right now, he's the eighth third baseman off draft boards, but he still has top-five upside.
--Marty TallmanSource: Ken Rosenthal
December 19, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired second baseman
Brandon Lowe, left-hander
Mason Montgomery, and outfielder
Jake Mangum. In return, the Tampa Bay Rays received right-hander Anderson Brito and outfielder
Jacob Melton. The Houston Astros acquired right-hander
Mike Burrows. Lowe will give the Pirates some much-needed pop in their lineup. The 31-year-old hit 31 home runs last year with a .256/.307/.477 slashine, good for a 114 wRC+. Montgomery projects as a serviceable middle reliever with nasty stuff, while Mangum should immediately rank among the Pirates' better defensive outfielders. The Rays add more upper-level prospect depth to their farm system in Brito and Melton. Meanwhile, the Astros acquire an up-and-coming right-hander in Burrows, who has less than a year of service time and still has an option remaining.
--Marty TallmanSource: Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal
December 19, 2025
The Baltimore Orioles acquired right-hander
Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for four prospects, outfielders Slater de Brun and
Austin Overn, right-hander Michael Forret, catcher Caden Bodine, plus a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick (No. 33 overall), sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Baz, 26, is an electric young arm that just hasn't been able to take the next step in his career. Last year for the Rays, Baz posted a 4.87 ERA (3.85 xERA) with a 15.8 K-BB% and a 1.33 WHIP across a career-high 166 1/3 innings. On the bright side, he was able to pitch nearly the entire season for the first time in his career. The 6-foot-3 hurler joins
Trevor Rogers,
Kyle Bradish,
Dean Kremer, and
Tyler Wells in the revamped O's rotation. Fantasy managers should welcome the change of scenery for Baz, even if Camden Yards isn't as pitcher-friendly as Tropicana Field.
--Marty TallmanSource: Jeff Passan
December 19, 2025
Free-agent infielder Sung-mun Song and the San Diego Padres have agreed to a contract, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. Sources tell Francys Romero of BeisbolFR that it's a three-year deal that guarantees Song around $13 million. Song, 29, enjoyed a strong campaign last year in the KBO, posting a .315/.387/.530 slash line with 26 home runs, 25 steals, and 37 doubles across 646 plate appearances. Song has primarily played third base in Korea, but with
Manny Machado entrenched there, he'll likely see most of his time at first or second base. From a fantasy perspective, he projects as a low double-digit home run and stolen-base contributor while being the primary utility infielder for SD. Currently, he will be best suited for deep 12- and 15-team leagues.
--Marty TallmanSource: Robert Murray
December 19, 2025
The Kansas City Royals traded right-hander
Jonathan Bowlan to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for left-hander
Matt Strahm. Strahm returns to Kansas City, the organization that originally drafted him in 2012. The 34-year-old has spent the last three seasons in Philly, posting a 2.71 ERA with 257 strikeouts across 212 2/3 innings. In Kansas City, Strahm projects as a high-leverage lefty and should be most valuable in leagues that count holds as a statistic. Bowlan, 29, is coming off his first full season in the majors. Last year, the 29-year-old pitched to a 3.86 ERA and a 25.6% strikeout rate across 44 1/3 innings. At this point, it's unclear whether Bowlan will make the major league roster out of spring training. Overall, the move is widely viewed as a salary dump by the Phillies, as Strahm is set to earn $7.5 million next season while Bowlan remains pre-arbitration eligible.
--Marty TallmanSource: Robert Murray
December 18, 2025
The San Diego Padres re-signed right-hander
Michael King on a three-year, $75 million deal on Thursday night, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The deal includes a $12 million signing bonus, and then salaries of $5 million next year, a $28 million player option in 2027 ($5 million buyout), and a $30 million player option in 2028 (no buyout). It will either be worth $22 million for one year, $45 million for two seasons, or $75 million for three years. The 26-year-old was excellent in his first year in SD, sporting a 2.95 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with a career-high 201 strikeouts in 30 regular-season starts (173 2/3 frames). However, right-shoulder and knee injuries limited him to just 15 starts in 2025. King demonstrated in 2024 that he has the stuff to be a high-end fantasy starter in a good spot in SD, but that was also his only full season in the big leagues. It makes him a high-risk, high-reward pitching target in fantasy in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
RADIO
