January 12, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks top outfield prospect
Ryan Waldschmidt could break camp with the MLB roster. According to Baseball America, the Kentucky product appears to be entering camp with a legitimate chance to make the Opening Day roster as outfielder
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) is expected to miss at least the first half of the season, recovering from a torn ACL. Additionally, the Diamondbacks also shipped depth outfielder
Jake McCarthy to the Colorado Rockies, further opening a position for Waldschmidt. The 23-year-old has yet to even debut at Triple-A, but has seen his prospect stock soar. In 2025, Waldschmidt split the seasons at High-A and Double-A and held an overall .289/.419/.473 line with an .812 OPS. He showed an elite eye at the plate, posting a 96:106 K:BB. Managers in the deeper leagues should continue to closely monitor his status, as he could be worth a late-round flyer if he performs well in camp.
--Andy SmithSource: Baseball America
January 12, 2026
According to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, Arizona Diamondbacks infielder
Jordan Lawlar could see opportunities in center field during spring training. While the former top prospect has only seen opportunities at shortstop and third base during his first two stints in the big league, it appears the Diamondbacks are exploring an alternative way to get him on the field. Lawlar has seen his MLB opportunities limited due to the crowded nature of the Arizona infield and, most recently,
Geraldo Perdomo's breakout campaign in 2025. Last summer, Lawlar appeared in just 28 games for the Diamondbacks, posting a .182/.257/.288 line. He made his MLB debut in 2024 and held a .129/.206/.129 line across 14 contests. However, at Triple-A, Lawlar has been quite productive, posting an elite .328/.414/.576 line through 91 games. He is a name to keep a close eye on as he could carry five-category upside if he were to see an everyday role in Arizona.
--Andy SmithSource: Steve Gilbert
January 12, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, the New York Mets remain in "pole position" to acquire Brewers right-hander
Freddy Peralta. Rosenthal and Sammon reported that while many teams remain in the mix for Milwaukee's top pitcher, the Mets could complete the trade without moving their top young pitcher,
Nolan McLean. Instead, they could look to trade
Jonah Tong,
Christian Scott, or
Brandon Sproat to acquire the 29-year-old. Peralta enjoyed a career season in 2025, logging 176 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.70 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He picked up 17 wins, pitching for the NL Central Champions, and struck out 204 batters. If he were to join the Mets, Peralta would likely operate as their ace and carry solid SP2/high-end SP3 upside in all fantasy formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 12, 2026
Following the Cubs' signing of third baseman
Alex Bregman, the New York Yankees have already expressed interest in trading for second baseman
Nico Hoerner and have reached out to begin preliminary discussions. Bregman's signing with the Cubs does create a bit of a logjam in their infield, as top prospect
Matt Shaw will likely revert to a super-utility role. However, if the Cubs were to move Hoerner, who is in the final year of his contract, Shaw could become the everyday second baseman. The Yankees are expected to rely on
Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the keystone this season, but could shift him to the hot corner if they were to acquire Hoerner from the Cubs. While he does not possess much power upside, Hoerner posted an elite .297 AVG with 29 stolen bases last season. Hoerner would likely slot in as the everyday leadoff hitter in New York and could see his run total push for a career high, batting in front of
Aaron Judge and
Giancarlo Stanton.
--Andy SmithSource: Pat Ragazzo
January 12, 2026
According to Bo Nightengale of USA Today, the Boston Red Sox will now turn their attention to free agent infielder
Bo Bichette after missing out on third baseman
Alex Bregman. Bregman inked a massive five-year $175 million contract with the Cubs, but the Red Sox were expressing significant interest in him and even offered him a similar offer. However, Nightingale reports that the Red Sox remain interested in improving their infield before the start of the season. In 2026, Bichette posted a stellar .311/.357/.483 line with 44 doubles, 18 home runs, and four stolen bases. This was a massive bounce-back for Bichette in comparison to his .225/.277/.322 line he held the year prior. If Bichette were to agree to terms with the Red Sox, he could limit
Marcelo Mayer's playing time, as Bichette would likely slot in as the everyday third baseman.
--Andy SmithSource: Bob Nightengale
January 12, 2026
Free agent right-handed pitcher
Max Kranick (elbow) is set to be throwing on Monday, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Kranick has been on the shelf since undergoing flexor tendon surgery in July. He was eventually released by the Mets earlier in the offseason. However, it appears Kranick has progressed well and could find a suitor before spring Training. Last season before the injury, Kranick logged 37 innings to the tune of a 3.65 ERA and a strong 1.05 WHIP. During this stint, he allowed only five walks but tallied just 25 punchouts. Through 142 2/3 career innings at Triple-A, the 28-year-old has posted a 3.72 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP, spending most of his time pitching out of the bullpen. If he were to find a suitor, he would likely compete for a middle-relief role during the spring.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 12, 2026
The Boston Red Sox offered third baseman
Alex Bregman a five-year $165 million contract before he opted to sign with the Cubs on Saturday evening. The Cubs were able to narrowly win the bidding war for the longtime Astro, inking him to a five-year $175 million contract. Bregman spent the 2025 campaign with the Red Sox and expressed interest in returning to Boston on a long-term deal. In his lone season with Boston, Bregman posted a .273/.360/.462 slash line with 18 home runs and 28 doubles. He generated a .337 xwOBA and showed an elite eye at the plate, drawing walks at a 10.3% rate and striking out at a 14.1% clip. With Bregman out of the picture, managers should expect the Red Sox to give young infielder
Marcelo Mayer the slight edge for the starting third base job in Spring Training.
--Andy SmithSource: Chris Cotillo
January 12, 2026
According to Andrew Parker of SoxProspects.com, the Boston Red Sox have signed right-handed pitcher
Tayron Guerrero to a minor league contract. The right-hander spent the 2025 season in Japan with the NPB. Guerrero last appeared in an MLB game during the 2019 season with the Miami Marlins but was in the minor leagues from 2021 through 2024. In 2024, Guerrero logged 33 innings with Triple-A Salt Lake and posted a 5.73 ERA with a 1.76 WHIP. During this stint, he struck out 32 hitters and allowed 11 free passes. Through 106 career innings in the majors, Guerrero has held a high 5.77 ERA with a 1.66 WHIP. Given his lack of proven success in the major leagues, managers should expect Guerrero to open the season in the minor leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: Andrew Parker
January 11, 2026
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed free-agent outfielder
Eloy Jimenez to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. This is a low-risk move by the Jays to bring back Jimenez, who spent part of last season in Triple-A Buffalo with the organization. Jimenez hasn't played in the MLB since the 2024 season with the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles. He slashed .238/.289/.336 with six home runs and 23 RBI in 98 games that season. The former top prospect was never able to replicate his 31-homer season during his rookie campaign in 2019 with the White Sox. At this point in his career, Jimenez is basically limited to designated hitter duties. He'll likely spend most of his time in Triple-A and serve as organizational depth.
--Andy WebbSource: Mike Rodriguez
January 11, 2026
The Chicago Cubs have signed right-handed pitcher
Tyler Beede to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. Beede pitched briefly in Triple-A with the Minnesota Twins last season. He was released by the organization after posting an 8.00 ERA. 2.33 WHIP, and a 7/9 K/BB ratio across seven games. Beede hasn't pitched in the MLB since the 2024 season with the Cleveland Guardians. He registered an 8.36 ERA in 13 appearances with them. The 32-year-old is a former first-round pick who has never been able to put it together at the big league level. He'll likely serve as organizational depth and head to Triple-A Iowa to begin 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Ari Alexander
January 11, 2026
The Cincinnati Reds have reached an agreement with free-agent relief pitcher
Pierce Johnson. According to Jon Heyman, the two sides have agreed on a deal, but the details are unknown right now. Last season, Johnson posted a 3.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 59/19 K/BB ratio across 65 games with the Atlanta Braves. A solid pickup for the Reds as Johnson has posted strong numbers over the last few seasons. The expectation is that Johnson is going to be used as a late-inning option. He'll most likely be used as a setup pitcher, which won't offer much value in most fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: Jon Heyman
January 11, 2026
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander
Freddy Peralta remains a top option for the Yankees if they were looking to bolster their rotation. The Yankees were heavily linked to Marlins right-hander
Edward Cabrera before he was dealt to the Chicago Cubs earlier in the week. However, Heyman noted that despite coming up short in that bidding war, the Yankees remain interested in Peralta and Nationals southpaw
MacKenzie Gore. Last summer, Peralta turned in his best season as a major leaguer, serving as the ace for the NL Central-winning Brewers. Across a career-high 176 2/3 innings, Peralta posted a 2.70 ERA with a stellar 1.08 WHIP. He struck out 204 hitters but struggled with his command, allowing walks at a modest 9.1% rate. Peralta carries high-end SP3 upside heading into the 2026 season.
--Andy SmithSource: Jon Heyman
January 11, 2026
The New York Yankees have remained in contract discussions with top free-agent outfielder
Kyle Tucker, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com. Earlier this weekend, sources reported that the Yankees and outfielder
Cody Bellinger had their contract talks stall and that the Yankees have begun to shift toward the final stages of free agency, assuming Bellinger will sign elsewhere. As a result, they have continued discussions with the other top available outfielder. Tucker spent the 2025 campaign with the Cubs and finished the season with a .266/.377/.464 line, 22 home runs, and 25 stolen bases. He enjoyed a hot start but saw a calf injury linger during the second half, which hindered his upside. However, his .372 xwOBA suggests he could return to his MVP-level play in 2206. The 28-year-old would see his fantasy value skyrocket if he were to join the Yankees, as his left-handed swing would greatly benefit from playing in the Bronx.
--Andy SmithSource: Buster Olney
January 11, 2026
The New York Yankees have begun to pursue a trade for Washington Nationals ace
MacKenzie Gore. After falling short in the bid to acquire Marlins right-hander
Edward Cabrera, Jon Heyman of The New York Post reports that the Yankees have shifted their focus to other top trade targets such as Gore and Brewers right-hander
Freddy Peralta. Gore has flashed immense upside at times, but has yet to sustain it over a full campaign. Last season, the southpaw enjoyed a strong first half, posting a 3.02 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 138:35 K:BB through his first 110 1/3 innings. However, over his last 49 1/3 innings, Gore took a massive step back, posting a hefty 6.75 ERA with a 1.70 WHIP. Gore is a name to closely monitor as he could benefit from a change of scenery. He would also be in line to surpass his previous career-high of 10 wins, pitching for a competing Yankees team.
--Andy SmithSource: Jon Heyman
January 11, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, right-handed pitcher
Chris Bassitt has been linked to the Tigers in free agency. The Tigers continue to pursue depth options for their organization and have also shown interest in signing former Boston Red Sox
Lucas Giolito. After a disappointing 2024 campaign, in which the 36-year-old posted a 4.16 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP, Bassitt showed some improvement in 2025, logging 170 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.96 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Bassitt generated an 80th percentile hard-hit rate and sat with a 4.16 xERA, suggesting he could face some minor regression in 2026. Bassitt continues to be a workhorse on the bump, making at least 30 starts for four straight seasons. The right-hander would hold high-volume SP5 value if he were to sign with the Tigers.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
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