January 15, 2026
Miami Marlins top pitching prospect
Thomas White could make a case to push for an earlier-than-expected MLB debut. The Miami Marlins have traded two of their current starting pitchers this past week, which will open the door for their budding prospects to compete for a job in spring training. The Marlins shipped
Edward Cabrera to the Chicago Cubs in return for top outfield prospect
Owen Caissie and then moved left-hander
Ryan Weathers to the Yankees in return for several hitting prospects. While
Robby Snelling appears to be a favorite to claim one of the openings as he finished this season pitching at a high level with Triple-A, managers should also monitor White, the team's top arm. MLB.com's No. 22-ranked prospect logged 89 2/3 innings last season, spent primarily with High-A and Double-A before earning a brief stint at Triple-A. Through these innings, White held a stellar 2.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP with a 145:51 K:BB. If White can turn in a dominant spring training, the left-hander could make a case to begin the 2026 season in Miami or join the Marlins relatively early in the first half.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 15, 2026
New York Mets outfield prospect
Carson Benge is a name to closely monitor during spring training. As reported by Sam Dykstra of MLB.com, Benge is in the mix to win a starting job in the outfield out of spring training. Following the departure of
Brandon Nimmo, Benge could make a strong case in spring training to claim the open role in the outfield. Currently, the Mets are slated to put
Tyrone Taylor in center field and
Juan Soto in right field. While they have been linked to free agents like
Kyle Tucker, as of now, a corner outfield position appears to be open for the taking. Last season, Benge opened the campaign with High-A but was able to end the season with Triple-A. Across 116 total games, the No. 21-ranked prospect in the sport posted a .281/.385/.472 line with an .857 OPS. Managers should closely monitor Benge's production in the spring, as he could be a top late-round target in drafts if he can claim the open role in the outfield.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 15, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect
Bubba Chandler has seen his fantasy stock rise following his strong conclusion to the season, as he appears poised for a breakout campaign in 2026. Chandler made his MLB debut with the Pirates in late August of 2025. Through his first 31 1/3 innings in the big leagues, the right-hander posted a modest 4.01 ERA with a stellar 0.93 WHIP. However, his ERA is significantly inflated due to the nine-run outing on September 7. Removing this one fluke outing, the 23-year-old would have instead carried a dominant 1.57 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a 28:1 K:BB across 28 2/3 innings in the big leagues. While Chandler struggled at times at Triple-A before his promotion, once he reached Pittsburgh, the top prospect looked like his typical self. Seeing that he showed elite command and above-average strikeout upside, Chandler could enjoy an impressive first full season in the big leagues and is worth viewing as an SP3/SP4 with upside.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 15, 2026
Baltimore Orioles catching prospect
Samuel Basallo could see nearly every day at-bats with the Orioles to open the 2026 season. The top catching prospect in the sport and the overall No. 7-ranked per MLB Pipeline, made his long-awaited MLB debut in August of the 2025 season. Through his first 31 games in Baltimore, Bassalo showed some growing pains, posting a .165/.229/.330 line with a modest .559 OPS. He hit four home runs but carried a 30:6 K:BB. Through 70 games with Triple-A Norfolk, Basallo posted an impressive .270/.377/.589 line with 17 doubles and 23 home runs. During his brief stint with the Orioles last season, Basallo logged 22 games behind the dish with seven at DH and two at first base. With
Pete Alonso now on the roster, Basallo will likely only rotate between catcher and DH. Managers should expect Basallo to open the campaign, rotating with
Adley Rutschman behind the dish and at DH, given his usage last summer. However, if Basallo sees these struggles continue, he could lose DH at-bats to
Tyler O'Neill or
Ryan Mountcastle.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 15, 2026
Kansas City Royals catching prospect
Carter Jensen made his MLB debut late in the 2025 season and immediately flashed high upside. With the Royals, Jensen posted a .300/.391/.550 line with six doubles, three home runs, and a 12:9 K:BB across a 20-game stint. Under the hood, the No. 1-ranked prospect in the system per MLB.com generated a remarkable .447 xwOBA, .336 xBA, and a .633 xSLG, suggesting he was not only making contact with the ball. but was flashing high raw power. Earlier in 2025, Jensen began the season with Double-A but needed only 68 games to earn the call to Triple-A. Through 43 games with the top level of the Kansas City system, Jensen held a .288/.404/.647 line with 14 home runs. In 2026, Jensen is expected to split the job with
Salvador Perez behind the dish and likely shift to the DH spot on his off days from catching. In his brief stint last summer, he logged 10 games behind the dish and nine at DH. If he continues to perform at this level, Jensen has the upside to be an everyday player and carry high-end sleeper appeal at the catching position.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 15, 2026
Top Texas Rangers shortstop prospect
Sebastian Walcott is expected to make a strong push to join Triple-A at the start of the 2026 regular season. Last summer, the No. 6-ranked prospect in all of baseball (according to MLB Pipeline) spent the entire campaign with Double-A Frisco and was able to hold his own, suggesting he is ready for a promotion. Across 125 contests, the infielder posted a .255/.355/.386 slash line with 19 doubles, 13 home runs, and an eye-catching 32 stolen bases. He held a 108:70 K: BB and scored 71 runs. In 2024, Walcott spent most of his time with High-A and held a similar .261/.342/.443 line before earning a brief five-game taste of Double-A. If the 19-year-old can join Triple-A Round Rock early in the campaign, he could push for a second-half MLB debut. He is worth closely monitoring in all dynasty leagues and deeper redraft leagues, as he could be in the mix to debut in the back half of the regular season.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 14, 2026
The Minnesota Twins have claimed utility man
Vidal Brujan off waivers from the Atlanta Braves, designating catcher/utility man
Mickey Gasper for assignment as the corresponding move. Brujan, who will turn 28 in February, has already appeared for five different MLB teams across five seasons in the big leagues. Across 94 plate appearances split between the Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Baltimore Orioles in 2025, Brujan posted a .253/.305/.310 slash line with zero home runs, eight RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Brujan's main appeal at this point in his career is defensive versatility, as he spent time at every position other than first base and catcher this past season. If he's able to stick on the Twins roster, Brujan is likely headed for a bench role. Neither Brujan nor Gasper, who has a career .133 batting average across 133 big-league plate appearances, projects to carry much fantasy value in 2026.
--Will BradySource: Minnesota Twins
January 14, 2026
Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports that the Seattle Mariners "remain interested" in acquiring Chicago Cubs second baseman
Nico Hoerner. With the Cubs' recent addition of third baseman
Alex Bregman, Chicago could be looking to shuffle pieces around in its infield, and Hoerner will reach free agency at the end of the 2026 season. Across 156 games for the Cubs in 2025, Hoerner posted a .297/.345/.394 slash line with seven home runs, 61 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases. The 28-year-old is widely considered one of the best defensive second basemen in baseball and has logged at least 640 plate appearances in three straight seasons. Seattle currently has
Cole Young penciled in as its opening day second baseman, who posted a .607 OPS across 257 plate appearances in 2025. Jude also reports that the Mariners have strong interest in St. Louis Cardinals utility man
Brendan Donovan, so it appears that the team is actively seeking infield upgrades.
--Will BradySource: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
January 14, 2026
The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey reports that "at least one person with the Red Sox suggested this week that there's still an opportunity to trade from the outfield group," and that outfielder
Jarren Duran "remains a likely trade candidate." Boston has at least four capable outfielders currently on the roster between Duran,
Roman Anthony,
Wilyer Abreu, and
Ceddanne Rafaela. While the Red Sox could simply prioritize outfield depth and keep all four, the team's needs elsewhere on the roster could necessitate a trade. Across 696 plate appearances with Boston in 2025, Duran posted a .256/.332/.442 slash line with 16 home runs, 84 RBI, 86 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases. He's entering his age-29 season and will remain under team control through 2028. A Duran trade could potentially provide a playing time boost for Abreu, Rafaela, and Red Sox designated hitter
Masataka Yoshida.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
January 14, 2026
The Boston Red Sox "quietly shopped" starting pitcher
Brayan Bello earlier in the offseason, per Ken Rosenthal and Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. While Bello remains a member of the Red Sox for the time being, Boston's recent big-money agreement with lefty starter
Ranger Suarez could lead to renewed willingness to trade from their starting pitching depth. Across 166 2/3 innings (29 starts) for the Red Sox in 2025, Bello posted an 11-9 record with a 3.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 124 strikeouts. Bello, who turns 27 years old in May, is locked up on a team-friendly extension through at least the 2029 season. He would almost certainly generate interest on the trade market, and the presence of young arms such as
Connelly Early and
Payton Tolle in Boston could lead the team to move Bello in pursuit of a bat.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal, Jen McCaffrey
January 14, 2026
MLB Network Radio's Jim Duquette said on Wednesday that from what he can tell, it's likely the New York Mets have "gone to a fourth year" for free-agent outfielder
Kyle Tucker. Reports surfaced on Tuesday that the Mets were willing to offer Tucker a short-term contract with an average annual value of $50 million, but they might have added a year after it was announced that the Toronto Blue Jays had extended a long-term deal to Tucker. The Los Angeles Dodgers were seen as suitors for Tucker earlier this offseason, but right now, the Mets and Blue Jays are getting into a bidding war, which means he's unlikely to go to the Dodgers. Regardless of where the 28-year-old left-handed-hitting slugger goes, he will most likely be a top-20 position player in fantasy baseball, even considering his durability questions. The Mets would love to add some more middle-of-the-order lineup protection for lefty slugger
Juan Soto and shortstop
Francisco Lindor after losing
Pete Alonso in free agency.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB Network Radio - Jim Duquette
January 14, 2026
Free-agent left-hander
Ranger Suarez agreed to a five-year deal worth $130 million with the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. The Red Sox were bound to make another big move after losing third baseman
Alex Bregman in free agency to the Chicago Cubs. Suarez, 30, will now join ace lefty
Garrett Crochet at the top of Boston's starting rotation going into the 2026 season. Boston also acquired veteran righty
Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this offseason to boost their starting rotation. Suarez isn't a big strikeout guy (career 22.1% strikeout rate) and has never reached the 200-inning mark in eight big-league seasons. However, the crafty southpaw has been lights-out in the playoffs with a 1.48 ERA in 42 2/3 innings, and he holds a strong 3.38 career ERA with a 1.27 WHIP, 705 K's, and 240 walks in 762 frames. Suarez might have the track record of a high-end starter, but he's a solid, command-driven ground-ball artist.
--Keith HernandezSource: USA Today Sports - Bob Nightengale
January 14, 2026
The Boston Red Sox are getting aggressive in pursuing top-level starting pitching on the trade market this offseason, sources told Rob Bradford of WEEI. The Red Sox are ready to make a move after losing third baseman
Alex Bregman in free agency to the Chicago Cubs. Bradford suggests they'd be willing to trade for a No. 1 or 2 starter. Boston has already been linked to Milwaukee Brewers righty
Freddy Peralta, Minnesota Twins right-hander
Joe Ryan, and Kansas City Royals left-hander
Cole Ragans since the beginning of the offseason. In addition to the trade market, the BoSox could go after free-agent left-handers
Framber Valdez or
Ranger Suarez. St. Louis already acquired righty
Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals, but they want to add another top-of-the-rotation arm to pair with lefty ace
Garrett Crochet.
--Keith HernandezSource: WEEI - Rob Bradford
January 14, 2026
The San Diego Padres were the team besides the Arizona Diamondbacks that "mounted the heaviest pursuit" of
Nolan Arenado, people briefed on the talks told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Padres already have
Manny Machado entrenched at third base, so the Padres intended for Arenado to play first base. However, the Padres were unwilling to take on as much of Arenado's salary as the D-backs were. Arizona owes Arenado $1 million less than the White Sox gave left-hander
Anthony Kay in the final two years of Arenado's contract. The Padres have payroll concerns, so they might have been trying to land Arenado for something close to the minimum salary. The 34-year-old has been on a three-year offensive decline. He had an xwOBA under .300 for the second straight year, and his exit velocity was in the bottom-10th percentile. Arenado is still strong defensively and makes a lot of contact, but moving to first base will make him even less attractive in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
January 14, 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies met with free-agent infielder
Bo Bichette on Monday, and Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports that both sides "emerged with optimism" from the meeting. Across 628 plate appearances for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025, Bichette slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs, 94 RBI, 78 runs scored, and four stolen bases. He'll turn just 28 years old in March, making him one of the younger big-name free agents on the open market. Bichette has spent the majority of his career playing shortstop, but he's graded out as a poor defender and has expressed an openness to moving off the position with his next team. Philadelphia already has
Trea Turner at short, so Bichette would likely take over for either
Bryson Stott at second base or
Alec Bohm at third base with the Phillies. Multiple other teams, including the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, have been linked to Bichette at different points throughout the offseason. However, Gelb highlights Philadelphia's historical willingness to sign longer-term free agent deals as one reason why the organization may emerge as the winner of the Bichette sweepstakes.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
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