January 28, 2026
The Minnesota Twins have acquired right-handed pitching prospect Jace Kaminska (elbow) and cash considerations from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for infielder
Edouard Julien and reliever
Pierson Ohl. The Rockies originally selected Kaminska as a 10th-round pick out of Nebraska in 2023. He flashed upside early in his minor league career before missing all of 2025 due to elbow surgery. Across 17 games (16 starts) at Single-A in 2024, he posted a 2.78 ERA and 3.13 FIP with 10.72 K/9, 1.24 BB/9, 0.62 HR/9, and a 45% ground ball rate. The 24-year-old has an average four-pitch repertoire, but his command and control should keep him in the mix for a starting role long-term. Realistically, he could pitch as high as Double-A in 2026, if he's healthy.
--Andersen PickardSource: Aaron Gleeman
January 28, 2026
The Colorado Rockies have acquired right-handed pitcher
Pierson Ohl and infielder
Edouard Julien from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Jace Kaminska and cash considerations. Ohl is a 26-year-old reliever, and a strong collegiate career at Grand Canyon University prompted the Twins to select him in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut last year and ultimately pitched to a 3.99 xFIP across 30 innings (11 relief appearances and three starts). He posted solid 8.1 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 rates, but there's some concern about the quality of contact after he posted 1.5 HR/9 and a 34.7% ground ball rate in 2025. It's fair to wonder how that profile will play at Coors Field, which is incredibly unfriendly to fly-ball pitchers. At the very least, though, he offers bullpen depth for a Rockies organization that has been relatively quiet this offseason.
--Andersen PickardSource: Colorado Rockies
January 28, 2026
The Colorado Rockies have acquired infielder
Edouard Julien and right-handed pitcher
Pierson Ohl from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Jace Kaminska and cash considerations. Julien made just 64 appearances in the majors last year, but he got back above the Mendoza line by slashing .220/.309/.324 with a 10.6% walk rate, 29.3% strikeout rate, and 81 wRC+. He posted negative fWAR at the plate and in the field, and he primarily played first or second base when he wasn't designated hitting. He combined for -7 OAA on the right side of the infield. The 26-year-old has zero options remaining, so Colorado will now be pressured to keep him on their 40-man and 26-man rosters. Despite his subpar metrics, Julien represents a potential short-term upgrade over depth infielders
Ryan Ritter,
Adael Amador, and
Blaine Crim, all of whom possess fewer than 0.15 years of service time.
--Andersen PickardSource: Dan Hayes
January 28, 2026
The Atlanta Braves have shown interest in free-agent right-handed pitchers
Lucas Giolito and
Chris Bassitt, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Giolito hit the open market after a season in Boston, and because he doesn't carry a qualifying offer, the Braves wouldn't have to forfeit a draft selection for signing him. He tossed 145 innings across 26 starts in 2025, posting a 3.41 ERA, 7.51 K/9, and 3.48 BB/9. The 31-year-old's 4.59 xFIP suggests he may have gotten lucky at times last season, but the results were enough to keep Giolito entrenched in the No. 2 starter role behind
Garrett Crochet. If he joins the Braves, he'd slot in behind a different Cy Young candidate southpaw in
Chris Sale. Bassitt also found success in the AL East last year, pitching to a 3.84 xFIP with 8.77 K/9, 2.75 BB/9, and a 46.5% ground ball rate with the Blue Jays. He'll be 37 by Opening Day, so he's a bit older than Giolito, but he offers consistency after making at least 30 starts in each of the last four seasons. As it currently stands,
Spencer Schwellenbach and
Spencer Strider are in line to pitch after Sale in the Braves' rotation.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jon Heyman
January 28, 2026
The Chicago Cubs have signed veteran reliever
Trent Thornton to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Thornton most recently appeared in the majors with Toronto last season, pitching to a 4.74 FIP across 33 appearances (42.1 innings). He limited walks but allowed a decent amount of contact with 6.80 K/9 and 1.28 HR/9. Pitch-tracking data indicate that Thornton threw seven different pitches in 2025, adding a splitter to his repertoire for the first time in his career. However, the slider/sweeper remains his best offering with 103 Stuff+, according to FanGraphs' model. The 32-year-old right-hander is working his way back from a torn Achilles, and it's currently unclear whether his recovery timetable will allow him to compete for a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day bullpen.
--Andersen PickardSource: Bruce Levine
January 28, 2026
The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed free-agent reliever
Derek Law to a minor league contract, according to Aaron Hughes of Good Morning Baseball. Law last pitched in the majors in 2024, and he missed all of last season due to right forearm inflammation. The right-hander tried to return midseason in 2025, but he was shut down before he could finish his rehab assignment in Triple-A. Across 75 appearances (90 innings) with the Nationals in 2024, he posted an encouraging 3.32 FIP with 7.6 K/9, 2.4 BB/9, and a 48.5% ground ball rate. He did a good job limiting runs, walks, and loud contact, but he now has to settle for a minor league deal after missing a full season due to injury. Presumably, Law will report to spring training. Although he's not on the 40-man roster, he should compete for a spot in the Opening Day rotation.
--Andersen PickardSource: Aaron Hughes
January 28, 2026
Baltimore Orioles catcher
Adley Rutschman battled through both injuries and underperformance in 2025, posting a .220/.307/.366 slash line with nine home runs, 29 RBI, and 37 runs scored across 365 plate appearances. His down year was a continuation of a worrying production decline. After posting an .809 OPS across 687 plate appearances in 2023, Rutschman's OPS dipped to .709 in 2024 and a career-low .673 in 2025. It's possible that his struggles in 2025 can be attributed fully to a lack of health, as he missed time with two separate oblique strains. Still, 2026 represents somewhat of a make-or-break year for Rutschman, given that Baltimore has top catching prospect
Samuel Basallo as a possible-ready-made replacement already on the roster. The Orioles will certainly give Rutschman every chance to re-establish himself, as he still profiles as a strong defensive catcher and will turn just 28 years old in February. If he can return closer to his early-career production while batting near the middle of an improved Baltimore lineup, Rustchman could be a sleeper candidate for fantasy managers at the catcher position in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 28, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop
Masyn Winn (knee) had his 2025 season cut short by a meniscus tear in his knee that led to him getting shut down in mid-September. However, the 23-year-old will reportedly enter 2026 Spring Training fully healthy and could be poised for a breakout season as a result. Across 537 plate appearances in 2025, Winn posted a .253/.310/.363 slash line with nine home runs, 51 RBI, 72 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. He was significantly better in the early part of the season, recording a .276/.352/.435 slash line through the end of May. Winn was reportedly battling knee soreness for an extended stretch before eventually getting shut down, so it's possible that the ailment impacted his performance in the second half. Winn is known as one of MLB's better defensive shortstops, which should give him an extended runway of everyday playing time in St. Louis. If he can put together a full season of the production he flashed to begin 2025, Winn could be a sleeper candidate for fantasy managers to target late in drafts.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 28, 2026
Seattle Mariners first baseman
Josh Naylor was one of the first dominoes to fall in free agency this past winter, re-signing with Seattle on a five-year contract in mid-November. Naylor posted an excellent season in 2025 across 604 plate appearances split between the Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks, slashing .295/.353/.462 with 20 home runs, 92 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 30 stolen bases. The 28-year-old's speed breakout was the most surprising aspect of his profile, as he had logged just 22 combined steals across the three seasons before 2025. 19 of Naylor's stolen bases came in the 54 games he played for Seattle, so the Mariners could be encouraging him to run even more in 2026. With just a 6.6% barrel rate in 2025, Naylor's underlying power metrics suggest that he may not provide surplus fantasy value in the home run category. However, he struck out at just a 13.7% rate last season, and should have an opportunity to collect counting stats given his everyday role in the top-heavy Mariners lineup. RotoBaller currently ranks Naylor as the number eight first baseman in traditional rotisserie scoring fantasy formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 28, 2026
Free agent designated hitter
Marcell Ozuna currently remains without a home for the 2026 season as the calendar ticks closer to the start of Spring Training. Ozuna is entering his age-35 season and appeared exclusively at designated hitter in 2025, which limits his open market value. He's also coming off a relative down year in which he posted a .232/.355/.400 slash line with 21 home runs, 68 RBI, and 61 runs scored across 592 plate appearances for the Atlanta Braves. Still, Ozuna logged an OPS of .925 as recently as 2024, and he upped his walk rate to a career-best 15.9% even amidst his struggles in 2025. Speculatively speaking, Ozuna could be a fit with clubs like the San Diego Padres or Cleveland Guardians that need a power bat and could have playing time to offer at designated hitter. However, Ozuna is difficult for fantasy managers to value until it becomes clear that he will have an everyday role in 2026. Ozuna currently holds an average draft position of pick 297.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 28, 2026
Los Angeles Angels shortstop
Zach Neto missed time at both the start of the 2025 season due to a shoulder injury and the end of the year due to a hand issue. However, in between the two ailments, the 24-year-old posted a quietly excellent season. Across 554 plate appearances, Neto logged a .257/.319/.474 slash line with 26 home runs, 62 RBI, 82 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases. Neto's barrel rate soared from 8.4% in 2024 to 14% in 2025, indicating his potential for 30-plus home run power. He's also stolen 56 bases over the past two seasons, so Neto is unquestionably a true power/speed fantasy asset. If there's one negative aspect of his profile, it could be his batting average. A career 24.6% strikeout rate limits Neto's upside in the category. Still, he makes a ton of hard contact, has plus speed, and should be locked in at the top of the Angels lineup. RotoBaller currently ranks Neto as the number six fantasy shortstop in traditional rotisserie scoring formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 28, 2026
The Kansas City Royals have invited catching prospect
Blake Mitchell to spring training. Mitchell missed most of the first half of the 2025 season after suffering a broken wrist in February. However, once he returned to action, the top prospect struggled to find his footing. The team's No. 2-ranked prospect spent most of the campaign with High-A Quad Cities and posted an underwhelming .207/.372/.296 slash line with seventeen doubles, two home runs, and nine stolen bases. During this stretch, he carried a 71:45 K:BB. In 2024, Mitchell spent most of the season with Low-A Columbia, where he hit .238/.376/.439 line across a 106-game stint. The No. 56-ranked prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, is not expected to compete for his MLB debut this season but is a name to watch in dynasty formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Kansas City Royals
January 28, 2026
Detroit Tigers catching prospect
Josue Briceno made significant strides last season and could be in contention for a second-half MLB debut in 2026. The backstop began the season with High-A but needed only 55 games with West Michigan to prove he was ready to join Double-A. During his stint at High-A, Briceno posted an elite .296/.422/.602 line with 13 doubles and 15 home runs. He was then moved up to Double-A, where he took a step back, carrying a .232/.335/.381 line with six doubles, five home runs, and a 47:25 K:BB. Managers should expect the Tigers to keep Briceno at Double-A, given his inconsistency in the second half to begin 2026. However, he may only need a brief stint to prove he is ready to join Triple-A. Given the power upside he showed at High-A, Briceno would be a popular stash candidate once he is nearing an MLB promotion.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 28, 2026
Boston Red Sox top prospect
Franklin Arias quickly progressed through the lower levels of the system in 2025 and is nearing his MLB debut. The shortstop, who is considered the team's top prospect on MLB.com and the overall No. 24 in the sport, began the 2025 season with Low-A but reached Double-A Portland in the second half. With Low-A, Arias held a .346/.407/.397 line across a short 19-game stint. He would spend most of his season with High-A Greenville, where he posted a .265/.329/.380 slash line with 21 doubles, six home runs, and seven stolen bases. He finished the season, posting a modest .685 OPS during his first 10 games at Double-A. Managers should expect Arias to open the season at Double-A and be in contention for a second-half promotion to Triple-A.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 28, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers have invited recently acquired infield prospect
Jett Williams to big-league spring training. Williams was sent to Milwaukee alongside right-hander
Brandon Sproat in the deal that sent right-hander
Freddy Peralta to New York. Williams was viewed as the top prospect in the Mets system prior to the trade and now sits as the No. 3 prospect in Milwaukee (on MLB.com), trailing only
Jesus Made and
Luis Pena. Last season, Williams began the campaign with Double-A, where he posted a strong .281/.390/.477 slash line with 29 doubles, 10 home runs, 32 stolen bases. He was then promoted to Triple-A Syracuse, where he took a slight step back, carrying a lower .209/.285/.433 line with seven long balls across a 34-game stint. Managers should expect Williams to open the season at Triple-A but should be in contention for an early MLB debut, especially if
Joey Ortiz continues to struggle in the batter's box.
--Andy SmithSource: Milwaukee Brewers
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