January 13, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals have traded third baseman
Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In exchange, the Cardinals received right-handed pitcher Jack Martinez. Arenado has had his name on the trade block throughout the winter and finally agreed to waive his no-trade clause to join the Diamondbacks. The 34-year-old is coming off a quiet season, posting a low .237/.289/.377 slash line with just 12 home runs and three stolen bases. Under the hood, the former second round of pitch generated a .289 xwOBA, placing him in the ninth percentile among qualified hitters. However, Arenado remains one of the top defenders in the sport as he placed in the 83rd percentile in Range and has been awarded 10 Gold Gloves and six Platinum Gloves. Managers should expect Arenado to see an everyday role at the hot corner, which would likely shift
Jordan Lawlar to the outfield or a super-utility role. In St. Louis,
Thomas Saggese and
Nolan Gorman figure to compete for daily opportunities at third base.
--Andy SmithSource: John Gambadoro
January 13, 2026
The San Francisco Giants are looking to fill in their infield with another strong bat this offseason, and they are aggressively pursuing an addition at second base, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Passan mentions both the Cubs'
Nico Hoerner and the Cardinals'
Brendan Donovan as options they have been engaged about recently. Last offseason, the Giants added
Willy Adames as a free agent, and then they traded for
Rafael Devers in the middle of the season. With
Matt Chapman at 3B, they already have a strong infield, but adding a top 2B would give them one of the better offensive infields in baseball. The Giants have added
Adrian Houser and
Tyler Mahle as free agents to the rotation and are looking to boost their offense via trade. They're definitely worth watching in the coming weeks leading up to Spring Training.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Jeff Passan
January 13, 2026
Free-agent shortstop
Jax Biggers has signed a minor-league contract with the Houston Astros after spending the first seven seasons of his career in the Rangers' system. Biggers hit only .214 in 79 games in Double-A and Triple-A last season with one home run and 11 stolen bases. He showed more upside in 2024, posting a solid .275/.390/.382 slash with 22 doubles, three home runs, 12 stolen bases, and a 71:87 BB:K ratio. He has never reached the MLB level, but with a change of scenery, he could be an interesting defense-first, contact-heavy middle infield option for the Astros. The team initially assigned him to Triple-A, but his position in the organization could change as major and minor league Spring Training unfolds.
--Zach ThompsonSource: MLB.com
January 13, 2026
Free-agent pitcher
Bryan Sammons is coming back to the United States after spending last year in Japan. The 30-year-old lefty went 5-5 in 16 games (15 starts) for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball last year, posting a 3.78 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 7.7 K/9. He made six appearances out of the bullpen for the Tigers in 2024, posting a 3.62 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings. The tall southpaw will likely serve as organizational depth this season but will get an invitation to Spring Training, so he'll have his chance to earn a larger role. He will likely start the year in Triple-A but could have a chance to earn some starts if injuries strike the Tigers' rotation this season. He's someone to monitor in Spring Training and be aware of for streaming purposes in AL-only leagues.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Jon Morosi
January 13, 2026
Chicago Cubs third baseman
Matt Shaw could lose playing time after the signing of
Alex Bregman, or the team could look to move him in a trade. There was initial speculation that the team could move the top prospect to 2B and look to trade
Nico Hoerner, but The Athletic's Keith Law reported that Shaw has shown "resistance to help from the Cubs' staff" and could be a trade candidate as a result. Shaw hit .226 in his 126 games last season with 13 home runs, a .300 wOBA, and an elevated 21.5% striekout rate. The 24-year-old Shaw would be an interesting acquisition for any team looking for young infield help since he has shown so much promise, but struggled to put it together in the majors. In 2024, he hit .284 between Double-A and Triple-A with 21 homers and 31 stolen bases. He has great upside but comes with some coachability questions, which makes him an intriguing but risky potential addition this offseason.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Keith Law
January 13, 2026
Houston Astros first baseman
Christian Walker seems to be in an overcrowded situation in Houston, but according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, there isn't much interest in him on the open market. The Astros have
Carlos Correa back in the mix, most likely at 3B, with
Yordan Alvarez locked in as DH for most of next season. That leaves Isaac Parades without an everyday spot unless he moves to 1B, or he could be moved in a trade. Parades would likely get more in return, but it makes more sense for the Astros to try to move Walker. The veteran has two years, $40 million left on his contract, and could end up being moved in a salary dump if the Astros can find a taker. While he did have 27 homers last year, he only hit .238 with a .310 wOBA in 154 games. Walker's market doesn't seem to be heating up, though, so the Astros may have to get creative to solve their infield logjam.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Chandler Rome
January 13, 2026
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora views first baseman
Willson Contreras as the cleanup hitter for the 2026 season, according to Christopher Smith of Mass Live. If Contreras does indeed become the BoSox's cleanup hitter this year after being acquired in a trade from the St. Louis Cardinals, the 33-year-old former catcher will have plenty of RBI opportunities, even if the team was unable to re-sign third baseman
Alex Bregman. Outfielder
Jarren Duran, shortstop
Trevor Story, and outfielder
Roman Anthony should hit in the top three spots to help set the table for Contreras. The three-time All-Star had an OPS under .800 for the first time in four seasons in 2025, but he also produced career highs in RBI (80), doubles (31), and runs scored (70) with more playing time (135 games) at first base. There will be plenty of RBI opportunities in the cleanup spot, but Contreras is more of an average fantasy first baseman without a high-end power profile.
--Keith HernandezSource: Mass Live - Christopher Smith
January 13, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the New York Mets appear to be the favorite to land Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
Freddy Peralta in a trade. However, Rosenthal and Sammon noted that they would be able to acquire him without moving top pitching prospect
Nolan McLean. Instead, they could look to move one of
Brandon Sproat,
Jonah Tong, or
Christian Scott. McLean made his MLB debut last summer and was one of the biggest risers in terms of prospects. McLean was sharp over his brief 48-inning taste of the majors, posting a 2.06 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP. He struck out 30.3% of the batters he faced and allowed walks at an 8.5% rate. In 87 1/3 innings at Triple-A, McLean posted a 2.78 ERA with 97 punchouts. Given his expected role in the MLB rotation, McLean is worth viewing as a solid SP3 in all formats in 2026.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 13, 2026
Los Angeles Angels top pitching prospect, Tyler Bremner (elbow), is cleared to participate in spring training. The Angels selected Bremner with the second overall pick of the 2025 MLB Draft out of UC Santa Barbara. Bremner was diagnosed with right elbow soreness and was eventually shut down late in the season. However, their budding ace avoided any serious injury and will be a full-go in camp. According to MLB.com, Bremner boasts an impressive fastball and changeup, both of which were given 65 scouting grades. The right-hander spent all three seasons of his college career at Santa Brabra, where he held an overall 3.58 ERA, splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. Through 222 1/3 innings, he struck out 295 batters and allowed just 57 walks. He is worth closely monitoring, as Bremner could push for his MLB debut later in 2026.
--Andy SmithSource: Jeff Fletcher
January 13, 2026
According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, Colorado Rockies outfield prospect
Charlie Condon is expected to compete for the starting first base job during spring training. Condon was selected with the third overall pick by the Rockies in the 2024 MLB Draft. The former Georgia Bulldog came out of college as an outfielder but appears to be in the mix for a role at first base, hoping to get him to the majors sooner. In 2025, Condon split his time between High-A and Double-A and posted an overall .268/.376/.444 line with an .820 OPS. He launched 14 home runs and added 16 doubles with two stolen bases. Condon also turned in a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League. Given that the Rockies do not have a firm answer at the first base position, Condon could make a strong case to start there on Opening Day. He will be competing alongside
Troy Johnston and
Blaine Crim.
--Andy SmithSource: Thomas Harding
January 13, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect
Trey Yesavage is not expected to have a strict innings limit during the 2026 campaign. Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet reported that their top right-hander will have no workload limits in his second MLB season and is expected to remain in the starting rotation. The 20th overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft made his MLB debut late in the season and played a key role in their run to the World Series. During his first three MLB starts (14 innings), Yesavage posted a 3.21 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP. However, in the postseason, the East Carolina product struck out an eye-catching 39 batters across 27 2/3 innings. Over 98 innings in the Tornot system last summer, Yesavage posted a 3.12 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, with 160 punchouts. Yesavage projects as an SP3 with upside in all formats heading into 2026.
--Andy SmithSource: Ben Nicholson-Smith
January 13, 2026
According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Chicago White Sox left-handed pitching prospect
Noah Schultz (knee) is expected to be a "full-go" for spring training. The team's No. 2 overall prospect, according to MLB.com, was dealing with right patellar tendinitis late in the season but appears not to be in line to miss much time. Schultz opened the 2025 campaign with Double-A Birmingham but was able to reach Triple-A Charlotte later in the season. With Double-A, the left-hander posted a 3.34 ERA with a 58:36 K:BB across 56 2/3 innings. During his first taste of Triple-A, Schultz stumbled, posting a hefty 9.61 ERA across a brief 16 1/3-inning stint. Managers should expect Schultz to begin 2026 with Charlotte and contend for a mid-season MLB debut.
--Andy SmithSource: Scott Merkin
January 13, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays left-handed pitching prospect
Ricky Tiedemann (elbow) is expected to be fully healthy ahead of spring training. Tiedemann has battled numerous injuries throughout his young career, which have prevented him from staying on the bump for consistent periods. Last season, Tiedemann missed the entire campaign recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, the team's No. 4-ranked prospect appears to be fully healed and prepared to make a push to make his MLB debut early in 2026. He made his professional debut during the 2022 campaign and tossed 78 2/3 innings split between the Low-A, High-A, and Double-A, and struck out 117 hitters with a 2.17 ERA. In 2023, Tiedemann racked up 82 punchouts in just 44 innings of work. The southpaw has immense strikeout upside and could be an intriguing late-round target for those in deeper leagues if he can show this potential in spring training.
--Andy SmithSource: Keegan Matheson
January 12, 2026
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired left-hander
Ken Waldichuk and infielder
Brett Wisely from the Atlanta Braves on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations, according to Rays Communications. Waldichuk will head back to the American League after the Braves claimed the 28-year-old southpaw off waivers last week. He missed the entire 2024 season and some of 2025 due to Tommy John surgery. The former fifth-rounder had a rough 8.65 ERA, 2.06 WHIP, and a 64:42 K:BB ratio in 51 innings at Triple-A in 2025. In his two MLB seasons with the Athletics, Waldichuk had a 5.28 ERA (5.10 FIP) and 1.49 WHIP with a 21% strikeout rate and 10.3% walk rate in 175 2/3 innings in 42 appearances (29 starts). Waldichuk will most likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Durham, where he'll provide starting and long-relief depth for Tampa.
--Keith HernandezSource: Rays Communications
January 12, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays infielder
Tsung-Che Cheng was designated for assignment by the organization on Monday. He was claimed off waivers by the Rays from the Pittsburgh Pirates last week. The Rays needed to open up roster spots after acquiring infielder Brett Wisley and pitcher
Ken Waldichuk in a trade with the Atlanta Braves. Cheng spent the majority of his time in the minor leagues last season. He slashed .207/.305/.267 with one home run, 36 RBI, and 20 steals across 110 games in Triple-A. The 24-year-old has above-average speed and should be able to find another opportunity elsewhere.
--Andy WebbSource: Rays PR
RADIO
