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
January 12, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher
Osvaldo Bido was designated for assignment by the organization on Monday. Bido was recently picked up on waivers by the Rays, but he won't make it to camp. The Rays acquired infielder Brett Wisley and pitcher
Ken Waldichuk from the Atlanta Braves, so they needed to make cuts from their 40-man roster. In 2025, Bido registered a 5.87 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and a 68/35 K/BB ratio across 26 games (10 starts) with the Athletics. He posted a 3.41 ERA in 16 appearances with the A's during the 2024 campaign. He offers enough upside in a swingman role that someone should give him an invite to Spring Training.
--Andy WebbSource: Rays PR
January 12, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays infielder
Rodolfo Castro was released by the organization over the weekend. Castro recently signed a minor-league deal with the Jays in November. He wasn't even able to make it to camp before getting let go by the organization. His upside in the power department should be able to land him another opportunity. Last season, Castro slashed .235/.324/.421 with 19 home runs and 82 RBI in 133 games in Triple-A with the Philadelphia Phillies. Castros hasn't played at the MLB level since the 2023 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Phillies. The 26-year-old doesn't hit for average, but has enough pop in his bat to warrant stashing as organizational depth.
--Andy WebbSource: heavy.com
January 12, 2026
The Chicago Cubs have signed relief pitcher
Corbin Martin to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. Martin is a former second-round pick who hasn't been able to establish himself at the big league level. Last season, Martin registered a 6.00 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, and a 23/9 K/BB ratio across 17 appearances with the Baltimore Orioles. This is a low-risk move by the Cubs to bolster their relief pitching depth ahead of the 2026 season. The Cubs have a good track record of turning around struggling pitchers. Martin figures to spend most of his time in Triple-A, but we'll see what he can do in camp.
--Andy WebbSource: Lance Brozdowski
January 12, 2026
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired infielder
Brett Wisely and left-hander
Ken Waldichuk from the Atlanta Braves on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Wisely has played parts of three seasons in the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants and Braves, posting a .214 batting average and .584 OPS in 168 games. He'll serve as a utility infielder for the Rays in 2026, with the ability to play second base, shortstop, third base, and center field. Waldichuk, 28, pitched in 42 games over 2022-23 with the Athletics before missing 2024 and some of 2025 after having Tommy John surgery. He has mostly been a starter in his career, going 6-11 with a 5.28 ERA in 42 major-league games. Wisely is out of minor-league options, which should help his chances of winning an Opening Day roster spot as a bench player.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
January 12, 2026
The New York Mets have met with free-agent outfielder
Kyle Tucker, multiple sources told Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated. The meeting reportedly went well, and the Mets are cautiously optimistic about their chances of landing the All-Star outfielder. The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers have also met with Tucker, either in person or via Zoom. If the Mets were to sign Tucker, he could take over as the primary right fielder, which would push
Juan Soto to left field. Tucker would provide plenty of lineup protection for Soto and shortstop
Francisco Lindor after the team lost
Pete Alonso and
Brandon Nimmo in the middle of the order. The 28-year-old Tucker missed more time late in 2025 due to injuries, and he finished with a .266/.377/.464 slash line, .841 OPS, 22 home runs, and 73 RBI with the Chicago Cubs. When healthy, Tucker is one of the best all-around hitters in baseball, having posted a .273/.358/.507 slash line with an .865 OPS, 147 homers, and 490 RBI in eight big-league seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Pat Ragazzo
January 12, 2026
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Byron Buxton has been added to the roster for Team USA in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic, according to Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com. The 32-year-old Buxton will join a talented group of outfielders for Team USA that includes
Aaron Judge,
Corbin Carroll, and
Pete Crow-Armstrong. The former second overall pick by the Twins back in 2012 is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro in 2025, when he slashed .264/.327/.551 over 126 games. Buxton set career highs in home runs (35), RBI (83), and runs scored (97) while also stealing 24 bases despite missing some time with a concussion and rib-cage inflammation. He played more than 125 games for the first time in eight years. We always knew Buxton had the ability to put up these kinds of numbers, but durability has been his biggest issue. Buxton showed elite hard-hit rates, exit velocity, and speed, but fantasy managers probably shouldn't be banking on another fully healthy season in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Thomas Harrigan
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