January 9, 2026
Free-agent right-handed reliever
Ryne Stanek and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed on an undisclosed major-league contract on Friday, sources familiar with the deal told Robert Murray of FanSided.com. It's a worthwhile low-risk investment for a Cardinals team looking to rebuild its bullpen. The 34-year-old Stanek struggled in 2025 with the New York Mets, posting a bloated 5.30 ERA (4.40 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, three saves, 58 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 56 innings out of the bullpen. The nine-year veteran only has 14 career saves in 458 1/3 career innings, so he probably won't be a closing option to begin the year, especially because of his struggles last year with the Mets. However, St. Louis' closing situation is still up for grabs among
Riley O'Brien and
JoJo Romero, so Stanek could be involved if he bounces back and proves himself in his new digs. At the very least, Stanek could be worth a league in deeper holds leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: FanSided.com - Robert Murray
January 9, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers have claimed infielder
Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Fitzgerald made his MLB debut with the Twins last summer. Through his first 24 games in the big leagues, Fitzgerald posted a .196/.302/.457 line with four home runs and one stolen base. He showed a strong eye at the plate, drawing walks at an elite 13.2% rate and striking out at a 15.2% rate. While he only swiped one bag, Fitzgerald showed above-average speed, placing in the 79th percentile in sprint speed. Through 59 games in Triple-A St. Paul last season, Fitzgerald posted a .277/.367/.469 line with 16 doubles, seven round-trippers, and five stolen bases. Managers should expect Fitzgerald to compete for a depth role on the MLB roster during Spring Training.
--Andy SmithSource: Alden Gonzalez
January 9, 2026
According to Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Philadelphia Phillies have shown interest in Minnesota Twins backup catcher
Ryan Jeffers on the trade market. The Phillies are currently in discussions to re-sign catcher
J.T. Realmuto, but have been unable to agree on a contract. Additionally, Gelb and Rosenthal noted that they could also look to sign free agent
Victor Caratini if they cannot reach an agreement with Realmuto. Jeffers has spent his entire six-year MLB career with the Twins. Last season, Jeffers posted a .266/.356/.397 line with 26 doubles and nine long balls. In 2024, Jeffers hit a career-best 21 home runs. Jeffers could be worth a look in deeper two-catcher leagues if he were to sign in Philadelphia, as he would be joining a deeper lineup, which could boost his counting stats.
--Andy SmithSource: Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal
January 9, 2026
Free agent catcher
Victor Caratini could be an option for the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Ken Rosenthal and Matt Gelb of The Athletic. The Phillies are currently in discussions to re-sign long-time backup
J.T. Realmuto, but if they are unable to reach an agreement, they could look to sign Caratini. Last season, Caratini appeared in 114 games for the Houston Astros and posted a .259/.324/.404 line with 14 doubles, 12 home runs, and one stolen base. Under the hood, he placed in the 59th percentile in xwOBA and xBA. Rosenthal and Gelb noted that if Caratini were to sign with the Phillies, he would likely operate in a timeshare with
Rafael Marchan, which would likely limit both of their fantasy values. Caratini projects to be a serviceable low-end C2 in two-catcher leagues in 2026.
--Andy SmithSource: Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal
January 9, 2026
According to Ari Alexander of 7News, the New York Yankees have claimed right-handed pitcher
Kaleb Ort off waivers from the Houston Astros. The Astros designated the relief pitcher for assignment earlier in January and will compete for a spot on the Yankees' Opening Day roster. Ort struggled during the 2025 campaign, logging 46 innings to the tune of a 4.89 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. However, during the 2024 season, Ort was one of the most reliable relievers in the Houston bullpen. Through 24 2/3 innings, the 33-year-old posted an impressive 2.55 ERA with a near-perfect 0.81 WHIP. During this campaign, he tallied 26 punchouts and added three holds. Managers in deeper holds leagues should monitor his status during spring training, as he could carve out a high-leverage role in the Bronx.
--Andy SmithSource: Ari Alexander
January 9, 2026
The Washington Nationals claimed left-handed pitcher
Paxton Schultz off waivers on Friday from the Toronto Blue Jays. The southpaw was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays earlier this week. The 28-year-old made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays last summer and logged 24 2/3 innings to the tune of a 4.38 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Across this stint, the left-hander Schultz struck out 28 hitters and served up eight free passes. While his ratios seem high on the surface, he generated a promising 3.77 xERA with an above-average .219 xBA, suggesting he could enjoy a strong sophomore season in the big leagues. Through 203 1/3 career frames at the Triple-A level, Schultz has posted a 4.47 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP. Managers should expect Schultz to compete for a role in the Washington bullpen during Spring Training.
--Andy SmithSource: Toronto Blue Jays
January 9, 2026
Free-agent infielder
Andy Ibanez agreed to terms on an undisclosed one-year big-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday that is pending a physical, a source told ESPN insider Kiley McDaniel. The 32-year-old Ibanez became a free agent when he was non-tendered by the Detroit Tigers in November. The 32-year-old Cuban right-handed hitter spent the last three years with the Tigers and hit a combined .251/.304/.392 with a .696 OPS, 20 home runs, 94 RBI, 96 runs scored, and seven steals in 304 regular-season games. Ibanez hit .239 (42-for-176) in 91 regular-season games in 2025, adding four home runs, 21 RBI, 24 runs, and a career-high four stolen bases. Because he's out of minor-league options, he's a good bet to make L.A.'s Opening Day roster as infield depth off the bench. As a light-hitting utility infielder, Ibanez should be ignored in all mixed fantasy leagues in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Kiley McDaniel
January 9, 2026
Free-agent outfielder
Max Kepler has received an 80-game suspension related to a performance-enhancing drug, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Major League Baseball said that Kepler tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Epitrenbolone. This is obviously a major hit for the 32-year-old's fantasy stock going into the 2026 season, but also for his prospects of signing with a new team moving forward. Kepler spent the 2025 campaign with the Philadelphia Phillies, slashing .216/.300/.391 with a .691 OPS, 18 home runs, 52 RBI, 58 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 127 games played. It was the seventh time in his 10 seasons that he produced a wRC+ under 100. Kepler isn't aging well defensively, and his bat might be even worse. At best, if he lands a contract with another MLB team, he'll be competing for a platoon role in a corner-infield or DH spot against righties.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
January 9, 2026
Baltimore Orioles shortstop
Gunnar Henderson (shoulder) said on WBAL Radio on Thursday night that he had a shoulder impingement "pretty much for three-quarters of the year," according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Henderson dropped off in the home run department from 37 in 2024 to 17 last year, and also in RBI from 92 to 68. His slugging percentage fell from .529 to .438, and his OPS dropped from .893 to .787. "I just wasn't able to hold the plane, and my body was adjusting to it, not feeling great, so that didn't really set me up in the right spot to leverage the ball like I normally do," Henderson said. "So getting over that and ready to roll this season." An intercostal strain suffered in spring training also got the 24-year-old off to a late start in early April. Fantasy managers might be able to get a slight discount on a player who should be in a great spot to bounce back as one of the best all-around position players in baseball.
--Keith HernandezSource: MASN - Roch Kubatko
January 9, 2026
The Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly open to signing free-agent third baseman
Alex Bregman, the New York Post's Jon Heyman reports. The Diamondbacks pulled their star second baseman,
Ketel Marte, off the trade market on Friday after not receiving a return package that they desired, and they appear to be in the mix to sign the highly sought-after Bregman. The 31-year-old has a robust market, with the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Cubs all among the reported teams that are interested in signing him. The former Astros third baseman put together an impressive campaign in his first year in Boston, slashing .273/.360/.462 (125 wRC+) with 18 homers in 114 games.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jon Heyman
January 9, 2026
Free-agent catcher
Eric Haase has agreed to a minor-league contract with the San Francisco Giants that includes an invitation to spring training, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Haase's salary is $1.6 million plus incentives if he makes the team, plus he has an opt-out clause after spring training. The 33-year-old operated as the backup catcher in Milwaukee in 2025, slashing .229/.289/.357 with two homers and nine RBI across 77 plate appearances in 30 games. Haase will be in a battle with
Daniel Susac for backup catcher duties behind
Patrick Bailey for the 2026 season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jon Morosi
January 9, 2026
The New York Mets are taking "a very serious look" at top free-agent outfielder
Kyle Tucker, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Multiple teams are vying for Tucker's services, though only a handful of teams can realistically afford a big-money deal for the star outfielder. The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers also remain strong contenders to sign Tucker, but the Mets are "very, very much in the mix." According to executives around the league, the 28-year-old isn't expected to reach a contract worth $400 million, though he is likely to blow past the $300 million mark if he inks a long-term deal. The former Houston Astros outfielder turned in another great season with the Cubs in 2025, despite a lingering calf strain down the stretch, finishing with a slash line of .266/.377/.464 with 22 homers and 25 stolen bases over 597 plate appearances. Tucker remains one of the highest-floor options in fantasy baseball and will be a strong early-round selection in drafts this spring, regardless of where he lands.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jon Heyman
January 9, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman
Ketel Marte will remain with the team despite being floated in many trade discussions this offseason, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports. A deal surrounding the star second baseman was described as a long shot, and now Marte will officially stay in Arizona for at least another season. The 32-year-old put up another impressive campaign in 2025, slashing .283/.376/.517 (145 wRC+) with 28 homers, 72 RBI, and four stolen bases over 556 plate appearances and 126 games. Marte is one of only five players with at least 85 home runs to go with a .280 batting average or better over the last three seasons combined, along with
Aaron Judge,
Shohei Ohtani,
Jose Ramirez, and
Bobby Witt Jr. He remains a top-tier fantasy option at second base heading into the 2026 season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Ken Rosenthal
January 9, 2026
Right-handed reliever
Mason Miller and the San Diego Padres avoided salary arbitration and settled on a one-year, $4 million deal on Thursday, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. This is Miller's first year of arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old flamethrowing closer began the 2025 season with the Athletics before being traded to the San Diego Padres in July. Miller had a combined 2.63 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 10 holds, 22 saves in 26 chances, 104 strikeouts, and 28 walks in his 61 2/3 innings during the regular season. There was talk of the Padres moving Miller to the starting rotation in 2026, but the team has pumped the brakes on that for now, and he's expected to be SD's primary closer next season. Since becoming a full-time reliever, Miller has been one of the most dominant bullpen arms in the game with a 43.1% strikeout rate the last two years. As a full-time closer for the Padres in 2026, he should be one of the first closers off the board in fantasy drafts this spring.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
January 9, 2026
Free agent reliever
Cionel Perez is viewed as a potential option for the Boston Red Sox bullpen, according to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live. The Red Sox are looking to add another left-handed pitcher to their bullpen as
Justin Wilson is considering retirement. They have also been linked to
Danny Coulombe and
Tim Mayza. Perez has spent his last four MLB seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. In 2025, Perez struggled, posting an 8.31 ERA and a 2.12 WHIP across 21 2/3 innings. However, during his first three seasons as an Oriole, the left-hander was far more effective, posting a 3.12 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. During this three-year stretch, he tallied 58 holds but was rarely used as a pure closer, earning just six saves. If he agrees to terms with the Red Sox, Perez could earn some high-leverage opportunities that put him on the fantasy radar in deeper holds leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: Chris Cotillo
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