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
January 12, 2026
According to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, Houston Astros top infield prospect
Brice Matthews is expected to see time in the outfield during the upcoming season. Matthews made his MLB debut last season but was deployed in the infield, spending most of his time at the keystone. The former first-round pick came up in the minor leagues as a shortstop but appears ticketed to shift to the outfield to open more opportunities, given the crowded Houston infield. Currently,
Jeremy Pena,
Carlos Correa, Isaac Paredees,
Christian Walker, and
Jose Altuve all appear poised to see opportunities before Matthews. As a result, the former Nebraska standout's best opportunity to crack the Opening Day roster would be to shift positions. In his debut season, Matthews posted an underwhelming .167/.222/.452 line across 13 games. However, he did flash high power potential, launching four long balls during this brief taste. He could be worth a look in AL-only formats if he can earn a consistent role.
--Andy SmithSource: Brian McTaggart
January 12, 2026
According to Kevin Barral of FishOnFirst.com, outfield prospect
Owen Caissie will "very likely" crack the Opening Day roster and serve as a primary right fielder. The Marlins acquired Caissie from the Cubs as the top asset in the trade that shipped right-handed pitcher
Edward Cabrera to Chicago. While Caissie was already expected to compete for an everyday role in Miami, this report confirms that Caissie appears ticketed for a large role at the start of the season. The former 45th overall pick made his MLB debut last season with the Cubs and hit one home run with a .192/.222/.346 line across 12 games. At Triple-A, Caissie flashed immense upside, posting a .286/.386/.551 slash line with 28 doubles and 22 home runs. If he can claim the starting job in right field, Caissie would have intriguing sleeper appeal in five-outfielder formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Kevin Barral
January 12, 2026
Chicago Cubs former top prospect
Matt Shaw appears to be in serious danger of falling into a reserve role for the 2026 campaign. On Saturday night, the Cubs inked a massive five-year $175 million contract with third baseman free agent
Alex Bregman. However, with Bregman now slated to cover the hot corner on the North Side of Chicago, Shaw could be shifted to the bench early in the season. In 2025, Shaw logged 124 games at third base and added four at the kystone. With
Nico Hoerner locked in as the everyday second baseman, Shaw will likely take on a super-utility role, which will hurt his short-term fantasy value. In his debut campaign, the former 13th overall pick posted a disappointing .226/.295/.394 line with 13 home runs nd 17 stolen bases. Given this signing, Shaw is only worth targeting late in drafts in 15+ team formats for the time being.
--Andy SmithSource: Jeff Passan
January 12, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks top outfield prospect
Ryan Waldschmidt could break camp with the MLB roster. According to Baseball America, the Kentucky product appears to be entering camp with a legitimate chance to make the Opening Day roster as outfielder
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) is expected to miss at least the first half of the season, recovering from a torn ACL. Additionally, the Diamondbacks also shipped depth outfielder
Jake McCarthy to the Colorado Rockies, further opening a position for Waldschmidt. The 23-year-old has yet to even debut at Triple-A, but has seen his prospect stock soar. In 2025, Waldschmidt split the seasons at High-A and Double-A and held an overall .289/.419/.473 line with an .812 OPS. He showed an elite eye at the plate, posting a 96:106 K:BB. Managers in the deeper leagues should continue to closely monitor his status, as he could be worth a late-round flyer if he performs well in camp.
--Andy SmithSource: Baseball America
January 12, 2026
According to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, Arizona Diamondbacks infielder
Jordan Lawlar could see opportunities in center field during spring training. While the former top prospect has only seen opportunities at shortstop and third base during his first two stints in the big league, it appears the Diamondbacks are exploring an alternative way to get him on the field. Lawlar has seen his MLB opportunities limited due to the crowded nature of the Arizona infield and, most recently,
Geraldo Perdomo's breakout campaign in 2025. Last summer, Lawlar appeared in just 28 games for the Diamondbacks, posting a .182/.257/.288 line. He made his MLB debut in 2024 and held a .129/.206/.129 line across 14 contests. However, at Triple-A, Lawlar has been quite productive, posting an elite .328/.414/.576 line through 91 games. He is a name to keep a close eye on as he could carry five-category upside if he were to see an everyday role in Arizona.
--Andy SmithSource: Steve Gilbert
January 12, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon, the New York Mets remain in "pole position" to acquire Brewers right-hander
Freddy Peralta. Rosenthal and Sammon reported that while many teams remain in the mix for Milwaukee's top pitcher, the Mets could complete the trade without moving their top young pitcher,
Nolan McLean. Instead, they could look to trade
Jonah Tong,
Christian Scott, or
Brandon Sproat to acquire the 29-year-old. Peralta enjoyed a career season in 2025, logging 176 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.70 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He picked up 17 wins, pitching for the NL Central Champions, and struck out 204 batters. If he were to join the Mets, Peralta would likely operate as their ace and carry solid SP2/high-end SP3 upside in all fantasy formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 12, 2026
Following the Cubs' signing of third baseman
Alex Bregman, the New York Yankees have already expressed interest in trading for second baseman
Nico Hoerner and have reached out to begin preliminary discussions. Bregman's signing with the Cubs does create a bit of a logjam in their infield, as top prospect
Matt Shaw will likely revert to a super-utility role. However, if the Cubs were to move Hoerner, who is in the final year of his contract, Shaw could become the everyday second baseman. The Yankees are expected to rely on
Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the keystone this season, but could shift him to the hot corner if they were to acquire Hoerner from the Cubs. While he does not possess much power upside, Hoerner posted an elite .297 AVG with 29 stolen bases last season. Hoerner would likely slot in as the everyday leadoff hitter in New York and could see his run total push for a career high, batting in front of
Aaron Judge and
Giancarlo Stanton.
--Andy SmithSource: Pat Ragazzo
January 12, 2026
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Boston Red Sox will now turn their attention to free-agent infielder
Bo Bichette after missing out on third baseman
Alex Bregman. Bregman inked a massive five-year $175 million contract with the Cubs, but the Red Sox were expressing significant interest in him and even offered him a similar offer. However, Nightingale reports that the Red Sox remain interested in improving their infield before the start of the season. In 2026, Bichette posted a stellar .311/.357/.483 line with 44 doubles, 18 home runs, and four stolen bases. This was a massive bounce-back for Bichette in comparison to his .225/.277/.322 line he held the year prior. If Bichette were to agree to terms with the Red Sox, he could limit
Marcelo Mayer's playing time, as Bichette would likely slot in as the everyday third baseman.
--Andy SmithSource: Bob Nightengale
January 12, 2026
Free agent right-handed pitcher
Max Kranick (elbow) is set to be throwing on Monday, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Kranick has been on the shelf since undergoing flexor tendon surgery in July. He was eventually released by the Mets earlier in the offseason. However, it appears Kranick has progressed well and could find a suitor before spring Training. Last season before the injury, Kranick logged 37 innings to the tune of a 3.65 ERA and a strong 1.05 WHIP. During this stint, he allowed only five walks but tallied just 25 punchouts. Through 142 2/3 career innings at Triple-A, the 28-year-old has posted a 3.72 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP, spending most of his time pitching out of the bullpen. If he were to find a suitor, he would likely compete for a middle-relief role during the spring.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 12, 2026
The Boston Red Sox offered third baseman
Alex Bregman a five-year, $165 million contract before he opted to sign with the Cubs on Saturday evening. The Cubs were able to narrowly win the bidding war for the longtime Astro, inking him to a five-year $175 million contract. Bregman spent the 2025 campaign with the Red Sox and expressed interest in returning to Boston on a long-term deal. In his lone season with Boston, Bregman posted a .273/.360/.462 slash line with 18 home runs and 28 doubles. He generated a .337 xwOBA and showed an elite eye at the plate, drawing walks at a 10.3% rate and striking out at a 14.1% clip. With Bregman out of the picture, managers should expect the Red Sox to give young infielder
Marcelo Mayer the slight edge for the starting third base job in Spring Training.
--Andy SmithSource: Chris Cotillo
January 12, 2026
According to Andrew Parker of SoxProspects.com, the Boston Red Sox have signed right-handed pitcher
Tayron Guerrero to a minor league contract. The right-hander spent the 2025 season in Japan with the NPB. Guerrero last appeared in an MLB game during the 2019 season with the Miami Marlins but was in the minor leagues from 2021 through 2024. In 2024, Guerrero logged 33 innings with Triple-A Salt Lake and posted a 5.73 ERA with a 1.76 WHIP. During this stint, he struck out 32 hitters and allowed 11 free passes. Through 106 career innings in the majors, Guerrero has held a high 5.77 ERA with a 1.66 WHIP. Given his lack of proven success in the major leagues, managers should expect Guerrero to open the season in the minor leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: Andrew Parker
January 11, 2026
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed free-agent outfielder
Eloy Jimenez to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. This is a low-risk move by the Jays to bring back Jimenez, who spent part of last season in Triple-A Buffalo with the organization. Jimenez hasn't played in the MLB since the 2024 season with the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles. He slashed .238/.289/.336 with six home runs and 23 RBI in 98 games that season. The former top prospect was never able to replicate his 31-homer season during his rookie campaign in 2019 with the White Sox. At this point in his career, Jimenez is basically limited to designated hitter duties. He'll likely spend most of his time in Triple-A and serve as organizational depth.
--Andy WebbSource: Mike Rodriguez
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