January 9, 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies could look to trade third baseman
Alec Bohm if they were to come to an agreement with top infield free agent
Bo Bichette. The Phillies have been expressing interest in Bichette and are set to meet with the starting infielder in the coming days. However, Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that if the Phillies were to sign the former Blue Jay, they would need to not only open a spot in the infield but also some salary. Bohm agreed to a one-year $10.2 million contract on Thursday to avoid arbitration and is set to hit the open market following the 2026 season. Last season, Bohm posted a .283/.331/.409 line with 11 home runs and just two stolen bases. His 11 home runs were his lowest total in a full season since 2021. If Bohm were to be shopped, Bichette would likely slide in as the everyday third baseman in Philadelphia, leaving
Bryson Stott at second base and
Trea Turner at shortstop.
--Andy SmithSource: Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal
January 9, 2026
According to Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Philadelphia Phillies could look to move off longtime catcher
J.T. Realmuto if they were to sign top free agent infielder
Bo Bichette. Gelb and Rosenthal reported that if Bichette and the Phillies agree to a deal, it would likely result in the franchise moving on from Realmuto. The backstop is currently a free agent but has been in discussions with the Phillies in hopes of returning. However, both sides have yet to come to an agreement, and the Phillies have begun to express interest in the top hitters on the market. Realmuto saw his offensive production continue to decline last season, posting a .257/.315/.384 line with 12 home runs and eight stolen bases. His .699 OPS was a significant drop from the .751 and .762 he posted in the previous two seasons. Currently, the other catchers on the roster are
Rafael Marchan and
Garrett Stubbs.
--Andy SmithSource: Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal
January 9, 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed pitcher
Chris Devenski to a minor-league contract. The 35-year-old spent the entire 2025 campaign with the New York Mets. He spent the majority of his campaign with Triple-A Syracuse as he logged just 16 2/3 innings in Queens. However, during his brief stint in the majors, the veteran was effective, posting a strong 2.16 ERA with a 0.90 WHIP. He struck out 14 hitters and allowed only five walks. Through 37 2/3 innings of relief in the top level of the minor leagues, Devenski earned four saves and held a 3.35 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. Managers should expect Devenski to compete for a low-leverage role in the Mets bullpen during Spring Training. If he can earn a spot, he would likely not hold much fantasy value, as he would be projected to be deployed in a low-leverage role.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 8, 2026
According to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, the New York Yankees' latest multi-year contract offer to free-agent outfielder
Cody Bellinger was for an average annual value of more than $30 million per year, according to sources briefed on the ongoing talks. Bellinger's camp continues to push for seven years, though, and there remains a gap in talks. The AAV of $30 million-plus would rank among the five highest-paid outfielders in the game. The Yankees want to re-sign Bellinger, who would be insurance for the team in center field, right field, and first base. The 30-year-old lefty slugger hit .272 with 29 homers, 98 RBI, and a 5.1 WAR, making him just one of three Yankees outfielders with a WAR over 5.0 in the last decade. The Yankees are expected to prefer a deal for five years, which is what both
Kyle Schwarber and
Pete Alonso received this offseason in free agency. Returning to the Bronx would be best for Bellinger's 2026 fantasy value, where he'd be a top-15 outfielder as a five-category contributor.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
January 8, 2026
The Seattle Mariners and right-hander
George Kirby have agreed to a $6.55 million contract for 2026 to avoid arbitration, according to MLB insider Robert Murray. In 2025, Kirby went 10-8 with a 4.21 ERA (3.39 SIERA) while recording 137 strikeouts in 126 innings. Most notably, the 27-year-old, long known as a command-focused pitcher, posted a career-high 26.1% strikeout rate last year. Although right-shoulder inflammation sidelined him for nearly three months at the start of the year, he is expected to be fully healthy for the 2026 season. From a fantasy perspective, Kirby has the potential to be a top-10 starting pitcher if he can remain healthy and maintain a strikeout rate above 25%. That said, to guard against any lingering shoulder issues, it would be wise to hedge your bet by drafting a few more reliable starting pitchers.
--Marty TallmanSource: Robert Murray
January 8, 2026
Outfielder
Riley Greene and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a $5 million contract for 2026, avoiding arbitration, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. In 2025, Greene set a career high with 36 home runs, 111 RBI, and 84 runs while slashing .258/.313/.493, good for a 121 wRC+. Greene's new power-focused approach came with a cost, though, as he posted a career-high 30.7% strikeout rate, setting the record for most strikeouts in a single season in Tigers history. Looking ahead to 2026, if the 28-year-old from Florida maintains this approach, he is expected to hit around 30 home runs with a .250 batting average. At his current ADP of 73, he is a safe bet to return value as one of your top outfielders.
--Marty TallmanSource: Evan Petzold
January 8, 2026
Catcher
William Contreras (finger) and the Milwaukee Brewers were unable to agree on a contract for 2026, and Contreras is now likely headed for an arbitration hearing, according to MLB insider Mark Feinsand. Contreras played through a broken left middle finger for the entire 2025 season and underwent surgery to repair it in November. Despite the injury, the 28-year-old backstop slashed .260/.355/.399 with 17 home runs, 76 RBI, 89 runs scored, and six stolen bases. Contreras is expected to be a full participant in spring training, and if he can stay healthy, he has the upside to be the No. 1 catcher in fantasy for 2026. He should be drafted as a top-four catcher in all fantasy drafts.
--Marty TallmanSource: Mark Feinsand
January 8, 2026
The Athletics and catcher
Shea Langeliers have agreed to a $5.25 million contract for 2026 to avoid arbitration, according to MLB insider Robert Murray. Langeliers has now posted back-to-back seasons with at least 29 home runs and 70 RBI. In 2025, Langeliers hit a career-high 31 home runs with 72 RBI, 73 runs scored, and seven stolen bases, good for a 132 wRC+. He has also improved his plate discipline, posting a career-low 19.7% strikeout rate. Langeliers ranks among the best offensive catchers in baseball and benefits from playing half of his games at Sutter Health Park, which has a 108 park factor, according to Baseball Savant, making it the second-most hitter-friendly environment in MLB. Over the last month, Langeliers has been the fourth catcher off the board in early drafts with an ADP of 55. Looking ahead to 2026, Langeliers has legitimate 30-home run upside. However, his biggest drawback is his durability. Langeliers has never played more than 137 games in a season, but if he stays healthy, he will be worth his ADP.
--Marty TallmanSource: Robert Murray
January 8, 2026
The Houston Astros and right-hander
Hunter Brown agreed to a $5.71 million salary for 2026, avoiding arbitration, according to a source who spoke with Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Brown is coming off the best season of his young career. In 2025, he posted a 2.43 ERA (3.39 SIERA), a 28.3% strikeout rate, and a 1.03 WHIP across a career-high 185 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old Michigan native is entering the prime of his career, and that hasn't gone unnoticed in fantasy drafts. Over the past month, Brown has carried an ADP of 37, making him the seventh starting pitcher off the board. While some ERA regression is likely, given the gap between his ERA and SIERA, his strikeout ability, workload, and team context point to the fact that he should be a top-10 fantasy starter in 2026. Brown is worth his ADP.
--Marty TallmanSource: Chandler Rome
January 8, 2026
The Detroit Tigers and left-hander
Tarik Skubal did not reach an agreement on a contract on Thursday and may be headed to salary arbitration, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press confirmed that the two sides are expected to go to court, and that will become official at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday. Skubal is coming off back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards, and in 2025, he posted a 2.72 ERA (2.71 SIERA) with a career-high 241 strikeouts and a 0.89 WHIP across 195 1/3 innings. Despite offseason trade rumors suggesting the Tigers were willing to listen to offers, Skubal appears set to open the 2026 season in Detroit. Barring injury, he remains poised for another elite fantasy season and will most likely be the first pitcher drafted in all fantasy leagues.
--Marty TallmanSource: Bob Nightengale
January 8, 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies have scheduled a meeting with free-agent infielder
Bo Bichette, multiple league sources told Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Phillies' interest in Bichette is "legitimate," and if he signs with the team, it will likely "require the team to move on from roster mainstays J.J. Realmuto and
Alec Bohm." The Cubs and Red Sox are also looking at Bichette, and both the Dodgers and Yankees could eventually get involved. Bichette's willingness to move off shortstop has opened the door for Philly to pursue him this offseason. If Bichette is added, it would almost certainly mean that they will not re-sign Realmuto, and Bohm would be an obvious trade candidate. Bichette, 28, would most likely be asked to play third base, a position he's never played, if he joins the Phils. Fantasy-wise, a move to Philly would be just about one of the best landing spots Bichette could have.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal
January 8, 2026
Outfielder
Randy Arozarena and the Seattle Mariners avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $15.65 million deal, a source told Francys Romero. It's a raise of more than $5 million for Arozarena as he enters his final year of arbitration eligibility. The 30-year-old made his second All-Star appearance in 2025 and helped carry the Mariners to the playoffs, slashing .238/.334/.426 with a .760 OPS, a career-high 27 home runs, 76 RBI, 95 runs, and 31 stolen bases in 160 regular-season games in his first full year in Seattle. It was a nice bounce-back campaign for the veteran outfielder. For fantasy baseball purposes, the Cuban native is a pretty good bet to provide 20-plus home runs and 20-plus stolen bases as long as he stays healthy. Arozarena has also averaged 75 RBI and 87 runs scored the past five seasons, so he contributes consistently across the board for fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: Francys Romero
January 8, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals second baseman/outfielder
Brendan Donovan has been linked to numerous trade discussions this offseason. However, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that the Seattle Mariners are currently viewed as the "best fit" for the 28-year-old utility man. Given that the Mariners have numerous young prospect hitters like Colt Emreson and
Lazaro Montes, they seemed positioned to offer the Cardinals the best return. Additionally, the Mariners could use an offensive boost in the infield as
Cole Young is currently projected to be the everyday second baseman, while
Ben Williamson shares the hot corner with
Ryan Bliss. Last season, Donovan posted a strong .287/.353/.422 line with 10 home runs and three stolen bases. While he would be moving to a tougher home park for hitters, his counting stats could improve if he bats near the top of the Seattle lineup.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 8, 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates and outfielder
Oneil Cruz have avoided arbitration and settled on a one-year, $3.3 million contract. After a promising 2024 season in which Cruz held a .259/.324/.449 line with 21 home runs and 22 stolen bases, the 27-year-old took a significant step back in 2025. Last summer, Cruz saw his batting average drop to .200, and he hit just 20 home runs. However, he did flash even higher speed potential, swiping a career-best 38 bags. While he continued to hit the ball hard, as evident in his 17.9% barrel rate and 56.6% hard-hit rate, he was unable to make consistent contact. Cruz placed in the second percentile in K% (32.0%) and the third percentile in whiff rate (34.0%). While managers in standard leagues may target him for his speed production, they should construct their roster accordingly, as he is projected to remain a low batting average contributor in 2026.
--Andy SmithSource: Robert Murray
January 8, 2026
According to Ari Alexander of 7News, the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract with left-handed starting pitcher
Jesus Luzardo. Luzardo enjoyed an impressive debut season in Philadelphia after spending the first six of his MLB seasons in Oakland and Miami. With the Phillies, Luzardo made a high 32 stats and posted a 3.92 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP. Through 183 2/3 innings of work, Luzardo struck out 216 batters, which marked a career high. However, the 28-year-old generated an above-average 3.36 xERA with a .230 xBA, suggesting his production could take another step forward in 2026. Managers should expect Luzardo to open the season as a key part of the starting rotation with
Zack Wheeler's status in doubt and carry high-end SP3 upside.
--Andy SmithSource: Ari Alexander
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