January 23, 2026
New York Mets starting pitcher
Kodai Senga is expected to open the regular season in the big-league rotation, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns. "I certainly expect Kodai to be a member of our rotation," Stearns told team reporter Andy Martino during an interview on the Mets' YouTube channel. "He's had a really strong offseason." The Mets believe that Senga is in great shape and should earn a spot in the starting rotation following spring training. That's a shift in the narrative from last fall, when the Mets sent Senga to Triple-A, and rumors swirled about a potential offseason trade. The right-hander pitched to a dominant 2.98 ERA and 3.4 fWAR during his first season stateside in 2023, and while his ERA was similar last year, his xFIP soared to 4.35. He also posted 8.66 K/9, 4.37 BB/9, and a 46.6% ground ball rate across 22 starts in 2025. It's worth noting that Stearns' comments about Senga joining the rotation were made right before the Mets acquired
Freddy Peralta. However, Senga still has a strong chance to crack the Opening Day roster, especially if New York opens the year with a six-man rotation.
--Andersen PickardSource: New York Mets
January 23, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers are "involved on" free-agent catcher
Reese McGuire, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Cotillo opened his report by saying that McGuire would be heading somewhere other than the Red Sox, and he proceeded to identify the Brewers as a potential landing spot. As a result, the two sides could be working toward a deal, but nothing is finalized yet. McGuire spent last season with the Chicago Cubs, splitting time between the majors and Triple-A. Through 45 games at the big-league level, he slashed .226/.245/.444 with a 2.9% walk rate, 19.3% strikeout rate, and 86 wRC+. He launched a career-high nine home runs, but his .355 xSLG indicates that he's due for some major power regression. McGuire's offense has plateaued into nothing special as he reaches his early thirties, but his defense behind the plate remains serviceable, at the very least. In 2025, he posted 2.6 framing runs while throwing out eight of 31 base-stealers.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chris Cotillo
January 23, 2026
Teams have expressed interest in trading for Washington Nationals outfielder
Jacob Young, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. However, it's unclear whether Washington has a desire to trade him at this time. Young, 26, is a plus defender in center field with four years remaining under team control. He made 112 appearances (901.1 innings) in the outfield last year and didn't commit a single error. While the glovework is impressive, defense can be tougher to project long-term, and the Nationals' new front office might feel less inclined to hold onto a glove-first outfielder from the previous regime. Young's offensive output is nothing special, as he slashed just .231/.296/.287 with two home runs, 15 stolen bases, a 7.4% walk rate, a 17.9% strikeout rate, and a 66 wRC+ last year. He finished the campaign with -14.5 fWAR at the plate, 12.2 fWAR in the field, and 1.0 fWAR overall. Rosenthal notes that the new front office believes the entire outfield can improve offensively and defensively under the new coaching staff, but he also hints at a potential outfield logjam with
Robert Hassell III in the mix for a 26-man roster spot alongside
Dylan Crews,
Daylen Lile, and
James Wood. As a result, we wouldn't be surprised if Young becomes the odd man out.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 23, 2026
The Chicago White Sox have signed free agent reliever
Seranthony Dominguez to a two-year, $20 million contract, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. The deal includes a mutual option for 2028. The White Sox recently traded away outfielder
Luis Robert Jr., and now, they're allocating that extra money to bolster their bullpen. Dominguez is a 31-year-old right-hander who split the 2025 season between Baltimore and Toronto. He posted a solid 3.23 xFIP with 11.4 K/9, but his walk rate soared to a career-high clip of 5.2 BB/9. There's a lot to like about his repertoire, though. Dominguez's sweeper grades out at 130 Stuff+ by FanGraphs' model, and it generated whiffs at a phenomenal 49.1% clip with a .112 xBA. His splitter is similarly dominant with 118 Stuff+, a 49.5% whiff rate, and a .141 xBA. Dominguez offers an analytically intriguing arm out of the White Sox' bullpen, and Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that he's expected to be the team's closer. He will be a key piece for the White Sox down the stretch if they end up playing competitive baseball in 2026. If not, he'll be an intriguing name to monitor at the trade deadline with a year and a half left on his contract.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Passan
January 23, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitcher Brandon Clarke (fingers) recently underwent surgery to address poor circulation in his fingers, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. As a result, he won't have a normal workload when spring training begins next month. According to Goold, Clarke dealt with blisters and finger numbness throughout the 2025 season -- his first year in affiliated ball -- due to an aneurysm in his left arm. The operation should alleviate those issues going forward, but it'll set him back a little bit to open spring camp. The 22-year-old pitching prospect was shipped from Boston to St. Louis in this offseason's
Sonny Gray trade. The 2024 fifth-round pick spent most of last season at High-A, posting a 3.87 xFIP, 14.2 K/9, and 6.4 BB/9. He excelled in minimizing loud contact, as he allowed zero homers through 38 innings and maintained an impressive 63.9% ground ball rate. FanGraphs assigned a 50 grade to his future value, and they list him as having a 60-grade fastball and 70-grade slider.
--Andersen PickardSource: Derrick Goold
January 23, 2026
After spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers, starting pitcher
Freddy Peralta was traded to the New York Mets ahead of the 2026 campaign. The 29-year-old is coming off arguably his best showing in 2025, posting a 17-6 record with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts across 176 2/3 innings (33 starts) with Milwaukee. Peralta has now logged three consecutive 200-strikeout seasons and held opposing hitters to a .191 batting average in 2025. With the Mets, Peralta profiles as the team's ace and should be highly motivated as he prepares to hit free agency following 2026. It's hard to say that Peralta is in a better position to rack up wins in New York, given that the Brewers won a National League-best 97 games last season. However, the Mets should be a highly competitive team, and Citi Field is traditionally one of the more favorable home parks for pitchers. Peralta remains a borderline fantasy SP1 heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
Free agent starting pitcher
Framber Valdez remains unsigned as the calendar ticks closer to February and the start of 2026 Spring Training. The 32-year-old left-hander has been one of MLB's most durable and consistent starters over the past four seasons. In 2025, he posted a 13-11 record with a 3.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 187 strikeouts across 192 innings (31 starts) for the Houston Astros. Valdez has been linked to several clubs at various points throughout the offseason and could be the next major free agent domino to fall. The most recent team to reportedly show interest in Valdez is the Toronto Blue Jays, who have been one of the winter's most active teams. However, Toronto recently lost infielder
Bo Bichette to the New York Mets and missed out on outfielder
Kyle Tucker, to whom they reportedly made a sizable offer, to the Los Angeles Dodgers. As a result, the Blue Jays could have money to spend on Valdez. If he lands in Toronto, Valdez would be in a good spot to record his sixth consecutive season with double-digit wins. He currently holds an average draft position of pick 89 in traditional rotisserie scoring fantasy leagues and could see his ADP rise once he finds a home.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
The New York Mets acquired outfielder
Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday in exchange for utility infielder
Luisangel Acuna and pitching prospect Truman Pauley. Robert struggled across 431 plate appearances with Chicago in 2025, posting a .223/.297/.364 slash line with 14 home runs, 53 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 33 stolen bases. However, the 28-year-old is just two seasons removed from his 38-homer, 20-stolen base campaign in 2023 that led him to a Silver Slugger award in 2023. Robert Jr. projects as the Mets' everyday center fielder due to his strong defense, and he still brings an intriguing mix of power, speed, and all-around upside. Even in a down year in 2025, he posted his lowest strikeout rate (26%) since 2022 and recorded the best walk rate (9.3%) of his career. After years of playing for the rebuilding White Sox, Robert Jr. will also have a chance to boost his counting stats in a much more talented Mets lineup. RotoBaller currently ranks him as the #29 outfielder for traditional rotisserie scoring fantasy leagues.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
Kansas City Royals outfielder/first baseman
Jac Caglianone got his first taste of the big leagues in 2025, earning a promotion from Triple-A Omaha in early June. The 22-year-old struggled across 232 MLB plate appearances, posting a .157/.237/.295 slash line with seven home runs, 18 RBI, 19 runs scored, and one stolen base. However, there is reason to believe that Caglianone has breakout potential in 2026. Known as a high-end power hitter as a prospect, Caglianone logged solid hard-hit (42.4%) and barrel rates (12%) while keeping his strikeout rate at a manageable 22.4% in his first stint with the Royals. He also appears ticketed for every day playing time in right field in Kansas City, given the team's current lack of high-end outfield talent. Finally, the Royals announced that they will be moving in the fences at Kauffman Stadium for the 2026 season, which should boost the power output in what has traditionally been one of MLB's most difficult parks to hit home runs in. For fantasy managers looking for relatively cheap power sources in the middle of drafts, Caglianone should be on their radar.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
The New York Yankees and outfielder
Cody Bellinger agreed to terms on a new contract on Wednesday that will guarantee the 30-year-old $162.5 million over five years. Bellinger was excellent in his first season with the Yankees in 2025, posting a .272/.334/.480 slash line with 29 home runs, 98 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases across 656 plate appearances. Bellinger outperformed his underlying hitting metrics, as he posted middling barrel (7.5%) and hard-hit rates (37.9%). However, playing his home games in front of the short right field porch at Yankee Stadium should continue to boost Bellinger's power. In 2025, Bellinger slugged .544 across 337 plate appearances at home compared to just .414 across 319 plate appearances on the road. He should see every day playing time in left field in New York, and also brings the ability to cover first base or the other two outfield spots. RotoBaller currently ranks Bellinger as the number 19 outfielder in traditional rotisserie scoring leagues.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 23, 2026
According to Spencer Nusbaum, Andrew Golden, and Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post, the Nationals have shopped star shortstop
CJ Abrams on the trade market this offseason. While they have yet to find a trade partner, they are actively looking to move the infielder. On Thursday, the Nationals traded their ace,
MacKenzie Gore, to the Texas Rangers in exchange for numerous top prospects, and could now look to pursue talks for Abrams. Abrams began his career with the Padres but was shipped to Washington in the
Juan Soto trade in August of 2022. Last season, Abrams posted a .257/.315/.433 line with a career-high 35 doubles. He hit 19 home runs and swiped at least 31 bases for the second-straight campaign. The 25-year-old remains a solid No. 1 SS in category formats, given his ability to hit for power and steal bases. If he were to be traded to a contender, he would see his counting stats receive a major boost.
--Andy SmithSource: Spencer Nusbaum, Andrew Golden, Chelsea Janes
January 23, 2026
According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, free-agent pitcher
Brent Suter continues to draw interest among many clubs on the open market. Murray noted that the left-hander is currently evaluating his options. In 2025, Suter spent the entire campaign with the Reds and logged 67 2/3 innings, primarily as a reliever (three starts). He posted a modest 4.52 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. He struck out just 53 batters but did limit hard contact, generating a 32.9% hard-hit rate with a 7.8% barrel rate. Additionally, Suter showed strong command, serving up free passes at a low 6.2% rate. Managers in deeper leagues that reward holds should monitor his status as he could become a late-inning option for a team. However, he is not expected to compete for any closer role, as he has tallied just three saves in his 10-year MLB career.
--Andy SmithSource: Robert Murray
January 23, 2026
Free-agent right-handed pitcher
Zack Littell is drawing significant interest on the open market, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.com. Littell spent the 2025 campaign with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds. Across 186 2/3 innings of work (32 starts), the right-hander posted a 3.81 ERA with a strong 1.10 WHIP. Littell showed elite command, allowing walks at a 4.2% rate, placing him in the 98th percentile among qualified pitchers. However, he generated much higher 4.36 xERA, suggesting he could face some regression in 2026. Additionally, he only struck out 130 batters (12th percentile), which lowers his ceiling for fantasy purposes. Managers should monitor his status, as he could be a viable boost to your WHIP ratio but will not have much impact in the other categories.
--Andy SmithSource: Robert Murray
January 23, 2026
Free agent infielder
Isiah Kiner-Falefa met with several teams through virtual meetings over the past week, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.com. Kiner-Falefa spent the 2025 season with the Pirates and Blue Jays. Across 138 games, the 30-year-old posted a .262/.297/.334 line with two home runs and 15 stolen bases. While he does not make much of an impact in the batter's box, the infielder can play at numerous defensive positions, which gives him great value as a depth piece. Last summer, Kiner-Falefa had double-digit stats at second base, third base, and shortstop. Earlier in his career, he also saw time in the outfield. Managers in deeper 15-team formats should monitor Kiner-Falefa's free-agent market as he could hold value as a bench option given his defensive versatility.
--Andy SmithSource: Robert Murray
January 23, 2026
Texas Rangers first baseman
Jake Burger (wrist) is fully recovered from offseason wrist surgery and is expected to be a full-go for spring training, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. In 2025, Burger appeared in only 103 games and had a disappointing season in the batter's box, posting a low .236/.269/.419 line with 16 home runs and a high 24.7% K%. During the season, he battled numerous lingering injuries, including a wrist injury that now looks to be behind him. In 2023 and 2024, Burger launched at last 29 home runs in each season and held an overall .250/.205/.488 line with a 793 OPS. Managers should expect the 29-year-old to operate as the primary first baseman in Texas. He is a solid target late in drafts if looking for power, as he should return to his 25+ HR upside following a healthy offseason.
--Andy SmithSource: Shawn McFarland
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