January 21, 2026
Losing out on free-agent infielder
Bo Bichette -- he eventually signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the division-rival New York Mets -- was a "gut punch" for the Philadelphia Phillies, according to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. The Phillies thought they "were very close to having a deal done" and were willing to rearrange their roster in a significant way to accommodate Bichette. The Phillies actually called catcher
J.T. Realmuto's agent to tell him the team was going in another direction. Philly offered Bichette a seven-year deal in the range of $190 million to $200 million. After re-signing Realmuto for three years and $45 million, the Phillies are not expected to pursue any other multi-year deals with free agents. In New York, Bichette is expected to play third base, a position he has never played before.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
January 21, 2026
The New York Yankees have re-signed outfielder
Cody Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million contract that includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the deal includes a full no-trade clause and a $20 million signing bonus. Bellinger was viewed as the top remaining bat on the open market following the signing of
Kyle Tucker. The Yankees have been linked to Bellinger all winter, along with the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays. Bellinger enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in the Bronx last season and will now look to spend the foreseeable future with the Yankees. In 2025, Bellinger launched 29 home runs and swiped 13 bags. He held a .272/.334/.480 line with an .814 OPS. His home run total was his highest since his 47-HR campaign back in 2019. While he only generated a low .327 xwOBA, his left-handed swing is built for Yankee Stadium, which raises his ceiling. The 30-year-old carries high-end OF2 upside in all formats as he should push for 20+ home runs, double-digit steals, and high-end counting stats batting alongside
Aaron Judge and
Jazz Chisholm Jr.--Andy SmithSource: Jeff Passan
January 21, 2026
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports that free-agent utility man
Enrique Hernandez (elbow) "remains a target" of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hernandez underwent surgery on his left elbow early in the offseason, so he may not be ready for the start of 2026. Still, it appears Los Angeles may still be interested in bringing him back into the fold. Hernandez posted a .203/.255/.366 slash line with 10 home runs, 35 RBI, and 30 runs scored across 256 plate appearances with the Dodgers in 2025. However, he's been a standout playoff performer across multiple postseasons with Los Angeles, and he spent time at every defensive position other than shortstop and catcher this past season. The Dodgers have a crowded depth chart, so Hernandez would likely fill a super-utility role off the bench when healthy if Los Angeles does indeed retain his services.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
January 21, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman/outfielder
Tommy Edman (ankle) underwent ankle surgery early in the offseason. At the time of the procedure, the expectation was that Edman would be ready for Opening Day. However, The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya speculates that the team's "desire to add (utility infielder)
Andy Ibanez seemingly suggests that Edman's availability to start the season is in doubt." Ibanez signed a one-year, big-league contract with the Dodgers in early January. Edman, who is projected to be the starting second baseman in Los Angeles, posted a .225/.274/.382 slash line with 13 home runs, 49 RBI, 49 runs, and three stolen bases across 377 plate appearances in 2025. If he does indeed miss time to begin the year, the Dodgers would likely turn to a combination of Ibanez,
Miguel Rojas, and
Hyeseong Kim to fill in at second base.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
January 21, 2026
Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports that the New York Yankees have "checked in" with free-agent outfielder
Harrison Bader. New York's priority is known to be re-signing free agent outfielder
Cody Bellinger, but Bader could represent a potential replacement option in left field. Across 501 plate appearances split between the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies in 2025, Bader posted a .277/.347/.449 slash line with 17 home runs, 54 RBI, 61 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. The Yankees are familiar with Bader, as he appeared in 98 games with New York across the 2022 and 2023 seasons and struggled to a .237/.274/.353 slash line with seven home runs, 46 RBI, 43 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases. However, Bader logged his best barrel rate (10.2%) in 2025 since the 2020 season, which could have the Yankees back in on him. Even if New York misses on Bellinger and signs Bader, he would likely split playing time with young outfielder
Jasson Dominguez. As a right-handed hitter with a strong defensive profile, Bader would pair well with the switch-hitting Dominguez, who has defensive issues and had trouble with left-handed pitching in 2025.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
January 21, 2026
Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports that the Toronto Blue Jays explored the idea of trading for current Cleveland Guardians outfielder
Steven Kwan at the 2025 trade deadline. Toronto is known to be searching for potential outfield upgrades, having reportedly made a sizable offer to outfielder
Kyle Tucker before he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Guardians have two years of team control remaining over Kwan before he hits free agency, which is typically around the time Cleveland usually considers turning players into future assets. Across 693 plate appearances for the Guardians in 2025, Kwan posted a .272/.330/.374 slash line with 11 home runs, 56 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases. He's won four consecutive Gold Glove awards in left field, so an acquiring team would likely plug him in as its everyday left fielder. If Toronto were to trade for Kwan, Blue Jays outfielders
Nathan Lukes and
Anthony Santander would likely lose playing time.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
January 21, 2026
Miami Marlins catching prospect
Joe Mack is a name to keep a close eye on during spring training. Mack is currently considered the No. 4-ranked prospect in the Miami system and No. 70 overall on MLB.com. The 23-year-old began the 2025 campaign with Double-A but needed only another 13 games there to prove he was ready to join Triple-A Jacksonville. During his first taste of action with the top club in the minor leagues, Mack held a .250/.320/.459 line with 18 doubles and 18 home runs. Through 99 games, Mack swiped eight bags but carried a 115:35 K:BB. He was used primarily behind the dish, as he logged 83 of his 112 total games behind the plate. Given that
Agustin Ramirez struggled as a catcher during his first stint in the major leagues and was nearly deployed just as often as a DH, Mack could be a strong candidate to be the team's primary catcher early in 2026.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 21, 2026
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect
Chase DeLauter has flashed immense potential in the minors but has struggled to stay on the field, pushing back his MLB debut. Last summer, DeLauter actually joined the club for their postseason run and appeared in two games. Given that he is set to enter spring training with a clean bill of health, DeLauter seems positioned not only to make the MLB roster but also to claim the starting job in center field. Earlier in 2025, DeLauter held an impressive .278/.383/.476 line with eight doubles, five home runs, and a 23:22 K:BB across 34 games at Triple-A. While he has not reached the 50-game mark in each of his last two minor league seasons, when on the field, DeLauter has been very productive. Managers should monitor his status in spring training as he could become a top-sleeper pick in five-outfielder formats if he is penciled into their Opening Day lineup.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 21, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays top infield prospect
Carson Williams made his MLB debut late in the season and appears to be the favorite to land the starting shortstop job out of spring training. During his first 32-game stint with Tampa Bay, the former 28th overall pick (from the 2021 MLB Draft) posted a .172/.219/.354 line but showed solid power upside, launching five home runs. However, his hefty 41.5% K% tainted his production. Earlier in the season, Williams spent the entire campaign with Triple-A Durham, where he posted a .213/.318/.447 line with a .765 OPS. He hit 23 home runs and swiped 22 bases. While his strikeout rate will hinder his upside in points leagues, Williams has shown a solid power and speed skill set that could translate to deeper category formats. He is worth monitoring in spring training as he could be a viable late-round depth middle infielder in 15+ team formats.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 21, 2026
The Washington Nationals acquired top catching prospect
Harry Ford from the Seattle Mariners earlier in the offseason in exchange for reliever Jose Ferrer. Ford was considered one of the top catching prospects in the sport as he was progressing through the Seattle system. However, playing in a club with superstar
Cal Raleigh was going to prevent Ford from seeing consistent at-bats. As a result, the Mariners opted to move him to Washington, where he could immediately take on a starting role in 2026. Outside of a small eight-game taste of the majors, Ford spent the majority of the 2025 campaign with Triple-A. Across 87 games, Ford posted a .283/.408/.460 line with 18 doubles, 16 home runs, seven stolen bases, and a strong 88:77 K:BB. Given
Keibert Ruiz's immense struggles last season, Ford could claim the starting role in spring training. He is named to closely monitor in two-catcher leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 21, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop prospect
Aidan Miller has seen his prospect stock rise in 2025 and could be ticketed for his MLB debut during the second half of the 2026 season. In 2025, Miller opened the season with Double-A and looked quite comfortable there, posting a solid .259/.382/.427 line with 25 doubles, 13 home runs, and 59 stolen bases. His stolen base total was a massive increase from the 23 he stole in the 2024 campaign across the lower levels of the system. This strong play earned him a brief eight-game stint with Triple-A. During this small taste, the former 27th overall pick held a .333/.514/.519 line with one home run and an eye-catching seven stolen bases. Given his elite play last summer, Miller appears ticketed to begin the season with Lehigh Valley. If he continues this trajectory, a second-half debut would be in play.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 21, 2026
New York Mets infield prospect
Jett Williams is expected to begin the 2026 regular season with Triple-A Syracuse. Last season, the team's No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline took a step forward at Double-A, earning him a midseason promotion to Triple-A. With Double-A, the former 14th overall pick from the 2022 MLB Draft posted a strong .281/.390/.477 line with 29 doubles, 10 home runs, and 32 stolen bases. However, during his first look at the top level of the minor leagues, Williams took a step back, posting a much lower .209/.285/.433 line across a 34-game stint. He hit seven home runs but swiped only two bases. Additionally, given that the Mets brought in infielder
Bo Bichette, Williams will face even more competition for a role early in the season. Managers should expect Williams to begin the season with Syracuse and push for a midseason debut if he can enjoy a productive start.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 21, 2026
Free-agent outfielder
Austin Hays has several suitors in the open market, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman noted that the New York Yankees, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals have also expressed interest in the veteran outfielder. However, with the Mets trading for outfielder
Luis Robert Jr. on Tuesday evening, they may not continue their pursuit of Hays. The Yankees have been linked to star outfielder
Cody Bellinger throughout the winter but have yet to come to an agreement. Hays spent the 2025 season with the Reds and held a .255/.325/.453 line with 15 home runs and seven stolen bases. Under the hood, he generated a below-average .300 xwOBA with a modest 38.4% hard-hit rate, suggesting he could face some regression in 2026. Hays projects to hold a platoon role in 2026, making him best left for deeper fantasy formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Jon Heyman
January 21, 2026
According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, the Boston Red Sox made "very little traction" with top free agent third baseman
Eugenio Suarez over the past week. The Red Sox heavily pursued third baseman
Alex Bregman before he signed a contract with the Cubs. With Bregman and infielder
Bo Bichette off the board, the Red Sox were expected to turn their attention to Suarez. However, it appears that both sides have made little progress toward a potential contract. Suarez turned in a massive bounce-back season in 2025, launching 49 home runs with a .228/.298/.526 line. This was a significant jump from the 30 home runs he hit the year prior. Currently, the Red Sox are expected to rely on young infielder
Marcelo Mayer at the hot corner if they are unable to agree to terms with Suarez.
--Andy SmithSource: Chris Cotillo
January 21, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers have continued to show serious interest in acquiring right-handed pitcher
Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers have had a productive offseason, bringing in top closer
Edwin Diaz and star outfielder
Kyle Tucker. However, they are still looking to improve their roster, especially their rotation. According to Kate Woo of The Athletic, the Dodgers are targeting Peralta to further protect their rotation, given the extensive injury history many of their pitchers have had. This past season,
Blake Snell,
Roki Sasaki, and
Tyler Glasnow all spent ample time on the injured list. Peralta enjoyed a strong showing in 2025, logging 176 2/3 innings with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a 104:66 K:BB. If Peralta were to join Los Angeles, he could push either
Emmet Sheehan or Sasaki to a long relief role to open the season.
--Andy SmithSource: Katie Woo
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