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
January 9, 2026
According to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live, the Boston Red Sox remain engaged with free agent left-hander
Danny Coulombe. Cotillo reported that with
Justin Wilson considering retirement, the Red Sox have begun to shop the market for other free-agent southpaws for the bullpen. Last season, Coulombe was highly effective in Minnesota, logging 31 innings with a stellar 1.16 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. During this stint with the Twins, the left-hander struck out 31 hitters and allowed nine free passes. However, Coulombe was shipped to the Rangers before the deadline and saw his production decline. With the Rangers, Coulombe posted a much higher 5.25 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP across 12 innings. Given his strong production with the Twins, Coulombe could earn a high-leverage role in the Boston bullpen and be a viable target for those in deeper leagues that reward holds.
--Andy SmithSource: Chris Cotillo
January 9, 2026
Free agent relief pitcher
Ryne Stanek is drawing interest from several clubs on the open market, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Feinsand noted that much of the interest is coming from the National League Central. Last summer, Stanek spent his entire season with the Mets and logged 56 innings to the tune of a 5.30 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. He struck out 58 hitters but showed weak command, posting a high 12.5% walk rate. He also allowed hard contact at a high 43.6% rate, which placed him in the 23rd percentile among qualified pitchers. If the 34-year-old were to find a suitor, managers should expect to open the season in a middle relief role. However, he could eventually earn an opportunity in the later innings, as he tallied 11 holds and three saves with the Mets last season.
--Andy SmithSource: Mark Feinsand
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
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