January 22, 2026

The Boston Red Sox continue to explore potential infield additions, but Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports that the organization prefers to play infielder Marcelo Mayer at third base. McCaffrey speculates that Mayer would be a strong fit at the hot corner, not only because he played well in Alex Bregman's absence last year, but also because Boston views him as its franchise shortstop after Trevor Story's contract expires, so they'd like to keep him on the left side of the infield. Plus, although president of baseball operations Craig Breslow wouldn't commit to Mayer at second base or third base, he did emphasize a desire to improve the infield defense. Mayer posted 2 OAA and 2 FRV at third base last year. Connecting the dots, this would seem to indicate that if the Red Sox do pursue an external addition, they may prefer a second baseman over a third baseman. McCaffrey writes that Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner, who would fetch a significant haul if traded, might make more sense than third baseman Isaac Paredes, who has struggled defensively. As the roster currently stands, Mayer projects to play third base while Romy Gonzalez, Nate Eaton, and Nick Sogard could platoon at second.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Jen McCaffrey

January 22, 2026

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (elbow) began throwing earlier this month, and manager Oliver Marmol said that he should start hitting and defensive drills this week. Marmol wasn't ready to commit to an exact role for Herrera, who could catch or play left field. The skipper noted that spring training games don't offer the best opportunity for the Cardinals to evaluate Herrera behind the dish, since opponents don't always start their best players, and they also don't steal as often. As a result, they might not have an exact vision for his role until after the regular season begins. The team does expect Herrera to demonstrate improved throwing after he underwent an offseason surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow. Meanwhile, Herrera has expressed his desire to be an everyday catcher in the future. However, as he continues to work his way back from injury, St. Louis is being non-committal about his role. We wouldn't be surprised to see him play some catcher and some left field during the first couple weeks of the regular season. Cardinals fans and fantasy managers will certainly be excited to see him back in action, as Herrera posted an impressive .284/.373/.464 slash line with 19 home runs and a 137 wRC+ through 107 games last year. He currently ranks as the #11 catcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Rob Rains

January 22, 2026

Free-agent relief pitcher Taylor Rogers is coming back to Minnesota after agreeing on a one-year, $2 million contract with the Twins. Rogers spent the first six seasons of his MLB career with the Twins, posting a career-high 30 saves in 2019 and earning an All-Star selection in 2021. He spent time with the Padres, Brewers, Giants, Reds, and Cubs in the four seasons since his departure, and last year, he had a 3.38 ERA and a 4.38 FIP in 50 2/3 innings with the Reds and Cubs. The 35-year-old lefty could be a key part of the Twins' bullpen in 2026, and he could even be in the mix for saves since the rest of the bullpen is relatively inexperienced.--Zach Thompson
Source: Aaron Gleeman

January 22, 2026

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (lat) is having a normal offseason, and his progress was a critical element to the team trading starting pitcher Freddy Peralta to the Mets, according to president of baseball operations Matt Arnold. Woodruff opted out of his deal but then accepted the qualifying offer from the Brewers this offseason, giving him a one-year deal worth $22.025 million. Woodruff returned from a nearly two-year absence due to shoulder surgery in 2025, posting a strong 3.20 ERA, with 83 strikeouts and just 14 walks in 64 2/3 innings. His season ended early due to a lat injury in mid-September, but he should be ready to go for Spring Training. He'll provide a proven veteran option at the top of the team's promising young rotation.--Zach Thompson
Source: Curt Hogg

January 22, 2026

The New York Yankees secured a big part of their lineup by re-signing outfielder Cody Bellinger, but they're still looking to make some further tweaks to their roster. One item on the shopping list, according to New York Daily News' Gary Phillips, is a right-handed hitter who catches. All three of the Yankees' current catchers hit left-handed, and even though Ben Rice, Austin Wells, and J.C Escarra bring good production potential, they are a little lop-sided. Free agent catchers J.T. Realmuto, Danny Jansen, Austin Hedges, and Victor Caratini are all right-handed options who have already signed this offseason, with Elias Diaz, Christian Vasquez, and Mitch Garver among some of the top right-handed hitting catchers available on the open market. The team could also make a trade to fill the need before pitchers and catchers report in a few weeks.--Zach Thompson
Source: Gary Phillips

January 22, 2026

New York Yankees outfielders Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones could be shopped in trade offers after the Yankees locked up Cody Bellinger for the next five seasons. The Yankees have Aaron Judge and Trent Grisham to fill their everyday outfield spots, while Giancarlo Stanton will likely be the everyday DH. Dominguez and Jones each have long-term offensive potential but could benefit from regular playing time, which will be hard to come by for the Yankees. Dominguez is the more likely of the two young bats to be moved since he isn't considered a long-term option in center field, while Jones could slide into that spot if Grisham leaves after this season as a free agent. Dominguez is a highly regarded offensive prospect who hit .257 with 10 homers and 23 stolen bases to go with a .316 wOBA in 123 games. The Yankees would likely be looking for starting pitching in return, and it seems likely that they make some moves to relieve the logjam before the start of the season.--Zach Thompson
Source: Gary Phillips

January 22, 2026

According to a report from USA Today's Bob Nightengale, rival executives expect the Baltimore Orioles to be the next team to sign a top-tier starting pitcher from the free-agent market after the Mets filled their rotation by acquiring Freddy Peralta from the Brewers. The Orioles currently have Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Dean Kremer, and Zach Eflin in the mix as starting pitchers, but could definitely use a front-line option. Some of the best options still available are Framber Valdez from the Astros, Chris Bassitt from the Blue Jays, Lucas Giolito from the Red Sox, and Nick Martinez and Zack Littell from the Reds. The Orioles' young lineup is expected to improve in 2026, but they'll need the starting pitching to step up if they want to contend in a very competitive AL East.--Zach Thompson
Source: Bob Nightengale

January 22, 2026

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins looked quite impressive in the 2025 campaign and enters the 2026 campaign ranked as the team's No. 3 prospect on MLB Pipeline and the overall No. 67 in the sport. Wiggins opened the 2025 season with High-A but needed only 26 1/3 innings to prove he was ready to join the upper ranks. During this stint, the right-hander struck out 31 hitters and held a 1.71 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP. Through his first 42 innings at Double-A, Wiggins continued to find success, holding a 1.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a 52:17 K:BB. He was then given a short nine 2/3 inning stint with Triple-A late in the season, where he allowed five runs, walked six hitters, but added 14 punchouts. Given his quick progression through the system, Wiggins appears ticketed to compete for a midseason MLB debut. Managers should expect him to begin the 2026 season sitting at the top of the Triple-A Iowa rotation.--Andy Smith
Source: RotoBaller

January 22, 2026

Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect Dylan Beavers may not be given full-time at-bats to open the 2026 season. The team's No. 2-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com, made his MLB debut in mid-August after an impressive run at Triple-A. Across 94 games with the Norfolk Tides last summer, the young outfielder posted .304/.420/.515 line with 18 home runs and 23 stole nabses. During his first 35 contests with the Orioles, Beavers posted a lower .227 AVG but drew walks at an elite 19.0% rate and hit four home runs with two swiped bags. However, Beavers made only two starts against left-handed pitching during his first stint. Additionally, the Orioles bolstered their outfield this winter by adding veteran Taylor Ward, who figures to be the everyday left fielder. This will have Beavers compete for at-bats in right field with Tyler O'Neill, Leody Tavares, and Jeremiah Jackson. While Beavers has the talent to push for an everyday role, the Orioles may monitor his usage and keep him in a platoon. He is worth closely following in spring training. If he were to claim the lead role in right field, he would carry 20/20 upside and be a top late-round breakout target.--Andy Smith
Source: RotoBaller

January 22, 2026

New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones was in contention to make his MLB debut last season and should be in serious contention to earn the call to the Bronx in the first half of 2026. In 2025, Jones flashed immense power upside across the upper levels of the minor leagues but carried a high strikeout rate. Through 116 total contests (split between Double-A and Triple-A), Jones launched 35 home runs with a .274/.362/.571 line adn a .933 OPS. However, Jones struck out at a hefty 35.4% clip. Across his 67 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Jones saw his strikeout rate increase slightly to 36.6% and his OPS fall to .897. With the Yankees re-signing Cody Bellinger, Jones will likely not break camp with the team and instead return to Triple-A. However, Jones would likely be the first name called as soon as they need additional outfield depth. He is worth closely monitoring in deeper fiver-outifelder leagues as he would be worth a waiver claim once promoted, given his immense power upside.--Andy Smith
Source: RotoBaller

January 22, 2026

Athletics left-handed starting pitching prospect Gage Jump flashed solid upside in his first professional season and has put himself on the redraft radar heading into 2026. The Athletics selected Jump in the 2024 MLB Draft out of LSU. He currently sits as the team's No. 3-ranked prospect on MLB.com and the No. 60 overall in the sport. The left-hander made his professional debut with High-A last season and looked quite dominant, logging 31 innings to the tune of a 2.32 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and a 45:4 K:BB. This strong start earned him an early ticket to Double-A, where he logged his final 81 2/3 innings with a 3.64 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. However, he began to stumble over the last month, which inflated his ratios. Removing his last four outings (where he allowed 20 earned runs through 13 1/3 innings), Jump posted an impressive 1.74 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP across his first 67 1/3 frames. Jump could contend for an early-season Triple-A debut, which would make him a strong midseason stash candidate.--Andy Smith
Source: RotoBaller

January 22, 2026

Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes will likely begin the 2026 season with Double-A Arkansas, but should be in the mix to push for a promotion to the top level given his previous experience at Double-A. In 2025, the budding power hitter began the campaign with High-A Everett, where he spent 51 games back in 2024. During his second stint with High-A last season, Montes held a .268/.387/.572 line with 12 doubles, 18 home runs, and three stolen bases. He struck out 83 times and drew 48 walks. This performance earned him a mid-season promotion to Double-A, where he saw his production take a slight step back. While he still launched 14 home runs over a 64-game stint, his average fell to .213, and his K:BB (86:35) declined as well. If the 6-foot-5 slugger can show progress early in the season at Double-A, Seattle could look to promote him after the opening months. If he can lower his strikeout rate and show stable power production, a late-season MLB debut would not be out of the question.--Andy Smith
Source: RotoBaller

January 22, 2026

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Josue De Paula ended a very productive 2025 campaign and has seen his prospect stock soar over the last year. De Paula spent 98 of his 102 games with High-A Great Lakes, where he held a .264/.406/.421 lienr with an .827 OPS. He hit 16 doubles, 12 home runs, and swiped an impressive 32 bags. During this stretch, he posted a stellar 86:81 K:BB. This earned him a brief four-game stint in Double-A at the end of the campaign, where he went 0-for-18. Managers should expect De Paula to begin the 2026 campaign with Double-A Tulsa. If he can continue his current trajectory, a late-season MLB debut would not be out of the question. However, given Los Angeles' crowded infield following the signing of Kyle Tucker, De Paula may only earn the call due to a late-season injury. Even if he does not debut this season, he currently sits as MLB.com's 13th overall prospect and could enter the top 10 in the coming months. He is a high-end dynasty asset that is showing five-category potential.--Andy Smith
Source: RotoBaller

January 21, 2026

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala will participate in major league spring training as a non-roster invite, according to an announcement from the team. Nimmala peaked at High-A in 2025, but he's regarded as one of the top young players in Toronto's farm system. In fact, he is listed as the Blue Jays' No. 2 prospect in the latest rankings from FanGraphs. The 2023 first-round pick posted an underwhelming .224/.313/.381 slash line with a 10.1% walk rate, 21.4% strikeout rate, and 92 wRC+ across 120 High-A games last year. He also slugged 13 home runs and stole 17 bases. FanGraphs lists power as Nimmala's best attribute, while assigning below-average grades to his speed and hit tools. They project that he'll make his MLB debut in 2028.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Mitch Bannon

January 21, 2026

The New York Mets have designated right-handed pitcher Cooper Criswell for assignment, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Criswell spent all of 2025 in the Red Sox' organization, and while he mainly pitched at the Triple-A level, he did log 17.2 innings of work in the majors across seven appearances (one start). He posted a 3.57 ERA in the majors, but his FIP was staggeringly higher at 5.17. Across 65.2 innings at Triple-A, he racked up 9.3 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 while surrendering ground balls at a 49.4% clip. The Mets had claimed Criswell off waivers from the Red Sox in December after Boston designated him for assignment. He's out of options, and now, his latest DFA is the corresponding 40-man roster move after New York acquired Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers from the Milwaukee Brewers.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Anthony DiComo