January 22, 2026
The Chicago Cubs signed free-agent outfielder
Chas McCormick to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, a source told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. McCormick will be battling for a roster spot during camp this year in his new digs after he struggled in his final two seasons with the Houston Astros. The 30-year-old center fielder hit a career-high .273 with a career-best 22 home runs, 70 RBI, 59 runs, and a career-high 19 steals in 115 games for Houston in 2023, but the last two years combined, he has slashed a mere .211/.273/.301 with a .574 OPS, only six home runs, 32 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 158 games played. There's a very good chance that McCormick is forced to open the 2026 campaign in the minors at Triple-A Iowa for outfield depth, depending on how he performs this spring.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
January 22, 2026
After being acquired by the New York Mets on Wednesday night in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, right-hander
Freddy Peralta is open to signing a contract extension with the Mets, sources told Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated. The Mets gave up two of their top-five prospects in infielder
Jett Williams and right-hander
Brandon Sproat, and they're also receiving right-hander
Tobias Myers. Given the cost of acquiring Peralta, New York is incentivized to lock Peralta up for years to come before he hits free agency after the 2026 season. Peralta was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2025, going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 204 strikeouts, and a 5.5 bWAR in 176 2/3 innings over 33 regular-season starts. While the landing spot with the Mets isn't ideal, Peralta's track record of consistency speaks for itself -- 3.59 ERA and 14.9 bWAR in 211 games with Milwaukee. He'll be a top-20 fantasy starter in his first year with the Mets.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Pat Ragazzo
January 22, 2026
The Washington Nationals acquired right-hander Alejandro Rosario (elbow), third baseman Gavin Fien, shortstop Devin Fitz-Gerald, first baseman
Abimelec Ortiz, and outfielder Yeremy Cabrera from the Texas Rangers on Thursday in exchange for left-hander
MacKenzie Gore, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Rosario, 24, was considered Texas' No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The former fifth-rounder out of Miami delayed having Tommy John surgery for almost an entire year after missing the 2025 campaign in the minor leagues. It means that Rosario will miss two full seasons, but the Nationals were still interested in the right-hander. In 18 outings (17 starts) for Single-A Down East and High-A Hickory in 2024, he had a 2.24 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a 129:13 K:BB in 88 1/3 innings on the farm. Rosario has the upside of a front-line starter, but his development has been delayed due to his elbow injury.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
January 22, 2026
The Washington Nationals are acquiring infield prospect Gavin Fien, the 12th overall pick in the 2025 MLB draft, and four other players from the Texas Rangers on Thursday in exchange for left-hander
MacKenzie Gore, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Before the trade, Fien was considered the Rangers' No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, the Nats will also receive Alejando Rosario,
Abimelec Ortiz, Devin Fitz-Gerald, and Yeremy Cabrera. The 18-year-old Fien hit .220/.267/.341 with seven RBI and four runs scored in 45 plate appearances at Single-A in 2025 in his first taste of pro ball. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder hits from the right side and has a quick swing that gives him plus raw power. Fien was drafted as a shortstop, but scouts believe he'll profile better as a third baseman long term.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
January 22, 2026
The Texas Rangers are acquiring left-hander
MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals on Thursday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Nationals will receive third baseman Gavin Fien, the 12th overall pick last year out of high school. Gore was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his third year in D.C., going 5-15 with a 4.17 ERA (3.74 FIP), 1.35 WHIP, career-high 185 strikeouts, and 64 walks in 30 starts over 159 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old southpaw looked like he was on his way to becoming a high-end fantasy starter in the first half, with a 3.02 ERA and 11.3 K/9 in his first 19 outings. But then everything fell apart, and Gore had a rough 6.75 ERA in his final 11 starts while also missing some time with ankle and shoulder injuries. Gore's strikeout upside gives him a decent floor, and the potential for more wins in Texas should raise his ADP going into the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
January 22, 2026
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, multiple teams remain interested in free-agent first baseman
Luis Arraez. Feinsand noted that, given his ability to play both first and second base, he has multiple suitors in the open market. Last season, the 28-year-old posted a .292 AVG, which was the lowest mark of his seven-year MLB career. He hit eight home runs and swiped 11 bags. Under the hood, he generated an elite 96th percentile xBA with a 3.1% K%, placing him within the 100th percentile among qualified hitters. From 2022 through 2024, Arraez held an overall .328/.371/.426 line with a .797 OPS. While his power production remains low, Arraez will be a top batting-average contributor in 2026, given his elite quality of contact. His counting stats could also see an uptick if he were to join a competing lineup.
--Andy SmithSource: Mark Feinsand
January 22, 2026
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Boston Red Sox are a team that could make a push for top free-agent third baseman
Eugenio Suarez. Saurez has been linked to the Red Sox throughout the winter, and following the signings of
Kyle Tucker,
Alex Bregman,
Bo Bichette, and
Cody Bellinger, the third baseman is likely the top bat available. According to Feinsand, the Red Sox were pursuing both Bregman and Bichette before they signed their respective contracts. The 34-year-old would take on an everyday role at the hot corner in Boston and would shift young infielder
Marcelo Mayer back to the middle of the infield, where he spent most of his minor league career. Last summer, Suarez enjoyed a resurgent campaign, hitting 49 home runs with a .228 AVG and an .824 OPS. Surez would carry a mid-range starting third base value in all formats if he were to join the Red Sox.
--Andy SmithSource: Mark Feinsand
January 22, 2026
According to Gary Phillips of The New York Daily News, the Yankees could look to further bolster their starting rotation ahead of spring training. Phillips noted that, even though a target of theirs,
Freddy Peralta, was shipped to the Mets on Wednesday evening, they remain linked to several high-end trade targets, including
MacKenzie Gore of the Nationals and
Sandy Alcantara of the Marlins. The Yankees have also shown interest in Minnesota's top arms,
Joe Ryan and
Pablo Lopez, but reports suggest the Twins are likely to hold them for the time being. Earlier in January, the Yankees acquired
Ryan Weathers, who projects to hold a spot towards the back of their rotation. However, given that
Gerrit Cole (elbow) and
Carlos Rodon (elbow) will likely miss the start of the season, the Yankees could look to further bolster their rotation. If they were to make a trade, Phillips noted that the price would be high and could involve a trade of top outfield prospect
Spencer Jones or current outfielder
Jasson Dominguez.
--Andy SmithSource: Gary Phillips
January 22, 2026
According to Will Sammon and Chad Jennings of The Athletic, Milwaukee Brewers left-handed pitcher
Robert Gasser could be a name to watch to earn a role in the starting rotation. On Wednesday evening, the Brewers traded their top pitcher,
Freddy Peralta, to the New York Mets in exchange for two top prospects,
Brandon Sproat and
Jett Williams. While veteran
Brandon Woodruff is expected to lead the rotation with emerging right-hander
Jacob Misiorowski slotting behind him, the back of the rotation is open.
Quinn Priester and
Chad Patrick are projected to operate as the No. 3 and No. 4, but Gasser could be a name to watch for one of the final positions. The young southpaw has made seven MLB starts over his career and logged 33 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.67 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Through 205 2/3 innings at Triple-A, Gasser has struck out 250 hitters with a 3.72 ERA. While
Logan Henderson would likely have the edge for the final position, Gasser could make a strong claim to operate as the No. 6 starter if the team uses a six-man rotation. He is a name to monitor in spring training and could be worth a late-round selection in deeper formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Will Sammon and Chad Jennings
January 22, 2026
New York Mets right-handed pitcher
Christian Scott appears ticked for a depth role to begin the 2026 regular season. According to Will Sammon and Chad Jennings of The Athletic, Scott is projected to sit behind newly-acquired ace
Freddy Peralta and the other primary starting pitchers on the roster, such as
Sean Manaea,
David Peterson,
Kodai Senga,
Nolan McLean, and
Clay Holmes, leaving him a role as a middle reliever. Scott made his MLB debut during the 2024 campaign and posted a 4.56 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP across 47 1/3 innings. Earlier that season, the Florida product posted an impressive 2.76 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP across his first 42 1/3 innings at Triple-A. However, the right-hander would undergo a hybrid Tommy John operation in late 2024, which kept him on the shelf all last season. While he appears to be at full strength, Scott does not expect to hold much fantasy value to begin the 2026 campaign.
--Andy SmithSource: Will Sammon and Chad Jennings
January 22, 2026
According to Will Sammon and Chad Jennings of The Athletic, New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect
Jonah Tong may be on the outside of the team's starting rotation to begin the 2026 season. On Wednesday evening, the Mets acquired right-handed pitcher
Freddy Peralta from the Brewers, who is now slated to lead the rotation. In exchange, the Mets sent two top prospects,
Jett Williams and
Brandon Sproat. While Tong was already sitting towards the back of the current rotation, Sammon and Jennings project the young right-hander to open the season as a depth option, sitting behind Peralta,
Sean Manaea,
David Peterson,
Clay Holmes,
Nolan McLean, and
Kodai Senga. While Tong could be shifted to the bullpen, it appears the team's No. 4 prospect may begin the season with Triple-A to continue his development. During his first look at the majors, Tong held a high 7.71 ERA across 18 2/3 innings. For now, he is best left for deeper NL-only formats as a late-round stash option.
--Andy SmithSource: Will Sammon and Chad Jennings
January 22, 2026
New York Yankees starting pitcher
Carlos Rodon (elbow) should return to action "sometime around May," according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. Rodon has been sidelined since October after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies and to shave down a bone spur in his left elbow. He was effective when healthy last year, posting a 3.78 FIP, 9.4 K/9, and 3.4 K/9 across 33 starts (195.1 innings). Although New York will open the 2026 season without Rodon and
Gerrit Cole (elbow), the organization reportedly feels good about its rotation headlined by
Max Fried,
Will Warren,
Cam Schlittler, and newcomer
Ryan Weathers. Rodon's proven track record makes him an intriguing fantasy option, even though he won't be ready for Opening Day. As it stands, he ranks as the #59 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest 2026 fantasy baseball draft rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: Brendan Kuty
January 22, 2026
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher
Kutter Crawford (wrist) is expected to begin camp with the rest of the pitching staff, according to president of baseball operations
Craig Breslow (via Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic). Crawford resumed throwing earlier this month, and as long as he stays healthy through spring training, he should compete for an Opening Day roster spot. The competition won't be easy, though. The Red Sox added
Ranger Suarez and
Sonny Gray behind
Garrett Crochet this offseason, and
Brayan Bello should earn the No. 4 starter role if he's not traded. Assuming Boston opens the year with a five-man rotation, that leaves one spot for Crawford,
Johan Oviedo,
Patrick Sandoval (elbow),
Connelly Early,
Payton Tolle, or
Kyle Harrison. The pitchers who don't make the Opening Day rotation will end up in the bullpen or Triple-A. Crawford is the most familiar face of that group, racking up 313 innings between 2023 and 2024. During the 2024 campaign, he made a whopping 33 starts, posting a 4.35 xFIP, 8.6 K/9, and 2.5 BB/9. He missed all of last year due to wrist surgery.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jen McCaffrey
January 22, 2026
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher
Patrick Sandoval (elbow) has resumed throwing and is expected to begin camp with the rest of the pitching staff, according to president of baseball operations
Craig Breslow (via Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic). Sandoval hasn't pitched in an MLB game since June 2024 due to elbow surgery. Boston inked him to a two-year deal before last season in hopes that he could recover during 2025 before pitching meaningful innings in 2026. As it stands, it appears that Sandoval is on pace to do just that. However, even if healthy, he'll face competition in Boston's revamped rotation. The Red Sox added
Ranger Suarez and
Sonny Gray behind
Garrett Crochet, and
Brayan Bello should earn the No. 4 starter role if he's not traded. That leaves one rotation spot for Sandoval,
Johan Oviedo,
Kutter Crawford (wrist),
Connelly Early,
Payton Tolle, or
Kyle Harrison. The pitchers who don't make the Opening Day rotation will end up in the bullpen or Triple-A. Sandoval could certainly be the victor of that group, as he's a veteran arm who has impressed in the past. Over 79.2 innings with the Angels in 2024, he posted a 3.87 FIP, 9.2 K/9, and 4.0 BB/9. This competition will be worth monitoring as spring training gets underway and Opening Day inches closer.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jen McCaffrey
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 PickardSource: Jen McCaffrey
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