December 2, 2025
Free-agent right-hander Cody Ponce agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Ponce is the second big pitching acquisition that Toronto has made this offseason after adding right-handed starter
Dylan Cease to a big seven-year contract worth over $200 million. The 31-year-old Ponce was a former second-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers back in 2015. He'll be returning to the big leagues for the first time since 2021. In his 20 MLB appearances, Ponce had a 5.86 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP and 48:17 K:BB over 55 1/3 innings. He played three years in Japan and last season in Korea, where he had a fantastic 1.89 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 180 2/3 innings to earn the league's MVP award. Ponce struck out 252 hitters. Toronto is hoping his swing-and-miss stuff the last few years overseas will translate to the AL East.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
December 2, 2025
The Houston Astros agreed to an undisclosed deal with free-agent right-hander
Ryan Weiss on Tuesday, a source told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Weiss, 28, will come over to the United States after pitching the last two years in Korea, and he's expected to pitch in a starting role. He made 46 starts for the Hanwha Eagles and had a 3.16 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 305 strikeouts in 270 1/3 innings pitched the last two seasons. Weiss pitched in independent ball in 2023. The soon-to-be 29-year-old hurler had a 2.87 ERA with 207 strikeouts and 56 walks in 178 2/3 innings over 30 starts for the Eagles this past season. Weiss has never appeared in a big-league game, so he'll be more of a long shot to open the 2026 campaign in Houston's starting rotation.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
December 2, 2025
The Chicago Cubs announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent infielder
Scott Kingery to a minor-league deal with an invite to major-league spring training, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times. Kingery played in 19 games with the Los Angeles Angels this past season in the big leagues for the first time since his final season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022. He went 4-for-27 (.148) at the plate in Anaheim with a stolen base, 11 strikeouts, and three runs scored at the plate. The 31-year-old veteran will most likely serve as infield depth for the Cubbies next year if he remains in the organization, and Kingery is likely to begin the year at Triple-A Iowa. In 344 MLB games since his debut with Philly in 2018, Kingery has slashed .227/.278/.382 with 30 homers, 96 RBI, and 26 stolen bases. Nineteen of his career long balls came in his second season in 2019.
--Keith HernandezSource: Chicago Sun-Times - Maddie Lee
December 2, 2025
Kiwoom Heroes third baseman Song Sung-mun of the Korean Baseball Organization will be posted for MLB teams this offseason, according to Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News. Sung-mun's 30-day negotiating window with major-league teams will open at 8 am ET the day after MLB notifies its teams. The 29-year-old has been a late bloomer and has come on strong the last two years in Korea. He most recently hit .315/.387/.530 with 26 home runs, 90 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in 2025. Sung-mun is primarily a third baseman, but he also has the ability to move over to the keystone, if needed. He bats from the left side and throws right-handed. Like many position players who join MLB from overseas, Sung-mun could be vulnerable to the increased velocity of big-league pitchers, especially because he's known for having a long swing.
--Keith HernandezSource: Yonhap News - Jeeho Yoo
December 2, 2025
Free-agent right-hander
Alek Manoah and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a one-year, $1.95 million deal on Tuesday, a source told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 27-year-old became a free agent after he was non-tendered by the Atlanta Braves following the 2025 season. He will now head back to the American League on a fully guaranteed big-league deal. Manoah worked his way back from right-elbow surgery that he had in June of 2024 and didn't pitch at all in the big leagues. In 33 1/3 innings (seven starts) at Triple-A Buffalo, Manoah had a decent 2.97 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 30 strikeouts and 18 walks. The former 11th overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019 out of West Virginia finished third in the AL Cy Young voting in 2022 after going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 180:51 K:BB in 31 starts. Injuries and mechanical issues caused Manoah to fall off a cliff since then, but the Halos are hoping this low-risk investment will pan out and he'll contribute to a rotation that was a huge liability in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
December 2, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman
Ketel Marte has been rumored as a trade candidate this offseason, but The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro thinks it's more likely that the team's trade options involve outfielders
Alek Thomas and
Jake McCarthy, who are both arbitration-eligible. If the D-backs trade one of Thomas or McCarthy away, they have options to replace them with the likes of
Jorge Barrosa,
Tim Tawa,
Blaze Alexander, and potentially even
Jordan Lawlar. For fantasy baseball purposes, McCarthy is the more attractive player, although he played in only 67 games in 2025 and hit .204 (42-for-206) with four home runs, 20 RBI, 18 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his fifth year in the league. If McCarthy were ever to win a full-time job in Arizona or elsewhere, though, his speed would make him interesting in fantasy. McCarthy had three straight 20-steal seasons from 2022-24.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
December 2, 2025
New York Yankees right-hander
Cam Schlittler said he's looking to develop a changeup or splitter this offseason to use below the strike zone against left-handed hitters, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Nothing has been decided yet, but pitching coach Matt Blake said a changeup is more likely. The 24-year-old had a highly successful first showing in the big leagues in 2025, posting a 2.96 ERA (3.74 FIP) with a 1.22 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 73 innings over 14 starts. Schlittler really stood out in the Game 3 win over the division-rival Boston Red Sox in the Wild-Card Series, when he struck out 12 in eight scoreless innings. He mostly relied on his 98 mph four-seam fastball (55% usage) last year, while using a cutter 21% of the time and a curveball 15% of the time. Schlittler also has a sinker and a slider, but adding a changeup could make him more effective against lefties.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
December 2, 2025
The San Francisco Giants announced on Tuesday that infielder
Casey Schmitt (wrist) had surgery to remove the carpal boss in his left wrist, according to Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com. Schmitt is expected to spend the next eight to 10 weeks rehabbing from his surgery. Although the 26-year-old might be eased into the start of spring training, he should be ready for Opening Day in 2026, barring a setback. The former second-rounder hit .237/.305/.401 with a .706 OPS, career-high 12 home runs, 40 RBI, and 34 runs scored for the Giants in 95 games played this past season in his third year in the big leagues. Schmitt filled in at third base when
Matt Chapman missed time due to injuries, but he's primarily a second baseman and could be in the mix for the starting job, depending on whether the Giants add any competition at the keystone this offseason. Schmitt is primarily middle-infield depth in NL-only fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Maria I. Guardado
December 2, 2025
With outfielder
Kyle Tucker expected to depart in free agency this offseason, the Chicago Cubs are projecting regular playing time for outfielder
Owen Caissie, a consensus top-100 prospect whose name was prominently mentioned in trade talks last offseason, and again during the July 31 trade deadline. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger doesn't have anything left to prove at Triple-A Iowa after posting an .887 OPS and 277 strikeouts in almost 1,000 Triple-A plate appearances in the last two seasons. The Cubs want to see what they have in Caissie while letting him develop and improve at the big-league level. Caissie could be in a battle for regular playing time with fellow prospect
Moises Ballesteros. In his first 12 major-league games in 2025, Caissie went 5-for-26 (.192) with a homer, four RBI, and 11 strikeouts. He has plenty of power upside, but the strikeouts are a concern.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
December 2, 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals are not necessarily looking to trade infielder
Brendan Donovan, but ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that the "market for him is percolating." Several teams see Donovan as an option at second base, third base, or left field. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter gives teams options, as he can hit leadoff or bat in the middle of the order because of his elite bat-to-ball skills and gap power. He has two years of club control left and is very affordable in arbitration before he reaches free agency. The Cardinals are retooling under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, and almost nobody on the roster is off limits. For fantasy purposes, outside of Donovan's excellent contact and on-base skills and positional versatility, he doesn't bring much intrigue. The Dodgers, Mariners, Yankees, Red Sox, Pirates, Giants, Royals, and Guardians are teams that could come calling for Donovan.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
December 2, 2025
ESPN's Jeff Passan writes that "now is finally the time, it seems," for Chicago White Sox outfielder
Luis Robert Jr. to be traded. Robert had a career year in 2023, hitting .264/.315/.542 with an .857 OPS, career-high 38 home runs, 80 RBI, 90 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases in 145 games played. The White Sox hung onto him and were hoping to trade him at peak value in 2024, but he once again struggled to stay healthy and played in only 100 games. The 28-year-old Cuban has hit a combined 28 homers the last two years, and the combination of his last two down seasons and a hefty salary will limit the return for the Pale Hose on any potential deal. Robert is still in the 90th percentile or better for sprint speed, defensive range, and bat speed, but he's been injured and unlucky the last two years. Passan lists the Giants, Phillies, Mets, and Reds as potential landing spots for Robert if he's finally dealt.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
December 2, 2025
ESPN's Jeff Passan writes that the Boston Red Sox are valuing outfielder
Jarren Duran more like the seven-win player of 2024 than the four-win version in 2025. The Red Sox "can hold out for a big return" because they don't have to trade him. Although the 29-year-old isn't the best defensive asset, he has plenty of trade value because he's still in his 20s and has three years of club control. Duran also has elite bat and foot speed, and a good arm. He has ranked third in baseball the last three years at plus-23 runs due to his elite baserunning skills. Duran might have had a bit of a down year in 2025, slashing .256/.332/.442 with 16 home runs, 84 RBI, 86 runs scored, and 24 steals in 620 at-bats, but he's still one of the top all-around position players in the league. Passan predicts a 50% chance Duran will be dealt this offseason, with the Tigers, Royals, Giants, Pirates, Phillies, Mets, Reds, and Diamondbacks all being potential suitors.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
December 2, 2025
The San Francisco Giants are among the teams that have checked in on free-agent outfielder/designated hitter
Kyle Schwarber, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. The elite left-handed slugger is going to receive plenty of interest on the open market this offseason after leading the league in home runs (56) and RBI (132) in a career-high 162 games played in 2025. Schwarber also slashed .240/.365/.563 with a career-best .928 OPS, 111 runs scored, and a career-high-tying 10 stolen bases in 724 plate appearances for the Philadelphia Phillies. As expected, the 32-year-old veteran declined Philly's one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, which means the Phils will receive draft-pick compensation if he signs with another team this offseason. Schwarber finished second in the National League MVP voting and has at least 32 home runs in each of the last six full seasons. He has 40-plus homers in three of the last four seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
December 2, 2025
The Athletic's Katie Woo reports that St. Louis Cardinals first baseman
Willson Contreras is open to trade offers this offseason and has "become more willing to waive his full no-trade clause." Woo goes on to explain that it won't necessarily change the Cardinals' order of operations, but they are "open to shopping Contreras." The top priority of the winter will be to trade veteran third baseman
Nolan Arenado and one of their left-handed hitters. Outfielder
Lars Nootbaar and infielder
Brendan Donovan continue to receive interest from other clubs. Contreras handled himself very well defensively in his first season as a full-time first baseman, and although his plate discipline isn't anything special, his elite bat speed allows him to do plenty of damage as a hitter. The 33-year-old is owed $41.5 million over the next two years (with a team option for a third season). Teams such as the Padres, Marlins, Diamondbacks, and Pirates could be interested in landing Contreras.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Katie Woo
December 1, 2025
The New York Mets are still interested in re-signing right-handed closer
Edwin Diaz even after agreeing to a three-year contract with right-handed reliever
Devin Williams on Monday night, a source told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Williams, who struggled to an ERA over 4.00 in his lone season with the New York Yankees in 2025, is open to pitching in a setup role as he looks to bounce back from a down campaign. The 31-year-old Diaz turned down the Mets' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, as expected, after opting out of the final two years and $38 million remaining on his contract. Diaz will have plenty of suitors on the open market, but it remains to be seen if New York will give him the contract he's looking for. The Puerto Rican has an elite 14.5 K/9 mark and 253 saves in his nine-year big-league career, which puts him at the top of the reliever market.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
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