January 6, 2026
In the opinion of The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the odds of the Toronto Blue Jays re-signing shortstop
Bo Bichette are "increasingly unlikely." The Blue Jays signed Kazuma Okamoto to primarily play third base. Rosenthal thinks the big move the Blue Jays are waiting to make is to sign superstar right fielder
Kyle Tucker, which would leave Bichette as the odd-man out. Toronto is planning on moving
Andres Gimenez to shortstop, so if Bichette were to return, he'd primarily play the keystone. If Bichette signs elsewhere, it will open things up at second base for postseason hero
Ernie Clement. If the Blue Jays are indeed moving on from Bichette, his most likely landing spots would be with the Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, or Red Sox. All of those landing spots would be good spots for Bichette, who bounced back nicely in 2025 after an injury-plagued 2024 campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: Ken Rosenthal on Foul Territory
January 6, 2026
ESPN's Buster Olney writes that the Boston Red Sox really want to re-sign third baseman
Alex Bregman and "have signaled a willingness to pay him big money." They could offer Bregman something in the range of the six-year, $171.5 million deal that the Detroit Tigers offered last spring. ESPN's Jesse Rogers adds that there was a feeling in the industry that Bregman was down to the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks, and when Kazuma Okamoto signed with Toronto, it would push Bregman to Arizona. There's a widespread belief that Boston and Bregman "need each other." "If it was down to Toronto and Arizona before, maybe it's now Boston or Arizona," one executive said. Durability is a concern for a player heading into his age-32 season, but Bregman should still be firmly in the fantasy mix at 3B in 2026 after tying for fourth among third basemen in 2025 with a 124 wRC+. Staying in Beantown would be a plus for Bregman's fantasy value, but the hitting environment in Arizona would also be very attractive.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Buster Olney
January 6, 2026
The Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets have been the two teams that are most connected to signing free-agent starting pitcher
Framber Valdez, according to MLB Network Insider Mark Feinsand. Valdez has a history with both operations executives for the Orioles and Mets, with Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias serving as the Astros' scouting director when they signed Valdez in 2015. Mets' president of baseball operations, David Stearns, was the Astros' assistant general manager at that time. The 32-year-old lefty is one of the top starting pitchers on the free-agent market and has been one of the most consistent starters in baseball over the past six seasons. He's thrown at least 175 innings in four consecutive years, holding a 3.21 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 16% K-BB%, and a league-high 60% ground-ball rate in that time. Valdez would remain a high-end starter in fantasy baseball despite a less-than-stellar strikeout rate with a move to either of these teams.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Mark Feinsand
January 6, 2026
The Detroit Tigers have traded outfielder
Justyn-Henry Malloy to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations, according to Tigers PR. Malloy was recently designated for assignment following the Tigers re-signing reliever
Kyle Finnegan. The 25-year-old appeared in 52 games for Detroit last season, slashing .221/.346/.308 (92 wRC+) in 127 plate appearances. The former sixth-round pick in 2021 has below-average power and speed with poor defensive metrics, but he has posted a double-digit walk rate at every stop of his career. Malloy could have an opportunity for playing time in the Rays' outfield if his defense can hold up, while he also has two minor-league options remaining, giving Tampa Bay some flexibility with their roster.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Tigers PR
January 6, 2026
The Boston Red Sox and starting pitcher
Kutter Crawford have agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million contract to avoid arbitration, according to the Washington Times Sports. Crawford did not pitch last season after beginning the year on the injured list with a knee injury, and he underwent surgery on his wrist in July. The 29-year-old led the Red Sox with 183 2/3 innings in his breakout 2024 season, pitching to a 4.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 16.3% K-BB%. Crawford has experience as both a starter and a reliever, and it remains to be seen how Boston will deploy him in 2026.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Washington Times Sports
January 6, 2026
The Houston Astros have designated right-handed pitcher
Kaleb Ort for assignment. This transaction opened a spot on the roster for recently acquired pitcher
Tatsuya Imai. Ort has spent each of the last two campaigns with the Astros operating as a relief pitcher. In 2025, the right-hander logged 46 innings to the tune of a 4.89 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP. He earned one save and struck out 49 hitters. However, during the 2024 campaign, Ort enjoyed his most impressive campaign, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, and a 26:4 K:BB through 24 2/3 innings. Given his previous success, the 33-year-old could draw interest as a middle reliever on waivers. If he goes unclaimed, Ort would begin his 2026 season in the minor leagues with Triple-A Sugar Land.
--Andy SmithSource: Chandler Rome
January 6, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Baltimore Orioles remain "in pursuit" of another starting pitcher. Rosenthal and Sammon report they could look to sign one of the top remaining free agents, such as
Framber Valdez or
Ranger Suarez. In addition, they still have the prospect capital to pursue one of the top names on the trade market, such as
MacKenzie Gore from Washington or
Edward Cabrera of Miami, even after top prospects
Samuel Basallo and
Jackson Holliday made their MLB debuts. Early in the offseason, the Orioles acquired right-hander
Shane Baz in a trade with the Rays and re-signed veteran right-hander
Zach Eflin. However, outside of the roster,
Trevor Rogers and returning
Kyle Bradish, the Orioles do not have as much depth at the position to compete in a high-powered AL East. As of now, Rogers or Bradish are the likely candidates to get the starting nod on Opening Day.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 6, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman
Ketel Marte has had his name in many trade discussions throughout the offseason. However, general manager Mike Hazen is expected to move on from the previous trade discussions and plan for Marte to remain on the roster for the 2026 season. According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, "nothing has changed" regarding a potential trade, and the Diamondbacks have always viewed the likelihood of a trade involving their second baseman as a "long shot." The 32-year-old switch-hitter turned in another impressive campaign in 2025 and was named to his second-straight All-Star Game. Through 126 games, he held a .283/.376/.517 line with 28 home runs and four stolen bases. Marte remains a high-end second baseman heading into 2026, as he should provide elite production in four of the standard categories while chipping in a handful of stolen bases.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 6, 2026
Free agent outfielder
Randal Grichuk has been linked to the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Grichuk would serve as a platoon option in left field alongside
Brandon Marsh. While reports suggest that they are still linked to the remaining top free agents like
Bo Bichette,
Kyle Tucker, and
Alex Bregman, the price tag would need to come down significantly for the Phillies to be a serious contender to acquire them. Grichuk spent the 2025 campaign with the Diamondbacks and Royals. Through 113 games, the 34-year-old held a .228/.273/.401 line but generated a .262 xBA with a 453 xSLG, which suggests he could be in store for a bounce-back campaign in 2026. If he were to sign a deal in Philadelphia, he would have appeal in deeper five-outfielder leagues, given that he would likely only be deployed on the weak side of a platoon.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 6, 2026
According to Jason Mackey of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have expressed interest in signing third baseman
Eugenio Suarez. According to Mackey, the team was initially interested in signing third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, but he inked a contract with Toronto over the weekend. As a result, the Pirates will now shift their attention to the 34-year-old slugger. Last summer, Suarez enjoyed a massive bounce-back season, launching 49 long balls with a .228/.298/.526 slash line. He generated an elite 14.3% barrel rate but holds a high 33.3% whiff rate and 29.8% K rate, which lowers his value in points leagues. If Suarez were to agree to terms with the Pirates, he would join an improving Pittsburgh lineup that welcomed second baseman
Brandon Lowe and designated hitter
Ryan O'Hearn earlier this winter.
--Andy SmithSource: Jason Mackey
January 5, 2026
The Athletics have signed catcher
Brian Serven to a minor-league contract. Serven spent the entire 2025 campaign with the Detroit Tigers. While he never reached the major leagues, he logged 62 games with Triple-A Toledo, where he posted a .232/.335/.313 slash line with a modest .648 OPS. He hit just seven doubles with three round-trippers. He made his MLB debut in 2022 with the Rockies and spent two seasons with them before moving to Toronto. Through 101 MLB contests, the former fifth-round pick has held a low .187/.247/.293 line with only six long balls. Given that the Arizona State product has not spent time in the majors since the 2024 campaign, he will likely open the 2026 season in the minor leagues with Triple-A Las Vegas.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
January 5, 2026
The Kansas City Royals have signed catcher
Jorge Alfaro to a minor-league contract, according to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball Media. Alfaro spent the 2025 season with the Nationals. Through 14 games, Alfaro held a .256/.256/.308 line with just two extra-base hits and one stolen base. He spent the majority of the season in the minor leagues with the Nashville Sounds. The veteran backstop spent most of his MLB career with the Marlins. Through three seasons in Miami (2019 through 2021), Alfaro held a .252/.298/.386 line through 253 games with the Marlins. Fantasy managers should expect Alfaro to continue to remain in the minor leagues to open the 2026 season, as the Royals have longtime backstop
Salvador Perez with budding star
Carter Jensen sitting in the No. 2 role.
--Andy SmithSource: Aram Leighton
January 5, 2026
According to Mike Puma of The New York Post, the New York Mets have signed second baseman
Christian Arroyo to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. Arroyo began his professional career by being selected as the 25th overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants. The infielder would not make his MLB debut until the 2017 campaign with the Giants. Following short stints in San Francisco, Tampa Bay, and Cleveland, Arroyo would enjoy a four-year run with the Red Sox. In 2021 and 2022, Arroyo held an overall .277/.323/.426 line. Over the past two seasons, he has spent his time in the minor leagues, with his latest stint being with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Arroyo will face an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster, given that he has spent the past two campaigns away from the big leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: Mike Puma
January 5, 2026
Right-handed pitcher
George Soriano has been designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles on Monday afternoon. In a corresponding move, the Orioles claimed outfielder
Jhonkensy Noel from the Cleveland Guardians off waivers. Soriano was claimed by the Orioles earlier in the offseason but will now return to waivers. The 26-year-old has spent his first three MLB campaigns with the Miami Marlins. He has been played primarily as a reliever, as he has made just one start in his career. In 2025, Soriano tallied one save (the third of his career) and logged 36 2/3 innings to the tune of a high 8.35 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP. He struck out hitters at a low 20.8% rate and showed weak command, allowing walks at a high 11.0% rate. If he goes unclaimed, Soriano will likely begin the campaign at Triple-A Norfolk.
--Andy SmithSource: Baltimore Orioles
January 5, 2026
The Baltimore Orioles have claimed outfielder
Jhonkensy Noel off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians. In a corresponding move, the Orioles have designated right-handed pitcher
George Soriano for assignment. Noel has spent his entire MLB career in Cleveland. He made his debut during the 2024 campaign and immediately flashed power upside, hitting 13 long balls with a .486 SLG across 67 games. The following season, Noel would take a massive step back, hitting just six home runs with a .297 SLG across a slightly higher 69-game sample. Under the hood, he carried a .203 xwOBA with a .283 xSLG, suggesting he did not generate quality contact. Through 268 career games at the Triple-A level, Noel has held a .250/.323/.473 line. Managers should expect Noel to likely spend most of the 2026 season with the Norfolk Tides, given his struggles in the majors last summer.
--Andy SmithSource: Baltimore Orioles
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