Nov 9, 2026, 10:18 AM ET

The Chicago Cubs' priority this offseason is starting pitching, but The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma writes that it is unlikely that the Cubs will enter a bidding war for two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Cubs were aggressive in adding third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal last offseason, but they have shied away from the very top of the free-agent market in recent offseasons. Chicago has "shown no interest" in spending like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, and it will not be an exception this winter, when labor negotiations will muddy the waters for teams and their finances. The Cubs will, however, check in on other pitches, as they have just one pitcher with legitimate starting experience on their roster who is set to enter 2027 healthy. The goal for the Cubs is likely to bring in three starting pitchers. After their starters allowed the third-most home runs (142) in 2026, the Cubs will target pitchers with high ground-ball rates and/or a high strikeout rate. This means they will most likely attempt to bring back right-hander Clay Holmes, who led baseball with a 60.7% ground-ball rate. Two other potential free-agent fits could be Freddy Peralta and Michael King. For Skubal, it is going to take a large sum of money to secure his services long-term, and the Dodgers and Mets will be the front-runners.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Sahadev Sharma

Nov 3, 2026, 8:45 PM ET

ESPN's Buster Olney writes that veteran outfielder Teoscar Hernandez is the Los Angeles Dodgers' most obvious trade candidate this offseason as they look to reshape their position-player group to get younger and more athletic. As Hernandez gets older and his defensive skills decline, there is no place for him at designated hitter in L.A., with the presence of Shohei Ohtani. Not only does Hernandez's defense in left field continue to decline, but he was also a disappointment at the plate in 2026 after signing a three-year, $66 million contract with the Blue last offseason. The 34-year-old Dominican native saw a sharp drop in power and hit .267/.334/.425 with a .759 OPS, 16 home runs, 64 RBI, 66 runs scored, five stolen bases, 135 strikeouts, and 42 walks in 125 games played and 491 plate appearances during the regular season. The two-time All-Star hit a combined 58 home runs and drove in 188 runs during the regular season in his first two years with the Dodgers while helping them win back-to-back championships. The writing is on the wall for Hernandez to be traded away, which would be a big hit to his fantasy value.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Buster Olney

Nov 2, 2026, 8:43 PM ET

Left-hander Tarik Skubal is far and away the best player in this year's free-agent class, and the expectation is that he will sign before the Dec. 1 lockout. ESPN's Jeff Passan writes that the Chicago Cubs "badly" want Skubal, but they are also skeptical that they will be willing to compete at the sort of dollars Skubal is expected to get -- well in excess of $300 million, and potentially in the $400 million range. The two most obvious suitors are the two teams with the highest payrolls in the game: the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. The San Diego Padres, who could lose both starting pitchers Michael King and Nick Pivetta, could be a darkhorse candidate to consider. ESPN's Alden Gonzalez gets the sense that Skubal would "love" to return to the Dodgers after enjoying the culture in Hollywood. Skubal became "best buddies" with fellow lefty Blake Snell and "seemed to fit in seamlessly." Despite having arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow in 2026, Skubal did not miss a beat as one of the best all-around starting pitchers in the game, going a combined 12-7 with a 2.72 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 186 strikeouts in 158 2/3 innings over 26 starts with L.A. and the Detroit Tigers. Regardless of where he lands in free agency, Skubal will be a top-tier, elite fantasy SP1.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Oct 28, 2026, 9:58 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Charles Davalan has been playing some second base in the Arizona Fall League, per Dylan Hernandez of the California Post. Davalan spent most of the 2026 season at High-A, hitting .292/.403/.535 with 24 home runs, 72 RBI, 103 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases across 530 plate appearances. The 22-year-old is considered to be one of the top prospects in the Dodgers system, but Los Angeles has a logjam in the outfield at both the MLB level and at the top of their farm system. Davalan has logged just five plate appearances at Double-A, so he's unlikely to be part of the Dodgers' big-league picture until late 2027 at the earliest. Still, if Davalan can prove he can survive on the infield, it could help him move faster through Los Angeles' system.--Will Brady
Source: California Post - Dylan Hernandez

Oct 26, 2026, 8:56 PM ET

Athletics third baseman Max Muncy (knee) underwent left-knee surgery with Dr. Mike Banffy in Los Angeles last Friday, the team announced. Banffy performed a debridement of the cartilage under the medial patella as well as a platelet-rich plasma injection. Muncy will start his rehab immediately for a full return at spring training next year. The 24-year-old right-handed-hitting infielder appeared in 82 games in 2026 in his second year in the league, slashing .230/.296/.387 with a .682 OPS, nine home runs, 30 RBI, 31 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 284 plate appearances. He had the same number of home runs while batting just .214 (44-for-206) in 63 games played as a rookie in 2025. As long as he does not suffer a setback with his surgically-repaired knee this offseason or in spring training next year, Muncy should compete for a platoon role in Sacramento in 2027 against left-handed pitchers. The best thing going for his fantasy value in deeper leagues going into his third year in the league is his hitter-friendly home park in Sacramento.--Keith Hernandez
Source: A's Communications

Oct 21, 2026, 9:46 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said at the team's end-of-year press conference on Wednesday that surgery is not on the table for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) and that he "fully expects" Ohtani to pitch next year, according to Katie Wood of The Athletic. Ohtani was not healthy in the second half of the season while battling through knee and biceps injuries, and he did not make a single start as a pitcher for the Dodgers after July 3. The four-time MVP was still productive, but he was not his usual self at the plate after the All-Star break, hitting .245/.325/.447 with eight home runs in the second half. The 32-year-old Japanese veteran then hit just .192 (5-for-26) with a homer, three RBI, three runs scored, a stolen base, four walks, and 10 strikeouts in eight playoff games. It should be music to Dodgers fans' ears that Ohtani will continue to be a two-way player again in 2027, and if he is at full health, he should be a must-start as both a hitter and pitcher in his 10th year in the big leagues. Overall in 2026, Ohtani hit 30 home runs, drove in 81 runs, scored 89 runs, and stole 11 bases in 135 regular-season games. He was lights-out on the mound in 14 starts before being shut down in the second half, going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 95:26 K:BB in 85 2/3 innings pitched.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo

Oct 21, 2026, 9:20 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (elbow) was scheduled to have right-elbow surgery on Wednesday, sources told Maddie Lee of The Los Angeles Times. The procedure is expected to be a hybrid internal-brace surgery, and the expected timeline to return to catching full time is nine months, with a return to hitting well before then. A partial UCL tear of his right elbow, which was diagnosed in early August, was the reason why Rushing only saw 11 plate appearances in the final two months of the regular season. He will not be able to serve as a catcher for the Dodgers for the entire first half of the 2027 season, although he could still be used as a designated hitter if he is cleared before he can return to catching duties. The reality is that fantasy managers probably will not be able to use Rushing until after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop played in 80 games in his second MLB season with the Blue and slashed .246/.328/.469 with a .788 OPS, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, and 37 runs scored in 253 plate appearances as the backup to Will Smith.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee

Oct 19, 2026, 10:18 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez could be a trade candidate this upcoming offseason, speculate Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo of The Athletic. Hernandez is entering the final year of his three-year, $66 million contract with Los Angeles, and he could be moved to both clear money and open up a regular role for Dodgers outfield prospect Josue De Paula. Across 491 plate appearances in 2026, Hernandez hit .267/.334/.425 with 16 home runs, 64 RBI, 66 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 34-year-old remained a viable source of power and run production for Los Angeles, but his 10.6% barrel rate and 44.8% hard-hit rate were both his worst since his rookie season in 2016. If Hernandez is indeed moved and ends up in an inferior lineup to the Dodgers, his fantasy outlook could be slightly worse in 2027.--Will Brady
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya, Katie Woo

Oct 18, 2026, 10:00 AM ET

Knee and biceps injuries kept Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani off the mound over the final three months this year, but he said he "definitely" plans to pitch in 2027, according to Brian Murphy of MLB.com. The 32-year-old also slumped badly at the plate late in the season, so badly that the Dodgers considered benching the four-time MVP for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. It is unclear if Ohtani will have an offseason procedure. Ohtani was in the NL Cy Young picture in the first half of the season and had a 1.79 ERA while limiting hitters to a .179 average over 85 2/3 innings. But he started dealing with pain in his left knee on June 11 and last pitched on July 3 against the San Diego Padres. Over his final four starts, he allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings. Before that, he gave up only five earned runs in 61 innings. Ohtani landed on the injured list in September, his first trip to the IL in almost three years. Depending on any offseason procedures that he has, Ohtani should be extremely attractive as both a hitter and pitcher in fantasy again in 2027.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Brian Murphy

Oct 17, 2026, 10:21 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Enrique Hernandez said he is hoping to return to Los Angeles for the 2027 season, per Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times. Hernandez is set to hit free agency after slashing .222/.271/.400 with four home runs, 12 RBI, and 12 runs scored across 96 plate appearances with the Dodgers in 2026. The 35-year-old has been a below-average contributor at the plate for several seasons now. However, his ability to line up all over the diamond defensively allows him to still provide value to Los Angeles. Hernandez is also a staple in the Dodgers clubhouse, having spent 10 of his 13 MLB seasons in LA. Still, Hernandez is unlikely to provide fantasy-relevant production at this point in his career.--Will Brady
Source: Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee

Oct 16, 2026, 1:30 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani started to show signs of life at the plate in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday night in L.A., but it was a little too late as the Dodgers lost 6-4 to get swept in four games in the best-of-seven series. Ohtani went 1-for-4 at the plate out of the leadoff spot with a three-run home run, but he also struck out three times. The Dodgers considered benching the superstar and four-time MVP for Game 3 of the NLCS on Wednesday, but instead they bumped him down to the sixth spot in the batting order. Ohtani's home run on Thursday was his first long ball since Aug. 18 as he slumped down the stretch and landed on the injured list in September with lingering knee and biceps injuries. The 32-year-old superstar hit just .192/.323/.308 in eight postseason games as the Dodgers fell short in their attempt to be the first team to three-peat. Hopefully, Ohtani will avoid going under the knife in the offseason and return to full strength in spring training in 2027. The biggest question about Ohtani's profile going forward is whether the Dodgers will consider making him only a hitter to avoid him breaking down as he did late in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Oct 16, 2026, 10:59 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas announced his retirement from MLB following his team's National League Championship Series defeat at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, per Sports Central LA. Rojas played 13 seasons in the big leagues, hitting .260/.313/.363 with 1,048 hits, 61 home runs, 386 RBI, 457 runs scored, and 68 stolen bases. The 37-year-old established himself as one of the better-fielding shortstops in baseball during his time with the Miami Marlins early in his career, then transitioned into a super-utility role after joining the Dodgers ahead of the 2023 season. Rojas had some key moments during his time in Los Angeles, including his memorable game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2024 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. In his postgame interview, where he announced his retirement, Rojas said he would like to stay with the Dodgers organization in a non-playing capacity.--Will Brady
Source: Sports Central LA

Oct 15, 2026, 7:28 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers have moved designated hitter Shohei Ohtani back to the leadoff spot on Thursday for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium against the Milwaukee Brewers and rookie left-hander Shane Drohan, per MLB.com. The Dodgers considered benching the slumping Ohtani for Game 3 of the NLCS on Wednesday, but instead they dropped him down to sixth in the batting order, his lowest spot since joining the Dodgers. The four-time MVP went 1-for-2 at the plate on Wednesday night and reached base three times, but he has been slumping for more than a month while battling through knee and biceps issues in the second half of the season. Since the start of September, Ohtani has played in only eight games and has gone 6-for-30 (.200) at the plate with no homers, one RBI, and a stolen base. The Japanese superstar has not homered since Aug. 18. If the Dodgers are going to miraculously come back from down three games to none in the best-of-seven series, Ohtani is going to need to get hot in a hurry.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Oct 15, 2026, 11:46 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell cruised through the first six innings of his start against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday, allowing just two hits and one earned run while recording nine strikeouts. However, with his team holding a narrow 2-1 lead, Snell allowed two key home runs in the seventh inning that turned the Dodgers' lead into a 4-2 deficit. Injuries limited Snell to just 42 2/3 innings (nine starts) during the regular season, over which he logged a 1.90 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 55 strikeouts. Across two starts (9 2/3 innings) in the playoffs, Snell has now allowed seven hits, seven walks, and five earned runs while striking out 14. If the Dodgers are able to mount a comeback in the NLCS, Snell could be in line to start a potential Game 7 on Monday.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN.com