The offseason is in full swing, with the commerce market displaying ample exercise and quite a lot of noteworthy free brokers having already come off the board. The place are you able to flip for steerage amid this dizzying whirlwind?
Proper right here is the place. Chris Towers and I might be making the Offseason Tracker our dwelling base for the subsequent few months, churning out content material because the information warrants. Right here, you will get a breakdown of all of the strikes that matter for Fantasy Baseball with out all of the fluff. (OK, perhaps just a little fluff.)
Bookmark it. Learn it. Dwell by it.
Michael King indicators with Padres
The theme of staying put this offseason continues for an additional notable free agent, and the phrases are fairly fascinating. In all, the deal could possibly be price $75 million over three years, however King might select to choose out after the primary or second yr, incomes the least amount of cash upfront. That is the type of deal a participant indicators when he thinks he will not get he is price and must resuscitate his worth, and to be truthful, he did miss a lot of 2025 with nerve impingement in his shoulder. However he did have his regular velocity when he returned in September, and each contender might use a pitcher like him.
It is purpose to marvel if there are lingering doubts about King’s ineffectiveness in September. He did not look as sharp though the speed checked out. In all, his transfer again into the beginning rotation in 2024 has been a smashing success, and he has top-25 upside at beginning pitcher. On condition that the place is so deep, although, and he clearly has one thing to show nonetheless, he’ll come nearer to being the fiftieth beginning pitcher chosen. –Scott White
Ha-seong Kim indicators with Braves
Kim turned down his $16 million choice with the Braves earlier this offseason however returns for an addition $4 million on a one-year. It is a good slot in that the Braves badly want a shortstop with some offensive skill and Kim badly wants to revive his worth after a season wrecked by accidents. He ought to play every single day simply as he did in September when the Braves claimed him off waivers from the Rays.
Whether or not he’ll carry out is one other matter. His 2025 was cut up evenly with 24 video games for the Rays and 24 for the Braves, and he did carry out higher as soon as he was again to taking part in commonly with the latter. However he additionally had zero steals with the latter and is not of a lot Fantasy curiosity with out these, notably since he is prone to bat low within the lineup. A 12-homer, 25-steal season is what you could possibly fairly hope for, with 15 and 30 being his absolute upside, however he is far sufficient faraway from these form of numbers that you need to strategy him with skepticism. He is a late-round choose in leagues that require a 3rd center infielder (corresponding to normal Rotisserie). –Scott White
Adolis Garcia indicators with Phillies
Garcia, 32, has struggled with points in each knees and hasn’t been an influence hitter since 2023. The Phillies are betting they’ll unlock one thing and at the very least squeeze a light improve from what Nick Castellanos has given them the previous few seasons. That is not a nasty guess on a one-year, $10 million contract. It is an improve in supporting forged and residential park, and that might present just a little increase to Garcia’s worth. However I am not anticipating a George Springer-esque resurgence after two years of an OPS under .700 and declining underlying metrics. Possibly you could possibly get 20 homers and 10 steals out of him as a late-round flier. –Chris Towers
Josh Bell indicators with Twins
Bell’s profession has been outlined by inconsistency, so a bounce-back in 2025 is not out of the query. That is very true given his underlying metrics in 2025, which had been the perfect we have seen from him since 2021, with a .358 xwOBA to go together with his finest strikeout price in three years. It did not present up within the field rating till the second half of the season, when Bell hit .267/.353/.489. It is not unreasonable to assume there is a comparable ceiling in right here for 2026, although you definitely should not draft Bell anticipating that. As a late-round flier for energy, you are able to do worse, nevertheless. –Chris Towers
Merrill Kelly indicators with Diamondbacks
Petty easy, this one. Aside from his two months with the Rangers on the finish of 2025, our solely recollection of Kelly is with the Diamondbacks, so we all know precisely what to anticipate. The one query can be if he is starting to age out at 37, seeing as he was extra hittable throughout his 10 begins with the Rangers. No group would have a greater learn on him than the Diamondbacks, although, they usually’re prepared to pay him $20 million every of the subsequent two years. His velocity and ERA estimators have held regular, so I feel you possibly can draft him with confidence as an innings-eating rotation stabilizer within the fifth or sixth starter vary. You will most likely find yourself utilizing him greater than you count on to. –Scott White
Isaac Collins traded to Royals
For a minute there, Collins was the recent factor in Fantasy, slashing .338/.425/.544 over a two-month stretch from June 12 by means of Aug. 11. And whereas he slashed solely .182/.303/.293 thereafter, slipping into extra of a part-time function, he nonetheless ended up reaching base at a .368 clip as a rookie. That is seemingly what attracted the Royals to Collins, and with them, the switch-hitter is extra prone to play every single day.
My worry, although, is that the midseason scorching stretch inflated his stat line past what’s truly affordable and that the season merely ended earlier than the correction could possibly be totally utilized. He wasn’t a extremely regarded prospect, does not hit the ball with a lot authority, and does not make contact at an unusually excessive price. He is good at taking walks, as his minor league historical past additionally reveals, however main league pitchers will put a cease to that if the bat is not impactful sufficient. They’re higher at controlling the place the ball goes and can merely pound the strike zone. Possibly Collins will excel with the Royals and provides them their very own model of Sal Frelick. It is extra potential with them than with the Brewers. However that is modest upside for a participant with such a questionable profile, making him not price contemplating exterior of five-outfielder leagues. –Scott White
Dustin Could indicators with Cardinals
Not a nasty gamble for the Cardinals when you think about that Could was a prized commodity as not too long ago as a yr in the past. He was getting back from flexor tendon surgical procedure in addition to a Tommy John revision, and clearly, issues did not end up so effectively. The Dodgers determined to chop bait, transport him to the Crimson Sox for a few minor leaguers, nevertheless it did not enhance his circumstances in any respect. If nothing else, the Cardinals can present him with alternative given the sorry state of their beginning rotation. He is misplaced about 2 mph from all three variations of his fastball (four-seamer, two-seamer and cutter), however he nonetheless will get depraved horizontal motion on a number of of his pitches. He is an excessive amount of of a challenge to draft in standard-size leagues, but when he begins getting some buzz this spring, that might change. –Scott White
It wasn’t even per week in the past that I mentioned Kyle Finnegan can be the favourite for saves in Detroit after signing a two-year, $19 million deal. I take all of it again. Jansen, the energetic saves chief and fourth on the all-time listing with 476, turns into probably the most confirmed nearer supervisor A.J. Hinch has ever had.
Hinch is notoriously noncommittal along with his ninth-inning decisions, which is why the Finnegan endorsement was a guarded one, however the final time he had a more in-depth extensively thought of to be top-of-the-line within the recreation, Roberto Osuna in 2019, he received him 38 saves. Jansen presumably would not go to a group that did not promise him the nearer function. The final time he received fewer than 25 saves in a season (2020 excluded) was 2011. It is true he is not as dominant as he as soon as was, however he continues to get the job carried out at 38 and has a superb probability for 30-plus saves on an anticipated contender. It’s best to goal him among the many prime 15 relievers in leagues that reward saves. –Scott White
Out with Pete Alonso. In with … Jorge Polanco? Sure, the Mets are going the thrifty route to interchange their All-Star first baseman, signing a longtime second baseman with the intention of transitioning him there. I say it is the thrifty route, however actually it is extra just like the short-term route, seeing as Polanco is slated to make $40 million over two years.
He earned that pay improve with a resurgent season in Seattle, his finest in 4 years. He had patellar tendon surgical procedure previous to the season, a situation he had been managing for years, and the underlying information backs up the resurgence, particularly by means of improved exit velocities a enormously improved strikeout price. In principle, he will a greater venue, however his xHR by ballpark is about the identical in New York and Seattle over the previous few years. Principally, Polanco’s worth is tied to his second base eligibility, given that it is the weakest infield place, and this transfer places him within the dialog for prime 10 there. –Scott White
Ken Rosenthal already answered your query: The Braves nonetheless count on to make use of Raisel Iglesias as their nearer in 2026. The deal pays Suarez $13 million in 2026, with $16 million due in every of 2027 and 2028; with Iglesias solely below contract for yet one more yr after re-signing earlier this offseason, the plan right here appears fairly clear. For 2026, Suarez is an overqualified setup man; in 2027, he ought to enter because the odds-on favourite to shut. After all, he would possibly find yourself closing in 2026 anyway, as Iglesias misplaced the texture for his slider in 2025 and subsequently misplaced his job (earlier than finally successful it again). Successful it again from Suarez, who has a 2.87 ERA and 76 saves over the previous two seasons, is perhaps a harder activity. Iglesias stays within the top-12 nearer dialogue for 2026 drafts, however he is received to be seen as a riskier choose now than he was earlier than the Suarez signing. –Chris Towers
Pete Alonso indicators with Orioles
After he sat on the free agent market till February final offseason, Pete Alonso discovered his dwelling a lot earlier this time round. And, for the primary time in his skilled profession, he will not be with the Mets, as he landed with the Orioles Wednesday on a five-year deal that can make him one of many highest-paid first basemen in MLB historical past. It is a transfer that solutions some questions for the Orioles lineup in 2026 and raises loads extra for the Mets. For extra, take a look at out my full-length article. –Chris Towers
Here is yet one more free agent who examined the free agent market and determined the grass wasn’t greener, on this case re-upping with the Tigers on a two-year, $19 million deal. Finnegan will not be of the identical stature as Kyle Schwarber, who additionally selected to remain put Tuesday, however he could possibly be of use in Fantasy if he finally ends up claiming the nearer function for the Tigers. (Replace: He seemingly will not with the next signing of Kenley Jansen.)
He roughly cut up the function with Will Vest after coming over from the Nationals in a deadline deal, however he has extra expertise in it and have become a significantly better pitcher with the Tigers, placing collectively a 1.50 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 11.5 Okay/9 in 16 appearances. Principally, that they had him throw his splitter twice as typically, and clearly, they assume these positive factors will stick. –Scott White
Kyle Schwarber returning to the Phillies is an enormous deal for real-life baseball. Schwarber is among the 15 or so finest hitters in baseball (and the variety of higher energy hitters is an excellent shorter listing), however he is additionally been an integral a part of the Phillies’ clubhouse throughout their latest run of contending, they usually had been combating off quite a lot of different contenders and would-be contenders for Schwarber’s providers. That is an inventory that included sudden names just like the Reds and Pirates, in addition to the Orioles, Mets, and others who had been all in on Schwarber to the tune of at the very least $100 million. His touchdown spot might have essentially reshaped the look of any one in all a few half-dozen groups.
For Fantasy, although, this deal does not actually matter all that a lot. We’ll all the time take the established order reigning when that includes an elite hitter staying in a superb lineup, and it is most likely the perfect probability Schwarber has to recreate his unimaginable 2025 season. However it additionally does not – or should not – change how anybody views him for Fantasy. It is the established order, in any case.
I’ll say this: I feel Schwarber’s value in drafts might be at the very least just a little bit unreasonable. After sporting an ADP close to seventieth coming into 2025, he is sitting at 24.5 in early NFBC drafts to date. He was price that in 2025, however he additionally hit 18 extra homers than he had in 2024 and 9 greater than every other season in his profession, so anticipating a repeat might be asking rather a lot. He’ll hit 40 or so with elite run manufacturing numbers, however he hasn’t hit higher than .248 since 2021 (when he was shielded from lots of the hardest lefties on the schedule in a means he not is) and he’s a Util/DH-only participant for Fantasy. None of that must be thought of a deal breaker, however it could actually create some powerful team-building issues when it prices a second-round choose. –Chris Towers
Edwin Diaz indicators with Dodgers
Edwin Diaz becoming a member of the Dodgers is one other transfer that feels extra momentous in actual life than in Fantasy. The Dodgers’ bullpen was their greatest weak spot in 2025 and now they’ve signed the perfect nearer in the marketplace. After all they did. However Diaz was going to be a more in-depth regardless of the place he signed, and if something, signing with a group that gave out an enormous contract to a different shut final offseason and has different pitchers with closing expertise means there is perhaps a bit extra danger in drafting Diaz than there was earlier than. He’ll most likely stay a dominant pressure and safe 35-plus saves for the Dodgers, however he is risky sufficient that it is not unattainable to foresee a world through which he loses this job. Bear in mind, it occurred to him for a stretch in 2024.
Tanner Scott is clearly undraftable in most leagues now, whereas Devin Williams appears safe a top-12 nearer and a high-profile bounce-back candidate if the Mets keep out of the nearer market transferring ahead. –Chris Towers
That the Mariners would commerce Ford, who has been one of many prime catcher prospects from the time he was drafted in 2021, was all however sure given the Cal Raleigh of all of it. That they’d get solely a blah reliever in return was sudden. However wait, wasn’t Ferrer the Nationals‘ nearer by the top of final season? Yeah, as a result of they traded everybody else away. He throws exhausting, however the numbers definitely aren’t closer-caliber, and even if you wish to say his 3.03 FIP is extra indicative of his skill than his 4.48 ERA, so what? Left-handers who get floor balls at a excessive price, whereas helpful, usually aren’t thought of prime commerce forex. The Mariners truly gave up a second minor-leaguer within the deal as effectively.
Clearly, Ferrer will not be closing video games anymore, so no matter Fantasy worth he may need had is now kaput. What about Ford? Nicely, the Nationals do have Keibert Ruiz locked up by means of 2030, however he was ravaged by concussions in 2025 and has carried out under expectations every of the previous two seasons. Not like Raleigh, he is a catcher that Ford might fairly overtake. Ford stands out most for his plate self-discipline, having reached base at a .408 clip in 2025 and a .405 clip for his minor league profession, and he has playable pop to his pull aspect. He had been a prolific base-stealer up to now however put a cease to that in 2025, for some purpose. With as deep as catcher is true now, you will not have to make an enormous play for him even in two-catcher leagues, however that might change if he garners lots of buzz this spring. –Scott White
There have been three lesser prospects moved on this deal as effectively, however we’ll stick with the precept gamers. The Password, as Garcia is often identified, is a borderline top-100 prospect who received 9 plate appearances for the Crimson Sox final yr after a productive displaying between Double- and Triple-A. However whereas energy is meant to be his calling card, he delivered solely an 86.4 mph common exit velocity in his 81 video games at Triple-A. His dwelling run output depends on him pulling the ball within the air with regularity, and since PNC Park charges because the worst dwelling run venue for right-handed hitters, that is … form of an issue. Garcia additionally had a excessive chase price at Triple-A, to not point out a excessive miss price on pitches within the zone, so there are ample causes for skepticism right here, even when this traded provides him a a lot clearer path to taking part in time.
Oviedo additionally strikes me as extra of a curiosity than a real asset. His 9 begins late in 2025 at the very least confirmed him to be wholesome after a prolonged restoration from Tommy John surgical procedure, however the outings had been brief, with just one exceeding 5 innings, and the three.57 ERA was undercut by a 4.92 FIP. Whereas he reveals some potential as a bat-misser, it is not almost sufficient to make up for his vulnerability to walks and residential runs, and my guess is that he’ll serve extra as a swingman than a full-time starter for the Crimson Sox. –Scott White
“My guess at present is that Pagan doesn’t signal as a more in-depth.” That is what I mentioned on the Fantasy Baseball At this time podcast Monday evening. However the a technique to make sure he’ll stay a more in-depth is to re-sign with the group that simply used him as a more in-depth, and that is precisely what occurred Wednesay Monday Emilio Pagan indicators with Reds re-upped him on a two-year $20 million deal.
It might work out nice. It clearly did in 2025, seeing him recording 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA. However it marked solely the second time in six years that he had an ERA under 4.40, and he remained as homer-prone as ever, which accounts for the three.72 FIP and three.91 xFIP. Pitching in Cincinnati ought to solely exacerbate these dwelling run issues, and simply because he dodged a bullet the primary time does not imply he’ll once more. He deserves to be drafted among the many prime 20 relievers, simply because there are solely so many in line for saves, however there’s particular bust potential. –Scott White
Mullins’ manufacturing has been in decline for some time now and hit all-time low when he batted .182 with a .565 OPS after becoming a member of the Mets in a midseason commerce. However he is nonetheless a plus defender in middle area (which is greater than could be mentioned for Chandler Simpson), his exit velocities have held pretty regular even with the diminished manufacturing, and he simply delivered a career-high pull-air price. There are worse gambles a thrifty membership might make than to ink a former 30/30 man to a one-year, $7 million deal. My finest guess is that Mullins suits into some form of platoon and places up usable energy/pace numbers for a five-outfielder league. Seeing as he is a profession .189 hitter with a .519 OPS at Tropicana Discipline, although, I would be extra prone to alter these expectations down than up. –Scott White
Early December is outwardly the time to buy failed main league pitchers who rehabilitated their worth in East Asia, as a result of Kay turns into the third such participant to sign up two days. He is the primary to signal out of Japan reasonably than Korea, and whereas his 2025 strikeout price wasn’t almost as spectacular in Cody Ponce’s, he was taking part in within the harder league.
The 1.74 ERA is a purple herring (as such an ERA virtually all the time is) as a result of NPB has been going by means of a dead-ball part the previous few years, however Kay is a vastly totally different pitcher than after we final noticed him in 2023. He is now primarily sinker/cutter reasonably than fastball/slider, turning into the type of excessive ground-ball pitcher (56 p.c price in 2025) that may overcome a modest strikeout price, and has a much wider arsenal on the whole. He is unlikely to be far more than a streamer in Fantasy, notably pitching for a non-contender just like the White Sox, however as with each pitcher who takes this profession path, there may be the potential for a shock. –Scott White
Cody Ponce indicators with Blue Jays
After an unremarkable stint with the Pirates earlier within the decade, Ponce spent a number of years refining his recreation abroad, and it culminated with him incomes MVP honors within the Korean Baseball Group final yr. The award is simple to know given the numbers, however what’s behind these numbers? Apparently, he is added 2 mph to his fastball since we final noticed him in 2021, and he is additionally added a kick change (generally recognized as a splitter) that produces unimaginable tumbling motion with its minimal spin (typically under 1,000 rpm). Although he additionally has a sweeper, it is the fastball and changeup that primarily account for his 12.6 Okay/9, the very best for any former MLB pitcher getting back from the KBO.
The Blue Jays are making a reasonable-sized dedication, too. Three years, $30 million, whereas having the potential to make him a cut price, is not stab-in-the-dark cash. They’re satisfied Ponce can maintain down a rotation spot for them, and I am satisfied he’ll at the very least be viable in Fantasy, along with his core parts suggesting even higher than that. Nonetheless, the 2026 beginning pitcher crop is deep sufficient in upside performs that I could not justify utilizing greater than a late-round choose on him. –Scott White
A former fourth-round choose of the Diamondbacks, Weiss wasn’t adequate to achieve the majors earlier than departing for Korea in 2024, however after placing collectively spectacular numbers there in 2025 (see above), he’ll get an opportunity to compete for a spot within the Astros rotation on a one-year, $2.6 million deal. That is not an amazing monetary dedication, clearly, which suggests {that a} market did not develop for the soon-to-be 29-year-old. Between that and the dearth of clear explanations for Weiss’ breakthrough (past imprecise references to improved command and a broader secondary arsenal), I am inclined to assume it was much less about Weiss himself than his competitors. He might have stretches when he is streamable, however barring some eye-opening efficiency this spring, he ought to go largely undrafted in Fantasy. –Scott White
The Bronx chewed up and spit out Williams, heretofore a lockdown ace of a more in-depth, however absolutely the opposite New York borough will makes for a gentler touchdown. Or … by no means. Actually, this deal provides little in the best way of closure as a result of the Mets’ mountain of assets permits them to pursue one other big-dollar reliever, as much as and together with Edwin Diaz, who would after all take priority over Williams within the ninth inning. However the Mets are paying Williams nearer cash — three years, $45 million, together with extra incentives — so for now, let’s presume he is their nearer.
Whereas we might have appreciated him to land in a lower-pressure locale, the one purpose to quote New York as the reason for his struggles is as a result of there are not any extra apparent ones. His pitches all had the identical form and velocity. He missed bats at his regular elite price. His 3.11 xERA and a couple of.68 FIP had been each a lot decrease than his 4.79 ERA. He was mainly the identical pitcher. The outcomes had been simply worse. Usually, you’d guess on a rebound in that situation, and I nonetheless assume that is the correct transfer, which is why I rank him simply inside my prime 12 relievers. However I would really feel higher had he signed some other place. –Scott White
Whereas some groups had been reportedly eyeing Helsley as a rotation candidate, the Orioles plan to make use of him as a more in-depth with Felix Bautista (shoulder) anticipated out for almost all of 2016. Helsley was an amazing nearer not so way back, registering 49 saves with a 2.04 ERA in 2024, however he was not so nice or perhaps a nearer when final we noticed him, placing collectively a 7.20 ERA in 22 appearances for the Mets following a midseason commerce from the Cardinals.
After attending to the foundation of the issue, which was apparently a inform in his supply, he completed his Mets tenure with seven scoreless innings, and the Orioles evidently felt assured sufficient give him a two-year, $28 million deal. It is not the type of contract that an ace reliever who’s solely worry-free would get, nevertheless it’s a sturdy dedication nonetheless. With the Orioles anticipated again in playoff rivalry, you need to anticipate drafting Helsley within the 12-15 vary at reduction pitcher. He is has the potential to be prime 5. –Scott White
$210 million is some huge cash for a pitcher coming off a 4.55 ERA. However as I wrote in my extra in-depth breakdown of the signing, that ERA does not come near telling the entire story with Stop. Sure, he is frustratingly inconsistent. He is additionally a real workhorse, taking the ball each fifth day and offering quantity and strikeouts. With ERA and WHIP danger, positive, however there’s clearly loads of upside there, too. He is going off the board in early drafts round eightieth total, because the twentieth SP off the board or thereabouts, and that looks as if an ideal nice worth for a man along with his combination of upside and projectable quantity. There aren’t many pitchers whose absolute best-case situation is as engaging for Fantasy as Stop’s. –Chris Towers
The Crimson Sox have been anticipated to make an enormous splash in both free company or within the commerce marketplace for a rotation improve, and this commerce is perhaps it. Grey struggled to a 4.28 ERA and 1.23 WHIP final season, however his underlying metrics had been extra indicative of a top-of-rotation arm, together with a 26.7% strikeout price, 3.39 FIP and three.29 SIERA. The 36-year-old has seen his velocity decline in consecutive seasons, nevertheless, and his high quality of contact metrics took an enormous step again in 2025, which is why his xERA was a extra pedestrian 3.90 mark. He is a stable pitcher, each for the Crimson Sox and for Fantasy, however I do not assume he is a needle-mover in both occasion at this level in his profession, even when the Crimson Sox would possibly be capable to get him of their pitching lab and squeeze some further worth out of him. There’s nonetheless room for the Crimson Sox to improve this rotation, in different phrases. –Chris Towers
In alternate for Grey, the Cardinals received a few fascinating youthful arms. Fitts is extra of a identified amount, and he hasn’t given us a lot purpose to be excited. He had a 5.00 ERA with even worse peripherals in 2025, so whereas he would possibly slide into the Cardinals rotation, it’s going to principally be for an absence of higher choices. Clarke is the extra fascinating long-term challenge, with a fastball that may contact 100 mph and a slider that’s already a weapon. The remainder of the arsenal is a piece in progress. He walked 27 in simply 38 innings throughout two ranges of A-Ball in 2025, so this can be a actual challenge. If all comes collectively, he would possibly be capable to hack it as a starter, however he seems to be extra like a Ryan Helsley-in-waiting kind of high-leverage bullpen arm in the long term.
The opposite factor price noting right here is that, with Grey out of the image and Miles Mikolas leaving by way of free company, there are a number of holes within the Cardinals rotation proper now. Prospects Quinn Mathews and Tink Therefore have expertise within the excessive minors and could possibly be choices for the 2026 rotation, although each have troublesome 2025 campaigns that might lead the group to need to see extra success at Triple-A earlier than they make that decision. For Fantasy, these are each names to know heading into spring coaching in case they’ll steal rotation spots. Liam Doyle, a 2025 first-round choose, appears prone to be extra of a midseason consideration after he threw simply 3 2/3 post-draft innings within the professionals, however he might completely be a quick riser early in 2026, too. –Chris Towers
The Mets and Rangers continued the early offseason development of buying and selling main leaguers for different main leaguers in an alternate of two getting older ones with a number of years remaining on their offers. Nimmo, who’s 32, has proven solely faint indicators of decline, if even these, persevering with to make worthwhile contributions in dwelling runs and stolen bases with large run and RBI manufacturing. He is becoming a member of a worse lineup that performs in a worse venue, however any adjustments to his manufacturing can be slight, presuming good well being.
Semien, who’s 35, has seen his manufacturing nosedive the previous two years, however this commerce might serve to sluggish and even reverse the decline given the park improve. Statcast estimates he’d have a dozen extra dwelling runs throughout that very same two-year span if he had performed each recreation at Citi Discipline. That is my greatest takeaway from this commerce, however Chris Towers has written a whole breakdown of it, which you’ll find right here. –Scott White
Iglesias re-ups for one yr at precisely the identical price ($16 million) because the earlier three. Clearly, the Braves had been on the lookout for continuity, and that makes the evaluation right here reasonably straightforward. He is the nearer once more for an anticipated contender and a close to lock for 30 saves, supplied he stays wholesome. He missed that quantity by one in 2025, principally due to some early-season struggles. As soon as he in the reduction of on his slider, although, he was clearly again to kind, compiling a 1.25 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 10.0 Okay/9 in his ultimate 45 appearances. That’ll play, all proper, and positions Iglesias to be one of many first 12 relievers off the board in 2026. –Scott White
What a fall for Rodriguez, who was regarded a pair years in the past as one of many recreation’s burgeoning aces after a multi-year run as a top-10 total prospect. Now, the Orioles have dealt him away for one yr of some 32-year-old outfielder who simply hit .228. That is not solely truthful to Ward, who additionally related for 36 dwelling runs in 2025, however most projections have him regressing to 25-30 in 2026. He is additionally becoming a member of a group that is loaded with solid-but-less-than-All-Star-worthy nook bats. There already wasn’t room within the lineup for all of Dylan Beavers, Samuel Basallo, Coby Mayo, Tyler O’Neill and Ryan Mountcastle. Now, there’s room for one fewer. It will not be Ward, however does that imply we’ll have to attend even longer for Basallo to contribute in Fantasy? If that’s the case, that is a bummer.
However the actual story right here is Rodriguez, who Angels GM Perry Minasian says is anticipated to be prepared for spring coaching after lacking all of 2025 with lat and elbow points. The lat has been a recurring downside, additionally costing Rodriguez time in 2024 and as a minor leaguer in 2022, and the elbow required debridement surgical procedure in August. The Orioles solely made this deal as a result of they could not belief him to remain wholesome, however having mentioned that, he would not be the primary pitcher to beat a multi-year damage development and nonetheless go on to satisfy his potential. We’ve no proof that his stuff has diminished with this newest rash of accidents, so I am nonetheless inclined to rank him as a prime 75 beginning pitcher for 2026. This commerce is bound to provide some drafters pause even at that late stage, although. –Scott White
Grisham’s resolution to simply accept the qualifying supply is a curious one provided that he simply had far and away his finest season, homering 34 occasions as the first middle fielder for the Yankees. Some main shops had been projecting him to obtain a four- or five-year deal for the same annual worth because the qualifying supply, however his agent most likely has a greater learn in the marketplace.
If nothing else, you could possibly say he is betting on himself with this transfer, hoping to re-enter the market subsequent offseason with out the stigma of being a one-hit marvel, however now comes the exhausting half: doing it once more. You would possibly assume the return to Yankee Stadium will assist, provided that he is a left-handed batter, however he truly hit two-thirds of his dwelling runs on the highway. If the Yankees are critical about giving Jasson Dominguez common taking part in time subsequent yr and likewise bringing again Cody Bellinger, Grisham could also be combating for at-bats once more. The Yankees nonetheless make for a greater touchdown than lots of golf equipment, however you possibly can perceive why drafters would possibly strategy Grisham with some skepticism in 2026. –Scott White
A modest displaying by Torres in 2025 led him to simply accept the Tigers’ qualifying supply reasonably than testing the free agent market, and also you would possibly assume a return to Comerica Park is a nasty transfer for his Fantasy worth given its fame. However it truly performed effectively for right-handed hitters in 2025, and Torres batted .285 with a .449 slugging share there in comparison with .223 and .327 on the highway. On stability, he carried out effectively under his .271 xBA and .452 xSLG, having delivered his finest common exit velocity in three years and a few of his finest stroll and strikeout numbers ever, so some higher luck would go a good distance towards redeeming him in Fantasy. He isn’t a surefire top-12 alternative, although, even at a place as skinny as second base. –Scott White
One thing tells me that if Woodruff hadn’t gone into the offseason nursing a lat damage, he would not have needed to settle for the Brewers’ qualifying supply, as a substitute pursuing a multi-year deal. However now, he is again in prove-it mode after already overcoming a extra vital shoulder damage in close to miraculous style. Despite the fact that the shoulder capsule surgical procedure that he underwent in 2023 took 3 mph off his fastball — usually a career-ender for a pitcher, notably one so fastball-reliant — he mainly picked up the place he left off statistically, even delivering the perfect strikeout price of his profession. A brand new cutter is essentially to credit score for saving him, and his fortunes rose and fell with its utilization. He’ll be loads motivated now that he is pitching for a contract once more, however he would have been price deciding on among the many prime 36 beginning pitchers both means. –Scott White
The Cubs’ resolution to say no Imanaga’s three-year, $57.5 million choice after the season makes extra sense now that we see the best way all the pieces performed out. They most likely suspected he’d settle for the $22.025 million qualifying supply, which he did, so now they nonetheless have him however with out the multi-year dedication.
The maneuver would appear to alleviate suspicions that he is cooked, which had been price entertaining provided that quite a lot of key metrics fell off throughout his sophomore season, particularly his Okay/9 price (from 9.0 to 7.3) and his swinging-strike price (from 14.5 p.c to 11.9 p.c). It is type of deceptive to name it his sophomore season provided that he is 32, and his age contributed to these fears of decline as effectively. Nonetheless, he was efficient when wholesome, remaining a standout for WHIP specifically. Nobody will mistake him for an ace in 2026, however he must be drafted within the center rounds. –Scott White
Usually, a hitter signing with the Mariners would not be probably the most favorable final result given T-Cellular Park’s fame as a pitcher-friendly venue. However Naylor did not have any issues there after coming over in a midseason commerce with the Diamondbacks, batting .360 (32 for 89) with 5 homers and a 1.015 OPS within the Mariners’ dwelling video games.
Furthermore, the Mariners appeared to unlock the base-stealer in him. His 11 stolen bases in 93 video games with the Diamondbacks had been shocking sufficient, however then he had 19 in simply 54 video games with the Mariners. Given his third percentile dash pace, another group may need put a cease to that, however the Mariners do not appear to care. He was succeeding, in any case. It is uncertain he steals 30 once more, which is why he stays solely eighth in my first base rankings, however a return to the Mariners improves Naylor’s probabilities of remaining a base-stealer in some capability. For extra, take a look at Chris Towers’ full-length article. –Scott White
