MLB News

Owen Caissie • RF • Cubs

Cubs Projecting Regular Playing Time for Owen Caissie

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.

2 days ago

Brendan Donovan • 2B • Cardinals

Brendan Donovan Drawing Plenty of Trade Interest

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.

2 days ago

Luis Robert Jr. • CF • White Sox

Will Luis Robert Jr. Finally be Traded This Offseason?

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.

2 days ago

Jarren Duran • LF • Red Sox

Red Sox Likely to Have High Asking Price on Jarren Duran

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.

2 days ago

Kyle Schwarber • DH

Giants Have Checked in on Kyle Schwarber

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.

2 days ago

Willson Contreras • 1B • Cardinals

Willson Contreras Willing to Waive his Full No-Trade Clause?

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.

2 days ago

Edwin Díaz • RP

Mets Still Interested in Re-Signing Edwin Diaz

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.

3 days ago

Devin Williams • RP • Mets

Devin Williams Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Mets

Free-agent right-handed reliever Devin Williams and the New York Mets agreed to a three-year contract on Monday that guarantees more than $50 million, sources tell ESPN's Jeff Passan. The New York Yankees acquired Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers last December, but he struggled to a career-worst 4.79 ERA in 67 relief appearances in the Bronx. The 31-year-old will stay in the Big Apple and join the Mets, where he figures to take over closing duties if Edwin Diaz leaves in free agency. Williams got off to a rough start in pinstripes in 2025 and ended up sharing the closer's role for much of the season. Before his rough campaign with the Yanks, Williams established himself as one of the most dominant high-leverage relievers in Milwaukee, and he'll be looking to return to that form in 2026. He had four blown saves in 22 chances in his first and only year with the Yankees.

3 days ago

Kyle Finnegan • RP

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Have Mutual Interest in a Reunion

There is mutual interest in the Detroit Tigers re-signing right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan this offseason, according to the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold. Finnegan was really good in Detroit after the Tigers acquired him from the Washington Nationals at the July 31 trade deadline, and both sides are now interested in a reunion in 2026 and possibly beyond. The 34-year-old veteran mixed in for save chances in the second half in Detroit and had a stingy 1.50 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, four saves, and a 23:4 K:BB ratio in 18 regular-season innings. An adductor strain sidelined Finnegan for much of the final month of the regular season, but he should be fully healthy for the start of spring training. If he returns to the Tigers, he should once again share save duties with right-hander Will Vest. Finnegan had a 3.47 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 24 saves in 57 total innings last year with Detroit and Washington.

3 days ago

Jake Meyers • CF • Astros

Jake Meyers Drawing Trade Interest

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo report that Houston Astros center fielder Jake Meyers is drawing some trade interest this offseason after coming off a modest offensive breakout in 2025. The Astros are open to moving him for a controllable major-league starter, according to people briefed on their talks. Meyers is projected to earn $3.5 million in the first of his two years remaining of club control, and the interest in him has been considerable. The 29-year-old has a great glove, but Houston could be skeptical of him repeating his offensive performance in 2025, in which he slashed .292/.354/.373 with only three homers, 24 RBI, 53 runs, and 16 steals in 343 at-bats. He played in only 104 games due to right-calf issues. In almost 1,200 prior plate appearances before this year, Meyers hit only .228 with a .662 OPS. The Phillies, Mets, Rays, Orioles, Diamondbacks, and Royals are among the teams looking for upgrades in center field.

3 days ago

Pete Fairbanks • RP

Blue Jays, Marlins Interested in Pete Fairbanks

The Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins are among the teams interested in free-agent closer Pete Fairbanks, industry sources briefed on the market told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo. Ryan Helsley just signed with the Orioles, and Fairbanks could be the next closer to sign this offseason. Toronto already signed right-handed starter Dylan Cease to a seven-year deal, but now they are pursuing late-inning relievers after Jeff Hoffman blew a save in Game 7 of the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 31-year-old Fairbanks held Toronto hitters to a .130 average and .468 OPS in 27 career innings against them, and he's familiar with Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix, who was with the Rays from 2009-21. Tampa declined Fairbanks' $11 million option for 2026. He finished with a 2.83 ERA and a career-high 27 saves in 60 innings in 2025 in his third season with the Rays.

3 days ago

Cole Ragans • SP • Royals

Red Sox Targeting Cole Ragans in a Trade?

The Boston Red Sox are keeping a close eye on Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans this offseason and are interested in acquiring him in a trade, according to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. Boston already acquired veteran right-hander Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason to pair at the top of their starting rotation with left-hander Garrett Crochet, but it appears they might not be done. To land Ragans, it's going to take a "big return," but the Royals and Red Sox could be a match, as Boston is looking to unload an outfielder, potentially Jarren Duran. Connelly Early or Payton Tolle might be involved in a potential deal, which is nothing more than a rumor for now. Ragans was a first-time All-Star in 2024, but the 27-year-old southpaw was limited to only 13 starts due to injury and finished with a 4.67 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 61 2/3 innings. However, he finished the year strong after returning from injury, and his high-strikeout upside makes him a nice fantasy target for a rebound in 2026.

3 days ago

Zack Wheeler • SP • Phillies

Zack Wheeler Likely to Return in May

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler's (shoulder) 2025 season was cut short when he was put on the injured list in August with a blood clot in his right upper extremity. He had a successful thrombolysis removal surgery a day later. It was a disappointing end to another strong season, as Wheeler had a 10-5 record, 2.71 ERA, an elite 195:33 K:BB ratio, and a 0.94 WHIP in 24 starts. On Sept. 23, he had vascular thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. The type of surgery Wheeler had has produced stronger outcomes than the neuronic version that derailed Stephen Strasburg's career. Wheeler is unlikely to be ready by Opening Day next year, but president of baseball operations David Dombrowski said last month that Wheeler is likely to return near the end of May. Wheeler has been a constant at the top of Philly's starting rotation since 2020, but fantasy managers will be skeptical of a pitcher who will turn 36 on May 30 and who is coming off a major surgery.

5 days ago

Ryan Helsley • RP • Orioles

Ryan Helsley Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Orioles

Free-agent right-hander Ryan Helsley agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, a source told Katie Woo of The Athletic. Helsely will have the ability to opt out of the deal after his first season in Baltimore. Reports suggested that interested MLB teams were looking at making the 31-year-old veteran into a starting pitcher for next season, but the O's will keep him as a reliever. A dreadful two-month period with the New York Mets in 2025 did little to deter interest in him around the league, as around 15 teams checked in on him this offseason, including the Detroit Tigers. Helsley was an All-Star in 2024 with the St. Louis Cardinals, when he led baseball with 49 saves. He converted 21 of 26 save chances for St. Louis this past season, but he had a 7.20 ERA in 22 outings after being traded to the Mets. He was struggling with predictability issues and pitch tipping. Felix Bautista (shoulder) isn't expected to be ready until late next season, so Helsley should be Baltimore's primary closer for most of 2026.

5 days ago

Carson Benge • RF • Mets

Carson Benge Could be Mets' Opening Day Center Fielder

The New York Mets' trade of long-time outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers might have cleared a lane for outfield prospect Carson Benge to become the team's starting center fielder on Opening Day in 2026, according to Sam Dykstra of MLB.com. Benge, the team's No. 2 prospect and the No. 21 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, climbed three levels in the minors in his first full season in 2025. He has a real shot to not only make the big-league roster out of spring training, but also win starting center-field duties now that Nimmo is gone. The 22-year-old was drafted 19th overall in 2024 as a two-way player out of Oklahoma State. Benge has since become a full-time outfielder and hit .281/.385/.472 with 15 homers and 22 steals in 116 games over three minor-league levels. Benge has great bat-to-ball skills, developing power, and above-average speed. His primary competition in center field in spring training will be with Tyrone Taylor.

5 days ago

Nick Anderson • RP • Athletics

Nick Anderson Agrees to One-Year Deal With A's

Free-agent right-hander Nick Anderson agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with the Athletics earlier this month that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Anderson's MLB salary is $1 million if he's added to the 40-man roster. The 35-year-old has pitched in six big-league seasons with five different teams. He appeared in 12 games out of the bullpen in 2025 for the Colorado Rockies, posting a career-worst 6.14 ERA (10 earned runs in 14 2/3 innings) while striking out 10 and walking two. In his career, Anderson holds a 3.43 ERA (3.38 FIP), 1.11 WHIP, 10 saves, 212 strikeouts, and 49 walks in 173 innings pitched over 177 relief appearances. Anderson will be far from the fantasy radar in all formats and will most likely start the 2026 season at Triple-A Las Vegas.

6 days ago

Sam Hentges • RP • Giants

Sam Hentges Agrees to One-Year Deal With Giants

Free-agent relief pitcher Sam Hentges and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million deal on Thursday, a source familiar with the deal told Robert Murray of FanSided. Hentges became a free agent after he was non-tendered by the Cleveland Guardians last week. The 29-year-old is expected to be ready for spring training in February after missing the entire 2025 season after having surgery on his left shoulder and arthroscopic surgery on his right knee back in September. The southpaw won't be on the fantasy radar, but he could end up being a key bullpen piece for the Gigantes if he can return to his pre-injury form. The former fourth-round selection had a 3.04 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 23 2/3 relief innings before being shut down in 2024, and he holds a career 4.18 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, one save, and a 223:74 K:BB in 168 appearances (12 starts) in the majors since debuting in Cleveland in 2021.

6 days ago

Dylan Cease • SP • Blue Jays

Dylan Cease Agrees With Blue Jays on Seven-Year, $210 Million Deal

Free-agent right-hander Dylan Cease and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed on a seven-year, $210 million deal on Wednesday, pending a physical, sources tell Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. The defending American League champions take one of the best starting arms off the open market a day before Thanksgiving. Cease will join an already strong rotation in Toronto that includes Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and Jose Berrios. The 29-year-old has five straight seasons with 200 strikeouts, but he's coming off a disappointing final season with the San Diego Padres in 2025, in which he went 8-12 with a 4.55 ERA (3.56 FIP), 1.33 WHIP, and 215:71 K:BB in 168 innings over 32 regular-season starts. His 71 free passes were one of the highest marks in baseball. Cease remains an elite strikeout artist who has been durable in his career, but he'll be a risk-reward for both Toronto and fantasy managers going into 2026 in the American League East.

Nov 27

Anthony Rendon • 3B • Angels

Angels Could Buy Out Final Year of Anthony Rendon's Contract

The Los Angeles Angels and third baseman Anthony Rendon are in talks about buying out the final year of his contract, which could bring a resolution to the failed seven-year, $245 million deal, a source told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Rendon missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from hip surgery. If/when the Angels buy out the final year of his deal, Rendon is expected to retire. The 35-year-old veteran is owed $38 million next year. Gonzalez reports that the expectation is that Rendon will defer at least part of that money in 2026, giving the Angels more financial flexibility this offseason. At the time they signed him, the Angels made Rendon the highest-paid third baseman in December of 2019 after he had just won a World Series with the Nationals. The former first-rounder became one of the league's best third basemen in his time with the Nats, but he was a massive bust for the Angels, playing in just a quarter of the team's games over the life of his deal.

Nov 26

Josh Hader • RP • Astros

Josh Hader Says his Shoulder is "Back to Normal"

Houston Astros All-Star left-handed closer Josh Hader (shoulder) said on Monday that his left shoulder feels fully recovered after he finished the 2025 season on the injured list, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Hader said that he finished his rehab from a shoulder capsule strain several weeks ago and is optimistic about having a normal build-up heading into spring training in February. He threw from a mound "a few times" during his rehab and was "up to just about over 85 mph." The hard-throwing southpaw threw more than an inning in seven of a career-high 71 regular-season appearances in 2024 and had seven such outings in 2025. Hader said he'll remain open to going more than an inning of work going into the third season of his five-year, $95 million deal with Houston. Before his shoulder injury, Hader was his usual dominant self, posting a 2.05 ERA while going 28-for-29 in save chances.

Nov 26

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