MLB News

The Chicago White Sox acquired second baseman Luisangel Acuna from the New York Mets in exchange for outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on Tuesday evening. Additionally, the White Sox acquired right-handed pitcher Truman Pauley. The 23-year-old second baseman received his first full stint in the big leagues last season, following a brief 14-game stint back in 2024. Through 98 games with the Mets last summer, Acuna posted a .234/.293/.274 slash line with seven doubles and 16 stolen bases. While he generated a low .271 xwOBA, he flashed immense speed upside, sitting in the 99th percentile, suggesting he could increase in that department if given a full-time role. Through 159 games with Triple-A split over the last two campaigns, Acuna has carried a .265/.307/.360 line seven home runs and 48 stolen bases. Managers should expect Acuna to compete for a starting role in the Chicago infield during spring training. If he earns a consistent role, he would have appeal in deeper category formats given his speed production.

The New York Mets have acquired outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder Luisangel Acuna and right-handed pitcher Truman Pauley. Robert has been linked to trade rumors for over a year and has finally found a suitor. The 28-year-old has taken a bit of a step back in terms of offensive production over the past two seasons, but a change of scenery could provide him with a much-needed spark. In 2025, Robert held a .223/.297/.344 line with 14 home runs and 33 stolen bases. In 2024, he also hit 14 home runs but stole only 23 bases. However, from 2021 through 2023, the outfielder looked like a budding star, as he held an overall .287/.331/.511 line with 21 home runs per season (and a high of 36 back in 2023). Despite modest production in 2025, Robert generated a 99th percentile bat speed with an above-average barrel rate, suggesting he still carries power upside. Managers should expect Robert to take over center field duties in Queens and see his counting stats increase, batting alongside Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Bo Bichette.

The Texas Rangers announced on Tuesday that they have signed free-agent right-hander Josh Sborz to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Sborz returns to the organization he has spent the past five seasons with. The 32-year-old relief pitcher missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. Over his six-year major league career, Sborz has posted a 4.96 ERA (3.94 FIP), a 1.33 WHIP, and 193 strikeouts across 163 1/3 innings. From a fantasy perspective, it's unlikely Sborz breaks camp with the big league club, and even if he does, he is not expected to be fantasy relevant. Although the Rangers' bullpen roles aren't crystal clear, most drafters expect Robert Garcia to open the 2026 season as the primary closer, with Chris Martin and Cole Winn also in the mix.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced Tuesday evening that Carlos Beltran and AnDruw Jones have been elected to Cooperstown. They will be inducted alongside Jeff Kent in June. Although the sign-stealing scandal likely delayed Beltran's path to the Hall of Fame, he ultimately earned election in his fourth year on the ballot. Over a 20-year major league career, Beltran slashed .279/.350/.486 with 435 home runs, 1,587 RBI, 1,582 runs scored, and 312 stolen bases across 2,586 games. The 48-year-old native of Puerto Rico was named Rookie of the Year in 1999, earned nine All-Star selections, won three Gold Gloves, and captured a World Series title in 2017 with the Houston Astros. Longtime Atlanta Brave Andruw Jones was also elected. Jones played 17 seasons, slashing .254/.337/.486 with 434 home runs, 1,289 RBI, 1,204 runs scored, and 152 stolen bases across 2,196 games. While Jones was a strong offensive contributor, he was even more dominant defensively. The 48-year-old native of Cura ao won an incredible 10 Gold Gloves, was a five-time All-Star, and led Major League Baseball with 51 home runs in 2005, earning a Silver Slugger Award that season.

Left-handed free-agent starting pitcher Rich Hill is leaning toward retirement, he said on the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast. When asked by host Rob Bradford whether he was retiring, Hill responded, "I don't have any plans on playing next year." Hill's best season came in 2016, when he posted a 2.12 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 129 strikeouts over 110 1/3 innings. Now 45 years old, Hill spent 21 seasons in the major leagues, pitching for 14 different teams. Over his career, he recorded a 4.02 ERA (4.10 FIP), a 1.26 WHIP, and 1,432 strikeouts across 1,418 innings. If this truly marks the end of his playing career, Hill leaves the game after an impressive and remarkably long run.

Longtime MLB outfielders Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones were elected to the baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday. Beltran spent four years on the ballot, and he fell only a few percentage points shy of election last year. He spent 20 years in the majors, making nine All-Star appearances and winning Rookie of the Year. Through 2,586 career games, he slashed .279/.350/.486 with 435 home runs and 312 stolen bases. In addition to being a standout player on the field, the former World Series champion was regarded for his leadership among teammates in the clubhouse. Joining Beltran in the 2026 class is Jones, who won 10 consecutive Gold Glove awards during the peak of his 17-year career. He made five All-Star Games and led all of MLB with 51 home runs in 2005. Over 2,196 big-league games, he slashed .254/.337/.486 with 434 home runs and 67.0 fWAR. Both players will be inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame, alongside Era Committee electee Jeff Kent, on July 26.

The Washington Nationals have claimed catcher Mickey Gasper off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, according to an announcement from the organization. In a corresponding move, the Nationals designated right-handed pitcher Andry Lara for assignment. Gasper was the Yankees' 27th-round pick in 2018, but he made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2024 by way of the Rule 5 draft. He spent last season with the Twins, splitting time between the majors and Triple-A. At the big-league level, he posted a disappointing .158/.257/.232 slash line with a 9.1% walk rate, 18.2% strikeout rate, and a 42 wRC+. He produced -3.4 fWAR on defense, making appearances at catcher, first base, second base, and left field. Gasper primarily played behind the dish with Minnesota, but we could see him move around more with the Nats, who already have catchers Keibert Ruiz and Riley Adams in the majors. With that being said, Gasper has two option years remaining, so Washington can shuttle him freely between the majors and minors this season. It's not guaranteed that he'll remain on the 40-man roster by Opening Day, but his connection to the Nats' front office is noteworthy. Several members of the Nationals' brain trust, including president of baseball operations Paul Toboni, worked for the Red Sox' front office when Boston acquired Gasper two years ago.

The Seattle Mariners announced they have signed starting pitcher Bryce Miller to a one-year deal, avoiding arbitration. According to Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, Miller had asked for $2.625 million and the Mariners filed at $2.25 million. They ultimately met right in the middle, as his new deal will pay him $2,437,500 in 2026. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the deal also includes a club option for 2027. The option is worth $6.075 million and comes with a $15,000 buyout, bringing the guaranteed amount of his new deal to $2,452,500. The 27-year-old is coming off a career-worst season, during which he amassed a 5.17 FIP and exactly 0.0 fWAR, despite making 18 starts. He tossed a career-low 90.1 big-league innings while allowing 7.37 K/9, 3.39 BB/9, and an alarming 1.69 HR/9. Miller enters 2026 as the No. 5 arm in a strong, young pitching rotation that also includes Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, Luis Castillo, and George Kirby. He ranks as the #68 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest draft rankings for fantasy baseball.

During an appearance on the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast, free agent starting pitcher Rich Hill said that he doesn't plan to play during the 2026 season. Hill stopped short of declaring his retirement, but his comments seem to indicate that he has thrown his final professional pitch. The 21-year MLB veteran said that he is "looking for open possibilities to stay in the game of baseball and be a contributory factor," which seems to indicate that he could be interested in joining a coaching staff or front office. If his playing time has indeed come to an end, Hill finishes with a storybook career that included 388 big-league appearances across 21 seasons with 14 organizations. He never made an All-Star Game, but he maintained a respectable 4.02 ERA with 9.1 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9. The 45-year-old most recently played for the Kansas City Royals, who tossed him for nine innings across two starts during the 2025 campaign.

Athletics infielder Max Muncy is expected to be the team's primary third baseman during the 2026 season, barring an unforeseen signing or trade, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The A's reportedly tried to acquire Nolan Arenado, but after falling short in their pursuit of the veteran third baseman, they'll pivot to an internal option in Muncy. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut last season, but his offensive output fell short of expectations. He slashed just .214/.259/.379 with a 72 wRC+, a 4.5% walk rate, and a 30.9% strikeout rate through 63 games. He also slugged nine home runs and produced -3.8 fWAR on defense. Despite the frustrating rookie campaign, Muncy could bounce back with a full spring training ahead of him. After all, it's not uncommon for mid-season call-ups to struggle at first, but produce much better once they've had a normal camp and make the Opening Day roster. Plus, it doesn't sound like Muncy will be playing every day -- or at least, not at the hot corner. Rosenthal reports that Brett Harris and Darell Hernaiz are also in the mix for corner infield reps.

Before the St. Louis Cardinals traded veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Athletics had a deal in place for him, people briefed on the discussions told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The A's were set to absorb more money than the D-backs, who will pay Arenado $11 million of the $42 million he's owed the next two seasons. However, Arenado preferred Arizona or the San Diego Padres, and he wouldn't necessarily approve a trade to the A's. Now that Arenado is in Arizona, the Athletics plan to use Max Muncy at the hot corner, with Brett Harris and Darell Hernaiz also in the mix. If the A's aren't sold on Muncy, they could look to the free-agent market and sign Eugenio Suarez or Yoan Moncada. The 34-year-old Arenado continues to decline offensively with a career-low .237 average and a bottom-10 percentile exit velocity. The move to Arizona is a boost in ballpark factor, but the rest of Arenado's offensive profile doesn't look pretty.

The Miami Marlins acquired right-hander Bradley Blalock from the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday in exchange for a minor-league pitcher, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Rockies had designated Blalock for assignment last week, and now he'll head to Miami to give the Fish additional pitching depth after they traded both Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers. Blalock, a former 32nd-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2019, has only two years of major-league experience and didn't perform well. In 89 1/3 innings over 21 appearances (18 starts) with the Rockies and Milwaukee Brewers, Blalock has an 8.16 ERA (6.73 FIP) and 1.82 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 43 walks. He started 12 games for Colorado in 2025 and allowed 61 earned runs in only 58 2/3 innings pitched. The 25-year-old will be off the fantasy radar going into the 2026 season.

Philadelphia Phillies infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson was designated for assignment on Tuesday when the team officially re-signed J.T. Realmuto. Wilson was behind both Otto Kemp and Edmundo Sosa as utility bench pieces for the Phillies, and he'll now be available via trade or waiver wire claim to the rest of the teams in the majors. Over the last three years, he has played 103 games for the Phillies, slashing .242/.328/.428 in 245 career plate appearances. While he played mostly left field in the majors, he's also received time at second base, third base, first base, shortstop, and right field in the minors. His versatility and decent numbers could help him catch on as a utility piece with another team, or if no one claims him, the Phillies will likely give him the option of heading to the minors, where he could provide non-roster depth in 2026.

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (knee) feels healthy and says he is extremely excited to take the field again, facing no limitations in Spring Training. The Gold Glove-winning shortstop was shut down in mid-September for an arthroscopic procedure on his knee to deal with a torn meniscus. He impressed with a .253/.310/.363 triple-slash line despite playing through the knee issue most of the season. The injury may have limited his aggression on the basepaths, where he finished with nine stolen bases to go with his nine homers, 51 RBI, and 72 runs scored. He's expected to be a key part of the Cardinals' lineup in 2026, and he could be a sneaky source of steals and run production if fully healthy and hitting at the top of the order. The Cardinals did lose some key bats, though, so the lineup could struggle as a whole next season.

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Mookie Betts says he "for sure" plans on retiring at the end of his current contract, which runs through the 2032 season. Betts pointed out that he'll be 40 at that point and will be looking to spend more time with his family at that point. The 2018 AL MVP and four-time World Series champ signed a 12-year monster deal with the Dodgers after being traded from the Red Sox in 2020. He hit .258 in 158 games last year with 20 homers and a .318 wOBA. While his numbers were down a bit, he should bounce back this season while hitting near the top of a stacked lineup. While he still has several years to go, it looks like he has a clear plan at this point to hang them up after seven more seasons in Dodger Blue, which would give him a 19-year career in the majors.

Free-agent pitcher Zach Penrod and the Washington Nationals reached an agreement on a minor-league deal. The 28-year-old lefty spent last year in the Red Sox and Dodgers minor-league systems, going 2-1 in 26 appearances (six starts) with a 7.83 ERA and 6.80 FIP. He pitched in seven games out of the bullpen in the majors for Boston in 2024, allowing one earned run in four innings on three hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Penrod will look to work his way back to the majors this year, but he'll likely start the season in Triple-A as bullpen depth for the Nats.

Free-agent first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger could come off the market soon, since MLB Network's Jim Bowden reports that Bellinger is mulling over multiple offers from multiple teams and is expected to make his decision soon. Last season, Bellinger hit .272 in 152 games with the Yankees, smashing 29 homers and posting a .207 ISO and a .347 wOBA. Bellinger has been linked to the Mets and Yankees in recent reports, with the Giants, Phillies, Blue Jays, Angels, and Reds also mentioned as teams with interest in the power-hitting lefty. He could be the next free agent domino to fall as teams try to get their lineups locked in before Spring Training begins in a few weeks.

Free Agent first baseman/outfielder Seth Brown signed a minor league contract with the Yankees on Monday, and he will also receive an invite to Spring Training. The 33-year-old lefty has provided good power production in the past and could be a good fit for Yankee Stadium if he finds his way to playing time at some point this season. He split last year between the Athletics and Diamondbacks, playing a total of 38 MLB games and 35 games in Triple-A. He hit .185 in the majors but .352 with 13 homers in his 35 minor-league games, showing there could be some gas left in the tank. He has been a predominantly pull hitter with a high home run rate and high strikeout rate throughout his career. His pull-heavy approach could be a nice fit for Yankee Stadium, and he could be a cheap source of home runs if he works his way into playing time with a good spring.

Washington Nationals right-handed pitching prospect Jarlin Susana is a name to monitor in spring training. The right-hander is currently considered the No. 87 overall prospect on MLB.com and the No. 4-ranked prospect in the Washington system. He began the 2025 campaign with High-A but needed only nine innings to prove he was ready to join Double-A Harrisburg. With the Senators, Susana flashed immense strikeout upside, tallying 79 across 47 1/3 innings of work. In this stint, the 21-year-old posted a solid 3.61 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP. However, Susana underwent right lat surgery late in the second half, which could potentially limit him in spring training. While Susana was not in the mix to debut in Washington in the first half of 2026, if he continues this high-end production, he could make a strong case to debut later in the year.

Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed prospect pitcher Hunter Barco is expected to compete for a role in the starting rotation during spring training. Last season, the southpaw was promoted in September for his MLB debut. Across three innings of work (all out of the bullpen), the lefty did not allow a run and struck out three hitters. He began 2025 with Double-A but needed only 25 2/3 innings to prove he was ready to join Triple-A. During this brief stint at Double-A, the left-hander did not allow a run and held a dominant 0.70 WHIP. At Triple-A Indianapolis, Barco logged 73 2/3 innings with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He tallied 82 strikeouts and 42 walks. Managers in deeper leagues should keep an eye on his progress in camp, as he will likely be competing for a starting role alongside Thomas Harrington. If he can crack the rotation, he would have sleeper appeal in deeper 12+ team formats, given his strikeout potential.