MLB News

Free-agent right-hander Michael Lorenzen and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract on Wednesday evening that includes a $9 million club option for the 2027 season, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. The 34-year-old Lorenzen will serve as a starter for the Rockies this year. After a disappointing 2025 campaign with the Kansas City Royals, Lorenzen's fantasy appeal will dip even further in 2026 with the move to one of the worst teams in the league in one of the worst pitchers' parks in Coors Field. The veteran right-hander went 7-11 this past season with a 4.64 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 127 strikeouts with 39 walks in 141 2/3 frames over a career-high 26 starts. The one good thing going for Lorenzen with his move to Denver is the fact that he should have a long leash in Colorado's starting rotation. He improved his strikeout and walk rates in KC, but he struggled with home-run allowance, something that will need to change quickly in 2026 if he's going to be a matchup-based streaming option for fantasy managers.

The Chicago White Sox are in the market for another pitcher on a one-year deal, and they expressed interest in free-agent right-hander Griffin Canning (Achilles) in late December, league sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon. Shane Smith, Davis Martin, and Sean Burke are already locked into the team's starting rotation for next season. The Pale Hose have added lefties Sean Newcomb and Anthony Kay this offseason, but Canning would give them another starting option. The 29-year-old Canning was pitching well for the New York Mets in 2025 before rupturing his left Achilles tendon in late June. He had a 3.77 ERA (4.04 FIP) in 76 1/3 innings over 16 starts. Before his injury, Canning was using his cutter and slider more often while keeping the ball in the yard. His Achilles injury will likely keep him from starting the season on time, which means he'll be off the draft radar in standard-sized leagues.

The Baltimore Orioles designated outfielder Jhonkensy Noel for assignment on Wednesday to make room on the 40-man roster after claiming outfielder Marco Luciano off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Noel didn't last long with Baltimore after being claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians earlier this week. The 24-year-old right-handed Dominican slugger has plenty of raw power in his large 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame. Noel clubbed 19 home runs in 136 games in his two seasons with the Guardians, but he also hit under .200 with 115 strikeouts and only 17 walks in 351 plate appearances at the big-league level. Big Christmas will need to prove he can make more contact with the lumber before he's given another extended chance in a corner-outfield spot in the majors.

The Los Angeles Angels claimed outfielder Wade Meckler off waivers on Tuesday afternoon from the San Francisco Giants. Meckler made his MLB debut last summer with the Giants. During his brief 20-game stint in the big leagues, Meckler held a .232/.328/.250 line with just one double, no home runs, and a 25:6 K:BB. Under the hood, the former eighth-round pick generated a .265 xwOBA with a low 22.6% hard-hit rate. However, at the Triple-A level, Meckler posted a .287/.390/.370 line with 21 doubles, one home run, with 11 stolen bases across an 87-game stint. Given his production at the Triple-A level, Meckler could be in line to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster in Los Angeles.

According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, right-handed pitcher Brusdar Graterol has avoided arbitration with the Dodgers and signed a one-year contract worth $2.8 million. Graterol was on the shelf during the 2025 season while recovering from the labrum surgery he underwent in 2024. During that season, he logged only 7 1/3 innings with the Dodgers and posted a 2.45 ERA. However, in 2023, he was a reliable high-leverage option in the Los Angeles bullpen, posting a 1.20 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, with a 48:12 K:BB across 67 1/3 innings. He tallied a career-best seven saves as well. While the 27-year-old does not project to see many save opportunities in 2026 with Edwin Diaz now in the bullpen, he could find value in deeper leagues that reward holds, pitching for the two-time reigning World Series Champions.

The Chicago Cubs have traded infield prospect Cristian Hernandez to the Miami Marlins in the package that sent Edward Cabrera to the North Side of Chicago. Hernandez was sent to Miami alongside Cubs' top prospect Owen Caissie and Edgardo DeLeon. Hernandez joined the Cubs' organization in 2021 but did not make his Low-A debut until the 2023 season. During his first season with Low-A Myrtle Beach, the 22-year-old posted a .223/.302/.301 line. In 2024, Hernandez spent most of the season in a second stint with Low-A but did earn a taste of High-A. This past season, the infielder spent the entire season at High-A South Bend, where he held a .252/.329/.365 line with an eye-catching 52 stolen bases and a career-high seven home runs. Dynasty managers should monitor his status as he could be in the mix to debut at Double-A later in 2026.

Chicago Cubs top outfield prospect Owen Caissie was the centerpiece in the trade that sent right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera to the Cubs on Wednesday afternoon. In addition, prospects Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo DeLeon were also included in the package. Before the trade, Caissie was ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Cubs system on MLB.com and the No. 47 overall prospect in the sport. The former second-round pick made his MLB debut late last summer and struggled in his brief stint, posting a .192/.222/.346 line with just one double and one home run across 12 contests. However, through 99 games with the Iowa Cubs, the 23-year-old flashed high upside, posting a .286/.386/.551 line with 22 long balls. While he has high raw power, Caissie had a high 28.0% K%, which raises some concern in his profile. Managers should expect the young outfielder to be in serious contention to earn a spot in the Opening Day lineup.

According to Will Sammon, the deal to send right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera to the Chicago Cubs has been finalized. In return, the Cubs are sending prospects Owen Caissie, Cristian Hernandez, and Edgardo DeLeon to Miami. Cabrera is coming off the largest workload of his career as he tossed a season-best 137 2/3 innings during the 2025 season. This was the first time he eclipsed the 100.0 inning mark in a campaign. Across this workload, the right-hander posted a 3.53 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP. He struck out 150 batters but showed modest command, posting an 8.3% BB%. His 3.99 xERA suggests he could take a bit of a step back, but his 47.5% ground-ball rate should play well with an elite Chicago defense behind him. While his workload concerns do make him a risky fantasy asset, when healthy, he has flashed high strikeout upside and should be in a great position to win games on a competing Cubs team.

The Seattle Mariners signed free-agent first baseman/third baseman Patrick Wisdom to a minor-league deal on Wednesday that includes an invite to spring training, sources told Aram Leighton of Just Baseball Media. The 34-year-old veteran spent last season in Korea with the Kia Tigers, where he hit an impressive 35 home runs on his way to a 126 wRC+. He has a 105 wRC+ in seven major-league seasons, but also an elevated 36.7% strikeout rate. Wisdom has hit .209/.291/.459 with the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers. In 2024 with Chicago, he slashed just .171/.237/.392 with eight home runs, 23 RBI, 16 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 75 games played. Wisdom still has some pop in his bat, but he'll be a long shot to carve out significant playing time for the M's in 2026.

Free-agent relief pitcher Justin Wilson is considering retirement, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon report. The 38-year-old Wilson is coming off another solid season with the Boston Red Sox, throwing 48 1/3 innings with a 3.35 ERA and 27.5% strikeout rate in 61 total appearances. Wilson also notched 18 holds with Boston last season, his most since 2016 with the Tigers. The 13-year veteran is reportedly unlikely to pitch in 2026 unless he receives a "fair deal" with a World Series contender. The southpaw profiles as one of the top available lefty relievers on the market and would be a valuable addition to a contending team's bullpen.

The Baltimore Orioles have claimed infielder/outfielder Marco Luciano off waivers, according to Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com. Luciano was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates just two weeks after being claimed off waivers by them on Dec. 5. The 24-year-old was one of the top-ranked prospects in the San Francisco Giants organization a few years ago, but he has struggled in his big-league opportunities, holding a career slash line of .217/.286/.304 (68 wRC+) with a 35.7% strikeout rate in 126 plate appearances. Luciano also struggled during his time with Triple-A Sacramento in 2025, hitting .214 and striking out 30.6% of the time, but he at least flashed his power-speed skill set with 23 homers and 10 stolen bases over 555 plate appearances. He'll aim to establish himself in his new home in Baltimore.

The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a deal to acquire Miami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The teams have not yet confirmed the deal, and the return package is unknown at the moment. Cubs top outfield prospect Owen Caissie is rumored to be part of the haul, but nothing has been officially announced just yet. Cabrera will be entering his age-28 campaign fresh off the best season as a big-leaguer, pitching 137 2/3 innings with a 3.53 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 17.6% K-BB%. Cabrera still has three years of team control as he enters his first year of arbitration eligibility. It's a massive addition for a Cubs rotation that ranked 21st in strikeout rate (21.4%) and 25th in ground-ball rate (39.7%) last season, areas where the flame-throwing Cabrera excelled, ranking in the top 21 among pitchers with at least 130 innings.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Toronto Blue Jays could be the "best option" on the market for free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker. Olney noted that the Blue Jays remain in high interest for the top remaining free agents, and if Tucker is looking for the largest contract possible, the Blue Jays would likely be the "best option" for him. The Blue Jays have already shown a willingness to spend money this offseason, as they signed Dylan Cease to a seven-year $120 million contract and infielder Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year $60 million contract last week. Last summer, Tucker had a bit of a down year by his standards as he posted a .266/.377/.464 line with 22 home runs and 25 stolen bases. However, in the first half, he was on pace to enjoy an impressive season, holding a .280/.384/.499 line but dealt with a lingering calf strain down the stretch, which likely affected his play. Tucker will continue to carry near top-5 upside at the outfield position heading into 2026.

The New York Yankees and free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger have a "sizeable gap" in their current contract negotiations, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com. Bellinger enjoyed an impressive debut season in the Bronx but has been unable to come to an agreement with the Yankees on an extension. Last season, Bellinger posted a .272/.334/.480 line with 29 home runs and 13 stolen bases. His 29 home runs were the most since his 2019 breakout campaign, in which he launched 47 long balls. While he only generated a low .322 xwOBA under the hood, his left-handed swing is built for Yankee Stadium, and he should be able to carry 25+ HR upside if he were to return there in 2026. If the 30-year-old were to join a different club, the Yankees would likely rely on Jasson Dominguez, Trent Grisham, and Aaron Judge to cover the outfield on most days.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that it "seems inevitable" that either starting pitchers Ranger Suarez or Framber Valdez will sign with the New York Mets, given their current rotation. Olney noted that Suarez "makes a lot of sense" in New York, given that he has already pitched for a big-market team during his career. Before entering free agency, the southpaw has spent his entire eight-year MLB career with the Phillies. Last summer, Suarez turned in a strong campaign, logging 157 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.20 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP. He generated a stellar 3.16 xERA with a 5.5% barrel rate and a 31.1% hard-hit rate, placing him in the 84th percentile or higher. However, his strikeout production remained pedestrian as he only tallied 151 during the campaign. If Suarez were to sign with the Mets, he should slide in near the top of the rotation and hold high-floor SP3 value in standard leagues.

The St. Louis Cardinals have designated right-handed pitcher Zak Kent for assignment on Tuesday afternoon. In a corresponding move, the Cardinals acquired left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl from the Cleveland Guardians. Kent made his MLB debut last summer with the Cleveland Guardians. Across his first 17 2/3 innings of work in the big leagues, the former ninth-round pick posted a 4.58 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP. He struck out 16 hitters and served up eight walks. However, he generated a promising 3.33 xERA, suggesting he should be due for some positive regression in his second stint in the majors. Through 122 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level, Kent has held a 3.74 ERA, 1.32 WHIP with a 136:63 K:BB. If he were to pass through waivers, he would likely begin the 2026 season in the minor leagues.

According to Joel Sherman of The New York Post, free agent right-handed pitcher Erasmo Ramirez is set to throw for interested clubs on Wednesday in Tampa Bay. Sherman noted that the 35-year-old pitcher has been training as a starting pitcher in the offseason and hopes to transition from being a primary relief option. Ramirez began his career as a starter but has been shifted to the bullpen for most of his last seven campaigns. In 2025, Ramirez logged 11 innings of relief with the Twins and held a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, with one save. Since 2022, he has only eclipsed the 65.5 inning mark in one season and has held a modest 4.24 overall ERA during this four-year stretch. Given that he has not been used as a full-time starter in several seasons, Ramirez will likely have to open the 2026 season in the minor leagues.

The San Francisco Giants have designated outfielder Justin Dean for assignment to make room for right-hander Tyler Mahle, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Dean never appeared in a game for the Giants after being claimed off waivers in early November. The 29-year-old most recently played for the World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers, appearing in 18 games last season, primarily as a pinch-runner. Mahle joins a Giants starting rotation that includes Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Adrian Houser, and Landen Roupp. The 31-year-old righty spent the past two seasons with the Texas Rangers, where he posted a 2.54 ERA with 76 strikeouts across 99 1/3 innings. However, durability remains a major concern. Since 2022, Mahle has undergone Tommy John surgery and hasn't made more than 20 starts in a season. In 2025, he missed 85 games with right-shoulder fatigue, and his declining velocity only adds to the concerns. His fastball, which averaged around 94 mph in 2021, dipped to roughly 92 mph last season. While Mahle still does a solid job locating the ball, and Oracle Park is pitcher-friendly, he's mainly a fantasy option for deeper formats, like 15-team leagues. Even then, it's best to leave him on the waiver wire to start the season until he proves he can stay healthy and that his stuff can still play at the major-league level.

The New York Yankees are running out of viable options to replace outfielder Cody Bellinger, which, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, is giving Bellinger significant leverage in his free-agent talks with New York. Rosenthal added that free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker is likely too expensive for the Yankees' taste, while third baseman Alex Bregman and shortstop Bo Bichette don't appear to be great fits for their roster. Last week, the New York Post's Jon Heyman reported that Bellinger is still the Yankees' top priority. However, other teams, such as the Mets, Angels, Dodgers, and Blue Jays, have also shown interest in the former National League MVP. In 2025, Bellinger slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs, 89 runs scored, 98 RBI, and 13 stolen bases with a career-low 13.7% strikeout rate. If Bellinger does re-sign with New York, he'll be a clear top-25 outfielder heading into fantasy drafts in 2026.

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired left-hander Justin Bruihl from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for cash considerations, as announced by both teams. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cardinals designated right-hander Zak Kent for assignment. Bruihl has pitched five years in the majors, posting a 4.72 ERA, 69 strikeouts, and a 1.37 WHIP across 89 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old does a solid job of keeping the ball on the ground and has held left-handed hitters to a .224 batting average over his career. Bruihl appears to be a replacement for lefty reliever John King, who was non-tendered by St. Louis following the 2025 season. Outside of very deep leagues that count holds, Bruihl can safely be left off fantasy radars heading into 2026.