MLB News

Johan Oviedo • SP • Red Sox

Red Sox Add More Starting Pitching With Trade for Johan Oviedo

The Boston Red Sox are acquiring right-hander Johan Oviedo, left-hander Tyler Samaniego, and catcher Adonys Guzman from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night in exchange for outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia, sources tell Jeff Passan of ESPN. Boston is serious about adding starting pitching this offseason, having already traded for veteran right-hander Sonny Gray, and now they'll bring the 27-year-old Oviedo in for rotation depth. The Cuban hurler missed all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. He missed most of 2025 while recovering but managed to make nine starts for the Bucs, going 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA (4.92 FIP), 1.21 WHIP, and 42:23 K:BB ratio in 40 1/3 frames. Oviedo has limited fantasy upside given his career 20.2% strikeout rate and bloated 11% walk rate. He should be in play as a backend rotation option for the BoSox in 2026.

9 hours ago

Jhostynxon Garcia • CF • Pirates

Pirates Acquire Jhostynxon Garcia From Red Sox

The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia from the Boston Red Sox on Thursday in exchange for right-hander Johan Oviedo, left-hander Tyler Samaniego, and catcher Adonys Guzman, sources tell ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Pirates will receive another player in addition to Garcia, who should have a shot in spring training to win the starting left field job in Pittsburgh in 2026. The 22-year-old Venezuelan nicknamed The Password made his big-league debut in Boston this year and had a double in nine plate appearances with two walks and five strikeouts in just five games played. Garcia hit .267/.340/.470 with an .810 OPS, 21 home runs, 75 RBI, 79 runs scored, and seven steals in 114 games with Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in the minors before his call-up. The 6-foot, 163-pounder is listed as Pittsburgh's No. 6 prospect on MLB Pipeline and is known for producing high exit velocities and has the raw power to produce 25 to 30 homers a year as a full-time player for the Bucs.

9 hours ago

Cody Bellinger • LF

Yankees Pushing Hard to Re-Sign Cody Bellinger

The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger remains the New York Yankees' No. 1 target this offseason. The two sides are not close to a deal yet for him to return to the Bronx, but the Yankees are making a big effort to try and re-sign him. If the Yanks can't lure the left-handed slugger back, the Mets, Phillies, Dodgers, and Angels are teams that could make a run at the 30-year-old former National League MVP. He became a free agent after declining his $25 million player option for next season. In his first and possibly only year with the Yanks, Bellinger slashed .272/.334/.480 with an .813 OPS, 29 home runs, 98 RBI, 89 runs, and 13 stolen bases in 152 regular-season games. Bellinger hit much better at Yankee Stadium, which might play heavily into his decision on whether to re-sign. If he signs elsewhere, his less-than-stellar batted-ball metrics could catch up to him in 2026 and beyond, even though he struck out only 13.7% of the time in 2025.

11 hours ago

Alex Bregman • 3B

Cubs Have Renewed Interest in Alex Bregman

The Chicago Cubs have shown renewed interest in All-Star free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman this offseason after a failed bid to sign him last spring training, according to Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. Pitching is the Cubs' primary focus this winter, but they are also looking to add a bat, with All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker fully expected to depart in free agency. Chicago's ownership group authorized president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer to make Bregman a four-year, $115 million offer last year that included opt-out clauses after the second and third seasons. The 31-year-old veteran ultimately signed with Boston for three years and $120 million and opted out after 2025 following a 3.5 WAR season. Bregman, who still plays Gold Glove defense, is the type of two-way player the Cubs have repeatedly targeted. Bregman rebounded in 2025 after a career-worst .768 OPS in 2024, but he hit just 18 homers, and durability is a concern as he enters his age-32 season. Despite the obvious concerns for a player his age, Bregman still has some upside if he's playing in Chicago or Boston in 2026.

12 hours ago

Anthony Kay • SP • White Sox

Anthony Kay Agrees to Two-Year Deal With White Sox

Free-agent left-hander Anthony Kay and the Chicago White Sox agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract on Wednesday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Kay, a former first-round pick by the New York Mets in 2016 out of the University of Connecticut, will make a return to the U.S. after a two-year stint in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Yokohama Bay Stars. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw posted a 2.53 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 249 strikeouts and 94 walks in 291 2/3 frames over the last two years in Japan. He was exceptional this past season, with a 1.74 ERA and a 57.8% ground-ball rate. Kay should have a decent chance to open the 2026 season in Chicago's starting rotation, and he'll be looking to show that he's a different pitcher after recording a 5.59 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and 22.4% strikeout rate in his first five MLB seasons. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues will have better starting options to choose from.

Yesterday

Agustín Ramírez • C • Marlins

Agustin Ramirez Not in Line to Play First Base Next Year?

The Miami Marlins have a glaring need at first base going into next season, but MLB.com's Christina De Nicola writes that as of now, the team doesn't plan to give catcher Agustin Ramirez reps there. However, that could change if he doesn't show progress as a defender behind the plate. The 24-year-old Dominican backstop hit only .231 (124-for-537) in his first major-league season in 2025, but he impressed with 21 long balls, 67 RBI, 72 runs scored, and even 16 stolen bases in 136 games played. Another thing that could change the Marlins' mind with Ramirez playing some first base is if catching prospect Joe Mack, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, forces their hand and wins the starting catching job on Opening Day. With the glove, Ramirez was one of the worst defensive catchers in baseball last year, so he's going to need to continue to hit to keep a spot in the starting lineup regularly.

Yesterday

Jesús Sánchez • RF • Astros

Jesus Sanchez Drawing Considerable Trade Interest

The Athletic's Chandler Rome writes that Houston Astros right fielder Jesus Sanchez is drawing considerable trade interest this offseason. However, Sanchez's dismal performance following his trade from the Marlins to the Astros might impact his value. Multiple sources believe the Astros' best avenue to acquire an established starting pitcher is via a trade, which could be Sanchez or center fielder Jake Meyers. Sanchez, 28, hit .256/.320/.420 with 10 homers, 36 RBI, 40 runs, and nine steals in 86 games with the Fish before being traded to Houston. With the Astros, he hit .199 (29-for-146) with four homers, 12 RBI, and 40 strikeouts in 48 games. Despite dropping his strikeout rate to 22.1% in 2025 while sporting a 43.4% hard-hit rate, 11.1% barrel rate, and 91.3 mph average exit velocity, Sanchez's OPS sat at just .699. His metrics point to more potential, but a breakout is unlikely to happen if he's not allowed to face left-handed pitching.

Yesterday

Kyle Tucker • RF

Kyle Tucker Visits With Blue Jays

Free-agent All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker visited the Toronto Blue Jays training facility in Florida on Wednesday, according to Robert Murray of Fansided.com. The Blue Jays have already signed free-agent right-hander Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract and right-hander Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract, but apparently, they are not done adding after coming up just short in the World Series. Tucker is the biggest free agent on the market, and he is projected to land an 11-year, $418 million contract. Last year for the Chicago Cubs, the four-time All-Star hit 22 home runs with 91 runs, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in 597 plate appearances. The biggest concern with Tucker is his inability to stay on the field, but because of that, fantasy managers can now scoop him up in the second round of most drafts.

Yesterday

Connor Brogdon • RP • Guardians

Guardians Agree to Major-League Deal With Connor Brogdon

The Cleveland Guardians agreed to a major-league deal with free-agent right-hander Connor Brogdon on Wednesday, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Brogdon, 30, has had limited success in his six seasons in the majors, posting a 4.36 ERA with a 15.3 K-BB% across 192 innings. However, with the Los Angeles Angels last year, he pitched to a 3.86 SIERA with a 24.6% strikeout rate while averaging 95.5 miles per hour on his fastball in 47 innings. For Cleveland, Brogdon is just another arm in the bullpen, but he could help fantasy managers who play in leagues that count holds as a category.

Yesterday

Emilio Pagán • RP • Reds

Reds Bring Back Closer Emilio Pagan on Two-Year Deal

The Cincinnati Reds re-signed closer Emilio Pagan on a two-year, $20 million deal on Wednesday, according to Ken Rosenthal and C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. Pagan, 34, took over the closer role for a struggling Alexis Diaz early last season and never looked back. Pagan finished the year with 32 saves while pitching to a 2.88 ERA (3.18 SIERA) and a 30% strikeout rate. The veteran right-hander is expected to open 2026 as the Reds' primary closer again, with Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft also contributing in the back end of the bullpen. Hats off to those fantasy managers who drafted him at his current 185.09 ADP, because he is quickly going to move up draft boards now that he's officially back in Cincy to close games. UPDATE: Pagan signed a one-year, $10 million deal that includes a $10 million player option for the 2027 season.

Yesterday

Miguel Rojas • 2B • Dodgers

Dodgers Re-Sign Veteran Infielder Miguel Rojas to One-Year Deal

Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million deal on Wednesday, according to Daniel Alvarez-Montes of El Extrabase. The World Series hero will spend another season in Dodger blue as a backup utility infielder. Last year, Rojas filled in as needed and slashed .262/.318/.397 with seven home runs, 35 runs, 27 RBI, five stolen bases, and a 100 wRC+ across 317 plate appearances. Once he retires, he's expected to remain in the organization and move into the player-development department. From a fantasy perspective, Rojas is only viable in the deepest of leagues or as a short-term injury replacement for your middle or corner infielders.

Yesterday

Cedric Mullins • CF • Rays

Cedric Mullins, Rays Agree on One-Year Deal

Free-agent outfielder Cedric Mullins and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed on a one-year deal on Wednesday, pending a physical, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Mullins, 31, struggled last year with the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets, posting a .216/.299/.391 slash line with 17 home runs, 58 runs, 59 RBI, 22 stolen bases, and a 94 wRC+ over 498 plate appearances. Mullins had a career-low .209 xBA, while his 24.1% strikeout rate was the highest it has been since the 2020 season. For Tampa Bay, the left-handed hitter figures to be the everyday starting center fielder, and since the Rays led the league in steals last year by a wide margin, he should have the green light on the base paths quite often. For fantasy managers, Mullins may drag down your batting average, but he can still hit up to 15 home runs while collecting 20-plus steals. At his current ADP (400.13), he is a viable late-round flier.

Yesterday

Freddy Peralta • SP • Brewers

Brewers Considering Trading Freddy Peralta

With interest in right-hander Freddy Peralta so significant this offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers are now considering "cracking the door open" for trade discussions, a person briefed on the team's situation told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. If the Brewers get a strong enough offer for Peralta, they think the presence of veteran Brandon Woodruff and their other options will give them enough rotation firepower to contend in the National League Central. Peralta's trade value is considerable since he's 29 and is set to make only $8 million in his final season before free agency. If the Brewers were to trade Peralta, they'd likely be looking for a major-league-ready starting pitcher in return. If Peralta is dealt, Woodruff, Jacob Misiorowski, and Quinn Priester would be the team's top three starters. Candidates to fill out the rotation would be Robert Gasser, Chad Patrick, Logan Henderson, and Tobias Myers.

Yesterday

Kyle Schwarber • DH

Reds Serious About Adding Kyle Schwarber in Free Agency?

The Cincinnati Reds are serious about signing free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Schwarber, who grew up around 35 miles north of Cincinnati in Middletown, is interested in a possible homecoming, according to people briefed on his thinking. Schwarber is projected to receive a five-year, $145 million deal on the open market, and Rosenthal writes that the problem for the Reds is that the Philadelphia Phillies "almost certainly" will offer him more money as they try to re-sign him. The Reds are expected to have around $20 million to spend, but Schwarber, who is coming off a career-best 56 home runs, will cost much more than that annually. Unless Cincy makes an exception for Schwarber, it doesn't make sense financially for a player who isn't expected to give the Reds a hometown discount. The San Francisco Giants have been mentioned as a possible suitor, and big-market teams like the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox could also get involved.

Yesterday

Ryan Weiss • RP • Astros

Astros Agree to a Deal With Ryan Weiss

The Houston Astros agreed to an undisclosed deal with free-agent right-hander Ryan Weiss on Tuesday, a source told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Weiss, 28, will come over to the United States after pitching the last two years in Korea, and he's expected to pitch in a starting role. He made 46 starts for the Hanwha Eagles and had a 3.16 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 305 strikeouts in 270 1/3 innings pitched the last two seasons. Weiss pitched in independent ball in 2023. The soon-to-be 29-year-old hurler had a 2.87 ERA with 207 strikeouts and 56 walks in 178 2/3 innings over 30 starts for the Eagles this past season. Weiss has never appeared in a big-league game, so he'll be more of a long shot to open the 2026 campaign in Houston's starting rotation.

2 days ago

Scott Kingery • 2B • Cubs

Cubs Sign Scott Kingery to Minor-League Deal

The Chicago Cubs announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent infielder Scott Kingery to a minor-league deal with an invite to major-league spring training, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times. Kingery played in 19 games with the Los Angeles Angels this past season in the big leagues for the first time since his final season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022. He went 4-for-27 (.148) at the plate in Anaheim with a stolen base, 11 strikeouts, and three runs scored at the plate. The 31-year-old veteran will most likely serve as infield depth for the Cubbies next year if he remains in the organization, and Kingery is likely to begin the year at Triple-A Iowa. In 344 MLB games since his debut with Philly in 2018, Kingery has slashed .227/.278/.382 with 30 homers, 96 RBI, and 26 stolen bases. Nineteen of his career long balls came in his second season in 2019.

2 days ago

Alek Manoah • SP • Angels

Angels Take a Chance on Alek Manoah, Sign him to One-Year Deal

Free-agent right-hander Alek Manoah and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a one-year, $1.95 million deal on Tuesday, a source told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 27-year-old became a free agent after he was non-tendered by the Atlanta Braves following the 2025 season. He will now head back to the American League on a fully guaranteed big-league deal. Manoah worked his way back from right-elbow surgery that he had in June of 2024 and didn't pitch at all in the big leagues. In 33 1/3 innings (seven starts) at Triple-A Buffalo, Manoah had a decent 2.97 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 30 strikeouts and 18 walks. The former 11th overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019 out of West Virginia finished third in the AL Cy Young voting in 2022 after going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 180:51 K:BB in 31 starts. Injuries and mechanical issues caused Manoah to fall off a cliff since then, but the Halos are hoping this low-risk investment will pan out and he'll contribute to a rotation that was a huge liability in 2025.

2 days ago

Jake McCarthy • CF • Diamondbacks |

Alek Thomas • CF • Diamondbacks

Alek Thomas, Jake McCarthy Could be Traded

Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte has been rumored as a trade candidate this offseason, but The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro thinks it's more likely that the team's trade options involve outfielders Alek Thomas and Jake McCarthy, who are both arbitration-eligible. If the D-backs trade one of Thomas or McCarthy away, they have options to replace them with the likes of Jorge Barrosa, Tim Tawa, Blaze Alexander, and potentially even Jordan Lawlar. For fantasy baseball purposes, McCarthy is the more attractive player, although he played in only 67 games in 2025 and hit .204 (42-for-206) with four home runs, 20 RBI, 18 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his fifth year in the league. If McCarthy were ever to win a full-time job in Arizona or elsewhere, though, his speed would make him interesting in fantasy. McCarthy had three straight 20-steal seasons from 2022-24.

2 days ago

Cam Schlittler • SP • Yankees

Cam Schlittler Looking to Diversify his Arsenal This Offseason

New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler said he's looking to develop a changeup or splitter this offseason to use below the strike zone against left-handed hitters, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Nothing has been decided yet, but pitching coach Matt Blake said a changeup is more likely. The 24-year-old had a highly successful first showing in the big leagues in 2025, posting a 2.96 ERA (3.74 FIP) with a 1.22 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 73 innings over 14 starts. Schlittler really stood out in the Game 3 win over the division-rival Boston Red Sox in the Wild-Card Series, when he struck out 12 in eight scoreless innings. He mostly relied on his 98 mph four-seam fastball (55% usage) last year, while using a cutter 21% of the time and a curveball 15% of the time. Schlittler also has a sinker and a slider, but adding a changeup could make him more effective against lefties.

2 days ago

Casey Schmitt • 3B • Giants

Casey Schmitt Out 8-10 Weeks After Having Wrist Surgery

The San Francisco Giants announced on Tuesday that infielder Casey Schmitt (wrist) had surgery to remove the carpal boss in his left wrist, according to Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com. Schmitt is expected to spend the next eight to 10 weeks rehabbing from his surgery. Although the 26-year-old might be eased into the start of spring training, he should be ready for Opening Day in 2026, barring a setback. The former second-rounder hit .237/.305/.401 with a .706 OPS, career-high 12 home runs, 40 RBI, and 34 runs scored for the Giants in 95 games played this past season in his third year in the big leagues. Schmitt filled in at third base when Matt Chapman missed time due to injuries, but he's primarily a second baseman and could be in the mix for the starting job, depending on whether the Giants add any competition at the keystone this offseason. Schmitt is primarily middle-infield depth in NL-only fantasy leagues.

2 days ago

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