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According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner would be a "perfect fit" for the Boston Red Sox. While the Cubs appear hesitant to move Hoerner in a trade, the Red Sox could offer them a high-end, budding pitcher, which is what they have been seeking on the trade market this offseason. With the Red Sox signing Ranger Suarez earlier this month, they could look to move one of their top emerging arms, Payton Tolle or Connelly Early, in a trade to acquire the second baseman. In 2025, Hoerner posted a strong .297/.345/.394 line with seven home runs and 29 stolen bases. He generated an elite 98th percentile xBA with a 7.6% K%. If Hoerner were to move to Boston, he would see a full-time role at second base, shifting Romy Gonzalez and potentially Kristian Campbell to a utility role.

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According to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com, New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty is considered a potential option for the Red Sox. The Red Sox have been actively looking to improve their depth at third base during the offseason. They heavily targeted top infielders Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman in free agency but were unable to get a deal done. While they have also been linked to Houston's third baseman, Isaac Paredes, Baty appears to also be in the mix. With the Mets signing Bichette, reports in New York suggest they may view Baty as a corner outfielder going forward, as their infield is now quite crowded. Last season, Baty took a massive step forward in his development, posting a .254/.313/.435 line with a career-best 13 doubles and 18 home runs. Baty would take on an everyday role in Boston and would carry sneaky sleeper appeal as a corner infielder, given his productive showing last season.

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Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Nick Yorke is expected to compete for a utility role during spring training, according to Danny Demilio of Pittsburgh Baseball Now. Yorke made his MLB debut during the 2024 campaign but has yet to earn an extended stint in the big leagues. In 2024, Yorke appeared in only 11 games and saw his role slightly increase last summer, logging 22 games. Across these 33 contests, the former 17th overall pick has held a .226/.272/.340 line with a low .612 OPS. Yorke has hit just three home runs and swiped three bags. However, through 104 games with Triple-A Indianapolis last season, Yorke carried a .287/.348/.406 line with seven home runs and 17 stolen bases, showing his potential to be a five-category contributor. With Brandon Lowe covering the keystone, Yorke will likely compete for a utility role in the infield, serving as a complementary option to third baseman Jared Tirolo and shortstop Nick Gonzalez. He is worth monitoring in camp for managers in deeper 15+ team formats.

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Houston Astros second baseman/third baseman Isaac Paredes remains a top trade candidate for the Boston Red Sox. Houston currently has a logjam in the infield and may not be able to provide Paredes with everyday at-bats. Additionally, the Red Sox have a glaring need at third base and have attempted to fill this role throughout the offseason. They were linked to top free agents Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, but were unable to reach an agreement. The Red Sox have also been linked to free agent Eugenio Suarez. Paredes missed significant time during his first campaign in Houston but was very productive when on the field, posting a .254/.352/.458 line across 102 games. The infielder went deep 20 times and showed a strong eye at the plate, posting a 17.4% K% with an 11.4% BB%. If Paredes were to move to Boston, managers should expect him to operate as their everyday third baseman, potentially limiting Marcelo Mayer's at-bats.

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According to Chris Henrique of The Boston Sports Journal, the Red Sox have received interest in right-handed starting pitcher Brayan Bello. Henrique notes that, given Boston's starting pitching depth, teams have begun to call to acquire Bello. Additionally, the team has started "quietly" gauging his value on the trade market. Bello logged a career-high 166 2/3 innings last season and posted a 3.35 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP. He struck out 124 hitters and showed solid command, allowing walks at an 8.4% rate. However, he posted a rather high 4.48 xERA, suggesting he may regress in 2026. With Ranger Suarez joining the rotation and several budding arms in contention for a lead role like Connelly Early and Payton Tolle, the Red Sox may look to move Bello to improve their starting lineup instead.

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Chicago Cubs catching prospect Moises Ballesteros appears poised to take on a larger role in the major leagues this season. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com notes that with outfielder Owen Caissie now in Miami, Ballesteros faces minimal competition for everyday at-bats and should be in a great position to take on a lead role early in the campaign. Last summer, Ballesteros made his MLB debut and had success during his brief 20-game stint, holding a .298/.394/.474 line with two doubles, one triple, and two home runs. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Iowa, where the 22-year-old posted an impressive .316/.385/.473 line with an .858 OPS, 29 doubles, and 13 home runs. Given his projected role as the primary DH, Ballesteros carries sleeper appeal in all 12-team formats heading into 2026.

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The Detroit Tigers are "one of many teams" interested in signing free agent starting pitcher Lucas Giolito, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Giolito impressed in the Red Sox' rotation last year, and he remains on the market with less than one month until spring training. He tossed 145 innings across 26 starts in 2025, posting a 3.41 ERA, 7.51 K/9, and 3.48 BB/9. His 4.59 xFIP suggests he may have gotten lucky at times last season, but nevertheless, the results were enough to keep Giolito entrenched in the No. 2 starter role behind Garrett Crochet. It doesn't sound like a deal is imminent, but if Giolito does land in Detroit, he'll go from pitching behind one AL Cy Young candidate in Crochet to another in Tarik Skubal. He'd also reunite with Tigers starter Jack Flaherty, who was his teammate in high school. Giolito currently ranks as the #123 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings, but that placement will presumably shift a little once we know where he'll be pitching in 2026.

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The Chicago Cubs have signed outfielder Dylan Carlson to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Greg Zumach of The Baseball Tribune. Carlson was the Cardinals' first-round pick in 2016 and made his MLB debut with the organization in 2020. He ascended into the role of everyday right fielder and was a finalist for National League Rookie of the Year in 2021. However, his productivity at the plate dipped over time. He was traded to the Rays in 2024 and spent last season in a platoon role with the Baltimore Orioles. Across 83 big-league contests in Birdland, he slashed just .203/.278/.336 with an 8.7% walk rate, a 22.4% strikeout rate, and 74 wRC+. He posted negative fWAR for the second season in a row, forcing him to settle for a minor league contract this offseason. Now back in the NL Central for the first time since 2024, Carlson will look to compete for a 26-man roster spot in camp. It's a relatively crowded position battle, though, especially after the Cubs inked outfielder Chas McCormick to a similar minor league deal last week.

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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions twice a week as he continues his rehab program, he told John Perrotto of PiratesRoundtable. Jones experienced UCL discomfort last spring and ultimately underwent an internal brace procedure in May. As a result, he hasn't pitched in a game since his rookie season in 2024. During that campaign, he tossed 121.2 innings across 22 starts with a 3.78 xFIP, 9.76 K/9, and 2.88 BB/9. At just 24 years old, he brings plenty of upside to a young Pirates rotation that also features Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft, and Bubba Chandler. Perrotto said that, although the Pirates don't have an exact timetable for Jones' recovery, a June return seems realistic at the moment. He currently ranks as the #139 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.

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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (elbow) resumed throwing off a mound last week, according to the team's injury tracker on MLB.com. Steele has been on the injured list since undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery last April, and the only significant update on his status between then and now was an October report that said Steele had resumed throwing. Throwing off a mound is the latest step in his recovery, and Steele recently said that he is either on or ahead of schedule. He might not be ready for Opening Day, but an April return remains a real possibility, especially amid reports that he should face batters during spring training. Steele was the ace of the Cubs' staff when he was fully healthy in 2024, putting together a 2.74 xERA with 9.02 K/9, 2.47 BB/9, and a 44.8% ground ball rate. It's unclear which rotation spot he'll slot into upon his return, as the Cubs' five current projected starters all had sub-3.75 ERAs last year. Despite the crowded pitching staff, Steele's track record puts him in line for a prominent rotation role once he's healthy enough to pitch again. If anything, the Cubs' pitching depth could allow them to be extra cautious and not rush Steele back.

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The Texas Rangers have signed free agent left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. The 32-year-old has spent parts of seven seasons in the majors, including the last five with the Colorado Rockies. He tossed just 57.2 innings over 12 starts last year, pitching to a 0-7 record and 7.49 ERA. It's possible that he was a bit unlucky, as his xFIP was 5.67 and presumably would have been even lower if he didn't have to pitch at Coors Field. Still, it was the worst season of his career, as his strikeout rate dropped to 5.3 K/9 and his home run rate soared to 2.5 HR/9. Joining the Rangers should allow Gomber to pitch in a park that is far more pitcher-friendly, but first, he'll have to make the team. Gomber will spend spring training competing for the Rangers' fifth and final rotation spot behind Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore, and Jack Leiter.

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Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo broke through to the ranks of ace territory in 2025, posting a 15-7 record with a 2.94 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 198 strikeouts across 186 2/3 innings pitched (30 starts). Woo recorded an elite 22.2% K-BB rate and owns a WHIP of 0.98 across 395 2/3 career innings. Entering his age-26 season, Woo should be in a position to build upon his 2025 performance and continue to establish himself as one of the best pitchers in MLB. He also has the benefit of pitching in one of baseball's most pitcher-friendly environments in Seattle. If there's any concern for fantasy managers, it's Woo's questionable injury track record. He dealt with an elbow ailment that limited him to 22 starts in 2024. Still, Woo is a young pitcher with upside who carries clear fantasy SP1 potential heading into 2026.

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In his first season with the Atlanta Braves in 2024, veteran starting pitcher Chris Sale led MLB in wins and ERA on his way to winning the National League Cy Young Award. While Sale was still productive when healthy in 2025, a rib cage injury limited his availability and held down his overall performance. Across 125 2/3 innings (20 starts), Sale posted a 7-5 record with a 2.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 165 strikeouts. Heading into 2026, Sale could return to full Cy Young form with improved health. However, he will turn 37 years old at the end of March and carries an extensive injury track record beyond just 2025. Across a four-season stretch from 2020 through 2023, Sale made just 31 total starts. Still, since joining the Braves, Sale owns a 2.46 ERA and has posted back-to-back seasons with a strikeout rate north of 32%. He carries clear fantasy SP1 upside as long as he can stay on the mound in 2026.

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Veteran third baseman Alex Bregman will have a new home for the 2026 season after signing a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in free agency. The 31-year-old spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Houston Astros before signing a short-term deal with the Boston Red Sox for the 2025 season. Bregman missed time in 2025 due to injury, but produced a .273/.360/.462 slash line with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, and 64 runs scored across 495 plate appearances. In Chicago, he'll likely hit in the middle of what projects to be one of the best lineups in baseball. However, it's fair to wonder if Bregman's power output will decline now that he no longer has the home-field advantage provided by short left fields in Houston and Boston. With just a 6.1% career barrel rate, Bregman does not have elite underlying power metrics. Still, Bregman owns a career slugging percentage of .490 on the road, and 12 of his 18 home runs in 2025 came away from Fenway Park. Given that he still has a strong supporting cast around him in Chicago, Bregman's current average draft position as the eighth third baseman off the board may represent a value for fantasy managers.

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Across three seasons from 2022 to 2024, injuries limited Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom to just 20 total starts. Heading into 2025, many wondered if the two-time Cy Young Award winner would ever return to form. However, deGrom managed to log a full season in 2025, posting a 12-8 record with a 2.97 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 185 strikeouts across 172 2/3 innings (30 starts). While deGrom's 22.1% K-BB rate in 2025 isn't quite the level he posted at his peak, it's still an elite mark that demonstrates how much he still has left in the tank. Still, deGrom will turn 38 years old during the 2026 season, and his extensive injury track record means he still carries a significant health risk. In comparison to other elite starting pitching options, fantasy managers should likely lower their volume-based expectations for deGrom. At the same time, he carries significant upside and currently ranks as RotoBaller's number 11 starting pitcher in standard rotisserie scoring formats.

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New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has established himself as arguably the best hitter in baseball, winning three out of the last four American League MVP awards. In 2025, Judge posted a .331/.457/.688 slash line with 53 home runs, 114 RBI, 137 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases across 679 plate appearances. However, Judge will turn 34 years old in April, putting into question just how much longer he can sustain his unbelievable run at the plate. Judge has also been able to stay mostly healthy in recent years, but he played through an elbow injury in 2025 and has missed significant chunks of several seasons due to injury earlier in his career. On the plus side, the Yankees recently re-signed outfielder Cody Bellinger, providing Judge with some much-needed help around him in the lineup. The Yankees led MLB in runs scored (849) in 2025 and will run it back in 2026 with basically the same team, so Judge should have plenty of opportunities to rack up counting stats. Some age-related decline should be expected, but Judge still profiles as an elite outfield option for fantasy managers as long as he stays healthy heading into 2026.

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As things currently stand, the Philadelphia Phillies don't have a set No. 4 or No. 5 starting pitcher, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzard, and Aaron Nola are their three healthy starters who are guaranteed rotation spots. The Phillies are hoping top prospect Andrew Painter and veteran Taijuan Walker fill out the rotation, but they aren't slam dunks. Both pitchers need to perform in spring training, but even if they don't, they have to be in the initial rotation as Zack Wheeler continues his recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome. Painter, 22, had a 5.26 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 123:47 K:BB in 118 innings over 26 starts with Single-A Clearwater and Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025 in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. There wasn't a notable dip in Painter's stuff last year, and he could bounce back another year removed from TJ surgery. A lowered price in 2026 definitely makes Painter an intriguing buy-low candidate with elite pitching upside.

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Houston Astros starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti (elbow) doesn't appear to be dealing with any lingering problems from his elbow issues from last season. Arrighetti was sidelined in September due to elbow inflammation, but it didn't require surgery. The right-hander said he's had a fairly normal offseason and feels good right now. Arrighetti believes he'll have no problem being ready for the beginning of Spring Training. This is good news for the Astros, who only got seven starts from Arrighetti last season. The organization is hopeful they can get a full season from the 26-year-old in 2026.

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Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. won't be making a positional change this upcoming season. The Braves have confirmed that they have no plans to move Acuna out of the outfield. There was some speculation that the Braves could move Acuna to shortstop, given Ha-Seong Kim (finger) is expected to miss multiple months. That won't be the case as the Braves are likely to keep Acuna in right field for the foreseeable future. The Braves are just hopeful to keep Acuna healthy as he's only played over 100 games in a single season twice over the last five seasons.

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Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz has reportedly worked hard this offseason to improve his body and the issues he had last season. Cruz said there was no time to relax and immediately got back to work when he got home. The 27-year-old wants to focus on getting better, which is exactly what the Pirates want to hear from Cruz, who struggled last season. In 2025, Cruz posted a .200/.298/.378 slash line with 20 home runs, 61 RBI, and 38 stolen bases in 135 games. Before that, Cruz was a 2.5 WAR player during the 2024 campaign. The Pirates are hopeful that Cruz and bounce back and return to the type of production that he was giving during the 2024 season.

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