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Free-agent starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez has agreed to a minor-league deal with the Royals after an impressive showing in the Dominican Winter League. Sanchez compiled a 1.55 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 9 walks in 46 1/3 innings to earn the Pitcher of the Year award in that league. Sanchez hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022, but he was an All-Star in 2016, going 15-2 with a 3.00 ERA. In 2022 and 2023, he spent time with the Nationals, Twins, and Diamondbacks before returning to the Blue Jays to pitch in Triple-A in 2024. The former top-prospect struggled at Triple-A Buffalo, giving up a 7.92 ERA in 61 1/3 innings. After re-emerging with his dominant work this winter, he'll get a shot to earn a spot in the Royals rotation as he continues to author his comeback story. He has been plagued by health issues, but if he's 100% and ready to go, he could be a SP worth watching in AL-only leagues. His strikeout numbers are strong enough that he could be a good streaming or DFS option to monitor as well if he earns a spot going into the season.

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Free-agent outfielder Nelson Velazquez has reached an agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals on a minor-league deal that includes an invite to spring training. Last year, Velzquez played 51 games in Triple-A for the Royals and Pirates, hitting .234 with 11 homers, 31 RBI, and a .334 wOBA. The 27-year-old righty showed some power potential while slashing .212/.286/.433 with 31 homers in 615 plate appearances for the Cubs and Royals from 2022-24. He played in the Dominican and Puerto Rican Winter Leagues and showed enough upside to earn his opportunity to earn a spot in St. Louis as a right-handed platoon option. He's an option to monitor in Spring Training, but he doesn't have to be on your fantasy radar yet in most formats.

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Free agent infielder/outfielder Dylan Moore has had conversations with the Boston Red Sox, which makes sense since the team still has a ways to go before finalizing its infield setup for 2026. After Alex Bregman departed via free agency, the team has potential openings at 2B and 3B, with youngsters Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell potentially ready to step in, but both coming with serious question marks as well. While the team could still try to add a bigger, more established name at either spot, the 33-year-old Moore is a utilityman who brings good defense at multiple positions and a little speed and power with double-digit homers in each of the last two seasons. However, he hit only .201 in each of those two years and had a .280 wOBA in 106 games with the Mariners and Rangers last season.

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Free agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt does not have a contract for 2026, but the 38-year-old is still planning to play in the upcoming season. After eight seasons in Arizona and six in St. Louis, he spent last year with the Yankees. His power production dropped, and he hit only 10 homers in 146 games, with 45 RBI, a .129 ISO, and a .316 wOBA. He did still hit for a good average at .274, but that was supported by a .325 BABIP that is like unsustainable. At this stage of his career, he could be a nice platoon option, and last year he hit .336 with seven homers and a .412 wOBA against lefties. He could also be a solid veteran presence for a young team, but there hasn't been much buzz about where he could land this offseason, with the Mets as the only team tied to him by earlier reporting this offseason.

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Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller is looking for a bounce-back 2026 season, and he reported on X that he's added 12 pounds this offseason, gaining a little velocity. Miller went a solid 12-8 in 31 starts in 2024, with a 2.49 ERA and 3.58 FIP. He battled multiple injuries in 2025, making 18 starts and pitching about half the innings of the previous season, while going a disappointing 4-6 with a 5.68 ERA and a 5.17 FIP. Miller is still expected to be a key part of the team's rotation in 2026, and potentially, the extra bulk will make him more durable and give him some extra velocity to be more effective this season. He'll definitely be a pitcher to watch early in spring training to see if he can get things going in the right direction.

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San Francisco Giants right-handed pitching prospect Blade Tidwell is expected to be in contention for a starting role during spring training. Tidwell began his MLB career with the New York Mets but was shipped to San Francisco ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. He made a brief MLB debut with the Mets last summer and struggled, allowing 15 runs across a 15-inning stint. He struck out only 10 batters. However, at the Triple-A level, Tidwell has shown strong promise and could take the next step with his new club. Though 97 innings at Triple-A last season (split between Syracuse and Sacramento), Tidwell posted a 3.62 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP. He struck out 111 hitters while allowing 37 walks. With the Giants not adding many major pieces to their rotation in the winter, outside of Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser, Tidwell should be in consideration to compete for one of the final spots during spring training.

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Seattle Mariners second base prospect Michael Arroyo is quickly ascending the system and nearing Triple-A. In 2025, Arroyo began the season at High-A but needed only 65 games to move up to Double-A Arkansas. With High-A, Arroyo posted a .269/.422/.512 line with 14 doubles, 15 home runs, and three stolen bases. Through his first 56 games at the Double-A level, the team's No. 5-ranked prospect continued to perform at a high level, posting a .255/.376/.341 line with two home runs and nine stolen bases. While his power production declined, he still showed an elite eye at the plate, holding a 39:30 K:BB. Additionally, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reported that Arroyo began seeing time in the outfield during winter league games, which could open even more opportunities for the young hitter. Managers should monitor his progress as he could earn an early-season promotion to Triple-A.

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St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Quinn Mathews was expected to contend for his MLB debut early in the 2025 season, but was unable to earn the call. The southpaw struggled at Triple-A last season, finishing the campaign holding a 3.93 ERA with a 1.60 WHIP across 94 innings. He struck out 107 batters but served up a high 74 walks. However, during his final 57 1/3 innings, Mathews was able to lower his ERA to 3.30, suggesting he made some progress in the second half. During the 2024 season, Mathews progressed through the St. Louis system at a rapid rate. He began the season by making his professional debut with Low-A and would finish the season at Triple-A. Across 143 1/3 total innings, the Stanford product posted a 2.76 ERA with a 0.98 WHIP. Given that the Cardinals lack proven options at the back of their rotation, Mathews could contend for an early MLB debut if he can rekindle his 2024 form.

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Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton could take on a large role in his debut season with the Rays. Melton was shipped to Tampa Bay in a three-team trade this offseason from the Houston Astros. Melton made his MLB debut last season and appeared in only 32 contests with the Astros. During this brief taste, the outfielder posted a .157/.234/.186, with an impressive seven stolen bases. Through 82 career games at Triple-A, the former second-round selection has held a .271/.347/.468 line with an .815 OPS. During this stretch, Melton has hit 11 home runs and stolen 23 bases. With Josh Lowe being shipped to the Angels earlier in the offseason as well, Melton will face even less competition for a prominent role in Tampa Bay. Given his speed upside, he is worth monitoring in deeper five-outfielder leagues during spring training.

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Washington Nationals right-handed pitching prospect Travis Sykora (elbow) was invited to spring training. However, given that he underwent UCL reconstruction surgery last season, the right-hander is not expected to take the mound at all in 2026. Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reported that the budding ace will continue his rehab process with the major league roster during camp. Sykora made his professional debut with Low-A in 2024 and immediately flashed upside, striking out 129 hitters in just 85 innings. In 2025, Sykora continued to ascend in the Washington system, finishing the season in Double-A. Across 45 1/3 innings spent primarily with High-A, Sykora would post an outstanding 1.79 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and a 79:17 K:BB. While he is expected to be sidelined for the entirety of the 2026 season, he is a prime buy-low target in dynasty leagues, as he was on track to make his MLB debut this season.

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Washington Nationals right-handed prospect pitcher Jarlin Susana has earned an invite to spring training. However, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reported that Susana is expected to remain in rehab from his last surgery last season during the start of camp. Susana is an emerging arm in the Washington system but saw his season cut short in the second half after suffering a late injury. Managers should monitor his status during camp, as he may be in danger of missing time early in the regular season. When on the bump, the 21-year-old was quite productive. He spent the majority of the 2025 season with Double-A Harrisburg and logged 47 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.61 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He struck out an impressive 79 batters but struggled with his command, serving up 32 free passes. Given his elite strikeout potential, he is worth following in deeper formats as he could be in contention for a second-half MLB debut.

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Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford, the fourth overall pick in 2023 out of the University of Florida, was on the injured list three separate times in 2025 with an oblique injury, but he still managed to hit 22 home runs and steal 22 bases in 134 games played. The 24-year-old right-handed slugger also missed time during his rookie campaign with a hamstring issue. If Langford can stay healthy over a full season, though, he could do considerable damage for fantasy managers. In his two seasons in the big leagues, he's produced a .247/.335/.423 slash line with a .758 OPS, 38 home runs, 136 RBI, 147 runs scored, and 41 stolen bases in 268 games and 1,130 plate appearances. Langford could see more time in center field against left-handed pitchers, which wouldn't exactly be ideal from a health perspective. Despite injury concerns in Langford's profile, his power/speed upside puts him firmly within the top 20 fantasy outfielders.

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Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez has become a Cy Young candidate over the last two years with the Phillies after not going over 100 innings pitched in a season in his first three years in the big leagues. Sanchez has gone 24-14 the last two regular seasons with a 2.89 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 365 strikeouts, and 88 walks in 63 starts (383 2/3 innings). The 29-year-old Dominican southpaw had a league-high 8.0 wins above replacement and also fanned a career-high 212 hitters in 202 innings during the regular season. Sanchez was one of only three starters to go at least 200 innings last year and had the fifth-best ERA of qualified pitchers. He has missed one start in the last three seasons, so on top of his dominance, he's also been durable. Sanchez was unlucky in the win department, but that shouldn't dissuade you from taking him as a top-10 starting pitcher in fantasy drafts.

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Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood is a rising, young fantasy baseball asset after hitting .256/.350/.475 with an .825 OPS, 31 home runs, 94 RBI, 87 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases in 157 games in his first full major-league season. The 23-year-old power-hitting left-hander and former second-round pick by the San Diego Padres displayed impressive power to the opposite field last year, with 26 of his 31 total home runs going up the middle or the other way. The problem with Wood is that his long swing also leads to plenty of swings and misses. He led the league with 221 strikeouts and posted a strikeout rate of 32.1 percent. The fact that Wood was so successful in his first full MLB season bodes well for his long-term outlook, but despite being a top-35 overall fantasy player, there's some volatility and downside as well. The power is real, and RotoBaller has Wood as the No. 10 outfielder.

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Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball in 2025 in his second season in MLB, and he was one of the biggest reasons why the Dodgers were able to end the year as back-to-back World Series champions. The 27-year-old Japanese hurler threw a complete game against the Blue Jays in the World Series and was named MVP of the series. He finished the regular season with a 12-8 record, 2.49 ERA (2.94 FIP), 0.99 WHIP, and 201:59 K:BB in 30 starts over 173 2/3 innings pitched. Yamamoto nearly doubled the workload from his rookie season in the 2025 regular season alone, not to mention the additional work he endured in the postseason. Still, Yamamoto is easily a top-10 fantasy baseball starting pitcher for the best team in baseball. His split-finger, in particular, is a big reason he has almost a 30% strikeout rate in his first two years in L.A.

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Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) has made 38 starts (234 1/3 innings) in his first two big-league seasons with the Braves, and he's flashed his upside with a 15-11 record, 3.23 ERA (3.27 FIP), 1.01 WHIP, and 235:41 K:BB. The 25-year-old had Tommy John surgery a few years ago and was limited to only 17 starts in 2025 due to a season-ending elbow fracture that he suffered in late June. It derailed Schwellenbach's chances of improving on his breakout rookie campaign in 2024. Schwellenbach was quite good in his 17 starts for Atlanta before his elbow injury, going 7-4 with a 3.09 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 108 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 110 2/3 innings. There haven't been any recent updates on his rehab, but the fact that Schwellenbach resumed throwing before the end of the 2025 season is a good indication he should be fully healthy entering 2026. Despite some durability concerns, Schewellenbach is a solid No. 2 starting pitching target as a high-end rotation arm for the Braves.

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Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans was a big disappointment in 2025 after finishing fourth in American League Cy Young voting in 2024 with a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a career-high 223 strikeouts. Ragans only made 13 starts for the Royals due to groin and left-shoulder injuries -- he missed more than three months with a rotator-cuff strain. The 28-year-old southpaw had an elevated 4.67 ERA, but under the hood, he had a ridiculous 38.1% strikeout rate and 7.8% walk rate in 61 2/3 frames. Ragans made three starts in September after coming off the 60-day injured list, and he looked great with a 2.77 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and 22:4 K:BB in 13 innings. The stats on the surface don't look great in 2025, but now that he's fully healthy going into his fifth MLB season, there should be plenty of optimism that Ragans can bounce back. Fantasy managers should treat him as a top-15 starting pitcher, potentially at a discount because of durability concerns.

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Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker is an emerging power threat for fantasy managers after reaching the 30-homer mark in each of his three seasons in the Bay Area. Rooker has been named an All-Star in two of the last three years as well, and he finished his sixth year in the big leagues in 2025 by slashing .262/.335/.479 with an .814 OPS, 30 home runs, 89 RBI, 92 runs scored, and six stolen bases in all 162 regular-season games. Although the 31-year-old veteran wasn't quite as good as he was in 2024, it's worth noting that he cut down on his strikeouts (22.2%), and his .275 xBA and .509 xSLG suggest he was a little unlucky for how hard he was hitting the ball (44.5% hard-hit rate). Rooker's drop in strikeout rate suggests that he could easily return another 30-plus-homer season for fantasy managers in 2026, and he should have outfield eligibility in most leagues. He deserves consideration for his power and run production as a top-15 outfielder at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park.

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New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto wasn't able to lead the team to a playoff appearance in his first year in Queens, but he still managed to have an extremely productive season for fantasy managers. Soto hit .263/.396/.525 with a .921 OPS, career-high 43 home runs, 105 RBI, 120 runs scored, and a career-best 38 stolen bases in 160 games played. The 27-year-old Dominican also led the league in walks (127) for the fourth time in his career and on-base percentage (.396) for the third time in his eight-year MLB career. Soto has now cleared the fences 40-plus times each of the last two years, and his 38 stolen bases tied for fourth in the National League. Fantasy managers should be pretty confident that Soto will be an elite contributor across the board, although you should expect regression in the stolen base department. Soto's previous high in steals is 12. RotoBaller has Soto ranked as the No. 4 overall player for upcoming drafts, behind only Shohei Ohtani (DH), Aaron Judge, and Bobby Witt Jr.

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Kansas City Royals power-hitting first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino has a chance to be a 40-home run asset for fantasy managers if he stays healthy and makes some adjustments against left-handed pitchers. In his fourth MLB season in 2025, Pasquantino slashed .264/.323/.475 with a .798 OPS and career bests in home runs (32), RBI (113), and runs scored (72) in 160 games played. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger was able to top 30 homers and 100 RBI because he avoided the injured list for the first time since 2022. The only real problem is that the Pasquatch did the vast majority of his damage against righties and really struggled against southpaws. Pasquantino has top-three upside at the first base position in fantasy, but he must stop a disturbing trend of getting worse each year in the big leagues against lefty pitchers.

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