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The Houston Astros and right-hander Hunter Brown agreed to a $5.71 million salary for 2026, avoiding arbitration, according to a source who spoke with Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Brown is coming off the best season of his young career. In 2025, he posted a 2.43 ERA (3.39 SIERA), a 28.3% strikeout rate, and a 1.03 WHIP across a career-high 185 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old Michigan native is entering the prime of his career, and that hasn't gone unnoticed in fantasy drafts. Over the past month, Brown has carried an ADP of 37, making him the seventh starting pitcher off the board. While some ERA regression is likely, given the gap between his ERA and SIERA, his strikeout ability, workload, and team context point to the fact that he should be a top-10 fantasy starter in 2026. Brown is worth his ADP.

From RotoBaller

The Athletics and catcher Shea Langeliers have agreed to a $5.25 million contract for 2026 to avoid arbitration, according to MLB insider Robert Murray. Langeliers has now posted back-to-back seasons with at least 29 home runs and 70 RBI. In 2025, Langeliers hit a career-high 31 home runs with 72 RBI, 73 runs scored, and seven stolen bases, good for a 132 wRC+. He has also improved his plate discipline, posting a career-low 19.7% strikeout rate. Langeliers ranks among the best offensive catchers in baseball and benefits from playing half of his games at Sutter Health Park, which has a 108 park factor, according to Baseball Savant, making it the second-most hitter-friendly environment in MLB. Over the last month, Langeliers has been the fourth catcher off the board in early drafts with an ADP of 55. Looking ahead to 2026, Langeliers has legitimate 30-home run upside. However, his biggest drawback is his durability. Langeliers has never played more than 137 games in a season, but if he stays healthy, he will be worth his ADP.

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Catcher William Contreras (finger) and the Milwaukee Brewers were unable to agree on a contract for 2026, and Contreras is now likely headed for an arbitration hearing, according to MLB insider Mark Feinsand. Contreras played through a broken left middle finger for the entire 2025 season and underwent surgery to repair it in November. Despite the injury, the 28-year-old backstop slashed .260/.355/.399 with 17 home runs, 76 RBI, 89 runs scored, and six stolen bases. Contreras is expected to be a full participant in spring training, and if he can stay healthy, he has the upside to be the No. 1 catcher in fantasy for 2026. He should be drafted as a top-four catcher in all fantasy drafts.

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The Detroit Tigers and left-hander Tarik Skubal did not reach an agreement on a contract on Thursday and may be headed to salary arbitration, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press confirmed that the two sides are expected to go to court, and that will become official at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday. Skubal is coming off back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards, and in 2025, he posted a 2.72 ERA (2.71 SIERA) with a career-high 241 strikeouts and a 0.89 WHIP across 195 1/3 innings. Despite offseason trade rumors suggesting the Tigers were willing to listen to offers, Skubal appears set to open the 2026 season in Detroit. Barring injury, he remains poised for another elite fantasy season and will most likely be the first pitcher drafted in all fantasy leagues.

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The Philadelphia Phillies have scheduled a meeting with free-agent infielder Bo Bichette, multiple league sources told Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Phillies' interest in Bichette is "legitimate," and if he signs with the team, it will likely "require the team to move on from roster mainstays J.J. Realmuto and Alec Bohm." The Cubs and Red Sox are also looking at Bichette, and both the Dodgers and Yankees could eventually get involved. Bichette's willingness to move off shortstop has opened the door for Philly to pursue him this offseason. If Bichette is added, it would almost certainly mean that they will not re-sign Realmuto, and Bohm would be an obvious trade candidate. Bichette, 28, would most likely be asked to play third base, a position he's never played, if he joins the Phils. Fantasy-wise, a move to Philly would be just about one of the best landing spots Bichette could have.

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Outfielder Randy Arozarena and the Seattle Mariners avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $15.65 million deal, a source told Francys Romero. It's a raise of more than $5 million for Arozarena as he enters his final year of arbitration eligibility. The 30-year-old made his second All-Star appearance in 2025 and helped carry the Mariners to the playoffs, slashing .238/.334/.426 with a .760 OPS, a career-high 27 home runs, 76 RBI, 95 runs, and 31 stolen bases in 160 regular-season games in his first full year in Seattle. It was a nice bounce-back campaign for the veteran outfielder. For fantasy baseball purposes, the Cuban native is a pretty good bet to provide 20-plus home runs and 20-plus stolen bases as long as he stays healthy. Arozarena has also averaged 75 RBI and 87 runs scored the past five seasons, so he contributes consistently across the board for fantasy managers.

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St. Louis Cardinals second baseman/outfielder Brendan Donovan has been linked to numerous trade discussions this offseason. However, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that the Seattle Mariners are currently viewed as the "best fit" for the 28-year-old utility man. Given that the Mariners have numerous young prospect hitters like Colt Emreson and Lazaro Montes, they seemed positioned to offer the Cardinals the best return. Additionally, the Mariners could use an offensive boost in the infield as Cole Young is currently projected to be the everyday second baseman, while Ben Williamson shares the hot corner with Ryan Bliss. Last season, Donovan posted a strong .287/.353/.422 line with 10 home runs and three stolen bases. While he would be moving to a tougher home park for hitters, his counting stats could improve if he bats near the top of the Seattle lineup.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates and outfielder Oneil Cruz have avoided arbitration and settled on a one-year $3.3 million contract. After a promising 2024 season in which Cruz held a .259/.324/.449 line with 21 home runs and 22 stolen bases, the 27-year-old took a significant step back in 2025. Last summer, Cruz saw his batting average drop to .200, and he hit just 20 home runs. However, he did flash even higher speed potential, swiping a career-best 38 bags. While he continued to hit the ball hard, as evident in his 17.9% barrel rate and 56.6% hard-hit rate, he was unable to make consistent contact. Cruz placed in the second percentile in K% (32.0%) and the third percentile in whiff rate (34.0%). While managers in standard leagues may target him for his speed production, they should construct their roster accordingly, as he is projected to remain a low batting average contributor in 2026.

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According to Ari Alexander of 7News, the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract with left-handed starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo. Luzardo enjoyed an impressive debut season in Philadelphia after spending the first six of his MLB seasons in Oakland and Miami. With the Phillies, Luzardo made a high 32 stats and posted a 3.92 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP. Through 183 2/3 innings of work, Luzardo struck out 216 batters, which marked a career high. However, the 28-year-old generated an above-average 3.36 xERA with a .230 xBA, suggesting his production could take another step forward in 2026. Managers should expect Luzardo to open the season as a key part of the starting rotation with Zack Wheeler's status in doubt and carry high-end SP3 upside.

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Relief pitcher Dennis Santana has agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates to avoid arbitration. Santana made his debut with the Pirates in 2024 after stints with the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, and Dodgers. During his first stint in Pittsburgh, the right-hander looked quite comfortable, posting a 2.44 ERA with 0.92 WHIP across 44 1/3 innings of work. In 2025, Santana continued to pitch at a high level, turning in his best season as a major-league pitcher, logging 70 1/3 innings with a 2.18 ERA and a stellar 0.70 WHIP. He struck out just 60 hitters but showed above-average command, allowing walks at a 6.3% rate. He tallied 16 saves and appears to remain the primary ninth-inning option in 2026. While his strikeout numbers may remain low, Santana is a safe bet for double-digit saves and high-end ratios in the upcoming season.

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The Colorado Rockies and outfielder Mickey Moniak have agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract to avoid arbitration. The former first overall pick enjoyed a resurgent campaign in Colorado last summer and appears slated for an everyday role once again in 2026. Last summer, through 135 games with the Rockies, Moniak posted a .270/.306/.518 slash line with 20 doubles, 24 home runs, and nine stolen bases. Under the hood, the 26-year-old generated a solid .339 xwOBA with an elite .491 xSLG. However, his value does take a hit in points leagues, given the high 23.9% K% and 28.2% whiff rate he held. Last season, Moniak operated as the primary leadoff man against right-handed pitching but was mostly kept on the bench when facing a southpaw. Moniak is an intriguing late-round pick in five-outfielder formats when looking for a depth option with some power upside.

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According to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live, the Red Sox could look to target left-handed Timer Mayza in free agency. With Justin Wilson potentially considering a return, the Red Sox could look to sign Mayza to fill his role. Last season, the left-hander logged only 16 2/3 innings of work as he was sidelined for most of the campaign due to a left lat strain. During this brief stint, he split time with the Pirates and Phillies, posting a 3.78 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP. He struck out 15 hitters. In 2024, the southpaw logged 42 2/3 innings with the Yankees and Blue Jays, posting a high 6.33 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. While Mayza could fill a low-leverage role in the Boston bullpen, managers should not expect him to compete for any high-leverage opportunities, given his recent struggles, if he were to sign there. Aroldis Chapman remains the clear-cut ninth-inning option, while Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten remain the top targets for holds.

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The Chicago Cubs remain interested in improving their third base position and continue to show interest in top infield free agents Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette. As initially reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Cubs expressed interest in Bichette in hopes of upgrading at third base. However, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that Bregman could also fill that role and remains linked to the club. However, Rosenthal and Sammon noted that if the Cubs were to acquire either Brgman or Bichette in free agency, it could result in a trade of second baseman Nico Hoerner and a move of Matt Shaw to the keystone. While the Cubs have not "fully explored" Hoerner's trade market, the Cubs could look to further bolster their rotation even after acquiring Edward Cabrera on Tuesday. Both Bregman and Bichette remain two of the top hitters on the free agent market and have been linked to several suitors. Bregman is coming off a strong debut season in Boston, where he held a .273 AVG with 18 home runs, while Bichette enjoyed a massive bounce-back campaign, posting a stellar .311 AVG with an .840 OPS.

From RotoBaller

The Kansas City Royals have shown interest in acquiring Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. The Cardinals have shopped Donovan all offseason but have struggled to find a trade partner. While he is under club control for another two seasons, the Cardinals are looking for a sizeable return for Donovan, who the team views as a high-end player. This offseason, the Royals did not make many major additions to their starting lineup, which means Donovan could fill a super-utility role, playing time at second base and the outfield, as he has done in St. Louis. Last season, the 28-year-old posted a career-best .287 AVG with 32 doubles, 10 home runs, and three stolen bases. He showed an elite eye at the plate, striking out at just 13.0% of the time. Donovan could see an uptick in counting stats if he joins Kansas City, batting alongside Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez.

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Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Lyon Richardson was sent to Triple-A after passing through waivers. Richardson has spent his entire professional career with the Reds, since joining them in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft. Richardson made his MLB debut during the 2023 campaign, but logged his highest workload this past summer. In 2025, the Jensen Beach HS product posted a 4.54 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP across 37 2/3 innings. He struck out 30 hitters but served up a hefty 21 free passes. Through 32 innings with Triple-A last season, Richardson held a similar 4.22 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP. Managers should expect Richardson to operate in a relief role at Louisville to open the season and contend for a low-leverage role in the major league bullpen.

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The Colorado Rockies have claimed right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson. The 30-year-old right-hander signed a contract with the Reds earlier this offseason but was designated for assignment in late December. Thompson began his MLB career with the Chicago Cubs and was selected in the third round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Auburn. During his debut season, Thompson posted a 3.38 ERA with a 1.48 WHIP across 53 1/3 innings. This past season, Thompson enjoyed his most productive campaign, posting a strong 2.67 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP across 30 1/3 innings of relief. He added two saves as well. Given his solid production last summer, managers should expect Thompson to carve out a role in Colorado, serving as a middle relief option or potentially in a high-leverage situation.

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The Chicago Cubs have claimed left-handed pitcher Ryan Rolison off waivers from the Colorado Rockies, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Rolison, a former first-round pick, made his MLB debut with the Rockies last summer. Across his first 42 1/3 innings in the big leagues, the southpaw posted a hefty 7.02 ERA with a 1.77 WHIP. During this stint, he tallied just 25 pinchouts and allowed 20 walks. While he generated groundballs at a promising 48.6% rate, he posted a high 5.74 xERA with a 9.5% barrel rate. Through 115 career innings at Triple-A, Rolison has posted a 5.32 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Given his struggles in the majors last season, managers should not expect Rolison to have a significant role in the Chicago bullpen if he can crack the Opening Day roster.

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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.

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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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller