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New York Mets starting pitcher Jonah Tong has decided that he will not play for Canada in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. While Tong expressed a desire to participate, he's ultimately opting out in order to get ready for the 2026 MLB season. The 22-year-old faced some adversity upon making his big-league debut last year, pitching to a 7.71 ERA and 4.31 FIP across five starts in Queens. His strikeout rate of 10.61 K/9 indicates impressive stuff, but there's still some concern about his control (4.34 BB/9) and ability to limit damage (1.45 HR/9). As a result, it was recently reported that Tong isn't a lock to make the Mets' Opening Day roster, with the idea that he could use a little more time in Triple-A. Before any transactional decisions are made, though, he'll have ample chances to compete for a roster spot by pitching in spring training, which begins in February. Tong currently ranks as the #88 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's 2026 fantasy baseball draft rankings.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll had the best season of his young career in 2025, posting a personal-best 139 wRC+ and 6.5 fWAR while enjoying his first-ever 30/30 campaign (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases). He accomplished all of this despite playing in just 143 games, the lowest mark since his rookie season in 2022. He also continued to flash the leather in the outfield, where he posted a career-high 10 OAA and 7 FRV. Carroll's dominance at the plate and in right field should continue in 2026. He projects as the Diamondbacks' No. 3 hitter and should be one of the first 10 players selected in fantasy baseball drafts. As it stands, he currently ranks as the eighth-best player and fourth-best outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy rankings.

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St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins (knee) does not have a clear timetable for his return. President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom recently declined to comment on whether the right-hander will be ready to throw during spring training. He is certainly not a lock to be healthy in time for Opening Day, and as a result, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat projected Dobbins to open the season on the injured list. That would leave Kyle Leahy in line to land the fifth rotation spot. Dobbins, who was acquired from Boston in exchange for Willson Contreras during the offseason, tore his knee ligament last year. He made 13 appearances (11 starts) prior to his injury, posting a 3.87 FIP, 6.64 K/9, and 2.51 BB/9. He doesn't attack hitters with high velocity or generate exuberant amounts of whiff, but he does a good job limiting loud contact and inducing ground balls. Once healthy, he should be in the mix for an MLB rotation spot long-term.

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The Houston Astros are interested in free agent catcher Christian Vazquez, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Vazquez caught for Houston during the second half of the 2022 season after a trade from Boston, and he ultimately won a World Series ring with the club. He just finished a three-year deal with the Twins, during which he posted the worst offensive numbers of his career. Though 65 games in 2025, he slashed .189/.271/.274 with 55 wRC+ and -12.7 fWAR at the plate. However, he did bring his walk rate up to 8.4% (highest mark since 2020) while cutting his strikeout rate down to 16.4% (lowest mark since 2022). Defensively, his framing contributed three runs below average, but he was above average in blocking and throwing. He finished with a FRV of zero runs above average and a defensive fWAR of 7.9 wins. Vazquez is certainly past his prime, but he can still be a solid, defense-first contributor on a contender while offering a steady veteran presence. If he were to sign with the Astros, he'd compete for the No. 2 catcher role behind Yainer Diaz after Victor Caratini departed for the Twins.

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu has been the subject of plenty of trade rumors this offseason, due to his team's apparently overcrowded outfield. However, Boston hasn't been willing to part with him at his current value on the open market, and Abreu has also drawn praise for his work this offseason. Both GM Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora have talked about getting Abreu regular at-bats against lefties. The two-time Gold Glove winner slashed .247/.317/.469 last season and hit a career-high 22 home runs. He was very streaky throughout the season, but he showed lots of upside when he was locked in. His outlook for 2026 is extremely volatile since his role on the roster is uncertain, but if the Sox make a move to open space for him or if he's moved to a place where he plays every day, he could end up delivering very nice value if you can get him late in drafts.

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Free agent pitcher Gabe Klobosits will look to earn a spot in the bullpen for the Chicago Cubs after agreeing to a minor-league deal with the team before the start of spring training. While he hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021, when he went 0-1 with a 5.56 ERA in 11 games for the Nationals, the 6-foot-8 righty has posted some good numbers in independent ball with a 2.14 ERA over 80 innings. He split time last season between the Cleburne Railroaders in the American Association and the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League. Reports are that he is up to 98 miles-per-hour on his fastball this offseason, which would be an improvement from the last time he was in the majors. The 30-year-old will look to work his way back to the majors and will be an interesting arm to watch due to his non-traditional development path and potential to contribute to the bullpen at some point this season.

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Free agent infielder Jordan Groshans joined the Atlanta Braves organization on a minor-league deal, and the former top prospect will look to get back on track with a new team. After being the No. 12 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, Groshans eventually made his big-league debut with the Marlins in 2022, going 16-for-61 (.262) with a homer, two RBI, and nine runs scored in just 17 games played. He hasn't been back to the majors since then, though, spending 2025 in Double-A and Triple-A for the Royals. In 67 games, he hit .284 with three homers, a .340 wOBA, and no stolen bases. He spent 2024 with the A's and Yankees in the minors and seems to be a minor-league journeyman at this point. He does provide organizational depth and positional versatility for the Braves, though, since he played every spot in the infield for the Royals last season.

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Free agent pitcher Darren McCaughan will try to earn a spot with the Cincinnati Reds after signing a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. The right will be 30 years old at the start of the season and has spent time with the Mariners and Twins over the last several seasons. He pitched in just three games in the majors for the Twins in 2025, allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts and a hold over 5 1/3 innings. In Triple-A, he was both a starter and reliever, appearing in 26 games with 12 starts and spanning 97 innings with a 5.10 ERA, 5.47 FIP, and 8.9 K/9. McCaughan will likely serve as organizational depth, especially since he can provide some length, but he seems unlikely to be a major contributor.

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Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman has been extremely reliable and consistent for the Blue Jays in the first four years of his five-year deal signed as a free agent before the 2022 season. The 36-year-old righty is entering the final year of his contract, and over the last five seasons (including his last with the Giants), he has racked up 1,020 strikeouts in 925 2/3 innings while making 158 starts and posting a 3.34 ERA and 16.4 WAR. Gausman has made at least 30 starts in each of those five seasons and won at least 10 games. He could be an intriguing veteran free agent next offseason, or the Blue Jays could try to extend their workhorse before he hits the open market. His consistency and reliability make him an undervalued fantasy asset coming into this year in many leagues.

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Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Tre' Morgan is expected to be in contention for an early promotion to the major leagues in 2026. Morgan is currently considered the No. 11-ranked prospect in the Tampa Bay system on MLB.com. Last summer, the former third-round pick from the 2023 MLB Draft spent the entire campaign with Triple-A Durham, playing at a high level. Through 92 games, Morgan held a .274/.398/.412 line with a strong .810 OPS. Morgan hit 15 doubles, three triples, and added eight round-trippers. He swiped eight bags and showed strong eye at the plate, posting a 77:64 K:BB. While Jonathan Aranda will likely serve as the primary first baseman in Tampa Bay, Morgan has experience in the outfield, which could be an easier path to the majors. Given his strong play last season, he is a top name to monitor during spring training.

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St. Louis Cardinals catching prospect Leonardo Bernal is progressing through the system and should be in the mix to compete for a 2026 MLB debut. Last summer, Bernal spent the entire campaign with Double-A Springfield. Across 107 contests, the backstop posted a .247/.332/.394 line with 19 doubles, 13 home runs, and 13 stolen bases. He enjoyed a dominant first half, posting a .290/.368/.527 line but stumbled over the final months, carrying a much lower .210/.300/.276 line. Bernal is currently considered the No. 4-ranked prospect in the system and the No. 92 overall prospect in the sport on MLB.com. While he will likely not compete for an MLB role in spring training, he could begin the season with Triple-A, which would open the door for a midseason call to St. Louis.

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San Diego Padres catching prospect Ethan Salas is a name to watch in spring training as he could contend for an early promotion to Triple-A. Salas had a disappointing 2025 season while dealing with a stress fracture in his back. This injury limited him to only 10 total games in the minor leagues. Across this brief 10-game stint with Double-A, Salas held a .188/.325/.219 slash line with one double and two stolen bases. In 2024, Salas spent the entire season with High-A, where he struggled at times, holding an overall .206/.288/.311 line with a low .599 OPS. However, Salas was able to play in the Arizona Fall League, suggesting he should be a full-go to open 2026. While he had a disappointing season, the backstop is still only 19 years old and appears poised for a resurgent campaign in 2026. He will likely begin the season with Double-A, but may only need a few months of action to earn the call to Triple-A.

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Chicago Cubs top infield prospect Jefferson Rojas is expected to begin the 2026 campaign with Double-A Knoxville. Rojas is considered the No. 4-ranked prospect in their system on MLB.com. Rojas began the 2025 season with High-A South Bend and was quite productive, posting a .278/.379/.492 line with an .871 OPS. During this 67-game stint, Rojas hit 13 doubles, 11 home runs, and swiped 14 bases. He was then bumped up to Double-A, where he saw his production take a decline. Through his first 39 games in the upper levels, Rojas stumbled to a .164/.279/.205 line with no long balls and only five stolen bases. Given his struggles against Double-A pitching in the second half, managers should expect Rojas to spend most of the 2026 season there. If he were to turn the corner, he could push for a second-half taste of Triple-A.

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The New York Yankees acquired right-handed reliever Angel Chivilli from the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday in exchange for minor-leaguer T.J. Rumfield, according to Jack Curry of YES Network. It's a minor move that doesn't really move the needle at all in fantasy baseball. Chivilli, 23, has some raw talent as a potential future high-leverage reliever, but he wasn't very successful in two MLB seasons in Colorado the last two years. Chivilli has a 6.18 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, one save, 71 strikeouts, and 33 walks in 90 1/3 total innings of relief. Getting out of the thin air in Denver is definitely a plus for Chivilli, and now the Yankees will hope to get the most out of his right arm. He does a good job keeping the ball on the ground while also ranking in the 88th percentile in fastball velocity. Both Chivilli's slider and changeup generate plenty of whiffs.

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Not much went right for second baseman Marcus Semien in 2025 in what ended up being his final season with the Texas Rangers. The 35-year-old three-time All-Star continued to decline offensively and finished with a .230/.305/.364 slash line, career-worst .669 OPS, 15 home runs, 62 RBI, 62 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 127 games. Semien's 127 games played were his fewest in a full season since 2017 with Oakland, and his 15 homers were his fewest in a full season since 2018. The iron man -- Semien has played in a full 162 games three times in the last six full seasons -- might be succumbing to Father Time. A foot injury ended his season prematurely, but he should be ready for the start of 2026 with the Mets. While fantasy managers shouldn't be banking on a late-career resurgence like George Springer in 2025, Semien can still provide moderate power/speed numbers as the Mets' starter at the keystone. Semien is best drafted as middle infield insurance now rather than a starting 2B in 12-team fantasy leagues.

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony made his MLB debut on June 9 of 2025 and looked the part of the top prospect in baseball after his promotion, finishing his first season in the big leagues with a .292/.396/.463 slash line, .859 OPS, eight home runs, 32 RBI, 48 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 71 games played (303 plate appearances). The 21-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 already signed an eight-year, $130 million contract as a building block in Boston's outfield for the future. Anthony's first year with the BoSox ended disappointingly when he was shut down due to an oblique strain, which caused him to miss the playoffs. Fantasy managers should consider him a top-15 fantasy outfielder because he's expected to have a normal offseason following his oblique injury. Anthony has tons of long-term and short-term upside. He was only the second player in Red Sox history (other than Ted Williams) to have 20-plus extra-base hits and 25-plus walks in his first 52 games.

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New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham had a career year in 2025 in his second year in the Bronx, slashing .235/.348/.464 with an .811 OPS, a career-high 34 home runs, a career-high 74 RBI, a career-high 87 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 143 regular-season games. Grisham's previous career-high in home runs was 17 in 2022 with the San Diego Padres. The left-handed-hitting outfielder's strong campaign was particularly a surprise because he hit under .200 in each of the previous three seasons. The 29-year-old's 2025 campaign was supported by a 46.4% hard-hit rate and 14.2% barrel rate, and he also had a .249 xBA and .481 xSLG. Grisham should open the 2026 season with regular playing time in a starting role, and it's also a plus that he'll have the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium again. Power is what you're searching for with Grisham, but don't overspend. He's ranked as the No. 61 fantasy outfielder at RotoBaller.

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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter George Springer had a late-career resurgence to help lead the team to the World Series in 2025, hitting .309/.399/.560 with a .959 OPS, 32 home runs, 84 RBI, 106 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases in 140 regular-season games played. It was a bit of a surprise, considering Springer's offensive profile had been in decline leading up to the 2025 campaign. His .309 batting average and 166 wRC+ were both career-highs. Springer's surface stats were backed up by a 15.8% barrel rate and 46.7% hard-hit rate, and it helped that he put the ball in the air more often. In a hitter-friendly home ballpark and with a strong lineup around him, Springer has the skills to repeat his performance, but the injury risk because of his age (36) is very real. You'll have to pay slightly more for Springer in 2026 if you're willing to take on the risk. RotoBaller has Springer ranked as the No. 26 fantasy outfielder, but Toronto might keep him primarily as their DH to keep him healthy.

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After a rough 2025 campaign with the New York Yankees in which right-handed closer Devin Williams posted a career-worst 4.79 ERA and was demoted from the closer's role two separate times, he signed a three-year, $50 million deal to join the crosstown-rival New York Mets. Williams certainly didn't have the season he was hoping for in the Bronx, but he's primed for a bounce-back year. The 31-year-old veteran still has excellent stuff to close out games, his 2.68 FIP shows he ran into some bad luck, and his 25.1 K-BB percentage was 13th among qualified relief pitchers last year. The former second-rounder in 2013 by the Milwaukee Brewers is a two-time All-Star and has saved 86 games in his seven-year major-league career to this point. From 2022 to 2024 with the Brewers, Williams had a 1.66 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 65 saves. Despite his struggles with the Yanks, RotoBaller still has him as a top-10 fantasy closer.

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) appears to be making good progress in his recovery process. On Wednesday, general manager Brian Cashman said there have been no surprises with Cole's rehab work. Cole missed all of the 2025 season while rehabbing his surgically repaired elbow. He has already started throwing the ball and plans to join the team's facility in Florida soon. Barring any setbacks, Cole should be able to rejoin the Yankees in late May or early June. When healthy, Cole is one of the best pitchers in the league, so he'll be worthy of holding on an IL spot until he's ready to pitch.

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