Jhonkensy Noel Designated for Assignment: The Cleveland Guardians announced on Wednesday that they designated outfielder Jhonkensy Noel for assignment to make room on the roster for left-hander Justin Bruihl, who was acquired for cash via the Toronto Blue Jays. Noel, 24, gets booted off Cleveland's 40-man roster this offseason after struggling to a .162/.183/.297 slash line in 153 plate appearances over 69 games played in his second year in the majors. He had six home runs, 13 RBI, and 19 runs scored after hitting .218 (39-for-179) with 13 homers, 28 RBI, and 25 runs scored in 67 games in his rookie campaign. Big Christmas is big and powerful at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds, but he has posted an ugly 32.8% strikeout rate and a low 4.8% walk rate in his two seasons in the Show. The high-end power should make it easy for him to latch on with another club going into the 2026 season, but he'll merely be battling for a roster spot in spring training. - as of Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:44:45
Bo Bichette Willing to Make the Move to Second Base: Free-agent shortstop Bo Bichette has been telling interested teams this offseason that he is willing to make the position switch from shortstop to second base, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Bichette hasn't been an excellent defender at the 6, but he showed in the World Series that he can play the keystone just fine after being forced to second base in the postseason due to a knee injury late in the season. Feinsand mentions the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, and even the Toronto Blue Jays as teams with openings at the keystone. The 2025 season was a major bounce-back campaign for Bichette in his walk year, as he hit .311 with 63 extra-base hits, 94 RBI, 78 runs, 281 total bases, and an .840 OPS in 13 regular-season games for Toronto. Returning to Toronto is probably best for Bichette's fantasy outlook, but even if he departs, he has a high floor as a middle infielder, averaging 20 homers and 10 steals since he became a full-time starter. - as of Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:27:43
Brad Keller Agrees With Phillies on Two-Year Deal: Free-agent right-hander Brad Keller and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a two-year, $22 million deal on Wednesday, sources told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. There were reports this offseason that several clubs were interested in moving Keller, who excelled in a relief role in 2025 with the Chicago Cubs, back to the starting rotation. At least to open next season, the Phillies intend to keep the 30-year-old in the bullpen after he had a career-best 2.07 ERA (2.93 FIP), 0.96 WHIP, a career-high three saves, 75 strikeouts, and 22 walks in 69 2/3 innings over 68 appearances (one start) in the regular season for Chicago. With more velocity on his heater, Keller's strikeout rate spiked to a career-high 27.2% this past season, and he should be plenty valuable in holds leagues as the primary setup man in front of closer Jhoan Duran in 2026 in Philly. - as of Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:19:36
Mets Finalizing Two-Year Deal With Luke Weaver: The New York Mets are finalizing a two-year, $22 million deal on Wednesday with free-agent right-handed reliever Luke Weaver, a source told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The Mets lost All-Star closer Edwin Diaz in free agency to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but they have gained Weaver and right-hander Devin Williams, who both pitched across town with the New York Yankees in 2025. The 32-year-old Weaver will most likely open the 2026 campaign in Queens as the primary setup man in front of Williams, but he could factor into the ninth inning if Williams struggles like he did in pinstripes. Weaver wasn't at his best in the second half in the Bronx this past season and finished with a 3.62 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, a career-high eight saves, 21 holds, 72 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 64 2/3 innings in relief. With an elite strikeout rate and plenty of holds coming his way with the Mets, Weaver will continue to have plenty of appeal in fantasy as a high-leverage reliever. - as of Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:11:37
Jordan Romano, Angels Agree on One-Year Deal: Right-handed reliever Jordan Romano has agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. Romano, 32, struggled in 2025 with the Philadelphia Phillies, posting an 8.23 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 25.1% strikeout rate, and 9.1% walk rate across 42 2/3 innings. He landed on the injured list in late August with inflammation in his right middle finger, an issue that reportedly affected his velocity throughout the season. The two-time All-Star now looks to revive his career in Southern California. With the Angels losing Kenley Jansen to free agency and no clear closer in their bullpen, Romano could quickly move up the depth chart and see save opportunities. For fantasy purposes, Romano is a high-risk, high-reward option, and as of now, it appears he will be the closer in Los Angeles. - as of Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:05:39
Alex Bregman Drawing Interest From Diamondbacks: The Arizona Diamondbacks have expressed interest in free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, though re-signing him remains the Boston Red Sox's top priority. Bregman, 31, opted out of his three-year deal with Boston after slashing .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, and 64 runs scored across 495 plate appearances, good for a 125 wRC+. While he would fit well with either club, Fenway Park is the preferred landing spot for fantasy purposes, as his pull-heavy approach plays perfectly off the Green Monster. For 2026, Bregman profiles as a top-10 third baseman with top-five upside if he lands in the right situation. - as of Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:44:29
Angels Open to Mike Trout Playing Center Field in 2026: The Los Angeles Angels may allow outfielder Mike Trout to play center field again in 2026. General manager Perry Minasian said he's keeping his options open, which includes Trout seeing time at all three outfield positions. Trout, 34, appeared in 130 games last season, his highest total since 2019. He served as the designated hitter in 106 games and played right field in just 22, reinforcing the idea that keeping him out of center field is likely the best path to preserving his health. In 2025, Trout slashed .232/.359/.439 with 26 home runs, 64 RBI, and 74 runs scored, good for a 120 wRC+. With a current ADP of 194, the future Hall of Fame slugger offers power upside without requiring a significant draft-day investment. - as of Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:30:39
Adrian Houser Joins Giants on Two-Year Deal: Free-agent right-hander Adrian Houser and the San Francisco Giants agreed on a two-year, $22 million deal on Tuesday that includes a club option for a third season, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. In addition to Houser, the Gigantes also added right-handed reliever Jason Foley on Tuesday to help shore up their pitching staff. Houser, 32, looked much better this past season, going 8-5 with a 3.31 ERA (3.81 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP with 92 strikeouts and 38 walks in 125 innings over 21 starts with the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. He was much better in Chicago, posting a nice 2.10 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 47:22 K:BB ratio in his 11 starts. Houser showed better velocity than he did in a rough 2024 season with the New York Mets, in which he had a career-worst 5.84 ERA, but he still had a weak 17.8% strikeout rate. The landing spot in SF is nice, but Houser brings limited fantasy upside with his 18.4% career K rate. - as of Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:18:47
Ha-Seong Kim Re-Signs With Braves on Monday: Free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim re-signed with the Atlanta Braves on Monday night on a one-year, $20 million deal, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Kim started the 2025 season with the Tampa Bay Rays but didn't make his season debut until July 4 after recovering from shoulder surgery. The 30-year-old South Korean native played in only 24 games with Tampa before being cut, and he finished the year with the Braves. Kim slashed a combined .234/.304/.345 with a .649 OPS, five home runs, 17 RBI, 19 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 191 plate appearances over 48 games played. He hit .253 with three homers and 12 RBI in 24 games in Atlanta, and he figures to see most of the playing time at short for the Braves going into next season. Kim's biggest draw in fantasy baseball is for his speed, as he swiped a combined 60 bases in 2023 and 2024. His reckless playing style makes him injury-prone, which we've seen firsthand the last two years. - as of Mon, 15 Dec 2025 22:55:36
Pitching Prospect Jake Bennett Heads to Boston: The Boston Red Sox acquired left-handed pitching prospect Jake Bennett from the Washington Nationals on Monday in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Luis Perales, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Bennett, 25, was drafted by the Nats in the 39th round in 2019. The young southpaw pitched for Single-A Fredericksburg, High-A Wilmington, and Double-A Harrisburg in 2025 in his first year back from Tommy John surgery, going a combined 2-5 with a 2.27 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 64:19 K:BB ratio in 75 1/3 innings over 19 outings (18 starts). Per MLB Pipeline, Bennett immediately becomes the BoSox's No. 7 prospect. The 6-foot-6, 234-pounder is predominantly a sinker/changeup pitcher who has held impressive ground-ball rates in the minors. Bennett also features a low- to mid-90s heater. Bennett might be another full year away from the big leagues, but his combination of size and stuff gives him decent upside at the major-league level. - as of Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:43:31
Nationals Acquire Pitching Prospect Luis Perales From Boston: The Washington Nationals acquired right-handed pitching prospect Luis Perales from the Boston Red Sox on Monday in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Jake Bennett, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Perales, 22, has missed most of the past two years while recovering from Tommy John surgery, appearing in only 12 games (10 starts) across the Red Sox's minor-league system. He has a fastball that hits triple digits and is already being considered Washington's No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound Venezuelan hurler also has a nasty splitter and features a slider and a cutter as other secondary pitches. Perales has athleticism and elite arm speed, but he's small for a starter, and his durability is a concern. If Perales cannot make it as a starter, the Nats could try him in a high-leverage relief role. His innings will be closely monitored in 2026, and he's probably a long shot to make his MLB debut. - as of Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:26:42