Sean Newcomb, White Sox Agree on One-Year Deal: The Chicago White Sox and free-agent left-hander Sean Newcomb have agreed to a one-year deal worth $4.5 million, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. Sammon also reported that Newcomb "will at least get the chance to start" for Chicago. Newcomb was a first-round pick by the Angels in 2012 and had his best season with the Braves in 2018. That year, the 32-year-old southpaw posted a 3.90 ERA (3.69 xERA) with 160 strikeouts across 164 innings. Unfortunately, he struggled in 2019, eventually getting demoted to Triple-A and moving into the bullpen when he returned. Since then, he's been going back and forth between starting and relieving without much luck, until last year. In 2025, Newcomb struck out 91 batters in 92 1/3 innings while posting a career-low 2.73 ERA with the Red Sox and Athletics. For 2026, he will join a White Sox rotation that includes Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Sean Burke, and Anthony Kay. Right now, Newcomb can be safely left off your fantasy radar, but he's worth keeping an eye on since he's a lefty who once showed some potential. - as of Tue, 23 Dec 2025 20:56:30
Austin Hays Drawing Interest From Mets: The New York Mets are showing interest in free-agent outfielder Austin Hays, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Hays, 30, slashed .266/.315/.453 with 15 home runs, 64 RBI, 60 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across 416 plate appearances in 2025. Hays has posted a 105 wRC+ or better in five of his last seven seasons. The right-handed hitter's biggest flaw has been his inability to stay on the field. Over the past two seasons, he's dealt with multiple hamstring and calf injuries and finished last year on the bench due to back spasms. Right now, the Mets have their No. 2 prospect, Carson Benge, penciled in as the starting left fielder. With that said, they need as much outfield depth as possible after losing Cedric Mullins, Starling Marte, Jesse Winker, Jose Siri, and Jose Azocar in free agency, along with trading Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. If Hays signs with the Mets, he'll be most fantasy relevant in 15-team fantasy leagues. - as of Tue, 23 Dec 2025 20:24:27
Ryan O'Hearn, Pirates Agree on Two-Year Deal: Free-agent first baseman Ryan O'Hearn and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed on a two-year, $29 million contract, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. The deal also includes $500,000 in performance bonuses for each season. For the Pirates, O'Hearn should split time between first base and designated hitter and slide right into the middle of the lineup. In 2025, the 32-year-old left-handed hitter posted a .272 xBA with a 10.7% walk rate while hitting 21 home runs across 544 plate appearances for the Baltimore Orioles and the San Diego Padres. Even though the Pirates aren't a great offensive team, O'Hearn should have the freedom to play every day. Overall, you don't need to bump him up your board much, but you should feel more confident clicking his name on draft day. - as of Tue, 23 Dec 2025 20:11:37
Reds Showing Interest in Luis Robert Jr.: The Cincinnati Reds have re-engaged in trade talks for Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Robert is under contract for $20 million in 2026 with a club option for 2027. In return, the White Sox are reportedly looking for young talent and prospects who are close to MLB-ready. Over a year ago, the Reds showed interest in Robert, and now it appears they're even more serious about making a deal happen. The 28-year-old is a former Gold Glove Winner and All-Star who hasn't been able to recapture the success he had earlier in his career due to injuries and underperformance. Last year, Robert slashed .223/.297/.364 with 14 home runs, 53 RBI, 52 runs scored, and a career-high 33 stolen bases across 431 plate appearances. Right now, the Reds outfield consists of TJ Friedl, Noelvi Marte, Gavin Lux, and Will Benson. Robert would be a clear defensive upgrade, and hitting in Great American Ball Park would be a huge boost for his fantasy value. At an ADP around 133, you're drafting a potential 30/30 candidate without spending an early pick. If he does get traded, don't be surprised if he starts moving up draft boards pretty quickly. - as of Tue, 23 Dec 2025 20:11:35
Cardinals Trade Willson Contreras to Red Sox for Hunter Dobbins, Two Pitching Prospects: The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins and right-handed pitching prospects Blake Aita and Yhoiker Fajardo from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for veteran first baseman Willson Contreras, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. As part of the deal, St. Louis will cover $8 million of the $41.5 million remaining on Contreras' contract. The Cardinals are in rebuild mode and did not see Contreras as their first baseman of the future. Dobbins, 26, logged a 4.13 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 45 strikeouts over 61 innings during the 2025 season before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee while attempting to cover first base. He has since begun a throwing program and is expected to be ready for spring training, where he'll compete for a rotation spot. Aita, 22, spent last season between Single-A and High-A Greenville, posting a 3.98 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 14.9% K-BB rate across 115 1/3 innings. He is expected to remain in the minors next season. Fajardo, the youngest of the trio at 19, recorded a 2.81 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with a 28.8% strikeout rate over 51 1/3 innings last season. Although Fajardo is a few years away from being called up to the majors, his strikeout ability gives him the highest ceiling among the three pitchers. - as of Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:59:30
Mariners Still Interested in Re-Signing Eugenio Suarez: The Seattle Mariners remain interested in re-signing free-agent third baseman Eugenio Suarez, according to Mariners general manager Justin Hollander, who spoke on MLB Network Radio. Last season, Surez tied his career high with 49 home runs, 13 of which came as a Mariner. Seattle's top offseason priorities were re-signing first baseman Josh Naylor and infielder Jorge Polanco, but with both now off the market, attention has shifted back to Surez. Despite maintaining a 14.3% barrel rate, Surez has become a below-average defender and continues to strike out nearly 30% of the time. The 34-year-old slugger is projected to earn a two-year, $45 million contract. With an ADP of 112, it appears the market believes he has another productive season in him. Although that is very possible, the strikeouts are a concern, and hitting at T-Mobile Park isn't helping him if he ends up back in Seattle. Unless he slips significantly on draft day, he may be someone to pass on, especially with the Giants' Matt Chapman going about 60 picks later. - as of Sun, 21 Dec 2025 19:00:45
Paul Blackburn Returning to the Yankees in 2026: Free-agent right-hander Paul Blackburn and the New York Yankees have agreed to a one-year deal worth $2 million, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. After being released by the Mets last year, Blackburn signed with the Yankees and made eight appearances, posting a 5.28 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 15 1/3 innings. Over the past two seasons, the 32-year-old has dealt with injuries to various parts of his body, including his shoulder, knee, spine, and hand. Blackburn hasn't posted an ERA below 4.28 since his rookie season in 2017. For the Bronx Bombers, he will most likely serve as just another bullpen arm and currently holds no fantasy relevance. - as of Sun, 21 Dec 2025 10:43:29