Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays: The Baltimore Orioles acquired right-hander Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for four prospects, outfielders Slater de Brun and Austin Overn, right-hander Michael Forret, catcher Caden Bodine, plus a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick (No. 33 overall), sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Baz, 26, is an electric young arm that just hasn't been able to take the next step in his career. Last year for the Rays, Baz posted a 4.87 ERA (3.85 xERA) with a 15.8 K-BB% and a 1.33 WHIP across a career-high 166 1/3 innings. On the bright side, he was able to pitch nearly the entire season for the first time in his career. The 6-foot-3 hurler joins Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, and Tyler Wells in the revamped O's rotation. Fantasy managers should welcome the change of scenery for Baz, even if Camden Yards isn't as pitcher-friendly as Tropicana Field. - as of Fri, 19 Dec 2025 18:26:43
Royals Acquire Matt Strahm From Phillies: The Kansas City Royals traded right-hander Jonathan Bowlan to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for left-hander Matt Strahm. Strahm returns to Kansas City, the organization that originally drafted him in 2012. The 34-year-old has spent the last three seasons in Philly, posting a 2.71 ERA with 257 strikeouts across 212 2/3 innings. In Kansas City, Strahm projects as a high-leverage lefty and should be most valuable in leagues that count holds as a statistic. Bowlan, 29, is coming off his first full season in the majors. Last year, the 29-year-old pitched to a 3.86 ERA and a 25.6% strikeout rate across 44 1/3 innings. At this point, it's unclear whether Bowlan will make the major league roster out of spring training. Overall, the move is widely viewed as a salary dump by the Phillies, as Strahm is set to earn $7.5 million next season while Bowlan remains pre-arbitration eligible. - as of Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:13:43
Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal: The San Diego Padres re-signed right-hander Michael King on a three-year, $75 million deal on Thursday night, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The deal includes a $12 million signing bonus, and then salaries of $5 million next year, a $28 million player option in 2027 ($5 million buyout), and a $30 million player option in 2028 (no buyout). It will either be worth $22 million for one year, $45 million for two seasons, or $75 million for three years. The 26-year-old was excellent in his first year in SD, sporting a 2.95 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with a career-high 201 strikeouts in 30 regular-season starts (173 2/3 frames). However, right-shoulder and knee injuries limited him to just 15 starts in 2025. King demonstrated in 2024 that he has the stuff to be a high-end fantasy starter in a good spot in SD, but that was also his only full season in the big leagues. It makes him a high-risk, high-reward pitching target in fantasy in 2026. - as of Thu, 18 Dec 2025 23:45:10
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