Ryne Stanek, Cardinals Agree to a Deal: Free-agent right-handed reliever Ryne Stanek and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed on an undisclosed major-league contract on Friday, sources familiar with the deal told Robert Murray of FanSided.com. It's a worthwhile low-risk investment for a Cardinals team looking to rebuild its bullpen. The 34-year-old Stanek struggled in 2025 with the New York Mets, posting a bloated 5.30 ERA (4.40 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, three saves, 58 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 56 innings out of the bullpen. The nine-year veteran only has 14 career saves in 458 1/3 career innings, so he probably won't be a closing option to begin the year, especially because of his struggles last year with the Mets. However, St. Louis' closing situation is still up for grabs among Riley O'Brien and JoJo Romero, so Stanek could be involved if he bounces back and proves himself in his new digs. At the very least, Stanek could be worth a league in deeper holds leagues. - as of Fri, 09 Jan 2026 21:41:23
Victor Caratini Could be an Option for Phillies: Free agent catcher Victor Caratini could be an option for the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Ken Rosenthal and Matt Gelb of The Athletic. The Phillies are currently in discussions to re-sign long-time backup J.T. Realmuto, but if they are unable to reach an agreement, they could look to sign Caratini. Last season, Caratini appeared in 114 games for the Houston Astros and posted a .259/.324/.404 line with 14 doubles, 12 home runs, and one stolen base. Under the hood, he placed in the 59th percentile in xwOBA and xBA. Rosenthal and Gelb noted that if Caratini were to sign with the Phillies, he would likely operate in a timeshare with Rafael Marchan, which would likely limit both of their fantasy values. Caratini projects to be a serviceable low-end C2 in two-catcher leagues in 2026. - as of Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:46:20
Andy Ibanez Agrees on One-Year Deal With Dodgers: Free-agent infielder Andy Ibanez agreed to terms on an undisclosed one-year big-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday that is pending a physical, a source told ESPN insider Kiley McDaniel. The 32-year-old Ibanez became a free agent when he was non-tendered by the Detroit Tigers in November. The 32-year-old Cuban right-handed hitter spent the last three years with the Tigers and hit a combined .251/.304/.392 with a .696 OPS, 20 home runs, 94 RBI, 96 runs scored, and seven steals in 304 regular-season games. Ibanez hit .239 (42-for-176) in 91 regular-season games in 2025, adding four home runs, 21 RBI, 24 runs, and a career-high four stolen bases. Because he's out of minor-league options, he's a good bet to make L.A.'s Opening Day roster as infield depth off the bench. As a light-hitting utility infielder, Ibanez should be ignored in all mixed fantasy leagues in 2026. - as of Fri, 09 Jan 2026 17:48:29
Max Kepler Receives 80-Game PED Suspension: Free-agent outfielder Max Kepler has received an 80-game suspension related to a performance-enhancing drug, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Major League Baseball said that Kepler tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Epitrenbolone. This is obviously a major hit for the 32-year-old's fantasy stock going into the 2026 season, but also for his prospects of signing with a new team moving forward. Kepler spent the 2025 campaign with the Philadelphia Phillies, slashing .216/.300/.391 with a .691 OPS, 18 home runs, 52 RBI, 58 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 127 games played. It was the seventh time in his 10 seasons that he produced a wRC+ under 100. Kepler isn't aging well defensively, and his bat might be even worse. At best, if he lands a contract with another MLB team, he'll be competing for a platoon role in a corner-infield or DH spot against righties. - as of Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:29:28
Mets Remain in Mix for Kyle Tucker: The New York Mets are taking "a very serious look" at top free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Multiple teams are vying for Tucker's services, though only a handful of teams can realistically afford a big-money deal for the star outfielder. The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers also remain strong contenders to sign Tucker, but the Mets are "very, very much in the mix." According to executives around the league, the 28-year-old isn't expected to reach a contract worth $400 million, though he is likely to blow past the $300 million mark if he inks a long-term deal. The former Houston Astros outfielder turned in another great season with the Cubs in 2025, despite a lingering calf strain down the stretch, finishing with a slash line of .266/.377/.464 with 22 homers and 25 stolen bases over 597 plate appearances. Tucker remains one of the highest-floor options in fantasy baseball and will be a strong early-round selection in drafts this spring, regardless of where he lands. - as of Fri, 09 Jan 2026 13:33:45
Ketel Marte Will Remain With Diamondbacks: Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte will remain with the team despite being floated in many trade discussions this offseason, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports. A deal surrounding the star second baseman was described as a long shot, and now Marte will officially stay in Arizona for at least another season. The 32-year-old put up another impressive campaign in 2025, slashing .283/.376/.517 (145 wRC+) with 28 homers, 72 RBI, and four stolen bases over 556 plate appearances and 126 games. Marte is one of only five players with at least 85 home runs to go with a .280 batting average or better over the last three seasons combined, along with Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Jose Ramirez, and Bobby Witt Jr. He remains a top-tier fantasy option at second base heading into the 2026 season. - as of Fri, 09 Jan 2026 13:17:36
Mason Miller Avoids Arbitration With Padres: Right-handed reliever Mason Miller and the San Diego Padres avoided salary arbitration and settled on a one-year, $4 million deal on Thursday, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. This is Miller's first year of arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old flamethrowing closer began the 2025 season with the Athletics before being traded to the San Diego Padres in July. Miller had a combined 2.63 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 10 holds, 22 saves in 26 chances, 104 strikeouts, and 28 walks in his 61 2/3 innings during the regular season. There was talk of the Padres moving Miller to the starting rotation in 2026, but the team has pumped the brakes on that for now, and he's expected to be SD's primary closer next season. Since becoming a full-time reliever, Miller has been one of the most dominant bullpen arms in the game with a 43.1% strikeout rate the last two years. As a full-time closer for the Padres in 2026, he should be one of the first closers off the board in fantasy drafts this spring. - as of Fri, 09 Jan 2026 12:35:50
Cionel Perez Viewed as Option for Red Sox Bullpen: Free agent reliever Cionel Perez is viewed as a potential option for the Boston Red Sox bullpen, according to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live. The Red Sox are looking to add another left-handed pitcher to their bullpen as Justin Wilson is considering retirement. They have also been linked to Danny Coulombe and Tim Mayza. Perez has spent his last four MLB seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. In 2025, Perez struggled, posting an 8.31 ERA and a 2.12 WHIP across 21 2/3 innings. However, during his first three seasons as an Oriole, the left-hander was far more effective, posting a 3.12 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. During this three-year stretch, he tallied 58 holds but was rarely used as a pure closer, earning just six saves. If he agrees to terms with the Red Sox, Perez could earn some high-leverage opportunities that put him on the fantasy radar in deeper holds leagues. - as of Fri, 09 Jan 2026 07:47:22