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Free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso and the Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a five-year, $155 million deal on Wednesday, sources tell ESPN's Jeff Passan. Alonso is leaving the Mets to join the American League East. The 31-year-old right-handed slugger was greeted by a cold market last offseason and eventually re-signed with the Mets for two years and $54 million. Alonso opted out of the final year of the deal after 2025, though, and now he's on the move. The Polar Bear had a career-high .272 batting average in 2025 in his final year with the Mets and added 38 home runs, a league-high 41 doubles, 126 RBI, and 87 runs scored in 162 games played. Alonso isn't the best defensive first baseman, but he makes up for it by being an elite slugger at the plate. He has cleared 30-plus home runs in all six of his full seasons and has topped 40 homers three times. Alonso gives the Orioles some much-needed thump in the middle of their batting order.

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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter Anthony Santander (back, shoulder) is "finally feeling normal" after back and shoulder injuries limited him to 54 games in his first year with the team in 2025, according to manager John Schneider. Santander was a first-time All-Star in 2024 with the Orioles and had a career-high 44 home runs and 102 RBI before the Jays made him a high-profile free-agent signing last offseason. He was a massive bust in his first year in Canada, slashing .175/.271/.294 with only six home runs, 18 RBI, a 27.6% strikeout rate, and 16 runs in 221 plate appearances in the regular season. The 31-year-old battled a subluxated shoulder and a nagging lower-back injury. Most fantasy managers are going to be avoiding Santander in 2026, so he'll be very cheap, but he'll be losing outfield eligibility. If he can stay healthy, which is a big if, Santander could have a good shot to return to the 30-homer mark.

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The Detroit Tigers and right-handed closer Kyle Finnegan agreed to a two-year, $19 million contract on Tuesday night, pending a physical, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. Finnegan will return to Motown after the Tigers acquired him at last summer's trade deadline from the Washington Nationals. The 34-year-old veteran was outstanding in his 16 relief appearances for Detroit, allowing just three earned runs while walking four and striking out 23 in 18 regular-season innings. He also recorded four saves while sharing closing duties with right-hander Will Vest. Finnegan wasn't nearly as dominant with the Nats before the trade, posting a 4.38 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 20 saves in 39 innings. He was third in the league in 2024 with a career-high 38 saves in D.C. Finnegan returns to an ascending Tigers club, but a fourth straight 20-save season is far from a lock.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates and left-handed reliever Gregory Soto have agreed to a one-year, $7.75 million deal, sources tell Jorge Castillo of ESPN. Soto, 30, posted a 4.18 ERA (3.49 SIERA) with a 25.1% strikeout rate across 60 1/3 innings in 2025. For the Pirates, Soto is expected to serve as a high-leverage reliever and could see opportunities in the closer role, depending on matchups. From a fantasy perspective, Soto will be most valuable in leagues that count holds as a category.

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The Boston Red Sox would be comfortable with Marcelo Mayer as their starting third baseman on Opening Day. The 22-year-old endured a rough rookie season, slashing .228/.272/.402 with four home runs, 10 RBI, 20 runs, and no steals while posting an 80 wRC+. He also struck out at a 30.1% clip across 136 plate appearances. His year ended early after a wrist injury that required surgery in August. Looking ahead to 2026, a fully healthy Mayer projects for roughly 15 home runs, 10 steals, and a .250 batting average. At present, he profiles as a viable middle-infield option in deep 12- or 15-team fantasy leagues.

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The price for free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso has "likely" risen in light of Kyle Schwarber's five-year, $150 million contract, per Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com. Alonso is now expected to seek a six- or seven-year deal, though it's unclear whether the Boston Red Sox would commit to a contract that would carry him through his age-36 or age-37 season. The 31-year-old slugger bet on himself last year by taking a one-year deal with the Mets, and that decision appears poised to pay off. In 2025, Alonso launched 38 home runs and slashed .272/.347/.524 with a 141 wRC+ across a career-high 709 plate appearances. For fantasy managers, Alonso remains one of the safest sources of home runs in the league, and he's played all 162 games in each of the last two seasons.

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The Boston Red Sox are no longer pursuing free-agent shortstop Bo Bichette unless his market changes, according to Julian McWilliams of CBS Sports. The 27-year-old is projected to command a five-year, $130 million contract this offseason. In 2025, he slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs, 84 RBI, 78 runs, four stolen bases, and a 134 wRC+ across 628 plate appearances. He also posted a .294 xBA while striking out 14.5% of the time. Bichette is widely regarded as one of the best pure hitters in baseball, and wherever he lands, he is likely to occupy the top of the batting order. From a fantasy perspective, he's an excellent asset to boost your team's batting average while still hitting close to 20 home runs.

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There is mutual interest in a potential extension for Jakob Marsee and the Miami Marlins, but no formal offer has been made, according to Isaac Azout from Fish On First. The 24-year-old burst onto the scene last year, slashing .292/.363/.478 with five home runs, 33 RBI, 28 runs, 14 stolen bases, and a 133 wRC+ in 234 plate appearances. The young outfielder also showed good plate discipline, posting a 9.4 BB% to a 20.5 K%. For 2026, the speedy lefty is expected to steal between 30-40 bases while putting up 10-15 home runs at the top of Miami's batting order. At his current 152 ADP, he is a safe bet for steals with enough on-base skills and emerging pop to return profit even without a major breakout.

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The Miami Marlins and Eury Perez are reportedly getting closer to agreeing on a five or six-year extension, according to Craig Mish of the SportsGrid. Earlier this spring, the Marlins opened contract-extension talks with Prez, but the two sides were initially about $15 million apart. That gap now appears to be resolved. The 22-year-old flashed legitimate upside in the majors last season, posting a 4.25 ERA (3.80 SIERA) and a 27.3% strikeout rate across 95 innings. Durability and command have been his main shortcomings, but he reached a career-high 118 innings last year while lowering his walk rate. Looking ahead to 2026, Prez has the ceiling of a fantasy ace, and he won't cost you a top-75 pick.

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The Miami Marlins are in discussions with the Baltimore Orioles about a possible trade involving right-hander Edward Cabrera, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. The 27-year-old remains under club control for three more years and is projected to earn $3.7 million in arbitration for 2026. After dealing Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels, the Orioles are seeking another high-end starter to pair with left-hander Trevor Rogers and right-hander Kyle Bradish. In 2025, Cabrera delivered a strong campaign, posting a 3.53 ERA (3.72 SIERA) with a career-high 17.6 K-BB% across 137 innings. For fantasy, a move out of the pitching-friendly LoanDepot Park could be offset by the potential to win more games in Baltimore.

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The Boston Red Sox have a stronger chance than the Toronto Blue Jays to acquire Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, largely because Boston has more MLB-ready starting pitching. The 32-year-old is owed $102.5 million over the next six seasons and is coming off a year where he slashed .283/.376/.517 with 28 home runs and a 145 wRC+. The Red Sox could center a deal around one or both of Payton Tolle and Connelly Early. Tolle impressed in the minors last season, posting a 3.04 ERA, 133 strikeouts, 23 walks, and a 0.99 WHIP across 91 2/3 innings. After a late-summer call-up, he struggled in the majors, recording a 6.06 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP over 16 1/3 innings, but the underlying talent remains evident. Early produced even stronger results. Across AA and AAA, he delivered a 2.60 ERA, 132 strikeouts, and a 1.11 WHIP in 100 1/3 innings. In his brief major-league stint, he was dominant, pitching to a 2.33 ERA with a 36.7% strikeout rate while effectively limiting hard contact. Adding Marte would represent a significant upgrade over Boston's current second baseman, Ceddanne Rafaela, who is better utilized in a super-utility or outfield role.

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The Kansas City Royals' starting pitchers Noah Cameron, Ryan Bergert, and Stephen Kolek are drawing interest from several teams, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The St. Louis Cardinals have specifically checked in on Cameron, who posted a 2.99 ERA (4.33 SIERA) with a 12.8 K-BB% across 138 1/3 innings last season. While Rogers did not specify which clubs are eyeing Bergert and Kolek, it's reasonable to assume that neither pitcher would fetch a significant return. In 2025, Bergert recorded a 3.66 ERA (4.62 SIERA) with an 11.8 K-BB% over 76 1/3 innings, while Kolek logged a 3.51 ERA (4.39 SIERA) with a 10.0 K-BB% across 112 2/3 innings.

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The Detroit Tigers are interested in signing free-agent reliever Kenley Jansen, according to Ari Alexander. According to sources, the Los Angeles Angels have checked in on Jansen for a potential reunion. Right-hander Will Vest is currently the favorite for saves in Detroit as things currently stand, but the Tigers are also interested in bringing Kyle Finnegan back, so it seems likely that Vest will be in a co-closer situation for the start of 2026. The 38-year-old Jansen had a pretty solid season in his first season with the Angels in 2025, going 5-4 with a 2.59 ERA (3.98 FIP), 0.95 WHIP, 29 saves, 57 strikeouts, and 19 walks in 59 relief innings. Fantasy managers can't really expect Jansen to be much better than he was in 2025, though, after a 59.1% fly-ball rate and a career-low 24.4% strikeout rate. Jansen should still receive save chances somewhere in 2026, but it might be in more of a committee role, which is what he'd be in if he lands in Motown.

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Free-agent right-hander Michael King appears to be the New York Mets' top rotation target this offseason, a source confirmed to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. King recently held a Zoom meeting with the Mets. President of baseball operations David Stearns is hesitant to sign a starting pitcher to a long-term deal of five or more years, according to sources, which could take them out of the market for other top starters this year, such as Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, and Tatsuya Imai. The 30-year-old King was excellent in his first year with the San Diego Padres in 2024, posting a 2.95 ERA in 173 2/3 innings, but injuries limited him to only 15 starts in 2025. King doesn't have the same reliable track record as other starters on the market, which is why he may not require a deal of at least five years. One talent evaluator said that King "may be the most talented starter on the market." For fantasy baseball managers, King will be a pretty big risk/reward in 2026.

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The Los Angeles Angels are acquiring infielder Vaughn Grissom from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Isaiah Jackson, sources told Chris Cotillo of Mass Live. The Red Sox acquired Grissom in the trade that sent left-hander Chris Sale to the Braves. The 24-year-old middle infielder was expected to eventually become Boston's primary second baseman, but that never happened. Grissom spent all of the 2025 campaign toiling at Triple-A Worcester after hitting .190/.246/.219 with no home runs in 31 games at the big-league level in 2024. He is out of minor-league options at this point. The former 11th-round pick by Atlanta in 2019 will have a chance to carve out a spot at either second or third base in Anaheim in spring training. Grissom has dabbled in left field, but most of his experience comes at the keystone.

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Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that he's open to moving outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. back to the leadoff spot next season, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The vast majority of Acuna's big-league plate appearances have come in the leadoff spot for Atlanta. This year's National League Comeback Player of the Year has hit .294/.387/.535 with a .921 OPS in 3,091 plate appearances in the No. 1 spot in the batting order in Atlanta. The 27-year-old former MVP was limited to 412 plate appearances in 2025 while recovering from the second torn ACL of his career, and he also missed some time late in the year with a calf injury. Acuna was his usual outstanding self when he was on the field, slashing .290/.417/.518 with 21 home runs, but he stole just nine bases. When healthy, Acuna remains one of the top all-around players in the game, but he has played 100 games in a season just twice in the last five years. A move back to leadoff would be ideal for his fantasy upside.

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The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that the Houston Astros have spoken to the Pittsburgh Pirates about right-hander Mike Burrows. However, those talks have cooled since the Pirates acquired outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia from the Boston Red Sox recently. Houston is seeking controllable young starting pitchers and could offer center fielder Jake Meyers in return. Burrows, 26, is coming off his second major-league season with the Pirates in 2025. In 96 innings pitched, he went 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA (4.00 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 97 strikeouts and 31 walks in 23 appearances (19 starts). He mostly features a fastball, changeup, and a slider, with all three pitches getting plenty of swings and misses. Burrows has been overshadowed in Pittsburgh by all their talented young arms, but he could become an intriguing flier in fantasy leagues in 2026 if he's moved to the Astros and joins their starting rotation.

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The Boston Red Sox really want to bring veteran third baseman Alex Bregman back after a strong first season in Boston in 2025. However, they are also pricing every available option in case Bregman goes elsewhere, which includes a potential trade for Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The BoSox could still trade for Paredes and play him at first base if Bregman re-signs. Paredes is projected to earn $9.3 million in 2026 and is under club control for two more years. The price for the 26-year-old is likely to be steep, though, with Houston looking for controllable starting pitchers. The Astros are interested in young lefties Payton Tolle and Connelly Early. If Paredes is dealt, the Astros could shift Carlos Correa to the hot corner. Paredes was limited to 102 games with a hamstring injury in 2025, but his fly-ball tendencies as a right-handed hitter could play very nicely at Fenway Park. In limited time, he still managed 20 homers in his first year in Houston.

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The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal writes that a trade of Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte might take time for teams to warm to Arizona's asking price, which one rival executive described as a "superstar-type return." Marte is owed a reasonable $102.5 million over the next six seasons, with $41 million deferred and the payouts not starting until 10 years after the money is earned. Any interested team would need to be comfortable with Marte's clubhouse fit and the acquisition cost. Rosenthal adds that the D-backs might need the market to play out for "clubs to become more desperate." The Boston Red Sox are among the teams interested in the switch-hitter, with three unidentified teams also in the mix. Arizona is seeking young pitching, and trading Marte would allow them to clear payroll and inject talent. After the 10th day of the 2026 season, Marte will gain full no-trade protection, so if he's dealt, it will most likely be before the start of next season.

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. is being linked to the San Diego Padres by Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Meanwhile, the White Sox are being linked to right-hander Dustin May, reliever Pete Fairbanks, and hitters Mike Tauchman, Ryan O'Hearn, and Jake Meyers. This offseason could finally be the time that the White Sox trade Robert after picking up his $20 million option for the 2026 season in early November. The 28-year-old Cuban has elite physical skills both on offense and defense, but staying healthy has been an issue. Robert was unable to play more than 98 games in his first three years in the majors, and he's only played over 100 games in two of his six seasons. He has slashed just .223/.288/.372 while dealing with injuries the last two years, but his 38-homer, 20-steal season in 2023 continues to tempt teams. A trade to SD might only be possible if the Friars do the unthinkable and send Fernando Tatis Jr. packing.

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