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New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (elbow) is coming off an excellent 2025 season in which he posted a .267/.346/.466 slash line with 31 home runs, 86 RBI, 117 runs scored, and 31 stolen bases across 732 plate appearances. The 32-year-old underwent offseason elbow surgery, but he's expected to be fully ready to go once 2026 Spring Training gets underway. Lindor should plug in as the everyday leadoff hitter at the top of a new-look Mets lineup. New York lost star first baseman Pete Alonso to the Baltimore Orioles in free agency, which could hurt the team's offense. However, the Mets pivoted by signing infielders Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco, as well as trading for outfielder Luis Robert Jr. Of course, New York also retains outfielder Juan Soto, who drove in 105 RBI in his first season with the Mets in 2025. All in all, Lindor should be in a position to record his fourth consecutive season of at least 100 runs scored as long as he remains healthy. He remains an elite fantasy shortstop option heading into 2026.

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After struggling through much of his rookie season in 2024, Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday provided much more stable production throughout 2025. Across 649 plate appearances, Holliday slashed .242/.314/.375 with 17 home runs, 55 RBI, 70 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. While those numbers don't exactly leap off the page, Holliday is still just 22 years old and showed real signs of improvement at the plate, cutting his strikeout rate from 33.2% in 2024 to 21.6% in 2025. Entering 2026, Holliday should see everyday playing time at second base and could be locked in at the top of a Baltimore lineup that looks much improved after adding superstar first baseman Pete Alonso in free agency. With another offseason to get stronger and work on his game, Holliday profiles as a possible breakout candidate for fantasy managers in 2026.

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San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill was one of the stars of the 2024 MLB season, winning a Silver Slugger award and finishing ninth in the National League MVP vote as a rookie. However, the 22-year-old battled through injuries and underperformance in a disappointing 2025 sophomore campaign. Across 483 plate appearances overall, Merrill posted a .264/.317/.457 with 16 home runs, 67 RBI, 59 runs scored, and one stolen base. His strikeout rate rose from 17% in 2024 to 22.5% in 2025, and his slugging percentage dipped from .500 to .457. Entering 2026, Merrill should be back to full strength and could be in line for a bounce-back campaign. In addition to a potential rebound at the plate, improved lower-body health could help Merrill push closer to the 16 stolen bases he logged as a rookie. RotoBaller currently ranks Merrill as the number 16 outfielder in traditional rotisserie scoring fantasy formats.

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After spending the first seven years of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, infielder Bo Bichette will suit up in 2026 for the New York Mets. The soon-to-be 28-year-old inked a three-year $126 million contract with New York that will see him move from shortstop to third base. Bichette had an excellent year with Toronto in 2025, posting a .311/.357/.483 slash line with 18 home runs, 94 RBI, 78 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 628 plate appearances. While Bichette had a strong lineup around him with the Blue Jays, there's an argument to be made that he's in a better position to rack up counting stats with the Mets. Bichette will likely hit at the top of the lineup alongside outfielder Juan Soto and shortstop Francisco Lindor, both of whom topped 200 combined runs and RBI in 2025. If there's a reason for concern with Bichette, it may be the adjustment period that could come with learning a new position. However, he will gain multi-position eligibility early in the season, which only boosts his 2026 fantasy value.

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Boston Red Sox second baseman Kristian Campbell got off to a strong start to the 2025 season, earning a starting role in Spring Training and signing an eight-year extension in April. However, the 23-year-old faded over the course of the season and spent the last three-plus months of the year in Triple-A. Across 263 MLB plate appearances overall, Campbell posted a .223/.319/.345 slash line with six home runs, 21 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases. As things currently stand, the Red Sox project to enter 2026 Spring Training with opportunities for playing time at both second and third base. As such, Campbell could be competing for a job with infielders Marcelo Mayer and Romy Gonzalez, as well as utility men Nate Eaton and Nick Sogard. Boston may also be looking to move Campbell to the outfield, although the team's outfield depth chart is significantly more crowded. Campbell's progress in Spring Training will be a storyline for fantasy managers to monitor closely.

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Cleveland Guardians All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez signed a restructured seven-year, $175 million contract extension on Saturday that will carry him through the 2032 season, according to Hector Gomez. In April of 2022, Ramirez and the Guardians agreed to a five-year, $124 million extension. Ramirez has been one of the best all-around players in baseball, dating back to the 2017 season. The 33-year-old Dominican switch-hitter can do it all, and he's hit .279/.353/.504 with an .857 OPS, 285 homers, 949 RBI, and 287 stolen bases in 13 big-league seasons. Not only does he contribute in all categories for fantasy managers, but he's been durable, playing in 150-plus games in each of the last five seasons. J-Ram has 30-plus homers and 100-plus RBI in three of the last five years despite playing in Cleveland. He's a top-five overall fantasy selection heading into spring drafts.

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Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes may have to earn a starting role during spring training, given the current state of the team's infield. During his first stint with the Astros last season, Isaac Paredes logged 89 of his 102 games at the hot corner, with the other 13 coming as the designated hitter. However, after Paredes suffered a significant hamstring injury in July, the Astros opted to acquire Carlos Correa ahead of the trade deadline to bolster their infield. With Correa slated to play third base, Paredes will have to compete for the first base job alongside Christian Walker. He would also see time as a DH when Yordan Alvarez is moved back to left field. Paredes has also been linked in several trade discussions, including the Boston Red Sox, which could open up a full-time role. However, in his current situation, managers should expect him to potentially see limited at-bats, which will hinder his early-season upside.

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New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice is expected to play "a lot "against left-handed pitching, according to Greg Joyce of The New York Post. Last season, Rice was typically held out against left-handed pitchers, with the Yankees instead deploying Paul Goldschmidt at first base, who performed well against southpaws. However, with Goldschmidt off the roster, Rice appears not only poised to be the primary first baseman but also to be penciled into the starting lineup on a daily basis. During the 2025 campaign, Rice flashed elite upside, posting a .255/.337/.499 line with 26 home runs and three stolen bases. Under the hood, Rice generated an elite .394 xwOBA, .283 xBA, and a .557 xSLG, suggesting he could be primed for an even more productive 2026 season. Given that he is projected to earn nearly full-time at-bats, Rice should be viewed as a high-end caliber starting first baseman in all formats.

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According to Evan Pezold of The Detroit Free Press, the Tigers have shown interest in free agent right-handed pitcher Nick Martinez. Additionally, the Tigers have also shown interest in other proven options on the open market, such as Jose Quintana and Chris Bassitt. The Tigers are likely looking to add one more stable option to the back of their rotation ahead of spring training. Martinez spent the entire 2025 campaign with the Reds and was deployed as both a starter and a reliever. Through 165 2/3 innings, Martinez held a 4.45 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP. He struck out only 116 batters but generated a 4.04 xERA, suggesting he could see some minor positive regression during the upcoming season. If Martinez were to agree to terms with the Tigers, he would likely bounce between the rotation and a long-relief role, making him only worth targeting in deeper 15-team/AL-only leagues.

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St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitcher Matthew Liberatore wants to be the team's Opening Day starter and hopes to "force their hand" in any way during spring training. Jim Hayes of the FanDuel Sports Network reported that the southpaw has added a new pitch that he plans to unveil during camp. After spending most of 2024 in the bullpen, Liberatore was able to log a career-high 151 2/3 innings with the Cardinals last season, operating as a full-time starter. During this stretch, Liberatore posted a 4.21 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP. He struck out 122 hitters but showed high-end command, allowing walks at a low 6.2% rate. Under the hood, he generated a modest 4.90 xERA, suggesting he could take a step back in the upcoming season. Liberatore figures to compete alongside Michael McGreevy, Dustin May, and Richard Fitts for the Opening Day nod.

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Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect Justin Crawford has earned an invite to spring training. Crawford is currently considered the team's No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline and is the No. 54 overall prospect in the entire sport. Last season, the 17th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft spent his entire season with Lehigh Valley. Through 112 contests with the Iron Pigs, the outfielder posted a .334/.411/.452 line with an .863 OPS. During this stretch, Crawford hit 23 doubles, added seven home runs, and swiped an impressive 46 bags. In 2024, Crawford held a similar .313/.360/.444 line with 25 doubles, nine home runs, and 42 stolen bases across 110 games, placed between High-A and Double-A. Managers should expect Crawford to compete for the starting center field role in camp. If he does earn the job, he will carry sleeper appeal in category leagues given his elite contact skills and speed.

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Philadelphia Phillies infield prospect Aidan Miller earned an invite to spring training. Miller is considered one of the top shortstop prospects in the sport on MLB.com and is viewed as the team's No. 2 overall prospect. The 21-year-old joined Philadelphia in the opening round (27th overall) of the 2023 MLB Draft. The infielder began the 2025 campaign with Double-A Reading, where he held a .259/.382/.427 line with an .809 OPS. Miller hit 25 doubles, 13 home runs, and stole 52 bases. He then finished the season with a brief eight-game stint at Triple-A, where Miller posted a strong .333/.514/.519 line with one home run and an impressive seven stolen bases. Given that Miller has only had a brief stint in Triple-A, he will likely begin the 2026 season there. However, if he has a successful spring training, he may contend for an early 2026 MLB debut.

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New York Yankees relief pitcher Kaleb Ort has been designated for assignment by the organization on Friday. Ort was claimed by the Bronx Bombers earlier this month from the Houston Astros. He'll now be placed on waivers to open up a roster spot for outfielder Michael Siani. Last season, Ort posted a 4.89 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and a 49/27 K/BB ratio across 49 games with the Astros. Over the course of his five-year career, Ort has a 5.00 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP across 118 big league games. The 29-year-old could land with another organization as a depth option in Spring Training.

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Minnesota Twins catcher Jhonny Pereda has been designated for assignment by the organization on Friday. Pereda was the odd man out after the Twins signed catcher Victor Caratini this week. They needed to make room on the 40-man roster, so Pereda will be placed on waivers. Last season, Pereda slashed .246/.325/.333 with four RBI across 28 games with the Athletics and Twins. The 29-year-old put together strong numbers during his time in Triple-A last season. It wouldn't be shocking to see a team give him a chance this spring. He'll likely serve as a depth option wherever he lands, which won't result in much fantasy value.

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Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (shoulder) wasn't 100 percent healthy during the 2025 campaign. According to Matt Weyrich, Henderson was playing through a shoulder impingement and inflammation last season. This injury could be part of the reason why Henderson's stats regressed last season. His slash line took a hit; most notably, his OPS went from .893 in 2024 to .787 last season. Henderson saw his home run numbers go from 37 during the 2024 campaign to 17 long balls last season. The good news is that Henderson is now fully healthy heading into Spring Training. Fantasy managers should expect a bounce-back campaign from Henderson in 2026.

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Baltimore Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad (fatigue) will be a full participant during Spring Training, according to O's manager Craig Albernaz. Kjerstad didn't play after late July last season due to fatigue issues. He later underwent treatment for an undisclosed medical condition, but appears to be fully healthy now. The 26-year-old slashed .192/.240/.327 with four home runs, 19 RBI, and one steal in 54 games with the Orioles last season. The former first-round pick hasn't quite put it all together at the MLB level yet. He doesn't exactly have a clear path to consistent playing time in Baltimore to begin the season. Kjestad still has promising potential, so he's someone to keep an eye on during camp.

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The New York Mets have traded right-handed pitcher Cooper Criswell to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. Criswell was designated for assignment by the Mets following the trade for Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers. Criswell was the odd man out in New York, but should compete for a 26-man roster spot in camp with Seattle. Last season, Criswell posted a 3.57 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and a 9/5 K/BB ratio across seven appearances with the Boston Red Sox. Criswell registered a 4.08 ERA in 26 games (18 starts) with Boston during the 2024 campaign. This is a low-risk move for the Mariners, who could get a decent swingman in Criswell.

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The New York Yankees claimed outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, according to the Yankees PR department. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated right-hander Kaleb Ort for assignment. Siani, 26, only appeared in 19 games at the big-league level in 2025 with the St. Louis Cardinals, going 4-for-17 (.235) with four runs, two walks, and seven strikeouts. He's not much to look at as a hitter, as he's slashed .221/.277/.270 with a .547 OPS, two home runs, 20 RBI, 48 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases in 160 MLB games since debuting in 2022 with the Cincinnati Reds. The Yankees will take a flier on the glove-first Siani for outfield depth, and he'll be battling for a spot on the Opening Day roster in spring training. Speed and defense are what stand out about Siani.

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Free-agent right-hander Aaron Sanchez won the Dominican Winter League's Pitcher of the Year award and is attracting interest from MLB teams, league sources told Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. In his eight starts over 46 1/3 innings in the Dominican league, Sanchez had a shiny 1.55 ERA. The 33-year-old veteran sat out last season and hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022. Sanchez came up as a top prospect and is best known for his time with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was an All-Star in 2016, when he went 15-2 with a 3.00 ERA. Injuries (mostly blister issues) got the best of him from 2017 to 2022, though, and he had a bloated 5.29 ERA in that span. At Triple-A Buffalo in 2024, Sanchez was even worse with a 7.92 ERA in 61 1/3 innings. His impressive work this winter came in a small sample size, but it could be enough to give him another shot on an MLB roster in 2026.

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New York Mets outfield prospect Carson Benge is already in Port St. Lucie, Fla., at the team's spring training complex after spending some time during the offseason hitting with the Holliday family at Oklahoma State, according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Benge is the Mets' top position-player prospect, and the Mets never seriously considered moving him in trade conversations for right-hander Freddy Peralta, according to league sources. The 23-year-old was the 19th overall pick in 2024 out of Oklahoma State, and the Mets clearly think highly of him. President of baseball operations David Stearns has expressed interest in allowing Benge to crack the Opening Day roster out of spring training. Benge slashed .281/.385/.472 with 15 homers and 22 steals at three minor-league levels in 2025. He has a chance to start in center field, but even if he doesn't, Benge could be a left-handed platoon option in a corner-outfield spot.

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