MLB Player News

Heyman says the deal is worth $8.5 million, which is pretty stunning. The Orioles wanted to upgrade from free agent James McCann as their backup catcher, particularly since Adley Rutschman has been so much more productive as a DH than he has been while behind the plate. Rutschman will still do the bulk of the catching, of course, but Sánchez will add some more offense and can hold down the fort as a starting catcher if Rutschman ever goes down.

Basallo’s ability to generate consistent hard contact at such a young age locks him in as one of the premier fantasy prospects heading into next season. The 21-year-old scuffled in his first taste of the majors last season, managing a .559 OPS with four homers over a 31-game cameo, but the underlying power profile remained firmly intact. Pete Alonso’s arrival clouds the playing-time picture by pushing Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo into reserve roles, though Basallo — who signed an eight-year, $67 million contract last August — still appears to have a path to regular at-bats splitting time between catcher and DH. He’s in intriguing high-upside late-round selection in all fantasy drafts this spring.

Hays represents an interesting dice roll for the rebuilding White Sox since they should be able to flip him to a contending team for a prospect package at the trade deadline. The 30-year-old veteran drew interest from the Mets, Yankees and Cardinals this offseason but will take over as one of Chicago’s corner outfield options in the aftermath of the Luis Robert Jr. trade earlier this month. He posted a respectable .266/.315/.453 slash line with 15 homers and seven steals across 103 games for the Reds last season. He projects as a borderline top-60 outfielder for fantasy purposes, which limits his appeal to deeper formats as a low-ceiling, late-round selection in drafts this spring.

The cosmic ideal of a modern-era journeyman reliever, Bowman has quietly bounced between five organizations — Orioles, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Twins and Yankees — over 48 appearances since 2023, compiling a perfectly serviceable 5.10 FIP and 45/21 K/BB ratio across 59 1/3 innings during that span. He’ll compete for one of the final spots in Minnesota’s bullpen during spring training.

Hopkins boasts one of the more imposing power arsenals of any pitching prospect in baseball, featuring triple-digit fastball velocity paired with a curveball and changeup that frequently touch 90 mph. The 24-year-old flamethrower has a chance to reach Tampa Bay at some point this upcoming season following a dominant run at Double-A Montgomery last year where he finished with a pristine 2.72 ERA — 3.33 FIP — and 141/60 K/BB ratio across 116 innings. He’s an elite pitching prospect that fantasy managers should be monitoring closely during Grapefruit League action.

Emerson made a notable leap in the power department last season, slugging 16 homers across 130 games at three levels before finishing the year just a step from the majors at Triple-A Tacoma. The 20-year-old’s above-average hit tool and power/speed blend cements him as a top-20 dynasty prospect entering spring training, and he’s widely viewed as Seattle’s shortstop of the future with a big-league debut likely sooner rather than later.

Lindor won’t be able to play after undergoing a cleanup procedure in his right elbow during the offseason. The 32-year-old is expected to be ready for spring training, but one of the best shortstops in the league won’t be on display for the event. Jose Altuve also won’t participate for Team Venezuela due to insurance issues.

Altuve was deemed ineligible because the criteria for WBC insurance coverage was not met. A statement from the MLBPA on Altuve’s behalf stated that the 35-year-old is “is obviously disappointed in this result, but he is looking forward to getting to spring training and preparing himself for a successful season.”

Moore doesn’t get a guaranteed deal, which isn’t a surprise considering how much he struggled for most of 2025 with Seattle. The 33-year-old is a competent defender at multiple positions, however, and his ability to hit lefties and steal bases gives him a good chance of making the Philadelphia roster.

Moore, 33, has been one of the more verstatile players in baseball over the past few seasons with the ability to play essentially everywhere but catcher and pitcher. He’s also shown the ability to mash left-handed pitching, and it’s likely that is the role he’ll be tasked with in Philadelphia.

Pasquantino had filed for $4.5 million while the Royals countered with $4 million, but the two sides were able to work out a multi-year deal. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the deal could reach $16 million with incentives. The 28-year-old hit 32 homers, drove in 113 runs while forging a .798 OPS in 2025, and he should again hit in the middle of the Kansas City lineup in 2026. Keep in mind that the Royals are moving their fences in, so the power numbers could be even better this summer.