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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
The Seattle Mariners have acquired infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team trade that also involved the Rays. The Cardinals received three prospects and a draft pick in return. Donovan, who the Mariners had been pursuing all season, is expected to bolster their roster with his versatility.
Free agent first baseman Carlos Santana has officially agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, sources close to ESPN confirmed. The veteran slugger will join the Diamondbacks roster, providing an experienced bat and defensive presence for the upcoming season. This move solidifies a key position for the team as they prepare for spring training, adding depth and power to their lineup and addressing their needs at first base.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have designated infielder Andy Ibáñez for assignment on Tuesday. This roster move comes as the team claimed outfielder Mike Siani off waivers from the Yankees, necessitating a 40-man roster spot. Ibáñez, who previously played for the Detroit Tigers, will now be subject to waivers or outright release, impacting his immediate future in the organization. The transaction reflects the Dodgers' ongoing roster adjustments as they fine-tune their lineup for the upcoming season.
All-Star infielder Isaac Paredes has agreed to a $9.35 million, one-year contract with the Houston Astros, successfully avoiding a salary arbitration hearing. This agreement comes amidst reports that Red Sox fans were still hoping for a trade involving Paredes, even with other infield options off the board. The deal solidifies his position with the Astros for the upcoming season.
Starting pitcher Kyle Bradish defeated the Orioles in the first salary arbitration decision this year. He will earn $3.55 million next season following the ruling. This marks a significant win for Bradish in his arbitration hearing against the club, setting his salary for the upcoming season.
Miguel Rojas is set to conclude his 13-year MLB career after the 2026 season, transitioning into a front office role with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Known for his dependable play, Rojas was a regular shortstop for the Marlins for five years, then a reserve for the Dodgers. He is famously remembered for his game-tying home run in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, a highlight of his 57-homer career.
Cody Bellinger has re-signed with the New York Yankees on a five-year, $162.5 million contract, including a $20 million signing bonus and opt-outs after the second or third season. His 2025 season was highly productive, hitting .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI in 152 games. Bellinger also showcased elite defense, with 12 Defensive Runs Saved and 6 Outs Above Average, and a career-low strikeout rate. He will return to his starting outfield position, providing a significant boost to the Yankees' lineup and defense.
All-Star infielder Brendan Donovan has been traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Seattle Mariners in a three-team deal also involving the Tampa Bay Rays. The move clears the path for top prospect JJ Wetherholt at second base for the Cardinals. The Mariners sent prospects Jurrangelo Cijntje and Tai Peete to the Cardinals, and Ben Williamson to the Rays. This trade significantly boosts the Mariners' projection by +2.1 fWAR, solidifying their status as American League favorites.
Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers are set for a salary arbitration hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 4, to determine the southpaw's 2026 salary. The back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner, a free agent after 2026, is seeking a record $32 million, while the Tigers are offering $19 million. This figure could surpass Juan Soto's $31 million arbitration salary from 2024. The Tigers, known as a 'trial and file' team, will proceed with the full arbitration process as the sides couldn't agree on a figure by the deadline.
Pitcher Dane Dunning, after a tumultuous 2025 season that saw him take a 20% pay cut to $2.66 million with the Rangers, get DFA'd, outrighted, and bounce between AAA and MLB (5 G, 10.2 IP, 3.38 ERA), was traded to Atlanta for Jose Ruiz and cash. He continued to struggle with Atlanta (13 runs in 10 IP) before being waived. He recently signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners, hoping to regain the form that made him the Rangers' Pitcher of the Year in 2023.
Nick Kurtz has quickly risen to superstar status in fantasy baseball, already topping many draft lists as the #1 first baseman for the 2026 season, despite not yet completing a full MLB season. His arrival is seen as a significant boost to the first base position, which otherwise lacks depth, establishing him as a highly sought-after proactive pick.
Despite struggling in his first MLB seasons, hitting .208 with a .632 OPS last year and a high ground ball rate, Dylan Crews (24 this month) is projected for a 2026 breakout. The former #2 overall pick and LSU legend (.426/.567/.713 in final college year) is expected to hit .255 with a .750 OPS next season, with potential for .270ish/.820ish OPS and All-Star defense, aided by the Nationals' revamped coaching staff.
The Mets signed left-handed side-armer Joe Jacques to a minor league deal this winter, aiming for him to be a ground ball specialist out of the bullpen. Despite not pitching in the majors in 2025 and bouncing between organizations (Red Sox, Diamondbacks, Mariners, Dodgers), Jacques demonstrated a 64.0% ground ball rate in 26.2 IP in 2023. He still has a minor league option, offering potential depth for the Mets' bullpen.
Colorado Rockies' #18 prospect, right-hander McCade Brown, is set to compete for a 2026 big league rotation spot after a healthy and productive 2025. The 25-year-old, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023, showcased three above-average pitches, posting a 2.47 ERA across High-A and Double-A. He made 7 late-season MLB starts, including a 10-strikeout game, and is now ranked as a 45 FV pitcher by FanGraphs.
Left-handed reliever Kolby Allard has rejoined the Cleveland Guardians, signing a minor league deal that includes an invite to Spring Training. Allard previously provided "yeoman's work" for the Guardians in a swing role out of the bullpen last season, and his return adds depth to their pitching staff.
Sonny Gray was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals this winter, a key transaction in the team's extensive rebuild spearheaded by Chaim Bloom. This offseason has seen the Cardinals make several high-profile moves, including trading away Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Brendan Donovan, as they reshape their roster for the upcoming season.
Nolan Arenado was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals this winter, a significant move within the team's ongoing rebuild under Chaim Bloom. This winter's roster adjustments have also included the trades of Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Brendan Donovan, indicating a comprehensive overhaul of the Cardinals' lineup and pitching staff.
Willson Contreras was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals this winter, a move that is part of a significant roster rebuild orchestrated by Chaim Bloom. The Cardinals' winter overhaul has also seen the departures of key players such as Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and most recently, Brendan Donovan, signaling a new direction for the team.
Freddy Fermin has solidified his position as the San Diego Padres' starting catcher for the 2026 season. Acquired in a surprising trade deadline move, Fermin quickly stabilized the team's catching situation. Having honed his skills behind future Hall of Famer Salvador Perez with the Kansas City Royals, he now enters the season as the clear starter, with Luis Campusano vying for the backup role.
Joe Musgrove is preparing for his anticipated return to the San Diego Padres' rotation for the 2026 season, having missed all of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. His health and availability are deemed critical for the team's postseason hopes, with Musgrove expressing his eagerness to pitch consistently throughout the season and into October.
