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Eric Karabell
Multiple Authors
The fantasy baseball season has returned, with many former fans and eager managers curious about what they missed during the long, chilly winter months.
A lot has transpired since the conclusion of the 2025 regular-season games! With spring training here, it’s a perfect time to highlight the major baseball stories since your last fantasy titles were claimed. Let’s dive in!
though the Dodgers did not achieve the highest number of regular-season wins in 2025 (that title belonged to the Milwaukee Brewers!), they were crowned the champions after the playoffs. The powerful Toronto Blue Jays entered Game 6 of the World Series seeking to dethrone the defending champions and had multiple opportunities to secure an incredible Game 7 victory; however, the Dodgers triumphed, becoming the first team to win back-to-back championships since the 2000 New York Yankees.
Baseball enthusiasts may have been taken aback by the manner of the victory — many still struggle to believe it — but it was never in doubt which team would ultimately lift the trophy. The Dodgers featured NL MVP Shohei Ohtani alongside several future Hall of Famers, with rejuvenated starting pitchers performing exceptionally in relief and an enormous payroll dwarfing the rest of the league’s envious contingent.
RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named World Series MVP for winning three games, including a strong six-inning performance as a starter in Game 6 and a thrilling eight-out effort to seal the Game 7 finale. He threw 34 pitches just a day after hurling 96. In Game 7, the Dodgers rallied from a 3-0 deficit, scoring single runs in the eighth and ninth innings, showcasing stellar defense, and taking the lead on a Will Smith home run off Shane Bieber in the 11th inning. Yamamoto escaped a challenging situation when Blue Jays C Alejandro Kirk ended the series by grounding into a double play.
… and then they dominated free agency again
The Dodgers collectively posted a .203/.294/.364 batting line during the World Series — a clear indicator that the team required additional offensive power. Few predicted that star free agent OF Kyle Tucker would end up with the champions, as his talent attracted interest from numerous teams, including the Blue Jays. finally, Tucker opted for a shorter-term contract with opt-outs, allowing him to don Dodgers blue. The baseball world sighed in disbelief as the wealthy got wealthier. Tucker is also a prime fantasy baseball asset and should thrive in a star-studded lineup alongside Ohtani, SS Mookie Betts, 1B Freddie Freeman, and Smith.
The Dodgers’ bullpen was in need of enhancement, which led them to acquire former New York Mets RHP Edwin Diaz, who has 253 career saves, ranking fourth among active pitchers. A healthy Diaz should become the first Dodger since Kenley Jansen’s 38 saves in 2021 to surpass 25 saves. LHP Tanner Scott, a significant signing last offseason who had a tough year, is expected to be one of the top setup options.
Meanwhile, other teams also made waves in free agency
The Dodgers weren’t the only ones making moves! The Mets, having lost Diaz and backed by substantial financial resources, strengthened their bullpen by acquiring veterans Devin Williams and Luke Weaver from the Yankees. They also enhanced their lineup by picking up former Blue Jays SS Bo Bichette (projected to play 3B), Texas Rangers 2B Marcus Semien, Chicago White Sox OF Luis Robert Jr., and Seattle Mariners IF Jorge Polanco (to replace 1B Pete Alonso, who is now with the Baltimore Orioles). and, they traded several prospects to the Brewers for ace RHP Freddy Peralta.
Other notable moves included the Chicago Cubs signing former Boston Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman, former Houston Astros ace LHP Framber Valdez joining the Detroit Tigers, and the Red Sox committing significant finances to former Philadelphia Phillies LHP Ranger Suarez. plus, the Blue Jays welcomed RHP Dylan Cease into their rotation. Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber and Yankees OF Cody Bellinger opted to stay with their respective teams.
Free agency also attracted international talent. Japanese sluggers Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto joined the White Sox and Blue Jays, respectively, while RHP Tatsuya Imai filled Valdez’s spot in the Astros’ rotation. Former Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Cody Ponce, after a successful stint in Korea, signed a three-year deal with the Blue Jays, while the Tigers added journeyman Drew Anderson, who is also back from Korea.
It is always trading season
The Mets also made waves through trades, acquiring Semien (for OF Brandon Nimmo) and Peralta (for several prospects). The busy and retooling St. Louis Cardinals made several notable swaps, with the Red Sox landing 1B Willson Contreras and RHP Sonny Gray from the Cardinals in separate trades, while the Arizona Diamondbacks obtained future Hall of Fame 3B Nolan Arenado and the Mariners added 2B Brendan Donovan. The Rangers traded prospects to the Washington Nationals for LHP MacKenzie Gore. The Tampa Bay Rays traded away unrelated hitters with the surname Lowe: IF Brandon Lowe went to the Pirates, and OF Josh Lowe is now with the Los Angeles Angels.
Ballpark changes and movements
The Rays, after an awkward season playing at the Yankees’ minor league facility, Steinbrenner Field, have returned to their renovated home at Tropicana Field, which was repaired following hurricane damage. This return should balance hitting and pitching statistics while relieving concerns over excessive heat and rain.
Meanwhile, after the Orioles adjusted Camden Yards’ fences for hitters last season, the Kansas City Royals have made their own adjustments at Kauffman Stadium. The outfield walls are now up to 10 feet closer to home plate and at least a foot shorter. These modifications should boost offensive production and benefit SS Bobby Witt Jr., 1B Vinnie Pasquantino, and C/1B Salvador Perez, among others. (The Athletics, however, continue to reside in their minor league park in Sacramento.)
Young shortstop prospects are in high demand
Baseball fans and fantasy managers often get particularly excited about promising young talents joining the league. This season, the spotlight is on shortstops, with Konnor Griffin (Pirates), Kevin McGonigle (Tigers), and JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals) all poised to debut and start for their MLB teams on Opening Day. Colt Emerson (Mariners), Sebastian Walcott (Rangers), and Leo De Vries (Athletics) are also on the horizon.
Griffin, coming off an impressive 2025 where he batted .333 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases in his 19-year-old season, has drawn comparisons to a young Alex Rodriguez. The Pirates have made several veteran acquisitions this offseason, but their most significant decision might be giving Griffin opportunities to shine right out of spring training.
Don’t overlook the emerging pitchers, as they are also favorites for the Rookie of the Year awards. Mets RHP Nolan McLean had a 2.08 ERA over eight starts for the big club last season and remains a rookie. Blue Jays RHP Trey Yesavage performed outstandingly for the AL champions in October and has earned a rotation spot. Other pitchers to monitor include Bubba Chandler (Pirates), Andrew Painter (Phillies), and Red Sox LHPs Connelly Early and Payton Tolle.
It’s tough to say farewell
Clayton Kershaw notched 223 victories for the Dodgers over 18 seasons, earning an MVP award, three NL Cy Young awards, and two World Series championships, although he hasn’t been a particularly valuable fantasy player in recent years. The Hall of Fame awaits his eligibility in five years. Other players who were once fantasy stars have also retired from MLB after the 2025 season, including former Rays 3B Evan Longoria, Yankees/Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo, and Yankees/Phillies RP David Robertson.
On the road to recovery
Phillies RHP Zack Wheeler and Yankees RHP Gerrit Cole are among many pitchers currently rehabbing from injuries, with neither expected to begin the season on the active roster. Wheeler, who was in the running for the NL Cy Young Award before being sidelined in August, is recovering from venous thoracic outlet surgery on his pitching shoulder. Cole underwent Tommy John surgery, aided by an internal brace, last March and did not play in 2025. Yankees LHP Carlos Rodon (elbow), Dodgers LHP Blake Snell (shoulder), and Cubs LHP Justin Steele (elbow) are also likely to miss the start of the season.
Similar to Cole, many fantasy-relevant pitchers did not record statistics in 2025 but are expected to contribute this season. This includes Angels RHP Grayson Rodriguez (elbow; acquired from Baltimore), Dodgers RHP Gavin Stone (shoulder), Pirates RHP Jared Jones (elbow), and San Diego Padres RHP Joe Musgrove (elbow).
On the hitting side, Yankees SS Anthony Volpe (shoulder) is likely to begin the season on the injured list, while Red Sox 1B Triston Casas is recovering from a significant knee injury. Diamondbacks OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) could miss at least half the season due to ACL surgery, while Atlanta Braves SS Ha-Seong Kim (finger) underwent surgery in January to repair a torn tendon after slipping on ice, potentially sidelining him for several months.
plus, Diamondbacks OF Corbin Carroll, Mets SS Francisco Lindor, and Orioles 2B Jackson Holliday will each undergo hamate bone surgery in February, jeopardizing their availability for Opening Day. These players are crucial for fantasy leagues, with Carroll expected to go in Round 1 in early ESPN ADP, Lindor in Round 2, and Holliday in Round 13. For now, adjust their rankings somewhat, but do not drop them drastically.
Already lost
For those in redraft leagues, avoid Orioles RHP Felix Bautista (shoulder), as he may miss most, if not all, of the upcoming season recovering from surgery. The Orioles have signed RHP Ryan Helsley, likely securing closing duties. Padres RHP Yu Darvish (elbow), Mariners RHP Logan Evans (elbow), and Miami Marlins RHP Ronny Henriquez (elbow) are all out for the season. besides, as a recurring update, we can also overlook former Angels/Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon (hip), who did not play in 2025 and last had a season with 250 at-bats in 2019. While he hasn’t officially retired, it’s unlikely he will play again.
New leaders in charge
Among the nine new managers in baseball, former players Skip Schumaker (Rangers), Kurt Suzuki (Angels), Craig Stammen (Padres), and Walt Weiss (Braves) stand out. They join Craig Albernaz (Orioles), Derek Shelton (Twins), Blake Butera (Nationals), Warren Schaeffer (Rockies), and Tony Vitello (Giants) in leading teams across the league. Vitello’s appointment in San Francisco is particularly intriguing, as he transitions directly from managing at the University of Tennessee, a rare leap from collegiate ranks to MLB leadership.
Baseball in early … and late March!
The last World Baseball Classic was in 2023, where the remarkable Ohtani struck out his Angels teammate, Mike Trout, in the ninth inning, securing Japan’s victory. Japan holds three WBC titles, while the United States and Dominican Republic each have one. For this iteration, Yankees OF Aaron Judge, Royals SS Bobby Witt Jr., and Mariners C Cal Raleigh are notable hitters for the USA roster. On the pitching side, Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal and Pirates RHP Paul Skenes lead the staff. The tournament kicks off on Tuesday, March 3, during early spring training, so expect limited workloads for pitchers.
The regular MLB season is set to begin on Wednesday, March 25, with the Giants hosting the Yankees in the only game that day, available for viewing on Netflix. The champion Dodgers are among 22 teams that will start their season the following day, hosting the Diamondbacks, while the remaining teams will take the field on Friday, March 27. Play ball!
