Eric KarabellJan 29, 2026, 12:33 PM ETCloseEric Karabell is a senior writer for fantasy baseball, football and basketball at ESPN. Eric is a charter member of FSWA Hall of Fame and author of “The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments”.Follow on XMultiple Authors
Jan. 29: Texas Rangers OF Evan Carter hopeful of stealing 30 bases
Jan. 29: Seattle Mariners RHP Bryce Miller adds weight this offseason
Jan. 29: Colorado Rockies acquire Edouard Julien from Minnesota Twins
Jan. 29: St. Louis Cardinals OF Lars Nootbaar likely to start season on IL
Jan. 22: Atlanta Braves SS Ha-Seong Kim undergoes finger surgery
Jan. 22: Texas Rangers 1B/3B Jake Burger is fully recovered from wrist surgery
Jan. 15: Arizona Diamondbacks with new plan for Jordan Lawlar
Jan. 15: San Diego Padres announce no innings cap for RHP Joe Musgrove
Jan. 8: Brice Matthews to extend his versatility to outfield
It’s January and the fantasy baseball offseason is, pardon the pun, in full swing. Right now, most sports fans are devoting the majority of their attention to the NFL, NBA and NHL, where the games (both real and fantasy) take center stage — and understandably so.
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Fantasy managers must sift through the myriad spring individual player goals, as most of them amount to little. However, this one is intriguing, because the speedy Carter, 23, has been an effective base stealer during his three abbreviated MLB seasons, stealing 19 bases in 21 chances. The problem is that Carter has appeared in only 131 big league games, batting 457 times, as injuries continue to hold him back.
Attempting to steal more bases may seem counterintuitive to a player’s need to stay healthy, but Carter should be the starting center fielder for the Rangers, and those in roto/categories formats covet five-tool options with power and speed. Carter showed better plate discipline in 2025, too. A healthy, determined Carter may be a sleeper 30/30 threat.
Fantasy impact: Some news, as Carter must prove he can stay on the field. We admire the positivity and motivation to run more, though.
Fantasy managers enjoyed Miller’s work in 2024, when he won 12 out of 31 starts with a 2.94 ERA, an 0.98 WHIP and fanned nearly a batter per inning. It made Miller popular in 2025 drafts. He will not be as popular in 2026 drafts, after he posted a 5.68 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP in 18 ragged starts, as he battled elbow issues.
Miller claims his elbow is sound, and he reached 98 mph during offseason workouts. Plus, the fact he gained 12 pounds during the winter months is a positive sign. Seattle lists Miller at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, so perhaps both team and player agreed that more weight would only aid the hurler as he aims to bounce back this season.
Fantasy impact: Mostly noise, as myriad players will add weight and only some will share this — and Miller’s problem was his elbow. Still, this is an obvious sleeper who has proved himself when healthy.
Julien is out of minor league options, so he will likely make the Rockies and potentially earn a spot near the top of the lineup versus right-handed pitching. Julien plays both first and second base, and those positions appear to be open for those who perform well in spring training.
Fantasy impact: Some news. Any hitter who gets to play 50% of their games in the altitude of Coors Field piques our interest, especially one willing to draw walks.
The Cardinals could turn to any number of young options to replace Nootbaar, including Thomas Saggese, Nathan Church, Jose Fermin and perhaps even enticing power prospect Joshua Baez. While Opening Day still remains a possibility for Nootbaar, never underestimate the chances of a longer-term absence, too.
Fantasy impact: News for deeper formats, as Nootbaar is an established option — but he’s not a coveted one if we know he is missing time.
The Braves can turn to some combination of Mauricio Dubon and Jorge Mateo to fill in. Though Dubon is more likely to see opportunity, Mateo boasts value in roto formats as a base stealer. He stole 67 bases across the 2022-23 seasons, and 15 bases last season in only 43 games and 83 plate appearances for the Baltimore Orioles. He is a career .221 hitter, though.
Fantasy impact: News for deeper formats, but Kim was not worth drafting in ESPN standard leagues. If he produces, he might become a midseason streamer.
Arizona’s acquisition of future Hall of Fame 3B Nolan Arenado might seem to bury longtime infield prospect Lawlar, but fantasy managers should not run away. It might feel like a year ago, when the Diamondbacks signed SS Geraldo Perdomo to a long-term contract, despite Perdomo’s middling production, pushing Lawlar off shortstop. Then Perdomo delivered a monster season, and he was arguably a fantasy MVP, considering draft-day investment. Perhaps Arenado bounces back, too.
The Diamondbacks intend to use Lawlar, 23, in the outfield, where there is opportunity alongside star Corbin Carroll. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. underachieved in his 546 plate appearances as the regular left fielder. He might miss at least the first half of the season recovering from an ACL tear in his knee. Jake McCarthy was traded to the Colorado Rockies. Alek Thomas produced a .659 OPS. Lawlar hit .313/.403/.564 at Triple-A Reno. Ignore his big-league numbers in brief playing time. Lawlar will have an opportunity to star.
Musgrove has certainly been a relevant fantasy option for much of his career, especially over four seasons with the Padres (3.20 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 9.4 K/9). He missed the 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery late in 2024, but the good news is that the organization expects him to be fully ready for spring training — and there will be no limitations on his volume this season. Musgrove has reached 181 innings twice with the Padres, though that last happened in 2022. Perhaps we cannot rely on him for 30 starts, but there is definite sleeper potential here.
The Astros seem set in the infield with veterans Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena and Carlos Correa at second base, shortstop and third base, and we saw how poorly Altuve’s attempt to play left field went. The outfield is far from settled, unless the Astros aren’t done adding this offseason. Matthews played some center field for the Space Cowboys at Triple-A and, with his raw power and electric speed, he would become an instant deep-league fantasy sleeper if the Astros could use him there this season. Watch this story in spring training. Matthews might not be recognized as one of baseball’s top prospects, but opportunity is everything. He might well earn his.
Eric KarabellJan 29, 2026, 12:33 PM ETCloseEric Karabell is a senior writer for fantasy baseball, football and basketball at ESPN. Eric is a charter member of FSWA Hall of Fame and author of “The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments”.Follow on XMultiple Authors
CloseEric Karabell is a senior writer for fantasy baseball, football and basketball at ESPN. Eric is a charter member of FSWA Hall of Fame and author of “The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments”.Follow on X
Jan. 13: Kansas City Royals move their outfield fences in!
Read on and find out whether these breaking developments are truly news or if they’re just noise.
Fantasy impact: News. We know what Burger is, and it was relevant prior to last season.
Fantasy impact: Potential news, if he can stay healthy.
Fantasy impact: Consider this information for drafting and keeper purposes, but do not overrate it.
Fantasy impact: Potentially relevant news, if he gets the chance
Fantasy impact: News. Lawlar is going to break out.