Fantasy Baseball from Prospect361.com | MLB Fantasy & Prospect Advice

Tim interviews Rich about the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants prospects.

Segment 1 – News and Notes
1.    The Dodgers made a splash by signing Kyle Tucker to the largest AAV in history – 4 years and $240 million with opt-outs after 2027 and 2028.8.
a.    A lot of people are upset about the dominance of the Dodgers.  “They are ruining baseball!”  What say you?
b.    Were you surprised that Tucker signed a shorter deal but for more money?
c.    The odd thing is that he’s not even the best player on the team, maybe not even the top 3 players on the team.
d.    I don’t see any playing time loss for anyone with the exception of a potential delay in the arrival of Josue DePaula or Zyhir Hope.  Do you see anything?
2.    The Mets were spurned by Tucker and pivoted to Bo Bichette, signing him to a massive three-year, $126 million deal with a unique opt-out clause.  He can opt out after each year, and if he does, the Mets have to pay him a $5 million bonus. 
a.    $42 million a year for Bichette?  Thoughts on the signing?
b.    He’ll likely play third base.  Who sits out of Baty or Vientos?
c.    Also, I think Jett Williams needs to learn the outfield, plus, with the Mets not getting Tucker, Benge is still safe – for now.  Thoughts?
3.    A small but interesting, three-way trade was pulled off by the Angles, Rays and Reds.  The Rays sent Josh Lowe to the Angels and Gavin Lux to the Rays, with the Reds acting as the intermediary. The Angels shipped RHP Chris Clark to Tampa Bay and LHP Brock Burke to Cincinnati.
a.    Who’s value goes up more?  Lowe, Lux, or neither?
b.    Does this open a chance for Jacob Melton in Tampa?
c.    Will Lux ever be more than an afterthought?
Segment 2 – Third Base Rankings for the 2026 Season
1.    How are you approaching this position for your upcoming drafts?
2.    We will break down the top 15 to 20 in detail.  Then, go through 20 to 30 in less detail.  We will end by jumping around the remaining ranked players.
3.    Which player not in the Top 10 has a chance to emerge there next season?
4.    Which Top 10 player will not be there next season?
5.    Give me a couple of sleepers
6.    Give me one, maybe two guys you are just going to avoid drafting?

Tim interviews Rich about the D-Backs and Rockies prospects

Fantasy Baseball Live – January 11, 2026 – 3:00pm
Microsoft Teams
Podcast
Sunday, January 11, 2026
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
https://teams.live.com/meet/9360960458392?p=wO31KjtHU9wOTPVZVJ

Segment 1 – News and Notes
1.The Cubs trade for Edward Cabrera, sending OF Owen Caissie, SS/2B Christian Hernandez, and 2B/3B Edgardo De Leon
a.I wrote a long note to our Patreon members after the trade was finalized, so I won’t reiterate my views. But, what is your take?
i.Does Eddie Cabrera go up or down in your rankings or stay the same?
ii.I’m assuming Caissie goes up, as he should get a chance to play. What’s your take?

2.The Cubs also make news, signing Alex Bregman to a long 5-year deal. This one has a lot of ramifications, as it was reported that the Red Sox really wanted to re-sign him.
a.What happens to Matt Shaw? It’s been widely reported, and I’ve heard from my contact that the Cubs are not happy with Shaw. I’ve heard he’s difficult to work with, and the Cubs were not happy when he took a day off in September to attend the Charlie Kirk memorial.
b.Who plays third for the Red Sox? Do they double down on signing Bo Bichette or go with some combination of Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell
3.The Rockies acquire Jake McCarthy on Saturday for RHP Josh Grosz
a.I know it’s the Rockies, but does McCarthy get a jump in value? RosterResource lists him as the starting right fielder.
b.It’s a bit of a bummer for Dynasty League owners waiting for Zac Veen and Sterlin Thompason to get a shot. It could even gum up the works for Cole Carrigg. Your thoughts?
c.I saw Josh Grosz pitch with the Yankees last season in High-A. Fastball sat 93 to 94 MPH and was pretty flat with average secondaries. He does get a new lease with the Diamondbacks, but he’s not someone I’d be running out to grab in Dynasty Leagues.

4.My draft has slowed to a crawl. I’ll share some of my mid-round picks.

Segment 2 – Shortstop Rankings for the 2026 Season
1.How are you approaching this position for your upcoming drafts?
2.We will break down the top 15 to 20 in detail. Then, go through 20 to 30 in less detail. We will end by jumping around the remaining ranked players.
3.Which player not in the Top 10 has a chance to emerge there next season?
4.Which Top 10 player will not be there next season?
5.Give me a couple of sleepers
6.Give me one, maybe two guys you are just going to avoid drafting?

The following players are discussed:
1. Leo De Vries (SS)
2. Gage Jump (LHP)
3. Tommy White (3B)
4. Jamie Arnold (LHP)
5. Wei-En Lin (LHP)
6. Devin Taylor (OF)
7. Henry Bolte (OF)
8. Junior Perez (OF)
9. Henry Baez (RHP)
10. Daniel Susac (C)

Fantasy Baseball Live – January 4, 2026 – 3:00pm
Microsoft Teams
Segment 1 – Introduction and News and Notes – It was Asian Week
1.The Astros sign to a three-year, $54 million contract with an opt-out after each season.
a.Please tell us about him and give us a stat line for 2026 – GS, wins, ERA, Ks
2.The Blue Jays sign Kazuma Okamato to a four-year, $60 contract – no opt outs.
a.I can’t remember, was this the player you liked better than Murakami?
b.Let us about him.
3.The Angels sign Kirby Yates.
a.Who is the closer in Los Angeles and does Yates have a chance for some saves?
4.Mercifully, Anthony Rendon retired from baseball.
a.He was paid $245 million and had 224 hits in 257 games for the Angels. Just wow!

Segment 2 – Let’s review my first few rounds of my NFBC Draft and Hold Draft.

Segment 3 – Second Base Ranking for 2026 Season
1.How are you approaching this position for your upcoming drafts?
2.We will break down the top 15 to 20 in detail. Then, go through 20 to 30 in less detail. We will end by jumping around the remaining ranked players.
3.Which player not in the Top 10 has a chance to emerge there next season?
4.Which Top 10 player will not be there next season?
5.Give me a couple of sleepers
6.Give me one, maybe two guys you are just going to avoid drafting?

Close

The following players are discussed:

1. Bryce Eldridge (1B)
2. Josuar Gonzalez (SS)
3. Jhonny Level (SS)
4. Gavin Klien (2B)
5. Luis De La Torre (LHP)
6. Bo Davidson (OF)
7. Carson Whisenhunt (LHP)
8. Joe Whitman (LHP)
9. Dakota Jordan (OF)
10. Blade Tidwell (RHP)

Tim interviews Rich on the prospects of the Yankees, Rays and Blue Jays

Segment 1 – Fantasy Questions of the NL West – Diamondbacks and Rockies

Arizona Diamondbacks
1.Geraldo Perdomo broke out in a big way in 2025 with 20 home runs, 27 stolen bases, and a .290 batting average. The data suggests being wary of repeats in power and speed. What do you say?
2.Jordan Lawlar – AB, HR, SB, and BA
3.Are the Diamondbacks going to go to war with Alek Thomas in center field and Blaze Alexander in left field? If so, do you have any interest in either?
4.I’ve got Brandon Pfaadt wrong, as I thought he would be more than a 5.25 ERA pitcher. Any hope, or should I just move on?
5.How many waiver wire articles will Kevin Ginkle make this year? – Over/Under - 2
6.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)

Colorado Rockies
1.Brenton Doyle – HR, SB, and BA for 2026
a.He’s going as the 37th outfielder off the board. We will look around to see if it’s too high or too low.
2.Kyle Karros (574), Zac Veen (494) and Adael Amador (590).
a.According to RosterResource, they all will start the year with a job. Order them in how you would draft them. Do you have any real interest in any of them?
3.Victor Vodnik has the Closer gig, I think. Uhh…you interested?
4.How many wins do the Rockies get in 2026 – they were 43-119 in 2025
5.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)

Segment 2 – News and Notes
1.The Athletics trade for Jeff McNeil, with the Mets receiving Yordan Rodriguez.
a.a. The Mets pay 5.75 million of McNeil’s contract, and it appears he will slot in at second base. Any interest? Would you have rather seen Darrel Hernaiz get some at-bats?
b.b. Yordan Rodriguez is a young 17-year-old RHP with a fastball that can touch the mid-90s.
2.The Marlins sign Pete Fairbanks
a.The Marlins needed a closer and signed Fairbanks. I guess they think they can compete. What say you?
3.The Pirates sign Ryan O’Hearn
a.The Pirates are continuing to get better, maybe marginally, but this feels like what the Royals did two years ago when they signed several mid-level Major Leaguers and did ok. Your thoughts?

The following players are discussed:

1. Ethan Salas (C)
2. Kruz Schoolcraft (LHP)
3. Kash Mayfield (LHP)
4. Ty Harvey (C)
5. Jorge Quintana (SS)
6. Tucker Musgrove (RHP)
7. Bradgley Rodriguez (RHP)
8. Miguel Mendez (RHP)
9. Tirso Ornelas (OF)
10. Victor Lizarraga (RHP)