MLB

Ardaya adds that the Dodgers are targeting a high-leverage reliever on the free-agent market this offseason. He also notes that Los Angeles was in the mix to acquire Williams last winter before the Brewers dealt him to the Yankees. The 31-year-old endured a rough season in New York, losing his grip on the closer role and finishing with just 18 saves and a career-worst 4.79 ERA across 62 innings. His fantasy stock would soar if he lands in Los Angeles, where he’d immediately step into the ninth-inning role for the two-time defending World Series champions.

Vogt received 17 first-place votes to edge John Schneider, who got 10 first-place votes to finish second. Dan Wilson came away with a pair of first-place votes and Alex Cora also received one to finish third and fourth, respectively. The 41-year-old skipper, who helped guide the Guardians to an improbable late-season comeback to wrestle the AL Central division crown from Detroit this past season, earns the honor for the second straight season, joining Bobby Cox, Kevin Cash and Pat Murphy as the only repeat winners since 1983. He’s gone 180-143 (.557) in two seasons at the helm in Cleveland.

Murphy received 27 of 30 first-place votes, with Terry Francona and Rob Thomson collecting the remaining three to finish second and third, respectively. The Brewers’ skipper earns the honor for the second straight year after guiding Milwaukee to an impressive 97-win campaign. He’s gone 190-134 (.586) during his two seasons at the helm. He’s just the third manager to take home the honor in back-to-back seasons since 1983, joining Bobby Cox and Kevin Cash.

Hazen’s remarks at the annual general manager’s meetings directly contradict reporting earlier this week by USA TODAY’S Bob Nightengale that suggested the club is motivated to move Marte this offseason. The 32-year-old was an All-Star and Silver Slugger at second base this past season when he posted an .893 OPS with 28 homers in 126 games. He remains an early-round selection in all fantasy drafts heading into next season.

It’s an extremely encouraging update after Schwellenbach landed on the injured list in early July with a fractured right elbow and didn’t return before season’s end. The dynamic 25-year-old righty holds a sparkling 3.23 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 235/41 K/BB ratio across 234 1/3 innings (38 starts) over the past two seasons. He’ll head into next spring as a top-20 fantasy starter.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Edman is expected to be ready around the start of spring training. The versatile 30-year-old dealt with recurring ankle issues throughout last season that led to a pair of injured list stints and kept him out of center field during the postseason. Fantasy managers will hope the offseason procedure finally puts the lingering problem to rest and jump-starts a rebound in the stolen base department next year.

Benge enjoyed a meteoric rise this past season, emerging as one of the premier prospects in the fantasy landscape after slashing .281/.385/.462 with 15 homers and 22 steals over 116 games across three levels in New York’s system. The 22-year-old outfielder’s blend of power, speed, and advanced plate discipline makes him a potential X-factor for fantasy managers heading into spring training. He’ll likely get a legitimate chance to break camp as the Mets’ starting center fielder — assuming the front office doesn’t land marquee free agent Kyle Tucker this offseason.

The Mariners lacked rotation depth beyond their big five last season, and addressing that should be an in the plans for this winter. Dobnak, who debuted with the Twins in 2019 but has barely pitched in the majors the last four years, doesn’t really qualify as a quality fallback at this point — he had a 5.84 ERA in Triple-A last season — but maybe Seattle sees something for him to work on.

There was some hope that Black, who was DFA’d Thursday, would turn into a mid-rotation starter a couple of years back, but he went just 1-5 with a 6.47 ERA in eight starts and two relief appearances with the Giants the last two seasons, and his formerly impressive minor league strikeout rates have really fallen off (29% in 2022, 30% in 2023, 24% in 2024, 21% in 2025). He has an option left and the Royals have ample starting pitching depth, so Black figures to open 2026 back in Triple-A.

A little something back for a pitcher they had DFA’d. Martin, a 2023 12th-round pick, had a 3.45 ERA and a 78/36 K/BB over 91 1/3 innings in 22 starts for high-A Quad Cities last season. The 24-year-old is currently pitching in the AFL, where he has a 9.82 ERA and a 6/8 K/BB in 11 innings.