While 2026 fantasy baseball drafts are still months away, the process of building rankings list is heavily affected by the offseason action. The first month of the offseason offered some clarity on closer\/high-leverage arms for several teams, plus new power hitters in new places.<\/p>\n
Support for the Rangers<\/p>\n
I suppose the best place to start is the Brandon Nimmo<\/a>\/Marcus Semien<\/a> trade that went down just before U.S. Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n Semien, as we noted when the trade happened<\/a>, had a tough 2025 campaign. But his rough season had a ripple effect on the rest of Texas\u2019 lineup, including on Corey Seager<\/a>.<\/p>\n Last year, Seager drove in only 50 runs, easily the fewest in a campaign where the Rangers shortstop played at least 100 games. Driving in runs isn\u2019t exactly the easiest thing in the world when there are no runners on base. And as far as last season went, Seager \u2014 who spent 2025 batting in either the two or three-hole \u2014 had fewer chances to do damage.<\/p>\n When looking back at the numbers, about 19.8% of Seager\u2019s plate appearances last season occurred when a runner was on second or third (meaning, RISP). Believe it or not, that number was only slightly down from 2024 (19.9%). <\/p>\n Here\u2019s a better breakdown of how things have shaken out over the last three seasons for Seager during his plate appearances:<\/p>\n YearRISP PA%Runner on Base PA%202322.6%42.5%202419.9%39.2%202519.8%43.8%The RISP PA% has trickled down over the years. However, the Runner on Base PA% actually went up. Remember, though, that there are other factors in play.<\/p>\n So, why is this important? With Semien\u2019s downturn in production came another downturn \u2014 putting men on base when the very top of that lineup came around.<\/p>\n Last season, the Rangers finished 26th in team on-base percentage (.305). Semien, for a healthy chunk of 2025, was the Rangers\u2019 leadoff man. And while OBP might not be a counted stat in many fantasy leagues, it can be a good barometer when it comes to trying to figure out what players are in the best position to drive in runs.<\/p>\n For the Rangers, adding Nimmo \u2014 a generally reliable on-base threat \u2014 does more than help solidify the top half of the lineup. He can also help out the likes of Seager and Wyatt Langford<\/a>. <\/p>\n That is, of course, provided the Rangers don\u2019t trade away Seager.<\/p>\n Helsley & Ward shake up depth chart<\/p>\n The Orioles appeared to have found their 2026 closer. Baltimore reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with veteran reliever Ryan Helsley<\/a>, a short-term deal perfect for both sides.<\/p>\n Baltimore gets a closer to replace Felix Bautista<\/a>, who will miss all<\/a> of 2026 and after requiring surgery to repair both his rotator cuff and labrum. You may recall that Bautista missed all of 2024 recovering from UCL reconstruction surgery.<\/p>\n Helsley becomes the immediate favorite for saves in Baltimore. Keegan Akin<\/a> and Andrew Kittredge<\/a> were the arguable co-favorites beforehand. Yes, he did have a down two months in New York. However, one would like to think a return to a familiar role will do him some good.<\/p>\n The Orioles made another significant move<\/a> in November, trading away Grayson Rodriguez<\/a> for outfielder Taylor Ward<\/a>. It was a massive move for several reasons. Baltimore acquired a big power hitter who can take the ball to all fields and get on base. But at the same time, the move also cost the O\u2019s a controllable asset in Rodriguez.<\/p>\n Ward is going to be a very interesting player heading into fantasy drafts next season. He\u2019ll be a top-100 talent once we release our preseason rankings. But on top of that, there\u2019s also the ripple effect to be cognizant of.<\/p>\n Adding a player like Ward may benefit someone like Gunnar Henderson<\/a>, depending on new manager Craig Albernaz\u2019s configuration of his lineup. Ward could protect Henderson, who hit a career-low 17 home runs last season. Henderson spent most of 2025 in the three-hole.<\/p>\n Iglesias and Naylor re-signing<\/p>\n The Braves secured<\/a> their 2026 closer in November when the team re-signed Raisel Iglesias<\/a>. Iglesias had a down spring but rebounded to be one of baseball\u2019s best closers come the second half.<\/p>\n Seattle also made<\/a> a big re-signing, as Josh Naylor<\/a> will return on a five-year deal.<\/p>\n Naylor fit in very well with the Mariners, as noted multiple times here over the last few weeks. The numbers don\u2019t lie in that regard: he hit nine home runs, drove in 33, and stole 19 bases for Seattle. Naylor added not just pop but also a good eye and the ability to put the ball in play. And, that jump in stolen bases helped as well.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old Naylor spent most of his time in Seattle batting fourth, right behind Julio Rodriguez<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Jays & Cease<\/p>\n Toronto made a massive splash<\/a> this past week, as the Blue Jays reportedly signed Dylan Cease<\/a> to a seven-year deal that\u2019ll pay the righty over $200MM. It\u2019s a move that may have wide effects on the starting pitcher market this winter, plus the Jays\u2019 future roster plans.<\/p>\n As for fantasy, the outlook for Cease has not changed with his new home. Cease remains a top-100 overall player, thanks to the fact that he\u2019s a remarkably consistent strikeout pitcher. The new Jay struck out 200+ batters in each of the last five seasons.<\/p>\n The problem, though, for Cease is avoiding the long inning(s). Last year, Cease \u2014 despite being on a championship contender \u2014 only won eight games. He only threw five or more innings in 22 of his 32 starts last year. The Padres won four of the 10 games that he couldn\u2019t get to the five-inning marker.<\/p>\n Walks have long been a problem for Cease. We\u2019ll see how much that will affect him in Toronto.<\/p>\n Check out more of our fantasy baseball<\/a> coverage.<\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading\u2026<\/p>\n