After the worst offensive season of his career (.732 OPS), Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop and former MVP Mookie Betts said his offseason consisted of "rewiring" his body to try to eliminate the flaws that slipped into his swing in 2025, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The 33-year-old was sapped of 20 pounds and much of his strength right before the start of last season due to a stomach virus, and from there, bad habits developed. "It was kinda like a snowball effect," Betts said. He believes his preparation last offseason for becoming a full-time shortstop also threw his routine off. Betts thinks he's in a "really good spot" going into his seventh year in L.A. as the Dodgers try to three-peat. Things will only get more difficult for Betts at his size (5-foot-10, 180 pounds). He should have a decent floor as the likely No. 3 hitter in a stacked Dodgers lineup, but fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting another MVP-like campaign from the eight-time All-Star.

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Trey Yesavage said he plans to add a curveball to his repertoire, which already includes a fastball, splitter, and slider, according to Kristjan Lautens of the Toronto Star. "I have a funky (over-the-top) arm angle, so I've just got to play around with it. I would love (a pitch) that moves glove side," Yesavage said. The 22-year-old former 20th overall pick in 2024 started the 2025 season at Single-A Dunedin and ended up what was a whirlwind season as a starter in the postseason for Toronto. He made his first three regular-season starts in September before appearing in six playoff games. Along the way, he set a Blue Jays franchise single-game postseason record by fanning 12 Dodgers hitters in the World Series. Yesavage will begin the 2026 campaign in Toronto's rotation and won't have a strict innings limit. Control was a bit of an issue in his small sample size in the big leagues last year, but Yesavage's upside alone makes him a No. 3 starting pitcher target going into his first full season with the Jays.

Cincinnati Reds rookie and top prospect Sal Stewart is expected to have a similar role as Eugenio Suarez in 2026 as a designated hitter and corner infielder, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Ke'Bryan Hayes will be Cincy's regular third baseman. In addition to Suarez, Spencer Steer could also share time with Stewart at first base. Stewart made his MLB debut in 2025 but played in only 18 regular-season games, going 14-for-55 (.255) at the plate with five home runs, eight RBI, and 11 runs scored in 58 plate appearances. The 22-year-old former first-round pick in 2022 is ranked as the No. 22 overall prospect in baseball entering the 2026 campaign, per MLB Pipeline. It was encouraging that he had a 52.5% hard-hit rate and 17.5% barrel rate in the big leagues, and Stewart should be an everyday player for the Reds in his first full year in the big leagues as long as he's healthy. Stewart is a nice late-round flier with a high-end hit tool and above-average power in a hitter-friendly home ballpark.

Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer, who was a National League Gold Glove finalist at first base in 2025, will play some in the outfield and will have a utility role in 2026, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Eugenio Suarez and Sal Stewart are expected to see most of the at-bats at designated hitter and first base, so Steer could get squeezed to mostly playing in left field. Elite defenseman Ke'Bryan Hayes will be the starting third baseman. Left field was Steer's primary position in 2024. Although Steer managed to reach the 20-homer mark for the third straight year in 2025, he was mostly a disappointment offensively with a .238/.312/.411 slash line, .723 OPS, 21 homers, 75 RBI, 66 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 146 regular-season games. It helps that Steer is eligible at first and outfield in most fantasy leagues, but with his playing time potentially taking a dip in 2026, his fantasy stock is on the decline. RotoBaller has Steer ranked as the No. 25 fantasy first baseman.