Here’s a closer look at three key storylines developing around Major League Baseball today:
1. Astros face 40-man roster crunch with Ryan Weiss signing
The Astros are shaking things up with the addition of right-hander Ryan Weiss on a major league deal, bringing him stateside after a stint in the Korean Baseball Organization. It’s a notable move for a team that’s already maxed out its 40-man roster, which means a corresponding transaction is coming-and soon.
Now, the most straightforward path would be to designate someone for assignment, but Houston might not go the obvious route. There’s buzz that they could explore the trade market instead, potentially flipping a lower-tier player off the 40-man to open up the space.
But here’s where it gets interesting: the Astros have reportedly been fielding calls on outfielders Jake Meyers and Jesus Sanchez. That opens the door to a bigger deal-one that could not only make room for Weiss but also bring back value in areas of need.
Weiss, who’s shown solid stuff overseas, could be a depth piece or something more, depending on how his transition back to MLB goes. Either way, Houston’s next move will be telling-not just about their roster math, but about how aggressive they plan to be this offseason.
2. Pete Fairbanks drawing heat on a busy relief market
Pete Fairbanks hitting the open market this offseason wasn’t exactly expected-especially after the Rays declined his $11 million club option for 2026. But now that he’s out there, teams are circling. The Tigers, Marlins, and Blue Jays are all reportedly in the mix, and they’re not alone.
The relief market has been moving faster than most other sectors of free agency so far this winter. Raisel Iglesias, Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley, and Phil Maton have all come off the board with meaningful contracts, and Fairbanks could be the next domino to fall. He’s got the kind of high-leverage stuff that teams covet-big fastball, sharp slider, and a track record of getting outs late in games.
Given the pace of the bullpen market and the number of contenders still looking to shore up the back end of their staff, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Fairbanks land a deal soon. The only question is: who’s going to step up with the right offer?
3. Blue Jays rotation depth opens up trade possibilities
Toronto’s rotation has quietly become one of the deepest in baseball-and they might not be done dealing. After reportedly reaching a deal with right-hander Cody Ponce, the Jays now have a logjam of starting options.
Ponce joins a group that already added Dylan Cease earlier this offseason and returns Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and Jose Berrios. Add in top prospect Trey Yesavage and depth arms like Eric Lauer, Yariel Rodriguez, and Bowden Francis, and you’ve got a rotation room that’s starting to feel crowded.
That kind of surplus doesn’t go unnoticed-especially by teams still hunting for starting pitching. A trade could make a lot of sense here, with the Jays potentially flipping one of their arms to address other needs.
And speaking of needs, Bo Bichette’s contract situation still looms large. The star shortstop remains unsigned, and how Toronto handles that could shape the rest of their offseason strategy.
Meanwhile, they’re also reportedly still in the mix for bullpen help, including Pete Fairbanks. So while the Jays have made some early moves, they’re far from finished. With assets to deal and holes to fill, they’re in a position to be one of the more active teams as the winter market heats up.
Bottom line: The Astros are on the verge of a roster shakeup, Pete Fairbanks is a name to watch as the relief market continues to churn, and the Blue Jays are sitting on a wealth of pitching that could fuel their next big move. The hot stove is warming up-and these are three situations worth keeping a close eye on.