Fantasy Baseball Impact of MLB Transactions: Ryan O'Hearn, Pete Fairbanks, Jeff McNeil and More

Several more notable MLB transactions have taken place of late, so let's dive into the fantasy baseball impact of some of the moves.

Here are a couple stories that were similar - one looked at Munetaka Murakami and Willson Contreras and the other was centered on Shane Baz and Brandon Lowe.

For the latest player updates, be sure to head to FantasySP to utilize the real-time player news engine for all sports. The player news engine is the most robust and fastest player news system in fantasy sports. Signing up for a FantasySP membership can help you track all your fantasy players.

Signings

Houser Lands in San Fran

Adrian Houser signed a two-year deal with the Giants, worth $22 million. The contract has a 2028 club option.

Houser has a decent fantasy outlook if he can stick in the team's rotation, which looks like a good bet at this point. He's coming off a 2025 season in which he started 21 games between the White Sox and Rays.

Houser was 8-5 with a 3.31 earned run average over 125 innings. He struck out 92 batters, while walking 38.

With lower strikeout numbers, he's going to need to post a lower ERA again to be a viable fantasy asset. He's a good deep-league asset at least, and should be a standard league streamer (at worst).

Austin Signs with Cubs

Tyler Austin signed a one-year deal with the Cubs for $1.25 million.

He's played overseas since the 2019 MLB season. Austin had some success, with a good average and on-base percentage, so he's getting another crack at the big leagues again.

Austin had just a .219 average and .292 OBP in parts of four major league seasons in his baseball career, so he'll be hoping for better results this time around. 

The primary first baseman also has spent time at third base and all three outfield spots, so there's different ways for him to get in the lineup if he's hitting. Right now, he looks like a platoon option, and as a right-handed hitter, his fantasy impact looks pretty low.

In time, he could become a bigger fantasy asset, so he'll open the year as a deep-league asset, but could turn into a standard leaguer if he translates his overseas success to the MLB. Keep an eye on him.

King Re-Signs with San Diego

Michael King signed a three-year deal with the Padres, worth $75 million. He has player options for 2027 and 2028.

King transitioned to a starting pitcher a couple years ago, and he's found success in that role. In two years with San Diego, King has a 3.10 ERA over 45 starts and 46 games. He is 18-12 and has covered 247 innings in those years, while racking up 277 strikeouts.

King has a chance to be the ace for San Diego, but at the very least, he should be safely in the rotation. It's a bit of a risky deal after King only made 15 starts last season - he missed time with a nerve issue and knee inflammation.

If he can stay healthy, he has high-end fantasy starting pitcher upside. He'll be worth drafting in all leagues if he has a clean bill of health going into the year. His injuries last year might lower his draft stock and turn him into a potential bounceback and draft steal.

San Diego Signs Another

The Padres also landed infielder Sung-Mun Song, signing him to a four-year deal with $15 million.

The 29-year-old has played third, first and second base in his career overseas. He's projected to play mostly second for San Diego, but could end up as a platoon guy.

Overseas, he had a .283 average and .347 OBP, with 80 homers over nine seasons. He flashed more pop the last couple years, so if that translates over to the MLB, he could be a legit fantasy option.

I see him more as a deep-league fantasy asset to kick off the 2026 season, but I wouldn't be surprised if he worked into standard leagues at some point. He'll be worth watching is what I'm getting at.

Seattle Adds Refsnyder

Rob Refsnyder signed a one-year deal worth $6.5 million with the Mariners.

He's had some success at times over the past couple seasons with the Red Sox. Refsnyder hasn't played more than 93 games in a season though, so he's more of a part-time player.

Refsnyder has played the corner outfield spots the past couple seasons, but also has logged time at first and second base in his career, so there's other ways for him to get into a lineup.

He's another deep-league fantasy asset to kick off the 2026 season, but he's been a standard league streamer at times in the past, so he's worth tracking in case he ever takes off with Seattle.

Pirates Make Rare Splash

Pittsburgh signed Ryan O'Hearn to a two-year deal worth $29 million.

O'Hearn has turned into a pretty solid big leaguer after a slow start to his career. He has played over 140 games in two straight years, spending time with Baltimore and San Diego.

He had a .281 average and .366 OBP over 144 games last season between those two clubs. O'Hearn had 17 homers and 63 RBIs, and can play first base or the corner outfield spots.

O'Hearn has the chance to shine in the heart of a not-so-great Pirates' lineup. There's enough talent - at least at the top of the team's order - to help O'Hearn put up some good numbers and be a nice fantasy asset for 2026 and beyond.

I think O'Hearn could end up as a sneaky good fantasy asset this season, making him a draft steal candidate depending on where he's drafted on average. We'll check in on O'Hearn as the season gets a big closer, but for now, he's a name to remember for draft season.

White Sox Add Another in Free Agency

Sean Newcomb signed a one-year deal worth $4.5 million with Chicago.

He has a chance to be in the starting rotation, which gives him a better fantasy outlook.

Newcomb started five games over 48 appearances with the Red Sox and Athletics last season. He had a 2.73 ERA and 2-5 record over 92 1/3 innings pitched, while striking out 91 batters.

Chicago took a low-risk swing on Newcomb, and if he excels as a starter, he'll likely be flipped in a trade for a decent return. 

Newcomb is probably a better deep-league asset to start the season, but he'll have standard league streaming value if he's making starts. I'll be keeping my eye on him as well, as the team's situation is upping his fantasy value and appeal.

Fairbanks Finds New Home

Pete Fairbanks landed a $13 million, one-year deal with Miami.

He's spent most of his career with the Rays, serving as their primary closer the past three years. Last year over 61 appearances, Fairbanks went 4-5 with 27 saves and a 2.83 ERA. He struck out 59 batters over 60 1/3 innings.

This isn't the best fantasy situation for him, as Miami might not do a ton of winning, but he should be the clear No. 1 closer, with not much competition, so he'll be a decent fantasy asset to kick off the season.

I think he'll probably be a better deep-league asset, unless Miami is better than expected. Fairbanks is a pretty solid option though, and if his ERA is lower, he could be a good deep-league asset all year.

Trades

McNeil Sent to Athletics

The Mets sent Jeff McNeil to the Athletics in exchange for salary relief and Yordan Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is just 17 years old and has very little minor league seasoning under his belt. He isn't a top-30 prospect for the Mets, but he could turn into something someday, so dynasty owners should keep tabs on him.

Rodriguez had a 2.93 ERA over eight games (one start) in the DSL this year. He covered 15 1/3 innings and struck out 20 batters, so there's some intrigue in those numbers. We'll see if he can turn into something bigger down the line.

As for the Mets, they needed to move an infielder after adding Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco this offseason. It also opens the door for some top hitting prospects, like Carson Benge and Jett Williams.

The move is good from a fantasy perspective for McNeil, who could play regularly for the Athletics.

In 122 games last season, he had a .243 average and .335 OBP. Among his 97 hits, McNeil has 21 doubles, 12 homers and five triples, along with adding 54 RBIs, three stolen bases and 42 runs scored.

I think McNeil might go a bit overlooked heading into the season, but with regular playing time, I see him as a sneaky good fantasy asset in 2026. He might be on the back nine of his career, but there's some fantasy value to be squeezed out of him yet.