Top Acquisitions of 2026 So Far
A Blog By Dan
The 2026 season is underway, and it has already been full of ups and downs. Across the league, there have been some players who have burst onto the scene and been so much more than expected. Take Cleveland top prospect Chase DeLauter, who made the Opening Day roster out of Spring Training - in his first three games, he hit four home runs, a feat only accomplished once before by Trevor Story in 2016. DeLauter has settled in since that historic start, currently carrying a .259 average with 5 home runs and a still-impressive .929 OPS through 16 games.
Another American League outfielder has also made quite the impression in the early going: Chandler Simpson. The speedy left fielder out of Tampa Bay has been everything the Rays could have hoped for so far this year. He’s already swiped 7 bags while maintaining a .381 batting average and 24 hits, helping keep the Rays atop the AL East with a 10-7 record.
I could go on and on about others who have been thriving at the dish, but instead I am going to focus on those in a new environment. I’m going to break down some of the most impactful new acquisitions from the previous offseason so far.
Dylan Cease: SP Toronto Blue Jays
First up is Dylan Cease. After finishing second in Cy Young voting in 2022, Cease has had an inconsistent couple of years. He finished fourth in Cy Young voting in his first year with the Padres in 2024, that year was bookended by two seasons with ERAs well into the mid-4s. One thing that has always been consistent with Cease, however, is the swing-and-miss, tallying over 200 strikeouts every season since 2021.
Cease signed with the Blue Jays following their trip to the World Series last year for a seven-year, $210 million contract. Since heading to Canada, Cease has been a workhorse, posting a 1.74 ERA through four starts. He has already fanned 32 batters across 20.2 innings. Cease has been a breath of fresh air for a Blue Jays rotation that is fighting to climb out of fourth place in a competitive division.
Brandon Nimmo: OF Texas Rangers
The Mets went through quite a few changes this offseason, including trading longtime fan favorite Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien. So far, it has been the deal of a lifetime in Texas. The Wyoming native is slashing .319/.388/.528 with 3 home runs and 9 RBI through 15 games. Nimmo’s hot start is a major reason why the Rangers are currently battling for the top of the AL West.
Brendan Donovan: INF Seattle Mariners
Now comes perhaps the most interesting of the list: Brendan Donovan. The utility infielder was part of a three-team deal that brought him to Seattle. Donovan has been a steadying force for the Mariners, currently holding a .294 average with 3 homers and a .960 OPS. While his home/road splits remain drastic, his overall production has provided the Mariners with the offensive consistency they have lacked in previous marquee acquisitions.
This is particularly interesting because, time and time again, players come to Seattle and struggle offensively or fail to match their career standards. Randy Arozarena, Teoscar Hernández, and Jesse Winker are perfect examples: bona fide All-Stars who did not live up to their potential in Seattle. Many attribute this to the batter’s eye in center field at T-Mobile Park: the backdrop is not centered with home plate and the pitcher’s mound, causing difficulties with depth perception at the stadium. Donovan, however, seems to be having no issues thus far. If he can keep this offensive production up, the Mariners will likely be eyeing another deep playoff run.
Willson Contreras: 1B Boston Red Sox
To close it out, I want to highlight Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras. The Red Birds were able to dump almost all of Contreras’ remaining salary onto the Red Sox as they entered a rebuild. While the Red Sox have struggled to a 7-11 start, Contreras has been their most consistent threat. He is currently hitting .298 with 3 home runs and a robust .444 on-base percentage. Boston could not be happier with his individual production as he fills the hole left by Alex Bregman.
In a season of 162 games, it’s almost impossible to predict final slash lines based on the first few weeks, but as of April 16, these four remain the primary stories of the 2025-2026 offseason cycle. Confident starts can often be the catalyst for career years, and for these players, the early returns are largely justifying their new jerseys.