Players Who Could Gain Positional Flexibility for Fantasy in 2026
These 12 players should gain eligibility at new positions at some point during the 2026 season.
| | 
When it comes to fantasy baseball, having an edge on your opponents is crucial. Finding out every piece of information available can help you make draft decisions that will set you apart from the very beginning.
While the draft is important, we all know roster moves happen daily. With injuries or underperformance come transactions. Sometimes those transactions can be as clean as swapping one shortstop for another, but other times, a one-for-one cannot be so simple.
One of my favorite types of players to target is those with positional flexibility. The ability to move a player to different spots will make managing your roster construction, waiver wire, and off days much easier. Sure, you can target traditional utility players to fill these roles, but there are other avenues as well.
One of the better advantages you can have is knowing when a player will gain eligibility and adding that player before someone else in your league notices. Each league does its eligibility differently, but the most common threshold is 10 games at a position.
Today, I am going to highlight a few players who should gain eligibility at new positions to help you with not only your draft, but the waiver wire throughout the season.
Bo Bichette – Adding 3B
We’ll start off with an easy layup. Bichette was signed to the Mets in order to add a needed bat into the lineup, but the cost is changing positions.
While some leagues will have him at third, others will require the 10-game minimum for him to be granted eligibility. This should happen quickly and give you a great bat with the ability to insert him at either short or third.
Eugenio Suárez – Adding 1B
When the Reds signed Suárez, the plan was to have him move off third. Ke’Bryan Hayes is one of the best defenders at the position, and although his bat lacks upside, the defense is too good to push him off the hot corner.
Suárez will likely split time between DH and first with Sal Stewart, which could make his gaining eligibility a bit of a waiting game. However, you can guarantee he will gain the flexibility at some point (likely) early in the season.
Agustín Ramírez – A Chance at Adding 1B
The Marlins already have Liam Hicks as a C/1B option, but that position is still up in the air. Hicks had a great rookie season, but I would not call him a lock at first.
I do think Miami will continue to work with Ramírez behind the plate, but Joe Mack is knocking on the door in Triple-A. If Mack gets called up, Ramírez could see enough time at first to grant him eligibility.
Maikel Garcia – Noteworthy Flexibility
Before anyone yells at me, I think Garcia should be the Royals’ third baseman, written in Sharpie, until he proves otherwise.
However, Garcia did see 17 games at short, 11 at second, and seven in the outfield in 2025. Some leagues will carry over the eligibility, but others won’t.
I think he’ll get shortstop (serving as a backup) this year, and I won’t rule out another position as well. A situation to monitor throughout the season.
Munetaka Murakami – Adding 1B
Murakami is currently showing up as a third baseman, depending on your website. While that could get corrected by some sites, if it does not, you could take advantage. The White Sox brought in Murakami to fill first base and should gain that eligibility within the first month of the season.
Samuel Basallo – Potentially Adding 1B
The O’s still have Adley Rutschman behind the plate, but Basallo’s bat is simply too good to not have in the lineup. He’ll see the majority of time at DH, but it would not be surprising to see others fill the role, like one of Baltimore’s outfielders, which could push Basallo to first on Alonso’s off days.
Ryan Mountcastle is still in the mix, for now, which complicates this, but one injury could quickly change the makeup. This would likely be a mid-to-late season eligibility add.
Sal Stewart – Adding 2B
Stewart currently carries eligibility at first and third, but don’t be surprised if he adds second. He played a lot of second before joining the Reds, and Matt McLain has a lot to prove offensively.
Cincinnati might not carry a true backup middle infielder, making McLain the backup shortstop and Stewart the primary backup at second. It’s trickier to predict when he’ll grab 10 games, but I am confident that he will.
Luis Arraez – Regaining 2B
Arraez has been a first base/DH option recently, which has limited his fantasy value. With so many sluggers at first, it was harder to stomach Arraez on a roster outside of category (roto) leagues.
Now with the Giants, Arraez will slot in at second base, a position he once played with the Twins and Marlins, giving him more value compared to when he was first base only. Early season eligibility added.
Spencer Steer – Adding 2B and OF
The third Red to make the list should tell you something about Cincinnati’s plan. They are going to move guys around in order to make Suárez fit, and Steer should see more of a utility role.
Steer has said that second is his most comfortable position, although he’s only seen 28 games there in the majors. He does have 158 games in left, a position that is up for grabs in Cincinnati. Expect Steer to move around quite a bit early in the year.
Luisangel Acuña – Adding Multiple Positions
Acuña was mostly used at second when he was with the Mets, but did fill a utility role at times. He logged games at short, third, and center, and I expect him to be used in a utility role with the White Sox.
Brooks Baldwin was their utility piece last year and could reclaim the role if he does not earn a starting spot. Keep a close eye on Acuña early in the season and see how Chicago is utilizing him.
Nick Castellanos – Adding 1B
After the Phillies cut ties with Castellanos, the Padres quickly scooped him up and gave him a new glove. A terrible outfield defender, Castellanos is moving to the dirt in order to add more flexibility to the Padres’ lineup and give him more opportunities.
There’s a chance Castellanos is used as a short-side platoon, which should give him first base eligibility within the first month or so.
Brett Baty – Adding 1B and OF
We’ll finish by coming full circle from the Bichette signing. Moving the former shortstop to third has pushed Baty into more of a utility role. He already comes with third and second flexibility, but don’t be surprised if he adds first and potentially outfield as well.
Baty would be a very useful fantasy piece if he adds both positions and can fill a bench role for your team.
Become a Member of Just Baseball
Subscribe and upgrade to go ad-free!
* Save 25% by subscribing annually.
Written by