Top Free Agent Designated Hitters for 2026 Fantasy

2. Luis Arráez (LHB)

2025 Stats: 8 HR | 61 RBI | 66 R | 11 SB | .292 AVG | .821 OPS | .341 wOBA | 119 wRC+ | .288 BABIP

Age in 2026: 29

Skills: Position flexible (DH/1B/2B); elite contact to the entire field; league’s best eliminating Ks; career best SB in back-to-back seasons.

Risks: One-category specialist with no power.

Landing Spot Projections: Yankees, Diamondbacks, Mets, Angels, Rockies, Nationals, Guardians

Fantasy Impact and Draft Approach: 

Luis Arráez appeared in our top free agent first basemen and second basemen lists and finished 2025 first in K%, Med%, and Oppo%, second in LD%, tied for second in H, and T-12th in AVG. A three-time batting champion and contact specialist, this was surprisingly Arráez’s “worst” year statistically. His BABIP on the season wasn’t too far off the league average of .300, so this was the least luck-influenced production on his career.

What that reveals about Arráez’s fantasy value is he's a weekly AVG winner who won’t help and could even hurt the other four categories. Still under 30, there’s a chance his RBI, R, and SB floor could rise to make him less of a one-trick pony, but landing in a top-tier offense (Yankees, Mets) could actually supercharge them and push Arráez into borderline fantasy starter territory. Otherwise, he’ll be a solid late-round pick with positional flexibility who can be plugged in when a boost to AVG is needed.

3. Marcell Ozuna (RHB)

2025 Stats: 21 HR | 68 RBI | 61 R | 0 SB | .232 AVG | .756 OPS | .334 wOBA | 114 wRC+ | .280 BABIP

Age in 2026: 35

Skills: Big power bat with three 30+ HR, 100+ RBI seasons; career high-average hitter (.269).

Risks: Age; Injury history (Hip in ‘25); YoY power and contact type metrics decline in back-to-back seasons; off-field issues.

Landing Spot Projections: Padres, Giants, White Sox, Pirates, Mets, Diamondbacks

Fantasy Impact and Draft Approach:

This was a worst-case scenario walk year for Ozuna. Coming off two seasons where he combined for a dominant 79 HR, 204 RBI, and 180 R with a .289 AVG, The Big Bear had his worst full season since 2015. He did suffer a hip injury early in the year and chose to battle through it, but that hasn’t assuaged MLB front offices’ caution given how much it affected his play, his age, and his history of off-the-field issues. Truist Park is also T-10th in HR park factor, meaning there’s a chance Ozuna’s power won’t be the same in a less-friendly park. He did put up big power numbers in poorer field circumstances in Miami and St. Louis, but all save one of those seasons were in his prime power years.

If it isn’t evident enough, Ozuna is a bit of a fantasy quagmire for 2026. Landing spot and park factor clarity will certainly help determine his floor/ceiling, but the hip injury and his age send signals that 2024 could’ve been his last elite season. He’s a high-risk, high-reward pick in the mid to late rounds of fantasy drafts and it’ll be up to you to determine if you want to make that bet or leave it to someone else in your league.

4. Austin Hays (RHB)

2025 Stats: 15 HR | 64 RBI | 60 R | 7 SB | .266 AVG | .768 OPS | .327 wOBA | 105 wRC+ | .326 BABIP

Age in 2026: 30 (Turns 31 in July)

Skills: Position flexible (OF/DH); consistent four-category contributor with speed potential to become five-category.

Risks: Speed yet to translate to significant SB; high career BABIP raises luck-based concerns; regressing defense (-10 DRS last two seasons vs. career 20 DRS).

Landing Spot Projections: Mets, Royals, Yankees, Guardians, Dodgers

Fantasy Impact and Draft Approach: 

Austin Hays is a beacon of consistency, even if the numbers behind that consistency aren’t exactly sexy in terms of fantasy production. He’s averaged 17 HR, 66 RBI, 69 R, and 5 SB with a .262 AVG. They don’t jump off the page, but the steadiness is appealing to MLB teams that want offensive stability in their outfield and/or miss out on the Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger sweepstakes. There’s also the bonus that his away numbers in 2025 were better than at home, meaning his output wasn’t inflated by playing in Great American Ball Park.

For your drafts, Hays has a safe late-round bench selection floor and he can provide pop and average sustainability along with the occasional steal without sacrificing too much in the way of RBI and R. If he ends up on an elite offense, like those courting Tucker and Bellinger, then he’ll carry the ceiling of a sneaky sleeper.

5. Victor Caratini (SHB)

2025 Stats: 12 HR | 46 RBI | 35 R | 1 SB | .259 AVG | .728 OPS | .318 wOBA | 104 wRC+ | .282 BABIP

Age in 2026: 32 (Turns 33 in August)

Skills: Position flexible (C/DH); power-contact mix from both sides; power metrics (SLG, OPS, Barrel%, Hard%) improved in HOU; improved discipline (Back-to-back career low K% seasons).

Risks: Playing time (career backup); age; poor arm (-6 throwing, -11 rSB on career).

Landing Spot Projections: Brewers, Rays, Cubs, Phillies, Angels, Yankees, Rockies, Red Sox, Padres

Fantasy Impact and Draft Approach: 

Victor Caratini was featured in our free agent catcher list and has served his teams well as one of, if not the best backup at the position in MLB. Hearing the word “backup” isn’t exactly music to fantasy manager’s ears, though. However, while he’s never held an everyday role and has legitimate issues throwing out runners, his ability to balance contact and power means a team could give him a shot if he lands behind a starter on shaky ground or if there’s an injury. Unless that situation plays out before your draft, you can take Caratini’s name off your board but put it in mind for waiver watch. Keep tabs on his landing spot, though, just in case.

Why Designated Hitter Matters in Fantasy Baseball

The beauty of the designated hitter position in fantasy baseball is that it’s the deepest of all offensive positions. Any player who possesses strong skills at the plate will get plugged into the position by their MLB managers, be that due to poor defense or workload management. That means a large chunk of the best players for fantasy baseball carry DH eligibility and can be plugged in if you have depth at any specific position on your roster. It’s truly an embarrassment of riches here.

Important Fantasy Stats & Context to Watch For DH

Everything (HR, RBI, R, SB, and AVG)

Since most of the best hitters in the game can slot into DH, it means the ceiling is high. Four- or five-category contributors (Tucker, Ozuna, Hays) are ideal here and three-category players are solid. That said, the position can also be a great place for flexibility where category specialists (Arráez) can be swapped in and out based on your roster makeup or weekly matchups for H2H leagues.

Multi-Position Eligibility, Park Factor, and Age

As we’ve harped on, DH is the best position to create flexibility with your fantasy team. In order to maximize it, it’s ideal to draft players who play at least one other position to create overall balance and ensure you match up well against opponents. DH-only hitters like Ozuna still have their value, but you can end up having to make difficult decisions in weeks where you have to choose between competing for steals while sacrificing power, run production, and runs scored.

Park factor can also be a huge weekly, even daily, factor when determining your designated hitters. With defense out of the equation, managers could choose to bench a player who’s approach and swing doesn’t fit well with where they’re playing. In the context of free agents, this means assessing park fit is critical if you’re eyeing any of them for this spot on your roster. A poor match can mean a performance dropoff, causing reduced playing time and lost value. The same goes for players at risk of age-based decline, which can cause a performance dip from age 30+ and an outright crash from 35+.

Final Thoughts for Fantasy Baseball 2026

With the offseason now in its final weeks, there are still plenty of quality batters on the market who are either DH-eligible or straight designated hitters. Tucker is clearly a no-doubt early-round draft pick who should be a year-long starter either at OF or DH based on his current suitors. With his saga seemingly nearing a close, we’ll have far more clarity on just where exactly among the top players in the game he’ll rank for 2026.

Meanwhile, Arráez is a solid selection who can boost your team’s average when needed and could contribute in other categories if he finds an ideal landing spot. Ozuna and Hays are riskier selections and Caratini is more a wait-and-see waiver target, but like Arráez the right circumstances could unlock their upside and make them strong sleepers.

Stay on top of where all of these players sign and the situations they head into. By taking those into account alongside this analysis, you can gain that needed edge to take full advantage of the flexibility DH offers and win your league.

People Also Ask

Who is the top free-agent DH for 2026 fantasy?
Kyle Tucker, the best all-around free agent on the market.

Is Luis Arráez still unsigned?
Yes, since his poor defense, contact specialization, and Bellinger’s presence still on the market has made progress slow.

What is Marcell Ozuna’s fantasy value?
It depends on landing spot and health, but he’s a bounceback candidate and potential league-winning sleeper.

Does Austin Hays have outfield eligibility?
Yes, bonus if he plays occasionally.

Is the DH Market thin?
No, as DH-eligible players Tucker and Arráez still remain unsigned.

When will DH free agents sign?
Likely January as roles clarify, but could drag on through spring training.

More on Free Agents & Offseason Moves

• Old Faces in New Places
• Top 5 Free Agents
• Top 5 Free Agent Catchers
• Top 5 Free Agent First Basemen
• Top 5 Free Agent Second Basemen
• Top 5 Free Agent Third Basemen
• Top 5 Free Agent Shortstops
• Top 5 Free Agent Outfielders
• Top 5 Free Agent Designated Hitters
• Top 5 Free Agent Relief Pitchers
• Top 5 Free Agent Starting Pitchers
• Alex Bregman signs with Cubs
• Tatsuya Imai to Astros
• Edwin Diaz signs with Dodgers
• Shane Baz to Orioles
• Pete Alonso to Orioles

People Also Ask

Who is the best free agent DH for fantasy baseball in 2026?
Kyle Tucker is the clear top option due to his five-category production and lineup versatility.

Is Luis Arráez worth drafting in fantasy baseball?
Yes, especially if you need batting average help, though his value depends heavily on lineup strength.

Can Marcell Ozuna bounce back in 2026?
He can, but age and health make him a high-risk fantasy pick best suited for later rounds.

Why does DH eligibility matter in fantasy baseball?
DH eligibility adds lineup flexibility and allows managers to maximize elite bats regardless of defensive position.