Browsing: offseason

Back in August, we took an early look at this yearâ€s free-agent class, identifying 10 players who will likely draw plenty of attention this winter.

With the postseason in full swing and the field down to two teams, it seemed like a good time to dig a little deeper, as 28 clubs are already formulating a plan to make 2026 an even more successful season.

MLB.com takes a look at the Top 30 potential free agents for the 2025-26 class, a group that includes a little bit of everything. Some of these players have opt-out clauses they are expected to trigger, so while theyâ€re not officially impending free agents at the moment, we believe they will hit the open market once November arrives.

(Ages listed represent the playerâ€s 2026 baseball age)

Tucker started his first season with the Cubs on a tear, hitting 17 home runs with 52 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and a .931 OPS through June. A right hand fracture might have contributed to Tuckerâ€s step back offensively in July and August, but he remains the best and most well-rounded player on the free-agent market this winter, having been worth at least 4.0 fWAR in every year since 2021.

Potential fits: Cubs, Dodgers, Giants

After waiting out the winter for the right deal, Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million pact with the Red Sox that included $60 million in deferrals and opt-outs after 2025 and ’26. Injuries limited Bregman to only 114 games this season, but he performed well when he was available, posting an .822 OPS with 18 homers. Bregman plans to opt out of his contract, giving free agency a try for the second consecutive season.

Potential fits: Phillies, Red Sox, Tigers

Players entering their age-33 season donâ€t tend to find themselves this high on the list, but Schwarber is an exception. His plus power helped him lead the National League with 56 home runs and 132 RBIs while playing in all 162 games, setting a career-high in bWAR (4.7) and fWAR (4.9). Schwarber can play left field on occasion, but heâ€s essentially a full-time DH who will make any lineup better immediately upon arrival.

Potential fits: Phillies, Rangers, Reds

After leading the AL in hits in 2021 and ’22 and making his second career All-Star team in ’23, Bichette had a nightmarish ’24, playing in only 81 games — and unproductive ones, at that. This season, Bichette looked like his old self, leading the league with 181 hits before a left knee sprain ended his regular season. Bichette finished the year with 18 homers, 94 RBIs and an .840 OPS in 139 games, and with a thin shortstop market, heâ€ll be in position to score big in his first foray into free agency.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Braves, Tigers

After signing a one-year deal with the Cubs in 2023 and a three-year deal with Chicago in 2024, Bellinger — who was traded to the Yankees last winter — plans to opt out of the final year and $25 million to test free agency once again this winter. After an uneven 2024 campaign, Bellinger thrived in the Bronx in ’25, belting 29 home runs with 98 RBIs and an .814 OPS in 152 games, and posting his highest bWAR (5.0) since 2019 (8.7), when he won NL MVP honors. The versatile slugger has been a perfect fit for the Yankees, but other teams could try to pry him away from New York with the long-term deal that has evaded him to this point.

Potential fits: Mets, Tigers, Yankees

Like Bregman, it took Alonso until mid-February to land a deal, re-signing with the Mets for two years and $54 million. Alonso has said he plans to opt out of the final year and $24 million of the deal to give free agency another try, and with 38 home runs, 126 RBIs and an .871 OPS in 162 games this season — not to mention the absence of a qualifying offer — he should draw more interest than he did a year ago.

Potential fits: Giants, Mets, Red Sox

Murakami has what one scout called “legit power,†belting 246 home runs over eight seasons, including a 56-homer campaign in 2022 that broke Sadaharu Ohâ€s 58-year-old record for homers by a Japanese-born player. Murakami is expected to be posted by the Yakult Swallows this winter, becoming the first pure power hitter since Hideki Matsui to make the jump from NPB to the Majors.

Potential fits: Dodgers, Mariners, Yankees

King has quietly emerged as one of the gameâ€s top starters since making the move from the bullpen, posting a 3.10 ERA in his two seasons in the Padres†rotation. The right-hander was limited to 15 starts this season due to a nerve impingement near his shoulder and a knee injury, but King — who is expected to decline his $15 million mutual option to become a free agent — should still be one of the most sought-after arms during the offseason.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Padres, Yankees

Valdez was on track to be the top starting pitcher in this yearâ€s free-agent class, going 11-4 with a 2.62 ERA through his first 21 starts and striking out 141 batters over 134 innings. A lackluster finish to his season — he was 2-7 with a 6.05 ERA over his final 10 starts — and a highly publicized cross-up incident in which he (intentionally?) hit his catcher in the chest with a fastball following a home run have raised some questions, but his track record as a workhorse should put him in good position to land a healthy deal.

Potential fits: Astros, Blue Jays, Cardinals

Cease struggled with consistency this season, posting an 8-12 record with a 4.55 ERA in 32 starts. His velocity, whiff percentage and strikeout percentage all remain near the top of the league rankings, though walks and a lack of ground balls came back to hurt him at times. Cease remains one of the most durable starters in the game — he posted his fifth consecutive season with at least 32 starts — and he will surely draw interest from several pitching-needy clubs after striking out more than 200 batters for a fifth consecutive season.

Potential fits: Angels, Mets, Orioles

An All-Star in 2024, Suárez opened this season in spectacular fashion, going 7-3 with a 2.15 ERA in 13 first-half starts. He struggled after the break (5-5, 4.40 ERA), but Suárez has posted a 3.59 ERA in four full seasons as a starting pitcher, providing solid work over that stretch. He might not be coveted by contenders as a No. 1, but Suárez should score a nice deal as a No. 2 or 3 starter.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Giants, Phillies

The jewel of this summerâ€s Trade Deadline, Suárez had a monster four months with Arizona (36 home runs, .897 OPS in 106 games) before coming back to Earth after being traded to Seattle (13 homers, .683 OPS in 53 games). There are higher-profile power hitters on the market, such as Schwarber and Alonso, but the 34-year-old Suárez — who ranked near the bottom of the league in strikeout percentage — will require fewer years and/or less money than those two.

Potential fits: Angels, Mariners, Pirates

Essentially an afterthought in the trade that sent Juan Soto from the Padres to the Yankees before the 2024 season, Grisham wound up being a key bat in replacing Sotoâ€s production in New Yorkâ€s 2025 lineup. Grisham belted 34 home runs — double his previous high — while setting career bests in RBIs (74), OPS (.811) and OPS+ (125). Grisham also ranked near the top of the league in walk percentage (96th percentile) and chase percentage (99th) and posting a career-best 3.5 bWAR. The Yankees could extend a qualifying offer to Grisham, though New Yorkâ€s plans for re-signing Bellinger — not to mention how they view youngsters Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones — might impact which direction it goes with Grisham.

Potential fits: Mets, Rangers, Royals

Unlike his teammate Alonso, Díaz hasnâ€t yet declared his intention to opt out of the final two years and $37 million of the five-year, $102 million deal he signed with the Mets in November 2022. The right-hander had a stellar season in 2025, posting a 1.63 ERA with 28 saves in 31 opportunities, striking out 98 batters in 66 1/3 innings. Díaz ranked near the top of the league in whiff percentage, strikeout percentage and barrel percentage, looking like his vintage self in his second season back from a torn patellar tendon.

Potential fits: Mets, Orioles, Yankees

Naylor had a solid season for the Diamondbacks and Mariners, hitting 20 home runs with 92 RBIs and 30 stolen bases and an .815 OPS. The 2024 All-Star is solid defensively at first base and has strong bat-to-ball skills, ranking in the 91st percentile in strikeout percentage (13.7%) this season, though he has a tendency to swing at pitches out of the zone, evidenced by his 37.1% chase percentage, which ranked in the bottom 10 percent of the league.

Potential fits: Mariners, Nationals, Rockies

Arraez won three consecutive batting titles and made three All-Star teams with three clubs between 2022-24, hitting .328 with a .797 OPS during that three-year span. His numbers dipped a little in 2025, as he hit .292 with a .719 OPS, but he still led the NL with 181 hits and ranked at the top of the league in whiff, strikeout and Squared-Up percentage, remaining one of the elite contact hitters in the game. Arraezâ€s below-average defense (-9 OAA) could cause some teams to look at him in a DH role, but heâ€ll be a solid presence in whatever lineup he winds up with.

Potential fits: Angels, Giants, Rangers

Suarez is expected to decline his $8 million player options for 2026 and ’27, looking to convert his back-to-back All-Star seasons into a bigger contract as he enters his age-35 season. Suarez has posted consecutive seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA, saving 76 games, including an NL-high 40 this season. Suarezâ€s 98.6 mph fastball ranked in the 97th percentile this season, while he placed in the top 20 percent in both strikeout and walk percentage.

Potential fits: Braves, Dodgers, Orioles

From 2020-24, Gallen was one of the most consistent starters in the league, going 50-31 with a 3.34 ERA over 128 starts. He posted a pair of stellar seasons in ’22 and ’23, averaging 197 innings and 206 strikeouts while posting a 3.04 ERA, but a right hamstring strain cost him a month in 2024, limiting him to 148 innings. His platform season was a disappointment, as he went 13-15 with a career-high 4.83 ERA in 192 innings, as hitters seemed to be on his knuckle curve more than in past seasons, slugging .438 against the pitch after posting a .230 mark against it in ’24. Gallen remains a durable innings-eater and should be a popular target despite his down year.

Potential fits: Astros, Diamondbacks, Mets

Realmuto just completed a five-year, $115.5 million contract extension with the Phillies, potentially ending a strong seven-year run in Philadelphia. His offense has been in decline over the past few seasons, bottoming out with a .700 OPS in 134 games in 2025, so while his days as an everyday All-Star catcher might be behind him, Realmuto should be the best option on a thin market at the position. Realmutoâ€s blocking and framing numbers are poor, but he remains one of the best behind the plate at controlling the running game (95th percentile in caught-stealing above average and 99th percentile in pop time).

Potential fits: Phillies, Rangers, Twins

Bieber pitched well in his return from Tommy John surgery, posting a 3.57 ERA in seven regular-season starts for Toronto. The veteran showed solid command in his return, posting a 4.4% walk rate, and his 49.1% ground-ball rate was better than the MLB average. Bieber will be two full years removed from surgery when the season opens in ’26, giving him — and potential suitors — reason to believe he can look like his old self.

Potential fits: Brewers, Cubs, Rangers

The Yankees acquired Williams last season with the expectation that they were getting one of the best relievers in the game after he posted a 1.66 ERA between 2022-24. Instead, Williams struggled in New York, his inconsistent performances resulting in a demotion from the closerâ€s role, which he eventually regained before losing it again. A year ago, Williams was on track to challenge Díazâ€s record for a relief-pitching contract, but his uneven ’25 could force him to sign a shorter-term deal to re-establish his value moving forward. He recently said that having a chance to close games will likely factor into his decision this winter.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Braves, Tigers

Itâ€s unclear whether Flaherty will opt out of the final year and $20 million of his contract with the Tigers, which would send him back to the free-agent market for the third consecutive offseason. Flahertyâ€s 2025 season (8-15, 4.64 ERA in 161 innings) wasnâ€t as strong as his ’24 campaign (13-7, 3.17 ERA in 162 innings), but he would not have a qualifying offer attached to him this time around, which could open his market to some extent.

Potential fits: Braves, Mets, Orioles

Polancoâ€s regular season already categorized 2025 as a success, as he rebounded with 26 home runs, 78 RBIs, an .821 OPS and 134 OPS+ in 138 games. But the veteran took his game to another level in October, producing game-winning hits in three consecutive contests while helping the Mariners reach the ALCS. Polanco is expected to decline his $6 million player option to test free agency for a second consecutive offseason.

Potential fits: Angels, Rockies, Twins

The oldest player on our list, Kelly continues to be a sturdy mid-rotation starter as he enters his late-30s, posting a 3.47 ERA in 108 starts since the start of 2022. The right-hander went 12-9 with a 3.52 ERA for the Diamondbacks and Rangers in ’25, ranking 14th in the Majors with 184 innings pitched. Kelly has lowered his walk rate over the past two seasons, ranking in the top 25 percent in each season, and while he struck out fewer than one batter per inning, his elite chase rate (32.8%, 91st percentile) often keeps hitters off balance.

Potential fits: Diamondbacks, Padres, Pirates

Torres had to settle on a one-year, $15 million deal in his first foray into free agency, but heâ€ll give it another go after making his third career All-Star team and first since 2019. Torres slashed .284/.386/.437 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs in 72 games through the end of June, but his production fell off in the second half, as he posted a .229/.331/.339 slash line with seven homers and 31 RBIs in 73 games from July 1 through the end of the season. Torres†plate discipline was strong — he ranked in the 100th percentile in chase rate and 95th percentile in walk rate and placed in the top 20 percent in both whiff and strikeout percentage — but his defense was shaky, ranking in the 12th percentile with -5 OAA.

Potential fits: Cardinals, Guardians, Twins

Helsley was one of the most sought-after relievers at the Trade Deadline, but his two-month stint with the Mets was nothing short of a disaster. The hard-throwing right-hander posted a 7.20 ERA in 22 appearances, allowing 25 hits and 11 walks in only 20 innings pitched, putting a dent in his free-agent résumé in the process. Still, the two-time All-Star had established himself as one of the top closers in the game during the three previous seasons, pitching to a 1.83 ERA while converting 82 saves in 95 opportunities, so his two-month hiccup in New York shouldnâ€t define his market this offseason.

Potential fits: Cubs, Giants, Rangers

Weaver was the Yankees†most reliable reliever during the first half, pitching to a 1.05 ERA in his first 24 outings over the first two months. A left hamstring strain sent him to the injured list, and when he returned three weeks later, Weaver was inconsistent the rest of the way, posting a 5.31 ERA over his final 40 appearances. Some late-season pitch-tipping concerns might have been a part of Weaverâ€s second-half struggles, which extended into a rough postseason, but his overall performance the past two seasons should have clubs interested. Weaver, who was a starter for much of the first eight seasons of his career, has said heâ€s open to a return to that role in the right situation.

Potential fits: Athletics, Diamondbacks, Yankees

Bassitt remains a durable innings-eater in his late 30s, topping the 170-inning mark for the fourth consecutive season in 2025. Heâ€s not overpowering hitters — his strikeout percentage (22.6) ranked in the middle of the AL — but he induces weak contact with his sinker-cutter-curveball mix, ranking in the top 20 percent in average exit velocity and hard-hit percentage. Bassitt also ranked in the top third of MLB in ground-ball percentage and walk rate, and he should be able to fill a mid-rotation spot on a one- or two-year deal.

Potential fits: Brewers, Nationals, Orioles

After missing all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery, Giolito had a solid return this past season, going 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts for the Red Sox — his best season since ’21. Giolito missed the Wild Card Series with right elbow discomfort, so potential suitors will study his medicals very closely, but after throwing 145 innings in ’25, he should have a market for his services.

Potential fits: Angels, Astros, Diamondbacks

A decorated slugger in Japan, Okamoto will be posted by the Yomiuri Giants this winter, making him available to big league clubs. Okamoto, who became a full-time player with the Giants in 2018, is a six-time NPB All-Star who has won three home run titles, though there will be questions about his ability to hit higher-velocity pitchers in the Majors. The 29-year-old has 248 career home runs in 1,074 games with Yomiuri, including six consecutive 30-homer campaigns between 2018-23. Okamoto has played more third base than first in Japan, though itâ€s unclear how Major League teams will view him at the hot corner.

Potential fits: Cubs, Mets, Yankees

Honorable mentions: Cedric Mullins, Harrison Bader, Walker Buehler, Zach Eflin, Paul Goldschmidt, Rhys Hoskins, Dustin May, Ryan Oâ€Hearn, Marcell Ozuna, Justin Verlander, Brandon Woodruff

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One thing is clear about the management at TGL, the PGA Tour-backed simulator golf league — they’re good listeners.

TGL returns to your television screens in just two months, but it will look different this time in many ways, reflecting what players, fans and others have suggested for adjustments to the action in Sofi Center. The majority of improvements surround the rotating putting green, known as the GreenZone.

TGL has increased the size of the putting surface by 38%, from 3,800 sq. feet to 5,270. The big knoll located in the center of the green — which served an important purpose for injecting break into putts — has been lowered by 18 inches, softening the grade of the green. That will likely lead to fewer short game shots that have to carry a specific distance and halt, and more that pitch and run.

The green size now mimics something much closer to the average green size on the PGA Tour, which is a good thing for the best ball-strikers in the world hitting approach shots into a screen. Perhaps most importantly, the bigger green offers five more hole locations, up to 12 from seven last season. The green contouring and variability was a project between TGL and Beau Welling Design over the offseason, and will simply allow for more variability in setup. At times last season, the rotating green would start to feel like it could only support a handful of results. This should improve that greatly.

The green will be much bigger on TGL in season 2.

Courtesy

Also made bigger this year? The bunkers. TGL eliminated the tiniest bunker in its GreenZone and made the other two bigger. They will feature revetted bunker faces rather than the smooth transition between sand and artificial turf. That will inevitably force players to get more creative with their spin from the sand.

On your television screen though? That’s where the most pleasing element comes in. TGL is promising “localized backdrops” on Team Holes for all six franchises. But the on-screen graphics have been refurbished, too, to add to the realism. None of the holes are real, of course, but the more they feel like they are, the more glued to the broadcast one would naturally become. Check out their example in the image below, which we can only assume is the Team Hole for The Bay GC.

TGL returns on Dec. 28 with promises of enhanced graphics, like you see above.

Courtesy

The league promises that the designs of its original holes have been manipulated with different tee boxes and various features to impact strategy — all of which will be announced in the coming months.

A final adjustment will see the league take ball-tracking camera towers — originally located behind the hitting areas — out of the field of play and into the stadium ceiling. The tracking system is expected to improve from Season 1, as it was occasionally the center of ire from fans and players for questionable readings.

TGL kickstarts its second season on network TV on Dec. 28 on ABC.

Throughout last season, the New York Rangers were among the busiest teams in the trade market as general manager Chris Drury attempted to remake his struggling roster.

Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kaako, and Ryan Lindgren were among the notables moved out, while JT Miller, Will Borgen, and Carson Soucy were brought in.

That trade activity carried over into the offseason. On June 12, he shipped out longtime scoring winger Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks. Over two weeks later, he sent defenseman K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Drury also made one of the summer’s biggest free-agent signings. On July 1, he inked former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million.

The Rangers sat fifth in the Metropolitan Division after seven games (3-3-1) but also with the second-lowest goals per game average (2.14). Part of that can be attributed to their adjustment to new head coach Mike Sullivan, but losing Kreider’s goal scoring and Miller’s puck-moving skills were contributing factors.

Meanwhile, Gavrikov told reporters he’s struggled to adjust to his new club and with Adam Fox, his partner on their top defense pairing.

Sullivan believes the duo is a work in progress and should improve over time, but if it doesn’t, the Rangers could have a costly mistake on their hands.

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The 2025 Seattle Mariners seemed like a team of destiny at times, to the point where their first-ever World Series appearance almost felt like a sure thing.

But it was not to be. Even after 60 home runs from Cal Raleigh, a 30-30 season by Julio Rodríguez and a wildly productive trade deadline led to 90 wins and an AL West title 24 years in the making, the Mariners still bowed out of the playoffs in the ALCS after falling to the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games.

The Mariners head into the offseason knowing that they have the foundation to contend again in 2026. Raleigh and Rodríguez are going nowhere, and they also stand to return all five of their core starting pitchers and one of MLB’s best closers, Andrés Muñoz. Further, they’re sitting on the league’s No. 1 farm system.

Many holes will have to be filled, however, including several in a lineup that was arguably the deepest in the American League by the end of the season. And for the president of baseball operations, Jerry Dipoto, the challenge is always how to make the most of a mid-sized budget.

Ahead, we’ll get into which Mariners stand to become free agents and mull potential targets on the free-agent and trade markets, culminating in a prediction for what their 2026 roster will look like.

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The 2025-26 NBA season tips off Tuesday, marking the beginning of on-court storylines. However, that doesn’t mean players didn’t stay busy off the court during the offseason.

Editor’s Picks

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From LeBron James picking up golf as a new hobby to Nikola Jokic celebrating with his horse, the NBA’s biggest names made the most of their offseason. Unlike 2024, which had the Paris Olympics, this summer had an open schedule, meaning limited NBA action and more time to hit the road.

Here’s a look at the top offseason moments, as told by social media.

Klay hard-launches new relationship

Klay Thompson sent shockwaves across the pop culture world with his July 12 Instagram post. Captioned “Sweet Bells son,” the Dallas Mavericks guard posted a photo collage of a recent vacation, but with a twist — he seemingly posed with rapper Megan Thee Stallion in one of the pictures.

Fans quickly speculated that the two were dating, sparking rumors of the relationship. It prompted comments from Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard and Ty Jerome, who wrote: “Woah hard launch.”

The two took the red carpet in New York days later, confirming their relationship.

LeBron, Bronny hit the golf course

A viral development of the offseason centered on LeBron James discovering his love for golfing. His first post arrived July 4, his second day playing. James said: “Boy o boy it’s a mind f— to say the least! But I think I enjoy that part of it a lot.”

He opened up about it on the “360 With Speedy” podcast last month.

“It’s hard as s—,” James said. “… I wanted a challenge, man, and I like being uncomfortable. Golf is like one of the few places where I can go where I don’t get bothered as much.”

LeBron wasn’t the only one with the golf itch in the James household — his oldest son and Los Angeles Lakers teammate, Bronny, also picked up the sport. Bronny had a smooth swing for someone who began playing four months before the video was posted.

French stars own the chessboard

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama’s love for chess is no secret, with the center playing games in a New York City park last December. He took that affinity to another level during the offseason, hosting the “Hoops Gambit” tournament in his hometown of Le Chesnay, France.

Dozens of people competed, including Minnesota Timberwolves center and fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert. The two even faced off in a game.

DEFENSE VS DEFENSE âŸï¸

Rudy Gobert pulled up to the Hoop Gambit event to play against Wemby 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/3xsRw10ivi

— Chess.com (@chesscom) July 20, 2025

A celebration heard across the world

There aren’t many things Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic loves more than his horses — and he had the celebration to prove it.

Jokic was emotionally celebrating after his horse won a race in Subotica, Serbia, in late July. He teared up before hopping the gate to meet his horse and driver, then dumped champagne on the group and himself.

Days earlier, the NBA and Nuggets also posted a photo of Jokic tending to horses while in Beijing.

Allen makes his wedding dance worth it

In a summer full of weddings and engagements, Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen really nailed the execution. He made the most of his wedding with an impressively choreographed dance with his wife, Jordyn.

The couple found inspiration from the 2006 Disney film “High School Musical.” The final musical of the film is called “We’re All In This Together,” where the school joins in on a dance.

Allen and his wife performed the dance to the song at their wedding. The 6-foot-9 center also themed their wedding after the musical, captioning his wedding post on Instagram: “#We’reAllenThisTogether.”

Different continent, same demeanor

No opponent is safe from trash talk when it comes to Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards — not even a retired center.

Edwards traveled to China as part of Adidas’ “Believe That” tour with stops in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. During the trip, Edwards ran into Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Yao Ming.

Of course, the 6-foot-4 guard had to remind the 7-foot-6 Chinese center he wouldn’t be spared from being dunked on.

Durant trade news hits at perfect time

Arguably the biggest transaction of the offseason was the Phoenix Suns trading Durant to the Houston Rockets. Reported in late June, Houston sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft and five second-round picks for Durant.

Durant had been the subject of trade rumors since the previous NBA trade deadline. However, the news of the deal broke at a time when cameras could catch Durant’s reaction.

The two-time NBA champion was being interviewed on stage at Fanatics Fest when the deal was reported. He could only smile as the crowd went wild.

A new way of staying ready

Vacations can sometimes interrupt proper workouts, but Russell Westbrook found a way to get around it.

The current Sacramento Kings guard was vacating on his yacht when videos caught him putting shots up. Westbrook had a hoop where he practiced dribbling and put up a jumper.

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This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastianâ€s Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO — The Cubs achieved a number of goals this past season. The ballclub ended its postseason drought, won a playoff series and had Wrigley Field rocking again with its intimidating October environment. The next step for the team is to make this a regular event and to keep pushing for more wins and a division title.

“We need to constantly raise our level and get to that point where we can do that year in and year out,†Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. “We have a really good foundation to build from. We just need to continue to focus on making good decisions and building from that foundation.â€

Here are five questions facing the Cubs this offseason:

1. Is there a chance Kyle Tucker is back with Cubs in ‘26?

The Cubs knew it might very well be a one-year arrangement when they swung the blockbuster trade with the Astros in December to add Tucker to the lineup. Tucker is 28 years old, ranks 11th in MLB in bWAR (25.4) over the past five seasons and is arguably the best all-around hitter on the free-agent market this winter.

The odds seem to point toward Tucker signing elsewhere, but the Cubs would certainly have an edge on the recruiting side of things. He just spent a season with the ballclub, getting familiar with the organization, teammates, staff, facilities and city. There is nothing to sell Tucker on from that perspective.

Will that make a difference?

“Weâ€ll see what happens,†Tucker said after the Cubs were eliminated from the playoffs. “I donâ€t know what the future is going to hold. If [I sign elsewhere], it was an honor playing with all these guys and I wish everyone the best of luck.â€

2. How will Cubs approach Shota Imanagaâ€s contract situation?

The quick version on Imanagaâ€s situation is that the Cubs have to decide whether to pick up a three-year, $57.75 million option that covers the ‘26-28 seasons (he earned a $250,000 bonus per year for his fifth-place finish in the ‘24 Cy Young race). If Chicago declines, Imanaga can choose between a $15.25 million player option for ‘26 or declining that and going the route of a potential one-year qualifying offer (likely north of $22 million). No matter how the sides proceed, the most likely outcome is Imanaga returns for at least one more season.

Given the cost of starting pitching, this seems like a no-brainer for the Cubs to just pick up the three-year option. Just last offseason, Chicago signed Matthew Boyd for a two-year deal worth $29 million guaranteed after the lefty logged just 11 starts between the regular season and playoffs. The cost of starting pitching is high, so an average of $19.25 million for Imanaga over three years looks like a good deal.

That said, Imanaga is 32 years old and just had a tough finish to his season with homer issues. For the Cubs, they will have to weigh the larger track record against the smaller-sample finish. To that end, the lefty had a 2.75 ERA with 1.4 homers per nine innings in his first 42 starts (248 1/3 innings) in MLB, versus a 5.17 ERA with 2.6 HR/9 in his last 12 (69 2/3 inning).

3. What will the biggest need be this winter?

Lefty Justin Steele (left elbow surgery in April) is on a path to return early next season, so that is good news. Horton is coming off a fantastic rookie year, and Imanaga, Boyd, Colin Rea ($6 million club option) and Javier Assad could all be back. Beyond that, the Cubs have to sort out how Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks fit into the picture (bullpen or rotation). Maybe prospect Jaxon Wiggins (No. 67 on Pipelineâ€s top 100 list) breaks through in ‘26, too.

That seems like a solid place to start for the Cubs, but they could really use an impact arm added to the top of the list. There will be some solid rotation pieces in free agency (Framber Valdez and Dylan Cease heading that class), but expect Chicago to also explore the trade front, perhaps circling back on talks that fell apart at the Trade Deadline.

4. How will the Cubs rebuild the bullpen?

By the end of the year, the Cubs†main late-inning arms were Daniel Palencia, Brad Keller, Andrew Kittredge, Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz. Only Palencia is under control for ‘26. Keller, Thielbar and Pomeranz are set for free agency, while the Cubs have a decision to make on Kittredge ($9 million club option). Michael Soroka, Taylor Rogers, Ryan Brasier and Aaron Civale are also among the Cubs upcoming free-agents.

The Cubs have gone through mid-season makeovers of their bullpen in each of the last two years, bringing in reclamation projects and experienced veterans via trades, claims and signings to fill in gaps around some of the younger, in-house options. Expect that to continue to be a trend for Hoyer, who has leaned against long free-agent deals for relievers (last winterâ€s pursuit of Tanner Scott being an exception).

5. Where could the Cubs add offense?

Even with Tucker potentially exiting in free agency, the bulk of the Cubs†starting lineup is locked into place. Seiya Suzuki could move to right field from designated hitter, opening up possible playing time for Top 100 prospects like outfielder Owen Caissie (No. 47) and catcher Moisés Ballesteros (No. 53). If the Cubs want to bring in an impact bat from the outside, there will likely need to be a trade or two to loosen the inflexibility of the projected starting group.

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2025 season: 97-65, first in NL Central, eliminated in the NLCS

With the Brewers swept by the Dodgers in the NLCS, let’s take a look at the season that was in Milwaukee, the questions the team must address this winter and the early outlook for next year.

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Things that went right

Thanks to a memorable hot streak in the summer, the Brewers ran away with first place in the National League. From July 6 to Aug. 16, they went 29-4, which included a 14-game winning streak to start August. When play started July 6, the Brewers sat four games behind the Cubs in the NL Central. But when their game ended on Aug. 16, they were nine games ahead of Chicago. During that stretch, they led the NL with a 3.13 ERA and scored 219 runs, 44 more than any other NL team.

The Brewers finished third in baseball in runs scored through a true team effort. Christian Yelich bounced back from an injury-impacted 2024 season to play in 150 games and lead the team in homers and RBI. Many of the other key contributors, especially during the summer, were surprising. Andrew Vaughn joined the organization via trade on June 13. After a few weeks in the minors, he debuted July 7 and logged a 1.051 OPS from that date to Aug. 15. The success of Isaac Collins was even more surprising. The 28-year-old opened the season as a reserve player who had amassed 17 career at-bats. But he became a regular in May and logged a .779 OPS the rest of the way. Collins manned premium lineup spots for many second-half games. Sal Frelick and Brice Turang were also steady contributors who reached base at a high rate and wreaked havoc on the basepaths with their speed.

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The rotation was every bit as good as the lineup and finished second in baseball with a 3.58 ERA. Freddy Peralta was the teamâ€s workhorse. He threw 176 2/3 innings, and even though he wonâ€t seriously challenge for the NL Cy Young, he should get a few votes. Quinn Priester arrived in a minor trade with the Red Sox in April and wound up using a heavy groundball lean and improved strikeout rate to log a 3.32 ERA over 157 1/3 innings. Jose Quintana signed a one-year deal on March 5 and gave the team a 3.96 ERA over 131 2/3 innings. Prized prospect Jacob Misiorowski also delivered some dazzling starts, as did veteran Brandon Woodruff, who logged a 3.20 ERA after returning July 6 from 2023 shoulder surgery.

Last but not least, the bullpen was outstanding as well. Trevor Megill was among the most reliable closers until he was sidelined by a flexor strain in late August. Meanwhile, setup men Abner Uribe, Jared Koenig, Grant Anderson and Nick Mears all posted strong ratios while making more than 62 appearances each.

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Things that went wrong

Things went awfully well for the Brewers in 2025 until they ran into a brick wall against the Dodgers in the NLCS. They mustered only one run per game in the four-game series, and their pitchers were no match for L.A.’s offense. It probably didn’t help that the Brewers needed five games to defeat the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS, as they went up 2-0 in that series but then lost two games at Wrigley Field to push it to Game 5. It all added up to a Brewers team that looked both overmatched and exhausted against the Dodgers juggernaut.

In the regular season, Joey Ortiz deserves credit for playing excellent defense, but he struggled mightily at the plate, as his year-over-year OPS dropped by 133 points to .593. He was the only notable disappointment among the lineup regulars.

The success of the Brewers’ rotation is even more impressive when factoring in that three arms who were expected to be mainstays made almost no contributions. Tobias Myers opened the season on the IL due to an oblique injury and made multiple trips to Triple-A. He wound up logging just 50 2/3 innings. Aaron Civale struggled to meet modest expectations for a fifth starter. He missed nearly two months due to a left hamstring strain and was traded to the White Sox for Vaughn in the middle of June. Nestor Cortes endured an even more frustrating start to the season. The former Yankee was shelled for eight runs in two-plus innings by his ex-teammates in his Brewers debut, and he made just one more start before going on the IL due to an elbow strain, and he had not returned to the active roster when he was traded to the Padres at the deadline.

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Offseason outlook

Milwaukeeâ€s front office has built a reputation as one of the smartest in baseball, and it has created a roster that is well-equipped for sustained success.

In 2025, William Contreras got off to a slow start before playing great in the second half. He will return at catcher and in the heart of the lineup. Vaughn and Caleb Durbin will play first and third base, respectively, while Turang and Ortiz will turn double plays in the middle of the diamond.

All of the key players in the outfield are under contract for 2026 and beyond. Frelick will return as the right fielder, and he can play center when needed. Jackson Chourio is a budding star in center, though his progress after a breakout 2024 campaign was much less than expected. Collins will get a chance to build off his breakout season as the left fielder, while Blake Perkins and Brandon Lockridge, who was acquired in the trade for Cortes, are the top reserve options. Yelich will be the regular DH while occasionally making appearances in left field.

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The Brewers are also in great shape in the rotation. Peralta has one more year on his contract and will be the ace of the staff again in 2026. Quintana is heading to free agency, and Woodruff, who has a mutual option on his contract, will likely join him. But Milwaukee has plenty of other options, including Misiorowski, Priester, Chad Patrick and Logan Henderson. Robert Gasser will join the competition when he returns in spring training from 2024 Tommy John surgery.

The relief corps is yet another area that is well-stocked for 2026. Megill will return as the closer, and key setup men Uribe, Anderson, Koenig and Mears remain under team control. All five of these relievers will remain Brewers beyond 2026.

Prospects on the horizon

Although the Brewers have one of the best farm systems in baseball, most of their top prospects are scheduled to arrive in the majors in 2027 or later.

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Henderson is the organizationâ€s top pitching prospect. He looked great in limited opportunities in Milwaukee this year before an elbow injury caused him to be placed on the IL. He could be one of the best starters in the National League as soon as next season.

Catcher Jeferson Quero is the other prospect who will soon be ready to debut. The native Venezuelan might have reached the majors already if not for injuries that caused him to miss nearly all of 2024 and part of 2025. Still, Quero has reached Triple-A and would form an excellent tandem with Contreras.

The jewel of the Brewers†farm system is Jesús Made, who is viewed as a top-10 prospect in baseball by some publications. Made is just 18 years old and wonâ€t debut for at least a couple of years, but when he arrives, Milwaukee fans will be treated to someone who can do it all. Made has strong contact skills, improving power and elite base-stealing ability. He is a natural shortstop who can also play second or third. Made could arrive at the same time as Luis Peña, another 18-year-old infielder with terrific bat skills and impressive wheels.

Goals for 2026

Even after a discouraging end to the team’s playoff run, the Brewers should be one of the top squads in baseball for the next few seasons. This is an organization that thrives thanks in part to a strong scouting department, which can be seen in its effective trades and smart signings. And the Brewers do it all while having a smaller payroll than the average MLB team. It should be a quiet offseason in Milwaukee, as nearly every roster spot is already spoken for and splashy free-agent signings arenâ€t the norm for this club.

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Looking to next year, winning the NL Central wonâ€t be a given, as the Cubs figure to be contenders, the Reds are on the rise, and the Cardinals are usually in the mix. Still, Milwaukee is the gold standard in this group and will be heavy favorite to win a fourth straight division title.

Fantasy focus

Although he wasnâ€t the teamâ€s top player in 2025, Chourio is the man who will attract the most attention from fantasy managers. He should be selected in Round 3 of many drafts. Peralta, Contreras, Turang and Yelich will all come off draft boards in Rounds 5-9, as will Misiorowski, who could boost his draft stock with a strong spring. After all, there are few hurlers who can match his strikeout upside.

Megill will be valued as a top-10 closer, and Priester will be a popular pick in the range of Round 12. Frelick will be drafted in a similar range by those who are looking for a source of runs, batting average and steals. Collins and Vaughn will be popular late-round picks for managers hoping the pair can extend their 2025 success across a full season.

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Superstar outfielder Aaron Judge does not need offseason surgery to repair his right elbow.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed the good news involving the Bombers’ biggest star on Thursday during an end-of-season news conference at Yankee Stadium.

Judge had an MRI after the season that revealed his elbow was healing well.

“It showed continued improvement in the flexor muscles,” Boone said. “And he finished the season doing pretty well. So no surgery is going to be needed for Aaron.”

Judge, who was put on the injured list with a flexor strain in July, returned to the lineup in early August but was limited to designated hitter duties. He returned to right field in early September and played the field relatively consistently throughout the rest of the regular season and postseason, although his throwing was affected by his injury.

Boone said that he expects Judge to be the Yankees’ everyday right fielder when the 2026 season begins.

“Heâ€ll take some time off and continue to do strengthening things and rehab stuff,” Boone said. “But we felt like he finished the season in a pretty good place, as we saw continued improvements with him.”

Judge, 33, slashed .331/.457/.688 — leading the Majors in all three categories — with 53 homers and 114 RBIs in 152 games in 2025. He led the American League in walks (124) and runs scored (137). Judge slashed .500/.581/.692 with one home run and seven RBIs in seven postseason games for the Yankees this October.

Two other Yankees, shortstop Anthony Volpe and starting pitcher Carlos Rodón, did require surgical procedures after the team’s season ended.

Volpe had surgery to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder, and Rodón had an arthroscopic procedure to remove loose bodies from his left elbow and shave down a bone spur. Both players are expected to miss the start of next season but be ready fairly soon after Opening Day, either sometime in April or May.

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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is pleased with Luka DonÄić’s mindset is heading into the 2025-26 season.

“There’s a ton of excitement for the opportunity to coach the best version of him and get the best version of him on a daily basis,” he told reporters Monday. “And I’ve got to bring that out, it’s a part of my job. I’ve talked to him since day one about that. But he’s in a clear-headed space, his body is really good. He’s motivated by winning. I know this because I talk to him about it all the time. He’s motivated by winning, and if we win at a high level, he will be in that conversation for MVP.”

DonÄić has looked noticeably slimmer since last season, perhaps motivated by the Dallas Mavericks’ shocking decision to trade him and the subsequent reports that they weren’t happy with how he maintained his body.

Like a jilted lover, DonÄić has had a post-breakup glow-up, and the Lakers are hoping he can lead them to a title this season. Even in his previous form he was a menace for opponents, averaging 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.2 steals between the Mavs and Lakers last season, shooting 45 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three.

The team’s title hopes may ultimately rest on LeBron James’ health and whether they have a good enough supporting cast, but DonÄić seems primed for a big campaign.

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After denying the New York Knicks’ request to interview head coach Jason Kidd earlier this offseason, the Dallas Mavericks made a further commitment to him on Xday.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavs rewarded Kidd with a multi-year contract on Tuesday.

The team also had signed him to a multi-year contract extension in May 2024.

Kidd was rumored to have mutual interest in the head coaching opening with the Knicks following the surprising firing of Tom Thibodeau, but the Mavs wasted little time in shutting down New York’s attempt to poach the 52-year-old.

Dallas originally hired Kidd prior to the 2021-22 season, bringing him back to the franchise that drafted him No. 2 overall in 1994 and with which he won an NBA championship in 2011. In four years at the helm, the former point guard has guided the Mavs to two playoff appearances with a run to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and a trip to the NBA Finals in 2024.

Kidd was tasked with an unimaginable set of circumstances during the 2024-25 season, as Dallas general manager Nico Harrison made the shocking decision to trade star guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. The move kicked off a series of unfortunate events for the Mavs, as multiple key players missed extended time with injuries, including a six-week absence for star forward Anthony Davis and a season-ending torn ACL for star guard Kyrie Irving.

After all the chaos, Dallas finished the year with a 39-43 record and lost in the final play-in tournament game. Despite the disappointing ending to the season, the Mavs’ luck quickly turned around when they landed the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft lottery. The team used the selection on Duke star and National Player of the Year Cooper Flagg, providing optimism that the future is bright in Dallas.

Kidd will now turn the page as the Mavs enter a new era with Flagg and Davis leading the way, as Tuesday’s deal cements him as the man to try to lead the franchise back to the title picture.

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