Browsing: winter

The hot stove has been bubbling on a low simmer during the past month, with some notable signings and trades taking place in the early weeks of the offseason.

Will it come to a full boil this week?

The 2025 Winter Meetings officially begin Monday in Orlando, though executives and agents started arriving in town over the weekend.

Weâ€ll hear plenty about the top free agents on the market – Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber, Cody Bellinger, Pete Alonso and so on – but the action could extend far beyond the biggest available names.

As always, rumors will buzz throughout the lobby as free agents look for new deals and teams discuss potential trade opportunities.

Here are five storylines to watch as the biggest week of the offseason gets underway:

Framber Valdez, Tatsuya Imai, Ranger Suárez, Michael King and Zac Gallen lead the list, while Merrill Kelly, Justin Verlander, Chris Bassitt, Tyler Mahle, Zach Eflin, Lucas Giolito and Zack Littell are also on the market.

The list of teams looking to upgrade their respective rotations is lengthy: the Mets, Cubs, Orioles, Angels, Tigers, Yankees, Red Sox, Padres and Braves are all in the starting pitching market to varying degrees.

Not all of them will be looking to dish out the type of contract it will take to land the likes of Valdez, Imai, Suárez or King, but with a plethora of arms available, there is an abundance of options from which to choose – and some of those pitchers should start coming off the board this week.

The free-agent pitching market isnâ€t limited to starters, as some high-impact relievers are also available for the right price.

Edwin Díaz, who opted out of the final two years of his record five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets, is the No. 1 reliever on the market, and it may very well take a similar contract to secure his services through the rest of the decade.

But like the starting market, there are a lot of late-inning relief types available. Weâ€ve already seen Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley, Emilio Pagán and Raisel Iglesias sign new deals, but Robert Suarez, Pete Fairbanks, Kenley Jansen, Tyler Rogers, Kyle Finnegan and Luke Weaver are among the other relievers with closing experience still on the market.

No market tends to react to early signings like relievers, evidenced by the fact that four notable relief pitchers have already signed. The bullpen is the one area that all 30 teams can always look to upgrade, so the market for relievers should be plentiful as the meetings get underway.

Oh, right. In case you forgot, there are also some pretty good hitters available.

Tucker, Schwarber, Alonso, Bellinger and Alex Bregman lead the way, and predictably, all five players are receiving interest from multiple teams. Two Japanese star hitters – Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto – are also drawing significant attention around the league.

Schwarber could be the first to sign, though whether he returns to the Phillies remains to be seen. Talks between the two sides have been slow, sources said, though other clubs including the Mets, Red Sox, Orioles and Reds are also in the mix for the slugger.

The Blue Jays are making a strong push for Tucker, hosting him for a visit at their spring facility in Florida last week. Tucker isnâ€t expected to make a decision before the end of the meetings, though an aggressive offer from Toronto – which is also hoping to bring back Bo Bichette – could always push that timeline up. Bellingerâ€s timeline could depend on what happens with Tucker, as some of the teams interested in the latter could view the former as Plan B.

Some of the second-tier position players – Jorge Polanco, Harrison Bader, Luis Arraez, Eugenio Suárez, Ha-Seong Kim and J.T. Realmuto, for example – could also look to get deals done sooner than later.

The trade market has already been active this offseason, with a half-dozen deals – including three notable trades – taking place in the lead-up to the meetings.

The Mets and Rangers swapped Brandon Nimmo and Marcus Semien, the Orioles sent Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels for Taylor Ward, while the Cardinals traded Sonny Gray to the Red Sox.

Those deals might wind up being precursors to an active trade season, as a number of players remain available and, in some cases, likely to move.

The Nationals have one of the most attractive trade candidates in All-Star left-hander MacKenzie Gore, who is under club control for two more seasons. Other players with multiple years of control who could be moved include Brendan Donovan of the Cardinals, Steven Kwan of the Guardians, Edward Cabrera of the Marlins and Jarren Duran of the Red Sox.

Then thereâ€s the biggest name on the market: two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. The Tigers arenâ€t necessarily looking to deal Skubal, but with only one year remaining until he becomes a free agent, the possibility of a trade will linger throughout the offseason – and right up to this summerâ€s Trade Deadline.

Veterans potentially on the move include the Cardinals†Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras, the Brewers†Freddy Peralta, the Marlins†Sandy Alcantara, and the Phillies†Nick Castellanos. The Twins have three potential trade candidates, as well: starters Joe Ryan and Pablo López and outfielder Byron Buxton, though sources say Minnesota is more likely to hold all three and add on the margins in an attempt to contend in the AL Central in 2026.

In what has become an annual tradition, the free-agent list includes a number of prominent players represented by agent Scott Boras, who has developed a reputation of dragging out his clients†free agency deep into the winter.

Some years, Boras lives up to that reputation, but a number of his clients have signed early in the offseason, and certainly will at the Meetings. For example, Cease is one of his clients, and heâ€s signed the biggest deal of the offseason.

Who can forget the 2019 meetings in San Diego? Three Boras clients – Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon – signed nine-figure contracts over consecutive days at the meetings for a combined total of $814 million. Could we see a repeat this year?

Boras†free-agent client list this winter includes Ranger Suárez, Imai, Gallen, Alonso, Bregman, Bellinger, Okamoto, Kim, Nick Martinez and Max Scherzer, giving the agent plenty to do in Orlando – and ample opportunities to steal the headlines each day.

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In many ways, Kyle Schwarber is one of the most interesting free agents this offseason.

The 32-year-old left-handed slugger is coming off a career year with the Phillies, when he hit a career-high 56 home runs, as well as setting personal-best marks with a 150 OPS+ and 4.9 Wins Above Replacement (FanGraphs). Schwarber, a full-time designated hitter, is widely expected to receive a contract north of $100 million, which is unfamiliar territory for a DH that will turn 33 before Opening Day next year.

As the Winter Meetings begin in Orlando, here is the latest on where things stand with Schwarber.

The Pirates are serious players for Schwarber

Much has been made about the Pirates, a notoriously conservative team when it comes to major splashes in free agency, being much more active this offseason. With seven straight losing seasons and a decade of no postseason appearances, the Pirates are looking to change things with a potential generational talent in Paul Skenes in the fold.

What better way to bolster an MLB-worst offense in 2025 — the Pirates finished last in runs, home runs and OPS — than adding Schwarber to the lineup? According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required), the Pirates have offered a four-year deal to Schwarber, which is presumably north of $100 million. That’s significant considering the Pirates have only handed out one $100-plus million contract ($106.75 million contract extension to Bryan Reynolds), with their biggest free-agent deal being a $39 million deal for Francisco Liriano in 2014.

A return to Philly is still on the table

Schwarber was an invaluable hitter and member of the clubhouse for the Phillies from 2022-25, so it should come as no surprise that a return to Philadelphia is still a possibility. But according to a Nov. 25 report from MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, the two sides were not close to a deal at that time. Of course, roughly two weeks have passed since then, but we haven’t received any indication that a Schwarber return to Philadelphia is imminent.

In his four seasons with the Phillies, Schwarber crushed 187 home runs with an .856 OPS and saved his best season for last, finishing second in NL MVP voting in 2025 behind the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani.

Unsurprisingly, there is plenty of other interest in Schwarber’s services. One of those teams is the Phillies’ NL East-rival Mets.

According to a recent report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Mets are “in the mix” for Schwarber. New York, of course, is also trying to retain longtime first baseman Pete Alonso, who hit free agency for the second straight offseason.

There’s also the Reds, who, like the Pirates, have not traditionally been big spenders. Multiple sources confirmed to MLB.com last week that the Reds were in pursuit of Schwarber, who is from nearby Middletown, Ohio, and grew up going to Great American Ball Park.

Beyond those clubs, the Red Sox and Orioles are possible suitors for Schwarber, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman’s report in the New York Post (subscription required). The Giants could also be in play for the slugger, according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi.

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SEATTLE — Daniel Kramer, MLB.comâ€s Mariners beat reporter, held an “Ask Me Anything†this weekend on Reddit with fans at r/Mariners as a preview to the Winter Meetings in Orlando. This mailbag features excerpted questions and answers from that event (some lightly edited for clarity). The full AMA is available to read here.

Any idea on whether Randy Arozarena will be extended past 2026?

Given that Arozarena will see a sizable pay raise in his final year of arbitration — way up from $11.3 million last year — he mightâ€ve been an easy trade piece to speculate, especially within the context of how the front office operated in recent offseasons. But president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander arenâ€t dealing with those payroll-related constraints that saw them subtract costlier players and reallocate that money on others.

More so, they absolutely love Arozarena.

Recency bias highlights shortcomings in the postseason — a .574 OPS and just two extra-base hits — but Dipoto and Hollander are quick to point to the career-high 27 homers, the All-Star selection and that Arozarena was their best player for a lengthy stretch midsummer.

Thatâ€s just some of the context for how itâ€d shape up for a longer-term union, though Arozarena is only a year away from free agency, is represented by Boras Corp and will be entering his age-32 season when he hits the open market for the first time. Itâ€s hard to envision what next winter will look like for him — but at least for now, the Mariners love him.

What is the likelihood the Mariners deal from their rotation to cover an area of need this offseason? Luis Castillo seems like a popular name coming up due to his salary but I have the feeling Jerry and Justin want to keep the same five intact as long as they can.

This is highly unlikely — and certainly so for Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, George Kirby and Bryce Miller — unless they were to reinject another starter. Castillo is indeed the only one theyâ€d consider dealing, but again, they were reminded of the value of his durability in 2025, when he made all 32 starts, while the rest of the group weathered one significant injury after another, all the way into the postseason.

Those hits forced Emerson Hancock and Logan Evans into fill-in roles, and those two are again expected to be reinforcements in 2026. On the prospect front, Kade Anderson (their first-round Draft pick last summer) and Jurrangelo Cjintje (their switch-pitching phenom) could potentially be in play but not until late-season at the earliest.

Even in their healthier years, Hollander has said, “you can never have enough starting pitching,†and within their current construction — and payroll situation — itâ€s hard to see them parting with Castillo this winter.

Does the team feel the internal options for the infield are “enough,†should they not re-sign Jorge Polanco? Or is there likely to be a trade target should “Polo” decide to go elsewhere?

They will need at least one more impact bat, preferably two, to retain their status as one of the most formidable lineups in the American League. But those younger players in question — Ben Williamson, Ryan Bliss, Cole Young, Leo Rivas — are all solid depth pieces that give them a safety net of infielders to operate this offseason. But no, standing pat with that group is not Plan A, and it shouldnâ€t be.

What is the likelihood the Mariners will look to re-sign Polanco AND acquire another impact bat as opposed to just doing one or the other?

This depends most on the value of Polancoâ€s new deal, and how much that number takes up to their 2026 budget, which is currently at around $150 million after the club signed Josh Naylor. Dipoto said at seasonâ€s end that their roughly $165 million figure at the end of last season would be a “starting point†for Opening Day, meaning they have about $15 million left to work with.

Weâ€ve seen that there is interest in Tarik Skubal, but how much interest do you think there legitimately is?

The industry will find out much more about Skubalâ€s status when meetings start Monday in Orlando, and just how real — or not — the rampant trade speculation is. Yet if he were to become available, which seems highly unlikely this offseason, then yes, absolutely — expect the Mariners to have legitimate interest for the all-world left-hander. Who wouldnâ€t?

They have MLB Pipelineâ€s No. 3-ranked farm system, stocked with prospects that could formulate a compelling trade package. And theyâ€ve shown that they might be OK with mortgaging a hefty prospect haul for just one year of Skubal then letting him walk in free agency. They could also afford his 2026 salary, too.

As for his fit in Seattle, while the Mariners†rotation experienced some regression last season from its best-in-sport status in 2024, the floor of that group still is among the gameâ€s best. But Skubal is still the type of player theyâ€d have to legitimately consider if he truly enters the trade mix this winter.

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The Yankees‘ offseason, so far, has been uneventful.

Aside from some minor signings, and one big qualifying offer being accepted, New York has yet to fill out its roster to try to get back to the World Series. While division rivals like the Red Sox and Blue Jays have already made big splashes, Yankees GM Brian Cashmanis seemingly biding his time. While the team’s needs and priorities are very obvious, the Yankees enter the MLB Winter Meetings with a lot of questions and even more work to do.

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Here’s a checklist of what the Yankees need to do this week during the Winter Meetings in Orlando…

Bring Cody Bellinger back

The biggest offseason move the Yankees need to make is to re-sign Bellinger. Cashman got a steal when he made the trade with the Cubs last offseason to bring the former NL MVP to The Bronx. Bellinger had one of his best seasons as a pro and helped the Yankees lengthen the lineup and shore up the defense in the outfield. He won games single-handedly with his defense alone this past season and has proven that he’s perfect for the pinstripes.

It’s clear Bellinger is Cashman’s priority this offseason, just as Juan Soto was a year ago. And while that pursuit didn’t pan out, Cashman can’t possibly allow Bellinger not to return, especially when teams like the Dodgers and Mets are vying for his services.

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It won’t be easy, Bellinger — who is represented by Scott Boras — will look to have a lucrative multi-year deal and the Yankees may have to go further than they otherwise might be comfortable with; that’s how important Bellinger is to the 2026 Yankees. Aaron Judgeand Trent Grisham can’t be the only veterans in the outfield next season while they try to capture lightning in a bottle with Jasson Dominguezor Spencer Jones.

Oct 2, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) runs to home plate in the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox during game three of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Enact Plan B if Bellinger leaves

This offseason is becoming eerily similar to last year. Soto took the money to go to the Mets and Cashman had to pivot, and pivot he did.

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Cashman traded for Bellinger and Devin Williams while signing Max Fried. The GM’s moves worked and helped the Yankees tie the Blue Jays for the best record in the American League. Now, what could Cashman do for an encore?

If the Yankees can’t re-sign Bellinger, Cashman needs to be ready to enact his Plan B. Whether that’s signing Kyle Tucker or trading for an outfielder like Steven Kwan, the longtime GM has to show the fans that if Bellinger doesn’t come back, the outfield will be just fine.

Cashman has to be creative; he’s done it before, and he may need to do it again. Hopefully, he’s prepared.

Fill out the bullpen

Two moves the Yankees have made this offseason are re-signing Ryan Yarbroughand picking up Tim Hill’s option, which helps fill holes in the bullpen, but there’s still work to be done.

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Devin Williams is gone and Luke Weaver is still a free agent. Cashman and the organization have been great at creating a bullpen in the past and I expect this year to be the same. Perhaps a reunion with Weaver is on the way, or signing former Padres closer Robert Suarez to pair with David Bednar is a possibility. And, who knows, perhaps a trade could happen in the same way Williams was acquired.

Figuring out the outfield is the priority for the Yankees, but finishing up the bullpen is second on the list and Cashman needs to address it soon.

Oct 4, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees pitcher Luke Weaver (30) throws in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game one of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre. / Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Get greedy and sign a starter

The Yankees’ starting rotation is set … when it’s healthy.

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Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon will miss the start of the 2026 season, but they will be back. But there may be questions about their effectiveness when they do return. Cashman and the Yankees also have to wonder if they can fully trust the trio of Luis Gil, Will Warren and Cam Schlittler for another season.

The Yankees can give themselves some comfort by splurging on another starter either in free agency or via trade.

There are some intriguing buy-low, reclamation projects like Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly who can shore up the back of the rotation. Miami has controllable starters like Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera that can be traded for as well. The rotation is definitely low on the list of priorities for the Yankees, but with so many question marks, it can’t hurt to have as many starters as possible and if Cashman brings one in, the younger arms become trade pieces for the aforementioned outfielder.

Dispel all payroll questions

Heading into the Winter Meetings, there’s been a lot of chatter about the Yankees’ 2026 payroll and whether or not Hal Steinbrenner is willing to go over $300 million, including comments from Steinbrenner himself. They currently sit at around $283.6 million (after taxes), so there’s not a lot of wiggle room for the Yankees if they hope to improve their team.

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I find it hard to believe the Yankees would operate below $300 million, so Cashman could show the baseball world — and Yankees fans — that they are ready to spend this offseason by signing a Bellinger or a handful of names. Not to rush the process, but leaving the Winter Meetings without a deal done would not quell fears. It’ll be even worse if targets like Bellinger and Tucker sign elsewhere.

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TheMets have already made two bold moves this offseason — trading Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers forMarcus Semienand signingDevin Williamsto bolster the back end of the bullpen.

With New York looking to rebound following a season with sky high expectations that ended with them missing the playoffs, expect more boldness — especially with now seeming like the right time to trade some of the team’s top prospects if the right impact player is available.

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Here’s what the Mets’ checklist should be asDavid Stearns and Co. attend the MLB Winter Meetings this week in Orlando…

Re-sign Edwin Diaz

I said it right after the 2025 season ended, and nothing has changed. Re-signing Diaz should be the easiest decision the Mets make this offseason.

With Williams on board, the team has added a usually lights-out reliever whose relatively down 2025 campaign feels like an aberration — with that belief bolstered by Williams’ underlying numbers and the fact that his changeup remained one of the most dominant pitches in the sport.

But Williams should be part one of two, and the endgame has him serving as the setup man and handing the ball to Diaz to close things out.

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Much has been made of the Nimmo trade, and how it could be a sign that Stearns isn’t sentimental when it comes to retaining fan favorites. But bringing Diaz back wouldn’t be about pleasing the fan base. It would simply be the right baseball move for a team that is trying to win the World Series.

New York indicated after signing Williams that they remain interested in bringing Diaz back, and they have to know that it will take at least four years to get it done. So their willingness to signal their continued interest in Diaz after inking Williams suggests they’ll eventually be comfortable going to four years.

Apr 17, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) enters the field during the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. / Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images

The big question, then, is whether any team is willing to offer Diaz a five-year contract, and if the Mets would match it. Taking all of the reporting into account, it doesn’t seem like it will be the Dodgers, Yankees, or Red Sox who go long for Diaz. It could be the Blue Jays, but reports have connected them more to the relievers a tier below Diaz. Toronto is also in on Kyle Tucker, and is trying to re-sign Bo Bichette.

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All of this points to a sensible resolution between the Mets and Diaz, who has been clear about his desire to stay. If some team does offer five years, perhaps the Mets can strike a balance by upping the average annual value on a four-year deal and making it just as appealing as any hypothetical five-year one.

Try to get clarity on Pete Alonso‘s plan

As was the case last offseason, it can be argued that Alonso is the best fit for the Mets and that the Mets are the best fit for Alonso.

But his free agency could drag out anyway, with reports that he’s seeking a seven-year deal.

While a seven-year deal (or even a six-year contract) doesn’t feel likely, Alonso and agent Scott Boras are under no obligation to give up that hope quickly. And that leaves the Mets in a tough spot.

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They’re going to need to add serious power, whether it’s achieved by re-signing Alonso or signing/trading for someone else. But they can’t afford to wait until January to find out if a reunion with Alonso is likely.

If they determine Alonso’s asking price is too high, or that he’s simply not willing to compromise in the next few weeks, they might have to pivot — which could potentially result in the end of Alonso’s tenure in Queens.

What that pivot could look like is anyone’s guess, but free agent Kyle Schwarber is among the interesting possibilities.

Address the starting rotation

It was the failure of the rotation that was most responsible for dooming the Mets’ 2025 season. And their biggest task this offseason is adding pitchers to it who help ensure that it doesn’t wilt again.

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While the easiest way to add impact pitching could be signing free agent Framber Valdez, it can be argued that it isn’t prudent to give a 32-year-old pitcher a long-term deal.

Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez (59) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers in game one of the Wild Card round for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. / Troy Taormina – Imagn Images

There are less expensive options on the free agent market, like Ranger Suarez and Michael King, but they come with their own question marks.

If the Mets believe in 27-year-old Japanese ace Tatsuya Imaias a No. 3 starter with the upside to be more, he could make the most sense as the free agent they set their sights on.

But New York needs to add a legitimate top of the rotation arm, and the best way to do that is by turning to the trade market, where Joe Ryanand Freddy Peralta are the best fits (assuming Tigers ace Tarik Skubalisn’t available).

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As is noted above, this could be the offseason for the Mets to dangle some of their top prospects if the right trade comes along. A deal for Ryan or Peralta would qualify.

Explore the outfield possibilities

The Nimmo trade means that there are now holes in both left field and center field, and there are a whole bunch of different ways the Mets can go.

Stearns said before the Nimmo trade that prospect Carson Benge could possibly break camp as the starting center fielder. Now, the possibility exists that he begins the season as the starting left fielder.

The presence of Tyrone Taylor gives the Mets a defense-first option to play center, but it seems unlikely they’d go internal in both center and left — unless they bolster other positions in a big way.

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There’s also a chance the future of Alonso impacts what the Mets do in the outfield.

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) flips his bat as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run / Jayne Kamin-Oncea – Imagn Images

For example, if Alonso leaves, it would make sense for New York to be more inclined to spring for someone like free agent Cody Bellinger.

There are also intriguing trade options, including Jarren Duran of the Red Sox, Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox, and Byron Buxton of the Twins — players who should fit in a world with or without Alonso.

Resolve the situations with Kodai Senga and Jeff McNeil

Despite Stearns saying after the Nimmo for Semien trade that McNeil is on board with what the Mets are doing, it feels pretty likely that he will be playing elsewhere in 2026.

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With just one year remaining on his deal, it shouldn’t be difficult to find interested teams for the versatile 33-year-old. In the event the Mets don’t find anyone willing to give fair value, they could always keep McNeil and have him be a super utility player.

The situation with Senga is much trickier.

Senga’s upside is enormous, but he hasn’t been on the mound enough (Stearns himself said it would be “foolish” to rely on Senga for 30 starts in 2026). Part of that is due to injury, and part of it is due to issues with Senga’s mechanics and comfortability — something that led to him going to the minors late last season, working on things, and deciding he wasn’t able to contribute to the big league team after that minor league stint.

He is set to earn $30 million over the final two guaranteed years of his contract. And given what pitchers have been getting on the free agent market, Senga should be appealing to teams who think they can get his mechanics right and keep him healthy. But the Mets shouldn’t be giving him away.

Other possible trade candidates include Ronny Mauricio, Luisangel Acuña, and Mark Vientos.

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Five questions for Giants to answer as they head to annual MLB Winter Meetings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

ORLANDO — In at least one area, the Giants are getting solid reviews for their early offseason work.

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They have put together a coaching staff that includes needed experience around first-year manager Tony Vitello, but also young coaches who have built strong reputations while coming through the ranks with other organizations. Throw in the additions of Bruce Bochy, Javier Lopez and Curt Casali to the front office, and Vitello and president of baseball operations Buster Posey will be surrounded by a group that looks well-rounded on paper.

None of that will matter, though, if the roster doesnâ€t get better, and on that front, the Giants have been quiet.

The only free-agent contract thus far has gone to lefty reliever Sam Hentges, who will try to join Erik Miller as bullpen lefties as he recovers from shoulder and knee surgeries. The Giants also have added some depth to their outfield, but their most notable offseason move thus far has been a departure. Marco Luciano, formerly their top prospect, was claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

That left the Giants with an open 40-man spot as they flew to Florida for Major League Baseballâ€s annual Winter Meetings. Will they use it on a big-time starter or a closer in the coming days? Is a trade already in the works? Was that simply so they can take part in Wednesdayâ€s Rule 5 Draft?

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Weâ€ll find out over the next week. This is the busiest stretch of the offseason calendar, and Posey and general manager Zack Minasian have plenty of work left to do. Here are five questions that the organization should answer in Orlando …

Will They Spend?

This is the time of year when rumors fly and every story includes quotes from anonymous sources, but as the stove started to heat up in November, a lot of people seemed to ignore a very important piece of information.

Giants chairman Greg Johnson went on the record in October and hinted at what was to come, telling John Shea of The San Francisco Standard that the organization would be “very cautious†about $100 million deals for pitchers. Johnson also mentioned the long-term commitments the team has made in recent years to players like Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers and Jung Hoo Lee.

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“I think the risk is having too many people on similar six-year-type deals that create less flexibility to the payroll,†he told Shea.

The Giants actually have been pretty transparent about where they stand financially, even though their preferences are incredibly frustrating to fans. Sources this week confirmed The Athleticâ€s reporting that Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai likely is out of their comfort zone, and thatâ€s not a surprise if you go back to those quotes from Johnson. This all goes back to the regular season, though.

When the Giants traded for Devers and the roughly $260 million left on his deal in June, some high-ranking team employees were told there essentially was no wiggle room to keep adding money at the July deadline. That didnâ€t end up mattering because the team cratered so dramatically that Posey ended up selling, not looking to add.

Months later, the Giants head to Orlando with more than $50 million that they can spend before they start bumping up against the first tax line. But they also are concerned about items that wonâ€t impact their 2026 40-man roster. When you combine Vitelloâ€s salary with his buyout and the $4 million still owed to Bob Melvin, the Giants will be paying an MLB-high $10.5 million to the manager spot in 2026. They owe Blake Snell $17 million on Jan. 15 as a delayed signing bonus for a two-year deal that didnâ€t work out.

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Posey is unique among his peers in that he is part of the ownership group and a member of the board of directors, and he has shown an ability to get his partners to shell out more than planned, particularly with the Devers deal. He also operates in silence, which is worth remembering during this Imai chase.

Even if the Giants end up out on Imai, they still should have the financial ability to add two starting pitchers. The next week will reveal how far theyâ€re willing to go, though.

Attendance was way up in 2025 and season ticket renewal numbers were strong, so fans will be rightfully annoyed if the Giants stick to the spending plan that they have put out there publicly over the past two months and get outbid for the top free agent starters.

Can They Get Creative?

If we can step back and defend part of that plan for a moment … the truth is that many long-term, nine-figure pitching deals become disasters. And paying for high-end relievers is usually a bad idea, as well.

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Itâ€s somewhat understandable if the Giants prefer two- or three-year deals for starters and want to stay away from the closers getting $15 million-plus on the open market, but if thatâ€s the case, they do have to find other ways to add real talent. Their position player core is strong enough to get to the MLB playoffs, and with a lockout looming, 2026 is crucial. By the time thereâ€s labor peace, the core is going to be a bit old.

If Posey has a huge trade for a reliable starting pitcher up his sleeve, this is the time. This is a good offseason to be looking to make that kind of splash, too. The Minnesota Twins reportedly are pulling their guys off the market, but Freddy Peralta, MacKenzie Gore, Kris Bubic and others might be moved in the next week.

Making that kind of deal requires parting with good prospects, but Lucianoâ€s path was a reminder that prospect-hoarding doesnâ€t always pay off. The Giants are also much better positioned to deal than they were a year ago thanks to some promising developments within their system.

Their recent international classes have been strong with another good group on the way in January, and three of their top prospects — Josuar Gonzalez, Gavin Kilen and Jhonny Level — are middle infielders at a time when their big league shortstop is on a long-term deal. There are some really intriguing arms in the low minors. Posey was a firm no when the Boston Red Sox initially asked about Bryce Eldridge, but with Devers looking comfortable at first, thereâ€s at least some possibility that the front office could change its mind.

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This would seem to be the time to take a big swing and trade a couple of younger prospects for a pitcher who could help in 2026. Years from now, that might hurt, or we might forget those names altogether. If the Giants arenâ€t going to fish in the deep waters in free agency, this is a risk they need to take.

What About The Other Side?

The front officeâ€s preference is to deal mostly with minor league free agents, waiver claims and lesser-known veterans when rebuilding the bullpen, and so far thatâ€s been the way theyâ€ve operated. Lefty Reiver Sanmartin was claimed from the Cincinnati Reds, and Hentges got a modest $1.4 million after a solid run in Cleveland.

Throw those two in with Miller and Matt Gage and the Giants probably are fine from the left side. Miller was just about fully recovered from elbow soreness by the end of September, and the staff can wait and see who else stands out in Scottsdale.

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The right side of the bullpen needs help, though, and Posey and Minasian probably need to get at least two high-leverage options for Vitello, who will be judged in large part on how he handles late-game decisions in his first year.

Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley already are off the board, and their deals seemed pretty reasonable. Edwin Diaz will be way too pricey, but Robert Suarez might end up closer to the Williams/Helsley range and Pete Fairbanks would be a nice fit on a short-term deal.

Posey said on the “Giants Talk†podcast last month that he anticipates a competition for the closer spot, indicating they wonâ€t spend on the higher-end arms. But the Giants do need to find a favorite for that competition, and at the moment that player isnâ€t on their roster. They also need a good option for the eighth. A Tyler Rogers reunion would be the obvious move, but thatâ€s not nearly as much of a slam dunk as it seemed when he was traded away.

The Giants hung around early in 2025 because they had one of the gameâ€s best bullpens. Getting a few new right-handers to throw into the late-inning mix in 2026 is a necessity.

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Who Stays, Who Goes?

It took four decades — from Chili Davis to Heliot Ramos — for the Giants to develop another homegrown MLB All-Star outfielder, a not-so-fun fact that makes the current makeup of their 40-man roster fascinating. The Giants have nine outfielders in those 40 spots, including four homegrown players. It wonâ€t be a comfortable winter for those four, though.

With the additions of Justin Dean and Joey Wiemer, the front office is signaling that a new mix will be out on the grass next season. Thatâ€s particularly noteworthy for Luis Matos, who — like Luciano — is out of minor league options. Wade Meckler and Grant McCray also have been bumped down the depth chart by the additions of Dean, Wiemer and Drew Gilbert.

Ramos is the starting left fielder, but he could hear his name in trade rumors this month — mostly because there just arenâ€t a whole lot of other young Giants who could be the centerpiece of any kind of noteworthy deal.

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There will be changes to this large outfield group before the spring, and possibly before the end of the Winter Meetings. The big question, though, is whether Posey and Minasian feel additions are needed.

With Ramos in left and Lee in center, the Giants could opt to go with a right-field platoon of the left-handed Gilbert and right-handed Wiemer, which would be excellent defensively and take up very little payroll space. But there still are some veterans out there who could provide more certainty.

What Does Tony Think?

At the GM Meetings last month, Posey joked that he had to schedule coaching interviews around Vitelloâ€s many podcast and TV appearances. The new manager is good in front of the camera, and the Giants are thrilled with the way he has been able to represent them on a national stage.

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Those interviews had a common theme, though. Vitello hasnâ€t been asked much about his current players, and itâ€ll be interesting to see if he gives more away in Orlando. Heâ€ll meet with reporters multiple times, and itâ€s probably time for the focus to turn from how he got here to where heâ€s headed.

Is there a young player who really stands out to him? Will there be a notable change in the way the Giants run the bases and defend? Does this new staff have a plan to get Ramos back to his 2024 ways, or fix Hayden Birdsongâ€s command issues? What does he want to see from Eldridge?

The manager search took up all of the oxygen in the room when Posey and Minasian met with the media in early October, and the past month has been about finding coaches. But itâ€s time for everyone involved to start offering some more specifics about how 2026 will look better than 2025.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Swerve Strickland is willing to put differences aside and team with Hangman Page at this Wednesday’s Winter is Coming edition of AEW Dynamite.

After making his surprise return at Full Gear, Strickland spoke on Saturday’s Collision for the first time since returning from a multi-month injury absence to call out AEW World Champion Samoa Joe and The Opps.

It was at Full Gear that Strickland came out to aid Page against The Opps after they cost Page the title. On Saturday, Strickland said he understands Page is looking for another desperado to join him and he said he would do it but for “one night and one night only” and after that, they would need to have a serious conversation.

After Josh Alexander came out to set up a singles match for the Collision edition of Winter is Coming in Cardiff, Wales, The Opps’ Katsuyori Shibata came out to take out Strickland’s knee and leave him laying.

It was then announced that Strickland and Page will battle Shibata and Powerhouse Hobbs in a tornado tag team match this Wednesday.

AEW Dynamite Winter is Coming | Wednesday, December 10 —

• AEW World Champion Samoa Joe defends against Eddie Kingston
• AEW Womenâ€s Tag Team title tournament finals: Babes of Wrath (Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron) vs. Timeless Love Bombs (Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa)
• Hangman Page & Swerve Strickland vs. Katsuyori Shibata & Powerhouse Hobbs

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Josh Nason

Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He’s a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.

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Deals for baseballâ€s top free agents have been slow to materialize this offseason, but baseballâ€s annual Winter Meetings have a way of igniting the Hot Stove.

As this year’s Winter Meetings get underway in Orlando, we’re here to help you get caught up on the state of the free-agent market, from the biggest signings so far …

… to the latest buzz surrounding the notable stars who remain unsigned.

The Blue Jays’ big spending in the pitching market hasn’t taken them out of the mix for Tucker, the consensus No. 1 free agent on the board. In fact, a source told MLB.com that Tucker was at the Blue Jays’ complex in Florida on Wednesday. Two other AL East teams — the Yankees and Orioles — were also connected to Tucker in November. Tucker spent 2025 with the Cubs, but they aren’t expected to pursue a reunion. The Athletic reports that Chicago is “preparing for [his] exit as a free agent,” knowing it has rookies Owen Cassie and Moisés Ballesteros ready to contribute at the big league level.

The Cubs, who reportedly made a four-year offer to Bregman last offseason before he signed with the Red Sox, are showing “renewed interest” in the third baseman, per The Athletic. Chicago’s biggest priority is bolstering its pitching staff, but the team hasn’t ruled out adding a big name to its position player group, even if Tucker isn’t part of its plans. Meanwhile, Boston hasn’t ruled out re-signing Bregman. The Red Sox have been linked to several other elite hitters in free agency, but Heyman still views Bregman as the “most likely fit.”

Schwarberâ€s market is as hot as any big-name free agentâ€s right now. The Phillies want him back, but the two sides werenâ€t close to a deal as of Nov. 25, leaving the door open for another team to swoop in. Could that be the rival Mets? Theyâ€re reportedly in the mix, as are the Red Sox, Orioles and Giants. The Reds also have been linked to Schwarber in recent days, and multiple sources confirmed to MLB.com that they are indeed in pursuit of the veteran slugger, who hails from nearby Middletown, Ohio, and grew up going to Great American Ball Park.

MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said during Wednesday’s edition of Hot Stove that multiple big-market teams were in pursuit of Bellinger. That includes the incumbent Yankees, the Mets and potentially the Phillies and World Series champion Dodgers as well. Re-signing Bellinger is believed to be one of the Yankees’ top priorities this winter, though it remains to be seen whether they are willing to get into a bidding war for the 30-year-old outfielder after Trent Grisham accepted their one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer.

The two teams most commonly linked to Alonso so far this offseason have been the Red Sox and the only franchise he has known as a pro, the Mets. Heyman reported last month that Alonso and the Mets have had discussions about a new contract, but nothing has emerged from those talks as of yet. Bostonâ€s interest in Alonso might depend on whether it can re-sign Bregman. If not, Morosi thinks the Red Sox will start an “all-out pursuit†of Alonso. And in terms of fit, Alonso appears to be the best option for Boston, which wants to bulk up its offense.

Murakami was posted for MLB clubs last month and has until 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 22 to agree to a contract with a team. If he doesnâ€t, he will return to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball. But the odds of that happening are slim since the 25-year-old corner infielder possesses elite power from the left side of the plate. In 2022, he launched 56 homers and won a Triple Crown. This past season, injuries limited Murakami to only 56 games, but he still belted 22 home runs and produced a 1.043 OPS. There havenâ€t been a ton of concrete reports of who is pursuing Muramaki, but the Yankees, Mets, Phillies and Red Sox are among the clubs expected to have interest.

Kingâ€s market has heated up over the past week or so, with clubs such as the Tigers, Mets, Yankees, Orioles, Angels, Padres, Marlins and Red Sox reported to have some level of interest. Most of those teams are likely to remain in contention, though the Red Sox may have fully addressed their rotation needs in trades for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo. Any team courting King will surely seek assurances about his health, as the 30-year-old right-hander missed three months with a non-structural shoulder injury in 2025 and allowed 12 runs in the first 10 innings upon his return. King turned in two scoreless appearances in late September and struck out the side in one postseason inning.

MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand has said that while the Phillies remain in the mix to bring back Suárez, multiple other clubs are hot on his trail. Those include the Cubs, Astros and Orioles, with the latter two perhaps more zeroed in on the 30-year-old left-hander. With so many teams in pursuit, itâ€s possible that Suárez could become the next big-name pitcher off the board, as reported this week by ESPNâ€s Jeff Passan. Feinsand reports that while the Phillies are keeping Suárez on their radar, the emergence of top prospect Andrew Painter and other club priorities might signal that Suárez will sign elsewhere.

Imai is the latest star hurler from Japan to be posted by his Nippon Professional Baseball club for a chance to pitch in the Major Leagues. With a profile similar to that of Mets right-hander Kodai Senga and characteristics similar to many notable Major Leaguers, the 27-year-old has a fastball that touches 99 mph to go along with a slider, changeup and splitter. He posted a 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts in 163 2/3 innings for NPB’s Saitama Seibu Lions in 2025. Teams that are rumored to be interested in signing Imai include the Blue Jays, who have long sought a Japanese star, as well as the Cubs, Mets and Orioles.

Valdez is one of the top starting pitchers available on the free-agent market. Thanks to his excellent track record and high ground-ball rate, the left-hander will be a prized catch for whichever club signs him (the controversy he generated late last season notwithstanding). There is a long list of teams that could use his services and have the wherewithal to land him. The list includes the Orioles, Mets, Red Sox, Cubs, Giants and incumbent Astros. He did decline Houston’s qualifying offer, so the team that signs him will have to part with a compensatory Draft pick.

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With the baseball world’s eyes trained on Orlando, Fla., over the next few days for the Winter Meetings, it’s a great time to have a look at each team’s biggest need heading into the annual event, one which often serves as a catalyst for Hot Stove action.

We asked each of the 30 MLB.com beat writers for some insight as to what their club’s biggest need is as the Winter Meetings get set to kick off:

Blue Jays: One big bat
The obvious candidates here are Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker, given that Kyle Schwarber isnâ€t as clean a fit on this roster. While Bichetteâ€s price will likely be high and Tuckerâ€s even higher, the Blue Jays have shown a willingness to spend and their ownership group seems to be emboldened by the World Series run that sparked incredible national interest in the team. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the engine of this lineup and the Blue Jays are hoping for one more great season from George Springer, but they need some help in the middle of the order, especially given the uncertainty around Anthony Santander following a rough debut season cut short by a shoulder injury. The Blue Jays are never hesitant to go off the board, either, just as they did last offseason by adding Andrés Giménez at the Winter Meetings. — Keegan Matheson

Orioles: A frontline starting pitcher
Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers could form a strong 1-2 punch atop Baltimoreâ€s staff in 2026. But the Oâ€s need another frontline starter — somebody to group with Bradish and Rogers in the upper half of the rotation, or even to serve as an ace above that duo. The Orioles†trade for Corbin Burnes ahead of the 2024 season worked out quite well before he left for Arizona last offseason. Maybe Baltimore will again explore the trade market for a top-tier starter, though the Oâ€s have expressed a willingness to expand their payroll and could be in the mix for marquee free agents such as Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, Michael King and others. — Jake Rill

Rays: Catcher
The Rays like their current defensive-minded duo, Hunter Feduccia and Nick Fortes, and they expect both to be more comfortable next season after coming over at the Trade Deadline. Plus, offensive-oriented prospect Dominic Keegan isnâ€t far behind in Triple-A. But itâ€s hard to ignore that their catchers hit just .185 with an MLB-worst .592 OPS last season, and theyâ€re always looking for a long-term, everyday solution behind the plate, someone who can meet their defensive standard and lengthen their lineup. Is that player available this offseason? — Adam Berry

Red Sox: A big bat
The Red Sox need a slugger who can sit in the third or fourth spot in the lineup and stay there all season. The Red Sox had that guy for years, and his name was Rafael Devers. The star left-handed hitter was dealt to the Giants for a multitude of reasons back on June 15, and Boston knows it is vital to replace his production to go deep into October. Keep an eye on Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber, the two biggest bats on the free-agent market. Only Aaron Judge has hit more homers than those two sluggers over the last seven seasons. In a perfect world, Alonso would be the best fit because of his right-handed bat in a lineup that needs more balance. But nobody in Boston would complain about winding up with Schwarber. — Ian Browne

Yankees: Bullpen help
New York’s bullpen pitched to a 4.37 ERA this past season, which ranked 11th in the 15-team American League — hardly what they envisioned after importing Devin Williams and his celebrated “Airbender” in a trade. Williams was in and out of the closer’s role, while Luke Weaver (also now a free agent) posted inconsistent results. The Yanks attempted to patch their ‘pen at the Trade Deadline, acquiring David Bednar and Camilo Doval, among others. Bednar was solid, posting a 2.19 ERA and 10 saves in 22 appearances, while Doval is a high-upside project. They’ve already re-signed Tim Hill and Ryan Yarbrough, which is a start, but the Yanks are looking for more lockdown help in the late innings. — Bryan Hoch

Guardians: Offense
Clevelandâ€s top need is bolstering an offense that struggled for extended stretches last season. Adding a proven veteran to the outfield mix is one avenue that would make a ton of sense, and a right-handed hitter could be an ideal fit. Cleveland center fielders had a .574 OPS last season, and its right fielders had a .605 OPS. The outfield picture is heavy on lefties, from youngsters Chase DeLauter, George Valera and C.J. Kayfus to All-Star and four-time Gold Glove left fielder Steven Kwan. — Tim Stebbins

Royals: Offense
The Royals are keen on upgrading their offense for 2026, either with an impact bat for the middle of their order or with reliable and proven depth down at the bottom. The outfield is the likely path for an addition, as the Royals†outfield has been among the least productive in the Majors for several years. But Kansas City could also find some help with a versatile player who can bounce between the infield and outfield. Itâ€s time for the Royals to find the pieces that can help their core group of hitters take the next step as an offense. — Anne Rogers

Tigers: Bullpen
The pitching chaos strategy that marked Detroitâ€s postseason charge in 2024 had some issues last season due in part to a thinner group of trustworthy relievers by seasonâ€s end. President of baseball operations Scott Harris, manager A.J. Hinch and pitching coach Chris Fetter built a deep bullpen of homegrown prospects, waiver claims and low-key free-agent adds, but that group showed the effects of all those innings last season. Detroitâ€s dabbling into the free-agent closer market suggests a potential change in approach, though re-signing Kyle Finnegan would retain a critically versatile arm. — Jason Beck

Twins: Bullpen
Itâ€s bullpen by a mile, and itâ€s not entirely clear whatâ€s second. Minnesota traded away its top five relievers at the Deadline last year, leaving only Cole Sands, Justin Topa and Kody Funderburk from what had previously been a strong relief corps. And to this point, the Twins have only added one new arm to the mix (right-hander Eric Orze) this winter. It is likely that one or two of the clubâ€s starting candidates or starting prospects will be moved to relief work, but even so, thereâ€s a need for probably at least two established relievers. — Matthew Leach

White Sox: Late-inning leverage
The real White Sox answer in this category is: a little bit of everything. The team will be looking for a left-handed bat, either in the corner outfield spots or corner infield, with Miguel Vargas able to play first or third, and another veteran arm for the rotation even with the addition of free agent Anthony Kay (not yet officially announced). They also have talented young hurlers such as Jordan Leasure, Grant Taylor and Mike Vasil in place to use throughout the bullpenâ€s later innings, but for a team with a 15-36 ledger in games decided by one run in 2025, and a 23-58 total record in games decided by one or two runs, adding a veteran force to the eighth or ninth makes sense. Actually, adding a set closer makes even more sense. — Scott Merkin

Angels: Pitching
The Angels traded for Grayson Rodriguez and signed Alek Manoah to a one-year deal but neither pitched in the Majors in 2025, so theyâ€re still in need of more starting pitching and bullpen help. The Angels remain likely to add at least one starter to the mix and also need to find a closer with veteran Kenley Jansen a free agent. They saved roughly $13-14 million by trading Taylor Ward for Rodriguez and could use some of that money to spend on pitching. But they are also still looking for a third baseman and possibly a center fielder. — Rhett Bollinger

Astros: Starting pitching
The Astros†desire to add another controllable starting pitcher is likely to be fulfilled through trades from their Major League roster, with center fielder Jake Meyers front and center in those talks. The club doesnâ€t have the financial resources to sign any of the big-name free agents on the market, though they did make a move on Dec. 2 by agreeing to a deal with right-hander Ryan Weiss, who had pitched the previous two years in Korea. Heâ€ll join the mix of depth pieces behind Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti — a list that includes Lance McCullers Jr., Colton Gordon, Jason Alexander, AJ Blubaugh and J.P. France. — Brian McTaggart

Athletics: Pitching
The Athletics’ main focus is to improve on the pitching side, both in the rotation and in the bullpen. As the roster currently stands, Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs are the only two established starters. Following them are some exciting but inexperienced young arms such as Luis Morales, Jacob Lopez and Jack Perkins. MLB Top 100 prospects Gage Jump (No. 60) and Jamie Arnold (No. 38) could also factor in soon. The Aâ€s also remain without a set closer and should also be in the market for a reliever with some closing experience. — Martín Gallegos

Mariners: Proven bullpen help
Seattle was in the market for multiple relievers — and got a jump on the Meetings by trading for lefty Jose A. Ferrer to pair with Gabe Speier. Now the club would like a higher-leverage arm that the club clearly couldâ€ve used in the playoffs to go with Andrés Muñoz, Matt Brash and Eduard Bazardo. Each of the Mariners†three non-tendered players — Gregory Santos, Tayler Saucedo and Trent Thornton — were relievers, though only Thornton had a meaningful role in 2025 before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. Itâ€s possible that the club looks to another unheralded arm in Spring Training, much like they did with Paul Sewald, Justin Topa and Speier in this era. But the club is also a few years removed from those success stories, and a more proven option might be the more palatable route. — Daniel Kramer

Rangers: Catcher
The Rangers already added a bit by subtraction with the moves over the first few weeks of the offseason, when they non-tendered a trio of World Series heroes in Adolis García, Jonah Heim and Josh Sborz. They traded another when they flipped Marcus Semien for Brandon Nimmo. But the job is far from finished. There are a number of other needs on the checklist, but the biggest is likely another catcher to pair with Kyle Higashioka behind the plate. With Heim non-tendered and minimal depth at the top of the farm system, Texas is desperately in need of an impact bat behind the plate that is capable of handling a veteran pitching staff, much like Heim in 2023. — Kennedi Landry

Braves: Bolster the starting rotation
Coming off a season during which six of their starting pitchers were on the injured list for at least six weeks, the Braves need to fortify their rotation with a proven arm. Adding a frontline option would also satisfy the long-term need that would arise if this proves to be Chris Saleâ€s final season with the club. There is a need to add a bat and possibly at least one more high-leverage reliever. But health-related concerns facing Grant Holmes, Reynaldo López and to some extent Spencer Schwellenbach create an even greater need for the Braves to do whatever necessary to avoid the rotation issues that arose this past season. — Mark Bowman

Marlins: First base
The Marlins†2025 group produced the fourth-lowest OPS (.663) in the Majors. Internal candidates include Eric Wagaman (86 OPS+), followed by teammates who primarily played elsewhere. Liam Hicks (94 OPS+) often moved from catcher to first to keep his bat in the lineup. Miami used pregame to work with outfielder Heriberto Hernández (116 OPS+) at first for the same reason. Graham Pauley (88 OPS+) and Connor Norby (90 OPS+) could slide over from third. External options include those on the free-agent market (from Ryan Oâ€Hearn to Rhys Hoskins) and possible trade matches. — Christina De Nicola

Mets: A frontline starting pitcher
The Mets still need to figure out whether Pete Alonso and/or Edwin Díaz will return. Theyâ€re looking into a big bat for the outfield. All of those are major concerns. But the move that would most move the needle for these Mets would be the acquisition of a frontline starter to pair with Nolan McLean at the top of the rotation. Starting pitching issues were the most obvious reason why the Mets didnâ€t make the playoffs in 2025. While the current rotation features plenty of depth, itâ€s lacking in upside. The Mets need to fix that, with the trade market their most likely avenue for doing so. — Anthony DiComo

Nationals: First base
The Nationals’ most glaring need is at first base. MLB.comâ€s Mark Feinsand highlighted 1B/DH/OF free agent Ryan Oâ€Hearn as a potential fit. The lefty-batting Oâ€Hearn hit 17 home runs with a .803 OPS last season. Switch-hitting veteran Josh Bell, who finished out last season starting at the position, is a free agent. There is a possibility Bell and the Nats could reunite for a third time given his established relationships with young players in the clubhouse. Washington tendered a contract to second baseman Luis García Jr., who got looks at first base last season. Could the lefty-hitter make the defensive shift in 2026? — Jessica Camerato

Phillies: A big bat
The Phillies want to re-sign Kyle Schwarber, who led the NL in home runs and RBIs and finished second for NL MVP behind Shohei Ohtani. He not only contributes at the plate, but he is a tremendous leader in the clubhouse, and a valued supporter of the community. But if the Phillies somehow fall short in their pursuit, they absolutely must respond with a strong Plan B. It could be Kyle Tucker. It could be Pete Alonso. It could be somebody in a trade. But the Phillies absolutely must find an All-Star-caliber talent to hit ahead of or just behind Bryce Harper. — Todd Zolecki

Brewers: Power in the lineup
Last yearâ€s Brewers didnâ€t have much of it, ranking 22nd of the 30 teams in home runs and 29th in barrels per plate appearance, winning instead with elite plate discipline, contact and speed. It carried them through the regular season, when Milwaukee won an MLB-best 97 games and ranked third in runs scored, but ran out right around Game 3 of the NLDS, as the Brewers just got past the Cubs before being unable to sustain any sort of rally against the Dodgers and their elite starting pitching in the NLCS. The Brewers did see a power bump from developing hitters like Brice Turang and Sal Frelick and will count on more next season, along with another step forward for 21-year-old budding star Jackson Chourio. But if they can find a way to squeeze it onto a roster with few holes at the moment, a big bat could help. — Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: A veteran starting pitcher
This is going to depend largely on who is traded in the coming months, but the easy answer is a veteran who can anchor the staff. The club traded Sonny Gray and isnâ€t expected to pursue Miles Mikolas — two proven starters who combined for 22 wins, 63 starts and 337 innings in 2025. The Cards need a veteran to pair with Matthew Liberatore, Michael McGreevy, Andre Pallante, Kyle Leahy and the newly acquired Richard Fitts. Fitts, who pitched for the Red Sox the past two seasons, is fully recovered from a major nerve injury that sidelined him with numbness in his throwing arm for two weeks. Tyler Mahle, who was 6-4 with a 2.18 ERA in 16 starts with the Rangers, might fit on a one-year deal. Or would they dare splurge in free agency to bring former Cards prospect Zac Gallen back into the organization? — John Denton

Cubs: Pitching
The top priority for the Cubs heading into this offseason was to add to the front end of the rotation and bring in multiple arms for the bullpen. Shota Imanagaâ€s decision to accept a one-year qualifying offer helped on the rotation front, as did Chicagoâ€s signing of reliever Phil Maton (two years, $14.5 million), but there is still work to be done. Adding one more bona fide starting pitcher would really help strengthen the depth for that group. And with nearly the entirety of the Cubs†late-inning arms hitting free agency (notably: Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz), the ballclub is going to target a variety of options via trade, free agency or other smaller transactions. Manager Craig Counsell has called the hunt for arms a “365-day†process, but there is urgency to stockpile now. — Jordan Bastian

Pirates: Bats
Emphasis on plural. Last yearâ€s Pirates team finished last in baseball in runs, home runs and OPS. They are going to need bounce-back seasons from players like Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz, but they also need to add to the lineup. Their most pressing needs are a corner outfielder and an infielder on the left side. They could use a true No. 1 catcher, another infielder or even just a big bat to be a DH. They also gave themselves a need for a third baseman when they traded Keâ€Bryan Hayes to the Reds in July, while the outfield has needed help for years. Itâ€s hard to see this being a successful offseason without upgrading at least one of those two positions. — Alex Stumpf

Reds: A big bat to boost the offense
Despite playing in the smaller confines of Great American Ball Park, the Reds’ offense was ranked 21st in homers and 19th in OPS during the 2025 season. Their No. 3 hitter in the lineup, All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz, led the team with only 22 homers, including four after the All-Star break while he was getting a steady diet of offspeed pitches. De La Cruz lacked a consistent power bat in the cleanup spot to protect him and lengthen the Cincinnati lineup. While someone like Kyle Schwarber or Pete Alonso might seem financially out of the question, the Reds need someone who can add power and punch to their order. — Mark Sheldon

D-backs: Pitching, pitching and more pitching
Did we mention that the D-backs need pitching? With Merrill Kelly traded at the Deadline and Zac Gallen declining the teamâ€s qualifying offer, Arizona has two huge holes to fill at the top of its rotation. While the D-backs do have talented young pitchers in their farm system, they are planning on competing for the postseason in 2026, so they want to acquire pitchers who have already had some success at the big league level. In addition, the teamâ€s bullpen was awful last year and they will be without co-closers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez at the start of the year as both recover from Tommy John surgery, so they will need to acquire backend bullpen help as well. — Steve Gilbert

Dodgers: Stability in the bullpen
After experiencing peak bullpen volatility this past season, the Dodgers could upgrade the relief corps for 2026. Their relievers threw more innings (657 2/3) than any other team, but they combined for a 4.27 ERA and 27 blown saves, tied with the Phillies for the seventh-most in the Majors. L.A. spent big on Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates in the previous offseason, and neither panned out as hoped — so how will the team proceed this winter? — Sonja Chen

Giants: Starting pitching
The Giants†most pressing need remains starting pitching depth, which they didnâ€t have enough of while going 81-81 in 2025 and missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year. San Francisco has a pair of All-Stars — Logan Webb and Robbie Ray — at the top of its rotation and a solid third option in Landen Roupp, but the outlook for the rest of the group is unclear. Justin Verlander is a free agent and Hayden Birdsong couldnâ€t solve his control issues after being demoted to Triple-A Sacramento, so the Giants will likely need to add at least two starters to ensure they have enough quality arms to get through the season next year. — Maria Guardado

Padres: Multiple starters
Stop me if youâ€ve heard this before: The Padres need starting pitching. And while this is true of every team every offseason, itâ€s especially true of these Padres. Theyâ€re squarely in their contention window with a mostly complete offense and an elite bullpen. But they have three reliable starters on their 40-man roster.

So … A.J. Preller has work to do. Heâ€ll need to find his next Nick Pivetta — an especially shrewd signing from last offseason — as Pivetta quickly ascended into an ace. And then heâ€ll probably need to add two more starters beyond that. — AJ Cassavell

Rockies: Veteran experience
Expect the Rockies to remain young. But by the end of last season, at least four rookie position players and two to three first-time regulars were in the daily lineup, plus rookies made up three-fifths of the starting rotation. Thatâ€s too much youth for a team to be competitive. Big spending on free agents is not warranted, but arguments could be made for increasing the experience level at first base, second base and third base, as well as adding experience to the rotation. For now, players who made Major League debuts in 2025 top the depth chart at first base (Blaine Crim), second base (Ryan Ritter) and third base (Kyle Karros). — Thomas Harding

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ORLANDO — Major League Baseballâ€s Take the Field program kicked off on Saturday morning in the most fitting way possible: with a five-person alumni panel.

Take the Field, a two-day program created in 2018 and held during the annual Winter Meetings, is aimed toward those interested in pursuing baseball operations, front office or on-field careers.

The program provides opportunities for education and engagement through breakout sessions, speaker panels and professional development facilitated by industry leaders from all 30 Major League clubs and the league office.

This year marks the biggest Take the Field yet, with more than 130 attendees chosen from over 800 applications. Seeing this sort of evolution is gratifying to Julia Hernandez, MLBâ€s coordinator of on-field operations.

“Being able to watch this event grow from its inception when I was in the seats that some of our participants are in now, all the way to now, when we are getting close to three times the size of it in terms of participants and club representation,†Hernandez said. “We have all 30 clubs here represented in some way, shape or form. That really shows how important this is to the industry as a whole, and how clubs see this as a value to themselves, to try and find their next person that they want to bring in and develop.â€

Take the Field offers participants opportunities to learn from current baseball employees, develop in their areas of interest and network with peers and other industry professionals. Sessions cover all the bases: analytics, baseball operations, coaching, player development, research and development, scouting, technology and umpiring.

While MLB selects participants based on their readiness for job opportunities such as internships, fellowships and entry-level full-time positions, existing experience isnâ€t the be-all and end-all. Take the Field also holds resume reviews, mock interviews and networking.

Michael Hill, MLBâ€s senior vice president of on-field operations and workforce development, has worked in the game for decades. In his speech, he emphasized that these types of early career events didnâ€t exist when he was trying to break into the industry. Giving back is something Hill takes pride in being part of now.

“No matter how you approach it, everyone’s just looking for whatever that competitive edge is to be successful,†Hill said. “And hopefully, over these next two days, we’ll be able to give our applicants a little taste, a look behind the curtain, so that hopefully they can pursue their dreams in the game.â€â€¯

Hill then introduced friend and keynote speaker Chanda Lawdermilk, vice president and assistant general manager with the Rays, to detail her circuitous journey. Lawdermilk, who started as an unpaid intern giving tours at the then-new Astros ballpark in the early 2000s, at one point worked at a call center before rejoining the Astros.

Lawdermilk later shared three themes that stood out when she polled some of her colleagues from various organizations about working in baseball: the importance of resilience, being open to opportunities not on oneâ€s vision board and selflessness.

“I think as humans, it’s very easy to put the goal outside of it and just work towards it like blinders on,†Lawdermilk said. “‘I’m going to do this. I’m going to be this.†But even my story, like being in the HR department, it was not something that was on the bingo card at all. But had I not done that, I would not be able to do the things I get to do today.â€

That was a sentiment echoed by all five panelists: Amanda Taylor (Braves, assistant in Minor League operations), Hailey Leviton (Twins, assistant director of baseball operations), Rachel Neugart (Mets, Dominican Republic assistant field coordinator), Emma Segerman (MLB, international operations coordinator) and Micaela Abbatine (Pirates, amateur scouting coordinator). Each had attended Take the Field for multiple years.

The panelists covered topics ranging from why they chose a career in baseball to what separates employees: authenticity, hard work, attention to detail, curiosity and open-mindedness. They also took questions ranging from how to reset from the daily grind to the importance of player evaluation.

“My best piece of advice would be just to be present,†Taylor said. “I think so often when we’re job seeking, when you have internships or thinking about ‘what’s next, what’s next,†it’s really hard to be present. I’m definitely guilty of that. … There’s a lot of knowledge in this room. There’s a lot of really awesome people here. So just be present. Enjoy this. Take all your notes. Listen closely, ask the questions you want to ask.â€

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