New York Yankees

New York Yankees

"The Yankees also checked in on reliever Michael Kopech and starter Nick Martinez, among others," Heyman writes. Kopech became a free agent at the end of the 2025 season and has gained interest from other teams throughout the offseason. The San Francisco Giants have also reportedly "been in touch" with Kopech. When Did Michael Kopech Join the Dodgers? Kopech joined the Dodgers at the 2024 trade deadline, when L.A. acquired the reliever in a three-team trade with the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.

The Yankees announced that they have claimed right-hander Dom Hamel off waivers from the Rangers. They also designated left-hander Jayvien Sandridge and outfielder Marco Luciano for assignment. The two DFAs open roster spots for Hamel and for Cody Bellinger, whose five-year deal was made official yesterday. Texas designated Hamel for assignment a week ago when they signed Jakob Junis. More to come.

The Cardinals' Winter Warmup fan event is this weekend, and newly-minted president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom took questions directly from fans as part of the festivities. As noted by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, one of those questions was about former Cardinals (and current free agent) Harrison Bader's availability on the market. In his response to that question, Bloom suggested that the same has "room" for a right-handed outfielder on the roster before acknowledging that Bader is a possibility to fill that void. Bloom declined to discuss Bader's asking price, or any other specifics of contract talks.

The governor is expected to reveal that New York State will significantly expand teams designed to assist individuals in mental health crises on New York City's subways and install platform edge barriers at many more stations throughout the system. The announcement, the details of which her office shared exclusively with amNewYork ahead of her speech, comes along with Hochul's pledge to fund another year of stepped-up overnight NYPD subway patrols to the tune of $77 million.

Leaning toward the trade market rather than free agency is due to a desire to create some roster flexibility that the current group lacks. None of Carlos Estevez, Matt Strahm, John Schreiber, or Bailey Falter can be optioned to Triple-A. Lucas Erceg has a full slate of options but isn't going to be sent down, given his status as one of the team's top bullpen arms. Daniel Lynch IV and offseason signee are the only relievers who could plausibly be optioned right now.

The Yankees signed right-hander Adam Kloffenstein and catcher Payton Henry to minor league contracts in December, according to the club's official transactions page. 7 News Boston's Ari Alexander writes that Kloffenstein's deal includes an invitation to New York's big league spring camp. Kloffenstein's MLB resume consists of one perfect inning of relief work for the Cardinals in their 6-5 win over the Giants on June 20, 2024.

With just one major league offer on the table, Takahashi could be headed back to Nippon Professional Baseball, reports Mark Feinsand and Brian Murphy of MLB.com. Imai landed a contract on the final day of his posting window, so there's certainly still time for Takahashi to find a desirable deal. Feinsand and Murphy didn't provide additional details about the lone offer in front of Takahashi, but their report suggests it might not be enough to coax the righty stateside.

1953 - The Milwaukee Braves acquire second baseman Danny O'Connell from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for third baseman Sid Gordon, outfielder Sam Jethroe, pitcher Max Surkont and four minor league pitchers. PIttsburgh also receives $100,000. 1926 - National League MVP Bob O'Farrell is named to replace Rogers Hornsby as Cardinals manager. Reports suggest that the job was first offered to Bill Killefer who turned it down out of loyalty to Hornsby. 1956 - The New York City Board of Estimate votes $25,000 for a survey regarding the Brooklyn Dodgers' proposal for a new stadium in downtown Brooklyn.

The competitive balance tax (CBT) threshold continued its growth for the 2025 MLB season with a new high of $241 million, but the Dodgers far surpassed it with a payroll of $417.3 million. The Dodgers were hit with additional surcharges as a result of going over the luxury tax threshold for at least three straight seasons and their total over the CBT threshold.

Bruihl joined the Blue Jays as a minor league free agent in March. He put together 42 solid innings at Triple-A, earning a promotion to the big-league club. The 28-year-old lefty made 15 appearances with Toronto, recording a 5.27 ERA over 13 2/3 innings. Bruihl punched out 27.7% of the hitters he faced, though it came with a 10.8% walk rate.

Romero is projected to earn $4.4MM in 2026, which is his final season of arbitration control before free agency. With the Cardinals in rebuild mode, Romero is a logical trade candidate, and moving him now rather than at the trade deadline allows St. Louis to both land a larger return and avoid the risk of an in-season injury to the 29-year-old southpaw.

The draws of Lombard is that he is the son of a coach and former big leaguer, who has a mature, advanced game. He has in the past shown a good feel for hitting, but also has potentially plus power and plus or better speed. Defensively he is a prospect who looks like he will stick at shortstop and be a quality defender there.