#free-agency

#free-agency

Much of the buzz surrounding the Phillies this winter has concerned their efforts to re-sign one or both or Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto. Since either of those free agents might well end up leaving Philadelphia for another team, the Phils have also been doing their due diligence on other major free agents or trade targets, including Tatsuya Imai and Ketel Marte.

Right-hander didn't have the platform season he envisioned heading into free agency, but the former Cy Young finalist and All-Star nevertheless turned down a qualifying offer from the D-backs and hit the open market last month. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Giants have had conversations with Gallen's camp ( video link). MLB.com's Mark Feinsand adds the Angels and Tigers to the list of teams with interest in Gallen. He also indicates that the Orioles, Cubs and Braves have at least looked into Gallen.

The Toronto Blue Jays addressed their pitching by signing Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce and also had Shane Bieber take the option on his contract to play with Toronto in 2026. Both the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles have also made moves with the former grabbing Sonny Gray in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, and the latter picking up reliever Ryan Helsley off the free agent market while also getting Taylor Ward in a trade with the LA Angels.

MLB's winter meetings begin Monday in Orlando, Florida, signaling the time when baseball's offseason activity is likely to take off. What's the latest on free agent hitters, including coveted sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Kyle Tucker? Will Framber Valdez find a new home now that fellow top free agent pitcher Dylan Cease is off the board? What's the latest on a trade market featuring stars such as Ketel Marte and Steven Kwan? And which teams could surprise the sport by making a big splash in Florida?

A longtime Baltimore Oriole, Mullins spent eight seasons with the club that drafted him in 2015 before he was dealt to the New York Mets at last year's trade deadline in exchange for three players. Between both squads, Mullins posted a .216/.299/.391 slash line with 23 doubles, 17 home runs, and 59 RBIs to the tune of a .690 OPS. Following the trade, Mullins struggled with the Mets, producing a .565 OPS with a .284 OBP down the stretch with New York, who eventually missed out on the playoffs.

This week, host Darragh McDonald is joined by B.B. Abbott of Wasserman Baseball to discuss... Abbott's approach to free agency (3:30) The impact of the media on free agency (10:00) The different levels of player involvement in free agency (17:00) The decision to sign an extension instead of going to free agency (20:15) Byron Buxton and his extension with the Twins (28:50) Representing young players going into the draft (32:10) The general state of baseball (35:50)

Astros 40-man roster move incoming: The Astros are reportedly signing right-hander to a major league deal, bringing him over from the Korea Baseball Organization. The Astros have a full 40-man roster, so they'll need to make a move in order to accommodate their new signing. The most common way to accomplish that is simply by designating a player for assignment, but it's also possible Houston could look to work out a trade that clears 40-man roster space instead.

Holiday bargain shoppers alert: right-hander Pete Fairbanks may not be available for much longer. Fairbanks, whose $11 million player option ($1 million buyout) was declined by the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of last month's non-tender deadline, has garnered interest from several post-season contenders this off-season, including the Toronto Blue Jays, as The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo report. That should come as no surprise, considering the Blue Jays had been connected to all three of Ryan Helsley, Raisel Iglesias and Phil Maton

Pagán had one of the more successful campaigns of his career last season with the Cincinnati Reds. He authored a 2.88 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, and a 2.9 BB/9 while setting career-high marks in games (70) and saves (32), with his ERA and WHIP serving as second-best numbers of his career. The saves were probably not expected to come at that level entering the '25 season for Pagán; Reds closer Alexis Díaz struggled immensely to start the year, allowing eight earned runs over six relief innings.

Arihara began his career in NPB, spending six seasons with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. His solid work at Japan's highest level earned him a two-year, $6.2MM deal with the Rangers in December 2020. Arihara pitched in parts of two seasons for Texas from 2021 to 2022. He struggled to a 6.64 ERA across 10 starts with the Rangers in his first season.

At the end of the 2025 season, the Mariners lost three infielders to free agency, as each of Josh Naylor, Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suárez hit the open market. That left shortstop J.P. Crawford as the only lock for the 2026 infield. The M's quickly pounced to bring Naylor back, signing the first baseman to a five-year, $92.5MM deal not long after free agency began.

I'm considering Bo Bichette, but until we actually get past the checkout with Bregman ( "Only 1 available, and it's in 4 other carts"), I'm not sure. If Bregman doesn't return, let's get Bichette at third base. There's room for him at second (maybe?) if we clear room in the outfield and commit to keeping Ceddanne Rafaela in centerfield, where he belongs.

1957 - Warren Spahn of the Milwaukee Braves wins the Cy Young Award as the major leagues' top pitcher almost unanimously. His only competition for the title is Dick Donovan, of the Chicago White Sox, who receives one vote. 1961 - The Milwaukee Braves traded slugger Frank Thomas to the New York Mets for a player to be named later (Gus Bell) and a reported $125,000. 201 2- The Braves signed CF B.J. Upton to a five-year deal worth $75.25 million.