MLB News

ESPN's Buster Olney writes that the Boston Red Sox really want to re-sign third baseman Alex Bregman and "have signaled a willingness to pay him big money." They could offer Bregman something in the range of the six-year, $171.5 million deal that the Detroit Tigers offered last spring. ESPN's Jesse Rogers adds that there was a feeling in the industry that Bregman was down to the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks, and when Kazuma Okamoto signed with Toronto, it would push Bregman to Arizona. There's a widespread belief that Boston and Bregman "need each other." "If it was down to Toronto and Arizona before, maybe it's now Boston or Arizona," one executive said. Durability is a concern for a player heading into his age-32 season, but Bregman should still be firmly in the fantasy mix at 3B in 2026 after tying for fourth among third basemen in 2025 with a 124 wRC+. Staying in Beantown would be a plus for Bregman's fantasy value, but the hitting environment in Arizona would also be very attractive.

The Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets have been the two teams that are most connected to signing free-agent starting pitcher Framber Valdez, according to MLB Network Insider Mark Feinsand. Valdez has a history with both operations executives for the Orioles and Mets, with Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias serving as the Astros' scouting director when they signed Valdez in 2015. Mets' president of baseball operations, David Stearns, was the Astros' assistant general manager at that time. The 32-year-old lefty is one of the top starting pitchers on the free-agent market and has been one of the most consistent starters in baseball over the past six seasons. He's thrown at least 175 innings in four consecutive years, holding a 3.21 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 16% K-BB%, and a league-high 60% ground-ball rate in that time. Valdez would remain a high-end starter in fantasy baseball despite a less-than-stellar strikeout rate with a move to either of these teams.

The Detroit Tigers have traded outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations, according to Tigers PR. Malloy was recently designated for assignment following the Tigers re-signing reliever Kyle Finnegan. The 25-year-old appeared in 52 games for Detroit last season, slashing .221/.346/.308 (92 wRC+) in 127 plate appearances. The former sixth-round pick in 2021 has below-average power and speed with poor defensive metrics, but he has posted a double-digit walk rate at every stop of his career. Malloy could have an opportunity for playing time in the Rays' outfield if his defense can hold up, while he also has two minor-league options remaining, giving Tampa Bay some flexibility with their roster.

The Boston Red Sox and starting pitcher Kutter Crawford have agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million contract to avoid arbitration, according to the Washington Times Sports. Crawford did not pitch last season after beginning the year on the injured list with a knee injury, and he underwent surgery on his wrist in July. The 29-year-old led the Red Sox with 183 2/3 innings in his breakout 2024 season, pitching to a 4.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 16.3% K-BB%. Crawford has experience as both a starter and a reliever, and it remains to be seen how Boston will deploy him in 2026.