MLB News

Jarren Duran • LF • Red Sox

Red Sox Think Jarren Duran Needs a Fresh Start

It would be a huge surprise if Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran is with the team in spring training next year in Fort Myers, Fla., in the opinion of Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. Boston is looking for an upgrade over Duran and thinks he "needs a fresh start." The BoSox are trying to deal from a position of strength to acquire some starting pitching, as they already have prospect Roman Anthony, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela in the outfield. The 29-year-old Duran isn't a great defensive outfielder, and he took a step back in 2025 after hitting .285 with a career-high 21 home runs and 34 stolen bases while leading the league in doubles (48) and triples (14). He led the league in triples (13) again in 2025 but regressed to slash .256/.332/.442 with 16 homers, 84 RBI, 86 runs, and 24 steals in 157 regular-season games. Despite his defensive limitations and lack of high-end power, Duran will be an attractive contributor across all roto categories, regardless of where he's playing in 2026.

Nov 12

MacKenzie Gore • SP • Nationals

Nationals Expected to Trade MacKenzie Gore?

Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports writes that the Washington Nationals are expected to use left-hander MacKenzie Gore as "trade bait to kick-start their new era." Gore is a talented young starter just entering his prime in the big leagues, but the Nationals now have an entirely new front office, a new coaching staff, and new ideas for their future. The 26-year-old dealt with some ankle issues this year and finished the season on the injured list, but he should be fully healthy in time for spring training in 2026. The former first-rounder was a first-time All-Star for the Nats in 2025 in his third year with the team despite going 5-15 in 30 starts (159 2/3 innings). Gore posted a 4.17 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with a career-high 185 strikeouts and 64 walks. He had a career-best 27.2% strikeout rate, but Gore must find better control if he's going to take the next step as a potential fantasy ace.

Nov 12

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tigers Unlikely to Trade Tarik Skubal

The Detroit Tigers will at least listen to trade offers for left-hander Tarik Skubal, but they "would have to be completely overwhelmed" to move him, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. MLB teams won't be willing to give up more than two top-10 prospects in exchange for Skubal, knowing that he won't sign an extension and plans to hit free agency following the 2026 season. Nightengale adds that the Tigers are "expected to hang onto him until at least the July 2026 trade deadline." The 28-year-old southpaw is likely to win a second straight American League Cy Young award after leading the league with a 6.5 WAR, 2.21 ERA, 2.45 FIP, and 0.89 WHIP in 195 1/3 innings in 2025. Skubal also struck out a career-high 241 hitters while walking just 33 in 31 regular-season starts. Regardless of where he's pitching in 2026, Skubal will be an elite fantasy ace.

Nov 11

Mason Black • SP • Royals

Royals Acquire Mason Black From Giants

The Kansas City Royals acquired right-hander Mason Black from the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Logan Martin, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. Black will head to KC after the Giants designated him for assignment last week. The 25-year-old former third-round pick by SF in 2021 out of Lehigh University only threw four innings out of the bullpen for the Giants in 2025, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits (two homers) while walking none and striking out five. He wasn't much better in the minors, collecting a 5.81 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 119 1/3 innings. Martin, 24, was a former 12th-rounder by KC in 2023 out of Kentucky. He has yet to make his major-league debut after three seasons in the minors, going 12-7 wth a 3.49 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 187:71 K:BB in 51 appearances (41 starts).

Nov 11

Framber Valdez • SP

Cubs Could Land Framber Valdez in Free Agency

The Chicago Cubs will be "shopping in the expensive aisle" for starting pitching this offseason, and USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale reports that general managers around the league are predicting that Chicago could sign free-agent left-hander Framber Valdez and/or free-agent right-hander Dylan Cease. Free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker is expected to sign elsewhere, so the Cubs will have "plenty of money to burn." They will also be looking to make a splash after finishing second in the National League Central again to the Milwaukee Brewers. Chicago's starting rotation last year left a lot to be desired, so they will certainly look to bolster the top half of the rotation around impressive young right-hander Cade Horton. Valdez, 31, went 13-11 with a 3.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 187:68 K:BB in 192 innings over 31 starts in his final year in Houston. The aging southpaw relies on pinpoint control and inducing ground balls over velocity and K's, and would be a logical replacement for Shota Imanaga.

Nov 11

Steven Kwan • LF • Guardians

Dodgers Still Interested in Trading for Steven Kwan?

The Cleveland Guardians almost traded outfielder Steven Kwan to the Los Angeles Dodgers over the summer, and the Dodgers will "come calling again," according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. After the Dodgers' failed experiment with the left-handed-hitting Michael Conforto, they will have an opening in their outfield for 2026, and Kwan could fill that spot while giving the back-to-back World Series champions another on-base machine for either the top or bottom of their stacked batting order. The Guardians' price tag for Kwan will be high, but the Dodgers have plenty of prospect capital to get something done. The 28-year-old has been an All-Star each of the last two years in Cleveland and hit .272/.330/.374 with a career-low .705 OPS, 11 homers, 56 RBI, 81 runs, and 21 steals in 156 regular-season games. Kwan lacks power, but he's plenty useful for a high-floor average, runs, and speed, and his fantasy value would receive a boost if he were to move to L.A.

Nov 11

Sandy Alcantara • SP • Marlins

Marlins Ready to Trade Sandy Alcantara

USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale reports that the Miami Marlins are "set to accept the best offer they receive" this winter on right-hander Sandy Alcantara, believing "now is the time" to trade him. Alcantara was on the trade block in 2025, too, but the Fish never got the offer they wanted for the former National League Cy Young winner. The 30-year-old Dominican hurler will earn $17.3 million in 2026 and has a $21 million club option for the 2027 campaign. Alcantara was shaky in his return from Tommy John surgery in the first half of 2025, but he had a second-half surge in Miami to finish with an 11-12 record, 5.36 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 142:57 K:BB in 174 2/3 innings over his 31 starts. He had eight quality starts in 13 starts since the All-Star break while also posting a 3.33 ERA with 71 K's and 20 walks over 83 2/3 innings. Even if Alcantara isn't traded before the start of the 2026 season, he showed enough in the second half to convince fantasy managers that he can be a fantasy ace for all of next season.

Nov 11

Ketel Marte • 2B • Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks Motivated to Move Ketel Marte

The Arizona Diamondbacks are "definitely motivated in moving" All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte with $71 million remaining on his contract through 2030, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. The Diamondbacks will obviously be asking for a lot in return. If Arizona doesn't trade Marte by the middle of April in 2026, he will have 10-and-5 rights and a full no-trade provision. Plenty of MLB teams should be interested in the 32-year-old switch-hitting Dominican infielder, but it remains to be seen if anyone will meet the D-backs' lofty asking price. Marte has been an All-Star each of the last two seasons and has been one of, if not the best, all-around second baseman in the game. Since the start of the 2023 campaign, Marte has a combined .283/.368/.519 slash line, .887 OPS, 89 home runs, 249 RBI, 274 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases in 412 regular-season games. If Marte is going to be traded, it will most likely come this offseason.

Nov 11

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Reds to Listen to Offers on Hunter Greene

The Cincinnati Reds have publicly denied any efforts to trade right-hander Hunter Greene, but "they still plan to listen to offers" for Greene, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. However, unless the Reds are completely overwhelmed by a trade offer and receive a return that will help them now and in the future, Cincinnati "will keep him." Greene is owed just $39 million over the next three seasons and has a 421 million team option for 2029. At the price and with his ability, Nightengale writes that the Reds "aren't going to find a better pitcher at a bigger discount rate." The 26-year-old hard-throwing starter missed two-plus months with a groin injury in 2025, but when healthy, he was a high-end fantasy starter, going 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA (3.27 FIP) and 0.94 WHIP with 132 K's and 26 walks in 107 2/3 frames over 19 starts. Greene is no stranger to injuries, but a career 30% strikeout rate makes him a No. 1 starter in fantasy.

Nov 11

Pablo López • SP • Twins |

Joe Ryan • SP • Twins

Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez on the Trade Block?

The rebuilding Minnesota Twins have two of the best trade chips in right-handed starting pitchers Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez, and could continue their aggressive rebuild by trading them away this offseason, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. Lopez is under team control for two more years at $21.5 million per year, while Ryan has two years of club control and is salary-arbitration eligible after making $3 million in 2025. Ryan, 29, ended his season by giving up five or more runs in four of his last seven outings, but overall, he had a career-best 3.47 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 194:39 K:BB over his 171 innings in his fifth big-league season. Ryan was an All-Star for the first time in his career. Lopez, meanwhile, had an injury-plagued campaign, missing two months early in the year with a Grade 2 teres major strain before being shut down with a right-forearm strain in late September. The 29-year-old is already considered fully healthy, though, and should be a full-go in spring training.

Nov 11

Paul Skenes • SP • Pirates

Pirates Won't Trade Paul Skenes

USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates "won't even listen to trade proposals" for right-hander Paul Skenes. The 23-year-old pitching phenom is already one of the best pitchers in baseball, but the rebuilding Pirates won't consider trading away the former first overall pick and the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year. Skenes is already a two-time All-Star and followed up his special first year in the big leagues by going 10-10 with a league-best 1.97 ERA (2.36 FIP) and league-best 0.95 WHIP with a career-best 216 strikeouts and 42 walks in 187 2/3 innings over his 32 starts. Skenes headlines an intriguing young pitching staff for the Bucs that will remain the strength of their team heading into next season. In fantasy baseball, Skenes will be the most coveted No. 1 starter.

Nov 11

Pete Alonso • 1B

Mets Expected to Let Pete Alonso Walk in Free Agency

The New York Mets are expected to let free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso walk this offseason "unless he signs a deal they can't turn down," according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. President of baseball operations David Stearns was ready to let Alonso walk last year before they ultimately brought him back. The 30-year-old right-handed slugger had another monster year in 2025 with a .272 average, 38 home runs, a league-leading 41 doubles, 126 RBI, and 87 runs scored in 162 games, but it wasn't enough to help the Mets make the playoffs. The Mets are preaching defense and run prevention going forward, and Alonso's weakness is his defense at first base. After missing the postseason, the Mets are reportedly looking for a culture shift without Alonso and several other position players going into 2026. General managers are predicting that the perfect landing spot for Alonso this offseason might be the Boston Red Sox.

Nov 11

Kyle Tucker • RF

Kyle Tucker to Sign With Yankees, Blue Jays, or Dodgers

General managers across MLB are predicting that free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker will sign with either the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, or Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason. The San Francisco Giants could be a dark-horse team, but they still owe first baseman Rafael Devers $250 million and are in the second year of a seven-year, $182 million contract with shortstop Willy Adames and the second of a six-year, $151 million extension with third baseman Matt Chapman. San Fran will be paying $137 million alone to their top six players in 2026. USA Today's Bob Nightengale wouldn't be surprised if the Blue Jays are "the perfect fit." The 28-year-old left-handed slugger is the top available free agent this winter and should command the biggest contract despite missing more time with injury in 2025. Tucker finished his first and likely last year in Chicago with a .266/.377/.464 slash line, .841 OPS, 22 home runs, 73 RBI, 91 runs, and 25 stolen bases in 500 at-bats.

Nov 11

Justin Turner • 1B

Justin Turner Plans to Play in 2026

Free-agent third baseman/designated hitter Justin Turner plans to play in 2026, according to his agent, Greg Genske. Turner, who turns 41 years old this month, posted a .759 OPS against left-handed pitching while playing for the Chicago Cubs in 2025. Overall, Turner slashed .219/.288/.314 in his 17th MLB season with a .602 OPS, three home runs, 18 RBI, and 14 runs scored in only 80 regular-season games. Big Red still can do damage against southpaws, but he showed in 2025 that he doesn't have much left in the tank otherwise. If Turner signs with another big-league team for the 2026 season, he'll be on the short side of a platoon, likely at designated hitter. Turner played 32 games at first base for Chicago, eight at third base, and 19 as the DH.

Nov 11

Drake Baldwin • C • Braves

Drake Baldwin Named NL Rookie of the Year

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin was named the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year on Monday night. Baldwin, a third-rounder in the 2022 draft out of Missouri State, was thrust into action early in the 2025 campaign when Sean Murphy started the season on the injured list with a broken rib. Baldwin, who was the club's top prospect, took advantage to earn NL ROY hardware. He got off to a slow start at the plate but eventually figured it out and finished with a .274/.341/.469 slash line with 19 home runs to lead all NL rookies with a 3.1 fWAR. Baldwin becomes the 10th player in franchise history to win the award. His 75.3 mph average bat speed ranked him among the top 9% of qualified hitters this year, and he also finished in the 80th percentile or better in whiff rate (19.5%), expected slugging percentage (.474), expected weighted on-base average (.354), strikeout rate (15.2%), hard-hit rate (49.6%), expected batting average (.276), and average exit velocity (91.7 mph).

Nov 11

Kyle Hendricks • SP

Kyle Hendricks Hanging Up his Cleats After 12 Seasons

Right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks is retiring after a long and decorated career that included a World Series championship, an ERA title, and 11 seasons with the Chicago Cubs, a source told Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times. In his 12th and final season in 2025 with the Los Angeles Angels, Hendricks went 8-10 with a 4.76 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 114 strikeouts and 43 walks in 164 2/3 innings over his 31 starts. The 35-year-old veteran was a soft-tosser in his career and never had an All-Star selection, but he will finish his career with a decent 3.79 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 1,745 regular-season innings over 307 appearances (301 starts). Hendricks' best season came in 2016 with the Cubbies, when he finished third in the National League Cy Young voting after posting a league-best 2.13 ERA with a 16-8 record and 0.98 WHIP in 190 innings pitched.

Nov 11

Freddy Peralta • SP • Brewers

Red Sox Linked to Freddy Peralta

MLB Network's Jon Morosi mentions the Boston Red Sox as an interesting fit for Milwaukee Brewers two-time All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta if he is moved in the offseason. "I think [they're] one starting pitcher away from making a real run at this," Morosi said. The Brewers picked up Peralta's $8 million option for the 2026 season, but the 29-year-old will be eligible for free agency following next season, and the BoSox could be an option if they get aggressive on the trade market for a starting pitcher. Milwaukee probably isn't going to be in play to give Peralta a long-term extension following the 2026 season, so it would make sense for them to shop him this offseason or next summer at the trade deadline. Peralta had a fantastic season in 2025 and was one of the best starters in all of baseball, going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA in 33 starts. His 17 wins, 2.70 ERA, and 176 2/3 innings were all career-highs. UPDATE: Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reports that the Brewers "are planning to keep" Peralta.

Nov 11

Nick Kurtz • 1B • Athletics

Nick Kurtz Named AL Rookie of the Year

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was named the American League Rookie of the Year for the 2025 season on Monday night. Kurtz had one of the best rookie seasons of any hitter in the history of baseball, so it's no surprise he won the award unanimously. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound lefty slugger debuted with the A's on April 23 and went on to hit an impressive .290/.383/.619 with 36 home runs in 119 games in 2025. The Wake Forest product led all MLB rookies in homers, RBI (86), runs scored (90), OPS (1.002), OPS+ (173), and wins above replacement (4.6 per FanGraphs, 5.4 per Baseball Reference). The 22-year-old was the third rookie in the modern era (since 1900) with an OPS+ of 170 or higher, joining Jose Abreu (2014) and Aaron Judge (2017). Kurtz's superior slugging was on display on July 25, when he went 6-for-6 with four homers and eight RBI in a single game. He becomes the ninth player in A's history to win the award.

Nov 11

Kyle Tucker • RF

Kyle Tucker Should Have Plenty of Suitors in Free Agency

Outfielder Kyle Tucker is one of the most prominent names on the free-agent market this winter after hitting .266/.377/.464 with an .841 OPS, 22 home runs, 73 RBI, 91 runs scored, a 143 OPS+, and a 4.5 fWAR in 136 games with the Chicago Cubs in 2025. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger is a free agent for the first time in his career and is the consensus No. 1 player on the market, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. If not for a hairline fracture in his right hand, Tucker's numbers in 2025 would have looked even better. So where will he land? It's anyone's guess right now, but Feinsand lists the Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets as his most likely suitors. Tucker is one of the best players in baseball when healthy, but injuries over the last two years have raised red flags about his durability. Even with injury concerns, he might land a deal worth north of $400 million.

Nov 10

Emmanuel Clase • RP • Guardians

Emmanuel Clase Indicted on Gambling Charges, Facing 65 Years in Prison

Cleveland Guardians right-handers Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Oritz have both been indicted by prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York, on a "host of charges related to a scheme to rig bets on pitches" thrown during the 2025 season, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Ortiz was arrested on Sunday in Boston, while Clase is currently not in custody. Passan adds that both pitchers face up to 65 years in prison if they are convicted on all charges, including fraud, conspiracy, and bribery. Clase and Ortiz missed the final two months of the year while the league looked into the two hurlers getting money to intentionally throw balls on certain pitches. Clase has been one of the most dominant closers in baseball the last few seasons, so this is a big loss for the Guardians. The 27-year-old Dominican is a three-time All-Star and has had 181 saves since the start of 2021. Neither Clase nor Ortiz will pitch again in the big leagues.

Nov 10

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