We're keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.
Jan. 16: Are the Mets primed for a trade after signing Bichette?
The Mets didn't waste any time in their pivot after losing out on Kyle Tucker. A source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand that the club agreed to a three-year, $126 million deal with infielder Bo Bichette. The deal reportedly includes two opt-outs.
In inking Bichette, the Mets land the sort of high-impact bat that they coveted throughout the offseason. According to a report from The Athletic (subscription required), Bichette is expected to play third base. He is the third veteran infielder to join the Mets within the past two months, alongside second baseman Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco, who is expected to see a lot of time at first base.
That leaves the Mets with a glut of infielders, which could help them address another glaring need: starting pitching. New York's rotation became one of its biggest weaknesses last season, and that same unit is mostly intact. Could the Mets flip one of their younger infielders for a starting pitcher? Mark Vientos, who the team explored moving at the Trade Deadline, doesn't have a clear path to consistent playing time. With the addition of Bichette, neither does Brett Baty, who was previously expected to be the club's everyday third baseman.
Among popular starting pitcher targets, the Mets have been linked to Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, who will be a free agent after the 2026 season. The Nationals have also been listening on All-Star left-hander MacKenzie Gore.
Jan. 16: Phillies quickly pivot after losing out on Bichette, bring back Realmuto (source)
The Phillies met with infielder Bo Bichette this week and reportedly made him an aggressive offer with the hopes that he would join the likes of Bryce Harper and Trea Turner on their infield. Alas, Bichette ultimately decided to join the Mets on a three-year deal Friday, per a source.
It didn't take long for Philly to close the deal with its next target. A source told MLB.com on Friday that the club has agreed to bring back catcher J.T. Realmuto on a three-year, $45 million contract with a possible $5 million more in incentives per season. The top catcher in this year's free agent class, Realmuto spent the past seven seasons with the Phillies, making two All-Star teams and winning two Gold Gloves in the process.
This is likely the Phillies' last headline move of the offseason, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. But they could still make minor additions to the club. The Phils could target some rotation depth and/or seek a right-handed bat to platoon with Brandon Marsh in left field, per The Athletic's Matt Gelb (subscription required).
Jan. 16: Verlander garnering interest from several clubs (report)
Veteran right-hander Justin Verlander is "receiving interest from several clubs," according to a report by Ken Rosenthal in the Athletic (subscription required). A specific team Rosenthal mentions is the Orioles, who are looking to add to their starting rotation.
While Verlander finished with a 3.85 ERA in his age-42 campaign last year, he posted a 2.60 ERA over his final 13 starts for the Giants, showing that he certainly might have something left in the tank as he seeks to pitch in a 21st Major League season.
Baltimore's current rotation features Shane Baz (acquired in a trade with the Rays earlier this offseason), Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Zach Eflin (signed as a free agent) and Dean Kremer. The O's have also been linked to free-agent left-hander Framber Valdez, and there are some potential options on the trade market, such as the Brewers' Freddy Peralta and perhaps even reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal of the Tigers -- though a serious bid for either would likely require a hefty return of top prospects.
Rosenthal refers to Verlander as a "fallback" for Baltimore in the event it is unable to land one of those other options.
Jan. 15: Assessing the market as Tucker heads to Dodgers
Kyle Tucker has made his decision. The outfielder is joining the Dodgers on a four-year, $240 million deal, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The club has not confirmed. The Blue Jays and Mets were the other two reported finalists for Tucker, who was widely considered to be the top free agent available this offseason.
With Tucker off the board, the market for outfielder Cody Bellinger could heat up, considering all three clubs pursuing Tucker also have been linked to Bellinger. The Giants are another potential landing spot if Bellinger doesn’t re-sign with the Yankees.
The Bronx Bombers have been trying to bring Bellinger back, but the length of a potential deal has been a sticking point in contract talks. The Yankees reportedly offered a five-year deal worth around $155 million, but Bellinger is said to be seeking a seven-year contract.
The Mets could also be motivated to go after Bellinger. They have a clear need in the outfield, though they may be less compelled to make a big splash after landing Bo Bichette. They also need to address their rotation; free agent Framber Valdez and trade target Freddy Peralta are possibilities.
Jan. 15: What’s next for Red Sox after landing Suárez?
Much of the chatter surrounding the Red Sox lately has been about their pursuit of an infielder and how they’ll respond to the loss of Alex Bregman, who signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Cubs. On Wednesday, though, they made a surprising move to further bolster their rotation, landing Ranger Suárez on a five-year, $130 million deal in free agency (per a source).
With Suárez joining holdovers Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello and fellow newcomers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo on Boston’s staff, the Red Sox could have one of the game’s best rotations.
They also have plenty of starting pitching to offer in a trade for an infielder. A team source suggested to The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey (subscription required) that the Red Sox will still be exploring free-agent bats in addition to the trade market.
Having Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval on hand to provide veteran depth could allow Boston to dangle either Payton Tolle (MLB Pipeline’s No. 28 overall prospect) or Connelly Early (Red Sox’s No. 4 prospect) as trade bait. Bello, who signed a six-year extension with Boston in March 2024, is another trade candidate. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported in December that Boston had been "quietly" shopping him.
Although the D-backs have pulled reported Boston target Ketel Marte off the trade market, McCaffrey suggests the Red Sox could try to reignite conversations with Arizona, offering Tolle or Early along with either Jarren Duran or Ceddanne Rafaela.
Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner, Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan and Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes are among the other options the Red Sox could consider. However, it's questionable whether the Red Sox would move Tolle or Early for any of those veterans.
Jan. 14: Assessing starting pitching market in wake of Suárez deal with Red Sox
One of the top available starting pitchers has come off the board, with the Red Sox and free-agent lefty Ranger Suárez reaching an agreement on Wednesday.
That leaves Framber Valdez as the last remaining hurler from the clearly defined quintet that sat at the top of the starting pitching market at the start of the offseason, with Dylan Cease (Blue Jays), Michael King (Padres) and Tatsuya Imai (Astros) also in that group along with Valdez and Suárez. Valdez has been most often linked to the Mets and Orioles.
Meanwhile, Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta continues to loom as an attractive trade target, given his recent performance and modest salary for 2026 ($8 million), which will be his final year before free agency. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman linked the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Giants and Braves to Peralta on Wednesday.
With a Tarik Skubal trade still considered a long shot -- despite the sizable gap in arbitration figures between the lefty and the Tigers -- and the Twins reportedly not planning to move Joe Ryan or Pablo López, we could see interest in the Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore start to pick up as well.
Zac Gallen, Chris Bassitt, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Lucas Giolito are among the other notable options left in free agency.
Jan. 13: Giants 'aggressively pursuing' second basemen (report)
After signing Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle to strengthen their rotation earlier in the offseason, the Giants are shifting their attention to the infield.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, San Francisco is "aggressively pursuing" a second baseman and has been engaged in trade talks with the Cubs regarding Nico Hoerner and the Cardinals regarding Brendan Donovan.
Second base is a clear area of need for the Giants, who are projected to have the third-worst production from second base in the Majors. Right now, Casey Schmitt -- who owns a carer 101 OPS+ and posted a -4 Outs Above Average last season -- is slated to receive the bulk of the playing time. More >
Jan. 13: D-backs acquire Arenado from Cardinals
The D-backs have completed a trade with the Cardinals for veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado.
St. Louis is receiving 22-year-old right-hander Jack Martinez -- an eighth-round pick from the 2025 MLB Draft out of Arizona State -- in return. More >
Jan. 13: As Bellinger talks continue, Yankees considering alternatives (report)
The Yankees aren't closing the door on a reunion with Bellinger just yet. According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the Bronx Bombers continue to negotiate with the outfielder and have enhanced their latest offer in an attempt to bridge the gap between the two sides.
As Heyman previously reported, the length of a potential deal has been a sticking point in contract talks. The Yankees reportedly offered a five-year deal worth around $155 million, but Bellinger is said to be seeking a seven-year contract.
Heyman noted Monday that the Yankees are discussing trades for several other stars, including Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner and White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., as backup plans.
After the Cubs reportedly agreed to a five-year deal with third baseman Alex Bregman on Saturday, Hoerner could be the odd man out in the infield. Robert will play in 2026 on a $20 million club option and has another club option for 2027.
If Bellinger doesn't end up with the Yankees, Heyman mentioned the Dodgers, Giants, Mets, Cubs and Blue Jays as other potential suitors.
Jan. 13: Yankees acquire LHP Weathers from Marlins for 4 prospects
The Yankees moved to bolster a rotation that projects to be compromised in the early months of the upcoming season, as the club announced Tuesday it has acquired left-hander Ryan Weathers from the Marlins for a four-player prospect package.
Miami is receiving outfielder Brendan Jones, outfielder Dillon Lewis, infielder Dylan Jasso and infielder Juan Matheus in the trade.
Jones (No. 15), Lewis (No. 16) and Jasso (No. 23) were all ranked among the Yankees’ top 30 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. More >
Jan. 11: After signing Bregman, are Cubs prepping to make another trade?
One of the big four remaining free-agent position players is no longer on the market. Alex Bregman agreed to a five-year, $175 million contract with the Cubs on Saturday. It's the third-largest deal in Cubs history in terms of total value, and it gives Chicago a stacked infield, with Bregman at third base, Dansby Swanson at shortstop, Nico Hoerner at second and Michael Busch at first.
It also leaves the Cubs with an infield surplus. Matt Shaw, coming off a solid rookie season, was slated to enter the year at the hot corner, but with Bregman now in town, Shaw could become a super-utility player capable of playing multiple infield positions. Or the Cubs could entertain trade offers for either him or Hoerner, who will be a free agent after the 2026 season. Hoerner's name has come up in trade rumors throughout the winter, and with Shaw able to shift over to second base if needed, Chicago could further explore Hoerner's market and try to get something for him before he potentially leaves via free agency.
The Cubs completed a splashy trade just a few days ago, acquiring starting pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Marlins for three prospects. As MLB.com's Mark Feinsand wrote, it’s entirely possible that the Cubs will enter next season with Shaw and Hoerner on their roster. But adding Bregman gives them the flexibility to construct another notable trade if they so desire.
Jan. 10: Tigers targeting veteran starters Giolito, Bassitt (report)
The Tigers have made one addition to their starting rotation so far this offseason, signing right-hander Drew Anderson after he had two dominant seasons in Korea. But Detroit would like to keep adding to its starting staff and has been in talks with, among others, veteran starters Lucas Giolito and Chris Bassitt, according to The Athletic (subscription required).
The 31-year-old Giolito, a high school teammate of current Tigers starter Jack Flaherty, had a solid 2025 season for the Red Sox, posting a 3.41 ERA over 145 innings before an elbow injury in September cut his year short. Bassitt, 36, had a 3.96 ERA over 170 1/3 innings for the Blue Jays last year. He has pitched at least 170 innings in each of the past four seasons.
Jan. 5: Astros likely to trade a position player
After bolstering their rotation with the additions of Tatsuya Imai, Mike Burrows and Ryan Weiss, the Astros’ top offseason priority is complete. However, the club still needs to sort out its starting lineup. The problem? Too many players, not enough spots.
With Yordan Alvarez expected to spend 2026 as Houston’s regular DH, the Astros currently don’t have room to give both Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker everyday playing time. As a result, it is becoming “increasingly likely” that the Astros will make a trade to alleviate the logjam, The Athletic (subscription required) reports.
Walker’s salary -- he has two years left on his three-year, $60 million deal -- and limited no-trade clause will make the first baseman more difficult to move, so Paredes seems more likely to go. His name has already surfaced in trade buzz, with the Red Sox reportedly showing interest in him.
Trading outfielder Jesús Sánchez is another option for Houston, but doing so wouldn’t address the team’s infield surplus, unless the club is open to the idea of Paredes playing the outfield.
Jan. 5: Pirates reportedly showing interest in Suárez
Although they’ve added Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, Jhostynxon García and Jake Mangum this offseason, the Pirates are still hunting for another bat. Kazuma Okamoto was reportedly a prime target, but the Japanese slugger joined the Blue Jays on a four-year deal, becoming the latest free agent to spurn Pittsburgh after Kyle Schwarber, Josh Naylor and Jorge Polanco did the same.
With Okamoto off the board, the Pirates are expected to turn their focus to third baseman Eugenio Suárez, according to a report from Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Coming off a 49-homer season, Suárez is a logical fit for the Pirates, who finished last in MLB with 117 home runs and a .350 slugging percentage in 2025 and have an opening at third base after trading Ke’Bryan Hayes during the summer.