We're keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.
Dec. 22: What's next for Mets in OF after McNeil trade?
The Mets continue to shake things up this offseason, trading veteran Jeff McNeil to the Athletics on Monday for teenage pitching prospect Yordan Rodriguez. McNeil played primarily second base but made 48 appearances in the outfield in 2025, seeing action mostly in center field (34 games) but also in both corners. After Brandon Nimmo was dealt to the Rangers for Marcus Semien and Cedric Mullins signed with the Rays, trading McNeil means the Mets have created another vacancy in their outfield. Could they make a big move to fill it?
All signs point to yes. Behind Juan Soto and Tyrone Taylor, New York's outfield depth chart is bare. After seeing Pete Alonso (Orioles) and Edwin Díaz (Dodgers) sign elsewhere, the Mets have money and have shown a willingness to spend it. And the top two free-agent outfielders -- right fielder Kyle Tucker and center fielder Cody Bellinger -- remain on the market.
Barring a trade for an established outfielder, signing either Tucker or Bellinger would make plenty of sense for New York. The Mets have been linked to both players and are seeking a return to the postseason after missing out in 2024. Tucker, MLB.com's top-ranked free agent this offseason, has received interest from several AL East clubs as well as the Dodgers. Bellinger has been linked to the Yankees and Dodgers as well as to the Mets.
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic (subscription required), the Mets are interested in adding a right-handed hitter to their lineup as well (both Tucker and Bellinger bat lefty). Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman are the top free agents who fit that bill, but New York could also turn to the trade market if either star wants a deal longer than the club would prefer.
Dec. 22: Red Sox continuing search for offense after Contreras trade
Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s lengthy search for a bat landed him a solid right-handed-hitting veteran first baseman in Willson Contreras and cash in a trade with the Cardinals on Sunday night. Contreras became the second acquisition by Breslow this winter to waive a full no-trade clause to go from the Cardinals to the Red Sox. Veteran righty Sonny Gray did so last month.
According to MLB.com's Ian Browne, Breslow is expected to continue the hunt for offense, even after acquiring Contreras. That could come from yet another trade with St. Louis: Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic (subscription required) reported that the Red Sox and Cardinals have had discussions about second baseman Brendan Donovan. A popular trade candidate this offseason, Donovan would be a good fit at second for the Red Sox -- six players saw time for Boston at the position in 2025, led by rookie Kristian Campbell before his option to Triple-A.
The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey (subscription required) notes that re-signing Bregman "remains a priority" for Boston. However, the Red Sox have competition for his services. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal (subscription required) characterizes the D-backs and Blue Jays as "legitimate suitors" for Bregman based on what he's heard from sources briefed on the discussions between those teams and the third baseman. The Cubs are also said to be involved, per Rosenthal.
If Bregman signs elsewhere, the Red Sox will be forced to consider alternatives. Boston has been linked to a wide range of hitters in addition to Bregman this offseason, both in free agency and the trade market. The Red Sox reportedly showed interest in Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso, Jorge Polanco and Munetaka Murakami before they signed elsewhere. Unsigned free agents who have been on their radar include Bo Bichette, Eugenio Suárez and Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto, whose negotiating window closes Jan. 4. They've also discussed trades for D-backs second baseman Ketel Marte, Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes and Rangers shortstop Corey Seager.
The addition of Contreras also leaves questions about the role of first baseman Triston Casas going forward. With Contreras in the fold, Casas could join outfielder Jarren Duran among Boston's trade candidates.
Dec. 22: Gray and Contreras are gone. Who will the Cardinals trade next?
In yet another sign that the Cardinals are at the beginning stages of a full rebuild of a roster after they missed the playoffs each of the past three seasons, St. Louis dealt first baseman Willson Contreras to the Red Sox for three pitching prospects on Sunday night, a source told MLB.com executive reporter Mark Feinsand. The Cards traded right-hander Sonny Gray to the Red Sox in a separate deal earlier this offseason.
Further departures are expected for the club this winter. Second baseman Brendan Donovan, outfielder Lars Nootbaar, third baseman Nolan Arenado and reliever JoJo Romero are among the others who could be traded. Donovan could be the latest player dealt to the Red Sox -- St. Louis and Boston have reportedly discussed a trade for the second baseman, according to The Athletic (subscription required).
Dec. 22: Despite interest, Twins not shopping Ryan (report)
The Twins had quite the fire sale at the 2025 Trade Deadline, dealing away 10 Major League players and retooling their farm system. But they don't seem to be willing to cash in perhaps their biggest trade chip this offseason.
Plenty of teams have expressed interest in starting pitcher Joe Ryan, a 2025 All-Star under contract through 2027. But according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic (subscription required), Minnesota insists it isn't shopping Ryan, with one source saying the club hasn't discussed moving the right-hander since before November's General Managers Meetings.
One starter who could be available, though, is Red Sox righty Brayan Bello. Rosenthal and Sammon reported that Boston, which acquired Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras from the Cardinals in separate deals, has "quietly shopped" Bello during the offseason. The 26-year-old, coming off a career-best season in which he had a 3.35 ERA, is under club control through 2029.
Dec. 21: What will White Sox do next after getting Murakami?
The White Sox have added a hitter with immense raw power to their roster, agreeing to a two-year deal with Japanese star Munetaka Murakami on Sunday. Their next move might involve removing a hitter with immense power from their roster.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the White Sox are engaged in trade talks with the Mets and Reds involving outfielder Luis Robert Jr. The Athletic recently reported (subscription required) on the Mets' discussions about Robert, who has also drawn interest from the Phillies. Chicago's return for the 28-year-old outfielder could depend largely on how much of Robert's contract it picks up. He is due $20 million in 2026 and has a $20 million club option for '27.
Since his 2023 All-Star campaign, when he had 38 homers and a 130 OPS+, Robert has posted a .223/.288/.372 slash line over 210 games while being hampered by injuries. In 110 games this past season, he went deep 14 times, had an 85 OPS+ and recorded an inflated 31.7% whiff rate. But given his age, athleticism and plus defense in center field (seven outs above average in 2025), Robert remains an intriguing name for clubs searching for outfield help.
Dec. 20: Royals targeting Duran, Donovan (report)
After acquiring left-handed reliever Matt Strahm in a trade with the Phillies, might the Royals continue to add, but this time on the offensive side?
According to a report in The Athletic (subscription required), Kansas City would like to add a hitter, preferably Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran or Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan, each of whom has been heavily rumored to be available via trade.
That might take some shedding of payroll, but the Royals are reportedly open to dealing from their pitching staff, which includes Kris Bubic and Noah Cameron.
Dec. 20: Will Jays make a push for Bregman?
Alex Bregman has been a popular free-agent target for several clubs, which is no surprise. But according to a report in The Athletic (subscription required), you can add the defending AL champions to the list of teams with serious interest in the veteran third baseman. While the Blue Jays have been rumored to be trying to re-sign shortstop Bo Bichette and have been linked heavily to Kyle Tucker, Bregman appears to be more than just a backup plan in case Toronto can't sign either Tucker or Bichette. More >
Dec. 19: After dealing away Baz and Lowe, are Rays a team to watch in Marte trade talks?
The Rays agreed to two trades on Friday that moved four players off their 26-man roster and brought back a huge haul of prospects, possibly putting them in position to make yet another big move.
Tampa Bay traded starting pitcher Shane Baz to the Orioles for four of Baltimore's Top 30 prospects, including outfielder Slater de Brun (Baltimore's No. 6 prospect) and catcher Caden Bodine (No. 10), both of whom were 2025 first-round Draft picks.
The club also received two of the Astros' top 10 prospects -- outfielder Jacob Melton (No. 2) and right-handed pitcher Anderson Brito (No. 7) -- as part of a three-team deal with the Pirates that sent Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery to Pittsburgh.
The Rays already had a pretty good farm system -- No. 10 in MLB Pipeline's midseason rankings -- before acquiring six prospects in these two deals. That could give them the resources to complete another big trade this offseason. One notable option is a deal involving D-backs second baseman Ketel Marte.
Parting with Lowe, the longest-tenured Rays player, leaves Tampa Bay with a massive void at the keystone spot. And the Rays are one of the many teams that have been reportedly involved in trade discussions regarding the three-time All-Star. Earlier this month, the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro reported (subscription required) that the Rays and D-backs discussed a deal that included Baz and fellow starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot going to Arizona for Marte.
The D-backs are said to want significant pitching in return for Marte. Although Baz is now off the table, Pepiot is still around, and these trades add two pitchers into Tampa Bay's system, including right-hander Michael Forret. He was a part of the Baz deal and is now the Rays' No. 5 prospect.
With this large influx of young talent, Tampa Bay may have what it needs to pull off another headline-grabbing trade.
Dec. 19: O's may not be done adding to rotation after swinging trade for SP Baz
The active and pitching-needy Orioles addressed their starting staff in a big way on Friday, acquiring right-hander Shane Baz from the Rays for four prospects and a 2026 Competitive Balance pick.
It's Baltimore first significant rotation addition this offseason, but it may not be the last. As MLB.com's Jake Rill notes, the Orioles have been in the market for some of the top free-agent starting pitchers, including left-handers Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez. They might also dip back into the trade market for another starter, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
According to a recent report by The Athletic (subscription required), the Orioles are one of the teams interested in trading for Marlins starter Edward Cabrera. MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reported last week that the O's have had "steady communication" with the Nationals about lefty starter MacKenzie Gore. Any deal for Gore would be the first trade between the two franchises since an October 2001 swap sending Hall of Famer Tim Raines to Baltimore from the Montreal Expos.
The Baz move continues a very busy winter in Baltimore. The club has addressed its lineup by signing Pete Alonso and trading for Taylor Ward. It has added relievers Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge. It has now made a splashy move for a starting pitcher and might have another one yet to come.
Dec. 16: What García signing means for Phillies
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that the Phillies’ outfield is pretty much set after the team finalized a one-year, $10 million deal with Adolis García on Tuesday. Reading between the lines, that likely means that free-agent center fielder Harrison Bader won’t be back.
Philadelphia plans to move forward with García in right, Brandon Marsh in center and prospect Justin Crawford in left, with Otto Kemp and Weston Wilson also in the mix.
The García signing comes after the Phillies reunited with Kyle Schwarber on a five-year, $150 million deal at the Winter Meetings. They also have an offer out to free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto.
As for their incumbent starting right fielder, Nick Castellanos? The Phillies have said multiple times this offseason that they are trying to find the righty slugger a “change of scenery,” despite having one year and $20 million remaining on his five-year, $100 million contract. Sources told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki that they have found little to no interest on the trade market, even with the club willing to pay millions of Castellanos’ salary.
If Castellanos is traded, one source said it probably won’t happen until late in the offseason. If the Phillies still can’t find a taker, Castellanos will be released.
Dec. 16: This young slugger could be available for trade (report)
The Mets' two-year deal with veteran infielder Jorge Polanco became official on Tuesday, making for a serious logjam in New York's talented infield. Polanco is expected to play first base -- where he has only one brief appearance in his career -- after Pete Alonso's departure for the Orioles in free agency. Trade acquisition Marcus Semien will play second base, Francisco Lindor will hold down shortstop, and Brett Baty is expected to man third base.
That leaves Mark Vientos and Jeff McNeil in competition for the Mets' designated hitter role, although McNeil can also play the outfield. According to Jorge Castillo of ESPN, New York has made both players available on the trade market. Vientos in particular could garner interest after he hit .266 with 27 home runs and an .837 OPS in a breakout 2024, following up the performance with five home runs during the postseason. The 26-year-old took a step back in 2025 with a .233/.289/.413 slash line and 17 dingers, but he is under club control through 2029.
In 2025, McNeil had his best offensive season since his All-Star 2022, compiling a .243/.335/.411 slash line with 12 home runs and 54 RBIs. The 33-year-old played primarily second base (79 appearances) but also played 48 games in the outfield, including 34 in center field. He is under contract for $15.75 million in 2026 with a club option of the same value for 2027.
Dec. 15: Royals still 'open' to trading for Duran (report)
The Royals could still look to acquire another outfielder -- namely Jarren Duran of the Red Sox -- even after signing free agent Lane Thomas and trading with the Brewers for Isaac Collins, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal in The Athletic (subscription required).
Kansas City believes it would likely have to part with lefty Cole Ragans to acquire Duran, Rosenthal reports, though talks are said to still be preliminary. Ragans and Duran are both under team control for three more seasons.