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Breaking down the biggest non-Skubal trade candidates

January 18, 2026

Earlier this week, we examined the potential trade market for Tarik Skubal, the clear headliner in next winter’s free-agent class. But Skubal isn’t the only impending free agent whose name will surface in trade talk in the coming weeks and months. Clubs could look to move players ahead of this

'It didn’t matter who won the game': The forgotten classic that honored MLK Jr.

@SweenyMurti
10 minutes ago

The game itself is largely forgotten. There is no video, and even those who played in the game don’t remember most of the details. What they do remember is the meaning behind the game and the feeling of being asked to play in one of the most significant games Major

Mookie confirms 2032 season will be his last

@bmags94
January 18, 2026

Dodgers star Mookie Betts plans to retire after his contract with Los Angeles ends. In an appearance with John Cena on the Roku miniseries “What Drives You with John Cena,” Betts confirmed that he will retire following the 2032 season, at which point he’ll be 40 years old.

Kim undergoes hand surgery, out 4-5 months

January 18, 2026

ATLANTA -- One month after giving Ha-Seong Kim a one-year, $20 million deal, the Braves had to announce on Sunday that the shortstop will begin a second straight season on the injured list. Kim underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger, and his recovery time

Will Tucker and Bichette's short-term deals change Bellinger's market?

January 18, 2026

MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Cody Bellinger.

These were the 50 best defensive plays of 2025

January 18, 2026

The web gem. There’s nothing quite like it. When we see tremendous defense in baseball, it inspires awe and we often marvel at how such incredible plays can be made. As we near Spring Training and the dawn of a new season, MLB Network ranked the top 50 defensive plays

Mets' new-look infield could pull off rare feat on Opening Day

January 18, 2026

The newest members of the Mets' infield have a chance of doing something quite rare on Opening Day. Earlier this winter, the Mets signed Jorge Polanco with the intent of using him as a first baseman. Then, they reportedly added Bo Bichette to play third base. The two have combined

4 reasons Dodgers were poised to be better even before Tucker, Díaz

January 18, 2026

As they enter the 2026 season looking to three-peat as World Series champions, the Dodgers have bolstered their roster by addressing two areas of need: the bullpen and the outfield. After signing elite closer Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million contract earlier this offseason, and then striking again by

Workhorse White Sox knuckleballer Wood dies at 84

@bmags94
January 18, 2026

Wilbur Wood, who spent 17 seasons in the Majors from 1961-78, passed away Saturday at 84 years old, the White Sox announced. Wood, a knuckleballer who developed into one of the best pitchers in baseball with the White Sox in the 1970s, truly embodied the meaning of chewing up innings.

Rangers boost bullpen depth in deal with reliever Junis (source)

@kennlandry
January 18, 2026

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers' bullpen rebuild continues. Right-hander Jakob Junis has agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with Texas, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The club has not confirmed the deal.

Youth, diversity hallmarks of the 2026 DREAM Series

January 18, 2026

TEMPE, Ariz. -- MLB rosters are becoming more and more diverse, and this weekend’s DREAM Series in Arizona tells another story. The talent pool of minority pitchers and catchers is getting younger, too. • More about the MLB Dream Series The annual amateur baseball development showcase at Tempe Diablo Stadium,

Yoshida's situation a conundrum for Red Sox

January 18, 2026

A little more than three years ago, the Red Sox (led by then-chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom) introduced Masataka Yoshida, a 29-year-old outfielder from Japan whom they reeled in with a five-year, $90 million contract. Boston sent an additional $15.375 million as a posting fee to the Orix Buffaloes of

10 years after historic title, are Cubs ready to be back on top?

January 18, 2026

This October, it will have been 10 years since the Cubs accomplished what generations of baseball fans and Chicagoans had long thought impossible: They won the World Series. It remains remarkable that that happened. I was there in Cleveland the night Anthony Rizzo caught that ball in his glove, and

Verlander reportedly drawing interest from multiple clubs

LATEST FREE AGENT & TRADE RUMORS
January 18, 2026

We're keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.

This might've been the secret to hitting 60 homers

A lot better, apparently
January 17, 2026

Former Mariners Minor League strength and conditioning coach Michael Sadler remembers his first time meeting Cal Raleigh in 2019, out in Single-A Modesto. "He'll probably kill me for saying this, but it looked like he had a lot of baby fat on him," Sadler laughed. "Kind of a baby face.

The 4 best fits for the top remaining free-agent starter

January 17, 2026

Framber Valdez is the last of the top free-agent arms available. The market for Valdez developed slower than some expected, perhaps due to his age and mileage, the qualifying offer attached to him and a controversial interaction with his catcher toward the end of last season. But with other top

How moving to a new home park could unleash Tucker

Lefty slugger had OPS 176 points higher away from Wrigley Field in 2025
January 16, 2026

The reason the Dodgers gave Kyle Tucker a massive contract – and the Mets tried to do the same, and the Blue Jays too – is pretty obvious. Their outfield was a relatively poor unit, and Tucker is a star, ranking as a top-10 position player in the sport over

Marte plan unchanged in face of Bregman, Suárez signings

January 17, 2026

This story was excerpted from Steve Gilbert's D-backs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Contreras to bring fire, winning energy to Boston

January 17, 2026

BOSTON -- The Red Sox didn’t just get a run producer and a new first baseman in Willson Contreras. As everyone will see first-hand in a matter of weeks, the club has landed a fireball of energy and emotion. That is his way. Always has been. And don’t expect Contreras

Can Harper be 'elite' again? Let's break it down

January 17, 2026

Bryce Harper “had a very good year … I don’t think he had an elite year,” said Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski earlier this winter. While Dombrowski wasn’t really incorrect in that statement – Harper did hit 27 homers, but failed to earn a place either on an

Elly turned down a record contract offer from Reds

January 17, 2026

Elly De La Cruz is one of the brightest young stars in baseball, and at just 24 years old, he’s already made quite a name for himself. So it’s no surprise that the Reds would want to sign him to a long-term extension. Last spring, Cincinnati offered the five-tool phenom

From World Series winner to sausage meister: A visit to Byung-hyun Kim's German restaurant

January 17, 2026

This is an excerpt from the latest edition of Michael Clair's International Beat Newsletter, bringing global baseball news to your inbox every month. Sign up for future installments HERE and check out the full newsletter HERE.

On the doorstep of the Majors, Wetherholt eager to take that big step

@JohnDenton555
January 18, 2026

ST. LOUIS -- For Cardinals top prospect JJ Wetherholt, keeping the main thing as the main thing has been the entirety of his focus this winter as he prepares for a Spring Training that could ultimately vault him to the big leagues. Wetherholt, MLB’s No. 5 overall prospect, noted on

Cavalli, Nats settle on one-year deal with club option, avoiding arbitration

January 18, 2026

The Nationals avoided an arbitration hearing with right-hander Cade Cavalli by agreeing to a one-year contract Sunday that includes a club option for 2027. Cavalli’s new deal will pay him $862,500 in 2026, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. That figure falls directly between the $900,000 that Cavalli had filed for

The best baseball players born on Jan. 19

@SportsAngle
36 minutes ago

Who are the best players born on each day of the year? We have a list for every day on the calendar. Here’s a subjective ranking of the top five for Jan. 19. 1) Jon Matlack (1950) The Mets have had two absolute golden seasons: 1969 and 1986. Matlack showed