The MLB offseason is underway. Follow along for analysis of all major transactions in January.
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Mackenzie Gore I Freddy Peralta I Cody Bellinger I Luis Robert Jr. I Bo Bichette I Kyle Tucker I Ranger Suárez I Nolan Arenado I Alex Bregman I Edward Cabrera I Kazuma Okamoto I Tatsuya Imai I December
Jan. 31
Giants complete infield with Arraez signing
✍️ 1-year, $12M contract
What it means for Giants: Luis Arraez is one of the most polarizing players in MLB, with one of the most unique Baseball Savant pages. The 28-year-old is a three-time All-Star, owns three batting titles, and is a two-time Silver Slugger. He's accomplished all of this despite ranking in the first percentile in bat speed, barrel %, and hard-hit %, while sitting in the sixth percentile in average exit velocity.
Arraez is a throwback, and instead finds success through his incredible bat-to-ball skills. He led the NL in hits last season (181) while posting an MLB-best 3.1 K% over 675 plate appearances. Arraez never struck out more than once in a game in 2025, and hasn't struck out multiple times in 219 straight games, a streak dating back to July 3, 2024. With his hard-hit rate declining in each of the last five seasons, it's clear that Arraez's focus is on solely being a contact hitter - 77% of his hits last year were singles. This profile should play well in spacious Oracle Park, and hopefully he'll be able to turn more of those singles into doubles.
The addition of Arraez and his contact ability should act as a nice compliment to a Giants' lineup that has plenty of swing-and-miss, with regulars Willy Adames, Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, and Patrick Bailey all striking out at a high clip.
While San Francisco will boast an elite defensive left side of its infield, things on the right side playing next to Devers projects to be an adventure. Arraez was one of the worst defensive players in the majors last season while playing almost exclusively at first base. He hasn't played second base full time since 2023, where he posted a minus-14 outs above average.
Jan. 22
Nationals kickstart another rebuild with Gore trade
What it means for Rangers: Texas needed to add an impact starter to slot behind Jacob deGrom and Nate Eovaldi, and Gore certainly gives them that. The 26-year-old has yet to reach the heights of being the elite pitcher he was projected to be when selected third overall in 2017, but he's still young, and coming off a season where he took some encouraging steps.
Gore tossed 159 2/3 innings in 2025 - the second year in a row that he's made at least 30 starts - and posted a 4.17 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 185 strikeouts. His ERA was somewhat inflated due in part to Washington being one of the worst defensive teams in the majors. Gore's 3.74 FIP illustrates that he's a better pitcher than what some of his numbers suggest.
The left-hander saw a significant uptick in strikeouts last season, posting the sixth-best K/9 (10.4) among starters with at least 150 innings. Gore does have a tendency to lose the zone at times, resulting in 3.6 BB/9. Allowing extra baserunners hurt, especially since he also ranked in the 30th percentile in groundball rate, and 20th percentile in hard-hit rate. Even without Marcus Semien, the Rangers project to field another strong defensive team in 2026, which should help.
Texas is an excellent landing spot for Gore. Not only will he be able to learn from two of the best in deGrom and Eovaldi, but the Rangers organization has done a great job maximizing their pitching talent. The club posted the lowest ERA in the majors in 2025 and has a strong pitching infrastructure in place, even with the departure of long-time pitching coach Mike Maddux.
With two years of team control, the Rangers should be able to view this trade positively even if Gore's ceiling ends up being that of a reliable third starter.
What it means for Nationals: That 2019 World Series certainly feels like a lifetime ago. Gore was supposed to be one of the key pieces of the next Nationals contender, instead, his departure signifies that a six-year rebuild isn't going to end anytime soon.
New president of baseball operations Paul Toboni was right to sell high on Gore at this point after back-to-back solid seasons. It's clear this roster is nowhere near being able to compete for a postseason spot, and ownership isn't willing to spend with this core.
The Nationals received five players for Gore. While there's talent in the return, it appears that Toboni opted for quantity over quality. That hardly ever works out in the selling team's favor unless you're dealing away an elite talent like we saw in the Nationals' trade of Juan Soto.
Gavin Fien, the 12th pick in last year's draft, and the Rangers' No. 2 prospect, is the headliner of the group. He's also only 18 years old with 10 games of pro ball under his belt. Rosario (Rangers' No. 6 prospect), Fitz-Gerald (No. 12), Cabrera (No. 16), and Ortiz (No. 18) will all deepen the Nationals' prospect pool, but Washington will have to rely on its development to have any of them become an impact player at the MLB level.
Prospect lists can be heavily flawed, though it's notable that the Rangers didn't give up a single Top 100 prospect on either Baseball America or MLB Pipeline's list in the deal. There's certainly a question whether the Nationals would have been better served acquiring a smaller package of higher ceiling players.
Jan. 21
Mets land ace in Peralta from Brewers
What it means for Mets: David Stearns' productivity has been through the roof the last couple of days. After luring Bo Bichette away from the Phillies and trading for Luis Robert Jr., the Mets' president of baseball operations made his biggest move of the winter by acquiring Peralta, giving the club a legitimate ace to lead the rotation.
The 29-year-old is coming off the best season of his eight-year career, posting a 2.70 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts across 176 2/3 innings. That performance earned him a fifth-place finish in NL Cy Young voting and his second All-Star appearance. Peralta also recorded elite strikeout numbers (10.4 K/9) in 2025 while ranking in the 90th percentile in hard-hit rate. He possesses a dominant four-pitch mix led by his four-seam fastball, complemented by three great secondary pitches (changeup, curveball, slider) that each generated at least a 34% whiff rate last campaign.
Peralta does have a tendency to walk too many batters at times, as his 3.36 BB/9 ranked 19th among 24 qualified NL starters in 2025. However, his ability to limit hard contact and strike batters out allowed him to strand an MLB-leading 85.5% of baserunners.
The only real downside for the Mets in this trade is that Peralta is under contract only through 2026. And he's likely hoping to cash in next winter after inking an extremely team-friendly five-year, $15.5-million extension in 2020 that included the $8-million team option he'll play under next season.
Stearns attempting to sign Peralta to an extension wouldn't be shocking, especially with Kodai Senga, David Peterson, Clay Holmes, and Sean Manaea all potentially coming off the books after the 2026 or 2027 seasons. A long-term pairing of Peralta and Nolan McLean at the top of the Mets' rotation would be elite. If you're Peralta and excited about the opportunity to pitch in New York, locking in a guaranteed long-term deal is likely appealing.
The Mets were thoroughly embarrassed last season, missing the playoffs despite owning MLB's second-highest payroll ($346.6 million). Stearns let key pieces in Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz, and Brandon Nimmo exit via either free agency or trades this winter, completely remaking the team's clubhouse in the process. Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto are incredible pillars to build around, and we'll see how quickly Bichette and Jorge Polanco can acclimate to their new positions. Regardless of how it shakes out, the Mets will again be a fascinating team to watch.
What it means for Brewers: Milwaukee has remained competitive despite a low payroll because of moves like this. But that likely doesn't make this trade any easier to accept for a fan base hoping for a greater financial investment from ownership.
The Brewers won an MLB-best 97 games in 2025, only to get steamrolled in the NLCS by the Dodgers. Rather than build off that momentum, Milwaukee has been quiet for most of the winter. Brandon Woodruff accepting a $22.05-million qualifying offer likely meant there was no room for Peralta's contract, even if it was only $8 million.
Losing Peralta is a significant blow to the 2026 Brewers, but the club has to be thrilled with how things line up long term after acquiring two really intriguing talents. As was the case when it traded Corbin Burnes and Devin Williams, Milwaukee targeted young players who had already made their MLB debuts or were on the verge of doing so.
Sproat, the Mets' No. 5 prospect, made four starts in the majors last year and will head into spring training competing for a spot in the rotation. The 25-year-old could be part of a pitching foundation that also includes Jacob Misiorowski, Quinn Priester, and Logan Henderson, who are all pre-arb.
Jett Williams was New York's first-round pick in 2022 and the No. 30 prospect overall, per MLB Pipeline. The 21-year-old split last year between Double-A and Triple-A and will likely begin his time in the minors next season. His ability to play multiple positions (second base, shortstop, center field) fits perfectly with how the Brewers operate. Though he's only 5-foot-7, Williams hit 17 home runs to go with 34 stolen bases in 130 games in 2025. However, he struck out 131 times.
Watching the Brewers trade their best pitcher after his incredible year is disappointing. But this organization deserves the benefit of the doubt, and it shouldn't be a surprise to see the club competing for another NL Central crown in 2026. If you're a fan of the team, you can certainly view this both as a really sad trade and a reason to be excited for the future. Still, it would be fun if Milwaukee were to operate a bit more in the present.
Bellinger, Yankees finally reunite on 5-year deal
✍️ 5-year, $162.5M contract
What it means for Yankees: This made too much sense to not happen. Following months of negotiations and unrelenting leaks, Brian Cashman and Scott Boras were able to hammer out a deal that will keep Bellinger in the Bronx long term.
The 30-year-old was a major piece of New York's success last season with a left-handed swing made for Yankee Stadium (.909 OPS). He hammered 29 homers and 25 doubles to go with an .813 OPS and 4.9 fWAR - the second-highest total of his nine-year career - across 152 games. Bellinger's return gives the club an excellent defensive outfield and some protection for Aaron Judge in the lineup. Bellinger and Judge are now signed through 2030.
The Yankees weren't heavily linked to Kyle Tucker, and there really wasn't another option on the market that would have fit their needs as well as Bellinger. It would have been a major risk to hand the left-field job to either Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones, and now Cashman can potentially package either youngster in a trade.
New York reportedly didn't want to go over five years for Bellinger, while his camp was seeking a seven-year deal. In the end, the team gets the term it wanted while Bellinger gets multiple opt-outs and a full no-trade clause. That seems like a solid compromise on both sides.
Bellinger deserves a lot of credit for the way he's rebuilt his career after being non-tendered by the Dodgers following the 2022 season. Since then, he's pulled in over $200 million.
Jan. 20
Mets find outfield help by landing Robert from White Sox
What it means for Mets: New York has been linked to a possible trade for Robert dating back to the summer, and the two sides were finally able to complete a deal. The 28-year-old is now two seasons removed from his incredible 38-homer, 36-double, 20-stolen base 2023 campaign in which he was an All-Star and Silver Slugger. Since then, he's missed 114 games over the last two seasons due to hamstring and hip injuries.
When Robert has been healthy, his offensive production has suffered a significant drop-off. He slashed .223/.288/.372 with 29 home runs, 31 doubles, and a .660 OPS in 210 games over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, his 29.6 K% since 2024 is the seventh-worst in MLB (minimum 800 plate appearances), while his 84 wRC+ ranks 175th out of 188 qualified players.
So why trade for him? The Mets hope a change in scenery, and the chance to play for a contender, will reinvigorate Robert. What they really need to do is keep him healthy. Though his offense has a lot of holes, he remains an elite defensive center fielder and baserunner, ranking in the 90th percentile or better in both outs above average and sprint speed last season. Even with his lower-body ailments, Robert's been able to swipe at least 20 bases in each of the last three seasons. He also crushes left-handed pitching, posting an .842 OPS against southpaws last season (113 PAs) compared to a .601 OPS vs. right-handers (318 PAs).
Regardless of what his bat provides, Robert's defense gives the Mets an everyday center fielder, which they desperately needed. His ability in the field and on the bases should be more than enough to justify the move. If Robert struggles, the Mets can walk away after one year. If he provides value, the team can cash in on his $20-million club option for next season. This likely takes them out of the bidding for Cody Bellinger and instead allows the front office to focus on bringing in some impact arms. Robert is a chance worth taking for a team with deep pockets.
What it means for White Sox: GM Chris Getz raised some eyebrows when he opted not to deal Robert last summer, saying the team had no problem exercising its club option in hopes of revisiting talks over the winter. That gamble paid off.
Instead of letting Robert walk for nothing, the team was able to add Acuña, who should factor into the MLB team this season, and a lottery ticket in Pauley. The White Sox getting the Mets to take on the remainder of Robert's salary should also open the door to add at least one veteran free agent who could help a very young clubhouse. Chicago currently projects to have an $85-million competitive balance tax payroll - the second-lowest in the majors.
Robert was the last remaining piece of what was once believed to be the next great White Sox core. The organization last reached the playoffs in 2021 with a team that featured Tim Anderson, Yoán Moncada, Andrew Vaughn, Eloy Jiménez, Nick Madrigal, and Robert. All of those players have since left the club.
Acuña will have a much bigger opportunity in Chicago than in New York. He was the Mets' No. 3 prospect in 2024 but struggled to make much of an impact last season, bouncing between MLB and Triple-A. He slashed .234/.293/.274 with no home runs and 16 stolen bases in 193 plate appearances while seeing time at second base, third base, shortstop and center field. He'll have the chance to play all over the diamond with the White Sox.
Jan. 16
Mets quickly pivot to Bichette after Tucker miss
✍️ 3-year, $126M contract
What it means for Mets: Just 14 hours after missing out on Kyle Tucker, the Mets quickly pivoted to the next-best bat available in Bo Bichette. It seemed like the 27-year-old was poised to land in Philadelphia, and a reported seven-year, $200-million contract with the Phillies was apparently in the works before New York offered Bichette a loaded short-term deal with a pair of opt-outs. The Mets must be thrilled to get a player of Bichette's caliber while keeping him away from one of their biggest rivals.
David Stearns has spent the offseason completely remaking his roster, and Bichette represents the third new infielder brought in alongside Jorge Polanco and Marcus Semien. Bichette and Semien grew particularly close during their time with the Blue Jays, so the Mets' newest signing is likely excited about the reunion, and Semien's mentorship should help as Bichette changes positions.
The lifetime shortstop entered the winter open to moving to second base, but Bichette will slide over to third in Queens. He hasn't played third base at any level since turning pro in 2016. He graded out as a poor defensive shortstop, though playing alongside Francisco Lindor should help cover for his limited range. Bichette also has a below-average arm, which will be tested at his new position. However, the Mets are hoping that a less physically taxing spot on the diamond will keep Bichette healthier.
What the Mets are really paying for here is Bichette's excellent bat. He's coming off a season in which he slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs and 44 doubles while posting a career-best 14.5 K% across 139 games. Bichette would have easily led New York in batting average last season, and he had one fewer extra-base hit than Juan Soto despite 87 fewer plate appearances. The trio of Lindor, Soto, and Bichette at the top of the lineup is elite, helping mitigate the losses of Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo.
Bichette's patience in free agency paid off, and he capitalized on Tucker landing in Los Angeles. Though Bichette didn't ink a long-term deal, by securing a $42-million AAV - the fourth highest in MLB in 2026 - with a pair of opt-outs, he sets himself up nicely. If Bichette proves himself to be a capable third baseman in 2026, he can re-enter the market next winter as arguably the top free-agent position player and won't be attached to a qualifying offer.
Tucker was a cleaner positional fit - the Mets still need to address their outfield - but signing Bichette for $126 million is a much better use of the club's resources. We'll see what Stearns does with the money that's perceived to be "left over."
What it means for Blue Jays: It never felt like Toronto truly pursued a reunion with Bichette, as evidenced by how quickly he signed with the Mets despite the Blue Jays missing out on Tucker. The writing was on the wall for Bichette last winter when Toronto acquired Andrés Giménez, who will take over full time at shortstop.
The Blue Jays' lineup remains solid, especially after signing Kazuma Okamoto, who fits the team's contact-oriented approach. Some observers will also point out how well Toronto played in September and most of October without Bichette. But subtracting his bat from this lineup is still a significant loss, and it puts a lot of pressure on the supporting cast. Anthony Santander becomes an enormous X-factor for the club.
Bichette led the Blue Jays in hits, doubles, extra-base hits, and average last season while finishing top three in OBP, slugging, and OPS. Losing Bichette at the expense of signing Tucker would have been completely justifiable, but not having either one takes some sting out of the offense.
The free-agent position player class has significantly thinned out, although Cody Bellinger is still available. Bellinger would be a really strong fit, and he'd offer some stability with George Springer and Daulton Varsho a year away from free agency, but he's reportedly seeking a seven-year deal worth roughly $30 million per season. The Blue Jays could opt to pursue a trade instead, or go into the season with the lineup as currently constructed, and they've still had a successful winter either way.
Jan. 15
Dodgers land Tucker with jaw-dropping deal
✍️ 4-year, $240M contract
What it means for the Dodgers: Mets owner Steve Cohen was asking for smoke. Well, he and the rest of the league got it. As New York and Toronto awaited Kyle Tucker's decision, Los Angeles put together an offer so big that you'd be forgiven if you initially thought it was a typo. The $240-million deal carries the second-highest average annual value ($57.1 million) in MLB history behind Shohei Ohtani after calculating deferrals.
If you're Tucker, how could you say no? He gets to join the reigning World Series champs, he received a record AAV, he can hide on a roster loaded with other big stars, he gets to live in Los Angeles, and he has the option to re-enter free agency in his age-31 season. That's a tough package for any other MLB team to beat.
So, the rich get richer. Tucker is the second star player the Dodgers have added this winter in addition to closer Edwin Díaz. It seems a bit silly to say, but Los Angeles actually needed to add an impact bat like Tucker despite winning back-to-back titles. The Dodgers ranked 20th in outfield fWAR last season after moving Mookie Betts to shortstop, so Tucker will serve as a significant upgrade.
While Tucker no doubt cashed in, it was a bit of a surprise how small his market was, with only three teams reportedly really in the mix. It's like the rest of the league forgot how good he is following a somewhat down season for the Cubs, which he played a large portion of while battling injury.
Since 2021, Tucker ranks fourth among MLB outfielders in fWAR behind Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Betts. Over that span, he's had two 30-homer seasons and owns an .878 OPS, 143 wRC+, and 105 stolen bases. He has an elite approach, ranking in 85th percentile in strikeout rate and 96th percentile in walk rate. He doesn't chase and owns neutral splits as a left-handed hitter (.877 career OPS versus RHP, .842 OPS versus LHP). He's a great player.
Is this bad for baseball? Plenty of owners will certainly argue that next winter when they push for a salary cap during new CBA talks. The Miami Marlins' entire competitive balance tax payroll for 2026 currently sits at $79.6 million. The reality is, the Dodgers have created such a desirable place to play that it's hard for any player to turn them down. But they also spend the money and have an elite player development system. They're firing on all cylinders and operating in a way that's simply unmatched. Until the rules change or other teams outbid them, this machine will keep rolling. Someone will have to beat them.
What it means for the Blue Jays: Ross Atkins has to be getting pretty sick of the Dodgers. Tucker would've been such a perfect fit for this Blue Jays team given his skill set and would have served as an excellent long-term complement to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Toronto's already had an incredibly aggressive and productive offseason, and Tucker would have been the final piece to that puzzle. There's certainly time and talent remaining on the market if the club chooses to pivot, and there's one familiar face in Bo Bichette still unsigned. Reuniting with Bichette makes a lot of sense, especially if he's willing to move to second base, but the Blue Jays' pursuit of Tucker has opened the door for teams like the Phillies to host Bichette for a meeting.
If the Blue Jays aren't sold on Bichette, maybe they turn to Cody Bellinger, who reportedly reached an impasse with the Yankees. The Dodgers landing Tucker only benefits the markets of Bichette and Bellinger. The pair just gained a lot of leverage. Given Toronto is already operating above the $300-million CBT mark, it could also opt to deal some of its position player depth to add more of an impact bat. As much of a blow as it is to miss out on Tucker, there are still a number of creative options on the table.
What it means for Mets: New York reportedly made Tucker a four-year, $220-million offer. Maybe Cohen should have sold a Picasso from his collection to cover the difference. In all seriousness, it's almost unconceivable to think that New York's $55-million AAV was outbid only a year after the club broke records to sign Soto. Its offer just wasn't enough this time.
The Mets have a much bigger need for an outfielder than the Dodgers, and it seems unlikely they join the bidding for Bichette, making Bellinger a prime target. David Stearns has already lured Devin Williams and Luke Weaver across town this winter, so why not add a third former Yankee? If the Mets don't want to pay Bellinger, who's reportedly seeking a seven-year deal, they could pivot to the trade market. Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran could be a potential fit. Stearns could also pivot to the starting pitching market with Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen among the arms still unsigned.
L.A.'s now swooped in and landed both Díaz and Tucker this winter. There's a bit of irony that the owners were so concerned about Cohen when he took over the Mets that they added the "Cohen Tax" to the CBA - only for him to be outbid by the Dodgers.
Jan. 14
Red Sox rebound from Bregman with Suárez
✍️ 5-year, $130M contract
What it means for Red Sox: Craig Breslow has done it! He signed a free agent! Boston was the last team to ink a player to a guaranteed deal this winter, and it was worth the wait. After missing out on reuniting with Alex Bregman, Breslow shifted his focus to the rotation, bringing in Ranger Suárez on the richest deal he's ever handed to a free agent in his three years as chief baseball officer with the Red Sox.
The 30-year-old Suárez spent his entire eight-year career in Philadelphia before hitting the open market this offseason. He's a legitimate starter, though he doesn't come with big velocity (seventh percentile) or strikeout numbers (8.6 K/9). He's also never thrown more than 158 innings and has missed time in each of the last two seasons with a back injury, making Boston's $130-million commitment a bit of a gamble. But the Red Sox couldn't afford the optics of being outbid again. What Suárez does well is eliminate hard contact, induce a lot of groundballs (48%), limit walks (2.2 BB/9), and keep the ball in the yard (0.8 HR/9). Those are all indicators that he should age well over the course of his deal. Suárez has also been an incredible playoff performer, posting a 1.48 ERA over 42 2/3 postseason innings.
Suárez slides in behind Garrett Crochet and gives Boston one of the deepest pitching staffs in the majors. The Red Sox can deploy any combination of Brayan Bello, Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo, Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, and Kyle Harrison to fill out the rest of the rotation. You have to imagine the organization will package some of that depth in a trade for a much-needed bat. With Crochet, Bello, and Suárez all under contract through at least the 2029 season, Breslow could use one of Tolle or Early as a headliner in a deal for an impact position player. Suárez's addition makes trading one of those top prospects a little easier to swallow.
Boston's CBT payroll now sits at approximately $266 million - well above the first luxury-tax threshold. The club has been linked to Bo Bichette, though we'll see how aggressive the front office remains on free-agent spending. With numerous holes in the infield, there are a number of directions the Red Sox could go, but they must land at least one more impact bat before they can truly be considered a World Series threat.
Jan. 13
Cardinals' selloff continues with Arenado landing in Arizona
What it means for D-Backs: All the focus surrounding Arizona this winter has been on whether or not the club will trade star second baseman Ketel Marte. But after GM Mike Hazen declared he wouldn't deal Marte, he went to work bolstering his 2026 roster.
Arenado is certainly no longer the All-Star-caliber player he once was. He's coming off a season in which he posted career worsts in average (.237), on-base percentage (.289), slugging (.377), and OPS (.666). The 34-year-old also ranks in the bottom part of the league in hard-hit %, exit velocity, and barrel %. Although the offensive drop off has been considerable over the last two years, the D-Backs can still find value in his glove - especially considering they're only on the hook for $11 million spread across the next two seasons. To Arenado's credit, he remains difficult to strike out, posting an 11.2 K% in 2025, which ranked 10th-best in MLB (Min. 400 PAs).
The 10-time Gold Glove winner is still an excellent defender and a positive fWAR player who gives the club some certainty at a position where they failed to get much after trading away Eugenio Suárez. What Arenado's acquisition means for Jordan Lawlar remains to be seen. The 23-year-old dominated Triple-A last season but struggled in 28 games in the majors. All three of his defensive infield spots appear to be filled, though the D-Backs should be able to still get him enough at-bats by rotating through the DH spot. Arizona will hope that a fresh start and playing for a club with aspirations of winning can squeeze a little more out of Arenado. Worst-case, he serves as a veteran infielder who can mentor younger players, like Lawlar.
What it means for Cardinals: St. Louis finally succeeded in trading away Arenado after attempting to do so for over a year. This winter has marked a considerable sell-off under the Cardinals' new president of baseball operations, Chaim Bloom, as he's now dumped the salaries of Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras. Bloom's ability to carve out playing time for younger players and shed payroll should help him mold his roster in his view. Ownership deserves credit, as the club is on the hook for approximately $59 million in salary for that trio to not play for them.
Brendan Donovan appears to be the next player Bloom could move, potentially opening the door for top prospect JJ Wetherholt to crack the Opening Day roster. While Bloom acquired some decent prospects in the earlier trades, Donovan represents his greatest trade chip, and there won't be any need to cover his salary to facilitate a deal. St. Louis is entering somewhat of a soft rebuild, but there's still a lot of young talent on this roster, and they could be an entertaining watch this season. The Cardinals currently don't have a position player on the projected 26-man roster over 30 years old.
Jan. 10
Cubs land marquee bat in Bregman
✍️ 5-year, $175M contract
What it means for Cubs: Chicago's awoken from its offseason slumber with an eventful three days. The addition of Bregman helps mitigate some of the offense lost with Kyle Tucker hitting free agency, and gives the Cubs an elite defense on the left side of the infield when paired with Dansby Swanson. Interestingly enough, Bregman was the second pick in the 2015 draft behind Swanson, and wears No. 2 because of it. Now the two are teammates.
Bregman brings a lot to a Cubs team that's coming off their first playoff appearance in five years. Chicago finished 27th in fWAR and 29th in OPS at third base last season, so Bregman immediately addresses a significant need. He also does a great job controlling the zone, and is coming off a season in which he posted a 14.1 K% and 10.3 BB%. That should mesh well with a Cubs team that struck out the sixth-fewest times in the majors in 2025.
Bregman's made the playoffs in each of the last nine seasons, has won two World Series titles, and has been heralded for his strong leadership. He'll be able to mentor some of the team's younger players in Pete Crow-Armstrong, Moisés Ballesteros, Kevin Alcántara, and Matt Shaw, though this does open the door for the team to potentially trade Shaw.
Wrigley Field will likely be the worst offensive home ballpark for Bregman in his career, but he surprisingly posted a higher OPS on the road (.875) than at Fenway Park (.761) last season, which is a bit of a surprise given his pull-heavy swing (47.4%). Bregman increased his hard-hit rate and exit velocity in 2025 over the previous season, though he sat somewhat troublingly in the 31st percentile in bat speed.
It's nice to see the Cubs being aggressive and acting like a big-market team once again. And, in Bregman, they have a core veteran locked up long term. Chicago only had $55 million committed in guaranteed salary in 2027, so it was able to stretch themselves in order to get Bregman signed.
What it means for Red Sox: So, what now for Boston? The Red Sox fully hitched their wagon to Bregman last season, and even with the opt-opts in his deal, it always felt like the two sides would work something out long term. But now, the organization caused an entire mess with Rafael Devers for one season of Bregman, and now they have neither. What makes it even worse is they are still in search of a middle-of-the-order bat, and are facing a potential hole at third base. Yikes.
Boston is the only team that has yet to sign a free agent to a guaranteed contract this winter. Yes, they've traded for Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Johan Oviedo, but there is a clear reluctance to bid at the top of the free-agent market under Craig Breslow. This regime does not seem to want to spend big or offer long-term deals to players in their 30s.
With Bregman off the board, the pressure really ramps up for Boston. Luckily, there's still a number of options in free agency should the club feel any urgency. Signing Bo Bichette and deploying him at second base makes a lot of sense, though he will almost assuredly cost more than Bregman. Kyle Tucker fits on any team, though Boston is deep in left-handed hitting outfielders. Eugenio Suárez is the top third base option remaining on the market. There are also potential trade candidates like Alec Bohm, Brendan Donovan, Isaac Paredes, and Nolan Arenado.
Unlike other seasons, it doesn't appear as if the big free agents will see their markets collapse. So Breslow is likely going to need to step outside his comfort zone if he's to land a key bat in free agency, or swing yet another trade.
Jan. 7
Cubs finally make big move with Cabrera trade
What it means for Cubs: After making a number of depth moves, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer finally took a big swing this offseason by acquiring Edward Cabrera. The right-hander is an enticing starter who's struggled to stay healthy throughout his five-year career. He threw a combined 294 MLB innings for the Marlins from 2021-2024 while landing on the injured list seven different times over that span with various ailments, including shoulder and elbow issues. What's encouraging for the Cubs, though, is that Cabrera is coming off the best season of his career: a 3.53 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 1.23 WHIP, and 150 strikeouts over 137 2/3 innings in 2025. He did miss almost four weeks in September with a right elbow sprain, but came off the IL to make two starts down the stretch, and will head into this spring healthy.
Chicago's done a great job getting the most out of its starting pitching in recent years, and there's reason to think they'll be able to do the same with Cabrera. He brings big-time velocity and also throws some strong secondary pitches, although hitters feasted on his sinker last year (.609 SLG). He was, however, able to lower his walk rate by over a full batter from 2024 and did a better job limiting home runs. Cabrera also comes with three years of team control at an extremely modest cost; he's projected to earn just $3.7 million through arbitration in 2026. Even if he's more of a No. 4 starter long term, the Cubs should still consider that a win.
With Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, and potentially Matthew Boyd all hitting free agency after the coming season, Chicago desperately needed to acquire a pitcher with some years of control. The question for the Cubs, though, is why they were willing to deal away their top prospect for pitching help, rather than just signing one of the top free-agent arms. Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, and Zac Gallen are all still available, and each has longer track records of health and success. They'll obviously all come at a much higher dollar figure, but Chicago sits well below the first luxury-tax threshold, and only has $55 million in guaranteed salary committed to the 2027 roster. This shouldn't be an issue for a big-market team.
If the Cubs are able to use the savings from Cabrera's salary to sign an impact bat or even another starter, this move makes a lot more sense. Owen Caissie wasn't going to take at-bats away from any regulars in 2026, but he was projected to potentially replace Kyle Tucker's production long term. Now, they might need to find that production outside the organization.
What it means for Marlins: Miami's once again dealt from its starting pitching depth to try and address a long-term offensive need. Trading Trevor Rogers to Baltimore for Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby at the 2024 deadline worked out well for the Marlins, and the team now hopes Caissie is another foundational offensive piece to build around. The 23-year-old brings a lot of left-handed power to his new club's lineup, and has a legitimate shot at making the Marlins' Opening Day roster. He put up a .937 OPS with 22 home runs in 99 games at Triple-A Iowa last season.
The biggest knock on Caissie is there's a lot of swing-and-miss in his bat. He struck out in 28% of his plate appearances at Triple-A in 2025, and in 41% of his 27 big-league PAs after being called up to the Cubs in August. Caissie's still very young and likely will benefit from having made his debut last year, but he'll need to do a much better job controlling the strike zone if he's to reach is potential.
Still, the Marlins have to be thrilled to get a player with Caissie's ceiling, along with two other prospects (Hernandez is now No. 12 in their system) for a pitcher that they seemingly couldn't trust to be reliably healthy moving forward. Cabrera's career season allowed Miami to sell high and deal from an area of strength in order to get a power bat with the type of potential they almost certainly would never pay for in free agency.
Jan. 3
Blue Jays keep spending with surprise Okamoto addition
✍️ 4-year, $60M contract
What it means for Blue Jays: Toronto's aggressive offseason continues. With so much focus on whether the club will sign Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, or Bo Bichette, general manager Ross Atkins went off the board by bringing in Japanese corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto. The 29-year-old enjoyed an incredible 11-year career in NPB and possesses the exact offensive profile that's made the Blue Jays successful.
Okamoto has posted six 30-plus homer seasons since 2018 and is coming off a year in which he slashed .322/.411/.581 with 15 home runs, 23 doubles, and only 36 strikeouts in 314 plate appearances (77 games). While his power numbers will likely dip when moving to MLB, his ability to make contact, hit the ball in the air, and not strike out is a skill set that should translate easily. The ceiling might not be as high as Munetaka Murakami's, but the profile offers a higher floor.
Okamoto's arrival spurs several questions for Toronto, most importantly: Where does he play? He's mainly split time at first and third base, with a little bit of work in the outfield in Japan. Although he grades as an OK defensive player at the hot corner, there are concerns that his glove might not be good enough at the position at the major-league level. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. entrenched at first base for the next decade, the Blue Jays need to be confident that Okamoto can at least spend some time at third base. Toronto prides itself on bringing in players with defensive versatility, and as long as his bat plays, the organization will be able to find a spot for him. That said, the corner outfield and DH spots are now getting pretty crowded. The Blue Jays might need to move player(s) off the major-league roster to address other needs.
Bringing in Okamoto certainly doesn't take the Blue Jays out of the running for Bichette, Bregman, or Tucker, especially considering how aggressive the front office has been. However, this makes it slightly more complicated to get there. Toronto's CBT payroll now sits around $309 million for 2026 - the second-highest in MLB behind the Dodgers. The club hasn't really been operating with any payroll restrictions, but every team has its limits. Toronto has significant salaries coming off its books next winter, so maybe the front office sees this offseason as the perfect time to stretch its spending limits, given an underwhelming free-agent class and a potential lockout in 2027.
The Okamoto signing represents another really nice piece of business for the Blue Jays. If the team is able to still sign one of Bichette, Tucker, or Bregman, or acquire another star bat in a trade, the move looks even better. If Okamoto is the key bat the team acquires this winter, it changes the perception pretty drastically, as there will be more pressure on Addison Barger to build off a breakout season, and Anthony Santander to return to his 2024 All-Star form. We'll have to wait and see how the rest of the dominoes fall, but this is exactly the type of aggressive offseason you'd want to see from your team if it just fell short of winning a World Series.
Jan. 1
Astros address hole in rotation with Japanese ace
✍️ 3-year, $54M contract
What it means for Astros: Houston finally made a significant move with the surprise signing of Tatsuya Imai. The Astros needed to add at least one mid-rotation starter or better with Framber Valdez hitting free agency. Houston doesn't appear likely to bring back Valdez, though his return remains a possibility until he signs elsewhere. Imai can fill those innings, even if his ceiling is lower. If he pitches to expectations, he should slide in behind Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier as a capable arm.
Much like Munetaka Murakami, Imai signed a deal well beneath initial projections, as there's skepticism about how his stuff - in particular his secondary pitches - will translate to MLB and whether he can sustain his improved control. There's still a lot to be intrigued about after he pitched to a 1.92 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 9.8 K/9 over 24 starts last year in Japan. He only allowed six home runs across 163 2/3 innings. The ability to keep the ball in the park should boost his potential for success in the majors.
While Imai didn't land a lucrative, long-term contract, his ability to opt out after each of the next two seasons could be very valuable. If he pitches well in 2026, he can hit the open market again entering his age-29 season. This deal also carries almost no risk for the Astros. If Imai opts out, they get a very capable starter for at least one season at a relatively inexpensive salary ($18 million-$21 million based on innings pitched). Even if he struggles and performs like a back-end starter, he's only signed for three years at a reasonable cost.
Houston's front office did well to land Imai, but it really needs to add more impactful starting pitching. Brown is a legitimate ace, but there are a lot of questions behind him: Javier's made 15 starts over the last two seasons, Lance McCullers Jr. has continued to struggle to remain healthy and effective, and Mike Burrows has thrown more than 100 innings in a season just once since turning pro in 2021.
