Blue Jays Regrouping After Missing Out on Two Superstar Free Agents

Toronto was trying to get the best of both worlds, now they need to make sure they have enough to move forward without either.

Maddy Dickens

35 minutes ago

The free agent market is rapidly starting to dwindle, and while the Toronto Blue Jays have been aggressive during this offseason, one of their top pursuits just signed with the reigning world champions. Outfielder Kyle Tucker will be playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2026, as the Jays came up short in their bidding war to land him.

In a perfect world, Toronto was hoping to not only land Tucker but also their homegrown hero, Bo Bichette. The Dodgers are paying an astronomical $60 million a year to have Tucker on their roster, and while the Blue Jays have been willing to spend this offseason, they weren't going to fork over that much cash.

Retaining both Bichette and Tucker would have been a dream come true for the organization, but a nightmare came to be for the Jays instead. The team not only lost Tucker to their nemesis, but were unable to retain Bichette.

The New York Mets came way out of left field to sign Bichette to a three-year, $126 million contract, meaning the Toronto Blue Jays just lost one of their key pieces to the 2025 roster. It is going to take more than one player to replace the production that he is taking with them, and time is running out.Retaining both Bichette and Tucker would have been a dream come true for the organization, but a nightmare came to be for the Jays instead. The team not only lost Tucker to their nemesis, but were unable to retain Bichette.

The New York Mets came way out of left field to sign Bichette to a three-year, $126 million contract, meaning the Toronto Blue Jays just lost one of their key pieces to the 2025 roster. It is going to take more than one player to replace the production that he is taking with them, and time is running out.

Missing Bichette in the Infield

After signing Kazuma Okamoto as a strong utility man for the infield, and with Bichette now suiting up for the Mets, John Schneider will be relying on Okamoto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Ernie Clement to lead the lineup, which they are more than capable of doing.

The real concern, and the player who needs a comeback, is going to be Andres Gimenez.

By the end of the regular season, the Blue Jays were easily one of the best offenses in baseball, but Gimenez stood out among players who played in at least 100 games. He finished with the worst slash line of his career and on the Jays: .210/.285/.313 to bring his OPS to a mere .598.

Bichette lead the team in hits and runs batted in last season as the face of their all-around offensive masterpiece. If the Jays are up to the task of taking down the Dodgers, they need Gimenez to look like the player he was in Cleveland, where he batted no worse than .252.

After an incredible start to their offseason, they emerged as the easy front runners to take another division title. But, manager John Schneider is looking for another pennant, and redemption in the Fall Classic, meaning losing out on both Tucker and Bichette, cannot derail their goals.

Ernie Clement Poised to Fill Bichette's Shoes

Goodbye Bichette, hello Ernie Clement. While he's no stranger to Toronto (he's set to enter his fourth season with the club), the 29-year-old now becomes a middle infield fixture. Yes, he will probably end up locked in at second base while Andres Gimenez shifts back to shortstop, but the transition from Bichette to Clement seems clear.

Clement may not be the offensive force that Bichette is, but he can hold his own. He hit .277 over a career-high 545 at-bats in the regular season, then reached historic heights in the playoffs by hitting .411 and recording the most hits (30) in a single postseason in MLB history. What he lacks in power (he hit just nine home runs last season) can potentially be offset by the arrival of Okamoto.

Defensively, Clement represents a clear upgrade. The Rochester, NY native and soon-to-be Team USA World Baseball Classic representative led all of baseball in 2025 with 22 defensive runs saved. He is equally adept at playing shortstop and third base, offering some valuable positional versatility.

Who knows, maybe the Blue Jays aren't done and could look to add talent from a free agent pool that still includes the likes of Cody Bellinger, Eugenio Suarez and Luis Arraez. However, with Bichette gone and Toronto's front office remaining mindful of not disrupting the team's exceptional clubhouse chemistry, it's hard to foresee any scenario that doesn't include Clement playing a pivotal role in 2026.

Bichette's departure is a painful loss, to be clear. No team can lose a 27-year-old everyday player who hits for average (.311) and power (18 home runs, 94 RBI) without facing some kind of setback. Fortunately, the Blue Jays have the talent and depth to move forward, and Clement is a big part of that. He may not be the better player, but you'd certainly rather have him at $4.6 million than Bichette at $42 million.

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Royals “Increasingly Unlikely” To Trade For Jarren Duran, Brendan Donovan

By Nick Deeds | January 18, 2026 at 12:05pm CDT

The Royals have been fairly active this offseason on the trade market and have already worked out deals that brought outfielder Isaac Collins (alongside righty Nick Mears) and lefty setup man Matt Strahm to Kansas City. They’ve explored bigger trades than those throughout the winter as well, but Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported recently that the club is “increasingly unlikely” to be successful in their efforts to trade for either Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran or Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan. While that doesn’t completely rule out the club pulling off one of those deals, it’s surely disappointing news for Royals fans who had been dreaming on a big trade.

Upgrading the team’s lackluster outfield mix has been a priority in Kansas City this winter, and either Duran or Donovan surely offer a big boost. Duran is a full-time outfielder who has experience in both left field and center field, and would likely play center for the Royals if acquire. That would push Kyle Isbel into a depth role and move Lane Thomas over to right alongside Jac Caglianone. Donovan, meanwhile, is capable of playing all over the infield and outfield. If acquired, he’d likely split time between the outfield corners and second base. That would cut into playing time for Collins in left field, Caglianone in right field, and Jonathan India at second base while also moving Thomas into a timeshare with Isbel in center.

Either of those situations would substantially improve the Royals’ lineup, but it seems a deal coming together is a long shot at this point. That’s not necessarily a shock. The team’s top trade chip at this point might be southpaw Kris Bubic, but both Duran and Donovan are valuable enough that it would be hard to see them being moved for a rental player.

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[ This is a good thing. Brendan Donovan, Jarren Duran, Harrison Bader, and Luis Robert are all on my wish list. I'm hoping for at least one of the four mentioned to be in a Guardian uniform by opening day. ]

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Royals Hit Jackpot, Landed Kansas City's Next 5-Tool Star

The Royals might have hit the jackpot in international free agency..

Zach Pressnell

1 hour ago

The Kansas City Royals have a lot of talent on their big league roster, but they're seemingly building sustainable success through the farm system.

They have quite a bit of talent coming up through the minor leagues, which is crucial for the future of the team, considering their best player is young shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Building a team of young talent around Witt would be the best-case scenario for the Royals.

The Royals have a talented farm system already, but they recently added to it in a big way. MLB Pipeline reported the Royals signed international free agent Jaider Suarez to a deal this offseason. Suarez is MLB Pipeline's 22nd ranked prospect in this winter's international free agency class.

Royals might have struck gold with Jaider Suarez signing

"Even at a young age, Suarez has the physical look of a potential impact talent," MLB Pipeline's scouting department wrote. "His right-handed swing routinely produces loud contact and his consistency in keeping his head still at the point of impact allows him to get to extra-base pop. In over 100 plate appearances in Cuba’s U16 National League back in 2023, Suarez – despite being just 13 at the time – slashed .355/.495/.605 and walked nearly twice as many times as he struck out."

Suarez is a very talented prospect with incredible potential. He has true five tool ability with the chance to develop into one of the game's best all-around players in the coming decade.

He's a very good athlete, which should result in his sticking at shortstop for years to come. At 180 pounds, the teenager has the room to add muscle and weight to his frame. This should see his power tick up over the next few years.

Suárez's raw power is very impressive for his age. The best part about his bat is the fact that he doesn't sacrifice bat to ball skills in order to hit the ball out of the park. He's able to do both at an above average level. There's a long way to go before he's playing in Kansas City, but he has the tools to make it to the big leagues over the coming years.

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Royals Sign Top Ranked Outfielder With Superstar Potential

The Royals were able to make a blockbuster move in international free agency...

Zach Pressnell

Jan 15, 2026

The Kansas City Royals don't have the money to compete with the biggest markets around the league in free agency. It's difficult for the Royals to sustain success over time if they aren't able to compete in free agency bidding wars.

Fortunately, they were able to extend Bobby Witt Jr.'s contract before he broke out at the big league level. As a result, he's going to be in Kansas City for the foreseeable future.

Still, the Royals are going to need a loaded farm system if they want to sustain success. Given the fact they're unlikely to land any big contracts in free agency, building through the farm system is crucial.

On Thursday, the Royals made a big splash in international free agency to land one of the best prospects in the game.

Angeibel Gomez is a massive addition for the Royals

MLB Pipeline reported that the Royals signed top international prospect Angeibel Gomez for $2.9 million on Thursday. Gomez, 17, is MLB Pipeline's No. 4 ranked prospect in the international free agency class.

Gomez is one of the more physically developed players in the class. He's already well over 6 foot tall, which helps boost his speed and athleticism.

Gomez has one of the better bats in the class, which pairs well with his above average speed and defense. He has the potential of a true 5-tool prospect if he can put the pieces together over the coming years.

While most shortstop prospects won't be able to stick at shortstop down the road, Gomez projects as a true shortstop with the speed and defense to excel at the position.

It's rare to find a true 17-year-old shortstop with superstar potential like Gomez. He should remain one of the best prospects in the game as he works his way over to professional baseball in the coming months and years.

There's a chance he flies up the Royals minor league system over the coming years. Gomez has the chance to be a special talent for the Royals.

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Now is the time for the Guardians to strike a trade for Brendan Donovan

No better time than the present.

By Henry Palattella

9 hours ago

The Cleveland Guardians offseason has been defined by relief pitchers. Like, a lot of relief pitchers.

And while those bullpen reinforcements were well-needed given the fact that Emmanuel Clase has likely thrown his last pitch ever for the Guardians, there is still clearly a huge hole in the Guardians’ lineup that needs to be addressed between now and Opening Day.

St. Louis’ Brendan Donovan has stood out as one of the top options to fill that hole for most of the offseason, and it looks like the clock could be ticking on their chances to get him in a trade.

Over the weekend, Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom spoke to reporters at the team’s fan fest and said that he would “ideally” like to have Donovan’s situation wrapped up by the start of spring training.

Although there’s been a lot of public posturing about Donovan’s trade market, Bloom going on record about Donovan’s timeline adds some added pressure to potential suitors like the Guardians.

The Guardians are going to need to move quick if they want to trade for Brendan Donovan

While Bloom didn’t outright say “hey we’re looking to trade Brendan Donovan,” his comments have added a much-needed deadline to his trade talks. And the Guardians should be in the thick of those trade talks given how easily he could fix a big hole in the team’s lineup.

He’s a utility savant who has a Gold Glove and an All-Star nod under his belt and has mashed double-digit home runs in three straight seasons. He’s best suited as a right fielder (which was a black hole for the Guardians last season) and a second baseman (which wasn’t much better).

Donovan hit a career-best .287 last season with 32 doubles, 42 walks and just 67 strikeouts while appearing at three different positions.

That versatility would also give him a chance to stick on the Guardians’ roster after Travis Bazzana or Khalil Watson is recalled since he’d be able to move around the diamond as opposed to being stuck behind either rookie.

One of the reasons the Guardians’ front office hasn’t added any position players this offseason is because Chris Antonetti wants to give the team’s young players as much of a chance to get everyday playing time, but Donovan wouldn’t stand in their way the same way a less-flexible addition would.

Donovan’s trade talks have been a roller coaster (the latest buzz prior to Bloom’s update was that the Royals weren’t going to trade for him), but it seems like he’s available for the right price. The Guardians hoard prospects like no one’s business, but it likely wouldn’t take a ton to wiggle him away from the rebuilding Cardinals.

Donovan wouldn’t solve all the Guardians’ problems, but he’d be a welcome addition to a lineup looking for a shot in the arm. The clock’s ticking.

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Luis Robert Jr. Traded to Mets From White Sox Amid Cody Bellinger Contract Rumors

Andrew Peters

Jan 20, 2026

After signing Bo Bichette last week, the New York Mets have made another big move.

The Mets have acquired centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox in return for rookie infielder Luisangel Acuña and right-handed pitcher Truman Pauley.

Robert, a former Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger Award winner, is coming off a season in which he hit 14 home runs and 53 RBI while slashing .223/.297/.364. It was far from the best season of his career, but he was also limited to just 110 games because of a hamstring injury suffered in August.

He was starting to get hot before the injury, posting a .298/.352/.456 slash line over 31 second-half games.

The White Sox exercised their $20 million option on Robert's contract in November, and general manager Chris Getz indicated at the time that the team wanted him to stick around in 2026.

"We're planning on him being in a White Sox uniform," Getz said. "What he did in the second half was very indicative of what he's capable of doing and how that can impact our team. You look at the production we had when he was in the lineup, and oftentimes, it helped us win baseball games."

Manager Will Venable also spoke highly of the center fielder.

"This guy is a game changer," he said. "We all know that his skill set is incredible and he can make an impact on the field as much as anybody on this planet. To have him out there healthy, it makes all the difference in the world for us."

While Chicago appeared to be excited about having Robert around, the offer from the Mets proved to be enough to move him to the Big Apple.

Now that the Mets have added one outfielder, the question that remains is whether they'll continue their pursuit of coveted free agent Cody Bellinger. Will Sammon of The Athletic reported earlier this week that the Mets "still hold interest in signing" in signing Bellinger, though they prefer a short-term deal.

The signing of Robert would seemingly curb that interest some.

Acuña & Pauley

Chicago lands Luisangel Acuña, who brings speed and defensive versatility to the organization. Offensively, the 23-year-old struggled this past season, hitting .234/.293/.274 with a .567 OPS, zero home runs, and eight RBI in 95 games. Despite the numbers, the White Sox see upside and long-term potential.

Truman Pauley is the other piece heading to Chicago. The 22-year-old right-hander was selected by the Mets in the 12th round of the 2025 MLB Draft and signed for $397,500.

More to come.

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Why the Kansas City Royals Moved the Outfield Fences at Kauffman Stadium

The Kansas City Royals outfield fence move at Kauffman Stadium represents a data-driven attempt to modernize run scoring, improve roster efficiency, and generate new revenue without abandoning the park’s identity.

Kansas City did not move the fences to chase cheap home runs. The Royals moved the fences to change outcomes.

For decades, Kauffman Stadium has been one of the most difficult parks in baseball for power hitters. Deep alleys, high walls, and expansive outfield space consistently turned well-struck fly balls into loud outs. That reality shaped roster construction, offensive philosophy, and even how opponents pitched Kansas City. On January 13, 2026, the Royals made a deliberate correction, announcing that the outfield walls would be moved in and lowered in several areas while center field would remain intact. This was a competitive decision informed by data and a business decision driven by revenue and long-term planning.

What Exactly Is Changing at Kauffman Stadium

The new dimensions keep the foul line distances at 330 feet in left and right field and preserve the iconic 410 feet to center. The biggest changes occur in the power alleys, where distances are reduced by roughly 8 to 10 feet, and in wall height, which drops from 10 feet to approximately 8.5 feet in several sections. These changes are paired with the addition of roughly 230 new seating areas in the outfield.

This matters because most marginal home runs in modern baseball are not scraped over the foul pole. They come from balls driven into the gaps at optimal launch angles. Small geometric changes in those areas have outsized effects on run scoring.

Why the Royals Targeted Park Neutrality

Statcast park factor data has long classified Kauffman Stadium as suppressive for home runs while inflating doubles and triples. In 2025, the Royals hit fewer home runs at home than on the road, a split that reinforced what players and analysts already understood anecdotally. The park did not consistently reward quality contact.

The front office has framed the change as an effort to move Kauffman closer to league average rather than turning it into an offensive outlier. Neutral parks reward execution without artificially inflating results. That distinction is important for long-term roster building and player evaluation.

How the New Dimensions Help the Offense

The most direct benefit is simple. More fly balls that previously died at the warning track will now leave the yard. FanGraphs analysis of batted ball data from recent seasons suggests that a measurable number of outs would have cleared the new walls under the updated configuration. Even modest increases in home run totals can flip multiple one-run and two-run games across a season.

There is also a secondary effect. Pitchers can no longer challenge hitters as aggressively, knowing that the park will protect them. Increased home run risk forces better sequencing, fewer fastballs over the plate, and more hitter-friendly counts. That can raise walk rates and on-base percentage even when the ball does not leave the park.

From a personnel standpoint, park neutrality improves the Royals’ ability to retain and attract hitters. Ballpark reputation matters in arbitration, extensions, and free agency. Suppressive environments depress counting stats and market value. A more balanced Kauffman removes that friction.

The Offensive Risks the Royals Accept

There is a real danger in allowing the park to mask deeper lineup flaws. Fence adjustments do not replace plate discipline, contact quality, or lineup depth. A short-term power spike can cover structural weaknesses during the regular season, only to be exposed in October against elite pitching.

There is also an identity risk. Kansas City has historically won with defense, athleticism, and pressure baseball. If the fence move is treated as a shortcut rather than a supplement to development, the competitive gains flatten quickly.

What the Changes Mean for Pitching

Keeping center field at 410 feet preserves the heart of Kauffman Stadium and protects the value of range and athletic defense. The Royals did not eliminate the challenge for pitchers. They narrowed it.

The tradeoff is obvious. Missed locations are punished more often. A fly ball that was once a loud out now becomes a solo home run. For pitchers who rely heavily on contact management, the margin for error shrinks.

However, the reduced gap depth can also reduce extra base hits that stretch innings and inflate pitch counts. Some doubles and triples turn into outs rather than rallies. The net effect is not purely anti-pitching. It redistributes risk.

The Business Case Behind the Fence Move

The added outfield seating provides a clear financial incentive. With approximately 230 new seats and 81 regular-season home games, the Royals could add 18,630 additional ticket opportunities per season if demand supports it.

Using publicly reported pricing data, Kansas City’s median MLB ticket price in 2025 was listed at $72. Even under conservative assumptions, incremental ticket revenue alone ranges from $745,000 to $1.34 million per season, depending on pricing and sell-through.

Concessions amplify that number. A 2025 MLB fan spending report estimated average per-game food and beverage spend at roughly $56 per attendee. Applied to the added seating, which represents over $1 million in additional annual concessions revenue before operating costs.

Taken together, the fence move creates a realistic path to $1.8-$2.4 million in additional annual gross gameday revenue while improving the on-field product. That is without merchandise, parking, premium upsells, media revenue, naming rights, and sponsorships. That is a front-office decision that links performance and monetization without waiting for broader stadium outcomes.

What this means for the Royals moving forward

The Royals did not change who they are. They removed a handicap.

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[ So! The bottom line. Does the change improve the Royals won/loss record? For sure, welcome news for jac caglianone. Lot of well struck balls stayed in the park. Should also be good news for Witt. Can the pitching staff keep the ball in the yard? ]

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Mets land Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta in huge move

9:47 PM CST

NEW YORK -- For all their movements this winter, shaking up the offensive core and bringing in a host of new players, the Mets never addressed their foremost issue from last season: their starting rotation. Until now.

The Mets completed a deal late Wednesday night for Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, a 29-year-old, two-time All-Star who produced a 2.70 ERA over 33 starts last season, as well as right-handed swingman Tobias Myers.

Peralta, who can become a free agent after this season, gives the Mets’ rotation an instant boost of credibility. He becomes their de facto ace, joining a starting unit that also includes Nolan McLean, Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga and David Peterson.

The cost was No. 3 prospect Jett Williams (MLB's No. 30 overall) and No. 5 prospect Brandon Sproat (now Brewers' No. 6), both of whom figured to play roles for the Mets in 2026. Williams is a versatile former first-round Draft pick capable of playing shortstop, second base and center field. Sproat debuted last season on the mound, posting a 4.79 ERA in four starts. Both have promising futures.

Bichette, Mets make 3-year, $126 million deal official

But for the Mets, who ranked 27th in rotation ERA from June 12 through the end of last season, that was a price they were willing to pay for one of the game’s best pitchers. Peralta comes at a reasonable monetary cost, due just $8 million on a club option this season, which is part of what made him so attractive to the Mets and other suitors. The other part was his skill set. Peralta features a mid-90s fastball, a changeup, a curveball and one of the game’s most devastating sliders, which he used to generate a 53.4 percent whiff rate last season.

Early in his career, health was an issue for Peralta, who started more than 25 games in a season just once from 2018-22. But Peralta has steadied himself over the last three years, averaging 32 starts and 172 innings per season with a 3.40 ERA and 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

In addition to Peralta, the Mets acquired Myers, a 27-year-old who relies on above-average extension and control to foil opposing hitters. Over 31 career starts and 18 relief appearances, Myers has produced a 3.15 ERA. He has five years of team control remaining and should serve in a similar swingman role with the Mets -- perhaps starting out as a reliever given New York’s plethora of rotation options.

That rotation is a grouping that, before the Peralta trade, included plenty of depth but a relative lack of ceiling. Manaea and Senga both endured injury-prone seasons in 2025, while Peterson caved in the second half. Those three and Holmes, who proved durable but unspectacular in his first year as a starting pitcher in Flushing, should all remain rotation options for Opening Day.

The potential game-changers are Peralta and Nolan McLean, the latter a rookie who had been penciled in as the Mets’ ace until Wednesday. Now, McLean figures to share that responsibility with Peralta, who has appeared in nine career postseason games, starting six. The Mets have two other young rotation options in Jonah Tong and Christian Scott, with additional prospects making their way through the farm system behind them.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns is plenty familiar with Peralta, having overseen his career in Milwaukee from 2018-23. Much like in those years, Stearns will once again rely on the right-hander to bring him to the postseason, and perhaps carry the Mets if and when they make it there.

The Peralta trade also represents the capstone of a seismic winter for the Mets, who moved on from first baseman Pete Alonso, outfielder Brandon Nimmo and closer Edwin Díaz, replacing those longtime stalwarts with second baseman Marcus Semien, third baseman Bo Bichette, closer Devin Williams and now Peralta in the rotation.

Mets solve CF puzzle by acquiring Robert Jr. in trade with White Sox

NEW YORK -- The Mets made a major move to finalize their outfield late Tuesday night, acquiring center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox for infielder Luisangel Acuña and right-handed pitching prospect Truman Pauley, the clubs announced.

Talks regarding Robert have been ongoing since the Trade Deadline in 2024. There were even times, specifically Spring Training prior to the 2025 season, when Robert didn’t seem to believe he would be with the White Sox by Opening Day. But the center fielder stayed put until this offseason.

Now, he joins a Mets team that has recently struggled to identify a full-time center fielder. After cycling through players such as Harrison Bader, Tyrone Taylor, Jose Siri, Cedric Mullins and others, the Mets hope Robert can become an everyday option for them, at least for this season. He is due $20 million this year after the White Sox picked up his club option, and he has another $20 million club option with a $2 million buyout for 2027 before he can become a free agent.

"We were in contact with the White Sox for a long period of time," Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said. "We went through a variety of concepts, ideas. That's kind of the fun thing about trade discussions is just bouncing ideas back and forth, and we finally got to one [Tuesday] that got it over the line for both sides."

TRADE DETAILS
Mets receive: CF Luis Robert Jr.
White Sox receive: INF Luisangel Acuña, RHP Truman Pauley

Robert is only a couple years removed from one of the most complete seasons in White Sox history. During that 2023 All-Star campaign, the five-tool talent slashed .264/.315/.542 with 38 home runs, 36 doubles, 20 stolen bases, 90 runs scored and 80 RBIs from the right side of the plate. While Robert has shown extended periods of excellence aside from this 145-game stretch, he has not really come close offensively over the 2024-25 seasons, with a .660 OPS and 28 homers over 210 games.

At the core, Robert remains a strong if not frequently spectacular defensive presence in center field. He also set a career-high with 33 stolen bases in ‘25, giving him 102 stolen bases and 102 home runs over 577 games. Robert will benefit from not being the focal point of his new lineup, but the real key for him will be staying on the field.

Stearns, Mendoza on acquiring Luis Robert Jr.

"Step one is, we've got to do everything we can to help Luis stay on the field," Stearns said. "This is an enormously talented player. All of the underlying skills and tools are there -- the same skills and tools that were there when he had his monster season a couple years ago. So that is really encouraging, and that is what attracted us to him, and now we've got to put him in an environment where he's comfortable, where he's supported. Sometimes, just a change of venue helps a little bit, and I think it might here."

Health has been the biggest issue for the 28-year-old Cuban. Take the 2025 season, for example, when he was limited to 110 games after dealing with a pair of left hamstring strains. Robert’s second strain left him out of action from Aug. 26 through the end of the White Sox’ 60-win campaign.

In New York, the Mets will ask Robert to roam alongside Juan Soto in right. The Mets do not have a clear left fielder; the way things currently align, No. 2 prospect Carson Benge should compete for time with Taylor and perhaps Brett Baty, a natural infielder who no longer has a position after the Mets’ acquisition of Bo Bichette at third base.

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Rangers land coveted lefty Gore from Nats in blockbuster trade

4:18 PM CST

ARLINGTON -- On Monday afternoon, at a Rangers Winter Warm-up stop, Cody Bradford, unprompted, repeated a company line often echoed by Texas' president of baseball operations Chris Young: “You can never have too much starting pitching.”

Young heard the call.

The Rangers have acquired left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore from the Nationals in exchange for a package of prospects, the club announced on Thursday. Texas was in need of more rotational depth and paid a hefty price to acquire it with a package headlined by 2025 first-round Draft pick Gavin Fien.

TRADE BREAKDOWN

Rangers receive: LHP MacKenzie Gore
Nationals receive: SS Gavin Fien (Rangers’ No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline), RHP Alejandro Rosario (No. 6 prospect), SS Devin Fitz-Gerald (No. 12), OF Yeremy Cabrera (No. 16) and IB/OF Abimelec Ortiz (No. 18).

Gore is under club control through the 2027 season.

A 2025 All-Star, Gore went 5-15 across 30 starts for the 96-loss Nationals last year, posting a 4.17 ERA in 159 2/3 innings. He had a 3.02 ERA in 110 1/3 innings before the break, but struggled to a 6.75 ERA in 49 1/3 innings afterward.

The southpaw has a dynamic five-pitch mix that includes a mid-90s fastball, a curveball, a slider, a changeup and a cutter, but he has been inconsistent in the second half throughout his career (3.87 ERA in first half vs. 4.91 in second half).

He joins a rotation that was the best in baseball in 2025 (3.41 ERA), headed by co-aces Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. Some combination of Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker and Jacob Latz will likely round out the back end of the rotation on Opening Day.

If nothing else, this move confirms the Rangers’ desire to compete in 2026. Rumors have swirled throughout the offseason following the trade of franchise pillar Marcus Semien, but Young and Co. have repeatedly insisted that they want to be in contention, despite what has been a slight decrease in payroll.

Trading a package of prospects for a young starting pitcher hammers that point home.

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The Nationals have sent left-hander MacKenzie Gore to the Rangers for a package of five prospects, per announcements from both clubs. The five players are shortstop Gavin Fien, right-hander Alejandro Rosario, first baseman/outfielder Abimelec Ortiz, infielder Devin Fitz-Gerald and outfielder Yeremy Cabrera. Gore and Ortiz were the only players with 40-man spots, so the deal is 40-man neutral and no corresponding moves were required.

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Gavin Fien
SS, Fredericksburg Nationals, A
ETA 2029
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

After Fien starred on the showcase circuit last summer, winning MVP honors at MLB's High School All-American Game and leading the U.S. 18-and-under national team in slugging (.680), many evaluators considered him the best bat in the 2025 high school class. While he wasn't as consistent as a California high school senior, his offensive upside still landed him a $4.8 million bonus as the 12th overall pick by the Rangers. His older brother Dylan is a catcher in the Athletics system.

Though Fien has an unorthodox setup in which he holds his hands higher than most hitters, that doesn't prevent him from doing damage. He has a patient approach and a quick right-handed stroke that allowed him to repeatedly barrel up top competition as an amateur. He's continuing to add muscle to his 6-foot-3 frame and has shown the aptitude to drive the ball in the air, allowing him to get to much of his plus raw power.

Fien also has gotten quicker as he has gotten stronger, though he still won't be more than an average runner and could lose a step as he fills out more. Though he was drafted as a shortstop, he profiles better as a third baseman and could be a solid defender at the hot corner. He played first base for Team USA and his strong arm would fit in right field.


#6
Alejandro Rosario
RHP, Harrisburg Senators, AA
ETA 2027
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Splitter: 60 | Control: 60 | Overall: 45

Rosario rated as a top-three-rounds talent after reclassifying into the 2020 Draft as a Florida high schooler, yet went undrafted because he was strongly committed to Miami. He got pounded for a 6.47 ERA in three years with the Hurricanes before the Rangers took him in 2023's fifth round and gave his mechanics and pitch mix a makeover. The results were dramatic during his pro debut last year as he posted a 2.24 ERA between two Class A stops while ranking first in the Minors in K-BB percentage (33.1 percent) and second in strikeout percentage (36.9 percent) and K/BB ratio (9.9) among pitchers with at least as many as his 88 1/3 innings. But then he injured his elbow getting ready for Spring Training in February and required reconstructive elbow surgery that will sideline him until 2026.

Rosario operated at 94-98 mph and reached 100 with his fastball in 2024, and he found more success blasting it by hitters at the letters in pro ball than he did sinking it down in the zone in college. His 88-92 mph splitter was a swing-and-miss pitch with devastating tumble and run at its best last year. He has scrapped the curveball and cutter he toyed with at Miami to focus on an 83-85 mph slider that shows flashes of giving him a third plus offering.

After Rosario turned pro, the Rangers moved him to the third-base side of the rubber and had him keep his delivery closed longer to hide the ball better from hitters. He also creates some deception with his flat approach angle and his new mechanics have allowed him to pound the strike zone after he battled his control and command with the Hurricanes. Before he got hurt, he once again looked like the pitcher who intrigued scouts in high school and has the upside of a frontline starter.


#12
Devin Fitz-Gerald
INF, Fredericksburg Nationals, A
ETA 2028
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Fitz-Gerald won four consecutive Florida 7-A state championships at Stoneman Douglas HS (Parkland), where his father, Todd, is the head coach and has mentored players such as Roman Anthony, Jesús Luzardo and Coby Mayo. The Rangers drafted him in the fifth round last July and lured him away from a North Carolina State commitment with a well-over-slot $900,000 bonus. Early-season hamstring issues delayed his pro debut in 2025.

A switch-hitter, Fitz-Gerald is a natural right-hander, but scouts prefer his swing and power potential from the left side. He has good feel for the barrel and doesn't try to do too much at the plate, focusing on driving the ball from gap to gap. He's not especially physical and won't be a slugger, but his feel for the barrel could translate into solid hitting ability with 12-15 homers per season.

As with many coach's sons, Fitz-Gerald has a high baseball IQ that helps him get the most out of his tools. He has fringy speed but is a savvy baserunner who gets to grounders in the middle infield. A shortstop in high school, he's better suited for second base in pro ball with his range and average arm, and he has the quick hands to be effective on the double-play pivot.


#16
Yeremy Cabrera
OF, Fredericksburg Nationals, A
ETA 2028
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Though he signed for just $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic, the early returns suggest Cabrera may be the best prospect from the Rangers' 2022 international class. After spending his first two pro seasons in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, he celebrated his U.S. debut last year by ranking second in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in homers (nine) and third in OPS (1.009). He struggled during the final month in Single-A at age 19, though he did steal seven bases in 23 games.

Cabrera weighs at least 15 pounds more than his listed 155, and he has sneaky plus raw power thanks to his deceptive strength and the bat speed and loft in his left-handed stroke. He primarily focuses on trying to launch balls to his pull side, though he did show a bit more patience and willingness to use the opposite field in 2024. He's still aggressive and his swing can get very uphill, so he'll have to make adjustments against more advanced pitches.

Cabrera has one of the best speed and power combinations in the system, as he's at least a plus runner and improved his basestealing savvy last year. He should have the quickness for center field, but his defensive instincts need refinement and he spent more time on the corners than up the middle the past two seasons. His average-to-solid arm strength is suitable for all three outfield spots.

#18
Abimelec Ortiz
1B/OF, Washington Nationals
ETA 2026
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Arm: 45 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Signed for $20,000 as a nondrafted free agent in 2021, Ortiz looked overmatched in his first full pro season before improving rapidly once he started training with fellow Puerto Rican Carlos Delgado, shortened his left-handed stroke and began wearing contact lenses during games. He won High-A South Atlantic League MVP and Rangers Minor League player of the year honors in 2023, when he topped the Minors in slugging (.619) and ranked fourth in homers (33) and OPS (.990). He recovered from a rough first half at Double-A last year to bat .309/.412/.636 with 15 homers in his final 43 games.

Ortiz's bat speed in his lefty stroke and his strength give him well-above-average raw power that plays to all fields, and he began to tap into it more often when he stopped swinging for the fences. A more selective approach helped him find better pitches to attack, enabling him to hit them harder and drive them in the air more frequently. He tightened his strike zone in 2024, cutting his K rate to 22 percent from 27 percent the year before, but struggled against breaking balls and left-handers.

Most of Ortiz's value will come from his offense because he's a well-below-average runner with fringy arm strength. He's a decent defender at first base, though he needs to reduce his errors. While he has looked better than expected as a right fielder in the Arizona Fall League and Double-A, the outfield corners are still a stretch because of his limited range.

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Fireballer Domínguez, White Sox agree on 2-year deal (source)

General manager Chris Getz made clear this week that the White Sox still had work to do after trading Luis Robert to the Mets.

“We plan on being very active,” Getz said on Wednesday. “We've already been talking to agents and clubs, and anticipate a roster that's going to continue to evolve."

Robert was under contract for $20 million in 2026, and Chicago quickly began to reallocate its resources. The White Sox have reached a two-year, $20 million deal with right-hander Seranthony Domínguez, sources told MLB.com on Friday. The club has not confirmed the move.

Domínguez, 31, has pitched parts of seven seasons in the Majors with the Phillies, Orioles and Blue Jays, logging a 3.50 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP with 40 saves over 322 career appearances. The veteran right-hander has plenty of high-leverage work on his résumé, and he is set to assume such duty for Chicago.

Domínguez spent this past season with Baltimore and Toronto, which acquired him from the O’s on July 29. In 62 2/3 innings over 67 appearances (both of which were career highs) in 2025, he logged a 3.16 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP and 20 holds (also a personal best), with 79 strikeouts and 36 walks. Opponents hit just .198 against him.

Domínguez featured a five-pitch mix in 2025, with a four-seam fastball, sweeper, splitter, sinker and curveball. He threw his four-seamer most frequently (43.2 percent usage), and it averaged 97.7 mph -- which ranked in the 94th percentile in MLB.

Among other underlying metrics, Domínguez limited opponents to an 87.5 mph average exit velocity (89th percentile), and logged a 33.3 percent whiff rate (94th) and a 30.3 percent strikeout rate (91st). He did walk a fair number of batters: His 13.8 percent walk rate ranked in the first percentile, and his 5.2 walks per nine innings marked a career high.

Domínguez, however, has swing-and-miss stuff. And though his four-seamer was his go-to offering, his sweeper and splitter each kept hitters off-balance as secondary offerings. Opponents hit .132 and had a .245 slugging percentage against the former, and hit .114 with a .159 slugging percentage against the latter.

Jordan Leasure led the White Sox in saves in 2025 (seven), and Grant Taylor (six) also gained late-inning leverage work. Though Domínguez’s career high in saves (16) came as a rookie in 2018, given his experience, he could be a leading candidate for ninth-inning work for manager Will Venable.

If nothing else, Chicago is building a circle of arms to take on high-leverage duty.

Domínguez marks the latest addition to a White Sox roster that has gained a slew of new faces this winter. Along with acquiring Luisangel Acuña and Truman Pauley via the Robert trade, Chicago landed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami and Anthony Kay in December on two-year deals, and signed lefty Sean Newcomb, who’s expected to compete for a rotation job.

Whether the White Sox make any further moves, Getz noted on Wednesday that he was not specifically looking to add an outfielder after trading Robert, but would look at areas across the roster.

“When you move on from a Luis Robert, there’s an assumption that a certain position needs to be filled,” Getz said. “But it’s increasing talent on the team to help us win ballgames. That could come in starting pitching, relievers, balancing right-handed vs. left-handed.

“So we are very open-minded and excited to get to work in being creative and bringing in that talent.”

Tim Stebbins covers the Guardians for MLB.com.

[ Doesn't look like the White Sox are going sit back and be shooting ducks in 2026. I hope the front office gamble comes to fruition because the other teams in the division aren't waiting. A handful of wins this year by the Sox, Royals, and Tigers will make a big difference. The time to add another bat or two is now in my opinion. ]

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Luisangel Acuña's 4-homer game unprecedented in Venezuela

[ Recent White Sox Addition In the Luis Robert Trade ]

January 10th, 2026

Manny Randhawa

Luisangel Acuña Goes NUCLEAR: 4 Home Runs in One Game

https://youtu.be/chZhb6wEdi0

It’s only fitting that more history of the four-homer variety would be made soon after the completion of an MLB season in which a record three players hit four home runs in a game.

This time, though, the four-homer history was made in the Venezuelan Winter League.

On Saturday night at Estadio Nueva Esparta, it was an Acuña who joined Nick Kurtz, Kyle Schwarber and Eugenio Suárez in the recent four-homer club. No, not Ronald -- it was his younger brother, Luisangel Acuña.

Luisangel Acuña, a 23-year-old infielder and former Top 100 prospect who made his Major League debut with the Mets in 2024, launched four home runs as part of a seven-RBI performance for the Cardenales de Lara in a 21-9 win over the Bravos de Margarita in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional (LVBP).

According to MLB.com researcher/reporter Sarah Langs, Acuña’s incredible power display marked the first time in the 80-year history of LVBP that a player went deep four times in a game. According to the Society for American Baseball Research, it was also the first time any player in a professional winter league did so since Alberto Diaz in the Cuban Winter League in 1995.

While his brother, Ronald, is known for his tremendous power-speed combination, Luisangel has hit three homers in 214 Major League at-bats. Was his prodigious slugging Saturday a preview of things to come?

Time will tell, but the younger Acuña has now made some history of his own after Ronald etched his name in the big league books in 2023 with the first 40-homer/70-steal season in MLB history.

-The Lara press department assures that Luisangel Acuña is the first player in LVBP history with at least 5 home runs, 5 doubles and 5 stolen bases in a postseason

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5 American League Central prospects who could ruin Guardians' summer in 2026

The youth movement is here.

By Henry Palattella

1 hour ago

While none of the teams in the American League Central have made a marquee splash this offseason, a big reason for that is because it’s one of the most prospect-rich divisions in all of baseball.

Although the Guardians are a big reason for that thanks to the stockpile of stud prospects they have in the minors, they’re not the only AL Central team that has a promising future.

And, with the start of spring training getting closer and closer, we decided to take a look at five rising American League Central who could end up breaking Guardians’ fans hearts at some point in 2026.

These five American League Central Prospects could become public enemy No. 1 in Cleveland






OF Max Clark, Tigers

We’re starting the list with Clark, who is one of the top outfield prospects in all of baseball. The No. 3 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Clark has slowly been rising through the prospect ranks and finished last year at Double-A, where he hit .251 with seven home runs and 20 RBI in 43 games. He also walked 29 times with just 34 strikeouts in 43 games.

He also has a stolen base percentage rate of 88.3%, and boasts the speed needed to steal 30+ bases in a season in the majors.

In short, Clark has all the skills needed to succeed in the bigs, which is why MLB Pipeline recently ranked him as the top outfield prospect in baseball.

While Clark hasn’t cracked Triple-A, he should start the season there, which means he’ll be just one injury away from making it to the Tigers’ roster. He may not start the season in the bigs, but he could be a late-season impact call-up for the Tigers.

The Guardians have had to battle against the Tigers in the division for two straight seasons, and it looks like that’s once again going to be the case in 2026. A strong September from Clark could make him public enemy No. 1 in Cleveland.






OF Walker Jenkins, Twins

Another outfield prospect, Jenkins is one of the top outfield prospects in baseball and has the skillset to impact every facet of a game.

The Twins took Jenkins with the No. 5 pick in the 2023 Draft, and he’s posted a .863 in three minor league seasons since.

The biggest problem with that, however, is that he’s only played in 192 games in those three seasons due to a variety of injuries.

The Twins promoted him to Triple-A at the end of last season, where he hit .242 with nine extra-base hits in 23 games.

Minnesota’s biggest free agent addition this offseason has been the husk of Josh Bell, so it’s clear there’s a way for Jenkins to impact the Twins in 2026 — so long as he can stay on the field.






C Carter Jensen, Royals

Jensen made his major league debut at the end of last season and slashed a solid .300/.391/.550 with three home runs, 13 RBI to go along with nine walks and just 13 strikeouts in 20 games.

The Royals have two marquee catcher prospects in the form of Jensen and Blake Mitchell, but Jensen has the best chance to hurt the Guardians out of all the prospects on this list considering he’s already made his MLB debut.

Salvador Perez is clearly the Royals’ top option behind the dish, but their offense took a huge step back as a whole last season, so any production from Jensen would be a clear win for Matt Quatraro and Co.






SS Kevin McGonigle, Tigers

The Tigers signed Clark for a below slot value of $7.7 million, which allowed them to have the cash to pay McGonigle after they selected him with the No. 37 pick in the 2023 Draft.

He’s since blossomed into one of the best prospects in baseball, and finished last season as MLB Pipeline's No. 2 prospect behind Pittsburgh’s Konnor Griffin.

McGonigle is a career .308 hitter in the minors, and has 123 career walks compared to 84 strikeouts.

He has yet to play above Double-A, but he has a clear MLB ETA of 2026 given his genuine hit tool and understanding of the strike zone.

Detroit’s shortstops hit just .231 last season, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Tigers’ front office pull the McGonigle ripcord if those struggles carry over into 2026.

The Tigers have employed plenty of pesky, All-Star hitters over the years, but McGonigle has a chance to be the best of the bunch.






OF Braden Montgomery, White Sox

Although the White Sox have had plenty of highly-touted prospects flame out in the bigs, Montgomery looks like the real deal. He was part of Chicago’s return in the Garrett Crochet trade, and has grown to become one of the best outfield prospects in baseball.

Montgomery made his organizational debut last season and hit .270 with 12 home runs and 68 RBI across 121 games in three minor league levels. He also boasts an incredible arm (he was a legit two-way player in college), so he should have no problem making an impression in the field either.

He finished the year at Double-A, and seems like a lock to start the 2026 season at Triple-A.

The White Sox current outfield picture currently consists of Brooks Baldwin, Andrew Benintendi and Derek Hill, so there’s a clear runway for Montgomery to get everyday playing time.

Chicago made a surprise splash by acquiring Munetaka Murakami this offseason, and being aggressive with Montgomery would help them keep that momentum.

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Jeff Passan gives White Sox their flowers for offseason performance

MLB insider Jeff Passan commends the White Sox for a productive offseason that most recently includes the signing of Seranthony Dominguez

By Alex House

Jan 23, 2026 at 3:30 PM ET

The Chicago White Sox had 10 more losses than the second-worst team in the American League and remained wildly irrelevant last season, but a young core began to emerge in The South Side. Diehard fans know this club inspired more optimism than its 60-102 record suggests, for they saw the outline of a hopeful vision. Although it has a long way to go before fully restoring trust with the city, management has made multiple moves that could push the franchise closer toward respectability.

ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan praised the Chris Getz-led front office for having a surprisingly productive winter.

he Chicago White Sox have had a really good offseason. Munetaka Murakami fell into their laps. Seranthony Domínguez is a proven late-inning reliever. Anthony Kay, Sean Newcomb, getting Luisangel Acuña in the Luis Robert trade. Not contenders yet, but it's the right direction.

“The Chicago White Sox have had a really good offseason,” he posted on X after the team's latest acquisition. “Munetaka Murakami fell into their laps. Seranthony Domínguez is a proven late-inning reliever. Anthony Kay, Sean Newcomb, getting Luisangel Acuña in the Luis Robert trade. Not contenders yet, but it's the right direction.”

Passan is complimenting Chicago for finally implementing an auspicious plan. It was only last year that the White Sox were considered one of the most dysfunctional organizations in baseball. A record-setting 41-121 record will obviously elicit such an opinion, but it was not just the losing that turned the squad into a laughing stock and cautionary tale. The culture seemed broken.

Repairs are still underway, to be sure, but an identity is seemingly taking shape.

Are the White Sox finding their way?

Getz and manager Will Venable are enacting their blueprint, and encouraging results already started to surface in 2025. Colson Montgomery blasted 21 home runs and recorded 55 RBIs in just 71 games. Fellow rookie Kyle Teel, who came over in the Garrett Crochet trade, posted a .786 OPS in a similar sample size. Shane Smith also enjoyed a positive first MLB season, posting a 3.81 ERA and .668 OPS against in 146 1/3 innings pitched. Lenyn Sosa led Chicago with 22 dingers and 75 RBIs.

The makings of a solid club are present, and another lauded prospect will soon join the organization.

[ White Sox win MLB Draft Lottery

White Sox general manager Chris Getz will get to choose his preferred prospect after the team's big MLB Draft Lottery win

While it easy to bemoan the Chicago White Sox after watching them lose 100-plus games for the third straight season, they gave fans some cause for hope in 2025. High-end prospects Colson Montgomery and Kyle Teel showed ample promise and undrafted right-handed pitcher Shane Smith came out of nowhere to post a sub-4.00 ERA. The South Siders are experiencing gradual growth, and they will now have a huge opportunity to brighten their future even further. The Sox won the MLB Draft Lottery, ]

Trading away a former Gold-Glove center fielder who also boasts some power like Luis Robert may delay the Sox's competitive timetable, but he is a constant injury risk who has yet to recapture his 2023 All-Star form. Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami will ideally add vital firepower to the lineup after agreeing to a two-year, $34 million contract in free agency. Luisangel Acuña offers speed and defensive versatility. Seranthony Dominguez tallied a 3.16 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings of work last season.

Much like in 2024, the White Sox can take gradual steps forward, especially in an unpredictable AL Central. Jeff Passan is impressed by the franchise's efforts, and other fans may soon hand out their own seal of approval. An interesting spring approaches.

White Sox’s Winter Spending Spree Continues With Reliever Seranthony Domínguez

January 23, 2026

By Eddie Lennon, Staff Writer

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox have been one of the most active teams in baseball this winter, and their latest move proves they’re serious about ending a painful rebuild. Right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez and the White Sox have agreed on a two-year, $20 million contract with a mutual option. The deal, pending a physical, adds another veteran arm to a bullpen that’s young, powerful, and finally gaining real depth.

Domínguez joins a White Sox roster that has already made headlines with major signings, including Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami and left-hander Anthony Kay, both of whom received two-year deals. Add in free agent lefty Sean Newcomb and the Luis Robert Jr. trade, which brought back promising infielder Luisangel Acuña, and Chicago is building what could be its best roster in years.

A Winter of Spending Unlike Any Recent Era in Chicago

The White Sox’s winter spending has been a dramatic shift from recent years. After a record 121-loss season in 2024, the organization didn’t respond with caution — they responded with action. By investing heavily in pitching, position players, and veteran leadership, Chicago is signaling that it wants to return to relevance quickly, not slowly.

Even without exact totals publicly confirmed, the pattern is unmistakable: the White Sox have spent more on free agency this year than in multiple recent offseasons combined, and their aggressive approach stands out in a league that often favors gradual rebuilding. Compared to the conservative spending seen in past years — when the team prioritized budget flexibility over immediate improvement — this winter’s wave of signings is a major change.

And for baseball as a whole, that matters.

Why Chicago’s Spending Is Good for Baseball

When teams like the White Sox spend money, it’s not just a win for one franchise — it’s a win for the sport. High-profile free agent moves create excitement, increase competition, and rebuild fan interest after a long stretch of losing. Chicago’s spending signals that big-market teams are willing to invest again, which boosts the entire league’s energy and viewership.

More importantly, it reminds fans that baseball can still produce blockbuster winters — and that winning is still the goal.

Domínguez Brings Elite Stuff — and a Chance to Stabilize the Back End

Domínguez is one of the most electrifying relievers available. Since debuting with Philadelphia in 2018, he’s built a reputation for late-inning dominance. His fastball sits at 98 mph, and each of his five pitches ranks above average. That kind of raw talent makes him a natural closer candidate.

The key for Domínguez has always been consistency. Strike-throwing has been his biggest weakness, but if he can improve in that area, the White Sox will have either a cost-effective closer or a high-value trade asset by July.

Last season, after moving from Baltimore to Toronto at the deadline, Domínguez posted arguably his best year: 62⅔ innings, 79 strikeouts, 36 walks, and just five home runs allowed. That performance made him the top reliever still available after a run on closers early in free agency — and it’s why he landed a multi-year deal with incentives that could push his guarantee to $22 million.

Chicago’s Bullpen Is Suddenly a Strength

With Domínguez likely taking the ninth inning, the White Sox bullpen now features a trio of hard-throwing right-handers, including Grant Taylor and Jordan Leasure. It’s a powerful mix of youth and veteran experience — and it’s the kind of depth that can push a team from rebuilding to contending.

After years of watching the White Sox struggle, the message is clear: Chicago is done waiting. The winter of 2026 may be remembered as the moment the White Sox finally started spending like a contender — and the league should be excited. Although they may not contend in 2026, this is good for baseball.

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Giants To Sign Harrison Bader

By Steve Adams | January 26, 2026 at 12:46pm CDT

The Giants have a notable upgrade to their outfield defense in place, reportedly agreeing to a two-year, $20.5MM contract with free agent outfielder Harrison Bader. The Vayner Sports client can earn an additional $500K via incentives, bringing the deal’s maximum value to $21MM.

In 501 plate appearances between Minnesota and Philadelphia last year, Bader slashed .277/.347/.449 with 17 homers, 24 doubles, a triple and 11 steals (albeit in 18 attempts). His 7.8% walk rate was the second-best he’s posted in a 162-game season, though 2025’s bloated 27.1% strikeout rate was also his worst full-season mark since 2019. Much of Bader’s success can be attributed to an increase in playing time and a hefty .359 average on balls in play, but it bears mentioning that his 10.2% barrel rate and 40.3% hard-hit rate were personal bests in a full big league season.

Strong as last year’s performance was — 22% better than league-average, by measure of wRC+ — offense has never been Bader’s calling card. He’s been clearly above average in four of his nine MLB campaigns, but on the whole, Bader is a .247/.313/.401 hitter in a bit more than 3000 career plate appearances, which just barely shy of average. His glovework, however, is among the best in all of baseball, regardless of position.

Bader has played 5925 innings of center field defense in his career and been credited with a gaudy 51 Defensive Runs Saved and 67 Outs Above Average. He played more left field than center field in Minnesota, largely in deference to Byron Buxton, and notched positive marks in both DRS (7) and OAA (3) through 496 frames.

Overall, Bader has played 6799 innings of outfield defense in the majors, dating back to his 2017 MLB debut. In that time, only four outfielders — Mookie Betts, Kevin Kiermaier, Daulton Varsho, Michael A. Taylor — have bested his 67 DRS. No outfielder in that time has topped Bader’s 77 OAA. Francisco Lindor, Nick Ahmed, Nolan Arenado and Ke’Bryan Hayes are the only four majors leaguers at any position with a better OAA total in that time.

[ Well that really sucks. two-year, $20.5MM contract . Giants add Gold Glove defense in center with Harrison Bader. Surely the front office could afford to spend $10mil a year for 2 years. Well! Cross Bader off my list. ]

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What’s next for Cleveland after the Ramirez extension?

Seven-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer Jose Ramirez has never been shy about his desire to play his entire career in Cleveland, and after his latest extension with the club he appears all but guaranteed to do so. Ramirez signed a seven-year deal that overwrites the remaining three years on his current extension, keeping in him town through his age-39 season while also guaranteeing him an extra $106MM in new money. The deal comes with significant deferred money and takes the short-term price tag of Ramirez’s contract down by about $24MM over the next three years. If that financial flexibility is used to improve the club in the short-term, the Guardians could take the opportunity to add some much-needed right-handed help in the outfield. Harrison Bader, Austin Hays and Miguel Andujar are among the remaining free agents who’d fit that bill.

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[ Austin Hayes and Brendan Donovan still on my wish list ]

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Giants steal free agent outfielder who would have been great fit with Guardians

Another option off the board.

By Henry Palattella

6 hours ago

All offseason free agent outfielder Harrison Bader has been dangling like a carrot in front of Guardians’ fans' faces.

On Monday, Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey pulled the carrot away, as San Francisco has reportedly signed Bader to a two-year deal, marking another disappointing free agency development for Guardians fans. The move was first reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

Free-agent outfielder Harrison Bader in agreement with Giants on two-year contract, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic.

The Guardians missed out on signing Harrison Bader

Bader was one of the best free agency fits for the Guardians thanks to a skillset based around defense, speed and pop.

Last year Bader posted a .277/.347/.449 slashline across 501 plate appearances for the Twins and Phillies while also recording 24 doubles and 11 steals.

It wasn’t all good (he had a huge 27.1% strikeout rate), but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the 2025 season was his best since entering the big leagues.

In the end, that showing was good enough for the multi-year the Giants gave him, which is new territory for him after he had to settle for one-year deals the past two offseasons.

Bader’s also a wizard in the field, as he’s been worth 67 Outs Above Average in the field since he entered the league, has experience in all three outfield positions and won a Gold Glove with the Cardinals in 2021.

At 31, Bader likely wouldn’t have been a part of the Guardians’ long-term core, but it’s pretty clear how he could have helped them now considering Guardians center fielders combined a wRC+ of 69 last year, which was one of the worst marks in the league.

Even though that picture will be better next season thanks to the hopeful emergence of young stars like Chase DeLauter and George Valera, adding an established veteran like Bader would have made that outfield picture look a bit more well-rounded.

Instead, the Guardians’ front office’s lone offensive addition is still Stuart Fairchild, who signed a minor league deal.

Now he’s going to join a Giants outfield that was previously headlined by Jung Hoo Lee and Heliot Ramos, while top prospect Drew Gilbert is waiting in the wings.

It’s also another strong acquisition for Posey, who traded for Rafael Devers last June and has added a variety of impact players this offseason including former Guardians reliever Sam Hentges.

While there’s still a chance the Guardians could add Austin Hays to their outfield picture, Bader defecting to San Francisco is yet another indication that it seems like the Guardians aren’t going to add anyone else to their outfield picture this offseason.

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[ Wonder what the odds are that all 6 of these prospects are going to pan out this season ??? Most of these prospects are injury prone. I guess the plan is not to have any prolonged injuries. Bader was a must sign for the 2026 season. One guy is NOT going to block 6 position players. Really! Sorry, but the front office should have made some kind of effort to sign Bader. All it would cost was money, NO prospects. What were they thinking? I have to believe at $10 mil a year, Bader was a bargain. Low risk! High return! ]

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