Farewell Donnie Baseball: Mattingly Leaves Blue Jays Staff

Don Mattingly is leaving his role as bench coach of the Toronto Blue Jays, who exercised manager John Schneider’s contract option for 2026 after coming within one victory of their first World Series title since 1993.

Toronto also made a $22,025,000 qualifying offer for 2026 to free agent infielder Bo Bichette, who is expected to reject it.

“He’s been important,” general manager Ross Atkins said Thursday. “We will be in his market.”

A two-time All-Star shortstop and AL hits leader, Bichette sprained his left knee in a Sept. 6 collision with New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells, forcing him to miss the end of the regular season and the first two rounds of the playoffs. He returned at second base in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in Game 7, which the Blue Jays lost 5-4 in 11 innings.

Mattingly joined the Blue Jays following the 2022 season as bench coach to Schneider. The former New York Yankees slugger and six-time All-Star became Toronto’s offensive coordinator before the 2024 season but returned to his role as bench coach at the end of that year.

Atkins said Mattingly left his role after reaching his first World Series because of a desire to spend more time with his family.

“He’s had a significant (impact) and I feel like it will be lasting,” Atkins said. “It’s something that we have to deal with in the game. We have to figure out a way to continue to improve even when we have a significant loss.”

Atkins said Schneider had been unbelievable in his third full season as manager, overseeing a 20-win improvement from 2024.

“We have picked up the option, that was picked up previously,” Atkins said. “He and I are talking about the potential of that being longer. Schneids has been unbelievable. He is a clear leader in this organization. Really, really good at his job and very proud to be working with him.”

Schneider was interim manager from July 13, 2022 until the end of that season after being promoted from bench coach to replace Charlie Montoyo.

Atkins said he did not expect additional changes to Toronto’s coaching staff.

“We’ll just try to get better,” Atkins said. “No proactive subtractions or significant changes in roles but we’ll try to get better in any way that we can.”

Toronto has already seen right-hander Shane Bieber exercise his $16 million option for 2026.

“Shane Bieber’s decision helps get us started in an area where we do have several subtractions,” Atkins said.

A 30-year-old right-hander who won the 2020 AL Cy Young Award, Bieber was acquired from Cleveland at the July 31 trade deadline. He returned Aug. 22 from Tommy John surgery in 2024.

Toronto pitchers Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer are both free agents. Scherzer started Game 7 of the World Series while Bassitt pitched in that game in relief.

Reporting by The Associated Press. 

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Dodgers Reportedly Exercise $10M Team Option on Max Muncy for 2026 Season

The Los Angeles Dodgers are keeping the band together, exercising a $10 million team option on third baseman Max Muncy for the 2026 MLB season, according to multiple reports. 

Next season is the second year of a two-year, $24 million extension, which the two sides agreed to in November 2023.

This season, Muncy totaled 19 home runs and 67 RBIs, while posting a .243/.376/.470 slash line in 100 games. He missed time due to knee and oblique injuries, respectively. 

In the postseason, Muncy blasted three home runs, while posting a .214/.353/.411 slash line, including a solo home run in the Dodgers’ thrilling, 11-inning victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the World Series.

Muncy, a two-time All-Star, has been with the Dodgers since 2018, helping the franchise win three World Series (2020, 2024 and 2025). 

Elsewhere, the Dodgers picked up a $3.6 million team option on left-handed reliever Alex Vesia, per The Athletic. On the free-agent front, relievers Michael Kopech and Kirby Yates, outfielder Michael Conforto and infielder Miguel Rojas — who hit a game-tying solo home run in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series — are free agents.

Muncy and the Dodgers are the first MLB team to win back-to-back championships since the New York Yankees (1998-200) and have won the National League West for the 12th time in 13 seasons at 93-69.

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3 Best MLB Free Agent Fits for Alex Bregman if he Leaves The Red Sox

Any team that wants to sign Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman knows exactly what they’re getting: an elite glove and a proven impact hitter from the right side.

After opting out of the final two seasons of a three-year, $120 million deal with the Red Sox, Bregman is among the premier players on this offseason’s MLB free agent market. Bregman and the Red Sox fit like a glove, but the three-time All-Star figures to have plenty of suitors.

Here are the three best fits for Bregman should he depart Boston.

Alex Bregman spent the first nine seasons of his MLB career with the Houston Astros, winning two World Series (2017 and 2022). (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) <!–>

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Yes, the D-backs were sellers at last season’s trade deadline, most notably moving infielders Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor and right-hander Merrill Kelly. At the same time, this is a roster that can stay afloat enough to be in the National League wild card mix in 2026, an aim which adding Bregman would assist.

Bregman would fill a long-term vacancy that exists at the hot corner for the D-backs, forming a stellar infield unit that already includes Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo. Last offseason, Arizona, one year removed from reaching the World Series and then winning 89 games in 2024, signed ace Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million deal and acquired Naylor. Regardless of how those moves have panned out – Burnes had Tommy John surgery in June and Naylor was traded in July – those swings indicated that the D-backs viewed themselves in a win-now situation.

Arizona can retool this offseason by using the money it would’ve spent to keep those that it traded at the deadline on proven commodities and/or stars like Bregman. Plus, the D-backs have the prospect capital attained in those trades. Bregman gives them a proven force to slot in the middle of its lineup.

All that said, what could halt Bregman from going to the desert is him potentially preferring to sign with a team that’s a World Series contender; the D-backs likely aren’t more than a mere wild-card threat next season, especially given their prolific competition in the NL West, between the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.

Alex Bregman was a Gold Glover in 2024. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) <!–>

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Last season was painful for Seattle. Up 2-0 and then 3-2 in the American League Championship Series, the Mariners still lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. The heartbreaking playoff exit now gives Seattle an excuse to be a menace this offseason. Enter Alex Bregman.

Suarez came through with some clutch home runs in the postseason and possesses more power than Bregman, but the latter is more crisp at third base and would be an overall upgrade at the position for Seattle; Bregman posted 1 Defensive Runs Saved at third base last season, whereas Suarez posted -6 DRS. A left side of the infield that features Bregman and J.P. Crawford would be as defensively sound as any in the sport.

Moreover, Bregman is ultra-battle-tested in postseason play, appearing in the playoffs for Boston last season and Houston in each of the previous eight seasons. He would provide the Mariners with a star who hits for both contact and slug and strikes out with low frequency.

What could stop the Mariners from prioritizing Bregman, though, is them potentially feeling that they could re-sign Suarez at a lower rate than Bregman and also be able to retain Naylor in doing so. In other words, they could focus on keeping their starting infield, including Jorge Polanco, and choose to upgrade elsewhere, perhaps with a trade? 

Alex Bregman posted 3.5 wins above replacement across 114 regular-season games in 2025. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images) <!–>

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Bregman could be the player who pushes the Tigers over the top.

Detroit had a revolving door at third base. While Zach McKinstry, Andy Ibanez and Colt Keith all had their moments, Bregman would be a definitive answer for the Tigers at the hot corner, allowing manager A.J. Hinch to use the aforementioned infielders in utility roles and/or move one of them to second base should Detroit lose Gleyber Torres to free agency. Speaking of Hinch, Bregman played for Detroit’s skipper in Houston from 2016-19.

Meanwhile, Bregman would add pop to an offense that was respectable in 2025 but also middle of the pack on several fronts. Bregman provides a much-needed impact hitter and would make a plausible Tigers’ offense a fearsome one, joining forces with the likes of Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter and Spencer Torkelson, among others.

Detroit was one run away from advancing to the ALCS and blew a mammoth, 15.5-game lead on the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the AL Central. On top of it all, the Tigers averaged just 3.6 runs per game, scoring no more than two runs in four of their eight postseason games and lost 3-2 in its season-ending, 15-inning ALDS Game 5 loss to Seattle. Tarik Skubal is the face of a formidable Tigers’ starting rotation and their bullpen is capable of being a lockdown unit. Adding another impact hitter is a requirement this offseason.

Bregman would make Detroit the best team in the AL Central and as potent as any team in the AL.

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Top 10 Longest 2025 MLB Postseason HRs: Ohtani’s ‘Greatest Game’ Ruled the List

A seven-game epic that included an 18-inning marathon and an 11-inning Game 7 classic. We were definitely treated to one of the all-time greatest World Series ever. 

But we also witnessed some serious home runs throughout the entire postseason. Four of the longest were launched by Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani – with three coming from what was tabbed as the greatest game ever played by a single player.

Here are the top 10 longest home runs of the 2025 postseason in partnership with Data Scientist Kirk Goldsberry:

1. Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) 469 ft. vs. Brewers – NLCS Game 4

We were in the middle of Ohtani’s all-time performance when he crushed a 469-foot solo shot in the fourth inning, clearing the right field pavilion and the stadium roof. The towering blast came off Brewers reliever Chad Patrick and helped fuel the Dodgers’ series-clinching victory. The homer has now been immortalized with its own plaque at Dodger Stadium.

2. Kyle Schwarber (Phillies) 455 ft. vs. Dodgers – NLDS Game 3 

In the Phillies’ only win of the series, Schwarber smashed a 455-foot moonshot to right that blasted off the rooftop of the pavilion in the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium. The mammoth homer came off Dodgers’ starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto and was one of the few highlight moments from the Phillies otherwise lackluster postseason performance. 

3. Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) 454 ft. vs. Reds – NLWC Game 1
 Ohtani got hot early in the postseason and didn’t stop. That included in this Wild Card Series win in which he belted a 454-foot two-run homer in the sixth inning off Cincinnati reliever Connor Phillips. 

4. Riley Greene (Tigers) 454 ft. vs. Mariners – ALDS Game 4
The Tigers would tie things up with Seattle in this series thanks to Greene’s go-ahead 454-foot homer to right-center in the sixth inning. The blast came on a hanging slider from Mariners reliever Gabe Speier and helped force a decisive Game 5. Nonetheless, the Tigers would lose that game in 15 innings. 

5. Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) — 446 ft. vs. Brewers – NLCS Game 4
We were in for some history in this game when Ohtani opened the game with a leadoff 446-foot homer in the first inning. The historic shot — the first leadoff homer by a pitcher in MLB history — came off Brewers starter Jose Quintana as Ohtani went to his 3-HR, 10-strikeout outing. 

6. Bo Bichette (Blue Jays) — 442 ft. vs. Dodgers – World Series Game 7 
The decisive game of the Fall Classic saw a hobbled Bichette crush a 442-foot, three-run homer that sent Rogers Centre into a frenzy and had the Blue Jays on the cusp of a title. It wasn’t meant to be as Toronto would lose in extra innings, but Bichette’s blast off Ohtani still proved to be a highlight. 

7. Seiya Suzuki (Cubs) — 440 ft. vs. Brewers – NLDS Game 3
 Suzuki opened the scoring with a 440-foot three-run homer in the first inning. The long blast came on a hanging slider from Brewers lefty Aaron Ashby. The Cubs would win this game in a series that went to the full five, but there would be no joy in Wrigleyville after Brewers advanced. 

8. George Springer (Blue Jays) — 431 ft. vs. Mariners – ALCS Game 3
After losing the first two games at home to the Mariners, the Blue Jays were down early again before a big-inning rally in the third inning. Springer ambushed on a fastball and sent a 431-foot solo homer to straightaway center in the fourth inning off George Kirby and jump-started Toronto’s offense on its way to the crucial win. 

9. Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) – 427 ft. vs. Brewers – NLCS Game 4
A classic example of last but not least. Already having gone yard twice in this game, Ohtani finished his three-homer masterpiece with a 427-foot solo shot in the seventh. This one was launched off Brewers reliever Trevor Megill, capping Ohtani’s other-worldly two-way performance (3 HR, 10 K).

10. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays) — 427 ft. vs. Yankees – ALDS Game 3
Always one to shine in the spotlight in the Bronx, Guerrero opened the scoring with a 427-foot, two-run homer to left-center in the first inning. The long two-run blast sailed off Yankees starter Carlos Rodon, part of Guerrero’s torrid postseason run. The Blue Jays slugger would finish with eight homers in the postseason, setting a franchise record.

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When Does 2025 MLB Free Agency Start? Dates for Signings, Trades, Options, Posting

With the World Series now complete, MLB free agency season is here! Check out everything you need to know about Hot Stove season, including key dates around the qualifying offers, options and when teams can officially sign free agents.

What are the key dates for MLB Free Agency in 2025?

  • Within five days of the World Series ending: Window for options to be exercised and also for clubs to make qualifying offers to players
  • Thursday, November 6th at 5 p.m. ET: Free agency begins
  • Mid-November: Deadline for players to accept or decline a qualifying offer
  • Mid-January: Salary arbitration deadline

When does 2025 MLB Free Agency start?

MLB free agency begins the day after the conclusion of the World Series. However, players cannot sign with a new team until 5 p.m. ET five days after the end of the World Series – this year, it falls on Thursday, November 6th. 

When can teams make trades?

Trades are not allowed from the MLB Trade Deadline until the end of the World Series. Trades can be made again the day after the World Series ends.

What types of options are available?

Options are extensions added to a player contract that can be exercised by a player or a club to stay with their current team. A “club option” means the team gets to make the call if they want to extend the player’s contract for the next season. A “player option” puts the power in the hands of the player. A less common “mutual option” would only be exercised if both team and player agree. Options must be exercised within five days of the end of the World Series.

What are qualifying offers?

A qualifying offer is a one-year contract offer that teams can use to extend their pending free agents, typically at a value determined by the average salary of the league’s top 125 players. This year’s amount is $22.025 million. The value was $21.05 million for the 2024-25 offseason. This year, offers must be made to eligible players within five days of the conclusion of the World Series, and players then have until 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 18 to accept. Teams can extend this offer to players who are about to enter free agency only if they have spent the entire previous season with them and if the player has never received a qualifying offer before. The player then has a short window to accept or reject the offer. If accepted, they return to the club for a year. If not, they enter free agency and if signed, the original team will receive draft compensation.

What is salary arbitration?

Salary arbitration is a process used to resolve salary disputes between teams and players who are not yet eligible for free agency but have enough service time to negotiate higher pay. It occurs when a player and their team cannot agree on a salary for the upcoming season, and it is primarily used for players with between three and six years of Major League service time (with some exceptions for “Super Two” players who qualify at just over two years).

Here’s how it works:

Eligibility: Players with three to six years of MLB service time, or “Super Two” players

Negotiation: Teams and players try to negotiate a contract for the upcoming season. If they cannot agree by a mid-January deadline, the player and team exchange salary figures, indicating how much the player wants and how much the team is willing to pay.

Arbitration Hearing: If no settlement is reached, the case goes to a hearing, where an independent panel reviews the player’s past performance, their contributions to the team, and comparable player salaries. The player and team each present their case.

Decision: The arbitration panel decides on one of the two proposed salary figures (either the player’s or the team’s), with no middle ground. The ruling is binding, meaning the player will earn the chosen salary for the next season.

Who are the top free agents?

  1. Kyle Tucker
  2. Alex Bregman
  3. Dylan Cease
  4. Framber Valdez
  5. Cody Bellinger
  6. Kyle Schwarber
  7. Pete Alonso
  8. Bo Bichette
  9. Edwin Diaz
  10. Ranger Suarez

What is the posting system for Japanese players?

Players from Japan’s top league — Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) — who do not have the requisite nine years of professional experience to gain international free agency can request to be “posted” to MLB clubs.

Under posting rules, the “release fee” — an amount that an NPB club must receive in the event an agreement is reached between a posted player and a MLB club — depends on the guaranteed value of the MLB contract.

All 30 MLB clubs have 45 days to negotiate with a player after he is posted. If no agreement is reached in that timeframe, the player returns to his NPB club for the coming season. He cannot be posted again until the following offseason.

Any MLB club that was willing to meet the designated release fee could negotiate with the player for 30 days after the player was posted, but only the club with which the player signed had to pay that release fee. 

The fee is 20 percent for guaranteed deals up to $25 million. For deals between $25–50 million, the fee is 20 percent of the first $25 million plus 17.5 percent of the total guaranteed value of that 20 percent for deals between $20–25 million. For deals over $50 million, the fee will be 20 percent of the first $25 million plus 17.5 percent of the next $25 million plus 15 percent of the total guaranteed value exceeding $50 million.

Example: If a posted player’s MLB contract is guaranteed value of $100 million, his Japanese team would receive roughly $16.9 million ($5 million for the first $25 million, $4.4 million for the second $25 million and $7.5 million for the final $50 million).

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MLB Spring Training Schedule to Open Feb. 20 Ahead of March 25 Opening Night

Major League Baseball’s spring training schedule will open Feb. 20 with seven games, including the New York Yankees against Baltimore in Sarasota, Florida, and the Chicago Cubs against the Chicago White Sox at Mesa, Arizona.

The schedule announced Wednesday also includes Arizona-Colorado, San Diego-Seattle and Kansas City-Texas on the first day plus Boston vs. Northeastern University and the Minnesota Twins vs. the University of Minnesota.

The World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers start on Feb. 21 against the Los Angeles Angels in Tempe, Arizona.

There will be 14 games on March 3 and 4 in which MLB teams play national teams preparing for the World Baseball Classic. The United States plays at the San Francisco Giants on March 3 and the Colorado Rockies the next day, both at spring training ballparks in Scottsdale.

The third Spring Breakout involving games between top prospects will be played from March 19-22.

The Athletics and Los Angeles Angels will play on March 7 and 8 at Las Vegas, where the A’s have six regular-season games from June 8-14. The A’s plan to move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season.

In preparation for the MLB opener at San Francisco on March 25, the Yankees will play exhibitions at the Cubs on March 23 and 24, the same days Detroit plays at the Cubs to prepare for its March 26 opener at San Diego.

Exhibition games at regular-season ballparks from March 22-24 include the Freeway Series between the Dodgers and Angels, a two-game Orioles-Nationals series, a Royals series at Texas, a Cleveland series at Arizona Diamondbacks and a Cincinnati series at Milwaukee.

The Yankees and Giants will open the regular season on Wednesday, March 25 in San Francisco, with 14 Opening Day games scheduled for Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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3 Best Fits? Top Spots For Schwarber, Alonso, and Other MLB Free Agents

The MLB hot stove has been turned on, and there are plenty of stars who could be finding new homes this offseason.

With that in mind, here’s a hub file for who FOX Sports thinks would be the best fits for high-profile free agents should they leave their current teams.

JUMP TO: Kyle Schwarber | Pete Alonso | Cody Bellinger 

Kyle Schwarber led the National League in home runs (56) and RBIs (132) in 2025. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) <!–>

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Best fits: Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds

Schwarber would be booed out of Citizens Bank Park if he leaves the Phillies for the NL East-rival Braves, but from a sheer fit point of view, he’s perfect for Atlanta. READ MORE.

Pete Alonso is a five-time All-Star. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) <!–>

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Best fits: Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks

To return to the glory of their 2023 World Series campaign, the Rangers’ offense needs to make a seismic jump, and that comes on the free-agent market. Have we mentioned that Alonso, who’s in the prime of his career, is a free agent? READ MORE.

Cody Bellinger posted 5.1 wins above replacement in 2025. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) <!–>

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Best fits: Cleveland Guardians, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies

The Guardians did what they typically do: have a stellar bullpen, don’t get in their own way and just crack the postseason. If Cleveland wishes to contend for the AL pennant, it has to be busy in the offseason; Bellinger would be a perfect fit. READ MORE.

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3 Best MLB Free Agent Fits for Kyle Schwarber if he Leaves The Phillies

There isn’t a player in MLB who is, without question, more intimidating in the batter’s box than Kyle Schwarber – and he could be had this offseason.

Schwarber, who posted a career-best 4.7 WAR this season with the Philadelphia Phillies, is arguably the top player on the MLB free agent market and raking like nobody’s business of late. This season, he led the National League in home runs (56) and RBIs (132) and has been a terror from the left side of the plate over his four seasons with the Phillies (2022-25).

While the Phillies figure to make a concerted effort to keep the star slugger in Philadelphia, one also figures that several other teams will make heavy pursuits of their own for Schwarber. On that note, here are the three best fits for Schwarber should he depart Philadelphia.

Kyle Schwarber has averaged 46.8 home runs per season since 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) <!–>

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Yes, the Reds just made the playoffs for the first time in five years, but this is a club that needs more oomph if it’s going to be a threat in the National League Central. Bringing Schwarber back home should be at the top of Cincinnati’s mind. 

Schwarber, who grew up roughly 45 minutes outside Cincinnati in Middletown, Ohio, would be a godsend for the Reds, providing an elite power hitter to a lineup that was just 21st in both home runs (167) and slugging percentage (.391) last season. Moreover, Schwarber would be an impactful, veteran complement for a young Reds’ positional nucleus, which is headlined by Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, Spencer Steer and Matt McLain, among others.

Of course, any team that signs Schwarber is likely doing so with the intention of him being their designated hitter. In Cincinnati’s case, signing Schwarber theoretically locks in some combination of Marte, TJ Friedl, Austin Hays (if re-signed) and Will Benson in its starting outfield. While having a fixture in the designated hitter slot hinders a team’s positional flexibility, Schwarber’s impact bat offsets, if not overrides, that concern for the Reds.

What could stop Schwarber from playing close to home, though, is the likelihood that he wants to play for a team that can contend; while Cincinnati won 83 games and has a stellar starting rotation, it likely needs two impact bats to climb the ladder in 2026.

Kyle Schwarber has 23 career postseason home runs in 73 games. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) <!–>

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Texas needs a spark, and Schwarber fits the bill in a profound way.

Just two years ago, the Rangers were celebrating their first World Series triumph in franchise history. Now, they’ve missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons and manager Bruce Bochy is gone, with Skip Schumaker named as his replacement. Texas was just 26th in MLB in both on-base percentage at .302 and slugging percentage at .381 last season. Schwarber? He ranked in the 100th percentile of MLB in hard-hit percentage, 99th percentile in barrel percentage and 98th percentile in average exit velocity, per Statcast.

The one constant for the Rangers has been talent. Young, homegrown players like Josh Jung, Josh Smith and Evan Carter still have the upside to become reliable, everyday players like Wyatt Langford. This team’s problem is proven stars like Corey Seager, Adolis Garcia and Marcus Semien being held back by injuries in recent years.

Schwarber becomes the featured bat in the top-third of the Rangers’ order, and if one of the aforementioned veterans can play a full season and one, if not two of their young infielders make a jump, their outlook changes drastically. If Texas is even a middle-of-the-pack offense, it could win the AL West. Why? They had arguably the best starting rotation in the sport last season, as Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Leitler led a starting staff that posted an MLB-best 3.41 ERA. 

Texas would be a great landing spot for Schwarber. There’s just a team that he would move the needle for a tad more.

Kyle Schwarber is a three-time All-Star. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images) <!–>

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Think he’ll get booed for this?

Oh, most definitely, Schwarber would be booed out of Citizens Bank Park if he leaves the Phillies for the NL East-rival Braves, but from a sheer fit point of view, he’s perfect for Atlanta.

The Braves just missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years and haven’t won a playoff series since the 2021 World Series. In thought, that set of circumstances screams “it’s time to rebuild.” But that’s just not the roster that Atlanta has assembled. This is a team that won 100-plus games in back-to-back seasons in 2022 and 2023 and has been ravaged by injuries ever since, with the likes of Ronald Acuna Jr., Austin Riley, Sean Murphy and Spencer Strider all missing significant time.

With Marcell Ozuna hitting the open market, Schwarber would become Atlanta’s designated hitter, giving them an overwhelming hitter with a compact swing. With this offense at full strength, it’ll once again be among the elite units in the sport. The Braves have the talent to sport a top-five offense, starting rotation and bullpen. But they need a boost, and signing Schwarber would be a tangible indication that Atlanta expects to get back to competing for both the NL East and the NL pennant. 

It makes more sense for the Braves to operate with a bullish mentality than to be sellers this offseason, especially considering how just one team in the NL East made the 2025 postseason: Schwarber is the spark that the Braves need.

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When does 2025 MLB free agency start? Dates for signings, trades, options

With the 2025 World Series officially in the books, MLB free agency season has arrived! The offseason’s “Hot Stove” is heating up as teams begin reshaping their rosters and players prepare for new opportunities. Here’s everything you need to know about MLB Free Agency 2025, including important dates, how qualifying offers and arbitration work, and which stars could headline the market this winter.

What are the key dates for MLB Free Agency in 2025?

  • Sunday, November 2: Trade market opens
  • Within five days of the World Series ending: Window for options to be exercised and also for clubs to make qualifying offers to players
  • Thursday, November 6th at 5 p.m. ET: Free agency begins
  • Mid-November: Deadline for players to accept or decline a qualifying offer
  • Mid-January: Salary arbitration deadline

When does 2025 MLB Free Agency start?

MLB free agency begins the day after the conclusion of the World Series. However, players cannot sign with a new team until 5 p.m. ET five days after the end of the World Series – this year, it falls on Thursday, November 6th. 

Dodgers vs. Blue Jays: MINI-MOVIE of 2025 World Series | MLB on FOX 🎥

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Relive the unforgettable 2025 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. A clash filled with drama, iconic plays, and moments that will go down as some of the greatest in MLB history.

When can teams make trades?

Trades are not allowed from the MLB Trade Deadline until the end of the World Series. Trades can be made again the day after the World Series ends.

What types of options are available?

Options are extensions added to a player contract that can be exercised by a player or a club to stay with their current team. A “club option” means the team gets to make the call if they want to extend the player’s contract for the next season. A “player option” puts the power in the hands of the player. A less common “mutual option” would only be exercised if both team and player agree.

Options must be exercised within five days of the end of the World Series.

What are qualifying offers?

A qualifying offer is a one-year contract offer that teams can use to extend their pending free agents, typically at a value determined by the average salary of the league’s top 125 players. For the 2023 offseason, for example, the qualifying offer was set at $20.325 million.

Teams can extend this offer to players who are about to enter free agency only if they have spent the entire previous season with them and if the player has never received a qualifying offer before. The player then has a short window to accept or reject the offer. If accepted, they return to the club for a year. If not, they enter free agency and if signed, the original team will receive draft compensation.

What is salary arbitration?

Salary arbitration is a process used to resolve salary disputes between teams and players who are not yet eligible for free agency but have enough service time to negotiate higher pay. It occurs when a player and their team cannot agree on a salary for the upcoming season, and it is primarily used for players with between three and six years of Major League service time (with some exceptions for “Super Two” players who qualify at just over two years).

Here’s how it works:

Eligibility: Players with three to six years of MLB service time, or “Super Two” players

Negotiation: Teams and players try to negotiate a contract for the upcoming season. If they cannot agree by a mid-January deadline, the player and team exchange salary figures, indicating how much the player wants and how much the team is willing to pay.

Arbitration Hearing: If no settlement is reached, the case goes to a hearing, where an independent panel reviews the player’s past performance, their contributions to the team, and comparable player salaries. The player and team each present their case.

Decision: The arbitration panel decides on one of the two proposed salary figures (either the player’s or the team’s), with no middle ground. The ruling is binding, meaning the player will earn the chosen salary for the next season.

What are the latest rumors and updates?

A flurry of decisions have already been made including Trevor Story staying in Boston and Shane Bieber remaining in Toronto. Follow along with the latest free agency moves and rumors.

Who are the top free agents?

Many top MLB players will be free agents for the 2026 MLB season. Below are some of the top targets for teams:

Check out our full top 10 list.

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Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Braves Ran Extensive External Search Before Promoting Walt Weiss to Manager

There were times during the Atlanta Braves‘ 33-day search for a new manager that Walt Weiss thought “that ship had sailed” regarding his chances to move up from bench coach and replace Brian Snitker, who is transitioning to an advisor role with the franchise.

On Monday, he got the call he was hoping for from Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos.

“We all know Alex, how thorough he is and how stealthy he is,” said Weiss, who spoke to reporters Tuesday for the first time as Braves manager after eight years as bench coach. “He likes to work under the cover of darkness, and so you know this process would be like that at times. But yeah, I couldn’t be more excited yesterday when I got that call.”

In addition to his eight years as Snitker’s bench coach, during which the Braves reached the postseason seven times, Weiss played the final three years of his 14-year MLB career in Atlanta from 1998-2000. He was an All-Star for the only time in his career in 1998 under Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox.

There was speculation the Braves would go outside the Cox tree for this opening after hiring Fredi González (2011) and Snitker (2016). Anthopoulos did not specify how many formal interviews he conducted, though he said he spoke to “a lot” of candidates and other people about the opening. Ultimately, he stayed in house.

“It is important for us to get it right,” Anthopoulos said. “It was a rare opportunity for us to really canvas the entire league, talk to as many people and do as much background work as we could. And ultimately, that search came back to Walt, and I couldn’t be more excited his experience, his character, his work ethic. (It) is exactly what we want here.”

Weiss won a World Series with Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa in Oakland and either played or worked under Don Baylor, Rene Lachemann, Clint Hurdle and Snitker. He said he has learned from all of them and will incorporate that into how he works his second stint as an MLB manager, which lasted from 2013-16 in Colorado. He had a 283-365 record (.437).

“I’ve evolved from my first job in Colorado,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot. The game has changed. I’m sure I’ve changed and hopefully (I’m) wiser.”

Weiss said any team outside of the Dodgers would sign up for what the Braves have accomplished the last eight years under Snitker and he understands the brand of the franchise and what it means to the fanbase. He also said his familiarity with the players and the organization will allow him to hit the ground running during his first season when the Braves try to rebound from a 76-86 season that had a mix of costly injuries and some underperformance of established players.

“It takes a better part of a year to truly understand your team,” Weiss said. “I’m talking about getting to know them on a deep level. What makes them tick? What situations (do) they thrive in, even down to their body language? So that’s a process that takes the better part of a year. And I think the fact that I’ve been here, a lot of those things are already established.”

The Braves did not have any announcements regarding Weiss’s staff, but that is a “front-burner” issue for Anthopoulos, who said he has already discussed it with Weiss. He also made it clear what the expectations are moving forward.

“(Making the playoffs), that’s just a standard that we’ve set here,” Anthopoulos said. “And that’s a credit to Snit, to Bobby Cox, to (former general manager) John Schuerholz that have set the standard here. You know, you guys like Nick Saban, the standard is the standard, and it is. We expect to be in the playoffs year in and year out. So, you know, this is a real responsibility, and we owed it to make sure that we left no stone unturned and were as thorough as we could be, even if it was someone that was already internal.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports