Category: Baseball

Shohei Ohtani has been continually writing baseball history. Now, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar is writing something else.

Ohtani wrote a children’s book centered around his dog, Decoy, called “Decoy Saves Opening Day,” which sees the Dutch Kooikerhondje deliver the Opening Day baseball to Ohtani behind home plate. It will be released for purchase on Feb. 20.

Decoy has made numerous public appearances throughout Ohtani’s MLB career (2018-present), including before regular-season games, during World Series parades and in live reaction videos of the two-way sensation winning MVP honors.

One season after accomplishing the first 50-50 season (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases) in MLB history in what was his first year with the Dodgers (2024), Ohtani put together a third consecutive MVP campaign in 2025. In the regular season, Ohtani totaled 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and 6.6 wins above replacement, while posting a .282/.392/.622 slash line. Meanwhile, he led the National League with 146 runs scored and a 179 OPS+. 

Ohtani also returned to the mound for the first time since tearing his UCL in August 2023, posting a 2.87 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 145 ERA+ and 62 strikeouts in 47.0 innings pitched (14 starts).

Then, Ohtani totaled eight home runs and 14 RBIs in 17 postseason games for the Dodgers, while posting a .265/.405/.691 slash line. He also made four starts, posting a 4.43 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched. In Game 4 of the Dodgers’ closeout NL Championship Series matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani had one of the best individual performances in MLB history, blasting three home runs and striking out 10 batters in six scoreless innings pitched as the Dodgers’ starting pitcher. The Dodgers became the first back-to-back World Series champions since the New York Yankees three-peated from 1998-2000.

Ohtani, a four-time Silver Slugger and four-time MVP, will play for Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He also played for Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, with Japan winning the tournament.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

The dust has mostly settled on the MLB free agent market, but a handful of impactful players are still for the taking, most notably Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen.

While the 30-year-old Gallen is coming off a 2025 season that saw him post a career-high 4.83 ERA, he has been among the best starting pitchers in the sport for the better part of his MLB career (2019-present) and is a proven top-of-the-rotation force; he can move the needle for a pitching staff that needs a boost.

Here are the top three fits for Gallen should he depart Arizona.

Since losing Corbin Burnes last offseason, the Orioles have been searching for an ace. Adding Gallen would, at the very least, quell some of the concern about the upper portion of Baltimore’s rotation.

Gallen would beef up an Orioles’ starting rotation that was 26th in MLB in opponent batting average (.265), 24th in ERA (4.65) and 21st in WHIP (1.32) last season. The right-hander, who leans on his four-seamer and knuckle curve while mixing in a changeup, pitches deep into games and was the ace of Arizona’s starting rotation en route to it winning the 2023 National League pennant.

Combine Gallen with left-hander Trevor Rogers, who posted a 1.81 ERA and 5.5 wins above replacement in 18 starts last season, and offseason acquisition Shane Baz, among others, and the Orioles would have a plausible rotation. Plus, with the additions of star first baseman Pete Alonso and outfielder Taylor Ward — who blasted a career-high 36 home runs last season — an improved starting staff gives the Orioles a chance to compete in an ever-improving American League East.

All that said, given that Baltimore has already made some moves on the pitching front this offseason (trading for Baz and re-signing Zach Eflin), it may prefer to add a more consistent ace-caliber pitcher like Framber Valdez or make a blockbuster trade (e.g., acquiring Detroit Tigers two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal), rather than take a chance on Gallen getting back on track should it seek to add another starting pitcher.

The Giants are in no man’s land in the National League West (the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are in their division), but they have plenty of potent talent and should be operating as if they expect to be in the postseason. Operating as such entails adding to their starting rotation, and signing Gallen would fit the bill.

From 2022-24, Gallen averaged a 3.20 ERA and 1.09 WHIP per season with the Diamondbacks. He can post strikeouts at an efficient rate and would improve a Giants’ starting rotation that was tied for 23rd in WHIP (1.34), tied for 23rd in opponent batting average (.255) and was 17th in ERA (4.10) last season.

Sure, the Giants have already added veteran right-handers Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser this offseason. At the same time, assembling a rotation trio of Logan Webb, Robbie Ray and Gallen would make for a fierce attack. And that’s without mentioning that Mahle posted a 2.18 ERA in 16 regular-season starts for the Texas Rangers last season, right-hander Landen Roupp has held his own to date (3.80 ERA in 22 starts last season) and Houser is a proven commodity who can also come out of the bullpen.

The Giants have been both buyers (signing Willy Adames on a seven-year, $182 million deal and acquiring Boston Red Sox star infielder Rafael Devers) and sellers (they traded relievers Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski at the 2025 MLB trade deadline) over the last 18 months. Combining it all, though, this team is closer to competing for the playoffs than hoping to win the MLB Draft Lottery (that’s still funky to type out). Adding Gallen gives the Giants a fighting chance.

At the same time, while Gallen would enhance San Francisco’s chances of returning to the postseason, he could progress a different California team in a more profound way.

The Athletics are close, and with an improved starting rotation, they have a legitimate chance of being a playoff team next season, hence them being a fit for Gallen.

Why are the A’s, who won 76 games last season, “close?” Outside of teams that made the playoffs in 2025, the A’s have the best young positional core in baseball, which includes Nick Kurtz, Tyler Soderstrom, Jacob Wilson, Shea Langeliers and Lawrence Butler. It’s also a unit that’s complemented by two-time All-Star Brent Rooker and could later be joined by highly touted infield prospect Leo De Vries, who was acquired in a 2025 trade with the Padres. Last season, the Athletics’ offense was tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for fourth in slugging percentage (.431), while being fifth in hits (1,403) and tied for fifth in batting average (.253).

What was this offense accompanied by? A starting rotation that was 27th in ERA (4.85), 25th in opponent batting average (.257) and tied for 23rd in WHIP (1.34). Gallen would become the Athletics’ ace from the outset, providing a stabilizing right-hander with postseason experience who’s in the prime of his career to anchor their pitching staff.

The need for a top-of-the-rotation arm, if not two, comes with the continued struggles of the A’s to develop their homegrown pitchers into rotation linchpins. Meanwhile, free agent signee Luis Severino had a rough first year with the team in 2025 (4.54 ERA in 29 starts), while left-hander Jeffrey Springs (4.11 ERA in 32 appearances/30 starts) was arguably their best starting pitcher. With Gallen in the fold, the urgency for Jacob Lopez, J.T. Ginn, Luis Morales and a healthy Gunnar Hoglund, among other young pitchers, to make a jump would decrease.

Gallen’s timeline and that of the burgeoning A’s is a match.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Want a veteran player who hits for power? A plug-and-play designated hitter? Meet Marcell Ozuna.

The 35-year-old designated hitter/outfielder remains a considerable power threat from the right side of the plate, blasting 21 home runs in 145 regular-season games in 2025 and averaging 39.5 home runs and 102 RBIs per season for the Atlanta Braves from 2023-24. 

He provides a creditable power hitter who can do damage in the heart of any MLB lineup.

Here are the top three MLB free agent fits for Ozuna should he depart Atlanta.

We know the drill in Pittsburgh. The Pirates have an accredited starting rotation, but their offense severely lacks behind that asset. Ozuna would be a boon to a lineup that needs a boost wherever it can get it.

Last season, the Pirates were last in MLB in runs (583), home runs (117) and slugging percentage (.350), 28th in hits (1,244) and tied for 23rd in on-base percentage (.305). Enough said? Ozuna would give the Pirates arguably their most dangerous power hitter and serve as a veteran complement in the middle of the order.

Picking up infielders Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn were savvy moves for Pittsburgh. Plus, one figures that Bryan Reynolds, a two-time All-Star and one of the best outfielders in the sport, bounces back from the worst statistical offensive season of his career since becoming a full-time MLB player in 2019 (.245/.318/.402 slash line in 2025). 

Maybe Oneil Cruz finally puts it all together and/or 2024 first-round pick Konnor Griffin reaches and has success at the big-league level? Add Ozuna into the mix, and the Pirates could begin charting a path to competing for a National League wild-card seed. That said, Ozuna may prefer to play for a team that’s closer to contending than the Pirates, such as a team within their own division (NL Central).

The Reds, who made the playoffs with 83 wins last season, are close to being a shoo-in playoff team. They need more juice at the plate, though, and Ozuna — who still posted a 113 OPS+ in 2025, a down year by his standards — would certainly provide that.

Elly De La Cruz is a budding superstar; Spencer Steer is becoming one of the best first basemen in the sport; Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte and TJ Friedl have had their moments. Concurrently, while Cincinnati’s offense was a respectable bunch in 2025, it was also just 21st in home runs (167) and slugging percentage (.391).

Ozuna would give Cincinnati much-needed oomph in the heart of the order, helping it capitalize on Friedl, Steer and, if they move up the lineup, De La Cruz and McLain creating traffic on the basepaths. Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo and Brady Singer make for a potent starting rotation. Now, the Reds have to complement their roster’s strength with a more balanced offensive attack. Veteran slugging is the answer, and Ozuna, who has a rocketing, power swing, fits the bill. At the same time, there’s a team that could use Ozuna’s bat and not only be a playoff team but definitively win their division with him in the fold, too.

The Rangers missing the playoffs in each of the last two seasons doesn’t tell the whole story: This is a talented roster that can be a playoff team in any given year and is just two seasons removed from winning the World Series. Ozuna threads the needle for Texas and fits its timeline.

The Rangers’ starting rotation had the best ERA in the sport last season at 3.41, and they recently acquired left-hander and 2025 All-Star MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals. A mere mid-level offensive attack makes Texas a playoff team. On that front, the Rangers were 26th in slugging percentage (.381), tied for 26th in on-base percentage (.302), 24th in hits (1,275), 22nd in runs (684) and 18th in home runs (175) last season.

Trading second baseman Marcus Semien for New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo should give Texas more plate discipline and consistent power, but it’s not enough to call it quits this offseason — even if two of Wyatt Langford, Josh Smith, Josh Jung and Evan Carter make a considerable jump in 2026.

After non-tendering outfielder Adolis Garcia and trading a position player-heavy haul to Washington for Gore (2025 first-rounder Gavin Fien, infielder Devin Fitz-Gerald, infielder/outfielder Abimelec Ortiz and outfielder Yeremy Cabrera were among the players sent to the Nationals), the Rangers need all the proven depth they can find for manager Skip Schumaker’s lineup card — even if Ozuna is locked into the designated hitter slot.

As for the American League West, the Seattle Mariners were one win away from the World Series and the Houston Astros are a proven ballclub, but neither team is invincible. Seattle won just 90 games in the 2025 regular season, and Houston hasn’t won 90 games since 2023. Texas has arguably the best starting rotation in the AL, if not all of MLB, and positional upside across the board. Ozuna, who finished in the top 9% of MLB in average exit velocity in 2024, would provide offensive clarity and needed slugging for the Rangers, making them that much more likely to be a player in the AL West. 

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Aaron Judge has 46 career multi-home run games at the MLB level. He’s now gone yard multiple times in another way.

It was announced on Tuesday that Judge is the cover athlete for “MLB The Show 26,” marking the second time in the New York Yankees‘ superstar’s career that he has been on the cover of the game; the first time was in 2018.

Former Minnesota Twins catcher/first baseman and Hall of Famer Joe Mauer is the only other player to grace the cover of “MLB The Show” twice, doing so in 2010 and 2011.

The 33-year-old Judge, a five-time Silver Slugger and seven-time All-Star, totaled 53 home runs, 114 RBIs and an American League-high 124 walks and 9.7 wins above replacement last season, while posting an AL-best — across the board — .331/.457/.688 slash line. In doing so, Judge earned his third career American League MVP, and has now won the award in three of the last four seasons.

Over his nine-plus-year MLB career (2016-25), Judge has led the AL in WAR, runs scored, home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS and OPS+ three times apiece, while also leading the AL in walks four times and RBIs and intentional walks twice apiece.

Judge, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year, hit an AL-record 62 home runs in the 2022 regular season. He has also posted 64 defensive runs saved in right field over his MLB career.

Judge will be the captain for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. It’s the first time that Judge will participate in the tournament.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Justin Verlander is still getting the job done.

The soon-to-be 43-year-old right-hander is coming off a solid 2025 campaign with the San Francisco Giants that saw him post a 3.85 ERA in 29 regular-season starts. Any team that potentially signs Verlander would likely be doing so to round out the final spot in their starting rotation, but it’s a role that the three-time Cy Young Award winner could thrive in, especially as a veteran complement.

Here are the three best MLB free agent fits for Verlander should he depart San Francisco.

Given where expectations stood, the Marlins going 79-83 last season was impressive, and there are some pieces to be bullish on (e.g., Kyle Stowers and Agustin Ramirez). They could use some veteran enhancements, though, which is where Verlander comes in.

An opening in Miami’s rotation comes in the wake of trading both Edward Cabrera (Chicago Cubs) and Ryan Weathers (New York Yankees), and Cal Quantrill being put on waivers in August of last season. Moreover, this was a Marlins’ starting rotation that was 26th in MLB in ERA last year (4.84).

After a rocky start with the Giants that saw Verlander’s ERA hit 4.99 on July 18, the future Hall of Famer proceeded to post a 2.60 ERA over his next 13 starts over 72.2 innings pitched. In a similar manner, Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner and a two-time All-Star who has been ravaged by injures the last three years, had a 7.14 ERA on July 18 of last season but proceeded to post a 3.13 ERA over his next 12 starts in 77.2 innings. Verlander can be a veteran voice for Alcantara to bounce ideas off and also serve as a mentor to budding pitchers like Eury Perez and Max Meyer, among others.

All that said, while Miami had a competitive 2025 season, Verlander may prefer to pitch for a bona fide playoff team, rather than one that has a mere outside chance of competing in the postseason next season.

Dylan Cease signed a seven-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, Nestor Cortes — who remains a free agent — will miss the bulk of next season due to an elbow injury, Yu Darvish may be retiring and the Padres’ starting rotation is coming off an underwhelming season as a collective. Getting a pitcher who can make at least 25 starts and is attainable on a one-to-two-year deal like Verlander would be a shrewd move for San Diego.

While Michael King making just 15 regular-season starts played a role, San Diego’s starting rotation was in the middle-of-the-pack last season, finishing 16th in ERA (4.07) and tied for 14th in WHIP (1.25). Moving forward, a healthy King is an All-Star-caliber pitcher; Nick Pivetta is coming off a breakout season (2.87 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 31 starts); Randy Vasquez has had his moments over the last two years. Maybe star reliever Mason Miller is moved into the starting rotation next season? Even if Miller is moved into the rotation and thrives, though, getting another proven arm for 2026 would be prudent.

Over the last two years, Verlander has primarily leaned on his four-seamer, while frequently mixing in a slider, curveball and changeup. Meanwhile, he was still providing length down the stretch of last season, as Verlander had two outings in September where he pitched through seven innings.

Verlander, who has made 37 career postseason starts, would fill a hole for the Padres, but there’s a team where he’d shore up a loose end and potentially expect to be playing in the National League Championship Series.

Simply put, the Phillies would benefit from having another proven starting pitcher, and this is indeed an article based on finding the best fits for Verlander. This is a match.

Over the last two years, Ranger Suarez, a 2024 All-Star, had a case for being the Phillies’ best starting pitcher when on top of his game. Earlier this month, Suarez signed a five-year deal with the Boston Red Sox; Zack Wheeler’s 2025 campaign ended in August after a blood clot; Aaron Nola posted a career-high 6.01 ERA in 17 regular-season starts; the Phillies traded right-hander and 2020 first-round pick Mick Abel to the Minnesota Twins to acquire star closer Jhoan Duran in July of last season. Verlander would provide stabilizing clarity to manager Rob Thomson’s rotation.

Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo have come into their own as stiff, top-of-the-rotation left-handers. Working under the mindset that one of Nola getting back on track and Wheeler making a return to full strength takes place, Philadelphia’s starting staff looks sharp. Add Verlander into the mix, and the Phillies have another pitcher who can give them 150.0 innings in the regular season and start in the postseason, if needed.

Signing Verlander would, theoretically, move Taijuan Walker to the bullpen on a full-time basis; Walker made 13 appearances out of the bullpen last season. Plus, Verlander should come at an affordable rate (say, a one-year, $10 million deal).

The Phillies have been eliminated in the NL Division Series in each of the last two seasons, but the positional talent – highlighted by Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner – and rotation core are still in place to contend for the pennant. It’s a matter of coming through in crunch time and, beforehand, ascertaining that they have competent depth across the board. Verlander fits the bill.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

LOS ANGELES – Whether you love them for their unrivaled commitment to producing a winning product, envy them for their exorbitant spending in their quest to three-peat or despise them for supposedly breaking Major League Baseball and its economic system with their excess, the Dodgers and their latest All-Star acquisition don’t particularly care. 

On Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, Kyle Tucker ran into Shohei Ohtani and Max Muncy, FaceTimed with Freddie Freeman and shook the hands of his new manager, Dave Roberts, and general manager, Brandon Gomes, before donning a No. 23 Dodgers jersey for the first time on the heels of signing a four-year, $240 million contract that made him the club’s eighth nine-figure earner, further widened MLB’s financial gap and set off alarms around the sport. 

“I think baseball is in a good spot,” Tucker countered. 

Why wouldn’t he? 

The best free agent on the market joined the best team in the game on a contract that set a record for present-day average annual value at $57.1 million. In reality, Tucker will actually cost the Dodgers far more than that. Incurring a 110% fee for every dollar they spend after again skyrocketing past the highest luxury-tax threshold, the Dodgers are projected to pay close to $120 million annually on Tucker’s deal when accounting for the additional tax penalties. 

Read more: Four Takeaways From Tucker Joining the Dodgers

The astounding expenditure sent a clear message: The Dodgers, a year after paying a record $169.4 million in competitive balance taxes while winning a second straight championship, are still in hyperdrive and unbothered by the public outcry as they look to extend their window and solidify the club’s golden era, a long-stated goal of president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. 

“For us, we just don’t pay much attention to that because we operate within the rules and do everything we can to put ourselves in the best position both short term and long term,” Friedman said. “And we’re not thinking about more macro things outside of that. It is about, ‘How can we win as many games and put ourselves in the best position to win a championship in 2026 without really compromising ourselves out into the future and falling off that proverbial cliff? It’s the balance and maintaining of those two things that are our sole focus.’” 

Get ‘Needle Movers’ 

Avoiding that cliff, in part, requires the infusion of younger pieces. 

The Dodgers won it all again last year despite a dysfunctional bullpen and the oldest position-player group in the sport. They addressed the former issue by signing the top closer on the market in Edwin Díaz earlier this winter. The stunning addition of Tucker, a 29-year-old four-time All-Star, helps with the latter. 

Ohtani, Freeman, Muncy, Will Smith, Teoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edman are all 30 or older. As is Mookie Betts, who’s coming off his worst offensive season as a big leaguer and is still under contract for another seven years. Possessing one of the richest farm systems in baseball helps mitigate risk, but the Dodgers’ best prospects — including a quartet of highly-regarded outfielders in Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, Mike Sirota and Eduardo Quintero — might still be a year or so away from fully contributing. 

The Dodgers still could have sat out of the top end of the free-agent market and been the favorites in 2026. Instead, they decided to bridge the gap to their future by targeting “needle movers” — players who could meaningfully impact their chances of winning another World Series — as long as they were open to short-term deals at a high AAV. 

Convincing a star talent in his 20s to accept those terms represents a significant challenge, especially when those players have longer offers that would set them up for life. The Dodgers understand that, having tried and failed in a similar endeavor before. In 2019, they reportedly offered Bryce Harper four years at $45 million annually, which would have given Harper a record AAV at the time while allowing him to cash in again in free agency at age 30. 

But a lot has changed in the years since Harper accepted his long-term deal in Philadelphia. Los Angeles has developed into baseball’s mecca, and the Dodgers — with three championships over the last six years — have offered proof of concept for star players looking to win. 

Earlier this winter, they got Díaz to agree to a three-year deal when many expected him to get at least four by giving him the highest AAV ever for a reliever. Signing Tucker, the top free agent on the market, presented a greater challenge given the offers the Dodgers were competing against. 

Convincing the 29-year-old would require straying from their usual tactics. They included opt-outs after the second and third seasons, a maneuver they’ve generally tried to avoid, and upped their initial offer to try to entice him away from both the Blue Jays, who reportedly offered 10 years and $350 million, and the Mets, who reportedly offered a frontloaded four-year, $220 million deal with no deferrals. 

The structure that Tucker accepted, which surpassed the previous present-day AAV record set by Mets star Juan Soto ($51 million), will allow him to cash in again in his early 30s if he wants to seek a longer deal. 

Read more: How Kyle Tucker’s $240M Deferred Deal Works

“Obviously, we started lower,” Friedman said. “I think when we’ve seen these kinds of shorter-term, higher-AAV deals, I don’t think they’ve ever come when they also had a really long, significant deal as well. Not that I can remember. Usually guys take those shorter-term deals because a longer-term deal hasn’t materialized, so it’s a chance to kind of reset and go back out to the market. He had that opportunity. 

“And so for us, it was about selling the opportunity to play with these guys, to play in front of these fans, to play in this city, to connect with this community. And who knows, it doesn’t mean that it has to be two, three, four years here. It could be longer than that. And I think for him to choose us when he had other longer-term and other shorter-term [offers], I think speaks to the growth and progress that we’ve made in creating a destination spot.”

The allure of Los Angeles is obvious — great weather, talented teammates, tens of thousands of fans packing the stadium every night, the near guarantee of playing meaningful October baseball. There is also likely a prosperous future ahead, regardless of what happens with the next CBA, as the Dodgers continue to reap the rewards of both the Ohtani-conomy and a lucrative local television deal at a time when regional sports networks are collapsing. 

“I think this organization is, from the top down, first class,” Tucker said. “The team these guys put together and assembled to give a great product for the fanbase in the city, to go out there and compete for a championship, kind of speaks for itself. Taking all of that into account, wanting to be a part of it, I think it’s very special. You don’t really get that very often.”

Steep Prices to Fix Flaws

While the additions of Díaz and Tucker make the rich richer, they also make sense from a roster-building standpoint. The Dodgers’ two premier offseason signings addressed their two greatest flaws and corrected last year’s mistakes.  

Last offseason, the Dodgers gave Tanner Scott four years and $74 million only to watch the top closer on the market go 1-4 with a 4.74 ERA. He converted just 23 of his 33 save opportunities and was left off the playoff roster. As a whole, the Dodgers bullpen was tied for 20th in both ERA and WHIP. Their ineptitude required the team to use starters in relief to get through October. 

They also gave Michael Conforto $17 million to man left field only to watch him hit .199 and produce below replacement level in the worst year of his big-league career. Meanwhile, Hernández regressed mightily at the other corner outfield spot after a resurgent first season in L.A.  

The benefit of Conforto’s one-year deal meant they could quickly move on, though given their penchant for short-term deals, few could’ve predicted the level of upgrade they would make. 

The Dodgers stayed in touch with Tucker’s representation throughout the offseason to make their interest clear. Discussions between the two sides heated up in the days before he agreed to terms, and the Dodgers felt like they had a real chance after a Zoom call that Friedman, Gomes and Roberts had with Tucker and his wife. 

Still, until around 6 p.m. on Jan. 15, when the Dodgers actually received the call that he would be joining him, they weren’t sure. 

“All you can do is kind of state your strong interest,” Friedman said, “and sell as much as you can.”

Read more: Watch Out, Dodgers? The Mets Also Made Some Savvy Moves

Tucker, a four-time All-Star who has hit 50% better than league average over the last three years, will man his usual spot in right field, with Hernández shifting to left. Andy Pages, the only other Dodgers starting position player in his 20s, will likely stick in center. The addition of Tucker will allow the Dodgers to slow-play Tommy Edman as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery and allow him to spend most of his time on the infield. 

It also gives the Dodgers arguably the most complete club they’ve ever assembled, increasing the vitriol among the 29 other fanbases as a contentious labor battle looms. The rules could change after the CBA expires at the end of this year, but Friedman told me that didn’t impact the desire to make this deal now. 

“There’s just so much unknown around that,” Friedman said. “I have now been through a lot of CBAs and have tried to get cute leading into a CBA, like, ‘OK, this is where it might be going.’ We have no idea. We are sitting in the cheap seats on that. For us, it’s just about whatever the rules are, reading and reacting to that and doing whatever we can to be as good as we can be.”

So, as the calls for a salary cap get louder with every premier talent they add and each dollar they spend, they carry on undeterred. 

It is not their problem to solve. 

“For us, all we’re consumed with is the partnership that we have with our fans,” Friedman repeated. “Our job is to win as many games as we can to provide a product and a team that fans feel passionate about, connect with…and pouring back into them with how much they pour into us. That’s our only focus.”

In the Big Picture, we contextualize key moves and moments so you can instantly understand why they matter.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

The Dodgers‘ quest for a World Series three-peat. The big-spending Blue Jays aiming to return to the Fall Classic. And plenty of contenders – including the Yankees, Mariners, Mets, and Cubs – looking to make some noise.

The MLB season begins on March 25, and FOX will have over 85 regular season games in 2026. Coverage begins on MLB Opening Weekend with a full slate on Saturday, March 28, that includes the Yankees at the Giants (7 p.m. ET, FOX). 

Before the regular season, the World Baseball Classic returns to FOX from March 4–March 17. Team Japan, led by Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, will look to retain its crown against a stacked Team USA squad that includes Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and last year’s MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh. 

Among the blockbuster games on the schedule include a World Series rematch on April 6 – with the Dodgers back in Toronto to take on the Blue Jays (7 p.m. ET, FS1). The Subway Series also returns on May 16 when the Yankees visit the Mets on May 16 (7 p.m., FOX). 

With the United States celebrating its 250th anniversary, the July 4 slate includes the Mets vs. Braves in an NL East clash and NL Central rivals Cardinals visiting the Cubs. 

The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry will be featured across three FOX games across the season (April 23 in Boston; June 6 and August 29 in New York).  

FOX will also be home for the 2026 All-Star Game on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Last season’s All-Star Game in Atlanta featured the first ever swing-off with Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber winning it for the NL in a memorable moment. 

MLB on FOX: 2026 Marquee Baseball Events

• World Baseball Classic — March 15—17
• MLB Opening Weekend — March 28
• 2026 MLB All-Star Game — July 14
• MLB Postseason — October

MLB on FOX: How to Watch

All games will be broadcast on FOX or FS1 and are available for streaming through the FOX Sports app. 

MLB on FOX: 2026 Full Schedule

All Times Eastern
*Available on FOX Deportes

Saturday, March 28

• Minnesota Twins at Baltimore Orioles — 4 p.m. on FS1*
• New York Yankees at San Francisco Giants — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Kansas City Royals at Atlanta Braves — 7 p.m. on FOX

Monday, March 30

• Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds — 6:30 p.m. on FS1*
• San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres — 9:30 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday, April 4

• Milwaukee Brewers at Kansas City Royals — 4 p.m. on FS1
• Chicago Cubs at Cleveland Guardians — 7 p.m. on FOX
• Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks — 7 p.m. FOX*

Monday, April 6

• Los Angeles Dodgers at Toronto Blue Jays — 7 p.m. on FS1*

Wednesday. April 8

• Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins — 7:30 p.m. on FS1

Saturday. April 11

• Arizona Diamondbacks at Philadelphia Phillies — 1 p.m. on FS1
• Boston Red Sox at St. Louis Cardinals — 7 p.m. on FOX
• San Francisco Giants at Baltimore Orioles — 7 p.m. on FOX

Monday, April 13

• Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies — 6:30 p.m. FS1*

Saturday, April 18

• Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies — 7 p.m. on FOX
• Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners — 7 p.m. on FOX*

Monday, April 20

• Baltimore Orioles at Kansas City Royals — 7:30 p.m. on FS1*

Thursday, April 23

• New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox — 6 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday, April 25

• Cleveland Guardians at Toronto Blue Jays — 3 p.m. on FS1
• Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Detroit Tigers at Cincinnati Reds — 7 p.m. on FOX

Monday, April 27

• Seattle Mariners at Minnesota Twins — 7:30 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday, May 2

• Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates — 4 p.m. on FS1
• Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers — 7 p.m. on FOX

Monday, May 4

• Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals — 7:30 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday, May 9

• Houston Astros at Cincinnati Reds — 4 p.m. on FS1*
• St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Padres — 7 p.m. on FOX
• New York Mets at Arizona Diamondbacks — 7 p.m. on FOX

Monday, May 11

• Seattle Mariners at Houston Astros — 8 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday, May 16

• Baltimore Orioles at Washington Nationals — 4 p.m. on FS1*
• New York Yankees at New York Mets — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• San Diego Padres at Seattle Mariners — 7 p.m. on FOX

Monday, May 18

• Cleveland Guardians at Detroit Tigers — 6:30 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday, May 23

• Seattle Mariners at Kansas City Royals — 4 p.m. on FS1
• Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds — 7 p.m. on FOX

Wednesday, May 27

• Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles — 6:30 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday, May 30

• Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers — 4 p.m. on FS1*
• Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds — 7 p.m. on FOX

Monday, June 1

• San Francisco Giants at Milwaukee Brewers — 7:30 p.m. on FS1*

Thursday, June 4

• Pittsburgh Pirates at Houston Astros — 8 p.m. on FS1

Saturday, June 6

• Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees — 7:30 p.m. on FOX*
• Cleveland Guardians at Texas Rangers — 7:30 p.m. on FOX

Monday, June 8

New York Yankees at Cleveland Guardians — 6:30 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday, June 13

• Philadelphia Phillies at Milwaukee Brewers — 7 p.m. on FOX
• Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals — 7 pm. on FOX*

Saturday, June 20

• New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Cleveland Guardians at Houston Astros — 7 p.m. on FOX

Saturday, July 4

• New York Mets at Atlanta Braves — 8 p.m. on FOX*
• St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs — 8 p.m. on FOX

Monday, July 6

• Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres — 9:30 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday, July 11

• Boston Red Sox at New York Mets — 4 p.m. on FS1*

Tuesday, July 14

• ALL-STAR GAME — 8 p.m. on FOX*

Saturday, July 18

• Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Yankees — 8 p.m. on FOX*
• San Francisco Giants at Seattle Mariners — 8 p.m. on FOX

Saturday, July 25

• San Diego Padres at Miami Marlins — 4 p.m. on FS1*
• Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers — 7 p.m. on FOX

Saturday, August 1

• Minnesota Twins at Seattle Mariners — 4 p.m. on FS1*
• New York Yankees at Chicago Cubs — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Arizona Diamondbacks at Cleveland Guardians — 7 p.m. on FOX

Saturday, August 8

• Minnesota Twins at Seattle Mariners — 4 p.m. on FS1*
• New York Yankees at Chicago Cubs — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Arizona Diamondbacks at Cleveland Guardians — 7 p.m. on FOX

Monday, August 10

• Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals — 7:30 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday, August 15

• Washington Nationals at New York Mets — 4 p.m. on FS1*
• Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Arizona Diamondbacks at Atlanta Braves — 7 p.m. FOX

Saturday, August 22

• Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins — 4 p.m. on FS1
• San Francisco Giants at Boston Red Sox — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals — 7 p.m. on FOX

Monday, August 24

• Tampa Bay Rays at Detroit Tigers — 6:30 p.m. on FS1*
• Cincinnati Reds at San Francisco Giants — 9:30 p.m. on FS1*

Thursday, August 27

• Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves — 7 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday, August 29

• Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Texas Rangers at Milwaukee Brewers — 7 p.m. on FOX

Monday, August 31

• Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs — 7:30 p.m. on FS1*

Thursday, Sept. 3

• Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers — 8 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday. Sept. 5

• Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians — 7 p.m. on FOX
• Arizona Diamondbacks at Houston Astros — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles — 7 p.m. on FOX

Saturday, Sept. 17

• Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets — 7 p.m. on FOX*
• Kansas City Royals at Houston Astros — 7 p.m. on FOX

Monday, Sept. 21

• Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles — 6:30 p.m. on FS1*

Thursday, Sept. 24

• Cincinnati Reds at Atlanta Braves — 7 p.m. on FS1*

Saturday, Sept. 26

• TBD at TBD — 7 p.m. on FOX

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

David Stearns dismantled the Mets in December. Facing extreme levels of discontent and pressure, the team’s president of baseball operations was confident he had the time and resources to retool the team into a winner. 

After weeks of questions and uncertainty about whether he would be able to pull it off, this was the week that saved the Mets offseason. By January, Stearns re-assembled the roster into a legitimate contender. 

Stearns put the exclamation point on what was already a celebratory mood in Queens when he completed a major trade that addressed their biggest concern of the offseason. The Mets on Wednesday night acquired right-hander Freddy Peralta from the Brewers in exchange for two top prospects in right-hander Brandon Sproat and infielder Jett Williams. New York also received right-hander Tobias Myers in the deal.

That’s a generous haul for Peralta, who is ultimately a rental. The 29-year-old righty will become a free agent after this season, and an extension with Peralta has not yet been explored, according to sources. 

Peralta’s addition came hours after the Mets formally introduced new infielder Bo Bichette in a news conference at Citi Field on Wednesday afternoon. Bichette’s introductory conference came hours after the Mets traded for All-Star center fielder Luis Robert Jr. on Tuesday night. Bichette’s agreement with the Mets, a three-year contract worth $126 million with player options after years two and three, also became official late Tuesday night.

So, in the span of roughly 24 hours, the Mets made three significant upgrades — really, the finishing touches — to a roster that looked depleted and unplayable just one month ago. The Mets addressed their biggest needs for a starting pitcher, an impact bat, and a quality outfielder.

“Look, I’ve been clear. My preference would be to add a starting pitcher,” Stearns said at Citi Field on Wednesday, hours before finalizing the deal for Peralta. “It doesn’t mean it’s a certainty that we’re going to do it, but that would be my preference.”

It was difficult to envision the Mets entering the season without a significant upgrade to their rotation. It was no secret they were one of the teams desperate to add a front-end starting pitcher. The Brewers fielded multiple competitive offers for Peralta, who is owed just $8 million this season. They had plenty of leverage to get a prime package from the Mets, or any other interested team. Giving up a pair of highly-ranked prospects was the price Stearns had to pay to acquire an ace in a thin starting-pitching market. 

Peralta, whose 2.70 ERA ranked seventh among all MLB starters last year, enhances a Mets rotation that will include Nolan McLean, Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga, and David Peterson, with Jonah Tong and Christian Scott serving as depth pieces. Bichette, who will take over for Brett Baty at third, is an excellent right-handed hitter that significantly boosts a Mets lineup that struggled with inconsistency last year. Robert is a low-risk, high-reward center fielder with a ceiling of 38 home runs, which he produced in his 2023 All-Star season. 

In total this winter, the Mets have added 10 players: Peralta, Bichette, Robert, Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien, Jorge Polanco, Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Luis Garcia and Myers. The result? A strong offseason and an impressive pivot.

Read more: Five Takeaways from Bo Bichette’s $162 Million Deal 

Stearns needed exactly six weeks to reshape the team and plug the holes he created. After the Mets’ $340 million roster couldn’t win more than 83 games last year, and couldn’t even surpass the Cincinnati Reds for a ticket to the playoffs, Stearns was prepared to take drastic measures. 

First, he indifferently dispatched outfielder Brandon Nimmo, previously the longest-tenured Met, in a trade with the Texas Rangers that sent second baseman Marcus Semien to New York. Then closer Edwin Diaz left town for the back-to-back world champion Dodgers. There was no turning back after Dec. 10, when slugger Pete Alonso bolted from Queens to accept a long-term pact with the Orioles. The Mets didn’t even make an offer to Alonso. Last year during the first baseman’s free agency, Mets owner Steve Cohen had to step in to get a one-year deal done with Alonso after spring training had already begun. Stearns might as well have put up a billboard in Times Square saying he was never interested in bringing Alonso back.

In the end, he was hardly interested in bringing any longtime position players back, unless they were signed to long-term deals (Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor) or still under team control (Brett Baty, Mark Vientos, Francisco Alvarez, and Ronny Mauricio). Infielder Jeff McNeil, another longtime Met, was traded to the Athletics last month. The demolition of the Mets core seemed years in the making. 

Two years and three months after Cohen hired him to lead his baseball ops, Stearns can now say this is his team. He broke up the nucleus and remade the Mets in his own vision, complete with short-term deals and trade acquisitions. 

Hours before the Peralta signing became official, Mets officials looked tired. Manager Carlos Mendoza said he had not yet had any time to mock up potential lineups. Stearns had some dark bags under his eyes. The Mets endured the most active offseason in the league. From ripping their core apart to quite swiftly building it back together, they will enter this season with a strong roster that’s built to go deep into the postseason. 

Of course, the work is not done. As he enters Season 3 of his reign as president of baseball operations, Stearns will ultimately be judged by wins. Outside their remarkable 2024 postseason run, the Mets have won one playoff game since 2015. It’s been 40 years since they won a championship.

The Mets saved their offseason this week. It’s time to prove the pieces are in place to win the whole thing.

In the Big Picture, we contextualize key moves and moments so you can instantly understand why they matter.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

The New York Mets are acquiring All-Star right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to a report from ESPN on Thursday.

The Brewers will receive top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat in exchange for Peralta, and will send out right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers, per reports. Williams and Sproat are ranked third and fifth in the Mets’ farm system, respectively, according to Minor League Baseball.

Peralta finished the 2025 MLB season with a 17-6 record, a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts in 33 starts for the Brewers. He was voted an All-Star in 2025, his first All-Star selection since 2021.

The 29-year-old has spent his entire Major League career with the Brewers. He was signed by the Seattle Mariners as an international free agent in 2013, but was traded to the Brewers in 2015. He made his Major League debut in 2018.

Peralta now joins a pitching rotation headlined by Nolan McLean, David Peterson, Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes and Sean Manaea. He also becomes the latest in a flurry of big-name acquisitions from the Mets, which includes two-time All-Star Bo Bichette and one-time All-Star Luis Robert Jr.

Peralta is in the final year of a five-year, $15.5 million contract extension he signed in February 2020. He is owed $8 million for the 2026 season and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports

Now, the Yankees’ offseason can really begin.

Free-agent Cody Bellinger and the New York Yankees reached an agreement Wednesday that will bring the outfielder back to the Bronx on a five-year, $162.5 million contract, per multiple reports. The deal includes a $20 million signing bonus, opt-outs after Years 2 and 3, and a full no-trade clause. 

Bellinger, his agent, Scott Boras, and the Yankees were in a stubborn standoff all winter, preventing the team from moving forward with other roster moves until Bellinger made his decision. Now that the 30-year-old will be back in pinstripes after a successful 2025 season — Bellinger swatted 29 home runs, posted a 125 OPS+ and received down-ballot American League MVP votes — the Yankees can finally start to address their other needs. 

Here’s what next for the Yankees, the AL East, and the remaining top free agents on the board:

What’s Next for the Bronx Bombers

The Yankees’ outfield picture for this season is complete – sort of. 

Bellinger will patrol left field again, becoming a steady presence in the corner-outfield spot for the first time since Brett Gardner was the Yankees’ everyday left fielder. Trent Grisham will play center and Aaron Judge, as usual, will be in right. So, where does that leave Jasson Dominguez? It’s the same question the Yankees were faced with last winter, when they traded for Bellinger as part of the pivot from losing Juan Soto to the Mets. One year later, Dominguez has played 149 games in the major leagues since his September 2023 debut. 

He has shown flashes of brilliance, like his three-homer game against the Athletics at the hitter-friendly West Sacramento ballpark. And, to be expected for a 22-year-old player who is still navigating learning curves, there are also areas of concern. Dominguez’s weaker slashline against lefties (.279/.290/.569) versus his solid production against righties (.274/.348/.420) last year is worth noting. Plus, his -7 Defensive Runs Saved last season signaled that Dominguez still has plenty of work to do in the outfield. 

Do the Yankees really want to slot Dominguez in as their fourth outfielder this season? There’s an argument that he could get a decent amount of playing time, whenever Grisham and Judge need days off, and Bellinger slides to first base to help out Ben Rice, who’s expected to take over for Paul Goldschmidt. But the best way for Dominguez to improve on both sides of the ball is for him to get regular, consistent reps. His 101 OPS+ last year, even without consistent playing time, indicates he can hold his own. The Yankees could use Dominguez as a trade chip to bolster their rotation or bullpen. 

Including a major-league-ready bat in a trade package could net the Yankees a quality starting pitcher. There is high competition for Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta, and so far Milwaukee has hesitated to part ways with their longtime starter, particularly because Peralta is owed just $8 million in his walk year this season. However, including Dominguez in the deal could push Milwaukee to the finish line. The Yankees need rotation help at the outset of the season, with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt all starting the year on the injured list. Acquiring someone like Peralta would not only hold them over, but his elite strikeout rate would perfectly complement the rest of their pitching staff.

What’s Next for the AL East Race

Getting Bellinger back into the lineup puts the Yankees in good shape to compete with the Toronto Blue Jays for the division title. Of course, out of any rival in the AL East, the Blue Jays have had the strongest offseason, filling holes with the additions of pitchers Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, infielder Kazuma Okamoto, and adding depth to the bullpen with Tyler Rogers. Toronto’s whiff on Kyle Tucker and losing homegrown shortstop Bo Bichette has left an unpleasant taste, but the Jays are in a solid position to run it back. They could still use an outfielder on a long-term deal, but that’s not as pressing of a need with Tucker and Bellinger off the board. But there aren’t any glaring holes on Toronto’s roster.

The Red Sox remembered their ability to spend money when they signed top free-agent starter Ranger Suarez to a five-year deal. It came on the heels of Alex Bregman leaving Boston to play for the Cubs, which was yet another miss by Fenway’s front office. Now, the Red Sox strategy consists of strengthening their pitching staff to prevent runs and offset any shortcomings in the lineup. Still, a part of run prevention is sharp defense, and the Red Sox led the majors in errors last year. They need to add a third baseman or second baseman, plus defense either through free agency or trade.

The Orioles still need to add a high-end starting pitcher to round out what has otherwise been a successful and busy offseason. The additions of first baseman Pete Alonso, outfielder Tyler Ward and pitchers Ryan Helsley and Shane Baz are savvy and fill roster needs. But, if this young and hungry club reaches the postseason, it currently has no one to take the ball in Game 1 of a playoff series. Re-signing Zach Eflin was important, but he’s no ace. The O’s should be in the market for the top free-agent starters still available, including left-hander Framber Valdez and righty Zac Gallen.

What’s Next in Free Agency?

Bellinger represented the last star-caliber free-agent outfielder on the market this offseason. Though there are still outfielders available, after him, there’s a sizable drop-off in quality and age. Now, 32-year-old Harrison Bader, who has a fWAR of 4.4 from 2024-25, is the best available outfielder. Austin Hays, 30, could be a good fit for a contender looking to fill a need. Jesse Winker, who has a concerning recent injury history, is still looking for a new home. Among position players across the board, third baseman Eugenio Suarez is the most impactful bat who still hasn’t signed. 

With teams set to report to spring training in just three weeks, the attention soon should shift to the remaining starters still available. Valdez and Gallen lead that list, followed by an enormous gap, and then arms like Lucas Giolito, Zack Littell, Chris Bassitt, Griffin Canning and Jose Quintana.

In What’s Next?, we look ahead at the potential impact of trades, hires, signings and more.

Link to Original Article - on Fox Sports