Category: Baseball

All anyone can do is laugh.

Dodgers fans are in a happy mood after outfielder Kyle Tucker, the undisputed jewel of this year’s free-agent class, signed a reported four-year, $240 million deal that includes opt-outs after the second and third seasons. 

Meanwhile, the 29 other MLB fanbases will just have to laugh through the pain of watching yet another star player join the defending World Series champions as they go for a three-peat. 

Here are our takeaways:

1. Dodgers address their two biggest needs with the best options available 

On Dec. 8, manager Dave Roberts said there was “no big splash” the Dodgers needed to make. Later that week, they made one anyway when they signed closer Edwin Diaz. And five weeks later, in an offseason in which they initially seemed content to sit out of the top end of the free-agent market, they’ve also now added the top overall player available in Tucker. 

They are always lurking, ready to pounce, especially if a star becomes available on a shorter-term deal. That was the case this winter, as the reigning champs addressed their two most glaring needs — bullpen and outfield — with the two best free agents at their respective positions.

 They were able to convince Díaz to sign for three years by giving him the highest average annual value ever for a reliever. They got Tucker, who was also projected to sign a much longer deal, for four years with opt-outs by giving him the highest AAV ever for an outfielder (Mets slugger Juan Soto previously held that mark at $51 million) and the second-highest annual salary ever for a player behind only his new teammate Shohei Ohtani. Accounting for deferrals, Tucker’s deal is an annual record in present-day value. 

The cost is staggering for any team, let alone a club that is already penalized at the highest tax rate. But the Dodgers have made abundantly clear that no matter how much money they’ve already spent, there’s always more available in their Ohtani economy. 

The additions of Díaz and Tucker, who both had a qualifying offer attached, will also cost the Dodgers their second, third, fifth and sixth-highest picks in the 2026 draft. But president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman vowed that the Dodgers would do everything they can to put themselves in the best position to win again in 2026. And by adding Díaz and Tucker to a championship roster, they’re in prime position to become the first team to three-peat since the 1998-00 Yankees. – Kavner

2. How do the Mets save their offseason?

Mets owner Steve Cohen provoked intense reactions when he posted a cryptic message on social media — “Let me know when you see smoke” — on Thursday night, just a couple of hours before news broke about Tucker’s decision to sign with the Dodgers. Cohen stoked the fire, only for Tucker to sidestep the Mets’ offer.

Speaking of smoke, the Mets have been under fire all winter after president of baseball operations David Stearns broke up the team’s core, with Pete Alonso (Orioles), Brandon Nimmo (Rangers), and Diaz (Dodgers) all departing from New York in the first part of the offseason. Signing Tucker would’ve expunged the anguish of losing three fan favorites. 

How can the Mets save their offseason now? Stearns created a void in the outfield when he dealt Nimmo to Texas. The Mets wanted Tucker to fill that void, hoping their substantial offer would be enough. Now, they can pivot by pushing hard for free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger, whose versatility in left field and first base is a perfect match for the Mets. 

Beyond position-player upgrades, the Mets still have to bolster their rotation, which was the primary reason they missed the playoffs in their disappointing 83-win season last year. With Ranger Suarez off the board, would signing left-hander Framber Valdez (our top-ranked free agent pitcher) be enough to change the so-far bewildering state of their offseason? For now, limiting Cohen’s social-media usage could be a good start. – Thosar

3. Blue Jays absorb yet another Dodgers gut-punch

Not again.

That has to be the prevailing thought from a jilted Blue Jays fanbase. Two years ago, they lost the Ohtani free agency sweepstakes. Last offseason, they lost the Roki Sasaki battle and then fell in agonizing fashion in Game 7 of the World Series. And now, Toronto has absorbed its latest L.A. gut-punch with Tucker choosing the Dodgers. 

The Blue Jays were among the favorites to land the top free agent, a move that would have unquestionably made them the winners of the offseason and set their outfield up for years to come with George Springer and Daulton Varsho both entering their final year under contract in Toronto. Missing out on Tucker is a tough blow. 

Still, unlike past offseasons, this winter was a success for the Blue Jays even after the miss. After signing Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers, they’ve spent more than any team in free agency and have put themselves in strong position to repeat as AL East champions. Tucker would have represented an obvious upgrade, but with Addison Barger, Varsho, Anthony Santander and Nathan Lukes, they can still field an adequate outfield. As currently constructed, they have a team capable of making another deep October run. 

Plus, the winter is not yet done. Perhaps they now turn more of their focus, and the money they would have spent on Tucker, toward bringing back top infielder Bo Bichette. – Kavner

4. A fresh wave of CBA and lockout talk

The Dodgers’ signing of Tucker invites more discourse of a potential lockout at the end of this year. MLB’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on Dec. 1, after which the league is expected to lock out the players and shut down free agency and trades, like it did in 2021.

Once again, MLB owners are pushing for a salary cap, pointing to huge payroll gaps and the fact that the Dodgers are continuously stacking stars and flexing their financial might in unprecedented ways, while arguing that smaller-market teams cannot compete. 

Particularly after the Tucker signing, most fan bases are more likely to side with the owners. The players union is prepared to stand in the way, which could lead to missed games amid a work stoppage in 2027.

For the Dodgers’ part, all they care about is winning. But it’s important to remember, their drive to compete has improved the bottom line. They paid nearly $170 million in luxury taxes in 2025, which shattered the record. This will be their sixth-straight year paying the highest penalty rates. The more the Dodgers pay in luxury taxes, the more money they’re redirecting to other clubs through revenue sharing. 

While a salary cap would, in theory, lead to financial fairness, the Dodgers’ present-day success is years in the making – including their shrewd front-office strategies (deferring player salaries) and strong player development. Those advantages won’t change even if a cap somehow goes through. Still, the Dodgers yet again signing the top free agent in the class will only intensify talks of a lockout and potential nasty labor fight. – Thosar

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Deesha Thosar is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.

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The rich get richer.

Star outfielder Kyle Tucker has agreed to a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency, according to a report from ESPN on Thursday.  Tucker took meetings with the Dodgers, New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays before deciding to sign with the two-time defending champions. 

Tucker spent the 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs, where he hit 22 home runs and slashed .266/.377/.464 in 136 regular-season games. He spent two stints on the injured list — for a left calf strain in September and a right-hand hairline fracture in June that tanked his much stronger start to the year, which had earned him an All-Star berth. He, ultimately, returned from the latter injury but played through pain during the last three games of the regular season and in the postseason for the Cubs. Chicago’s year ended in the National League Division Series, losing in five games to the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Before a one-year stint with the Cubs, Tucker spent the first seven years of his career with the Houston Astros; he was part of their 2022 World Series triumph. Tucker earned three All-Star nods, totaled an American League-best 112 RBIs in 2023 and had two 30-plus-home run seasons in 2021 and 2022. Following the 2024 season, the Astros traded Tucker to the Cubs for infielder Isaac Paredes, outfielder Cam Smith and right-hander Hayden Wesneski. 

Tucker has averaged over 5 wins above replacement per year since becoming a full-time player in 2021, owing to his combination of power, patience and defense: Tucker has won both Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove. Despite that level of success, he will now play his age-29 season for his third team in the last three years. 

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We know the countries in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Now, we know their respective caps.

On Thursday, the hats for all 20 countries in the 2026 World Baseball Classic were unveiled.

FOX is the exclusive home of the 2026 World Baseball Classic – where you can see all of these hats in action – which begins on March 5, as Chinese Taipei takes on Australia and Czechia faces off against the Republic of Korea; Japan beat Team USA in the 2023 WBC Championship.

The 20 countries are split up into four pools:

Pool A: Cuba, Panama, Colombia, Canada and Puerto Rico

Pool B: USA, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil

Pool C: Chinese Taipei, Czechia, Japan, Republic of Korea and Australia

Pool D: Netherlands, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Israel

On the USA front, former Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, new Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman and Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement are among the recent additions to the American roster.

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Clayton Kershaw isn’t done pitching just yet, agreeing Thursday to join the U.S. team for this year’s World Baseball Classic.

A left-hander who turns 38 two days after the March 17 championship game, Kershaw announced last September that he was retiring at the end of the season, his 18th in a stellar career for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He won his third World Series title and finished 223-96 with a 2.53 ERA and 3,052 strikeouts.

The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner wanted to pitch for the Americans in the 2023 tournament but was prevented because of insurance issues at a time he had a $20 million, one-year contract with the Dodgers.

Later Thursday, new Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman announced he will join the U.S. team.

Kershaw joins a U.S. pitching staff that includes right-handers David Bednar, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb along with left-handers Tarik Skubal and Gave Speier.

The American roster also includes catchers Cal Raleigh and Will Smith; infielders Ernie Clement, Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang and Bobby Witt Jr.; outfielders Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge; and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.

The U.S., which lost the 2023 championship game to Japan, opens March 6 against Brazil at Houston, part of a group that also includes Brazil, Britain, Italy and Mexico.

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In just a few years, Ranger Suarez went from being Major League Baseball’s most underrated pitcher to garnering increased attention to, finally, getting paid as one of the top arms in baseball. 

Suarez, who reportedly agreed to a five-year, $130 million contract with the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, will earn an average annual value (AAV) of $26 million. That positions him among the top 15 highest-paid starting pitchers by AAV. 

That significant financial commitment from Boston is a testament to Suarez’s craft, to be sure. The 30-year-old southpaw owns a 117 ERA+ over the past four seasons. He throws a six-pitch mix that induces soft contact at an elite clip. Suarez’s 31.1 hard-hit percentage ranked eighth among all MLB pitchers last season. Meanwhile, his fastball velocity has dropped year after year. In 2025, Suarez’s four-seamer averaged just 91.3 mph, which fell into the seventh percentile among all pitchers, per Statcast. His diminishing velocity isn’t a red flag like it would be for flamethrowers around the league. Triple-digit fastballs aside, Suarez is excellent at recording outs using effective command while progressively reducing his walk rate.

In the age of obsessing over spin rates and high velocity being The Most Important Thing in pitching, Suarez’s contract signals a different direction from front offices and analytics departments in terms of what they value. There was a reason he entered the offseason as one of the top three free-agent starters on the market. And after climbing up the ladder in the Phillies organization, Philly’s loss is Boston’s gain.

Here’s what’s next for the Red Sox, Phillies, and the future of starting pitching after Suarez’s big contract.

What’s Next For the Red Sox

With the addition of Suarez, the Red Sox march into 2026 with one of the top rotations in MLB. Led by ace Garrett Crochet, who finished second in American League Cy Young voting last year, Boston’s starting staff will feature Suarez, Sonny Gray, whom the Red Sox acquired via trade this winter, Brayan Bello, and an assortment of options for the final slot, including Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, and Connelly Early. That not only makes for an excellent rotation on paper, but the Red Sox also have a ton of pitching depth to carry them through the long season and protect against injuries. 

The splashy move — Boston’s first free-agent signing of the offseason — comes just days after it failed to re-sign free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, who instead agreed to a five-year, $175 million pact with the Chicago Cubs. By fumbling their opportunity with Bregman, the Red Sox again incensed their fan base with yet another perplexing decision. Last season, Boston traded away the face of their franchise, homegrown slugger Rafael Devers, in favor of Bregman, who instantly became a pivotal member and leader in the Red Sox clubhouse. Then the Red Sox fell short in Bregman’s free agency, and the three-time All-Star wound up spending just one year at Fenway Park. Maddening.

It seems like the Red Sox, with the signing of Suarez, are attempting to course correct by beefing up their pitching staff rather than signing another impact bat. And in the era of pursuing run prevention, acquiring a top-end starter like Suarez, whose average exit velocity (86.5%) was in the top 5% of the league last year, the Red Sox are accomplishing that goal. The 1-2 punch of Crochet and Suarez is going to be fun to watch. And, at the very least, it lessens the sting of losing Bregman.

What’s Next For the Phillies

Suarez spent his entire career — 14 seasons — in the Phillies organization. After signing him at 16 years old as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela, the Phillies watched Suarez ascend through the minor leagues, emerge as an effective big-league reliever, and transform into a middle-of-the-rotation starter before dominating at the top of their starting staff with ace-like stuff. In 2022, Suarez sent the Phillies to the World Series when he recorded the final two outs in the ninth inning of Game 5 of the NLCS. He leaves Philly boasting a 1.48 ERA across 42.2 innings in 11 career playoff appearances. 

Despite how much Suarez meant to the organization, the Phillies were never expected to reunite with their homegrown pitcher. Re-signing slugger Kyle Schwarber was their top priority, which they accomplished, and it was unreasonable, financially, for the Phillies to also re-sign Suarez, who emerged as a top starter in a thin market this winter. They will receive a draft pick this year between the fourth and fifth rounds after Suarez declined their one-year qualifying offer. But that hardly makes up for the significant loss of Suarez from their pitching staff. Where do they go from here?

The Phillies believe their rotation is in solid shape with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Christopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo and top prospect Andrew Painter. But there are still concerns within that group, particularly how Wheeler will respond after undergoing thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September. Nola, too, will need to bounce back from his career-worst 6.01 ERA while he battled injuries and recorded just 17 starts last season. Painter has yet to make his MLB debut. A lot of things have to go right for this to work, and until then, the Phillies will turn their attention to the lineup. They have been connected to free-agent infielder Bo Bichette, and re-signing free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto remains on their offseason to-do list.

What’s Next For the Future of Starting Pitching

That Suarez received $130 million for being more like an ace-in-waiting rather than representing the No. 1 starter in any given rotation is surprising. It means the league is starting to re-prioritize crafty pitchers that excel at command and run prevention, despite not flashing overpowering velocity. In that sense, Suarez’s skillset is a bit of a throwback. 

Read More: Breaking Down All Top MLB Deals

But he’s an outlier from those old-school starting pitchers because, historically, he doesn’t pitch deep into games, and that’s perfectly fine in modern baseball. In recent years, teams have emphasized building super bullpens so that starters are only required to pitch five innings before turning the ball to the relief corps. And if Suarez, who in 2021 pitched out of the bullpen in more than half of his appearances, could become an effective reliever-turned-front-end-starter, perhaps more pitchers will follow suit.

Suarez’s talent and his ensuing contract are a case study in why throwing the ball with excellent command can be more effective than focusing on high velocity. He bucked the trend, and it worked. Not every pitcher will be as successful as Suarez, particularly because a part of his big pay day is credited to how calm he is under pressure, especially in the postseason. Still, he’s showing why minimizing the importance of velo is an approach worth pursuing. 

Deesha Thosar covers Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.

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We all remember the epic championship game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic when Shohei Ohtani struck out Team USA slugger Mike Trout to give Team Japan its third title in five editions of the tournament. 

Now we are gearing up for the 2026 WBC, which will see Ohtani and Japan try to defend their title in the 20-team competition that includes a stacked USA squad seeking redemption. Among the players committed to Team USA include Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, and Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.

We are counting down until the opening pitch of the tournament and bringing you the latest news and updates as rosters get announced. 

When is the World Baseball Classic? 

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be held from March 5–17. Twenty teams have been placed into four pools with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the quarterfinals. 

Pool A games will be played at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Pool B games will be played at Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros. Pool C games will be played at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Pool D games will be played at LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins. 

Pool Play: March 5-11
Quarterfinals: March 13–14 (Daikin Park, Houston; LoanDepot Park, Miami)
Semifinals: March 15 (LoanDepot Park, Miami)
Final: March 17 (LoanDepot Park, Miami)

Jan. 13

Clement Will Play for USA

Ernie Clement will play for Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The 29-year-old infielder helped the Toronto Blue Jays reach the World Series while also setting a postseason record with his 30 hits. Clement finished the postseason with a .411 average, one homer, six doubles, nine RBIs, 13 runs scored and a .977 OPS.

Jan. 12

Buxton Joins Team USA

All-Star slugger Byron Buxton will join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. The 32-year-old outfielder had a career season with the Twins, producing homers (35), RBIs (83) and runs scored (97). Buxton also earned his first Silver Slugger of his career.

Jan. 11 

Freeman Withdraws from Team Canada

Team Canada will be without its star player as Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman has reportedly withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic, according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.

With the 36-year-old sitting out the tournament after helping the Dodgers win back-to-back World Series title, the Canadians will lean on Mariners slugger Josh Naylor at first base.

In other Team Canada news, Los Angeles Angels reliever Jordan Romano has also reportedly pulled out, while Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon will take part. 

Dec. 23

Harper Will Play for USA

Phillies slugger Bryce Harper will play for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic after missing out on the 2023 edition due to surgery. 

The 33-year-old Harper hit 27 home runs and recorded an .844 OPS in 2025 as the Phillies won the NL East. It will be Harper’s first time playing at the World Baseball Classic, although he has represented Team USA at junior competitions in the past. 

Nov. 24

Ohtani Back for Team Japan 

Shohei Ohtani will play for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, he announced on social media.

Japan will be looking to repeat after winning gold in the 2023 Classic. Ohtani was named the tournament’s MVP and memorably struck out former Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out of the final against Team USA. Ohtani helped the Dodgers win the second straight World Series title while earning his fourth MVP award earlier this month.

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Let the revelry begin, Chicago. 

As the Bears were staging their comeback win over the Packers in the NFC Wild Card game on Saturday, news broke that the Cubs had signed Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million contract, giving them one of the top free agent hitters on the market just days after bolstering the rotation by trading for starter Edward Cabrera. 

Bregman opted out after the first season of a three-year, $120 million contract he signed in Boston, hoping to find the longer-term pact that he was unable to secure one year ago. Many expected a return to the Red Sox, given what he meant to the team during his brief stay and how the Rafael Devers saga ended. 

Instead, it was the Cubs who provided Bregman with what he sought. 

It’s a hefty sum for a player who will turn 32 in March and is coming off a year in which he was limited to 114 games due to injury, but it also demonstrates the value Bregman possesses as an unquestioned leader who still brings a keen eye at the plate and plus defense at third base. He’ll now help balance out the top of a lineup that features lefties Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong as well as switch-hitter Ian Happ. 

Notably, that lineup no longer includes top free agent slugger Kyle Tucker, which made adding another middle-of-the-order bat a necessity for a Cubs team coming off its first playoff appearance in five years. 

Bregman has been an above-average hitter every year of his career. Last year’s All-Star season was no exception. He had a .938 OPS before suffering a quad injury that forced him out for nearly two months. Though his power was not the same after his return, he still ended the year hitting 28% above league average with an .821 OPS that represented his highest mark since 2019. 

What’s Next for the Cubs

The Cubs showed interest in Bregman last offseason before he signed with the Red Sox. This time, they weren’t going to get outbid (and won’t lose a pick, the way they would have last winter when he had the qualifying offer attached). 

Bregman will be playing next to the Cubs’ only other long-term expenditure, shortstop Dansby Swanson, who signed a seven-year, $177 million deal before the 2023 season, adding further to what should be one of the best defensive groups in baseball next season. 

They should be a formidable offensive unit, too. 

On the surface, the Cubs’ offense was among the best in the National League last season. They ranked fifth in MLB in runs and top 10 in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS and home runs. However, the lineup spiraled in the second half as Tucker dealt with injury and Crow-Armstrong dropped off a cliff at the plate following an MVP-caliber start to the year. After the break, the White Sox (.727 OPS) had a better OPS than their North Side counterparts (.721). 

The Cubs still made the playoffs, but they were defeated in the NLDS by a Brewers team that had won the division each of the last three years. The Cubs lost the series 3-2, scoring a total of seven runs in their three defeats, and entered this winter well below the luxury-tax threshold with a bevy of contracts set to come off the books in 2027. They simply had to find a way to add an impact bat. They paid a steep price for it, but they got it done. 

With third base locked down, it’s possible that the Cubs could trade Nico Hoerner or Matt Shaw given the infield surplus. They could use more outfield depth to avoid having to play Seiya Suzuki in the field, but even if they don’t do any more roster maneuvering, they’re now positioned to contend for something even greater than their first division title since the shortened 2020 season. 

What’s Next for the Red Sox 

It’s almost unfathomable that less than a year after signing Bregman to play alongside Devers, the Red Sox now have neither. 

They bungled the Devers situation by failing to communicate effectively with their longtime third baseman, who was under contract through 2033. Boston stunningly traded its face of the franchise – all for one year of the player who was brought in to replace him? 

Bregman immediately made himself a valued leader in the Boston clubhouse, and his pull-side power worked masterfully at Fenway Park. When healthy, he was a force, one that helped get the Red Sox to the playoffs for the first time in four years. His production was especially important given the Devers friction (and eventual departure) and the understandable growing pains of young infield prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer. 

And just like that, he’s gone. 

For all the trading the Red Sox have done this winter, they still haven’t signed a free agent. Acquiring Willson Contreras will help add some needed pop to a Boston lineup that ranked 15th in home runs last year, but it won’t erase the sting of Bregman’s departure or the fanbase’s resulting displeasure. 

If they don’t sign free agent infielder Bo Bichette or find a way to deal from their outfield surplus to swing a significant move, good luck trying to justify that loss. 

What’s Next for the Free Agent Market

Bichette, Tucker, and fellow top free-agent Cody Belliger must be salivating. 

If Kyle Schwarber (entering his age-33 season) and Bregman (entering his age-32 season) can each get five years and between $30-35 million per season, it’s hard to imagine that the asking prices for the top trio of position players left on the board will be dropping anytime soon. 

Bichette will be entering his age-28 season coming off a bounceback year with the Blue Jays that saw him earn down-ballot MVP votes. Tucker is about to turn 29 and already figured to be the top earner in this year’s free-agent class. Bellinger’s defensive versatility makes him a fit for a number of teams as he enters his age-30 season coming off three straight above-average seasons at the plate. 

With the number of premier bats dwindling, perhaps Bregman’s signing ignites more action at the top of the market. It appeared Bichette’s market was already gaining traction — the Phillies are reportedly getting set to meet with him soon — and Bregman’s signing should only help it pick up steam. 

Teams looking for a slugger on a shorter-term deal than what those three are seeking — or pivoting at third base after whiffing on Bregman — could turn to 34-year-old Eugenio Suárez, who led all third basemen with 49 home runs last year. 

Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.

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Third baseman Alex Bregman has signed with the Chicago Cubs, according to reports on Saturday.

Bregman has signed a five-year contract worth $175 million, according to the New York Post. Bregman opted out of a three-year deal with the Red Sox after just one season. That deal was worth $120 million.

Bregman, an MLB All-Star in 2025, played 114 games for the Red Sox last season and hit .273 with an .821 OPS. He led the Red Sox to the playoffs, although they lost in a wild-card series to the Yankees.

Prior to joining the Red Sox in February, Bregman spent nine years with the Houston Astros, the team he won two World Series titles with and was named an All-Star twice, including in 2018 when he won All-Star MVP. The following year, Bregman was named a Silver Slugger Award-winner at third base, and in 2024, he was named the Golden Glove winner in the American League.

This is a developing story that will be updated.

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Free agent outfielder Max Kepler was suspended for 80 games on Friday following a positive test for a banned performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball‘s drug program.

Kepler tested positive for Epitrenbolone, a substance that led to a suspension in 2018 for boxer Manuel Charr and caused the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to announce the following year it had disqualified 90-year-old cyclist Carl Grove from a world record he had set at the 2018 Masters Track National Championship.

Epitrenbolone is a metabolite of Trenbolone, which is contained in some products used in body-building stores and has been used in products to promote cattle growth.

Kepler, who turns 33 next month, is an 11-year major-league veteran, who spent last season with the Philadelphia Phillies after playing his first 10 seasons with the Minnesota Twins.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Before Tarik Skubal embarks on his final season under team control in Detroit, prepare for a salary showdown unlike any other since Major League Baseball’s arbitration system began more than 50 years ago.

Skubal is seeking $32 million in arbitration. The Tigers countered at $19 million. The $13 million chasm between the team and their two-time Cy Young ace is a record. So is the figure that Skubal is pursuing.

No pitcher has ever made even $20 million in arbitration. The record for a starter belongs to David Price, who, coincidentally, avoided arbitration with the Tigers when the two sides agreed to a $19.75 million deal. That was 11 years ago. 

Since then, the one-year contracts for the top arbitration-eligible position players have skyrocketed. Juan Soto holds the record at $31 million, a number he and the Yankees settled at in 2024. Shohei Ohtani also reached the $30 million mark in his final year of arbitration with the Angels in 2023. 

But on the pitching side, the figures haven’t jumped nearly as substantially. Price’s number still stands as the zenith. That fact surely isn’t lost on Skubal, who’s one of the eight members of the MLBPA’s executive subcommittee. He is setting the bar high, and attempting to create a new highwater mark for pitchers of his ilk, a year before what will likely be a contentious labor battle. 

If Skubal were to win his case, it would not only benefit arbitration-eligible aces to come but would also represent a monumental moment in the current system’s history. 

The Risk of Arbitration: What It Means

The most that any player has been awarded at an arbitration hearing is $19.9 million, a request won by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before the 2024 season. Clearly, that process didn’t impact his future in Toronto. The two sides avoided another hearing a year later when they settled at $28.5 million before the 2025 season. Three months later, the Blue Jays and the superstar first baseman agreed to a $500 million extension. 

But arbitration hearings, during which a player has to listen to his team pick apart his flaws, carry inherent risk. They can get contentious and don’t always end amicably. 

​​In 2023, Milwaukee ace Corbin Burnes and the Brewers went to a hearing over a difference of less than $1 million. The Brewers won the hearing — Burnes made $10.01 million instead of the $10.75 million he was seeking — but lost the relationship. Afterward, Burnes let it be known he was hurt by what his team had to say about him during the process. One year later, ahead of his final season under team control, he was traded to the Orioles. 

Similarly, questions continue to linger about Skubal’s future in Detroit as he prepares for his final season before free agency. The more the two sides squabble over money, the more questions and trade rumors will intensify.

This isn’t the same as Burnes’ situation. Given the ask, it’s at least understandable why the Tigers don’t want to acquiesce. 

MLB Trade Rumors’ model projected Skubal to make around $17.8 million in arbitration based on comparable players and their service time, which is less than the Tigers’ request. The highest year-over-year jump for a pitcher in arbitration was $9.6 million, when Jacob deGrom and the Mets agreed on a $17 million salary before the 2019 season. Skubal is seeking a $21.85 million raise from the $10.15 million contract he received last year. 

It’s a staggering sum, but he’s a staggering talent with a compelling case. 

Is Skubal Worth the Hefty Salary?

When deGrom received his raise coming off his first Cy Young season, he was entering his second year of arbitration eligibility. This is Skubal’s third, and he’s coming off back-to-back Cy Young seasons in which he threw more than 190 innings, made more than 30 starts, racked up more than 225 strikeouts and led the American League in ERA. He was also exceptional in the 2025 postseason, registering a 1.74 ERA with 36 strikeouts over three starts. 

It’s worth noting that, as ESPN pointed out, players with more than five years of service time like Skubal are also allowed to compare their salary to other comparable players — not just those who are arbitration eligible. But Skubal is still seeking less than what other pitching standouts will make in 2026, from Zack Wheeler ($42 million) to Gerrit Cole ($36 million). In recent years, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander also received more than $40 million a year from the Mets. 

Still, we haven’t seen a player receive even $20 million at a hearing before. 

The $13 million gap between Skubal and his team is an enormous figure, especially if the Tigers are hoping to use that money to attract another difference-making piece. Keep in mind, too, if this process deteriorates the relationship between Skubal and the Tigers, or the Tigers don’t think they can keep Skubal long term, or they simply want to recoup as much value as possible from a player of his caliber while they still can, a $19 million salary is likely to add more potential trade suitors for Skubal this year than a $32 million figure would.  

What’s Ahead? 

The Tigers operate as a “file-and-trial” team, meaning they treat the date to exchange arbitration figures as a hard deadline. If no deal is in place at that point, there’s a general understanding that a one-year contract won’t be agreed upon and an arbitration hearing is on the horizon. 

Once that hearing takes place in late January or early February, there’s no meeting in the middle; either Skubal wins or the Tigers do. If it gets to that point, as it is tracking toward, the Tigers will have to nitpick their ace’s blemishes to a three-person panel in a hearing unlike any before it. With the best pitcher on the planet involved, it will be tough to find those faults. 

Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.
 

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