Category: Baseball

Kyle Schwarber is where he was always expected to go – right back where he belongs. 

The superstar slugger/designated hitter reportedly agreed to a five-year, $150 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies during the Winter Meetings on Tuesday. Schwarber was one of the marquee free agents of this year’s class. He opted to remain in Philly, where he has been idolized since joining the organization four years ago, despite the handful of offers he fielded this offseason, including interest from his hometown Cincinnati Reds. 

Schwarber is a clubhouse anchor coming off a career year in which he led the National League in home runs, paced the majors in RBI, and won All-Star Game MVP honors in a dramatic swing-off, all while playing 162 games. He finished second in NL MVP voting. Schwarber will earn $30 million annually for the next five years, taking him through his age-37 season. He becomes the second-highest paid designated hitter in the major leagues, behind only Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Here’s what’s next for the Phillies, Schwarber, and the rest of the free-agent market after his big pay day: 

What’s Next for Phillies

Re-signing Schwarber was the team’s top priority this winter, and it’s impossible to overstate how crucial it was that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski got the deal done. It would’ve been difficult to map out a pivot for the Phillies had Schwarber signed elsewhere, both in terms of talent and significance to the fan base. There is simply no other free-agent slugger that can do what Schwarber does at the plate – he ranked in the 100th percentile in hard-hit rate this year — and within the clubhouse walls. Schwarber is the connective tissue of the Phillies, the veteran who helped lift Orion Kerkering’s spirits following the reliever’s error that caused the Phillies to be eliminated from the playoffs. 

And beyond all of that, Schwarber staying in Philly keeps its championship window alive.

After falling short in the postseason again, the Phillies faced difficult decisions this offseason with their top players becoming free agents, as well as with the uncertain futures of their star players. Catcher J.T. Realmuto and left-hander Ranger Suarez are exploring the market. Bryce Harper is coming off a season in which he recorded his lowest career OPS since 2016, and even though he was still solid, he wasn’t elite. Ace Zack Wheeler is recovering from thoracic-outlet syndrome surgery. Given all of those unknowns, it was more important than anything else to re-sign Schwarber and stabilize the roster. 

Now, the Phillies must focus on upgrading their outfield, as well as bolstering their bullpen. After Schwarber’s deal, will the Phillies keep spending in free agency – targeting someone like outfielder Kyle Tucker – or will they focus on the trade market? There is still work to do in Philly, and Schwarber staying put was just the first, most crucial, step. 

What’s Next for Schwarber

As special as Schwarber’s walk year was, it would be unrealistic for the Phillies to expect him to hit 56 home runs every season for the next five years. But Schwarber made favorable changes to his zone swing rate and mentality at the plate ahead of the 2025 season, and his consistent production is something the Phillies can count on. This past season, Schwarber focused on swinging at pitches that are in the zone rather than working deeper counts. It led to an increase in his zone rate from 60.6% in 2024 to 64.1% in 2025. With improved plate discipline, Schwarber was aggressive on pitches that were strikes, and that’s a skillset he should be able to carry into next year.

Plus, Schwarber mashed lefties. His .598 slugging percentage against southpaws led the NL and ranked fifth in the major leagues. His dominance against left-handers helped propel the overall success of his walk year. Schwarber, who was non-tendered by the Cubs five years ago, has always been motivated to improve at the plate even as he creeps past his prime. That dedication to his craft while remaining open-minded with changes at the plate will help him remain one of the game’s most prolific sluggers through his five-year pact with the Phillies. 

What’s Next for MLB’s Top Free Agents

With Schwarber being the first domino to fall, other top free-agent position players should soon begin coming off the board. The industry was waiting for Schwarber, the bellwether of this year’s free-agent class, to make a decision, and now teams should be able to react to his market. After the success of his walk year, Schwarber was always projected to land an average annual value of around $30 million, so the financials of his long-term deal shouldn’t come as a surprise to the industry. 

Still, the door to the market should be wide open now. Teams that were interested in potentially adding Schwarber’s slug, including the Mets, Red Sox, Reds, and even the Pirates, will have to pivot. Expect the buzz around this year’s other top free-agents, including Tucker, Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger, and Pete Alonso, to pick up steam in the coming days.

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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ORLANDO, Fla. — On Monday afternoon, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in the Dodgers’ roster as constructed and insisted “there’s really no big splash” the team needed to make. 

But he also left the door open. 

“I think that getting a high-leverage reliever is never a bad thing,” Roberts said. 

Less than twenty-four hours later, and for the second straight winter, the top closer on the market is bound for Los Angeles as longtime Mets closer Edwin Díaz agreed to a three-year, $69 million deal with the reigning champions. 

By offering Díaz the highest average annual value ever for a reliever, the Dodgers managed to fill their most obvious need and secure one of the game’s most overpowering late-inning arms without needing to offer a fourth or fifth year. Last year, the Dodgers signed Tanner Scott for four years and $72 million. 

Díaz has been one of the game’s most dominant closers for most of the last decade. He was an All-Star in his final season in Seattle in 2018, when he saved 57 games for the Mariners, before getting traded to the Mets in 2019. Díaz enjoyed his best year in Queens in an All-Star 2022 season before suffering a devastating knee injury in the World Baseball Classic that wiped out his 2023 season. 

Another year removed from that injury, Diaz was an All-Star for the third time in his career in 2025. His 1.63 ERA led all qualified National League relievers, and while his velocity and whiff rates weren’t what they were prior to his injury, he still ranked second among all MLB relievers in strikeout rate and remains among the game’s elite ninth-inning options.

What’s Next For the Dodgers

The Dodgers seemed content to exercise more constraint and be more selective this winter after another offseason spending spree helped them to a second straight World Series title. 

“We’ve been very aggressive the last couple offseasons,” general manager Brandon Gomes said Monday at the winter meetings. “There’s not as many clear paths to make the team meaningfully better.”

With Díaz, though, they clearly found a path. 

“If there’s something that we need to do that’s aggressive, we feel like it makes sense for us, then obviously we’ll do it,” Gomes said. 

The Dodgers now have more late-inning stability after a poor start to Scott’s four-year, $72 million deal began poorly. Scott had a 4.74 ERA and did not appear during the Dodgers’ postseason run, but Roberts said Scott “never felt right all year” physically and expressed confidence in a bounceback. 

The Dodgers could continue finding more pieces to fill out the bullpen or shift their attention to the outfield. A reunion with Cody Bellinger would still make sense, but the trade market could also reap rewards and help their aging roster get younger. 

Gomes said Monday “it doesn’t feel likely” that the Dodgers will trade off of their big-league roster to acquire more help. In regards to rumors of potentially trading Teoscar Hernandez, specifically: “That’s not something we anticipate at all.” 

What’s Next For the Mets

They need to get to work quickly. 

A year ago, the Mets poached the clear-cut top free agent from the Yankees. This winter, they’ve yet to sign any of the top free agents and have now lost their best closer to the reigning champs.

They did add Devin Williams, which helps ease the pain of losing Díaz maybe ever so slightly, but there’s a ton of work ahead for David Stearns and the Mets to build a better roster this year after a stunningly disappointing end to the 2025 season. 

They could go a lot of directions in an effort to do that, and most of the top free agents remain on the board even after Díaz departed to the Dodgers and Kyle Schwarber returned to the Phillies. Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, Cody Bellinger and Pete Alonso are all still available to add pop to the lineup. Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Tatsuya Imai and Michael King are all among the top starters available, and the Mets could use another frontline arm, be it in free agency or on the trade market. 

Time is ticking. 

What’s Next For the Closer Market

Much like it was as the deadline, this has been one of the most active position groups early in free agency. 

With Díaz now with the Dodgers, Williams going to the Mets, Ryan Helsley signing with the Orioles and Raisel Iglesias returning to the Braves, the clear top relief arm still on the board is Robert Suarez, who led the National League with 40 saves last year in San Diego. 

Luke Weaver, Kenley Jansen, Kyle Finnegan, Brad Keller and Seranthony Dominguez are among the many other options. 

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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Admitting participation by Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in the World Baseball Classic is “very delicate” following a World Series that stretched into November, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn’t sure whether any limits will be placed on his team’s Japanese stars.

Ohtani had elbow surgery in September 2023 and returned to the mound in June. The two-way sensation helped the Dodgers become the first repeat World Series champion in a quarter century, starting the Game 7 win over Toronto.

“I would like to think that it’s going to be a dialogue as far as restrictions and limitations, in the sense of just trying to give them the opportunity,” Roberts said Monday at baseball’s winter meetings. “They’ve come off some stuff, some long seasons, and certainly with Yamamoto and looking out for 2026. But right now there’s no more clarity than we had before.”

Ohtani won his fourth unanimous Most Valuable Player award, hitting .282 with 55 homers, 102 RBIs and 20 stolen bases while going 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA over 14 shortened starts that included 62 strikeouts in 47 innings. He had eight homers and 14 RBIs in 17 postseason games along with a 2-1 record and 4.43 ERA in four postseason starts.

Roberts said he wasn’t sure whether Ohtani will pitch for defending champion Japan in the WBC, which starts March 5 and ends March 17 — nine days before the Dodgers’ opener against Arizona.

“I’m hoping he doesn’t but I don’t know,” Roberts said. “Shohei’s — he’s very in tune with his body. But I would say probably the thought is he’s probably just going to hit.”

Ohtani was MVP of the 2023 WBC, when Japan beat the United States 3-2 in the final as Ohtani struck out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out. That tournament generally limited pitchers to 65 pitches in the first round, 80 in the quarterfinals and 95 in the championship, and also included mandatory off days after certain pitch counts.

Sasaki started the semifinal win over Mexico and Yamamoto followed in relief as Ohtani doubled to spark a ninth-inning rally.

“I don’t want to be dismissive of what it means to them representing their country,” Roberts said. “I know the organization doesn’t but I do think that the conversations need to be had, will be had, as far as what each individual is taking on and whatever role that they might be taking on and what potential costs there might be. … But you can’t debate the emotion, what a player might feel of this potential opportunity.”

Limited to 90 innings by a triceps injury in his first season with the Dodgers after signing a $325 million, 12-year contract in December 2023, Yamamoto pitched 211 innings this year in the regular season and postseason combined.

Sasaki, in his rookie season, didn’t pitch for the Dodgers between May 9 and Sept. 24 because of a right shoulder impingement and became their closer in the postseason.

Los Angeles plans to have Ohtani as a regular member of the starting rotation next season.

“But it’s not going to be a regular five-man rotation,” Roberts said. “I don’t want to go down the six-man rotation road, but I do feel that giving him six, seven, eight days off to kind of allow him to continue to stay rested and build up, I think that’s in our process. But again we have a long way to go but we’ve got some viable candidates.”

After leading the Dodgers to their third title in six seasons, Roberts has tried to detach and relax. He told Amazon Prime’s “Good Sports” last week that he favors a salary cap, which some in management are advocating be proposed during collective bargaining next year. Baseball is the only U.S. professional major league without a cap.

“You know what? I’m all right with that,” Roberts said. “I think the NBA’s done a nice job of kind of revenue sharing with the players and the owners, but if you’re going to kind of suppress spending at the top, I think that you got to raise the floor to make those bottom feeders spend money, too.”

“I’m entitled to an opinion, as we all are,” Roberts said Monday. “My opinion shouldn’t move the needle.”

Los Angeles projects to a major league-record $509.5 million in payroll and luxury tax this year. The New York Mets, who didn’t make the playoffs, project second at $428.8 million.

“We have an organization that whatever rules or regulations, constructs are put in front of us, we’re going to dominate,” Roberts said. “And so just give us the rules, let us know the landscape and then I’ll bet on our organization.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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ORLANDO, Fla. – The trade market is generating buzz, and most of this year’s marquee free agents are still fielding offers and waiting to sign. 

As execs, agents and managers gather at Major League Baseball’s annual Winter Meetings, there is plenty to keep tabs on. We got you covered with what is happening on the ground. 

Brian Cashman Dishes on Yankees

New York’s longtime general manager dropped some hints late Sunday night regarding his plans to improve the team this offseason. In general though, Cashman said there isn’t too much work to do, and the roster is in good shape – indicating the Yankees may not make a ton of splashy additions. They’re primarily focused on re-signing free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger – even though he’s left-handed. 

Cashman knows the Yankees lineup is too left-handed (Jazz Chisholm, Trent Grisham, Austin Wells, Ben Rice and Ryan McMahon are all lefties), and they need more balance one-through-nine. That being said, Bellinger recorded a 1.016 OPS against southpaws this year. The 30-year-old’s reverse splits — plus a .909 OPS and 18 home runs at home, compared to a .715 OPS and 11 homers away — are attractive to the Yankees. Besides Bellinger, the Yankees have to focus on filling out their desolate bullpen.

As far as payroll, Cashman has continued to expel the notion that the Yankees have to stay under $300 million. Owner Hal Steinbrenner said last month that it would be “ideal” if the Yankees lowered their payroll from $319 million they spent on 2025’s roster. But it’s hard to believe the Bronx Bombers will be a better team in 2026 if they stay under $300 million — unless they swing a few blockbuster trades. For that reason, it seems more likely the Yankees will be more active on the trade market than in free agency. —Thosar

Trade Chatter Picking up Steam 

On the eve of last year’s winter meetings, Juan Soto exceeded every estimate imaginable when he signed the largest contract in MLB history. There was no such action leading into this year’s winter meetings, and there is no one of Soto’s caliber available this time around. Instead, teams are scouring the trade market in hopes of finding impact talent, particularly after most of the top arms on non-contending teams stayed put at the trade deadline. 

We’ve already seen Sonny Gray go to the Red Sox, a swap of Marcus Semien and Brandon Nimmo and another swap of Taylor Ward and Grayson Rodriguez. Expect bigger moves ahead. Among the top names to watch are Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore and shortstop C.J. Abrams, Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte and Marlins starters Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. The biggest question still looming: Will the Tigers trade Tarik Skubal in his final year under team control? The most likely course of action is that they wait to see how they’re doing at the deadline before making that call, even if they don’t think they can extend him, but a blockbuster offer could be enticing. — Kavner 

Quiet So Far at the Top of the Market  

Outside of the players who accepted qualifying offers, there have only been three major free-agent moves entering Monday: Dylan Cease to the Blue Jays, Devin Williams to the Mets and Josh Naylor back to the Mariners. Almost all of the top free agents remain available. 

If a top free-agent does move early this week, the most buzz currently centers on Kyle Schwarber, who reportedly received a multi-year offer from a Pirates team typically unwilling to spend on premium free agents. His hometown Reds have also shown interest. Both teams will have a hard time outbidding a Phillies team that understands the value he brings both with his bat and in the clubhouse and has a lot of work to do to retool the roster this winter. For that reason, a return to Philadelphia still appears to be the most likely course of action. But they will have a lot of competition for the top bat on the market. Schwarber will be entering his age-33 season, but he’s coming off a career year and would immediately upgrade any lineup that has a DH spot available. If he does sign soon, that could help ignite the free-agent market. — Kavner 

Ranking all 30 Teams Ahead of Winter Meetings

All-Star sluggers like outfielder Kyle Tucker, third baseman Alex Bregman, outfielder Kyle Schwarber, infielder Bo Bichette, first baseman Pete Alonso, outfielder Cody Bellinger and others will make their decisions. But as we wait to see how rosters take shape over the coming weeks and months, here’s where all 30 teams stand right now. – Kavner

10 Biggest Storylines at Winter Meetings

Looming labor battle? How will the Dodgers re-tool as they aim for a three-peat? Where will the next wave of Japanese stars? This week will set the tone for the rest of the MLB offseason and provide a clearer picture of which teams will be major players in trade talks and free agency. Here are the 10 biggest storylines of the meetings. – Thosar/Kavner

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.

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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Jeff Kent was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on Sunday by the contemporary era committee, while steroids-tainted stars Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were among seven players who fell short once again.

Kent appeared on 14 of 16 ballots, two more than the 12 ballots needed for the 75% minimum.

Carlos Delgado received nine votes, followed by Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy with six each.

Bonds, Clemens, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela each received fewer than five votes.

Kent will be inducted at the hall in Cooperstown, New York, on July 26 along with anyone chosen by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, whose balloting will be announced on Jan. 20.

Kent received a high of 46.5% in the last of 10 BBWAA ballot appearances in 2023. A five-time All-Star second baseman, he batted .290 with 377 homers and 1,518 RBIs.

The Hall in 2022 restructured its veterans committees for the third time in 12 years, setting up panels to consider the contemporary era from 1980 on, as well as the classic era. The contemporary baseball era holds separate ballots for players and another for managers, executives and umpires.

Each committee meets every three years. Contemporary managers, executives and umpires will be considered in December 2026, classic era candidates in December 2027 and contemporary era players again in December 2028.

Under a change announced by the Hall last March, candidates who received fewer than five votes are not eligible for that committee’s ballot during the next three-year cycle. A candidate who is dropped, later reappears on a ballot and again receives fewer than five votes would be barred from future ballot appearances.

Bonds and Clemens fell short in 2022 in their 10th and final appearances on the BBWAA ballot, when Bonds received 260 of 394 votes (66%) and Clemens 257 (65.2%). Sheffield received 63.9% in his final BBWAA vote in 2024, getting 246 votes and falling 43 shy.

Bonds denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs and Clemens maintains he never used PEDs. Sheffield said he was unaware that substances he used during training ahead of the 2002 season contained steroids.

A seven-time NL MVP and 14-time All-Star outfielder, Bonds set the career home run record with 762 and the season record with 73 in 2001.

A seven-time Cy Young Award winner, Clemens went 354-184 with a 3.12 ERA and 4,672 strikeouts, third behind Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Randy Johnson (4,875).

The December 2027 ballot is the first chance for Pete Rose to appear on a Hall ballot after baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred decided in May that Rose’s permanent suspension ended with his death in September 2024. The Hall prohibits anyone on the permanent ineligible list from appearing on a ballot.

Reporting by The Associated Press. 

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There have already been a handful of notable signings, re-signings and trades, but the offseason action will kick up a notch in a few days as the baseball world descends upon Orlando for the Winter Meetings. 

Before the hot stove really starts to sizzle and Major League Baseball’s top free agents find new homes, here are the 10 biggest storylines worth tracking ahead of MLB’s annual offseason extravaganza. 

How much does top free agent Kyle Tucker get?

 Tucker won’t approach the record $700+ million deals that Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto received as the prized commodities of the last two free-agency cycles, but the 28-year-old is the consensus top free agent on the market this winter and should expect somewhere in the $300-500 million range. Injuries have limited Tucker to 214 of a possible 324 games played the last two years, but he has still consistently produced between 4-6 WAR with an OPS over .800 each of the last five seasons. That makes him one of the most impactful outfield bats in baseball, especially when he’s healthy. His well-rounded skills at the plate should draw interest from every outfield-needy team that’s willing to spend. Tucker was reportedly seen touring the Blue Jays’ spring training facility this week, and the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Giants and Phillies could also be among the teams in the mix. — Kavner

Who lands the NL home run leader? 

The market for Kyle Schwarber is fascinating, with teams like the Reds, Mets, Red Sox, and, of course, the Phillies all reportedly in the mix for his services. Coming off a career-best 56 home runs and an MLB-leading 132-RBI season, the 32-year-old slugger figures to command $30 million annually on a long-term deal. Schwarber finished second in National League MVP voting after his spectacular walk year. The Phillies are making it a priority to re-sign their designated hitter, but no deal is said to be close between the two sides. With Schwarber’s market heating up, it’s possible, if not likely, one of the most sought-after free agents will come off the board during the Winter Meetings. —Thosar

The top middle infielder 

It’s a thin market for star infielders this offseason, easily making Bo Bichette the splashiest free agent in the diamond. The 27-year-old shortstop/second baseman is expected to land a long-term contract that eclipses $200 million in overall value. Even though Bichette has publicly stated he wants to return to his homegrown team, the Blue Jays will have to outbid other top-payroll clubs to land him – yes, including the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the reigning champions reportedly a top candidate to sign Bichette, who only increased his value with a .348 batting average and .923 OPS in the World Series, his price tag just might reach astronomical levels. — Thosar

Starting pitching market 

This year’s top free-agent starting pitchers don’t have the track record of last year’s leading trio of Blake Snell, Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, but there are a handful of pitchers who will command nine-figure deals. One of them is already off the board after the Blue Jays made the first major splash on the pitching market, inking Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million commitment. Could Framber Valdez surpass that mark? Unlike with the position players, there’s really no clear-cut top starter here. It’s more a matter of preference. Cease could make the argument as the top arm in the field, but so could Valdez, Ranger Suarez and NPB star Tatsuya Imai. Beyond that group, Michael King and Merrill Kelly are also among the veteran pitchers who could upgrade a contending rotation.  –Kavner

Relief pitching market

Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley, and Raisel Iglesias are all off the board, but there are plenty of closers remaining and the market has so far shown that it’s a good time to be a relief pitcher. After both Williams and Helsley secured major multi-year deals coming off of 4.00-plus ERA walk years, the ceiling for top free-agent closer Edwin Diaz just got that much higher. The Mets, Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Yankees should all be in the conversation for him, but a small-market club could pull off a surprising deal for the 31-year-old during the Winter Meetings. Robert Suarez and Pete Fairbanks are in the next tier of solid back-end relievers. It’s a sizable and standout group this offseason. –Thosar

How will the reigning champs retool?

The Dodgers have their sights set on a three-peat, but after spending lavishly the last two offseasons, it’ll be interesting to see how selective they are this winter. They don’t need another starting pitcher, and sluggers such as Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso don’t make much sense for their roster. They need to upgrade the bullpen, but could Tanner Scott’s struggles last year make them hesitant to offer another lengthy contract at a volatile position? If they’re not scared off by that, there are plenty of elite options still to choose from (see above). They could also use outfield help, which makes them potential suitors in the Tucker sweepstakes, though they tend to favor shorter-term, higher-AAV deals than the mega-contract Tucker is likely to receive. Could there be a reunion with Cody Bellinger three years after they unceremoniously non-tendered their former MVP? Or could they take a swing for Bichette and shift him to second? With the Dodgers, anything is possible. — Kavner

How will the looming labor battle impact this winter’s free agency?

We’re still a year away from the end of the current collective bargaining agreement, but the threat of a work stoppage in 2027 looms, especially if the owners ultimately push for a salary cap. How will that impact free agency this year? That remains to be seen (it’s still early), but so far, nothing looks too out of the ordinary. It’s interesting that four players took the one-year qualifying offer with the uncertainty ahead next winter, and we’ve already seen the Blue Jays give Cease a $210 million deal and the Mets give Devin Williams $51 million after a down year. At least for the league’s annual top spenders, it doesn’t appear that they’ll be spooked off by the ambiguity ahead. In fact, it’s possible there’s a greater desire to lock in their long-term deals now while they know what the economic system looks like. — Kavner

Where do the Japanese stars end up? 

Corner infielder Munetaka Marakami is most likely to sign during or right after the Winter Meetings with his posting window set to end on Dec. 22. Murakami, 25, is a power threat fit for any of the top contenders, but the Seattle Mariners have an obvious need for an infielder with Jorge Polanco and Eugenio Suarez in free agency. Right-hander Tatsuya Imai may take longer to sign with his posting window running through Jan. 2. Imai, 27, recorded a 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts over 163.2 innings in the Nippon Professional Baseball League this season. The final big Japanese name this winter is infielder Kazuma Okamoto, a six-time NPB All-Star with a 30-homer ceiling. The 29-year-old’s posting window runs through Jan. 4. — Thosar

Will a small-market club make a splash? 

There have been rumors of the Pirates and Marlins potentially trying to spend this winter, which would represent a shift for the annually frugal franchises who are currently projected to have the two lowest payrolls in MLB in 2026. Perhaps it’s all just noise to avoid potential MLBPA grievances. After all, nothing of note has happened yet for the league’s cheapest spenders, and there will surely be a lot of “we tried” type comments when the most expensive free agents go elsewhere. But it’s worth keeping an eye on. Last year, the Diamondbacks shocked the MLB world by spending $210 million for Corbin Burnes. The A’s gave Luis Severino their largest guaranteed contract ever at $67 million. Who will that team be this winter? Could the Reds lure Ohio native Kyle Schwarber? Could the Tigers land Alex Bregman? We’re probably in for at least one surprise. — Kavner

The Scott Boras show

As always, the mega-agent will field questions and propose puns regarding his top free agents in this year’s class sometime at the onset of the Winter Meetings. While Boras’ press conferences always create buzz and draw large crowds, there have been fewer instances of useful information in recent years. Maybe this December, that will change. A top Boras client typically likes to sign during the Winter Meetings, and this year’s candidates are Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger, and Ranger Suarez. Last year, his top free agent was Juan Soto, and he signed his blockbuster contract with the Mets the day before the Winter Meetings. Expect at least one of those top-flight players to come off the board in Orlando. — Thosar

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.

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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The Boston Red Sox acquired right-hander Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night as part of a five-player trade.

Boston also got left-hander Tyler Samaniego and minor league catcher Adonys Guzman from Pittsburgh in exchange for outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia and minor league right-hander Jesus Travieso.

Oviedo, a 27-year-old from Cuba, had Tommy John surgery in December 2023 and missed the 2024 season. He returned last season and went 2-1 with a 3.57 ERA in nine starts.

In 2023, he made 32 starts and went 9-14 with a 4.31 ERA with 158 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings for the Pirates and ranked eighth among National League starters with a .237 opponent batting average. Oviedo is 15-26 with a 4.24 ERA in 81 appearances, including 67 starts, for St. Louis and Pittsburgh.

Boston designated right-hander Cooper Criswell for assignment to make room on its 40-man roster.

Reporting by The Associated Press. 

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A prop bet is a wager on an outcome other than the final score, like player stats, team milestones, or in-game events. Examples include betting on a quarterback’s passing yards, an NBA player’s 3-pointers made, or whether an MLB player hits a home run.

Props are especially popular in the NFL, NBA, and MLB, and have become a big part of U.S. sports culture, as they add extra excitement to viewers. 

What is a Prop Bet in Sports Betting

More formally, a prop bet (short for “proposition bet”) is a wager on a specific outcome within a game that isn’t directly tied to the final score or margin of victory. Instead, prop bets focus on individual player performance, team statistics, or other in-game events. Prop bets generally fall into two broad categories:

Player props: wagers on individual stats, such as a quarterback’s passing yards, a basketball player’s points scored, or a pitcher’s strikeouts.

Team props: wagers on team outcomes, such as which team scores first, total team rushing yards, or the number of three-pointers made.

These markets can be offered pre-game or during live/in-game windows, with odds updating in real time as the action unfolds. Sportsbooks and betting apps also occasionally post “exotic” or novelty props, which go beyond standard stats. For example, some of the most popular prop bets during the Super Bowl are the Gatorade color of the winning team, and whether or not the team that wins the coin toss will win the game.  

How Prop Bets Work for Different Sports and Leagues

Prop bets vary by sport, but the concept stays the same: they focus on individual or team outcomes beyond the final score. Below are some commonly offered props across several sports. Keep in mind that there is a lot of overlap between college football and NFL, as well as college basketball and NBA.

NFL Props

• Examples: quarterback passing yards (Over/Under), first touchdown scorer, anytime touchdown scorer.
• Popularity: huge during the Super Bowl and primetime games.
• Note: widely available (in legal betting states), with few restrictions compared to college sports.

College Football Props

• Examples: running back rushing yards (Over/Under), total team touchdowns (Over/Under).
• Restrictions: some states don’t allow individual college player props; often only team-based props are available.
• Popularity: peak interest during bowl season, the College Football Playoff, and AP top-10 matchups.

NBA Props

• Examples: player points scored (Over/Under), total made three-pointers (Over/Under), player to score first basket
• Popularity: popular in nightly betting markets, especially during the playoffs; also popular at beginning of season

College Basketball Props

• Examples: total rebounds or assists (Over/Under), team three-pointers made (Over/Under), player to record a double-double.
• Restrictions: like college football, many states limit or ban individual player props; team props are more common.
• Popularity: March Madness drives the most action.

MLB Props

• Examples: pitcher strikeouts (Over/Under), batter to hit a home run, innings pitched (Over/Under).
• Popularity: most popular during the playoffs and World Series, with varying trends throughout the regular season.

NHL Props

• Examples: anytime goal-scorer, Goalie saves (Over/Under).
• Popularity: gain steam during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and in-game betting.

Soccer Props

• Examples: player to record an assist and a goal, team total corner kicks (Over/Under).
• Popularity: heavy action during major tournaments like the World Cup and Champions League.

Golf Props

• Examples: player to record a birdie on a specific hole, head-to-head matchup score, total birdies made (Over/Under).
• Popularity: most common during major tournaments like The Masters or U.S. Open.

Examples of Prop Bets

Let’s get into specific example of prop bets below:

NFL example

In the NFL, a common example of a prop bet might be wagering on Patrick Mahomes to throw over 2.5 passing touchdowns against the Raiders. The line is set at +150, which means a $100 wager would return a profit of $150 if Mahomes throws three or more touchdowns (so a total return of $250). Anything less than that and the bet loses.

NBA example

In the NBA, a prop bet could focus on LeBron James’ rebounding. If the line is set at 7.5 rebounds at -110 for the Over, you would profit $90.91 on a $100 wager if James records at least 8 rebounds. If the bet hits, you’d see a total return of $190.91 ($90.91 profit plus your $100 bet).

What Are the Best Betting Sites for Prop Bets?

Most sportsbooks offer a wide array of prop bets. Some shine for their market depth, while others stand out for boosts or live options. Here are a few of the best:

DraftKings: known for the deepest prop markets, especially around player stats across all major leagues.

FanDuel: excellent for same game parlays, letting you combine multiple props from a single matchup.

BetMGM: runs frequent prop boosts, adding extra value on player performance markets.

Caesars: offers consistently competitive odds on both player and team props.

bet365: strong for live prop betting, with markets updating in real time as the action unfolds.

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An Over/Under bet, also called a total, is a wager on the combined number of points, runs, or goals scored in a game. The sportsbook sets a line, and bettors choose whether the final score will go over (more than the posted total) or under (less than the posted total).

It’s one of the most popular bet types across major sports like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, giving fans a way to bet on the flow of the game rather than which team wins.

Totals Betting Explained

Oddsmakers set a total by projecting the combined score of both teams in a game, factoring in offensive and defensive strength, pace of play, and recent form. Bettors then decide whether the final score will go over or under that posted number.

The rules are simple: if the game goes over the total, Over bets win; if it finishes under, Under bets cash. Overtime counts toward the total unless otherwise stated, which often makes a difference in close games.

If the final combined score lands exactly on the posted number, the result is called a push, and all wagers are refunded.

How to Bet on Over/Unders

Let’s go over how to place an Over/Under wager step-by-step:

1. Open the sportsbook app and find your game: pick the sport/league, then tap the matchup you want.

2. Select the Totals (Over/Under) market: look for “Total,” “O/U,” or “Over/Under.” You’ll see a number (e.g., 47.5) and odds for Over and Under (often around -110). Remember: overtime typically counts toward totals.

3. Choose Over or Under: tap the side you want to bet on. 

4. Enter your stake and review the slip: type your amount; the slip auto-calculates potential payout. Double-check the total number, odds, and that you selected Over or Under correctly.

5. Place the bet: confirm to submit. You can track it in “Open Bets.”

Example: if an NFL total is 47.5 at -110, choosing Over 47.5 means you need 48+ combined points to win (47 or fewer loses). At -110, a $100 bet returns $190.91 total ($90.91 profit) if it hits.

It’s also worth mentioning that you can also bet totals during the game. Lines update in real time with pace and scoring. For example, an NBA game opened at 212.5, but after a fast first quarter, the live total jumps to 224.5. If you think scoring will cool off, you might take Under 224.5 at the listed live odds.

How are Over/Under Lines Set?

Oddsmakers set totals by analyzing a mix of data, matchup factors, and betting market trends. At the core, they look at team offensive and defensive efficiency, pace of play, player injuries, recent performance, and even head-to-head history.

Each sport has its own wrinkles that affect the Over/Under line:

• NFL, college football: weather conditions, offensive vs. defensive line matchups, and quarterback play.
• NBA, college basketball: pace, shooting efficiency, defensive ratings, and player availability.
• MLB: starting pitcher matchups, bullpen fatigue, ballpark dimensions, and even wind conditions.
• NHL: goalie matchups, recent scoring form, and power play vs. penalty kill statistics.
• Soccer: playing styles, formation changes, importance of the match, and travel fatigue.

Finally, the market itself matters. As money comes in, especially from sharp bettors, oddsmakers will adjust totals before game time to balance action and manage risk.

Best Sportsbooks for Over/Under Betting

There are several sportsbook where which you can bet on the Over/Under for games. Two of the best options are DraftKings and FanDuel, thanks to their deep menus of live betting markets and alternate lines.

DraftKings consistently offers a wide range of alternate totals, letting you adjust the number up or down with corresponding odds. They also tie many player props to Over/Under markets, giving bettors more ways to build same-game parlays around scoring.

FanDuel stands out for its live totals markets, which update quickly as the game unfolds. You’ll often find multiple alternate totals available mid-game, allowing you to grab value if you think the pace of play will change.

Both sportsbooks give bettors flexibility beyond the standard total, making them strong choices if you like to mix in alt lines and prop-based Over/Under bets.

Why Do Lines Shift in Totals Betting?

Totals don’t stay fixed, as they often move when sportsbooks react to new information or heavy betting action. Oddsmakers adjust to keep lines sharp and balance risk.

Common reasons for these shifts include:

Injury news: the star quarterback or top scorer being ruled out can push the total down.

Weather updates: wind, rain, snow, or extreme heat often drive football and baseball totals lower.

Public betting trends: if most of the money is on one side, sportsbooks may move the line to balance action.

Sharp money: large wagers from respected bettors can move lines quickly and significantly.

For example, an NBA total might open at 228.5, but if a star scorer is scratched before tip-off, the line could drop to 224.5. Early bettors often target softer opening numbers, while late bettors react to confirmed injury reports and other news.

How to Calculate the Vig on Totals

Vig (short for “vigorish”) is the bookmaker’s built-in commission. On totals, it’s usually baked into the odds, with the standard -110 odds on both sides. Let’s break it down step-by-step:

1. Convert each side to implied probability: let’s say the Over/Under for an NFL game is 47.5 with -110 odds on both sides. The implied probability for both sides is calculated as such:

• Negative odds: |X|/(|X| + 100) x 100, so |-110|/(|-110|+100) x 100 = 110/210 = 52.38%
• Positive odds: |X|/(|X| + 100) x 100, so |-110|/(|-110|+100) x 100 = 110/210 = 52.38%

2. Add the probabilities together.

• 52.38% + 52.38% = 104.76%

3. Subtract 100% to find the vig percentage.

• 104.76% – 100% = 4.76% vig

Keep in mind that the vig varies by sportsbook, sport, market liquidity, and timing. 

Gambling disclaimer: Only individuals aged 21 and over are permitted to gamble. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Gambling is subject to local state regulation and is illegal in some states. Please gamble responsibly – information relating to responsible gambling can be found here.

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