Category: Baseball

 The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has for now denied the A’s request to trademark the names “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics.”

The club, which intends to move to Nevada in 2028, has three months from when the refusals were issued Dec. 29 to ask for an extension to file a new application within a six-month period.

The A’s were told the nickname “Athletics” was too generic and could be confused with other activities even if associated with Las Vegas.

That, however, has been the club’s nickname since the Philadelphia Athletics began playing in 1901. The A’s kept the nickname when they moved to Kansas City in 1955 and Oakland in 1968.

The Patent and Trademark Office denied the NHL’s Utah team to use the nickname “Yetis” on Jan. 9 because of potential confusion with companies such as Yeti Coolers. Utah, which moved from the Phoenix area in 2024, now uses the nickname “Mammoth.”

The A’s relocated to West Sacramento, California, last year to play the first of three planned seasons in the city’s Triple-A ballpark. The team is going solely by “Athletics” while playing in the Northern California city.

A $2 billion, 33,000-capacity stadium on the Las Vegas Strip is under construction. Club officials told the Las Vegas Stadium Authority on Dec. 4 that the ballpark is on schedule to open in time for the 2028 season.

Nevada and Clark County have approved up to $380 million in public funds for the ballpark, and the A’s have said they will cover the remaining expenses. Owner John Fisher has been seeking investors to assist in the funding.

In preparing for the move to Las Vegas, the A’s have signed some notable contracts. The most recent was an $86 million, seven-year deal for left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, the richest in team history. Soderstrom signed his contract Dec. 30 at the A’s Experience Center in Las Vegas.

The A’s acquired second baseman Jeff McNeil from the New York Mets on Dec. 22.

Going back to last offseason, the A’s also reached agreements on a $60 million, five-year contract with designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker and a $65.5 million, seven-year deal with outfielder Lawrence Butler. Manager Mark Kotsay signed an extension that takes him through 2028 with a club option for 2029.

Reporting by The Associated Press. 

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Tatsuya Imai made his intentions clear with his first few words during an introductory news conference with the Houston Astros on Monday.

The Japanese right-hander smiled and before reading a prepared message in English from his phone.

“What’s up H-town?” he said. “I am Tatsuya Imai and I’m ready to chase a world championship. Let’s go, Houston.”

The Astros and Imai agreed to a $54 million, three-year contract last week, bolstering a rotation searching for reinforcements after ace Framber Valdez became a free agent and appears unlikely to return.

“We needed to beef up our rotation,” general manager Dana Brown said. “And so, we felt like he was a fit. He’s got the good stuff, really good delivery and we thought his stuff would play here at the major league level.”

The 27-year-old Imai joins the Astros after going 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA last season for the Pacific League’s Seibu Lions, striking out 178 in 163 2/3 innings. The three-time All-Star in Japan was 58-45 with a 3.15 ERA in eight seasons with Seibu. He has 907 career strikeouts in 963 2/3 innings.

Manager Joe Espada raved about the signing and said his brief chats with Imai so far had centered on one subject.

“You guys well know the importance of starting pitching,” Espada said. “You can never have enough pitching. One thing about my conversations with Imai has been … how much he says the word champion. And I love that about him because he’s a competitor. You could hear the grit and the toughness, and I’m just excited to have him on board and give him the ball and see him compete for us here.”

Astros owner Jim Crane hopes the addition of Imai will be the first of many signings from Asia as the team makes a concerted effort to bring in more players from continent. He said the Astros recently added people to in Tokyo, Taiwan and Seoul to facilitate that plan.

“We’ve got scouts over there and people assisting to identify talent over there now,” he said. “We just made that adjustment in the summer. Probably didn’t have much to do with this one, but it’ll have a lot to do moving forward as we work on those markets and try to bring the great players here to Houston.”

The signing of Imai is a boost to a team that missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 in a season decimated by injuries.

Imai said he first thought about a move to the U.S. after meeting agent Scott Boras about five years ago.

“That’s when I really began to seriously consider making my way over to the MLB,” he said in Japanese through a translator. “It was definitely a moment where I told myself: ‘hey, if I put in the work and if I trust myself, I really do have a chance at this.’”

Known as a fierce competitor, Imai was asked where he developed that mindset. He said that as long as he can remember, he’s always hated to lose.

“So ever since I started playing baseball back in elementary school, I always felt like I was a competitor and wanted to always come out on top, throw the ball the furthest, the fastest,” he said. “That mentality stuck with me through throughout my career with the Seibu Lions, that mentality of must win and compete and do my best.”

But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a lighter side.

“I like to have fun whether it’s baseball or non-baseball,” he said. “That includes interacting with fans and just having a good time with them as well and I have that feeling of wanting to give back to all those who have supported me. I’m here today because of all the support that I’ve received.”

He showed off his playful side when asked if he’d connected with any of his new teammates yet. He said he received a direct message on Instagram on Monday morning from Josh Hader, Houston’s closer,known for his 100 mph-plus fastball.

“Just basically welcoming me to the Houston Astros, and he also sent me his phone number saying: ‘Hey, let me know if you ever need anything,’” Imai said. “And his messaging was very fast — 100 miles per hour it felt like — and I definitely wanted to reply back with a 100 mile per hour reply.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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With pitchers and catchers set to report to spring training in just over a month, it’s surprising that a handful of high-profile free agents are still seeking long-term homes. All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, the No. 1 player in this year’s class, continues to explore deals and, as a result, is likely holding up the market. But things can change fast. 

After looking at the five best available starting pitchers, here are the best landing spots for five of the most intriguing position players still on the board in free agency. 

1. Kyle Tucker, OF

Best fit: New York Yankees

With the Yankees hibernating through the winter so far, there are only a couple of moves that could realistically save their offseason from being viewed as a failure. Signing Tucker makes too much sense on a Yankees team that one year ago whiffed on Juan Soto being their long-term left-handed offensive threat. Now, they have the opportunity to lock in one of the best all-around players in baseball. Tucker’s pull-heavy swing is essentially custom-built for Yankee Stadium’s right-field short porch. Plus, the Yankees have an advantage that no other team can offer: batting behind Aaron Judge. 

But general manager Brian Cashman should avoid dangling Judge’s elite presence in the middle of the lineup as one of the reasons Tucker should accept a lower offer. Tucker is widely projected to sign a long-term contract worth at least $400 million, seeking to land a $40 million-plus average annual value that puts him in the stratosphere of Shohei Ohtani, Soto, and Judge. In the here and now, the Yankees might prefer to re-sign free-agent Cody Bellinger, who will demand fewer years and less money than Tucker on a shorter-term deal. But being aggressive with a 10-year offer for Tucker would safeguard the Yankees’ future. Judge turns 34 this April, and New York’s window to win a championship with him is getting narrower. With Tucker, who turns 29 this month, the Yankees can maximize their window around Judge and beyond. 

Other possible fits: Blue Jays, Mets, Dodgers

2. Alex Bregman, 3B

Best fit: Boston Red Sox

Even beyond Bregman’s clubhouse leadership and veteran presence in Boston, he continues to fit into that roster like a glove. Bregman got off to the hottest start of his career last year with the Red Sox, batting .299 with a .938 OPS, 11 home runs and 17 doubles through May 23. He was playing like a legitimate MVP candidate before injuring his quad and sitting out until the All-Star break. He wasn’t quite as productive after returning from the injured list, with the Red Sox admitting that could’ve been due to rushing him back into the lineup too soon. But Bregman playing at Fenway Park for a year, after reportedly turning down a six-year offer from the Tigers, was an excellent bet on himself. 

Entering his age-32 season, Bregman figures to command at least a $160-million contract that spans over six years. And Boston, for its part, appears ready to pay up. The Red Sox added their first position player this offseason in first baseman Willson Contreras, and right away, head of baseball operations Craig Breslow said he was still prioritizing another big bat and a need for more offense. The Red Sox could be in the mix for free-agent shortstop/second baseman Bo Bichette, but Bregman would be the more economical and proven option, particularly given his success in Boston, prosperous relationship with manager Alex Cora, and mentorship for a young roster with high expectations. 

Other possible fits: Tigers, Cubs, Diamondbacks

3. Cody Bellinger, OF/1B

Best fit: New York Mets

As much as this would reinforce the recent pattern of the Mets signing former Yankees, Bellinger going to Queens seemed like the perfect fit from the moment they traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers. That surprising trade, which was the first of four moves that broke up the Mets core, opened up a hole in left field that the Mets still have not addressed. Then, once slugger Pete Alonso moved on to Baltimore, another vacancy popped up at first base. Bellinger is the obvious fit for the Mets, where he could spend the majority of his playing time in left field, while also taking reps at first base. As things stand, new infield addition Jorge Polanco is slated to play first base for the Mets, even though Polanco has only appeared at the corner-infield position for one game in his career. 

Bellinger proved he can handle and play in New York, and his versatility on the field is a desired skillset for rosters built by Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns. Plus, New York created another need for a player like Bellinger when it traded Jeff McNeil to the Athletics. McNeil primarily played second base for the Mets, but he also spent ample time patrolling the outfield. If Bellinger’s sweepstakes come down to the Yankees and Mets, it’s unlikely the former will outbid the latter. Billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen has not yet spent lavishly in free agency this winter as he has previously done. If Bellinger is one of the final pieces of the puzzle to the team’s mysterious offseason plans, he just might outspend all the outfielder’s other suitors. And if the Mets fail to land Bellinger, they should be in the market for Tucker. 

Other possible fits: Yankees, Dodgers, Giants

4. Bo Bichette, SS/2B

Best fit: Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto is enjoying the best and busiest offseason in baseball, fresh off another big signing in Japanese star third baseman Kazuma Okamoto. Already, the Blue Jays have signed the top starter on the market in Dylan Cease, convinced right-hander Shane Bieber to opt-in for 2026 instead of hitting free agency, added starter Cody Ponce and reliever Tyler Rogers, and now they have made a splash on the position-player front with Okamoto. After years of striking out on big names, including Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani, Toronto is officially an attractive destination for free agents. 

Now, there are those who believe inking Okamoto to a reported four-year, $60-million deal takes the Jays out of the running for their homegrown free-agent star in Bichette. But there’s still reason to believe Toronto can reunite with Bichette, since Okamoto primarily plays third base, while also being versatile at first base and in the outfield. Bichette can play second, where he excelled in the World Series, even with an injured knee. And though the Blue Jays have shown interest in signing Tucker, Bichette will be cheaper and, at 27 years old, younger. For now, the Jays should continue to be viewed as the favorites to land Bichette. The only reason that could change is if they sign Tucker.  

Other possible fits: Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers

5. Eugenio Suarez, 3B

Best fit: Detroit Tigers

At 34 years old, Suarez is no longer the MVP-caliber hitter he once was in his prime for the Cincinnati Reds. But he’s still coming off an All-Star season in 2025, when he slugged 49 home runs (matching his career high) and posted a 126 OPS+ in 159 games for the Diamondbacks and Mariners. While Suarez’s rising strikeout totals are a concern, his continued durability is unheard of. Since 2016, only first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has played more games than Suarez. The veteran’s 27.5 fWAR in that span is ranked 26th in MLB. Suarez’s free agency is unique in that he represents one of the higher-profile bats available this offseason at what should be a very reasonable price tag. 

He’s expected to command a $20–25 million AAV on a three-year deal, which opens up his market to middle- and smaller-market teams. The Tigers were interested in trading for Suarez at last year’s deadline before opting to prioritize their farm system and hang onto prospects. But they could still use him at third base while moving Zach McKinstry to a utility role. Now, Detroit can afford to pay for Suarez’s power bat and reload for another playoff run in ace Tarik Skubal’s final year of team control. That being said, Suarez’s consistent production should be attractive to many contenders looking for offensive thump on a short-term contract. His market is expected to take shape once Bregman is off the board. 

Other possible fits: Diamondbacks, Mariners, Red Sox

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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Dylan Cease’s massive $210 million commitment with the Blue Jays didn’t ignite the pitching market, but deadlines tend to spur action.

One day ahead of Tatsuya Imai’s posting window closing, the Japanese standout is now off the board after reportedly signing a three-year deal with the Astros that includes opt-outs after each season and can max out at $63 million. 

Imai was one of the most intriguing arms available in free agency coming off his best year in Nippon Professional Baseball, a season in which he recorded career bests in ERA (1.92), WHIP (0.89), strikeout rate (27.8%) and walk rate (7%), among other categories. Standing a tick under 6-feet tall, Imai does not possess the typical build of a frontline starter, but it certainly didn’t hurt his market that teams just saw 5-foot-10-inch Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominate the MLB postseason en route to winning World Series MVP honors.

[Astros sign Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai]

The total value of Imai’s deal is lower than projected, but his average annual value (AAV) trails only Yamamoto’s ($27 million AAV on a 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers) and Masahiro Tanaka’s ($22 million AAV on a seven-year, $155 million deal with the Yankees) for the highest for a Japanese-born pitcher. If Imai recognizes his upside in Houston and looks like one of the best pitchers in MLB, he can opt out while still in his 20s and seek a longer-term pact. 

Will his signing finally catalyze the slow-moving starting pitching market in free agency? That remains to be seen. The top arms in this year’s free-agent crop don’t pack the same punch as last year’s class, but there are still a handful of available starters who can slot into a contending rotation and potentially start games in October. 

With Cease, Michael King and now Imai off the board, here are the top remaining starting pitchers on the market and a logical landing spot for each of them. 

1. Framber Valdez, LHP
Logical landing spot: Chicago Cubs 

Bringing back Shota Imanaga on the qualifying offer helps stabilize the group. If the Cubs have dreams of doing anything of significance in 2026 — especially if they lose Kyle Tucker — they need more than that. Adding a frontline arm, whether by spending or via trade, is one route to take. 

The Cubs’ rotation was fine last year, amassing a 3.83 ERA that ranked eighth in MLB. The group was 23rd in strikeout rate and 27th in ground-ball rate, though. That means with an infield as stout as the one the Cubs boast with Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson up the middle, targeting a pitcher with Valdez’s profile makes a lot of sense, even if it means spending beyond their level of comfort. 

Over the last five years, Valdez has boasted the highest ground-ball percentage of any qualified starter in MLB. Even in a down year by his standards last season, the left-hander continued to induce soft contact and force opponents to put the ball on the ground as well as almost any pitcher in the league. Valdez won’t dazzle with his swing-and-miss stuff, but he would represent a significant upgrade for a Cubs team that could use more reliable arms in October. 

Other possible fits: Mets, Orioles, Giants 

2. Ranger Suarez, LHP
Logical landing spot: New York Mets

It was easy for Suárez to get overlooked in a rotation that featured Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Aaron Nola. But among all pitchers who’ve thrown at least 600 innings over the last five years, Suárez ranks 10th in ERA. The 2024 All-Star just produced an even better season in 2025 with a 3.20 ERA that ranked 11th among all starters (min. 150 innings pitched). 

A master of command, Suárez has thrived despite a low-90s fastball with a vast arsenal that has helped him consistently induce soft contact and keep the ball on the ground. And even without the swing-and-miss stuff of a typical ace, he has thrived when given the opportunity in October with a 1.48 career postseason ERA over 11 appearances (including eight starts). 

Those qualities would help a volatile Mats rotation that had the sixth-highest hard-hit rate and ranked 18th in ERA last season. Considering the mass exodus out of Queens to begin the offseason, it’s hard to envision a world in which the Mets don’t grab one of the top remaining starting pitchers on the market. 

Other possible fits: Orioles, Phillies, Tigers

3. Zac Gallen, RHP
Logical landing spot: Los Angeles Angels 

Given Gallen’s career success — he finished third in Cy Young voting in 2023 — this is a tough time for him to be entering free agency. The right-hander, who amassed a 3.20 ERA from 2022-24, recorded a career-worst 4.83 ERA in 2025 while seeing his strikeout rate plummet and allowing a career-high 31 home runs. Only three pitchers surrendered more. However, he did go out on an intriguing note, registering a 3.32 ERA over his final 11 starts. 

Initially, I had Gallen matched with the Giants, considering the pitcher-friendly environment and the club’s need for more stability behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. But after signing right-handers Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser, and with Gallen having a qualifying offer attached to potentially signing him, there may be more likely suitors. 

Angel Stadium is far from a haven for pitchers prone to the long ball, but the Angels need rotation help, could use a right-handed workhorse to pair with southpaw Yusei Kikuchi, are well below their 2025 payroll, and could see this as their best opportunity to extract the upside of a pitcher with Gallen’s history. 

Other possible fits: Giants, Braves, Cubs

4. Lucas Giolito, RHP
Logical landing spot: Detroit Tigers

Giolito might end up signing later in the offseason after the market for starting pitching becomes clearer, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him rejoin his old Harvard-Westlake high school teammate, Jack Flaherty, in Detroit. As rumors swirl about the Tigers potentially trading ace Tarik Skubal, they could still use more arms behind him as they attempt to rebound from last year’s late-season stumble and emerge beyond the division series.  

Coming off elbow surgery that wiped out his 2024 season, the start to Giolito’s lone season in Boston was rocky. But he settled in nicely, recording a 2.51 ERA over his final 19 starts to finish the year 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA. He was unable to pitch in the postseason due to another elbow issue and the underlying numbers weren’t particularly flashy, but he could represent a bargain for a team willing to take on the injury risk. He is, after all, a former All-Star still in his early 30s. 

Other possible fits: Athletics, Diamondbacks, Padres 

5. Chris Bassitt, RHP
Logical landing spot: Atlanta Braves

With Dylan Cease, Michael King and now Imai off the board, there seems to be a relatively clear top three before a drop-off to the next tier, which includes Bassitt. The veteran right-hander will turn 37 before the start of the 2026 season, but he’s coming off an interesting year in which he registered a 3.96 ERA before emerging as a relief weapon in October for a Blue Jays team that nearly won the World Series. 

Bassitt doesn’t generate much chase or whiff, but he limits hard contact and, most notably, consistently posts. He has made at least 30 starts in each of the last four seasons, and he has recorded an ERA under 4.00 in seven of his last eight seasons. For a Braves team that was decimated by injury last year — Bryce Elder was the only Atlanta pitcher who made more than 25 starts — that reliability could be intriguing. 

Other possible fits: Rangers, Tigers, Red Sox

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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The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Orioles breaking through to capture elusive championships?! The United States men’s national team making noise at the World Cup?! Fernando Mendoza serving as the savior of the New York Jets?!

We asked our FOX Sports writers to look into their crystal balls to see what 2026 will bring in the sports world.

Here are their 26 boldest predictions for the upcoming year:

Smith has been the best player in the country for two consecutive years, according to everyone except voters for major college football awards. He singlehandedly flipped Ohio State into a national title team in just four games in 2024, and he did it as a true freshman. In 2025, he finished sixth in the Heisman voting, the only wideout to receive enough votes to make the top 10, and voters of the Biletnikoff didn’t pick him. Well, 2026 is the year for all arguments for age and lasting impact on the sport laid to rest and to crown Smith for the player he has been since he entered the sport. – RJ Young

[Read more: Inside Jeremiah Smith’s rise to stardom]

A mere 31 years after they lost the last of their four straight Super Bowls in the early 1990s, the Bills bring a title to Title-less Town, and defeat the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LX. Forced to play three straight playoff games on the road after losing the AFC East to the Patriots, the Bills will actually cruise through the AFC playoff field with the Kansas City Chiefs mercifully out of the way. Bills fans will then not only flock to Santa Clara, Califronia, for the big game, but they’ll pack their soon-to-be demolished stadium in Orchard Park, New York for an outdoor viewing party (in a blizzard, of course). It’ll still be snowing two days later when more than a million Bills fans line Delaware Avenue in downtown Buffalo to watch snow plows carry their conquering heroes in a parade they’ve been waiting for all their lives. – Ralph Vacchiano

3. USA Makes 2026 World Cup Semis

With all due respect to FOX Sports colleagues Landon Donovan, Brad Guzan, Stu Holden, Cobi Jones and Alexi Lalas, I was shocked that none of those greats has the U.S. surviving the quarterfinals. Sure, reaching the Round of 16 like they did at the 2022, 2014 and 2010 World Cups will now require winning a knockout game because of the expanded field — something the USMNT has done once in 10 World Cup appearances all-time. 

But as a seeded team with a wholly manageable draw, the co-hosts are the favorites to win Group D, ensuring they face a third-place finisher in the new round of 32. Playing at home, with the entire country on the bandwagon, the U.S. can’t settle for more of the same. Momentum builds at World Cups. When a team gets hot, they can ride the wave far longer than pure talent says they should. 

It costs nothing to dream. Under a coach who once led perennial underachievers Tottenham to a Champions League final, the bar must be set higher. Mauricio Pochettino already has. He’s telling anyone who’ll listen that the World Cup trophy itself is within reach. Everything would have to go perfectly to reach even the semis. They’d need some luck to make it that far. But to paraphrase Pochettino: Why can’t they? – Doug McIntyre

[Read more: USA Can Dream the ‘Impossible’]

4. College Football Playoff Expands to 24 Teams

It simply has to just to keep stakeholders and fans happy. Acrimony engulfed the sport following Lane Kiffin’s decision to leave Ole Miss to become head coach at LSU just as he’d finished leading the Rebels to their best-ever season (11-1) and their first berth in the College Football Playoff. His decision meant that leading a team four games away from playing for the national championship wasn’t as important as his $13.28-million contract in Baton Rouge.

Disbelief and anger filtered throughout the sport when Notre Dame decided to forgo playing in the postseason altogether after the Fighting Irish learned they were not selected for the CFP. This can’t go on. But it will unless the CFP board of managers fix it, and the best way to do that is to double the field. – RJ Young

5. Baltimore Orioles Win World Series

Baltimore owns the sixth-longest championship drought in Major League Baseball, but that’s all about to change in 2026 when the Orioles win the World Series. It would be their first title since 1983, when they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies and eventual Hall-of-Famer Cal Ripken Jr. was a 23-year-old putting the finishing touches on his first career MVP Award. The O’s are long overdue for a trip back to the Fall Classic, and now they finally look primed to reach baseball utopia. Their aggressive offseason really took flight this winter when they signed first baseman Pete Alonso and his 264 career home runs to a monster deal: $155 million for five years. Now, they have one of the filthiest lineups in baseball, and who knows, it just might be good enough to dethrone the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers. Maybe the blockbuster move that brought Alonso to the Birds was their missing piece. – Deesha Thosar

6. New York Jets Go All-In on Fernando Mendoza

Packaging their two first-round picks in 2026 (and quite possibly much more), the Jets will trade into the top three of the NFL Draft to select Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. He isn’t the no-brainer franchise quarterback that sometimes leads off a draft class, but Mendoza’s prototypical size, mobility, lightning-quick release and leadership make him this year’s surest thing at the game’s most important position.  – Rob Rang

[Read more: Is Mendoza a ‘Game Manager’ or a ‘Game Changer’?]

7. Ryan Day Leaves Ohio State for the NFL After Another National Title

From pitchforks and profanity following a fourth consecutive loss to Michigan in 2024 to an indomitable legacy that will be remembered favorably by fans for generations to come. That’s what awaits Ohio State head coach Ryan Day in the not-so-distant future when he rides the stellar tandem of quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to another national championship next season. It will be, at a minimum, his second title in a three-year span and could potentially complete a three-peat depending on what happens in the coming weeks with his current squad. At that point, with a résumé only a handful of coaches can match, Day will be ready to leave college football behind for the chance to chase an even bigger prize in the NFL. He might even bring a few of his former players with him. – Michael Cohen

8. Philip Rivers Plays One More Season … With the Chiefs

If you thought the unretirement of the 44-year-old Rivers was a short-term thing, you underestimate the competitiveness of a professional athlete. And now that Rivers is getting another taste of NFL life, he’s going to find it tough to give it right back up. So after falling short of helping the Daniel Jones-less Colts to the playoffs, Rivers will send out feelers to let teams know he wants to keep playing at least one more season. And that’s when he’ll get a surprising offer: Come to Kansas City and be a placeholder until Patrick Mahomes returns from his torn ACL. The chance to potentially play for Andy Reid and maybe even ride along on a Super Bowl quest will be too much to pass up. Plus, he’ll get to extend his NFL health insurance for his gigantic family for another year. – Ralph Vacchiano

9. Young Red Sox Star Roman Anthony Wins AL MVP honors

Sure, if we were going to pick the likeliest candidate from this year’s crop of Rookie of the Year finalists to contend for an MVP trophy in 2026, it would make sense to start in Sacramento, where Nick Kurtz just produced one of the greatest rookie seasons ever for the Athletics. But that’s not thinking bold enough. Instead, Anthony’s elite combination of all-around skills will come together so quickly that he vaults past the likes of Yankees star Aaron Judge and Royals slugger Bobby Witt Jr. to take home AL MVP honors in his second MLB season. Anthony slashed .329/.419/.512 over his final 56 games with the Red Sox, showcased elite plate discipline and absolutely obliterated the ball with a 60.3 percent hard-hit rate that would have led MLB had he qualified. If he can get the ball in the air more often to tap into his tremendous power potential, the rise to superstardom could happen fast. – Rowan Kavner 

10. Will Power Captures 2026 INDYCAR Title

Jettisoned by Team Penske, Will Power wins the 2026 INDYCAR title in his first season at Andretti. Power wins three races and finishes on the podium in seven others to capture the championship as he goes on a revenge tour for Penske not keeping him after 17 years of dedication to the organization. Power will be gracious in winning his third title but admits that the third one was the sweetest because it proved any doubters wrong. –Bob Pockrass

11. Messi, Argentina Repeat as World Cup Champs

Winning the World Cup is hard: just eight nations have done it in the men’s tournament’s almost 100-year history. Doing it twice in a row? That’s almost unheard of. Just three teams, men’s or women’s, have done it in 31 World Cups all time: the Carli Lloyd/Alex Morgan/Megan Rapinoe-led U.S. women in 2015 and 2019, Italy’s men way back in 1934 and 1938, and Pele’s Brazil in 1958 and 1962. 

Lionel Messi cemented his legacy as soccer’s GOAT when he willed Argentina to his first World Cup title in Qatar in 2022. And while the 38-year-old still hasn’t confirmed that he’ll help the Albiceleste defend their crown in 2026 in the U.S., his home since joining Inter Miami three years ago, only injury will prevent Messi from captaining his country once again next summer. Surely the chance to make more history with his compatriots will be irresistible: Argentina, which also won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, has a chance to claim four consecutive major trophies — something no nation or player — not even Pele, still the only man to win three World Cups — has ever accomplished. – Doug McIntyre

The Chargers are 11-5, and they’ve done it without both starting offensive tackles and other key injuries. They also have just over $100 million in 2026 cap space, third-most of any team, and likely a second-place schedule that includes home games against the Jets and Raiders. Head coach Jim Harbaugh should have everything in place to truly contend with Justin Herbert, and with the Chiefs down a peg, Denver’s the main obstacle to to a potential deep run in the AFC playoffs. The Super Bowl is at SoFi Stadium in Feb. 2027, so that’s the biggest home-field advantage of all. – Greg Auman

I think Michigan is the best team that I’ve watched on both ends of the floor. Its slow start was understandable, given all the new transfers, but it showed its potential at the Players Era Tournament in wins over San Diego State, Auburn and Gonzaga by an average of 36.6 points. The Wolverines have the best frontcourt trio in the country with forward Yaxel Lendeborg’s versatility, center Aday Mara’s length and forward Morez Johnson Jr.’s rugged scoring and rebounding. They surround their big men with a nice pass-first point guard in Elliot Cadeau and shooters like guard Nimari Burnett and forward Will Tschetter. Guard Roddy Gayle Jr. is an explosive slasher, and even freshman guard Trey McKinney has carved out a role among the veterans. This team has no weaknesses. – Casey Jacobsen

14. USWNT’s ‘Triple Espresso’ Reunites

Since winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the U.S. women’s national team has been in a state of development and growth when it comes to its player pool and what the squad will look like at the next World Cup. It’s been especially helpful to get to know new and younger players with the likes of the famed Triple Espresso — Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson — unavailable. Rodman has been called up a couple of times this year but has mostly been dealing with injuries (there was back pain as well as an MCL sprain), while Swanson and Wilson were out on maternity leave and recently welcomed baby girls. The USWNT will have to qualify for the 2027 World Cup, so I predict at some point in this next year that we will see coach Emma Hayes start to solidify her core World Cup group, which will mean the return of this talented trio. – Laken Litman

15. Tennessee Titans Hire Mike McCarthy as Head Coach 

Tennessee needs a seasoned head coach that is, ideally, offensive minded, giving No. 1 pick Cam Ward continuity with scheme and playcalling as a young quarterback. With 18 seasons of NFL head coaching experience, McCarthy checks both boxes. His experience coaching Aaron Rodgers and working under Jerry Jones also indicates an ability to collaborate with big personalities, which should be appealing to a floundering Titans’ franchise. McCarthy and Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker — Tennessee’s top football executive — spent a decade together in Green Bay (2009-18), so there’s a strong connection there too. At the very least, McCarthy is a high-floor, moderate-ceiling coach that can stabilize Tennessee. – Ben Arthur

16. Indiana Runs It Back, Wins Back-to-Back Big Ten titles

It’s crazy to think of the success head coach Curt Cignetti has already had in just two seasons at Indiana. In Year 1, the Hoosiers went 11-1 in the regular season and made the College Football Playoff. In Year 2, he led his team to a 13-0 regular season record and a Big Ten championship. Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and IU secured the No. 1 overall seed in the CFP. This is a team that is certainly a favorite to win the national championship and while some of the talent will head to the NFL, Cignetti has proven he can work the transfer portal to his advantage. There are already tons of quality quarterbacks in the portal and there’s no reason not to think Cignetti will build a strong, national title-contending team again next season. – Laken Litman

Coach Kevin O’Connell admitted he and Rodgers spoke last offseason when the veteran QB ultimately landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. At the time, the Vikings were committed to J.J. McCarthy, a former top 10 draft pick. But after a year of action (and two years in the league), McCarthy still looks a ways away from leading the organization to a playoff berth. And so O’Connell will go after Rodgers for real this time. The Vikings will sell it as a chance for McCarthy to develop off the field for another year while Rodgers runs the show. And maybe that’ll work out for everyone involved. But O’Connell’s reputation is built upon QB play. He can’t risk it with another year of what McCarthy did in 2024. That might just get the coach fired. –Henry McKenna

18. Pete Alonso Leads MLB in Home Runs in First Season in Baltimore 

If this prediction comes to fruition, it would be an even tougher pill to swallow for a Mets fanbase already reeling after watching a trio of fan favorites (Alonso, center fielder Brandon Nimmo, closer Edwin Díaz) depart this winter. But Alonso’s coming off a year in which he recorded career highs in both hard-hit rate and average exit velocity, and “Walltimore” in left field at Camden Yards is a thing of the past. The Orioles’ decision to move in the left-field fence last season transformed the ballpark back into one of the more favorable venues for righty mashers. Alonso hit 38 home runs last season; based on his expected home run total, he would have hit 45 if he played all of his games in Baltimore. Now, that total won’t likely be enough to surpass the likes of Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Cal Raleigh in 2026, but it doesn’t take much to envision the possibility of a home-run surge in Alonso’s first season with his new club. – Rowan Kavner 

19. Chiefs Reach Playoffs Despite Mahomes’ Injury, Kelce’s Retirement

If you think Mahomes is down and out, you’re sorely mistaken. We saw the Chiefs thrive in tight games in 2023 — only to fall short in them in 2024. The 2026 campaign should be a steadier year, even with the quarterback likely missing the first month due to an ACL injury. Coach Andy Reid will make sure they have a QB who can handle the offense (maybe Philip Rivers, as Ralph suggested above). And the Chiefs should get back into the playoff mix with a roster that should see major turnover this offseason, including the departure of Kelce. Could he play another year? Sure. But he had a hard time committing to a return this year. It’ll only get harder next year. His retirement will bring about the end of an era for the Chiefs. But it shouldn’t be the end of their dynasty. – Henry McKenna

20. Only One QB Goes in the First Round of the NFL Draft

Despite several teams needing a franchise quarterback amid a weak free agent class, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza will be the only quarterback selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. That statement might raise eyebrows due to the number of teams in search of a QB1, but the 2026 class lacks the blue-chip quarterback prospects to warrant first-round consideration. While Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Oregon’s Dante Moore could enter the conversation, their lack of inexperience as collegiate starters could prompt them to wait until 2027 to make the jump to the NFL. The preseason hype led us to believe the 2026 quarterback class had the potential to be epic, but it looks like a “one-man” show at this point. – Bucky Brooks

[Read more: Ranking the 18 Best QB Prospects Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft]

21. Quarterback Kyler Murray Joins Mike McDaniel in Miami

After stuffing him on the injured reserve list with a foot injury for the second half of the season, the Arizona Cardinals appear ready to grant the shifty quarterback Murray his release, allowing him to move on to greener pastures. The possibility of joining an offensive guru like McDaniel, with legit offensive weapons like De’Von Achane, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as potential teammates would be appealing to the Oklahoma product. Playing for the Dolphins keeps Murray in a warm-weather climate, and Murray would be a good fit for McDaniel’s system, giving him the most talented signal-caller he’s had in Miami.  – Eric D. Williams

22. Michael Jordan Named NASCAR Brand Ambassador

Basketball Hall-of-Famer and 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan, in an attempt to unify NASCAR after the contentious lawsuit that consumed the sport in 2025, accepts a role as NASCAR Brand Ambassador. He agrees to make five appearances on behalf of NASCAR on what is considered a national stage or media platform. He can’t talk about whether his team is making money or not. – Bob Pockrass

23. New York Mets Righty Nolan McLean Wins Cy Young Award

Not only will the New York Mets’ breakout starting pitcher win his first career Cy Young Award in 2026, but that means he’ll also be in line to win National League Rookie of the Year honors. Yes, that’s just how high his projections are for next season. The 24-year-old righthander is coming off a strong debut in the big leagues, with his 2.06 ERA and 57 strikeouts in eight starts and 48 innings pitched drawing comparisons to legendary former Mets rookies like Jacob deGrom… and even Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. Though it’s way too early in McLean’s career to go that bold, it’s not so far-fetched to prognosticate how dominant he will be in his first full season in the majors next year. So, watch out, Paul Skenes. There’s another elite righty in the league coming for your trophy. – Deesha Thosar

24. Robert Saleh Takes Over as Coach for the Cleveland Browns

Saleh would provide Cleveland with some much-needed leadership and stability if given the opportunity to serve as a head coach again, should the Browns decide to move on from Kevin Stefanski. Saleh finished 20-36 during his time with the Jets after a midseason firing in 2024, which doesn’t look so bad given the state of that franchise now. Saleh would have to bring in a legit offensive coordinator with a background in Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system to work with whoever the Browns choose to go with at quarterback. Saleh had positive things to say about Shedeur Sanders earlier this year, but the Browns have two first-round picks and will likely try to find their franchise quarterback in the draft. And with an already strong defense, Saleh could have an opportunity to turn things around quickly in Cleveland. – Eric D. Williams

25. Rick Pitino Wins Title With St. John’s in ’26-27 Season, Retires on Top

A stunning loss in last year’s Round of 32 cut short what many believed could have been a fairytale season for St. John’s, which won both the Big East regular season and Big East Tournament titles under second-year head coach Rick Pitino. The Red Storm retooled their roster via the transfer portal but seem a player or two short of competing for a national championship during the 2025-26 campaign. Fueled by back-to-back shortcomings, Pitino and billionaire donor Mike Repole compile a super team for the 2026-27 season that brings St. John’s its first national championship in program history. It will be Pitino’s third national title overall — he won previously at Kentucky in 1996 and Louisville in 2013 — and the capstone achievement that finally ushers him into retirement, where he’ll be remembered as one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history. – Michael Cohen

26. Chiefs Land Ohio State Defensive Standout Caleb Downs 

The Chiefs need to prioritize bolstering the offensive skill positions this offseason, but I don’t see them hesitating if Downs falls in their lap this spring. The best defensive back in college football, the Buckeyes star would give Steve Spagnuolo a versatile chess piece at safety that is already well-versed in NFL concepts, having played under Matt Patricia at Ohio State. As fearsome pass-rusher Chris Jones continues to get older, pairing Downs with Trent McDuffie in the back end would supercharge a Kansas City defense built around strong secondary play. –Ben Arthur

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The Tatsuya Imai sweepstakes has come to a close.

The Houston Astros have signed the Japanese right-hander to a deal, ESPN reported on Thursday. Imai signed a three-year deal with opt outs after every season and a total value of $63 million, per the Athletic., with $54 million of that guaranteed and the rest coming through innings pitched escalators, according to the New York Post. 

The deadline to sign Imai, who was posted in mid-November, was Friday.

The Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres were among the teams that had been linked to signing Imai throughout the offseason, with the Astros coming seemingly out of nowhere to get a deal done.

The 27-year-old Imai pitched eight seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league and nine seasons professionally altogether for the Saitama Seibu Lions. Across a combined 187 career appearances, Imai recorded a 3.07 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 1,045 strikeouts over 1,077.2 innings pitched. Last season, Imai posted a career-best ERA (1.92) and WHIP (0.89).

FOX Sports MLB analyst Rowan Kavner ranked Imai as the 17th-best free agent available this offseason, saying that, “He’s not a particularly big guy, but teams who just watched Yoshinobu Yamamoto win World Series MVP honors might not be scared off by that. Imai continues to get better every year, seeing his strikeout rate rise and his walk rate decline precipitously.”

He joins an Astros team that finished second in the American League West in 2025 and missed the postseason, failing to even secure a wild card. While they still have ace Hunter Brown in the rotation, their other top starter from ’25, Framber Valdez remains a free agent, and might command a significant long-term contract.

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Coming up with the top-10 moments over the past year was not easy for 2025.

Baseball hit a boom period this past year, with history being made throughout the season at MLB’s biggest events. The World Series was one to remember, and the All-Star Game finished with a swing-off for the first time ever.

Here is the best of the best from 2025:

Honorable mention: A trio of four-homer games

Major League Baseball went seven straight seasons without a four-homer game when Eugenio Suarez changed that on April 26 against the Braves, becoming the 19th MLB player to accomplish the feat. Stunningly, two more players would join him on the exclusive list before season’s end. 

A’s rookie Nick Kurtz became the first rookie in MLB history with a four-homer game when he went 6-for-6 in Houston on July 25, joining Shawn Green (2002) as the only players ever with six hits and four homers in a single game. One month later, Kyle Schwarber became the 21st member of the club in a career year for the Phillies slugger, who led the National League with 56 home runs. 

Prior to the 2025 season, the last player to record a four-homer game was J.D. Martinez in September 2017. — Kavner

10. Clayton Kershaw gets his 3,000th strikeout, then goes out on top

Kershaw’s first career strikeout came when he was 20 years old on May 25, 2008, on a fastball to Skip Schumaker. Seventeen years later, in front of a sold-out crowd of 53,536 fans at Dodger Stadium who went to see history on July 2, 2025, the Dodgers’ all-time strikeout leader threw a slider to Vinny Capra that dotted the outside corner to become the 20th member of the 3,000-strikeout club. It’s possible, given the way that pitching has changed, that he’s also the last member of that exclusive list. It was just the latest feat in a career full of them for the former MVP, three-time Cy Young Award winner and future Hall of Famer, who went out a champion in 2025 with his third World Series ring. — Kavner

9. Denzel Clarke makes the catch of the year

If you still don’t know who Denzel Clarke is, get used to stuff like this from the A’s 25-year-old outfielder. This was, without question, the catch of the year. It might also go down as the greatest home run robbery ever (though I’m partial to the Gary Matthews Jr. grab). Clarke nearly fell over the left-center wall to make the catch. His waist was on top of the fence as he robbed Nolan Schanuel, who seemed to be in disbelief. A’s pitcher Grant Holman put his hands on his head in disbelief, who gazed incredulously out toward center-field.

It should come as no surprise that Clarke’s defense and sprint speed are both elite. Clarke ranked fifth among all MLB center fielders in outs above average (13), despite playing in just 47 games. — Kavner

8. Cy Young Skubal’s 13-strikeout complete game shutout (and a Maddux)

Tarik Skubal, in a late-May matchup against the Cleveland Guardians, was one out away from recording his first career complete game, and he had the chance to pull off a Maddux — a complete-game shutout on fewer than 100 pitches. Not only did Skubal strikeout Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias to complete the feat, Skubal’s final pitch of the afternoon, an 0-2 fastball, clocked in at 103 mph — the hardest pitch thrown by a Tiger in the Statcast era, which dates back to 2015, and the fastest strikeout pitch thrown by an MLB starter since pitch tracking began in 2008. The final out represented the 13th strikeout of the game from Skubal, who celebrated by smiling and clapping his glove atop the mound.

Afterward, Skubal’s teammates had only three words to describe their ace: “He’s the best.” The southpaw’s electric performance was one of many that, months later, helped Skubal win the AL Cy Young award for the second consecutive year, becoming the first AL pitcher since Pedro Martinez (1999-2000) to achieve back-to-back wins. — Thosar

7. The first All-Star Game swing-off

Good luck trying to top the 2025 All-Star Game, because this one went down in the history books. After the AL offense tied the game off Edwin Diaz and the NL in the ninth inning, the All-Star Game went to a swing-off for the first time in history. Even though players didn’t know this at the time, the rule had been in place since 2022: if the All-Star Game was in a tie after nine innings, the game wouldn’t be decided in extra innings, but by dingers. So it went to a Home Run Derby-like six-man swing-off, and who else but Kyle Schwarber emerged as the slugger nobody could beat.

Schwarber went deep with all three of his allotted swings to give the NL the lead and the AL couldn’t keep up. For the AL, Brent Rooker homered twice, Randy Arozarena left the yard once, and Jonathan Aranda came up empty. In addition to Schwarber’s three dingers, the NL padded its lead with a Kyle Stowers home run. The NL outhomered the AL, 4-3, in the first ever swing-off, which resulted in a 7-6 win for the NL. — Thosar

6. Vladdy’s legendary go-ahead homer off Ohtani in Game 4 of World Series

The comeback kids authored another rally, as they had done all year, but this one, facing Los Angeles and Shohei Ohtani in the Fall Classic, turned the series on its head. The Blue Jays, playing on the road at Chavez Ravine, trailed the Dodgers by one run in the third inning when Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the ALCS MVP, crushed a go-ahead two-run blast off the two-way unicorn to even the Series at 2-2 and send it back to the Rogers Centre.

Just one day prior, in Game 3, Toronto had suffered a physically and emotionally draining loss over the course of six hours and 39 minutes. But it didn’t break them. Guerrero’s seventh home run of the postseason set a new Blue Jays franchise record and re-energized a fan base that started to believe the World Series would go the distance. — Thosar

5. World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto goes the distance

Eleven days after becoming the first Dodgers starter to throw a complete game in the postseason since Jose Lima in 2004, Yamamoto did it again on the game’s biggest stage when he went the distance against the Blue Jays and retired the last 20 batters he faced in Game 2 of the World Series to even the Fall Classic at a game apiece. He became the first pitcher to throw back-to-back postseason complete games since Curt Schilling in 2001.

As was the case with Schilling’s Diamondbacks, Yamamoto’s Dodgers also went on to win the World Series. Yamamoto played a vital role in the outcome. Coming off a 96-pitch outing in Game 6 that kept the Dodgers’ season alive, he triumphantly fired 34 more pitches one day later to close out the World Series in Game 7. — Kavner

4. ‘Big Dumper’ hits 60th home run

Cal Raleigh ultimately wasn’t named the MVP, but the 2025 MLB season will still be remembered as the year of “Big Dumper”. Raleigh gave Aaron Judge a run for his money for MLB’s top honor by leading the league with 60 home runs, setting single-season records for homers by a primary catcher (passing Salvador Perez’s mark of 48), homers by a switch-hitter (passing Mickey Mantle’s mark of 55) and homers by a Mariners player (passing Ken Griffey Jr.’s mark of 56). 

The list of players to hit 60 home runs is a short one: Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Judge, Roger Maris, Babe Ruth and now Raleigh, who not only was an All-Star for the first time in his career but also won the Home Run Derby and helped lead the Mariners to their first division title (and ALCS appearance) in 24 years. — Kavner

3. George Springer sends Blue Jays to World Series for the first time since 1993

What better way for Toronto to go back to the Fall Classic for the first time in 32 years than this swing from George Springer? With nine outs remaining in Game 7 of the ALCS, the Jays trailed the Mariners by two runs when Seattle right-hander Eduard Bazardo’s sinker leaked over the plate. Springer, the postseason hero in so many October classics, hobbling on a sore right knee, outdid himself. With runners on second and third, Springer sent Bazardo’s sinker to the left-field seats and Canada into pandemonium.

The Rogers Centre roof threatened to come off as Springer touched the bases, screaming and celebrating Toronto’s comeback that sent it to a World Series showdown against the Dodgers. It was Springer’s 23rd career playoff home run, tied for the third-most in MLB postseason history. It was the biggest home run of Springer’s life. It was legendary. — Thosar

2. Showcasing two-way talents, Shohei Ohtani puts together the best game ever

Every year, the expectations for Ohtani are so far beyond the comprehension of what most once deemed possible for a single player. And every year, he somehow surpasses them. A year after he created the 50/50 club as MLB’s first player ever with 50 home runs and 50 steals, he made a new one, becoming the first player ever with 50 homers as a hitter and 50 strikeouts as a pitcher in the same season.

The two-way greatness of Ohtani, who was named MVP for the fourth time in his career, culminated in arguably the single greatest game ever played. In Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Brewers, he went 3-for-3 with three home runs and a walk as a hitter and fired six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts as a pitcher to send the Dodgers to the World Series. Decades from now, when someone wants to understand Ohtani’s greatness, this is the game they will show. — Kavner

1. Epic Game 7 World Series crowns the Dodgers as the first repeat champions in 25 years

From Miguel Rojas’ game-tying ninth-inning home run, to Andy Pages’ jaw-dropping catch at the base of the left-field wall, there was no shortage of iconic plays in a World Series Game 7 that we wish, especially in a long and cold offseason, we could be reliving right now. Alright, maybe Blue Jays fans don’t want to relive Rojas cutting down Isiah Kiner-Falefa at home in the ninth. And Canada definitely doesn’t miss the feeling of impending doom after Yoshinobu Yamamoto took the mound, again and again and again. 

Between all the hoopla, it was actually easy to overlook that Game 7 even featured a benches-clearing incident after Justin Wrobleski hit Andres Gimenez with a pitch. But who could forget Bo Bichette’s iconic three-run home run off Shohei Ohtani that knocked him out of the game in the third inning, right after the Dodgers made the mistake of intentionally walking Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in front of him? 

Game 7 had a little bit of everything before Will Smith blasted the game-winning home run in the 11th inning, and the Dodgers shut the door on the Jays to become the first repeat champions in 25 years. Nothing is topping that finale to the 2025 season. — Thosar

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 Houston Astros are at an inflection point.

They just missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years with the winner of their division (the American League West) claiming the AL West with just 90 wins (Seattle Mariners). Moreover, Houston, which traditionally boasts a high-octane offense, was just 21st in MLB in runs (686).

This is a franchise that has been a perennial contender for a decade, but they need to make moves around the edges to get back to posing that threat. Here are three MLB free agents that Houston should sign.

2025 stats: 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 130 strikeouts, 111 ERA+, 3.2 wins above replacement (186.2 innings pitched)

How about investing in a starting pitcher on the rise?

Houston’s starting rotation was respectable but little more last season, finishing the regular season tied for 13th in MLB in ERA (3.97) and tied for 12th in WHIP (1.23). Plus, ace Framber Valdez remains a free agent. The Astros recently acquired right-hander Mike Burrows (3.94 ERA in 23 appearances/19 starts in 2025) in a three-team trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays, which is a plausible move, but adding another legitimate starting pitcher like Littell is a prudent play.

After a rough start to his MLB career, Littell found his way to the Rays in 2023 and has since become a reliable force as a starting pitcher. He continues to pitch deep into games, surrender fewer baserunners and has maintained a consistent, four-pitch arsenal: slider, split-fingered fastball, four-seamer and sinker; Littell also mixes in a sweeper.

Over the last two seasons, Littell has recorded a combined 3.73 ERA in 61 starts. In thought, Burrows replaces Valdez in Houston’s rotation. The issue? Several of its starters, including Spencer Arrighetti, Ronel Blanco, Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr. have been held back by injuries in recent memory. The Astros could use another capable and healthy pitcher that can make 30 starts behind Hunter Brown. Littell is pitching the best ball of his career and in his prime.

2025 Stats: 17 home runs, 54 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, 117 OPS+, 3.9 wins above replacement, .277/.347/.449 slash line (448 at-bats)

The Astros have always replaced outgoing stars internally (e.g., the development of Valdez, Tucker, Yordan Alvarez and Jeremy Pena), but trading away Tucker last offseason may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back; Houston needs a boost in the outfield, and Bader is a sure thing.

You can count on your hand how many players in the last decade have been better on the outfield grass than Bader. He covers infinite ground in center field, has a reputable arm and recently began playing left field on an extensive basis. Bader has made just 28 errors in his nine-year MLB career.

Meanwhile, Bader has a crisp swing from the right side that generates slug. Last season, he logged a career-high 17 home runs and 117 OPS+, while finishing with a .449 slugging percentage, which was the second-highest mark of Bader’s career. The Astros have struggled to get production from their outfield in recent years, a struggle underscored by Chas McCormick‘s production plummeting after an encouraging 2023 campaign (22 home runs, 70 RBIs and .273/.353/.489 slash line), as he’s hitting just .211 over the last two seasons.

The Astros would likely keep Jake Meyers in center field, which means Bader would start in left, Cam Smith stays in right and Alvarez would seldom play the outfield (he’d be their permanent designated hitter). Or, if Jose Altuve begins next season in left field, Bader can start in right field. Either way, Houston gets a proven commodity who plays Gold Glove-caliber defense and is a respectable, right-handed hitter in Bader.

2025 Stats: two home runs, 40 RBIs, 15 stolen bases, 76 OPS+, 1.6 wins above replacement, .262/.297/.334 slash line (431 at-bats)

This has become a team of versatility, so signing a player who can literally play everywhere would fit the Astros like a glove. That player could be Kiner-Falefa.

The 30-year-old Kiner-Falefa has started at shortstop, third base, second base, center field and left field for prolonged periods at the MLB level. Kiner-Falefa has also made 66 starts at catcher, while making infrequent appearances in right field. At the plate, Kiner-Falefa is a contact hitter who seldom strikes out.

At full strength, Houston’s starting infield options are likely set with Christian Walker at first base, Carlos Correa at third and Jeremy Pena at shortstop. Manager Joe Espada is left to figure out where to play Altuve (second base or left field) and Paredes (second or third base). The beauty of Kiner-Falefa is that if injuries present themselves in the infield (Correa has consistently missed time in his career due to injuries and Paredes missed two months last season due to a hamstring injury), he can slot into the vacated starting infield position. 

Otherwise, Kiner-Falefa, who started nine games at second base for the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 postseason and appeared in 15 of their 18 postseason games, would serve as a super utility player for the Astros who’s one of their first outfielders off the bench and has a track record of playing three infield spots. 

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Star outfielder Kyle Tucker is arguably the best player on the MLB free agent market, and the Chicago Cubs have to be prepared for him to be paid like that. In other words, they need a backup plan to make up for the impact and production that Tucker’s potential departure would vacate. Not to mention, Chicago traded former first-round pick Cam Smith, infielder Isaac Paredes and right-hander Hayden Wesneski to acquire Tucker from the Houston Astros last offseason.

With that in mind, here are three moves Chicago should make if Tucker bolts.

2025 Stats: nine home runs, 34 RBIs, 111 OPS+, 1.0 wins above replacement, .270/.335/.410 slash line (293 at-bats)

One way or another, the Cubs need to add a starting-caliber outfielder if Tucker is gone, and Marte fits the bill.

With Tucker theoretically out of the picture, Chicago should give Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara the chance to be its everyday right fielder, joining Ian Happ and burgeoning star Pete Crow-Armstrong in the outfield grass and keeping Seiya Suzuki as the primary designated hitter. This allows Marte, who spent the last four seasons with the New York Mets, to serve as the Cubs’ fourth outfielder.

Marte, a two-time Gold Glover, has prolonged experience playing all three outfield positions, has an impact swing from the right side of the plate and wreaks havoc on the basepath; Marte is averaging 38.2 stolen bases per 162 games over his 14-year MLB career. His versatility bodes well for a soon-to-be young Cubs’ outfield and provides manager Craig Counsell with a well-rounded outfielder who can start in a pinch.

2025 Stats: 18 home runs, 62 RBIs, 128 OPS+, 3.5 wins above replacement, .273/.360/.462 slash line (433 at-bats)

The Cubs know exactly what they’d be getting from Bregman: a smooth operator at the hot corner who’s a proven force at the plate with a boatload of postseason experience.

Yes, former first-round pick Matt Shaw shined at third base in his combined 132 games (regular season plus postseason) at the position last season, posting 12 defensive runs saved in the regular season. At the same time, Shaw has also played second base, primarily in the minor-league ranks. While Nico Hoerner is among the better contact hitters in the sport, Shaw could push Hoerner to be the starting second baseman, with the loser of the battle becoming the Cubs’ first infielder off the bench and a versatile one at that (Hoerner has made 186 career MLB starts at shortstop).

As for what the Cubs would be bringing in, Bregman fits their timeline, as he’d provide a veteran player in his prime to complement a continually improving positional core. Moreover, Bregman’s proven production at the plate would help the Cubs bypass the offensive growth that they’d be banking on from Shaw in the batter’s box next season (Shaw hit .226 last season).

Last season, Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox ($40 million average annual value). But he opted out of the deal after the first year, and chances are the 31-year-old will be looking at another short-term deal. Worst-case scenario for the Cubs, Bregman is a mere offensive upgrade at third base, and they move Shaw back to the position when the veteran’s contract ends. In the short term, Bregman would boost a plausible Cubs’ offense, while maintaining a Gold Glove-caliber fielder at third base.

2025 Stats: 2.21 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 241 strikeouts, 187 ERA+, 6.5 wins above replacement (195.1 innings pitched)

As Donkey told Shrek before trying to crash the abrupt wedding of Princess Fiona and Lord Farquaad, “Where’s a will, there’s a way.” And for the Cubs, Skubal would be the piece that makes them an etched-in-stone contender in the National League.

The defending, back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner is undoubtedly the best starting pitcher in the American League, if not all of MLB. Skubal pitches deep into games, posts strikeouts at a high clip and seldom puts runners on the basepath while possessing a consistent, four-pitch arsenal: changeup, four-seamer, sinker and slider. Last postseason, Skubal posted a 1.74 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 20.2 innings pitched (three starts), including striking out 14 batters and surrendering just one run across 7.2 innings on the road against the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series. 

Chicago’s starting rotation held its own last season (eighth in MLB with a collective 3.83 ERA), and the return of Shota Imanaga, a 2024 All-Star, will help; Matthew Boyd (3.21 ERA in 31 starts) had a resurgent season; Cade Horton (2.67 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 23 appearances/22 starts) was a stud in his rookie campaign; Jameson Taillon is a proven commodity; Colin Rea (3.95 ERA in 32 appearances/27 starts) had an encouraging season; if Justin Steele returns from elbow surgery in 2026, the more, the merrier. All that said, the Cubs don’t have a healthy and consistent rotation anchor, which Skubal would immediately become. He would make a top-third starting rotation one of the elite units in the sport.

Now, Skubal is a free agent after 2026, but with Tucker theoretically gone, that’s one less nine-figure contract that the Cubs have on the books for the long haul. Plus, any team that seriously engages in trade talks with the Tigers for Skubal is likely doing so with the intention of giving him the biggest contract for a pitcher in MLB history, anyway; Gerrit Cole‘s nine-year, $324 million deal with the New York Yankees in 2019 is the record for a pitcher.

While costly for only one guaranteed season of a player, it’s likely going to take a pair of highly touted prospects and more to acquire Skubal. For the Cubs, that could mean trading 2025 first-round pick Ethan Conrad, one of Caissie and Alcantara and one of Horton and right-hander Ben Brown, among others. It’s a lot, but it would be for an ace with a Hall-of-Fame trajectory in the prime of his career. It would also give the Cubs the inside track on securing Skubal’s long-term services.

The Cubs were one win away from reaching the NL Championship Series last season. If they replace Tucker’s bat with a player of Bregman’s ilk and a veteran outfielder (e.g., Marte) while taking a swing at a dominant ace (e.g., Skubal), Chicago would be the biggest threat in the NL to the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ aspirations of three-peating.

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The Mets had more players than spaces for them after trading for Marcus Semien and signing free agent Jorge Polanco, but they have now cleared some of that up in a deal with the Athletics. New York is sending infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil and $5.75 million to Sacramento, in exchange for right-handed pitcher Yordan Rodriguez.

The $5.75 million is to offset some of the $17.75 million remaining in McNeil’s $50 million, four-year contract. He has a $15.75 million salary next year as part of a deal that includes a $15.75 million team option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout.

McNeil is a two-time All-Star who won the National League batting title in 2022, thanks to a .326/.382/.454 season with nearly six wins above replacement. While he has never reached exactly those heights again, he has proven valuable as a player the Mets could reliably slot in at second base, the corner outfield spots, third base and even center or first base when necessary. McNeil has batted .253/.326/.389 combined since 2023, but produced his best work since 2022 this past summer, when he posted a well above-average 111 OPS+ in 122 games.

McNeil follows Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Díaz in departing the underperforming Mets, who failed to reach the playoffs this year despite the second-highest payroll behind the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

With the A’s, McNeil will likely stick at second base, as their outfield already includes power-hitting Tyler Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler and defensive wizard Denzel Clarke. As for the Mets, they are still reportedly looking for an upgrade in their outfield, but have Semien at second base and Polanco available to rotate around the diamond as McNeil previously did.

Rodriguez, who turns 18 on Jan. 29, signed with the A’s for a $400,000 bonus this past January and went 2-0 with a 2.93 ERA in one start and seven relief appearances for the Dominican Summer League A’s. He struck out 20 and walked eight in 15.1 innings.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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McNeil is a two-time All-Star who won the National League batting title in 2022, thanks to a .326/.382/.454 season with nearly six wins above replacement. While he has never reached exactly those heights again, he has proven valuable as a player the Mets could reliably slot in at second base, the corner outfield spots, third base and even center or first base when necessary. McNeil has batted .253/.326/.389 combined since 2023, but produced his best work since 2022 this past summer, when he posted a well above-average 111 OPS+ in 122 games.

With the A’s, McNeil will likely stick at second base, as their outfield already includes power-hitting Tyler Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler and defensive wizard Denzel Clarke. As for the Mets, they are still reportedly looking for an upgrade in their outfield, but have Semien at second base and Polanco available to rotate around the diamond as McNeil previously did.

The Cuban-born Yordan Rodriguez doesn’t turn 18 years old until late-January, and spent 2025 pitching in the Dominican Summer League, where he struck out 20 batters in 15.1 innings.

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