Category: Baseball

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. 

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Like millions of New Yorkers, Devin Williams took the subway to work this year. He genuinely enjoyed getting on the 4 train to the Bronx before every home game. Towering at 6-foot-2, he somehow went unnoticed in the large crowds packing the platform several hours before first pitch at Yankee Stadium.

Following Monday night’s deal, Williams secured the opportunity to continue that routine on a different subway line to a different borough. The 31-year-old reliever reportedly signed a three-year contract worth $45 million, plus bonuses, with the New York Mets, where he will look to start fresh and re-establish himself as the high-octane reliever he once was with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Williams, and his patented airbender changeup, recorded a razor-thin 1.83 ERA across six seasons with the Brewers before he was traded to the Yankees in Dec. 2024. The Bronx Bombers believed they were getting a fearless, high-profile closer who would dominate opposing lineups and deliver saves in New York. But, for much of the season, their Devin Williams Experience was an unpredictable roller coaster. In April, he posted a 9.00 ERA in 12 relief appearances. In May and June, he improved to a 2.66 ERA in 22 outings. He struggled again in July, recording a 5.73 ERA in 11 appearances before stabilizing himself as a setup man, like he was for Josh Hader in Milwaukee. Williams finished the season with 13 consecutive scoreless outings, including four shutout innings in the playoffs, with all those coming in setup roles.

There is still a ton of upside to the overall quality of his pitches. Williams is a former Rookie of the Year and two-time recipient of the National League Reliever of the Year award. Despite his rocky season in the Bronx, his strikeout rate remained elite. His 2.68 FIP compared to his 4.79 season ERA suggested he ran into some poor luck and weak defense. The Mets, for their part, are aiming to correct both of those departments.

Here is what’s next for the Mets, Yankees, and the relief-pitching market after Williams’ new three-year pact in Queens:

What’s next for the Mets

Much like the Mets’ trade for second baseman Marcus Semien, their deal for Williams is something of a two-parter. The Semien deal will make more sense when or if the team fills the hole Brandon Nimmo left behind in the outfield. And the signing for Williams will look better if closer Edwin Diaz comes back to Queens. 

The Mets are still interested in re-signing Diaz, the top relief pitcher on the market, even after their three-year contract with Williams. You might wonder if it’s realistic to believe the Mets would spend north of $100 million on two relievers alone this offseason, while continuing their pursuit of free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso. But these are the Steve Cohen-owned Mets, where anything is fiscally possible and logic often defies reason. 

Plus, the Mets bullpen was one of its weaknesses this past season, particularly down the stretch. Adding Williams for a high-leverage role, which could include either setting up for someone like Diaz or another top closer on the market, already makes the bullpen better than where it ranked a few months ago. Still, the possibility of Diaz walking away in free agency and Williams becoming the Mets closer is on the table. In that event, give credit to the Mets for creating a reliable parachute rather than waiting for Diaz, watching relievers fly off the board, and being caught with their tail between their legs.

Williams still has elite stuff, and he recalibrated down the stretch for the Yankees. No matter what, the Mets acquired a top high-leverage reliever who overcame the challenge of pitching in New York, and is ready to serve in whatever role the team needs. Now, the Mets need to focus on bringing the trumpets back to Citi Field.

What’s next for the Yankees

Even though Williams improved on the mound in a setup role to Luke Weaver and David Bednar in the final month-plus of the Yankees season, he never looked truly comfortable in pinstripes. And the Yankees never seemed interested in bringing him back. In fact, it would’ve been more of a surprise if Williams re-signed with the Yankees rather than walk away. So his decision to bounce from the Bronx is hardly altering general manager Brian Cashman’s blueprint for the bullpen this offseason. Now, how will the Yankees pivot, and what do they have planned?

Outside of Trent Grisham accepting his $22 million qualifying offer to stay in the Bronx and re-signing left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, it’s so far been a sleepy winter for the Yankees. That being said, there is plenty of offseason left, and Cashman has to make a slurry of moves to fill the many vacancies in his bullpen. Weaver, Mark Leiter Jr., Ian Hamilton, Jonathan Loaisiga, Scott Effross, and Jake Cousins all entered free agency this offseason. 

Who’s left? The Yankees have one more year remaining with closer David Bednar before he hits free agency next winter. Behind Bednar, the club will deploy Camilo Doval, Tim Hill, Fernando Cruz, and Yarbrough in some capacity. The Yankees should be in the mix for a high-leverage reliever to fill out their bullpen. Paring Bednar with either Diaz or free agent Robert Suarez would make for a formidable back of the bullpen. Either way, their sights should be set on an elite acquisition. 

What’s next for the reliever market

It’s a good time to be a proven relief pitcher right now. Williams joined Ryan Helsley as two back-end relievers who received major multi-year deals coming off of 4.00-plus ERA walk years. In both cases, Williams and Helsley still had solid underlying metrics despite their high season ERAs. Helsley struggled for the Mets after the trade deadline, recording a 7.20 ERA with pitch-tipping issues in 22 relief appearances, and he still secured two years and $28 million from the Orioles this offseason.

Diaz remains the top free-agent reliever on the market, followed by Suarez, who is coming off an NL-best 40-save season for the Padres. The next tier of free-agent relievers with closing experience includes Pete Fairbanks, Tyler Rogers, Emilio Pagan, Kenley Jansen, with Weaver and Kyle Finnegan right behind them. The Blue Jays and Yankees remain big players in the relief market, a department that’s had a scorching start so far this offseason. 

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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New Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray, acquired from St. Louis last week, is making himself right at home with the team’s fan base by immediately blasting Boston’s biggest rival.

“It’s easy to go to a place now where it’s easy to hate the Yankees,” Gray told the Boston press core on Tuesday, according to The Boston Globe.

Gray was traded from the Oakland Athletics to the Yankees at the 2017 MLB trade deadline. While he held his own in his time with the franchise in 2017 (3.72 ERA in 11 regular-season starts), the right-hander posted a 4.90 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with the Yankees in 2018, and New York dealt Gray to the Cincinnati Reds in the ensuing offseason.

Gray earned an All-Star nod in his first season with the Reds and has earned such honors three times in his career (2015, 2019 and 2023). Last season, Gray posted a 4.28 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 201 strikeouts in 180.2 innings pitched (32 starts) with the Cardinals.

Gray, who said that he “never wanted to go” to the Yankees, expressed he’s “more Boston than any other place” and that his decision to waive his no-trade clause was an “immediate yes” because the Red Sox “have a chance to win the World Series.”

Boston acquired the 36-year-old Gray on Nov. 25 for left-hander Brandon Clarke, right-hander Richard Fitts and either a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Gray is entering the final season of a three-year, $75 million deal that includes a mutual option for 2027. He joins a Red Sox starting rotation that includes 2025 American League Cy Young Award runner-up Garrett Crochet and emerging right-hander Brayan Bello (3.35 ERA in 29 appearances/28 starts in 2025). As a whole, Boston’s rotation posted a collective 3.92 ERA last season, good for 12th in MLB.

The Red Sox (89-73) went 9-4 against the Yankees in the 2025 regular season, but New York returned the favor in the postseason, defeating Boston in the wild-card round.

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Free agent reliever Devin Williams has agreed to a contract with the New York Mets, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday night.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical and had not been announced.

Multiple media reports indicated the sides agreed to a three-year contract.

Williams spent last season across town with the New York Yankees, going 4-6 with a career-worst 4.79 ERA and 18 saves in 22 chances. He lost the closer’s job, regained it and then lost it again before finishing the year with four scoreless outings during the American League playoffs.

The 31-year-old right-hander is a two-time All-Star who twice won the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award with the Milwaukee Brewers. He also was voted the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year.

Milwaukee traded Williams to the Yankees for pitcher Nestor Cortes and infielder Caleb Durbin last December.

With the Mets, Williams could replace free agent closer Edwin Diaz or complement him in a rebuilt bullpen.

Williams was pitching for the Brewers when he gave up a go-ahead homer to Mets slugger Pete Alonso in the deciding Game 3 of their 2024 NL Wild Card Series. The three-run shot put New York ahead in the ninth inning.

Known for his deceptive changeup, Williams struck out 90 batters and walked 25 in 62 innings over 67 appearances during his lone season with the Yankees.

Reporting by The Associated Press. 

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The NFL is as much of a fixture on Thanksgiving Day as tolerating stories from your in-laws while having to munch on overcooked turkey, but MLB entered the holiday chat 20 years ago.

On November 24, 2005, the Boston Red Sox and then-Florida Marlins – who won the 2004 and 2003 World Series, respectively – executed a blockbuster trade with substantial ramifications.

Here are the details of the trade and how the move panned out for both clubs:

The Trade

Boston Red Sox receive: RHP Josh Beckett, 3B Mike Lowell and RHP Guillermo Mota
Florida Marlins receive: SS Hanley Ramirez, RHP Anibal Sanchez, RHP Jesus Delgado and Harvey Garcia

How the Trade Fared for Boston

Just one year removed from winning their first World Series in 86 years, Boston made the bold move for, most notably, the MVP of the 2003 World Series in Beckett and one of the best third basemen in the sport in Lowell.

Roughly two years after the trade, the Red Sox won the 2007 World Series. After a rocky first year in Boston, Beckett, the No. 2 pick in the 1999 MLB Draft, rebounded in 2007, posting a 3.27 ERA, an American League-best 6.5 wins above replacement among pitchers and winning 20 games. He followed that up by posting a mere 1.20 ERA and 0.70 WHIP in four starts in the 2007 postseason. The esteemed right-hander was up and down across his six-plus seasons in Boston overall, but Beckett still managed to earn three All-Star nods and post at least 5 WAR in each of those seasons (2007, 2009 and 2011). 

Across his first four years with the Red Sox, Lowell was a consistent force at the plate, averaging 18.8 home runs and 87 RBIs per season, while posting a combined .295/.350/.479 slash line. Furthermore, after hitting .324, driving in a team-high 120 runs and earning an All-Star nod in the 2007 regular season, the steady, right-handed hitter went off in the postseason, driving in 15 runs, posting a .353/.410/.608 slash line and winning 2007 World Series MVP honors.

Beckett finished his MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014 after being traded by the Red Sox in 2012; Lowell’s last season in Boston, 2010, was his last in the sport; Mota ultimately never pitched for the Red Sox, as he was moved in a separate trade two months later.

How the Trade Fared for Miami

A young star pitcher and a third baseman in his prime are difficult to replace, but the Marlins, who made this trade with the intention of shedding payroll, got a pair of reputable players for Beckett and Lowell.

Ramirez quickly became one of the most electric players in MLB after being called up full-time in 2006, a year which saw the shortstop win National League Rookie of the Year honors. He swung an impact bat from the right side, flew around the basepaths and was a star. From 2006-10, Ramirez averaged 24.8 home runs, 77.8 RBIs, 39.2 stolen bases and a 5.2 WAR per season and posted a combined .313/.385/.521 slash line. Ramirez earned three All-Star nods, two Silver Slugger awards and won the 2009 NL batting title with the Marlins, hitting .342 and posting a career-best 7.4 WAR. The Marlins traded Ramirez to the Dodgers during the 2012 season with the shortstop, ironically, later joining the Red Sox for the 2015 season as a free agent.

Sanchez made his MLB debut in 2006 and would later emerge as a reliable, middle-to-top-of-the-rotation arm for Florida. The finesse starter habitually worked out of trouble and recorded a combined 3.66 ERA with the Marlins from 2009-11 before being traded to the Detroit Tigers during the 2012 season. Elsewhere, Delgado only made two MLB appearances out of the bullpen for the Marlins, while Garcia made just eight.

Of course, the Florida Marlins – who became the Miami Marlins in the 2012 season – didn’t make the playoffs for 17 years (2020) following their 2003 World Series triumph, while Boston has won three titles since the trade, in 2007, 2013 and 2018.

Sports are brutal.

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