10 minutes ago
Atlanta Braves Sign Jorge Mateo After Ha-Seong Kim Injury
The Braves signed Mateo to a one-year, $1 million deal after Kim suffered a hand injury. Kim underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger after slipping on ice in South Korea. He'll miss four to five months. The Braves opened a 40-man roster spot when Jose Suarez was claimed by the Orioles.
By Tanish Chachra
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about 1 hour ago
Phillies Face Backlash Over Mets Hijacking Bo Bichette Signing
Strong reaction in Philadelphia over the Mets swooping in to sign Bichette, as the Phillies thought they had a deal. On The Phillies Show podcast, Jim Salisbury said, "It feels like the Lufthansa heist at JFK from Goodfellas." Todd Zolecki added: "The word livid was used in the front office." The signing caught Philadelphia off guard after negotiations appeared complete.
By Tanish Chachra
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about 13 hours ago
Ben Verlander Dismisses ‘Sad And False’ Kyle Tucker Phone Claim
Verlander hit back at a post citing an “anonymous Cubs staffer” saying Tucker is “on his phone too much” and “not hungry.” Verlander wrote, “Ridiculous… Dude is a gamer,” noting players prep differently and the claim “is sad and false.” With Tucker headed to the Dodgers, Verlander urged fans to ignore it: “Don’t believe that cr*p.”
By Nischay Rathore
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about 13 hours ago
Yankees, Dodgers Lead MLB On Forbes’ Most Valuable Teams List
Forbes’ new rankings slot the Yankees 11th overall at $8.2B, MLB’s top value, with the Dodgers 19th at $6.8B. The list is still NFL-heavy: Cowboys lead at $13B, while Warriors top NBA at $11B. No other baseball team made the top 30, underscoring MLB’s valuation split. Only three non-U.S. brands cracked it: Real Madrid, Manchester United and Ferrari.
By Nischay Rathore
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about 13 hours ago
Royals ‘Increasingly Unlikely’ To Land Jarren Duran Or Brendan Donovan
Ken Rosenthal wrote Kansas City is “increasingly unlikely” to pry Duran from Boston or Donovan from St. Louis. Either bat could’ve fixed MLB’s worst outfield wRC+ (73) in 2025, with Duran in center and Donovan bouncing between corners and second. For now it’s Collins-Isbel-Caglianone, with Thomas spelling. Next pivot: bargain free agents or different trade talks later this winter instead.
By Nischay Rathore
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about 16 hours ago
Wilbur Wood Dies at 84
Wood, a lefty knuckleballer taught by Hoyt Wilhelm, died Saturday at 84. He became Chicago’s bullpen fireman, then a rotation ironman: 376 2/3 innings in 1972 and MLB-leading starts four times from 1971-75. A three-time All-Star, he also pitched for Boston and Pittsburgh. A 1976 line drive broke his kneecap. He finished 164-156, 3.24 ERA over 17 MLB seasons.
By Nischay Rathore
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about 17 hours ago
Jakob Junis Joins Rangers on $4M Deal as Bullpen Rebuild Continues
Texas agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with Junis, adding another arm to a rebuilt bullpen. The 33-year-old posted a 2.97 ERA in 66 2/3 relief innings for Cleveland in 2025, leaning on a slider-heavy mix and more changeups. He joins newcomers after Texas went 37-for-66 in saves and owns a 2.83 ERA over his last two seasons.
By Nischay Rathore
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about 17 hours ago
Kenny Lofton Says Denzel Washington Backed His ‘Still Got Game’ Charity
On MLB Network’s MLB Hot Stove, Lofton said his new Still Got Game Foundation targets inner-city kids through “free clinics” and financial-literacy lessons before college. He said a Las Vegas “poker-slash-golf event” is raising funds with partners Torii Hunter, LaTroy Hawkins and Drew Stubbs. Asked about “He Got Game,” Lofton laughed, “Oh, yeah, he got game,” confirming Washington showed up to support.
By Nischay Rathore
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about 19 hours ago
Mookie Betts Confirms Plans to Retire at 40 When Dodgers Contract Ends in 2032
LA Dodgers star Betts confirmed he plans to retire when his contract ends in 2032 on "What Drives You" with John Cena. He'll be 40 with his daughter and son being 14-15 and 10, respectively. Betts said, "My parents were always there, and I want that for my kids." He hit .258 with 20 HRs in the championship repeat.
By Tanish Chachra
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about 20 hours ago
Yankees Make Internal Decision Not to Engage in Bidding War for Cody Bellinger
Bob Klapisch reported on Sunday that the Yankees won't chase Bellinger if the Mets or another team swoops in with a blow-away offer. The Yankees believe they've made a fair proposal - five years, $160 million, with two opt-outs. They're prepared to let Bellinger walk if the price escalates further. The Mets remain a potential suitor for the outfielder.
By Tanish Chachra
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about 20 hours ago
Ha-Seong Kim Undergoes Surgery for Torn Tendon in Right Middle Finger
Atlanta Braves infielder Kim sustained a hand injury while in South Korea and underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger, the Braves announced the news on X. Dr. Gary Lourie performed the procedure on Sunday in Atlanta. The expected recovery time is 4-5 months, meaning Kim will likely miss the start of the 2026 season.
By Tanish Chachra
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about 21 hours ago
Red Sox Remain Active in Search for Catching Upgrade After Missing Victor Caratini
Boston continues pursuing a catching upgrade after missing out on Caratini, Sean McAdam reported. The Red Sox were "very much involved" in Caratini's market before he signed with Minnesota. The move aims to support Carlos Narvaez, who slumped to .187/.233/.387 after the All-Star break. Gary Sanchez and Jonah Heim remain the top available free agent options.
By Tanish Chachra
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about 21 hours ago
Mike Hazen Stands Firm on Ketel Marte Trade Deadline Despite Continued Interest
Arizona Diamondbacks GM Hazen reaffirmed trade talks for second baseman Marte ended on January 9, despite continued interest from teams like the Red Sox and Phillies. Hazen told MLB.com's Steve Gilbert he set the deadline "to avoid this," noting reversing course would risk his credibility. Marte has $102.5M remaining on his contract through 2031, making him an attractive trade target.
By Tanish Chachra
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about 22 hours ago
Kansas City Royals Unlikely to Land Jarren Duran or Brendan Donovan
The Kansas City Royals are "increasingly unlikely" to trade for the Red Sox outfielder Duran or Cardinals utility man Donovan, Ken Rosenthal reported. Both players would significantly upgrade Kansas City's outfield, which posted the majors' worst wRC+ (73) last season. Without further additions, the Royals will likely field Isaac Collins in left, Kyle Isbel in center.
By Tanish Chachra
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1 day ago
Cade Cavalli Avoids Arbitration With Nationals on One-Year Deal
The Washington Nationals avoided arbitration with Cavalli, agreeing to a one-year deal with a 2027 club option. He filed at $900K while the Nationals countered at $825K, the smallest gap among 18 players exchanging figures. The club option prevents the deal from setting an arbitration precedent. Cavalli posted a 4.25 ERA across ten starts in 2025 after returning from injury.
By Tanish Chachra
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1 day ago
Freddie Freeman Loses $1.35 Million Selling Los Angeles Home
LA Dodgers star Freeman sold his Studio City home for $6.45 million, losing $1.35 million after buying it in 2023 for $7.8 million. He faces $677k in costs, including 4% ULA tax ($258k), 6% estate fees ($387k), and transaction costs ($32k). Combined with the sale loss, Freeman's total hit exceeds $2 million from the two-year LA real estate investment.
By Tanish Chachra
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1 day ago
Stephen A. Smith Calls Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker Spending ‘Next Level’
“I’m not gonna say a problem with it because I’m a diehard Yankee fan,” Stephen A. Smith said amid backlash to the Dodgers’ reported 4-year, $240M Kyle Tucker deal. “I didn’t mind when the Yankees were spending money in the 90s… so I’m not gonna be hypocritical,” he added, but warned, “this is next level” for baseball’s competitive balance.
By Nischay Rathore
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1 day ago
Dodgers Push Trade Talks for Freddy Peralta After Kyle Tucker Deal
MLB insider Hector Gomez reports the Dodgers are “strongly pushing” for Brewers All-Star Freddy Peralta, with talks “increasingly intense,” after signing Kyle Tucker. Peralta posted a 2.70 ERA with 204 strikeouts in 176.2 innings in 2025, then Milwaukee picked up his $8M club option. L.A. could stack another frontline arm and even lean into a six-man rotation.
By Nischay Rathore
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1 day ago
Orix Buffaloes Sign Sean Hjelle After Giants Exit
Orix Buffaloes signed ex-Giants righty Hjelle after he chose minor league free agency. The 6-foot-11 sinkerballer logged a 56% ground-ball rate in four MLB seasons and posted a 3.90 ERA over 80 2/3 innings in 2023. He struggled in 12 MLB outings last year but had a 3.06 ERA in Triple-A. Japan could revive him as a starter.
By Nischay Rathore
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1 day ago
Blue Jays’ Framber Valdez Check-In Signals Possible Pivot
Toronto met Valdez at November GM meetings, per Sportsnet. After missing on top bats, the Jays could pivot back to pitching, but their CBT estimate ($310.5M) already tops the $304M line. Valdez would also cost draft picks after rejecting a QO. Still, he’s a durable, extreme groundball lefty. He logged 192 innings with a 3.66 ERA last year.
By Nischay Rathore
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1 day ago
Ryan Pressly Joins Twins Staff After Retirement, With Michael A. Taylor Hired
Pressly announced his retirement Saturday, then landed in Minnesota right away in a new role. Jon Heyman reported the former closer is “going to work for the Twins,” who also hired retiree veteran outfielder Taylor, too. Heyman called Pressly “one of the most clutch closers in recent times.” Minnesota continues reshaping its staff after a busy offseason.
By Nischay Rathore
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1 day ago
Kyle Hart Says Kyle Schwarber Led Him To Indiana Ahead Of Title Game
Hart sees Indiana’s CFP run into Monday night’s national title game as payoff for players who once lacked support. “They finally have not just the campus but the alumni base totally around them,” the Padres pitcher said. He also revealed former MLB slugger Schwarber, his college roommate, steered him to Bloomington: “He’s the reason that I ended up at Indiana.”
By Nischay Rathore
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2 days ago
Ryan Pressly Announces Retirement After 19 MLB Seasons
“After spending the last 19 years in professional baseball, I’ve made the decision to hang up my cleats,” Pressly wrote, calling it “bittersweet.” Drafted by Boston in 2007, he later pitched for the Twins, Cubs and Astros, winning the 2022 World Series and closing for Team USA at the 2023 WBC. “I’ll carry that joy forever,” he added.
By Tanish Chachra
2 days ago
Brewers Field Freddy Peralta Offers as Yankees, Mets, Dodgers Circle
Milwaukee keeps taking calls on Peralta, who is due to hit free agency after 2026. Jon Heyman reports the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Giants and Braves are among the clubs showing interest. His $8 million salary makes him affordable even for the Brewers, but an extension is “tougher for small markets.” With contenders lurking, Milwaukee now faces a keep-or-cash-in decision.
By Tanish Chachra
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2 days ago
Pirates Payroll Math Sparks ‘System Is Broken’ Claim After 26% Spend Rate
Tuft Daily reported in June that Pittsburgh generated $326M in 2024 revenue, yet allocated $84M to its 2025 payroll, about 26%. In comparison, the Mets, at $444M revenue, spent $342M (77%). “The Pirates owner is worth over $1 billion… making a mockery of the system," ESPN's Joe Schad said. The Pirates' biggest free agent deal was Liriano’s $39M/3 in 2014.
By Tanish Chachra
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