Top News:
ESPN:
Sources: Blue Jays, Dylan Cease reach 7-year, $210M deal — Free agent starting pitcher Dylan Cease, who has made at least 32 starts in each of the past five seasons, reached a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Wednesday.
ESPN:
Red Sox acquire veteran Sonny Gray in trade with Cardinals — The Boston Red Sox acquired veteran right-hander Sonny Gray in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. — In return, St. Louis receives left-handed prospect Brandon Clarke and right-hander Richard Fitts.
Discussion:
MLB.com, Yahoo Sports, The Athletic, Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Trade Rumors, masslive.com, Boston Herald, Battery Power and NBC Sports Boston
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cardinals Trade Sonny Gray To Red Sox — The rebuild is underway in St. Louis. The Cardinals and Red Sox announced a trade sending right-hander Sonny Gray and cash considerations to Boston in exchange for righty Richard Fitts, left-handed pitching prospect Brandon Clarke and a player to be named later or cash.
Discussion:
The Athletic, NESN.com, MLB.com, Red Reporter, masslive.com, Associated Press, FanGraphs Baseball, Yahoo Sports, Red Sox Digest, D-backs Under Review, Federal Baseball, Baseball America, Lone Star Ball, New York Daily News, Camden Chat, baseballmusings.com, Over the Monster, Just Baseball, New York Post, Boston Herald, 98.5 The Sports Hub and Viva El Birdos
Jon Heyman / New York Post:
Yankees are in for an offseason battle royale with their biggest rivals — The Yankees are targeting Cody Bellinger and eying Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai and other free agent stars, and despite owner Hal Steinbrenner's obvious ongoing concern about the bottom line …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, masslive.com, Camden Chat, Gaslamp Ball, NESN.com and Pinstripe Alley
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Source: Angels, Anthony Rendon in talks to buy out final year of deal — Open Extended Reactions — The Los Angeles Angels and third baseman Anthony Rendon are in talks about buying out the final year of his contract, potentially bringing a resolution to the seven-year …
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
MLB 2025-26 offseason survey: Execs predict free agency, trades — The hot stove started simmering early this MLB offseason — and shows no signs of slowing down. — The Seattle Mariners kicked the winter off by re-signing Josh Naylor, followed by the Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles pulling off an early trade.
Discussion:
NESN.com and NBC Sports Bay Area …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals finalize Oli Marmol's staff with two new additions, all field staff returning — Post-Dispatch baseball writer Derrick Goold talke with editor Nathan Mills about the Cardinals trading their ace to the Red Sox, their return and the next dominoes to fall this offseason. — kAm~?
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Viva El Birdos
Associated Press:
Paul Skenes gets record $3.4M from pre-arbitration bonus pool — Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes received a record $3,436,343 from this year's pre-arbitration bonus pool, raising his two-year total to $5,588,400 under the initiative to direct more money to top younger players.
Discussion:
Plain Dealer, baseballmusings.com and New York Post
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Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com:
Orioles hire Shildt for player development role, Vega changing titles — In the latest unexpected development in the offseason, former Padres manager Mike Shildt is joining the Orioles to work in player development. — According to a source, Shildt has been hired as upper-level minor league coordinator of instruction.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, San Diego Union-Tribune and BaltimoreBaseball.com
Dianna Russini / The Athletic:
What I'm hearing about J.J. McCarthy, Jerry Jones' trade steal and more — There's a colorful children's book on my kitchen table right now called “Turkey Trouble.” It's about a turkey trying to avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner by throwing on disguises. A pig. A horse.
Discussion:
Pro Football Rumors and masslive.com
Kiley McDaniel / ESPN:
Breaking down the top Japanese free agents coming to MLB — The 2025-26 offseason has yet another strong crop of Japanese players that are available in free agency — after having been posted by their respective Nippon Professional Baseball clubs — and are set to play in Major League Baseball next season.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and The Good Phight
Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru / MLB.com:
George Altman, who played in Negro Leagues, Majors and Japan, dies at 92 — George Altman, counted among the best-traveled players in baseball history, has passed away, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick announced Tuesday. He was 92. — One of just three people ever …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and sports.yahoo.com
The Athletic:
Red Sox show interest in free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto: Sources — The Boston Red Sox have not been shy in outlining their offseason wish list. They want to add a starting pitcher to slot behind ace left-hander Garrett Crochet in a postseason series. And they want to upgrade their offense …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, Over the Monster, NESN.com, MLB Trade Rumors, 98.5 The Sports Hub, masslive.com and New York Post
