MLB winter meetings: Free agency intel from Olney and Passan  —  MLB's winter meetings begin Monday in Orlando, Florida, signaling the time when baseball's offseason activity is likely to take off.  —  What's the latest on free agent hitters, including coveted sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Kyle Tucker?

Closer Emilio Pagán ‘super excited’ to re-sign with Cincinnati Reds … Emilio Pagán and his family never wanted to leave Cincinnati.  —  “But it obviously takes both parties to want to get something done,” he said.  —  After a monthlong process that accelerated in the past few days …

Pirates send Johan Oviedo to Red Sox in five-player trade  —  The Boston Red Sox, seeking to fortify their starting rotation, acquired right-hander Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a five-player trade that sent heralded outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia to Pittsburgh, the teams announced Thursday.

Twins' Joe Ryan intrigues Mets as they look to trade for ace  —  Access the Mets beat like never before  —  Don't miss Mike Puma's text messages from Queens and beyond — he's giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Mets.  —  The Mets may try to fill their rotation needs via trade …

What we're hearing about Tatsuya Imai.  Plus, could Dodgers trade Teoscar Hernández?  —  Tatsuya Imai, the right-handed Japanese pitcher who is headlining the international free-agent class, is keeping an open mind about his future, according to a league source briefed on his posting process.

What we're hearing about the Cubs: Renewed interest in Alex Bregman  —  The Chicago Cubs are preparing for Kyle Tucker's exit as a free agent, ready to give rookie hitters Owen Caissie and Moisés Ballesteros the runway to develop at Wrigley Field.  Pitching remains the club's primary focus …

Sources: Kyle Tucker spotted visiting Blue Jays' facility  —  The Blue Jays are going big game hunting again with Kyle Tucker in their sights, and he's not the last major signing they're hoping to make.  —  Free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker was spotted at the Toronto Blue Jays' facility in Dunedin …

What we're hearing about the Dodgers before next week's Winter Meetings  —  The Los Angeles Dodgers inked their first free-agent signing of the winter Wednesday, bringing back clubhouse favorite Miguel Rojas on a one-year, $5.5 million deal.  The move didn't come as a surprise.

St. Pete officials expect Tropicana Field to be ready for Rays' opener  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — City officials in St. Petersburg showed off the newly enclosed dome at Tropicana Field on Wednesday and said they are confident the ballpark will be ready for the Tampa Bay Rays' home opener April 6 …

Rangers, Chris Young facing a difficult juggling act to fill this glaring roster hole  —  With Jonah Heim out the door and only Kyle Higashioka remaining, the Rangers have a dire situation at catcher. … Then again, it might be pretty accurate.  —  Allow us to take stock.

Lane Kiffin's final days at Ole Miss and his move to LSU  —  OXFORD, Miss. — Last month, as some of the biggest college football brands pursued Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin, a staff member polled the team's assistant coaches about where they wanted to be in the 2026 season.