The latest on the Mets' offseason, why Alonso beat Schwarber and more MLB notes  —  If the New York Mets plan to continue exerting greater financial discipline in free agency, they will need to trade prospects for some major-league help.  —  The Mets are engaged in such discussions …

Mariners, Giants emerge as front-runners for Brendan Donovan trade: Sources  —  The Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants have emerged as front-runners for St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan, sources familiar with negotiations tell The Athletic, with the Cardinals looking to land multiple top prospects in a return.

MLB 2025 winter meetings: Winners, losers and takeaways  —  The MLB winter meetings have come and gone, and though there's always a hope that there will be plenty of action, that's not always the case.  The 2025 meetings didn't have a $700-plus million deal like last year …

Sources: Royals keeping Maikel Garcia on five-year extension  —  Third baseman Maikel Garcia and the Kansas City Royals are finalizing a five-year contract extension, sources told ESPN on Friday, locking up the Gold Glove winner with the team that saw him develop through its system into an All-Star.

Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro signs five-year deal to continue ‘relentless pursuit’ of World Series title  —  Top executive has helped team's value grow immensely since coming aboard in 2015.  —  The lead man in the braintrust that brought the Blue Jays to the brink of the World Series isn't going anywhere.

Cubs promote Tyler Zombro to vice president of pitching as he takes on more influential role  —  Nearly two years after Craig Breslow departed to take over the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs have identified the leader they want to take their pitching infrastructure to the next level.

5 things we learned at winter meetings about Cardinals' approach, MLB hot stove  —  In today's 10 AM “Ten Hochman,” brought to you by Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium at Cardinals' spring training, Ben Hochman and Derrick Goold discuss the state of the St. Louis Cardinals.  And as always, Hochman picks a random Cards card!

What we're hearing on Red Sox search for bats (including new name) after Winter Meetings, Pete Alonso decision  —  At this week's Winter Meetings, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow watched big names like Kyle Schwarber (Phillies) and Pete Alonso (Orioles) come off the board while not making any moves of note in Orlando.

Why MLB manager salaries lag behind other coaches  —  When they both won Manager of the Year for the first time in 2024, Pat Murphy and Stephen Vogt talked about showing up to the annual baseball writers' dinner in New York to receive the awards in costume.  —  The two knew each other from Vogt's …

Tar Heels OC Kitchens out after UNC ranks among worst offenses  —  North Carolina offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will not return next season, with the school announcing the departure of both assistants after a 4-8 season in Bill Belichick's college coaching debut.