What I'm hearing about the Royals' interest in Jarren Duran and more MLB notes  —  Even after signing free agent Lane Thomas and trading for Isaac Collins, the Kansas City Royals are open to adding another outfielder - most notably Jarren Duran, if the Boston Red Sox lower their asking price.

Source: Mets sign outfielder Cristian Pache to minor league deal  —  The Mets have added a versatile outfielder to the mix in Cristian Pache. … The New York Mets have added major league experience to their outfield depth.  —  The Mets are in agreement on a minor league contract …

Red Sox among teams free agent righthander Michael King is considering  —  Free agent righthander Michael King has the Red Sox, Yankees, and Orioles among the teams he is considering, a major league source told the Globe on Sunday.  —  King was 18-12 with a 3.10 ERA and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings …

D-backs bringing back Merrill Kelly on 2-year deal (sources)  —  Merrill the Mainstay is coming back to Arizona.  —  The Diamondbacks on Sunday agreed to terms with right-hander Merrill Kelly on a two-year, $40 million contract pending a physical, sources told MLB.com.  The club has not confirmed the move.

Rockies hire former Mets exec Levin as assistant GM  —  DENVER — Ian Levin, who spent 20 years in various capacities with the Mets, eventually rising to vice president and assistant general manager, is joining the Rockies as an assistant general manager, the team announced on Monday.

Kobbie Mainoo prefers Napoli  —  Although at least 12 clubs are reportedly in the race, sources close to the situation have informed CaughtOffside that Chelsea and Bayern Munich are “leading the chase”.  However, the player's personal preference list still places Napoli as the frontrunner.

Under pressure, can Mets, Padres line up on a trade that could help both clubs?  —  If ever two teams needed each other in trade discussions, it's the New York Mets and San Diego Padres.  —  The Mets are under pressure to fortify their roster after losing closer Edwin Díaz and first baseman Pete Alonso to free agency this week.

Adolis Garcia to the Phillies, per report  —  MLB Rumors: Adolis Garcia and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to terms on a one year, $10 million deal, per Francys Romero.  —  Garcia, who turns 33 in March, was non-tendered by the Texas Rangers in November after his second straight disappointing offensive season in 2025.

Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks finalizing two-year, $40 million deal: Source  —  After a brief stint in Texas, Merrill Kelly is returning to the desert.  A league source told The Athletic on Sunday that the 37-year-old righty is finalizing a two-year, $40 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks …

Royals add Collins, Mears in trade with Brewers, part with Zerpa (sources)  —  KANSAS CITY — Continuing their flurry of activity following the Winter Meetings, the Royals swung a trade Saturday night.  They acquired outfielder Isaac Collins and right-handed reliever Nick Mears from the Brewers …

Mets, IF Jorge Polanco agree on 2-year deal, sources say  —  The New York Mets and infielder Jorge Polanco are in agreement on a two-year, $40 million contract, sources told ESPN on Saturday, as the club pivots away from a transformational week following the losses of Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso in free agency.