Check out Mini-Ballbug for simple mobiles or Ballbug Mobile for modern smartphones.
11:40 PM ET, December 15, 2025

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
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.
RELATED:
Katie Woo / The Athletic:
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.
Tim Healey / The Boston Globe:
Maybe Craig Breslow actually won't trade an outfielder, and other Red Sox thoughts  —  Publicly, Craig Breslow has been steady in saying the Red Sox do not need to trade an outfielder, and that even though they have four players for three spots, they can make it work in 2026 in the same …
Pat Ragazzo / Sports Illustrated:
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 …
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
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.
Discussion: AZ Snake Pit and Battery Power
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
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.
Saikat / CaughtOffside:
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.
The Athletic:
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.
RELATED:
Adam J. Morris / Lone Star Ball:
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.
Discussion: Phillies Nation
The Athletic:
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 …
Anne Rogers / MLB.com:
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 …
Jorge Castillo / ESPN:
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.
 
 Archived Page Info: 
This is a snapshot of Ballbug at 11:40 PM ET, December 15, 2025.

View the current page or another snapshot:


 
 See Also: 
Ballbug: site main
Ballbug River: reverse chronological Ballbug
Ballbug Mobile: for phones
Ballbug Leaderboard: Ballbug's top sources
 
 Subscribe: 
Ballbug RSS feed
 
 
 More News: 
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
5 things we learned at winter meetings about Cardinals' approach, MLB hot stove
Discussion: MLB Trade Rumors
 Earlier Picks: 
 

 
From WeSmirch:

TMZ.com:
Rob Reiner & Son Nick in Heated Argument at Conan O'Brien's Christmas Party

Stephanie Sloane / TV Insider:
Anthony Geary Dies: ‘General Hospital’ Icon & 8-Time Daytime Emmy Winner Was 78

TMZ.com:
Rob & Michele Reiner's Son Nick Was Missing for Hours Following Their Murders

 
Sister Sites:

Techmeme
 Top news and commentary for technology's leaders, from all around the web
Mediagazer
 Top news and commentary for media professionals from all around the web
memeorandum
 What US political commentators are discussing online right now
WeSmirch
 The top celebrity news from all around the web on a single page