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 …

How David Stearns is remaking Mets after historic collapse  —  The New York Mets arrived in Orlando, Florida, for the winter meetings last week with a chance to re-sign closer Edwin Diaz and first baseman Pete Alonso.  —  Díaz had already received two contract offers …

Updated contract projections for top four free agent hitters  —  The market for free agent hitters got a jolt last week at the winter meetings when 32-year-old designated hitter Kyle Schwarber agreed to a five-year, $150 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, and that was followed …

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.

Texas QB Arch Manning will return to school for 2026 season  —  Texas quarterback Arch Manning will return to school to play in 2026, finally putting to rest questions about his future beyond this season.  —  In a text message to ESPN's Dave Wilson on Monday night, Arch's dad, Cooper Manning …

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.

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.

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.