Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
MLB free agency intel: Latest on Bregman, Tucker, more — The slow trickle of the MLB offseason has continued as the calendar flips to 2026. — Coming out of the holidays, 13 of Kiley McDaniel's top 25 free agents going into the winter remain unsigned and rumors continue to swirl …
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MLB.com, The Athletic, MLB Trade Rumors, OnPattison, Boston.com and Pinstripe Alley
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The Athletic:
What we're hearing around MLB: Cubs in mix for Bregman and Bichette, Mets working trade market — Some team is going to sign Kyle Tucker. Ditto for Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette and Cody Bellinger. But most of the teams pursuing those hitters are among the game's biggest spenders.
Discussion:
masslive.com, Yahoo Sports and MLB Trade Rumors
The Athletic:
Where the Cubs, Yankees, Blue Jays and more teams stand as MLB's offseason moves into January — The new year is upon us. The baseball offseason is entering its third month. And unfinished business abounds. — As of Monday morning, the top three free agents on The Athletic's Big Board …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Five reasons for MLB's agonizingly slow winter: When will free agents sign? — Groundhog Day may still be a month away, but in baseball free agency, groundhog day has been going on for the past 64 days. — Virtually every day is the same. — Rumors are floated. Teams check in. Teams check out.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
Jim Bowden / The Athletic:
Orioles head the list of MLB's 7 most-improved teams so far this offseason — The MLB offseason hot stove has developed slowly but consistently over the last two months. As we open the new year, there are plenty of big names still left on the free-agent market, including starting pitchers Framber Valdez …
Discussion:
NBC Sports Boston, Baltimore Sun, Battery Power, masslive.com, SportsNet Pittsburgh and Boston Herald
The Athletic:
Nine MLB teams' TV money in jeopardy as FanDuel networks continue to struggle — Next season's television income for nine Major League Baseball teams — close to one third of the league — is up in the air, adding a new wrinkle to an offseason where free agency has already moved slowly.
Andrew Marchand / The Athletic:
Clayton Kershaw is top studio target for NBC's MLB coverage: Sources — Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw is a top studio target for NBC/Peacock's forthcoming Major League Baseball package, sources briefed on the talks told The Athletic. — Kershaw, who retired after the Dodgers' latest …
Discussion:
New York Post, Yahoo Sports, Awful Announcing and masslive.com
Rick Stroud / Tampa Bay Times:
Todd Bowles says he's back as Bucs head coach for 2026 season — Todd Bowles stated his case plainly Monday, saying three consecutive NFC South titles should count for something even if his team missed the playoffs this year. Apparently the Glazer family, which owns the Bucs agreed.
Discussion:
New York Post and Pro Football Rumors
Associated Press:
A's denied ‘Athletics’ trademarks ahead of move to Las Vegas — LAS VEGAS — The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has denied the A's request to trademark the names “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics.” — The club, which intends to move to Nevada in 2028, has three months …
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The Athletic, Sportico, New York Post and AZ Snake Pit
Evan Petzold / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers re-sign Michigan native Dugan Darnell to minor-league contract — Right-handed reliever Dugan Darnell - a Michigan native who graduated from Northville High School and Adrian College - is set to enter the 2026 season with the Detroit Tigers. — The Tigers re-signed Darnell on Dec. 15 to a minor-league contract.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Patrick Andres / Sports Illustrated:
Blue Jays Add Six-Time Japanese All-Star Kazuma Okamoto on Four-Year Contract — Toronto is making moves to shore up its offense. — The Blue Jays had a revolving door at third base last season, and they appear to have thrown a new name into the conversation.
Discussion:
Sportsnet.ca, FanGraphs Baseball, Canadian Press, World Baseball Network and Bless You Boys
Jason Mackey / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates didn't get Kazuma Okamoto. What are the next steps for their offseason? — As expected as it might've been given the challenge of signing Japanese players, especially ones of his caliber, the Pirates failing to land Kazuma Okamoto was a tough pill to swallow. — But it won't define their offseason.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, MLB Trade Rumors, cubsinsider.com, Battery Power and SportsNet Pittsburgh
The Athletic:
Yankees have interest in Marlins' Edward Cabrera: Sources — With uncertainty surrounding their starting rotation to begin the season, the New York Yankees are talking to the Miami Marlins about a potential trade for starting pitcher Edward Cabrera, league sources told The Athletic.
Associated Press:
Royals manager Matt Quatraro gets 3-year extension through '29 — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Royals manager Matt Quatraro has agreed to a three-year contract extension through 2029. — His deal includes a team option for 2030, the Royals said Sunday. — Quatraro replaced Mike Matheny …
Discussion:
Kansas City Star, Royals Review, MLB.com, MLB Trade Rumors, The Athletic and baseballmusings.com
