What I'm hearing about Mets' post-Bo Bichette plans: Outfield possibilities, QO philosophy  —  In the wake of their splashiest move of the offseason, the New York Mets are eyeing a versatile outfielder who can handle center field and support the corner spots, people familiar with their plans said.

Thoughts on Verlander report and Orioles' rotation  —  Any smart executive has a fallback option, and for Orioles president of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias, it's about his starting rotation and whether he can land an ace.  —  Would he really pivot to a soon-to-be 43-year-old future Hall of Famer?

Will spring training be Cardinals' de facto deadline for trading Brendan Donovan?  —  Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom speaks with the media during the Cardinals' Winter Warm-up on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.  —  kAmr2C5:?2=D AC6D:56?

Wilbur Wood, Ironman Knuckleballer for the White Sox, Is Dead at 84  —  He threw more innings in a season than any player since 1917.  A three-time All-Star, he also had four 20-win seasons.  —  Wilbur Wood, the Chicago White Sox knuckleballer who started more games and pitched more innings …

How a Wild 15 Hours of MLB Free Agency Led to J.T. Realmuto Re-Signing With Phillies  —  The 34-year-old catcher is back in Philadelphia. … J.T. Realmuto is staying in Philadelphia.  —  Per multiple reports, Realmuto agreed to sign a three-year deal worth $45 million with the Phillies on Friday.

Mookie confirms 2032 season will be his last  —  Dodgers star Mookie Betts plans to retire after his contract with Los Angeles ends.  —  In an appearance with John Cena on the Roku miniseries “What Drives You with John Cena,” Betts confirmed that he will retire following the 2032 season, at which point he'll be 40 years old.

Kim undergoes hand surgery, out 4-5 months  —  ATLANTA — One month after giving Ha-Seong Kim a one-year, $20 million deal, the Braves had to announce on Sunday that the shortstop will begin a second straight season on the injured list.  —  Kim underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon …

Midwinter updates: Mariners, Astros, Rangers, Angels, A's  —  The biggest contract handed out in the American League West occurred on Nov. 17, a mere two weeks into the offseason.  It wasn't from the Houston Astros, who claimed seven division titles and two World Series championships from 2017 to 2024.

Elly De La Cruz turned down largest contract in Reds history  —  CINCINNATI — Last spring, the Reds made an offer to shortstop Elly De La Cruz that would have eclipsed Joey Votto's club-record 10-year, $225 million contract extension that he signed in 2012.  De La Cruz turned it down.

Ryan Pressly to retire after 13 seasons as reliever for Twins, Astros and Cubs  —  Ryan Pressly, one of the most prolific postseason relievers of his era and a figurehead of the Houston Astros' ascension into an American League superteam, announced his retirement from baseball Saturday after a 13-year major-league career.

Marte plan unchanged in face of Bregman, Suárez signings  —  This story was excerpted from Steve Gilbert's D-backs Beat newsletter.  To read the full newsletter, click here.  And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.  —  It was sometime after the news of Alex Bregman signing …