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?

What's next for Brett Baty after Mets add Bo Bichette  —  The Mets made a free agent splash by adding Bo Bichette to play third base, but what does that mean for Brett Baty's future? … Just over 12 hours after the New York Mets lost out on Kyle Tucker, they made their biggest splash of the winter.

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?

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

New Padres player Song Sung-mun suffers oblique injury: source  —  San Diego Padres infielder Song Sung-mun has suffered an oblique injury that will sideline him for about four weeks, a source privy to the matter said Saturday.  —  According to the source, Song sustained the injury during …

Tucker picks Dodgers, agrees to four-year contract (source)  —  LOS ANGELES — When it comes to the best talent available in free agency, never count out the Dodgers.  Especially when they're stocking up for a three-peat bid.  —  The Dodgers and outfielder Kyle Tucker are in agreement on a four-year …

Cardinals, Mets Among Teams Interested In Griffin Canning  —  The Cardinals and Mets both have some interest in free agent righty Griffin Canning, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post.  Canning spent the 2025 season with the Mets after signing a one-year, make-good deal in free agency last year.