MLB increases cap and floor in latest proposal, sets 2028 target  —  Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association held another collective bargaining session Tuesday, with the league proposing that a salary cap and floor system be implemented beginning in 2028, the second year of an agreement.

Mets hiring A.J. Ellis as major-league strategy coordinator: Sources  —  The New York Mets are hiring A.J. Ellis to their major-league coaching staff as a major-league strategy coordinator, league sources told The Athletic on Wednesday.  The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because the move is not yet official.

Albert Pujols to interview for Astros' managerial vacancy: Source  —  HOUSTON — Might the Houston Astros turn to a longtime nemesis to lead their ballclub?  —  The Astros will interview former St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols for their managerial opening this week …

Rankings, contract projections: Top 50 2026-27 MLB free agents  —  The MLB offseason has officially started!  As free agency begins, it's time for our annual ranking of the top 50 free agents in the class and predicting how much money each player will get.  —  The story of this market is threefold …

Mariners to hire Jason Kanzler as next manager (sources)  —  SEATTLE — The Mariners have found their new manager, and it's an outside-the-box hire who will become a first-time skipper at any level.  —  Jason Kanzler — a 36-year-old emerging talent in the industry, who's spent …

2026 Minor League Free Agents For Every Team  —  A total of 504 players were declared minor league free agents on Nov. 2, five days after the conclusion of the 2026 World Series.  —  These players' minor league contract terms expired, typically after the six renewal seasons of their Uniform Player Contract were exercised.

Braves retaining hitting coach Tim Hyers, rest of MLB staff for next season: Source  —  ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves will retain their entire coaching staff for the upcoming season, a team source familiar with the decision told The Athletic on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

Marlins jettison Pauley, make nine moves.  What team is planning to do this month  —  With a lockout expected to begin on Dec. 1, the Marlins are approaching the next three weeks with the intent of trying to add big-league talent to a team that it expects to contend next year.

Here are the rosters for Sunday's AFL Fall Stars Game  —  In last year's Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game, Kevin McGonigle led off for the American League, Hagen Smith struck out a pair in a scoreless inning of relief and Sam Antonacci picked up two RBIs, including the game-winner …

With Bohm now a free agent, who will play 3B for Phils?  —  This story was excerpted from Todd Zolecki's Phillies Beat newsletter.  To read the full newsletter, click here.  And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.  —  Who's playing third base next season for the Phillies?

What I think about the Phillies as they embark on a challenging offseason  —  The beauty of this offseason — or the most daunting thing — is the Philadelphia Phillies have so many routes to improve a sagging roster.  They could renovate the entire outfield.  They could find a power-hitting corner bat for third base.

Biggest offseason needs for all 30 MLB teams for the 2026-27 offseason  —  Now that we have crowned a new World Series champion — congratulations to the Milwaukee Brewers — it's time for every team in MLB to bear down on their biggest and most pressing needs for the upcoming season.

Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. named finalist for 2026 AL MVP Award  —  Key Takeaways  —  AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.  — Bobby Witt Jr. joined Junior Caminero and Yordan Alvarez as 2026 AL MVP finalists.  — Witt hit .281 with 157 hits, 18 home runs, 54 RBIs and a 6.7 WAR in 143 games.