MLB Player News

Nicolas was acquired from the Pirates about a week ago and had a 10.80 ERA in two appearances with the Bats. He managed a 4.74 ERA in 31 appearances in the bigs last year and will replace Jose Franco as one of Cincinnati’s low-leverage relievers for the time being.

Rogers is expected to turn down the $23.15 million qualifying offer from Baltimore and could land a four- or five-year deal as one of this winter’s younger free agents (he turns 29 later this week).

Cashman said he’s “open minded” about finding a replacement for McMahon, who has hit just .211/.289/.349 since arriving from the Rockies at the 2025 trade deadline. The Yankees will almost certainly add either a second baseman or a third baseman this winter, if not both. Should they sign a second baseman, then Anthony Volpe could compete for the job at third base. McMahon will make $16 million next year in the final season of his six-year deal.

Strider was unable to make it back last season after going on the IL with elbow inflammation in June, but no surgery was required. The Braves will hope he comes back a little stronger next year, as he’s gotten very homer prone with his velocity down about three mph from his peak. He’s entering the fifth year of the six-year, $75 million extension he signed after the 2022 season.

Fried dealt with a bone bruise in his elbow that put him on the IL twice last season, limiting him to 20 starts in which he went 5-5 with a 2.80 ERA.

Not that Pedro Guerrero. This Pedro Guerrero does have a history with the Dodgers, though, playing in the minor league system as a utilityman from 2006 until his pro career ended in 2013. The 37-year-old was the Marlins’ hitting coach the last two seasons.

Many seem to think the Mets, facing big pressure to improve after finishing in last place in the NL East, are the favorites to sign Skubal. Of course, it’s still very early there, but Skubal, who is seeking the biggest contract ever for a pitcher, might have more incentive than other free agents to sign before a new CBA perhaps changes the landscape.

It’d be a surprise if the Jays don’t walk away with one of the winter’s top position player free agents, and it works out especially well for them that most of the best players in the class are corner outfielders and second basemen, which rate as the Jays’ biggest needs at the moment. The Jays are plenty familiar with Lowe from all of his time with the Rays, and he’s hit .280/.363/.550 at Rogers Center in his career.

Taillon is aiming to return late in the 2027 season, though he definitely won’t have much margin for error there. It’s his third UCL surgery, as he previously had Tommy John in 2014 and a revision surgery in 2019.

The Jays picked Stephan up along with Josh Smith when they sent Adam Macko to the Rangers at the trade deadline, and Stephan went on to post a 6.64 ERA in seven Triple-A starts. The 25-year-old has a 5.59 ERA and a 137/46 K/BB in 148 career innings in Triple-A.

The 23-year-old Arias, who began his pro career with the Blue Jays in 2021, hit .226/.277/.379 in 87 games in Double-A last season. He’s currently off to a nice start in Venezuela, having hit .329/.404/.494 with three homers and six steals in 23 games.