New York

Yankees

The 26-year-old hurler spent the 2025 campaign in the Red Sox’ organization where he registered a 3.03 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 72/44 K/BB ratio over 59 1/3 innings in 34 appearances. He’ll add bullpen depth in the upper minors for the Yankees.

Judge received 17 of 30 first-place votes to narrowly edge Cal Raleigh in one of the most compelling MVP races in recent memory, capturing the award for the second straight season and third time in his career. The 33-year-old Yankees icon led the majors with 10.1 WAR (per FanGraphs) while slashing .331/.457/.688 with 53 homers and 114 RBI across 152 games. Raleigh garnered the remaining 13 first-place votes to finish as the runner-up after delivering one of the greatest offensive seasons ever by a catcher, launching a record-setting 60 homers over 159 contests. José Ramírez finished a distant third, just ahead of Bobby Witt Jr. in AL MVP Award balloting.

Boras added that he doesn’t think the Yankees’ interest in a reunion would change if Trent Grisham accepts the qualifying offers. Bellinger figures to aim for at least a five-year contract this winter, and he’s expected to draw interest from the Mets and others.

Tucker is the top free agent hitter on the market and will likely command the biggest deal. The Dodgers and Yankees both have openings in the outfield with Michael Conforto and Cody Bellinger now free agents, respectively. It will be interesting to see if any other teams can get involved in the bidding.

Romero notes that the Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball have approved the posting of the 27-year-old hurler. Once Major League Baseball approves it, teams will have a 45-day window to negotiate a deal. Imai registered an outstanding 1.92 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and a 178/45 K/BB ratio across 163 2/3 innings during the 2025 campaign. He’s projected to land a contract in the range of five or six years and upwards of $150 million.

Feinsand notes that the Cubs will take a shot at retaining Tucker, while the Dodgers and Yankees represent a pair of big-market clubs with the financial resources and corner outfield vacancies to get involved in the sweepstakes surrounding the offseason’s most coveted position player. He adds that the Giants and Phillies would be landing spots if they decide to shake things up this offseason, while the Mets could be a landing spot if they’re unable to bring back Pete Alonso. The 28-year-old fantasy stalwart finished this past season with an .841 OPS along with 22 homers and 25 steals over 136 games as a hairline fracture in his right hand adversely impacted his on-field performance throughout much of the summer. It’ll be interesting to see whether he winds up settling for a short-term pact with an opt-out to potentially hit the market again in the near future.

Arguably the highest-profile hitter to become a minor league free agent earlier this week, Candelario came to New York shortly after being released by the Reds in late June halfway through his three-year, $45 million contract. The 31-year-old infielder hit just .203/.289/.357 with seven homers in 61 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. His extensive track record should afford him another opportunity somewhere else this offseason.

Judge takes home a silver slugger for the fifth time in his career. He joins Byron Buxton and Riley Greene in the outfield in taking home the award. The full list of winners: Cal Raleigh (C), Nick Kurtz (1B), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B), Bobby Witt Jr. (SS), José Ramírez (3B), Judge (OF), Buxton (OF) and Greene (OF) and George Springer (DH).

Murakami will have a 45-day window to negotiate with major-league teams. The 25-year-old power-hitting corner infielder was limited to 69 games in 2025 due to injury but still slashed .286/.392/.659 with 24 homers, 52 RBI, and a 71/38 K/BB ratio over 263 plate appearances. He set an NPB single-season record with 56 home runs back in 2022. The Dodgers and Yankees are among the clubs expected to pursue him, though most of the usual big-market contenders will likely join the bidding. The over-the-fence power is undeniable, but serious concerns about his ability to handle premium velocity could complicate his transition to the majors.

The procedural move prevents Castro from becoming a minor league free agent and protects him from being gobbled up in next month’s Rule 5 Draft. The 26-year-old reliever last appeared in the big leagues back in 2022, but posted a sublime 1.53 ERA across 47 innings over 35 appearances at the Triple-A level this past season. He’ll presumably compete for a spot in the Yankees’ season-opening bullpen next spring.