Category: Baseball

Shohei Ohtani will once again represent Team Japan in next year’s World Baseball Classic.

Whether or not he pitches in the international tournament, however, remains unclear.

On Monday, Ohtani announced on Instagram he is planning to participate in the WBC for the second time in his career.

In the 2023 WBC, he won tournament MVP with a .435 batting average and 1.86 pitching ERA, helping Japan to that year’s title. He punctuated the event with his memorable strikeout of Mike Trout for the final out in the championship game.

Read more:How much did they fetch? Dodgers historic homers by Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith and Miguel Rojas sell at auction

“I’m happy to play again representing Japan,” Ohtani wrote in Japanese on Monday.

The question now is whether Ohtani will pitch in the event, which takes place in March, just five months removed from his heavy postseason workload during the Dodgers’ run to a second-consecutive World Series title.

At this point, no decision on that front has seemingly been made.

After spending the first half of the 2025 season limited only to designated hitting duties while completing his recovery from a 2023 Tommy John procedure, the 31-year-old Ohtani resumed his two-way role over the second half, making 14 pitching starts for the Dodgers from June to September while increasing his workload one inning at a time.

By the postseason, he was fully built up for full-length starts, and went on to throw 20⅓ innings over four playoff outings — including a 2⅓ inning appearance on shortened three days’ rest in Game 7 of the World Series.

Oftentimes, pitchers who are that heavily taxed during a deep playoff run will consider sitting out a WBC the following year because of the early ramp-up required to throw in the tournament takes place during spring training.

However, the WBC is of supreme importance in the Japanese baseball community; more significant even than the World Series. And Ohtani is the face of the county’s iconic Samurai Japan national team, which will be trying to win its fourth WBC title.

Ohtani is expected to hit in the event, coming off a career-high 55-homer season that helped him earn a third-consecutive MVP Award and the fourth of his MLB career.

But there remains no indication about whether he will pitch, nor if such a decision has been made between him and the Dodgers (who can’t block Ohtani from participating in the event, but could request he either not pitch or follow strict usage rules given he missed the first half of last season on the mound).

It is unlikely that decision will be made until closer to the tournament.

The Dodgers’ two other Japanese pitchers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, face a similar dynamic leading into next year’s WBC.

Yamamoto made 30 starts in the 2025 regular season, the most of his MLB or Japanese career, then threw 37⅓ more innings in six outings during the playoffs — including his heroic back-to-back victories in Games 6 and 7 of the World Series.

Sasaki missed most of his rookie MLB season with a shoulder injury, but returned late in the year and became the team’s de facto closer in the playoffs. Next year, he is slated to return to the starting rotation.

Read more:Dodgers need an outfielder. Cody Bellinger is a free agent. Could a reunion be possible?

Like Ohtani, they are both key cogs in the Dodgers’ 2026 pitching plans, which, as manager Dave Roberts alluded to during a promotional tour in Japan last week, could make the WBC something of a potential complication.

“We’ll support them,” Roberts told the Japanese media. “But I do think that the pitching, it’s a lot on the body, the arm. The rest will be beneficial for next year, for our season. But we understand how important the WBC is for these individual players and for the country of Japan.”

The Dodgers could choose to block Sasaki’s participation in the WBC, since he spent much of last year on the 60-day injured list, but have not yet given any indication about whether they would do so.

The club can’t do the same with Yamamoto, but could still try advocating for him to be used more conservatively in the tournament coming off his especially burdensome October performance.

For now, at least, what is known is that Ohtani will participate in some capacity.

But whether he, or his Japanese Dodgers teammates, will pitch in the tournament will remain a subplot as the offseason progresses.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Brandon Nimmo’s time in the Big Apple has come to an end. 

The outfielder spent his first 10 years with the Mets after being selected as the 13th overall pick in the 2011 Draft. 

Nimmo fought through his share of ups-and-downs over the years, but he established himself as a fan favorite with his infectious smile and the high-energy play he brought to the field everyday.

He expressed his desire to remain a Met his entire career after signing an eight-year extension ahead of the 2023 season, but two years into that deal the organization had other plans. 

David Stearns said it was not an easy decision, but the Mets opted to ship Nimmo out of town on Sunday night in a deal with the Texas Rangers for veteran 2B Marcus Semien. 

His chapter with the Mets comes to a close with a .262 average, 135 homers, 188 doubles, 463 RBI, a .364 on-base percentage, and a .802 OPS over 1,066 games. 

Owners Steve and Alex Cohen released a statement shortly after the deal became official on Monday afternoon. 

“Brandon represented our organization with heart, grit, and passion,” they wrote. “He embodied everything it meant to be a Met on and off the field. We are grateful for everything he gave to our team and community. We wish Brandon, Chelsea, and Tatum all the best.”

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner hasn't wavered in commitment to building a championship-caliber roster this offseason, but he's hoping to achieve his family's annual goal at a lower price.

Amid speculation of the Yankees wanting to cut payroll below $300 million next season, Steinbrenner addressed their financial state on Monday, admitting to reporters via video call he'd prefer to see their 2026 number drop. 

What he didn't divulge, however, was a budget or dollar range the Yankees are operating under as baseball's hot stove rises in temperature. Steinbrenner insists there's no mandate to shed payroll -- although it's now clear what's written atop his holiday wish list.

"Would it be ideal if I went down [with the payroll]? Of course," Steinbrenner said. "But does that mean that’s going to happen? Of course not. We want to field a team we know can win a championship, or we believe could win a championship. It all depends on what’s out there and what the possibilities are and how much I feel we’re able or we need to pull the trigger on those possibilities.”

Steinbrenner contended the Yankees' payroll in 2025 was $319 million, not far off from a $323 million figure analyzed by Cot's Contracts. At the moment, their payroll is $283 million, according to Cot's, and this number includes millions projected toward the league's Competitive Balance Tax. The Yankees eclipsed the top luxury tax threshold in the last two seasons.

By retaining outfielder Trent Grisham via the $22 million qualifying offer and re-signing reliever Ryan Yarbrough to a one-year, $2.5 million deal last week, bringing back lefty slugger Cody Bellinger would easily push the Yankees back over $300 million. Steinbrenner declined to comment on their free-agent pursuits, but Bellinger is a top priority.

There also was some pushback from Steinbrenner when he was asked about the Yankees' profit margins. While he didn't explicitly say the franchise is operating at a loss, he hinted at some belt tightening and challenged reports on their latest revenue totals. According to Forbes, the Yankees generated over $700 million in 2025.

"I don't want to get into it, but that's not a fair statement or an accurate statement," Steinbrenner said. "Everybody wants to talk about revenues. They need to talk about our expenses, including the $100 million expense to the city of New York that we have to pay every Feb. 1, including the COVID year. It all starts to add up in a hurry.

"Nobody spends more money, I don't believe, on player development, scouting, performance science. These all start to add up. If you want to go look at the revenues, you got to somehow try to figure out the expense side as well. You might be surprised."

Hal Steinbrenner was asked about what encouraged him & disappointed him about the 2025 Yankees:

"How well they played together, how incredible the clubhouse was. What was disappointing was the result. I didn't like that 6-7 week period that we had where we were making mistakes" pic.twitter.com/fhd2XBlGrm

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) November 24, 2025

While there's no disputing the Yankees spend money -- they had the third-highest payroll in MLB this past season -- disgruntled fans want to know where and how it's being allocated. And considering Steinbrenner isn't obligated to open the books, statements on this matter are always met with warranted skepticism.

Of course, boasting the highest payroll doesn't guarantee a championship. But flexing financial muscle has worked for the Dodgers, coming off a second straight World Series crown. They're the first team to hoist the Commissioner's Trophy in back-to-back seasons since the Yankees in 1999-2000.

Steinbrenner believes there's a "weak correlation" between spending the most and winning the ultimate prize. He also remains in support of MLB implementing a salary cap, as long as a sensible salary floor number is incorporated.

It's unclear how the winter will shake out for the Yankees, searching for players to fill voids at several key positions. But if they're truly hellbent on celebrating a championship for the first time since 2009, strategies must change. And fans can't feel reassured by their owner expressing a portion-controlled apetite.

The Yankees' overall value is currently listed at $8.2 billion, according to Forbes.

A bit lost in the shuffle in the wake ofBrandon Nimmo getting traded to the Rangers for Marcus Semien, is what it could mean for the Mets future of Jeff McNeil.

McNeil, whom the Mets were open to trading before the Nimmo deal went down, was the regular second baseman for New York in 2025 -- playing 79 games there. 

But while McNeil played second base most of the time last season, he also got time at all three outfield spots and even made two appearances at first base.

With McNeil basically blocked at second base by Semien, president of baseball operationsDavid Stearns discussed what his role could be in 2026.

"I think Jeff, by virtue of his positional versatility, still has the ability to impact our team in a variety of ways," Stearns explained during a Zoom with reporters on Monday. "What exactly that's going to look like is probably going to have to wait until we watch the rest of the offseason unfold. But certainly his ability to play corner outfield is a help. There may still be days if Semien needs a blow, where he's playing some second base. We may ask Jeff to play some first base, depending on how the offseason pans out.

"I talked to Jeff yesterday. He understands where we're headed. I think he wants to be a part of this, and he understands his positional versatility is a real asset for us."

Reading between the lines a bit, it seems McNeil -- if he remains a Met -- might be viewed as a super utility player rather than someone who is a regular.

McNeil underwent a "minor" procedure for thoracic outlet syndrome shortly after the end of the 2025 season.

His agent said that the injury caused McNeil pain when he swung a bat late in the season, and that he is expected to be ready to go for spring training.

McNeil, 33, is owed $15.75 million in 2026 in what is the fourth and final guaranteed year of the deal he signed before the 2023 campaign. The Mets hold a club option for the 2027 season that is worth $15.75 million and contains a $2 million buyout.

Sunday night’s news of the Mets trading Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Marcus Semien felt like it came out of nowhere. While Nimmo had been mentioned as a potential trade candidate, it was still a bit jarring for Mets fans to see the homegrown outfielder dealt at this point in the MLB offseason, just a few years removed from singing a new eight-year contract.

So how exactly did the trade come to be? 

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns met with the media on Monday to discuss just that, but started by thanking Nimmo for everything he had done for the organization. 

“From the moment the Mets drafted Brandon, he did everything right here,” Stearns said. “He represented the organization exceptionally well, on and off the field, and really was a great Met. We wish Brandon and his family nothing but the best as they embark on the next phase of Brandon’s career with the Texas Rangers.”

“These are always tough decisions. This was not easy,” Stearns added later. “Everyone here thinks very highly of Brandon, but in order to create the type of sustainable championship-caliber play that we seek to have here, at times these types of decisions are necessary.”

According to Stearns, the Mets and Rangers had identified Semien and Nimmo as potential fits early in the offseason, but trade talks really began to pick up after the GM Meetings in Las Vegas, which took place between Nov. 10-13.

“This is something that really probably gained steam last week after the GM Meetings,” Stearns explained. “I think throughout the offseason, Texas had looked at Nimmo as a very attractive fit for them, and we had looked at Semien as a potentially really good fit for us, but we didn’t really line up and start making progress on this until I think towards the tail end of the GM Meetings into last week. 

“These are difficult deals to put together. ... You’re talking about two players who are embedded in their organizations, who have had success there, and clearly in Brandon’s case you’re talking about a player with no-trade protection.”

As far as what Semien adds to the Mets, Stearns praised everything that the 35-year-old brings to the table. A three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, Semien’s offensive numbers were a tad down in 2025 (.669 OPS, 15 home runs, 62 RBI in 127 games), but the veteran, according to Stearns, is much more than his offensive output. 

“Marcus brings an elite level of defense,” Stearns said. “He’s one of the best defensive infielders in baseball and has been for a number of years. He’s a winner. He brings a winning drive and determination that we think is going to fit well in our clubhouse, and he balances our lineup from the right side, which is something we were seeking to do.”

Stearns later added: “This is a player who can contribute to winning baseball in a variety of ways, and the bat may not actually lead the way at this point in his career. We think there’s likely some bounce back in his offensive game, but what we’re counting on at the top of his skill set is the contributions he can make for us defensively, how he can perform on the bases, and we think those are going to help us win games. 

“I think as we really began to dig in on who this person was, talked to his former teammates, former coaches, people who have been around him, this is someone who takes his craft incredibly seriously. Someone who does everything he can on a regular basis to get in the lineup, to perform at a high level, practices hard and holds those expectations of his teammates as well, and I think that’s going to fit in very well with our group.”

The day after being traded from the only team he's ever known as a professional, Brandon Nimmo discussed how he's feeling after being dealt from the Mets to the Rangers.

"It took me as a shock," Stearns told reporters, including Newsday's Laura Albanese, via Zoom.

Noting that he and his wife, Chelsea, had just finished building a house in Port St. Lucie where the Mets have spring training, Nimmo said he thought he was going to be with the Mets "until the very end."

"I could have had a pretty good chance of having a number in the rafters, but that's not what it all means to me," Nimmo explained. "I would honestly rather win a World Series."

Nimmo added that Stearns approached him with the trade, and he understood that the team felt this was the best way for them to move forward. After thinking it over, Nimmo -- who had a full no-trade clause -- approved the deal. 

"The Mets would not have brought this trade if they didn't feel like it put the Mets in the best position to win going forward," Nimmo said. "They made it very apparent that they weren't actively shopping me but that the Rangers really, really, really wanted me."

When he re-signed with the Mets on an eight-year contract following the 2022 season, Nimmo discussed his excitement about the prospect of potentially never having to take his Mets jersey off again.

But following a season where the Mets went from being the best team in baseball in June to all the way out of the playoffs, president of baseball operations David Stearns -- who had his own news conference right around the time Nimmo had his -- said it would not have been right to simply run it back.

And the Nimmo trade was possibly the first of numerous big changes for New York this offseason.

In addition to addressing his Mets departure via Zoom, Nimmo also posted a farewell message on Instagram, writing:

"To the fans I'll always hold near and dear: There is truly no way I could adequately put into words how much my tenure with the Mets has meant to me. All I can say is thank you. Thank you Mets fans for embracing and welcoming a kid from Cheyenne, Wyoming to the Big Apple. I always aspired to become a big leaguer - I never knew I'd have the opportunity to accomplish that dream in a city so wildly passionate about the game of baseball. The last 14 years have felt like a dream, and it has been an absolute honor to share them with you. You made me feel like family, and I hope you felt the same. I will always be grateful for our time and memories together. With love, always."

Nimmo, who was drafted by the Mets in 2011 and made his big league debut in 2016, was a stalwart for the club over the last decade. 

In 4,365 plate appearances in 1,066 games for New York, Nimmo slashed .262/.364/.438 (.802 OPS) with 135 home runs, 188 doubles, 32 triples, 593 runs scored, and 463 RBI.

Speaking to reporters via Zoom following the Mets' franchise-altering trade of Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien, president of baseball operationsDavid Stearns discussed what could be next.

After thanking Nimmo for all he did in his 15 years in the organization, Stearns first talked about what the deal could mean for the outfield in 2026.

"We think this opens up possibilities and flexibility for us going forward -- both from a near-term perspective and also allowing space for a number of very young outfielders who are coming, who are talented, and will deserve spots at the major league level," Stearns said. "And to play at the major league level. And this transaction also provides room for that to happen as we move forward."

While Juan Soto is entrenched in right field, left field and center field are wide open.

New York recently avoided arbitration with Tyrone Taylor, who will be back next season. And while it's possible Taylor begins the year as the regular center fielder, it's also possible top prospect Carson Benge claims that job. Or that an external option (or two) is added.

Stearns also mentioned Jeff McNeil as someone who could be a contributor in the outfield in 2026, but seemed to be discussing it as more of a part-time thing.

"I think it would be too early for me to really determine how our outfield alignment is gonna shape up," Stearns added. "Clearly we've got Juan. Tyrone Taylor's back with us, we're very excited. We've got a number of young outfielders, including Carson Benge, who we think are gonna contribute at the major league level over the course of next year. 

"As I mentioned, we think Jeff is a contributor at the major league level in the outfield next year. Jett Williams has seen some outfield time, and we believe can play well there. And we've seen that in the minor leagues. And then there is the opportunity for external acquisitions, and we've got a lot of offseason left to continue to be active in a variety of spaces to bring players in here. And I think we'll have a better feel for what all of that looks like as we get much farther into the winter and ultimately into the spring."

Regarding Williams and other second base options currently on the team, Stearns said he didn't believe the Semien acquisition blocks their development, explaining that all of those players offer positional versatility.

Stearns also touched on the futures of free agents Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz, reiterating that he would "love" for both of them to be back. And while he declined to discuss specifics when it comes to any negotiations the club is having with either player, Stearns was clear about New York's ability and willingness to spend what it takes this offseason. 

Asked whether retaining both Alonso and Diaz and adding a "top flight" outfielder was possible, Stearns noted:

"I think our ownership group and Steve [Cohen] is very consistent that they're willing to support what we think is right from a baseball perspective. Payroll space is not unending, but I'm also very confident that we're gonna have the support we need and certainly the resources we need to put a very good team on the field."

Pressed further on the potential that the Mets could sign Alonso, Diaz, and add a "top flight" outfielder, Stearns said yes.

"Sure. I think anything would be realistic right now."

Legendary graffiti artist Daniel "Chaka" Ramos once claimed he had tagged more than 40,000 locations around Los Angeles.

He can now add seven more. And unlike decades ago — when Ramos had to sneak around in darkness to spray-paint his nickname in large, block letters all over the city and surrounding areas — this time it was fully permissible.

Earlier this month, Nike recruited Ramos to add his signature style to seven murals celebrating the Dodgers' back-to-back World Series titles, which the team clinched Nov. 1 with a dramatic Game 7 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ramos, an L.A. native and Dodgers fan, was more than happy to participate, adding his name and slogans crafted by Nike to each piece. He told The Times in an email that it was his "first major project with a corporate giant like Nike."

"They’re one of the most prolific creative forces in the world, and collaborating with them was a milestone for me," the 53-year-old artist said. "The rush of graffiti can’t really be compared to commissioned or gallery work, but this experience came close."

The Nike murals, which are scheduled to remain up through Nov. 30, are among the pieces included in a new and quickly expanding online map detailing the locations of Dodgers murals in and around L.A. The map was created by and is curated by Mike Asner, the mastermind behind a similar website that documents the locations of hundreds of Kobe and Gianna Bryant murals around the world.

Asner already has a full-time job as a marketing director in sports and entertainment, as well as maintaining the Bryant mural site. Still, the morning after the Dodgers clinched their second straight championship, Asner knew it was time to get to start tracking more murals.

Read more:North Hollywood mural lauds Dodgers' Kiké Hernández 'for standing up for what is right'

“I think the reception from the fans and the artists I got to know from the Kobe mural project was very positive," Asner, who also has an Instagram page highlighting Dodgers murals, said. "And the main thing I realized was it was helping people and providing a service to them and making things easier. ... After the Dodgers won back-to-back championships, we started to see murals going up immediately, so I felt it would be the right thing to do again.”

The map currently includes 54 murals, located as far north as Van Nuys and all the way down to Lake Elsinore. One of the standouts for Asner is a sprawling painting by artist Royyal Dog in the Florence-Graham neighborhood in South Los Angeles (2619 Firestone Blvd.). It features portraits of many all-time Dodgers greats, including Tommy Lasorda, Fernando Valenzuela, Orel Hershiser, Clayton Kershaw, Justin Turner, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani.

Another of his favorites is one by artist Gustavo Zermeño Jr. on the Eat Fantastic building in Redondo Beach (701 N. Pacific Coast Highway). A tribute to the 2024 World Series championship, the mural features Betts, Freeman and Ohtani but is highlighted by a larger-than-life image of Lakers legend Bryant wearing a basketball jersey with Dodgers colors and lettering.

Read more:'We wanted to throw a twist on it': Why an iconic Kobe Bryant image was altered for a Dodger-themed mural

The Nike-Chaka collaborations represent some of the newer artwork documented on Asner's map. A Nike spokesperson said the idea was to give Ramos approved spaces in local neighborhoods to express the pride that Dodgers fans are feeling after back-to-back championships.

Two of the murals were painted directly on the walls by L.A.-based artists, with Ramos adding the slogans and his tag afterward. Artist Swank One painted the one at 2844 1st St. in Boyle Heights. It features relief pitcher Roki Sasaki and Smith embracing after the Dodgers clinched the National League pennant, with the slogan "On the Double."

Artists Enkone and Keorock painted at 4560 Whittier Blvd. in East L.A. The mural features pitcher Blake Snell, whose postseason included a one-hit, eighth-inning gem in Game 1 of the NLCS, with the slogan "Twice as Nice." That mural has since been removed.

For four of the others, Nike licensed game photos from Getty Images, overlaid tag designs from Ramos and then had the images blown up and printed as murals.

Those include "Twice in a Blue Moon" in Silverlake (at Hollywood Boulevard and Hillhurst Avenue), featuring Max Muncy and Hyesong Kim; "Repeat Heroes" in Echo Park (at West Temple Street and North Boylston Street), featuring Smith and Sasaki; "Turn Two, Earn Two" in Echo Park (atSunset Boulevard and Marion Avenue), featuring Muncy; and "Dodgers Rule" — a play on Ramos' longtime slogan "Chaka Rules" — in Westlake/Echo Park (at Beverly Boulevard and Commonwealth Avenue), featuring Sasaki.

The last mural features a photo of Yamamoto letting out a roar. The photo was blown up several stories high and installed several stories higher in downtown L.A. at 213 S. Broadway. Ramos then boarded a suspended scaffold and was lifted high above his hometown, where he spent four to five hours adding his tag and the slogan "Back 2 Back."

It may not have been as daring as some of the stunts he pulled in the past, but Ramos definitely felt the rush.

"I’ve done graffiti at daredevil heights without a harness before, but nothing at this scale. This time I actually had to gear up with a harness — haha," he wrote. "It was intense, but a lot of fun."

Read more:Here are 11 Fernando Valenzuela murals to visit in L.A.: 'He did so much for the Mexican community'

The Nike-Chaka murals will be coming down soon, but Asner says he's excited to see what other new creations might fill out the map in the aftermath of the latest championship run.

"We're gonna see really amazing artwork going up, and we're gonna see artwork of Dodgers that haven't necessarily been on murals. like Will Smith and Yoshinobu Yamamoto," Asner said. "There's a lot of really big stars from this series that deserve to get credit for their amazing job. ...

“You know, Ohtani was incredible, obviously, Friedman was incredible. But there were a lot of big players that stepped up — Miggy Rojas, right? Huge, huge reason they won. So it's gonna be great to see what these artists do, and I'm looking forward to seeing it myself.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Will Phils finally land a star from Asia this winter? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies have long been as aggressive as anyone in baseball when it comes to free agency.

The same hasn’t been true on the international side, though. Their history with signing top talent out of Asia has been almost non-existent, and it hasn’t been for a lack of effort.

“Sometimes there’s a little bit more of an obstacle we’re facing,” Dave Dombrowski told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber recently. “Maybe [Philly] is not the No. 1 place, first and foremost. But you don’t give in to that. You try to create an atmosphere that people want to join, and you’re hopeful that at some time it works out for you.”

This offseason might finally present that opportunity. Unlike recent winters, the combination of posted players from Japan’s NPB, Korea’s KBO and Taiwan’s CPBL aligns directly with several needs up and down the Phillies’ roster.

An instant match is corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto of the Yomiuri Giants. Before injuries interrupted his 2025 season, the 29-year-old logged seven straight years with a .250 or better average, 27+ homers, 80+ RBIs, 240+ total bases and an OPS of .805 or higher.

His offensive profile in NPB mirrors what Seiya Suzuki brought from Japan — and the Cubs outfielder has produced an .818 OPS with 87 home runs across his first four MLB seasons.

Okamoto would provide the right-handed power presence the Phillies have lacked the last two years and give Bryce Harper consistent protection in the middle of the order.

MLB Trade Rumors projected a four-year, $64 million deal — a range the Phillies can operate in, whether that means missing out on the Kyle Schwarber sweepstakes or moving Alec Bohm via trade.

The pitching side is less certain. The team isn’t expected to pursue high-end starters, but Ranger Suárez’s expected departure and uncertainty around Zack Wheeler’s recovery leave room for rotation upgrades.

The most coveted starter available is right-hander Tatsuya Imai. He debuted back in 2017 and has made his mark with the Seibu Lions of the NPB. Over his last four seasons, he averaged a 2.19 ERA, and this past year was his best.

In 2025, he posted a 1.92 ERA and a league-best 0.89 WHIP across 163 2/3 innings, allowing only 101 hits and 45 walks.

A contract in the $20 million AAV range over five or six years is expected for the 27-year-old — whose fastball nears triple digits — which may exceed what the Phillies are willing to do.

A more realistic target is in Taiwan. Wei Chuan Dragons right-hander Jo Hsi Hsu was posted Sunday, and Yahoo Sports Taiwan linked the Phillies to the 25-year-old as early as April.

Hsu just put together his best full season — a 2.05 ERA and 0.81 WHIP over 19 starts in 2025.

FanGraphs evaluators Eric Longenhagen and James Fegan noted a late-season dip in velocity that could point to a bullpen future in the MLB, and it is not yet certain whether Hsu will choose a major-league deal or sign in Japan. But the Phillies’ interest predates his posting — and the cost would be nowhere near Imai’s.

If the Phillies don’t go the international route to add pitching, they could enhance their depth offensively. Left-handed hitting is not an organizational priority, but two KBO standouts fit the profile of affordable upside.

Samsung slugger Lewin Díaz just authored one of the greatest offensive seasons in league history: a .314 average, 50 home runs and 158 RBIs — capturing the KBO Triple Crown while setting league records for a foreign player in home runs and runs batted in.

Díaz played three MLB seasons (2020–22) before moving to the KBO. His arc resembles Eric Thames, who came back from Korea and delivered an .825 OPS and 114 OPS+ over four MLB seasons. Whether Díaz returns to the big leagues remains unknown, but his 2025 output makes him a legitimate candidate.

Kiwoom infielder Sung-mun Song also fits the Phillies’ roster structure — albeit in a different way. After seven inconsistent KBO seasons, Song has hit .327 over the last two years and totaled 109 extra-base hits with OPS marks of .927 and .917.

The 29-year-old’s athleticism allows him to play first, second and third, and while his defense has been up and down, his versatility makes him a complement to Edmundo Sosa as the Phillies shore up their bench.

Although NPB star Munetaka Murakami is the biggest name on the international market, the Phillies’ push to improve — and their willingness to pursue talent across the Pacific — puts them in position to compete for at least one of these players.

It was jarring on Sunday night to see the news that the Mets were trading Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien.

However, if you recalled what David Stearns said during his end-of-season news conference -- when he signaled a willingness to break up New York's offensive core -- that Nimmo has been dealt could not have possibly come as a surprise.

Back to that jarring part for a bit...

What makes this feel a bit like a bucket of cold water has been dumped on your head is the fact that Nimmo and the Mets had been synonymous ever since he made his MLB debut in 2016.

Nimmo wasn't just a damn good player. He was a tireless worker, a true leader, and a Met who truly loved being a Met. For those reasons and more, this one stings.

At the same time, it can easily be argued that with Nimmo's defense having regressed significantly (he was a negative in the outfield in 2025), his offense dipping from the height he was at between 2021 and 2023, and with five years remaining on his contract, that it was wise to move on now.

While it might be hard to do this with the trade of a beloved franchise player so fresh, it's important to understand that this isn't really about Nimmo for Semien -- even though Semien provides Gold Glove defense at second base. 

Rather, this is about clearing an outfield spot and lineup spot, which opens up a world of possibilities for the Mets that didn't really exist before Sunday night.

Prior to the Nimmo trade, Kyle Tucker -- the crown jewel of free agency -- wasn't really a Mets fit. Now, he is. The same can be said for Cody Bellinger. But the Nimmo deal won't be a failure if the Mets don't land one of the aforementioned players. Not when there's so many other options out there.  

And there's lots more intriguing players beyond the two mentioned above.

So, what's next?

Perusing X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday night, there were plenty of Mets fans who were up in arms over the deal and predicting that the team would just go defense-heavy at every open position instead of doing anything big. That's not how this is going to go.

Yes, Stearns values defense. But he also knows the team needs serious offensive reinforcements. And guess what? There are players out there who are strong all-around players, too.

The most obvious thing would be for the Mets to swoop in and land a big outfielder. Tucker, who will be entering his age-29 season in 2026, looms as a pretty perfect fit. In a relatively down year for the Cubs in 2025, he still had an .841 OPS. This is a complete hitter who -- like Juan Soto -- does a tremendous job controlling the strike zone.

Tucker's defense has slipped a bit, though, and his contract in terms of both years and dollars is expected to be massive.

If not Tucker, Bellinger would be a sensible option.

Beyond free agency, it all of a sudden makes a ton of sense for New York to explore what it would take to pry Jarren Duran from the Red Sox.

The 29-year-old Duran's name was out there ahead of last season's trade deadline. And with the Sox potentially in need at third base and/or second base -- and the Mets flush with infielders -- perhaps there's a fit.

Twins star Byron Buxton could also potentially be snagged via trade. It's also possible Fernando Tatis Jr. is available with the Padres for sale and possibly needing to trim payroll.

Meanwhile, the Mets could view top prospect Carson Benge as a left field option now and instead focus on adding a center fielder. They could also go internal in the outfield and train their efforts on the infield, where Pete Alonso's defense would be less of an issue now that they have Semien's range to help cover for it. There's also free agents Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, who could be third base fits.

With Nimmo gone, Kyle Schwarber all of a sudden makes a lot more sense as a serious target -- especially in a world where Alonso signs elsewhere.

Looking internal, the addition of Semien would seem to make the already possible trade of Jeff McNeil something that's probable.

McNeil, who is entering the final year of his contract, could provide serious value as a super utility player capable of playing every infield spot but shortstop and all three outfield spots. But if the Mets don't view that as his role, it's unclear what his role would be.

McNeil does not have the defensive profile to be an everyday center fielder, and does not have the offensive profile to be an everyday left fielder, third baseman, or first baseman.

The Nimmo trade could also have ramifications in the farm system.

With the exception of Nolan McLean, it seems possible that New York could trade basically any of their young players, perhaps as part of a package for a top-of-the-rotation starter -- Tarik Skubal or otherwise.

And with second base now taken for the foreseeable future, it's fair to wonder if Jett Williams -- whose best fit is at second and not center field -- could be on the move.

So again, this was not simply about Nimmo for Semien. It's about what's next.

On an emergency episode of The Mets Pod presented by Tri-State Cadillac, Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo react to a shocking trade by the Mets, as David Stearnsstrikes a deal with the Texas Rangers, swapping Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien.

The guys break down the what and the why of the trade, examine what the Mets are getting in Semien both offensively and defensively, and look ahead to the possible moves that might come next if this deal truly is a “first domino” of the offseason. 

Connor and Joe also discuss what this trade means for prospect Jett Williams, and look back at the legacy of Nimmo in New York, including a story from Joe about his time in Brooklyn.

Be sure to subscribe to The Mets Pod at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

David Stearns could have tried to convince himself – and Mets’ fans – that upgrading the pitching staff this offseason would have guaranteed a return to contention in 2026, presuming he re-signed Pete Alonso. But it’s clear now that he knows better.

By trading Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for Marcus Semien on Sunday, Stearns essentially acknowledged that he needed to do something dramatic to shake up the core of a ballclub that has underachieved, or simply failed at critical moments in three of the last four seasons for reasons that weren’t always obvious. 

It’s not as if he traded Nimmo for a difference-maker. Semien is a good defensive second baseman whose offense has slipped significantly the last two years at age 33 and 34. No, this was about the opportunity to create change by trading a foundational piece and a major clubhouse presence, with the expectation of bigger moves to come. 

So kudos to Stearns for not taking the easy way out. That is, as long as he can execute whatever plan he has in mind as a follow-up to the Nimmo trade. 

The obvious need now is to add a big bat to the outfield. The only two free agents who fill that need are Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger, and if the Mets don’t get one of them, then trading Nimmo may not be such a great idea after all. 

Unless Stearns has another trade up his sleeve. It’s hard to imagine he’d take on Fernando Tatis’ contract, which has another nine years remaining, but Tatis is still only 26, turning 27 in January, and Stearns has made his preference for youth pretty well known. 

In any case, Alonso has to be part of this equation as well. Nimmo still had value as an offensive player, and without him, Alonso’s middle-of-the-lineup production is now more vital than ever. 

It seems Alonso is open to being a part-time DH, judging by Scott Boras’ comments at the GM meetings recently, and in that case, there really is no reason for the Mets not going the extra mile to bring him back. 

As an aside, because it has become such a talking point, I don’t think Alonso is terrible overall defensively. I just think his throwing has become such an issue, whether to other bases or to pitchers covering first, that it could and likely will prove costly at any moment in big games. 

That said, for as much as Stearns has talked about run prevention, the lack of offensive consistency has been a major problem for them for years, other than their late-season run in 2024.

Last year, in particular, the numbers from the likes of Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Alonso, and to some extent Nimmo were all very good individually, yet if you watched, you know that as a team the Mets only excelled as a team in August, when the pitching was at rock bottom.

So, barring a trade that maybe only Stearns is envisioning, it’s hard to see how the Mets can be better offensively in 2026 without re-signing Alonso and adding either Bellinger or Tucker. 

And with the need to spend on pitching, either via trade or free agency, even Steve Cohen may find Tucker too pricey if it’s going to take somewhere around $400 million to sign him. 

Bellinger won’t cost that much, but he’s also not in Tucker’s class as a hitter. Bellinger has made himself into a good two-strike hitter, and he can hit lefties too, yet much of his appeal is his all-around game, including his above-average defense, his positional versatility, and his baserunning. 

In short, he seems to be a glue guy of sorts, which may be exactly the intangible the Mets lacked last season, as exemplified by their inability to win a game all season in which they trailed after eight innings.

Of course, that may be a big reason Brian Cashmanhas said openly that he wants Bellinger back, while the player himself was vocal about how much he enjoyed his season in the Bronx. So the Mets likely would have to overpay significantly to convince him to follow the Soto path over to Queens, and for a president of baseball operations like Stearns, that could go against his value-seeking instincts.

But there isn’t another free-agent outfielder that could be viewed as impactful, which is what makes the Nimmo trade fascinating in itself. Stearns wouldn’t have done it if he weren’t relatively sure that he could upgrade that left field spot, right?

The only other benefit of the trade is that it saves the Mets some money – Semien is owed $72 million over three years, compared to Nimmo’s five years for $102.5 million. 

But that can’t be a primary factor for a franchise trying to win a championship right now. 

Semien’s defense at second base does play into Stearns’ run-prevention theme. And the Mets could be significantly better overall defensively if they add Bellinger to play left field and perhaps some first base as well, while Brett Baty becomes the everyday third baseman and Tyrone Taylor gets most of the time in center field until Carson Benge is ready. 

That and the upgrades Stearns finds for the starting rotation could make the Mets a more well-rounded team. 

Meanwhile, you’d have to think Jeff McNeill will be traded as well, if indeed the need for change is at the root of Stearns’ thinking. And who knows what it means for top prospect, Jett Williams, who loomed as the next everyday second baseman.

Whatever the ramifications, at least for the moment, it’s hard not to like Stearns’ willingness to admit that something wasn’t quite right with his ballclub. But that’s only if he was thinking two or three moves ahead as he agreed to deal Nimmo.

And he has the wherewithal to execute them.

What could be a seismic offseason for the Mets had its first really loud moment late Sunday afternoon when the news broke that the club had tradedBrandon Nimmo, a drafted-and-developed cog in their core, to the Texas Rangers in exchange for second baseman Marcus Semien, a three-time All-Star. 

If you did not believe David Stearns’ end-of-season proclamation about the Mets improving their run prevention, well, this should convince you and the rest of baseball, too. Semien, who won the AL Gold Glove at second last season, instantly improves the Mets’ defense, a big weakness in 2025. 

It’s a one-for-one trade, sure, but no move like this is made in a vacuum, and the real read on this deal will come once we see what’s next. The club’s core, which probably needed refreshing this winter, is officially shaken up now, and all kinds of other roster reverberations are looming going forward.

After the crushing disappointment of last season, that’s probably not a bad thing.

Left field is now open for the Mets to acquire a better defensive player and, potentially, a bigger hitter than Nimmo. Free agent Kyle Tucker, the best position player on this year’s market, comes to mind. Let’s see if the Mets go there, or perhaps try to sign Cody Bellinger and take an outfield star from the Yankees for a second straight winter. 

The Mets also have so many other second base possibilities on their roster – Jeff McNeil, Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña and Ronny Mauricio – that Semien’s presence probably means some of those will be traded, too. And the Mets now seem at least likely to part with some of their highly-regarded prospects as they seek to add an ace and fill gaping divots in the rotation and bullpen. 

Semien, 35, has had two ordinary – at best – years on offense the past two seasons. In 2025, he hit 15 homers, batted .230 and had a .669 OPS. His OPS-plus was 97, below league average. Semien hit 45 homers in 2021 and 29 two years later, so he’s shown pop in the past. The Mets better hope there’s some left.

Semien has $72 million and three years left on his contract, which means the Mets cleared two years of commitment. Nimmo, who will play next season at 33, has five years and more than $100 million left on the eight-year, $162-million contract he signed after the 2022 season. 

For all the benefits the Mets could reap from this deal, there’s a bittersweet quality to it, too. Has to be, considering Nimmo’s significance as a Met since he was taken with the 13th overall pick in the 2011 draft. He bloomed into a great Met, if probably not for as long as he once thought.

Nimmo played the game with evident joy, all smiles, and delivered energy and hustle to the Mets and not just on his trademark sprint to first on walks. He was a reliable, respected voice in the Mets clubhouse, willing to dissect the highs and lows of 162 games – and beyond – and was always accountable, even as seasons spiraled.

The early part of Nimmo’s career was stalled by injury, but he has been ultra-reliable the past four seasons, never playing fewer than 151 games. He had an .802 OPS and a .364 on-base percentage and slugged 135 homers in 1,066 games for the Mets.

In a career-best 155 games in 2025, Nimmo had personal highs in home runs (25) and RBI (92). His offensive profile changed over the years as his power developed and his on-base percentage dropped as more balls sailed over the fence. Still, he was one of the Mets’ best offensive players for years.

He was so much a part of the club’s fabric that Mets owner Steve Cohen included Nimmo when he dubbed his top players the “Fab Four,” a play on the Beatles’ nickname last season. Nimmo, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso and Juan Soto once seemed likely to be core Mets for years to come. When Nimmo signed his big contract, he talked about the idea of being a Met for life, about how it felt good to put the jersey on and “know it’s not coming off.” 

But big changes wallop teams that fail, especially when there were such high expectations for the 2025 Mets. Stearns vowed to upgrade the run prevention. Nimmo-for-Semien is the first step in that quest. Won’t be the last.

A part of the Mets' core is gone, and an offseason of change in Queens, some of it uncomfortable, is on.