The strange offseason sweepstakes for Tatsuya Imai has finally come to a close, as the Japanese right-hander is joining the Astros on a three-year contract, per multiple reports.
With a salary of $18 million that can reach $21 million, based on innings logged, Imai is receiving the third-highest AAV of any Japanese-born pitcher.
Imai's window for a major league contract was closing fast. His deadline to officially sign with a club was Jan. 2, and The Athletic reported earlier this week that the 27-year-old was still taking meetings with interested suitors.
While it's unclear how serious the Mets were in talks with Imai, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino noted earlier this winter that a "full-tilt pursuit" for the former Nippon League star was never anticipated.
This was also the case with Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto -- who currently owns the record AAV mark for a Japanese arm -- two offseasons ago.
There wasn't much noise from the Mets' crosstown rival, either. Jack Curry of YES mentioned last week that the Yankees weren't expected to sign Imai, who happened to be outspoken about his desire to beat the reigning champion Dodgers.
Imai was terrific in 24 starts for the Seibu Lions this past season, registering a sharp 1.92 ERA and 0.89 WHIP across 163.2 innings. He also allowed only 101 hits and struck out 178, producing a strikeout rate of 9.8 per nine.
In eight NPB seasons, Imai logged a 3.15 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, but his last four years on the mound grabbed MLB's attention. With an above-average four-pitch mix that includes a fastball sitting in the mid-90s, he posted ERAs of 2.04, 2.45, 2.34, and 1.92, respectively.
Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai has agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Houston Astros, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
This closes the door on a potential Phillies addition that had gained traction recently.
Imai, 27, spent eight seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Seibu Lions, compiling a 3.15 ERA across 159 appearances. He was coming off a breakout 2025 season, posting a 1.92 ERA in 24 starts with 178 strikeouts over 163 2/3 innings, while significantly improving his command. His WHIP was a career-best at 0.89.
His contract with Houston includes opt-outs after each season with an average annual value of $18 million, with a number of incentives.
The Phillies were among the teams linked to Imai as his posting window neared its Friday deadline, but Philadelphia ultimately did not land the right-hander.
Missing out on Imai keeps the club’s rotation picture largely unchanged — and places added emphasis on its internal decisions.
The Phillies already have significant money, just over $102 million, committed to starting pitching, with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker and Cristopher Sánchez all on multi-year deals, plus Jesús Luzardo in his final year of arbitration.
This move, though, keeps the door open for a reunion with southpaw Ranger Suárez.
Suárez, who will also carry a hefty price tag in free agency, remains an option for Philadelphia to reinforce its rotation without adding an external arm. The club’s top pitching prospect, Andrew Painter, will have the opportunity to compete for a rotation spot in spring training.
With Wheeler’s availability uncertain early next season and the club already pushing luxury-tax thresholds, a reunion with Suárez may still be unlikely, but it would provide continuity to one of the best rotations in the game.
For now, the Phillies will continue monitoring the starting pitching market. Whether that results in renewed talks with Suárez or they stand pat, Imai’s decision elsewhere narrows the options.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Anthony Rendon has agreed to restructure the final year of his $245 million, seven-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Angels hadn’t announced any developments with Rendon, who didn’t play last season following hip surgery.
The team and Rendon have amended the deal to restructure the remaining $38 million owed to the third baseman in 2026, presumably spreading the money over time.
Rendon is still on the roster and continuing to rehab at home in Houston, but his horrendous tenure with the Angels could be over.
Rendon’s massive free-agent contract has paid almost no dividends for the Halos. The former Washington Nationals standout has been injured for the majority of the past five seasons and has played just 257 games in an Angels uniform, batting .242 with 22 homers, 125 RBIs and a .717 OPS.
If Rendon doesn’t play in 2026, he will have appeared in only about a quarter of the Angels’ total games during his seven seasons with the team.
Rendon led the majors in RBIs, earned an All-Star selection and won a World Series ring in 2019 to cap an outstanding four-year stretch for Washington. After playing fairly well for Los Angeles during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he was nowhere close to that player in the ensuing four years with the Angels, who haven’t made the playoffs or had a winning record during his tenure.
Rendon also alienated Angels fans with public comments in which he appeared to say he doesn’t like baseball, although he attempted to clarify his connection to the game as a business relationship that isn’t as important as his family or his religion. Rendon had previously criticized the length of games and excitement level of baseball, saying he doesn’t watch the sport.
Luis Rengifo and Yoán Moncada largely played third base last season for the Angels. Both are currently free agents.
Rendon’s deal might top the long list of high-priced player acquisitions that have worked out terribly for the Angels during owner Arte Moreno’s tenure, including the signings of Gary Matthews Jr., Josh Hamilton and Zack Cozart and unsuccessful trades for Vernon Wells and Justin Upton.
The Giants appear to be adding additional arms to the starting rotation.
San Francisco is close to signing right-handed starting pitcher Tyler Mahle to a one-year contract, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Shayna Rubin reported Wednesday, citing a source.
Source: The Giants are close to signing right-handed starter Tyler Mahle to a one-year deal.
Mahle, 31, posted a 6-4 record with 66 strikeouts, 29 walks and a 2.18 ERA in 86 2/3 innings pitched for the Texas Rangers last season.
A seventh-round pick by the Reds in 2013, Mahle debuted with Cincinnati in 2017, and spent five-plus seasons with the team before the Reds traded him to the Minnesota Twins before the 2022 MLB trade deadline.
Mahle spent an additional season with Minnesota before signing a two-year, $22 million contract with the Texas Rangers in Dec. 2023.
After a strong 2025 season with Texas, Mahle now appears close to joining a Giants starting rotation that was in need of multiple arms at the start of the offseason, and already has added veteran Adrian Houser.
The Giants are adding additional arms to the starting rotation.
San Francisco agreed to a one-year free-agent contract with right-handed starting pitcher Tyler Mahle, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported Wednesday, citing a source, after the San Francisco Chronicle’s Shayna Rubin was first to report that the two sides were nearing an agreement.
Tyler Mahle has agreed to a one-year deal with the Giants, per source. Physical is complete and the deal is done. @ShaynaRubin was on it.
Mahle, 31, posted a 6-4 record with 66 strikeouts, 29 walks and a 2.18 ERA in 86 2/3 innings pitched for the Texas Rangers last season.
A seventh-round pick by the Reds in 2013, Mahle debuted with Cincinnati in 2017, and spent five-plus seasons with the team before the Reds traded him to the Minnesota Twins ahead of the 2022 MLB trade deadline.
Mahle spent an additional season with Minnesota before signing a two-year, $22 million contract with the Texas Rangers in Dec. 2023.
After a strong 2025 season with Texas, Mahle now appears close to joining a Giants starting rotation that needed multiple arms at the start of the offseason, and already has added veteran Adrian Houser.
The Ketel Marte trade rumors have cooled since the MLB Winter Meetings, and now it appears the Arizona Diamondbacks plan to hold on to their All-Star second baseman.
D’backs general manager Mike Hazen spoke to reporters Tuesday about Marte’s availability in trade talks. Although the club continues to engage with teams about a possible deal, Hazen is ready to move on.
“We’re very likely to put an end to this shortly,” Hazen said. … “This isn’t going to continue to linger. We need to focus our offseason.
“Again, my gut this whole time was that (a trade of Marte) wasn’t going to happen, and I think it seems likely that that’s the case and we want to focus on other things we need to do.”
The Red Sox have been the club most prominently linked to Marte in recent weeks. Arizona has reportedly asked for young pitching in return, and Boston has two top pitching prospects in left-handers Payton Tolle and Connelly Early.
That price may be too steep for Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and understandably so. Tolle has top-of-the-rotation upside as Boston’s No. 1 prospect, and Early showcased his intriguing potential in his first taste of the big leagues last season. Trading them for a 32-year-old middle infielder — even one as talented as Marte — is risky business.
In 2025, the switch-hitting Marte slashed .283/.376/.517 with 28 homers and 72 RBI in 126 games. He has also been a solid defender at second base with +10 Outs Above Average over the past three seasons (+8 OAA in ’24).
LOS ANGELES — The Miami Marlins acquired outfielder Esteury Ruiz from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night in a trade for minor league right-hander Adriano Marrero.
The speedy Ruiz led the American League with 67 stolen bases for the Athletics in 2023. He is a career .241 hitter during four major league seasons with four teams, but excels as a baserunner and a defender.
The Dodgers acquired Ruiz from the A’s last April, and he was a little-used reserve when he was in the majors for the back-to-back World Series champions. Ruiz batted .190 in 19 games for Los Angeles, largely playing as a defensive replacement or a pinch runner.
The Marlins designated infielder Eric Wagaman for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster for Ruiz. The trade opened a spot on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
As a capable backup outfielder, Ruiz could be the Marlins’ replacement for Dane Myers, who was traded to Cincinnati last weekend.
Pitcher Andrew Heaney says he is retiring after 12 major league seasons.
“I am now ready to return my focus and energy to being a husband, father, family man and active member of my community,” he wrote on social media. “I’m retiring from baseball, but I hope to give back more than I received.”
A 34-year-old left-hander, Heaney was 56-72 with a 4.57 ERA in 208 starts and 22 relief appearances for Miami (2014), the Los Angeles Angels (2015-21), the New York Yankees (2021), the Los Angeles Dodgers (2022, 2025), Texas (2023-24) and Pittsburgh (2025), which signed him to a one-year, $5.25 million contract in February.
He was 5-10 with a 5.52 ERA this year in 23 starts and four relief appearances. He was released by the Pirates on Aug. 29, signed with the Dodgers three days later and made one appearance for Los Angeles, allowing three runs over two innings at Seattle on Sept. 27. He did not pitch in the postseason.
Heaney started and won Game 4 of the 2023 World Series for Texas, allowing one run over five innings.
To refer to the Mets' offseason to this point as polarizing would be a huge understatement.
With New York trading Brandon Nimmo, letting Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso walk via free agency, and dealing Jeff McNeil, the core has been stripped down to the beams. Never before in the history of the franchise has something this drastic happened in one offseason with core players who were not only still effective, but beloved by the fans.
The Diaz and Alonso departures happening in a 24-hour span resulted in most of the fan base being disoriented, and the slow pace of the offseason since then -- not just for the Mets, but nearly every team -- has left the mystery of what's to come hanging in the air. In other words, it has been uncomfortable.
But that doesn't mean David Stearns doesn't have a plan.
Before exploring what that plan might entail, it's important to dissect each of the above moves separately instead of attempting to lump them all together.
Dealing Nimmo to the Rangers ahead of his age-33 season and with five years left on his contract made baseball sense, especially with his offense and outfield defense declining. That the player coming back (second baseman Marcus Semien) wasn't a Nimmo replacement means the trade is impossible to grade until the next outfield move comes.
Alonso signing with the Orioles on a five-year contract for $155 million was a gut punch for many fans. But it's hard to argue that the Mets extending that far on Alonso would've been a smart move. There is a serious issue without Alonso, though, and it's the tough task of replacing his power.
McNeil departing was something you could see coming since the end of the 2025 season. And once New York added Semien, there was no longer a regular role for him.
I saved the Diaz departure for last because it's the only one that left me flummoxed.
Edwin Diaz posing with Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes (right) and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman (left) / Screenshot/Sportsnet LA
You can say that Diaz leaving to sign with the Dodgers was proof that he simply wanted to go there. But I reject that belief. Most of the time, players go where the most money is, and that's what happened in this case. Anything Diaz said at his introductory news conference in Los Angeles is a waste to analyze, unless you were expecting him to put his new cap and jersey on and say he wished he was still a Met.
The Mets being willing to extend to three years and $66 million for Diaz tells you they wanted to retain him, unless they were playing some weird game of chicken while daring him to leave. So that they lost him for relative pennies suggests that something went haywire communication-wise at the end of the negotiation or that the Mets balked at his ultimate price.
Pair the above with the fact that the signings of Jorge Polanco (who might be asked to play lots of first base)and Luke Weaver are the only big moves New York has made over the last month or so, and the result is this weird, uncomfortable limbo where much more has to be coming -- but with it being fair for people to not totally trust the process until the end product is visible.
So, what should the plan be?
Find a top of the rotation starting pitcher
This was the Mets' biggest need when the offseason started, and the rotation has still not been upgraded with the offseason two months old.
To get this out of the way: The Mets don't need an "ace," which is a label thrown around too lightly. There are only a handful of true aces in the sport, and they are incredibly difficult to procure. If New York somehow lands Tarik Skubal from the Tigers? Great. If not, there are plenty of top of the rotation starters (someone who could slide into the No. 1 or No. 2 spot in a rotation) out there.
Via the trade market, the Mets could target someone like Nick Pivetta of the Padres, Freddy Peralta of the Brewers, or Joe Ryan of the Twins. New York has the prospect capital to get it done, but it takes two to tango.
Sep 4, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (not pictured) with the bases loaded in the fourth inning at American Family Field. / Benny Sieu - Imagn Images
If Valdez can be had on a three- or four-year deal, it will be difficult to make a case against the Mets going out and getting him.
The Mets' 2025 season was torpedoed due in large part to the rotation failing and Stearns not being decisive enough in addressing it (something he admitted after the season). The starting staff must be significantly bolstered this time around.
Add one legitimate starting outfielder
As things currently stand, New York's outfield is Juan Soto in right field and question marks in both center and left.
With top prospect Carson Benge expected to contribute in a serious way this season, it's fair to believe that only one legitimate outfielder should be added -- with the other spot going to either Benge from the jump or to a placeholder until Benge is ready.
Most of the focus has been on free agents Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger. Perhaps Tucker becomes a fit if no team is willing to give him the long-term deal he wants. And maybe Bellinger switches boroughs if the Yankees aren't aggressive enough.
But if Tucker and Bellinger get enormous paydays, the trade market should be where the Mets turn to try to fill their outfield need.
It's possible that the Red Sox will trade Jarren Duran, and the White Sox -- barring something truly strange happening -- will finally part with Luis Robert Jr.
Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) runs out of the dugout before the start of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park. / Eric Canha - Imagn Images
Other options could include San Diego's Ramon Laureano and an outside-the-box option like Arizona infielder Ketel Marte, who could theoretically slide to left field.
Find a second serious bat
After the Mets downgraded the offense by dealing Nimmo and letting Alonso go as a free agent, they were left needing three legit bats.
They found one of them by signing Polanco, and will likely get another with whoever they bring in as a starting outfielder.
As far as that third bat?
The Mets could add a first baseman and make Polanco the regular DH.
They could sign someone like Eugenio Suarez and have him be the DH.
They could also get creative and do something like sign Alex Bregman to play third base and shift Brett Baty to first.
Bolster the bullpen
Along with Weaver and Williams, the Mets' bullpen in 2026 is expected to include left-handers A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley -- though the start of Minter's season could be a bit delayed following lat surgery this past May.
Huascar Brazoban also figures to be in the bullpen mix, as do hard-throwing prospects Dylan Ross and Ryan Lambert.
Other relievers who could compete for roles include Jonathan Pintaro (who made his big league debut last season) and Adbert Alzolay (who is on a two-year minor league deal and missed the 2025 season).
But while there are plenty of possible options, the Mets need more certainty -- especially at the back end.
Among the intriguing relievers available are Trevor Megill of the Brewers and Jeremiah Estrada of the Padres.
Rangers are winless in their last four league meetings with St Mirren (D2 L2); only in November 1904 and August 1984 have they ever gone five without a win over the Buddies.
St Mirren won their last league visit to Rangers 2-0 in February last season, but have never won successive such trips, with this their 126th in league competition.
Rangers have only lost their final league game once in the last eight calendar years (W5 D2), going down 2-1 to Celtic in 2023. When facing a side other than Old Firm rivals Celtic to round off a year, the Gers have only lost their final league game once in the last 31 years (W26 D4), losing 4-0 to Hibernian in the Scottish Championship in 2014.
St Mirren have only won their final league game in one of the last five calendar years (D1 L3), beating Aberdeen 1-0 in 2023.
Only Alexandros Kyziridis (45) has created more chances in the Scottish Premiership this season than both Rangers' James Tavernier (36) and St Mirren's Declan John (30).
Jeff McNeil’s time in the Big Apple officially came to an end earlier this week.
McNeil joined the Mets as a 12th-round pick in the 2013 MLB Draft out of Long Beach State University.
After grinding through the minors, he finally received his shot in the bigs during the 2018 campaign.
He would establish himself as a regular in New York’s lineup with his versatile glove and slap-hitting ways.
McNeil finished his Mets tenure with a .286 average, 193 doubles, 80 homers, 367 RBI, and a .779 OPS in 923 games.
He also racked up a pair of All-Star appearances, a Silver Slugger, and a batting title.
The 33-year-old took to social media to say goodbye to the organization on Saturday night.
“New York will always be part of my story,” McNeil wrote. “The Mets organization is all I've ever known since being drafted, and it has been an incredible run. I'm incredibly thankful for every moment, every lesson, and every memory along the way.
“I'm especially grateful for the fans who welcomed me and my family and made New York feel like home for so long. Thank you to Steve and Alex Cohen, the coaching staff, and my teammates who made this journey so meaningful," he continued.
"With so much gratitude, it’s time to turn the page and embrace the next chapter in green and gold."
The Yankees can now say they’ve added another veteran MVP to their roster – well, sort of.
The club has seemingly agreed to a contract with reigning Mexican League MVP and outfielder Nick Torres. While a deal hasn’t been confirmed by the club, Algodoneros Unión Laguna
, Torres' Mexican League team, bid farewell to their star in a social media post on Saturday, wishing the 32-year-old luck and to “keep growing and fulfill one more dream” as a member of the Yankees.
Torres, a California native selected by the Padres in the fourth round of the 2014 draft, hasn’t played in an MiLB-affiliated game since 2018.
The righty-swinger climbed the minor-league ranks between 2014-18, but never received a promotion to the majors. Working as a corner outfielder and first baseman in the Padres and Rangers systems, he played in 212 Double-A games and 71 Triple-A games, hitting a combined .267.
Torres joined the Mexican League in 2019, and in his most recent campaign, he slashed a robust .347/.425/.730 with 27 home runs and 79 RBI across 86 games for Unión Laguna.
Since 2021, he's hit .343 with a 1.025 OPS for the Mexican League club.
Gracias, Nick Torres, por cada juego, cada entrega y cada emoción que nos regalaste. Por la forma en que has conectado con la afición, por convertirte en referente, en ídolo y en uno de los jugadores más queridos de esta casa. Tu paso por el Revolución deja huella en el diamante,… pic.twitter.com/B8SQTZznOz
As the 2025-26 offseason continues, the market for starters continues to evolve and it looks like the number of suitors for Marlins RHP Edward Cabrera has shrunk.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Orioles and Astros are "no longer involved" in trade talks for Cabrera. Jackson reports the Marlins don't want to sell short on Cabrera.
The 27-year-old Cabrera had a career year for the Marlins in 2025. He pitched to a 3.53 ERA and 1.228 WHIP with a career-high 150 strikeouts and 48 walks in 137.2 innings over 26 starts last year. He has a career 4.07 ERA over 89 outings (87 starts) after breaking into the league during the 2021 season. He was injured twice this past season, but the big selling point is the team control.
Cabrera is under contract for three more seasons, something that could potentially pique the Mets' interest.
Earlier this month, The Athletic reported that the Marlins were "progressing" in their efforts to find a trade partner to acquire Cabrera. The Orioles' involvement was known then, but there were other clubs inquiring with the Marlins.
Of course, the Mets are in the market for starting pitching, whether in the free agency or trade markets. They, along with the Giants and Orioles, were among the teams that reportedly met with free agent Framber Valdez.The former Astros lefty is arguably the biggest starting pitching name remaining in the free agent market. Other free agents include Ranger Suarez, Zac Gallen and Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai.
As for the trade market, the Brewers' Freddy Peralta is a name that has been thrown out there in addition to the Marlins' Sandy Alcantara and Ryan Weathers. Marlins trade reports surrounding those two heated up on Dec. 5, when it was reported that the Marlins were in the market to trade one of their starting pitchers. However, it seems Miami is less likely to deal Alcantara.
The Miami Herald's report included that Miami wants to keep Alcantara, and it would take an incredible offer for the team to consider dealing the former NL Cy Young winner.
Currently, the Mets have a starting rotation that includes Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, David Peterson, Clay Holmes and Nolan McLean. They have depth pieces like youngsters Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong, who made their MLB debuts late this past season, and Christian Scott, returning from 2024 Tommy John surgery.
The 28-year-old outfielder reportedly has agreed on a free-agent contract with the Cincinnati Reds, FanSided’s Robert Murray first reported Saturday morning, citing sources.
Sources: Free-agent outfielder JJ Bleday and the Cincinnati Reds are in agreement on a contract. Bleday, 28, was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 draft and has spent time in the majors with the Marlins and A’s.
As Murray notes, Bleday was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. He spent the past three seasons with the Athletics.
Over his Athletics tenure, Bleday hit 44 home runs with a .723 OPS from the 2023 to 2025 seasons. He struggled a bit last season after a promising 2024 campaign, slashing .212/.294/.404 for a .698 OPS with 14 homers.
The Athletics DFA’d Bleday in November, the first indication that his time with the Athletics was nearing an end.
Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom and the Athletics have agreed to an $86 million, seven-year contract, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.
The deal includes a club option for an eighth season, the person told The Associated Press on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been finalized.
Soderstrom’s agreement, which is subject to a successful physical, contains bonus provisions that could raise its value to $131 million, the person said.
Soderstrom started 145 of the 158 games he played this year — 100 of those starts in left field — his first full major league season after making his debut in 2023 and playing 45 games before 61 last year. He batted .276 with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs with 141 strikeouts and 55 walks this past season.
Drafted 26th overall by the A’s in 2020, the 24-year-old Soderstrom has locked in a long-term contract to stay close to where he grew up in Turlock, California. He was on track to become eligible for arbitration after the 2026 season and for free agency after the 2029 season.
Planning to move to Las Vegas for 2028, the A’s last offseason agreed to a $60 million, five-year contract with designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker and a $65.5 million, seven-year deal with outfielder Lawrence Butler. The team is entering the second of three planned seasons at a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento.
