Category: Baseball

Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso among free agents Red Sox should prioritize originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox have been active this offseason. They’ve bolstered their pitching staff by trading for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, and they added infield depth by acquiring utility man Tristan Gray.

But with the MLB Winter Meetings underway, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow should consider some of the top options on the free-agent market. There are several players capable of filling the club’s biggest needs: a middle-of-the-order bat (or two), a No. 2 starter, and a left-handed reliever.

So, which free agents should the Red Sox prioritize? Here are six of the best fits available this winter:

Alex Bregman, 3B

Bregman opted out of the final two years of the three-year, $120 million contract he signed with the Red Sox last offseason. The 31-year-old was a great fit for Boston, serving as a significant defensive upgrade at third base while putting up strong offensive numbers when healthy. He also immediately made his presence felt as a respected veteran in the Red Sox clubhouse.

Alex Bregman sends one OVER THE MONSTER for the lead! 😤 pic.twitter.com/06GNdS1VCw

— MLB (@MLB) July 27, 2025

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic recently reported that re-signing Bregman is a priority for Boston. That should come as no surprise. An All-Star for the third time in 2025, Bregman was an MVP frontrunner before he suffered a quad injury in May. He finished the campaign with a .273/.360/.462 slash line, 18 homers, and 62 RBI in 114 games.

Pete Alonso, 1B

The Red Sox must add some pop to the middle of their lineup this winter. A right-handed bat would be ideal, making Alonso the perfect fit.

The “Polar Bear” mashed 38 homers for the New York Mets last season. Not counting the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Alonso has hit at least 34 homers in each season of his seven-year career.

Pete Alonso gives the @Mets a QUICK lead with HR No. 32 🍎 pic.twitter.com/tXgt4TtnAG

— MLB (@MLB) September 2, 2025

The Red Sox are among the teams Alonso is expected to meet with at the MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando. The 31-year-old would split time between first base and designated hitter in Boston.

Alonso earned his fifth career All-Star nod and appeared in all 162 games last season.

Kyle Schwarber, DH

The Red Sox never should have let Schwarber go in the 2022 offseason. They’ll have a chance to attone for that mistake this winter, with Schwarber joining Alonso as the top sluggers on the free-agent market.

Schwarber finished second in the 2025 National League MVP race after belting an NL-leading 56 homers and tallying an MLB-leading 132 RBI. Like Alonso, the 32-year-old played in all 162 games.

Kyle Schwarber almost hit this ball OUT OF DODGER STADIUM 🤯

(MLB x @GoogleCloud) pic.twitter.com/wHippLanyN

— MLB (@MLB) October 9, 2025

The Red Sox acquired Schwarber from the Washington Nationals at the 2021 trade deadline. The three-time All-Star played a huge role in the club’s unexpected run to the American League Championship Series. In 41 games with Boston, he hit seven homers and posted a .957 OPS.

Bo Bichette, INF

If the Red Sox fail to bring Bregman back, Rosenthal reports that “some with the club view Bo Bichette as an intriguing alternative.” It’s easy to see why.

Bichette, 28 in March, is coming off a bounce-back campaign with the Toronto Blue Jays. The two-time All-Star slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers and 94 RBI in 139 games, and he stayed hot in the postseason to lead Toronto to its first World Series appearance since 1993.

2 HR, 6 RBI … and counting!

Have a night, Bo Bichette 😤 pic.twitter.com/5fvOuSlrqC

— MLB (@MLB) August 5, 2025

With Trevor Story expected to remain Boston’s starting shortstop, Bichette would have to shift to either second or third base. He played five postseason games at second, but otherwise has never played either position in his MLB career.

Regardless, Bichette’s bat will make up for his defensive shortcomings if he can duplicate his 2025 performance.

Michael King, RHP

The Red Sox may be done adding to their rotation after trading for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo. But if they turn to the free-agent market to add a No. 2 starter, King should be on their radar.

King, 30, performed like an ace upon joining the San Diego Padres. Primarily a reliever for his first five seasons with the New York Yankees, he posted a 2.95 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 31 games (30 starts) in 2024.

Michael King escapes the jam with his 5th strikeout of the game 😮‍💨 #Postseasonpic.twitter.com/OA6N93Dz5U

— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2024

King’s 2025 campaign was marred by a nerve issue in his right shoulder and left knee inflammation. Those ailments limited him to only 15 starts, in which he amassed a 3.44 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 73.1 innings. That should make him more affordable than the other top options on the market, with just as much upside.

Taylor Rogers, LHP

Boston’s bullpen was among MLB’s best in 2025, but it could use reinforcements after losing left-handers Brennan Bernardino, Chris Murphy, Steven Matz, and Justin Wilson. If Matz and/or Wilson don’t re-sign, the Red Sox will be in dire need of southpaws relievers. Veteran closer Aroldis Chapman is the only proven option on the current 40-man roster.

Rogers, 35 later this month, notched a 3.38 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 53 strikeouts and 23 walks across 57 appearances (50.2 innings) with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs last season. An All-Star in 2021, he’s among the top left-handed relievers available and has a solid track record over 10 MLB seasons.

The Mets added pitching depth on Monday morning, agreeing to terms on a minor league deal with right-hander Carl Edwards Jr., according to Will Sammon of The Athletic.

Edwards, 34, has pitched for eight teams throughout his 11-year major league career, including a successful five-year run with the Chicago Cubs, winning a World Series in 2016. He appeared in 192 regular season games with the Cubs, pitching to a 3.30 ERA.

Since his days with the Cubs, Edwards has pitched for the Padres, Mariners, Braves, Blue Jays, Nationals, Angels, and Rangers. 

Overall, the reliever has a 3.56 career ERA. 

According to Sammon, Edwards’ contract includes an invite to major league spring training. 

At the start of this offseason, the Dodgers signaled a willingness to be patient and methodical in building their roster for 2026.

At the start of this week’s MLB winter meetings, at least, the team arrives in Orlando, Fla., having thus far remained true to form.

Compared with their whirlwind offseasons the past two winters, the Dodgers have been conspicuously quiet in the wake of their second consecutive World Series championship. Their only free-agent deal has been the re-signing of veteran infielder Miguel Rojas. Their only trade was a swap of minor-league pitchers with the Seattle Mariners. The biggest news, to this point, was their decision to non-tender reliever Evan Phillips (and they could very well wind up bringing him back).

Behind the scenes, there have been efforts for more, of course. The team came up short in pursuit of free-agent relievers Raisel Iglesias and Devin Williams. They have canvassed the trade market and laid potential groundwork for possible future moves.

Read more:Fernando Valenzuela falls short of induction into National Baseball Hall of Fame

But for now, exactly what their winter will hold remains a largely unanswered question.

And, in all likelihood, it could ultimately be dictated by whom they’re willing to part with as they go about reshaping their roster.

All offseason, the trade market has looked like the Dodgers' most logical path to upgrading their roster — the place they could most easily shore up their needs in the bullpen and outfield, while still avoiding having to add another long-term contract to their expensive and aging core.

There are targets galore to go after, too, from Brendan Donovan or Lars Nootbaar of the St. Louis Cardinals, to Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox, to potentially even bigger names like Cleveland’s Steven Kwan or Minnesota’s Byron Buxton (though the latter is reportedly unlikely to be dealt this offseason).

Oh, and as long as there remains even a slim chance of two-time Cy Young-winning pitcher Tarik Skubal getting traded by the Detroit Tigers, you can bet the Dodgers will be monitoring that situation, too.

For President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and Co., the task will be trying to line up a trade package to pull off any of those moves.

The Dodgers have plenty of chips to bring to the bargaining table, with ample young pitching depth and a minor-league farm system considered perhaps best in the sport. But balancing it all while finding value is still a challenge. Which is why, as trade rumors fly, don’t be surprised to see a potentially wide range of familiar names bandied about in such speculation.

Read more:Metro votes to approve Dodger Stadium gondola project despite protests

The team’s most obvious trade bait, of course, remains their collection of young talent. They have a crop of highly touted outfielder prospects they could potentially deal from, including Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, Eduardo Quintero and several others. They have a former top prospect in Dalton Rushing, who struggled through his rookie year but still possesses promising raw tools.

Most of all, they have plenty of young pitchers who could also help fetch a nice return, from ascendant minor-league prospect Jackson Ferris, to returning 2024 breakout rookies River Ryan and Gavin Stone, to potentially even more established big-league names like Justin Wrobleski (a natural starting pitcher who was stuck in more of a swingman role in the bullpen last year) and Emmet Sheehan (who is about at the same stage of his career that former top Dodgers prospect Ryan Pepiot was when he was dealt two winters ago).

The Dodgers, however, are still prioritizing the future. They want to go for a historic three-peat next season. But they also know, at some point in the coming years, they will need to cycle in a new generation of talent to maintain their championship window.

Thus, any young player traded now will come with a potential future cost.

Which could help explain why, in recent weeks, young players have not been the only ones caught up in trade rumors around the team.

Last month, ESPN cited one anonymous MLB executive who described Tyler Glasnow as a potential “sleeper name” on this year’s trade market. Last week, the Athletic reported that Teoscar Hernández’s name has come up in trade discussions, too.

Granted, the odds of either getting dealt appear low. And for now, they figure to remain key cogs in next year’s pursuit of another World Series title.

Read more:World Series hero Miguel Rojas agrees to return to Dodgers on one-year deal

At the same time, however, they are also veterans approaching their mid-30s, with significant salaries due over the next several seasons. And if the Dodgers were to find deals to move them — either as a way to shore up other spots of the roster, or to offload money for a potential free-agent signing — it’s far from unfeasible that the club could pull the trigger.

After all, for a front office that is conscious of its roster’s advancing age, and trying to juggle both short- and long-term goals, such considerations reflect the wide net the Dodgers are believed to be casting this offseason; the kind of deliberate, exploratory mode they’ve been in while evaluating potential paths through this winter.

Perhaps this week, the team’s most serious pursuits will become clearer, as they meet with rival clubs during the league’s annual winter meetings at the Signia by Hilton here in Orlando.

But to this point, they are seemingly keeping their options open, content to engage in a slower winter pace as they continue to let both the free-agent and trade market develop around them.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Winter Meetings buzz: Alonso sweepstakes, conflicting Marte reports and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2025 MLB Winter Meetings began Sunday in Orlando, Fla., and the Boston Red Sox have already been linked to multiple stars in the rumor mill.

Will Boston make any noteworthy moves before the meetings conclude on Wednesday? That remains to be seen, but Craig Breslow has already proven to be active this time of year since taking over as chief baseball officer. The Red Sox completed their blockbuster deal for ace Garrett Crochet during last year’s Winter Meetings.

What’s in store for Boston this time around? Here’s the latest from Orlando:

The Joe Ryan dream may be dead

Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan has been linked to the Red Sox since the 2025 MLB trade deadline. Boston inquired about the 29-year-old in July, but according to reports, the two sides never came close to completing a trade.

Don’t expect Ryan to join the Red Sox rotation this offseason, either.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Twins don’t intend to deal Ryan or any other stars on their roster, despite their trade deadline fire sale. WEEI’s Rob Bradford later added that the Red Sox have “drawn back on their pursuit” of Ryan.

From Winter Meetings: Per source, Red Sox have drawn back on their pursuit of Joe Ryan. Also worth noting, Connelly Early was never introduced by the Red Sox as part of the trade deadline talks last season.

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) December 8, 2025

An All-Star in 2025, Ryan is an ideal trade target for a Red Sox club that could still use a true No. 2 starter to slot behind ace Garrett Crochet. He’s coming off a strong campaign in which he posted a 3.42 ERA and 1.035 WHIP with 194 strikeouts and 39 walks in 31 games (171 innings).

Instead, it looks like the Red Sox are content with their current starting pitching staff, which looks something like this after acquiring Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals and Johan Oviedo from the Pittsburgh Pirates:

1. Garrett Crochet, LHP
2. Sonny Gray, RHP
3. Brayan Bello, RHP
4. Johan Oviedo, RHP
5. Kutter Crawford, RHP

Other depth options include Connelly Early, Hunter Dobbins, Patrick Sandoval, Payton Tolle, and Kyle Harrison. It’s a relatively deep staff, but one that could use at least one more frontline starter.

Nevertheless, it appears Boston will shift its attention to the big bats on the trade and free-agent markets.

Conflicting reports on Ketel Marte

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, and those rumors have only heated up at the Winter Meetings. Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported that the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays were among the clubs showing interest in trading for Marte.

Blue Jays among teams, along with Red Sox and others, interested in D-Backs superstar Ketel Marte. Talks happening but nothing hot yet.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 8, 2025

Marte would be an excellent fit for the Red Sox as one of the best offensive infielders in the league. Second base has been a revolving door for Boston over the last few years, and the three-time All-Star would undoubtedly provide stability at the position.

Don’t get too excited, though, Sox fans. Bradford poured cold water on the Marte-to-Red Sox rumors shortly after Heyman’s report:

From Winter Meetings: I’m told no real momentum involving possible Red Sox deal for Ketel Marte

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) December 8, 2025

Marte, 32, slashed .283/.376/.517 with 28 homers and 72 RBI last season. He signed a team-friendly six-year, $116.5 million contract with Arizona last April, so it would likely take a hefty trade package to acquire him.

It would be a risky move for a middle infielder approaching his mid-30s, but Marte would add much-needed slugging to the Red Sox lineup while filling one of the roster’s most glaring voids at second base.

Polar Bear sighting in Florida

If you’re a Sox fan who’s bummed out by the Ryan and Marte updates, here’s one that should cheer you up: The Red Sox are among the teams Pete “The Polar Bear” Alonso plans to meet with in Orlando, according to Heyman.

Alonso checks all the boxes for Boston as a right-handed-hitting slugger who can split time between first base and DH. The 31-year-old’s swing is tailor-made for Fenway Park.

Pete Alonso doubles the @Mets lead with his 38th homer of the season! pic.twitter.com/KPm94jFtlL

— MLB (@MLB) September 27, 2025

Outside of the abbreviated 2020 MLB campaign, Alonso has tallied at least 34 homers in each season of his seven-year career. Last year he hit 38, earning his fifth All-Star nod and finishing 11th in National League MVP voting. He also remained one of baseball’s most durable players, appearing in all 162 games for the second consecutive season.

If the Red Sox are serious about bolstering the middle of their lineup, they should prioritize signing Alonso this winter.

Royals a perfect match?

Earlier this month, it was revealed that the Kansas City Royals would be willing to trade one of their top starting pitchers — including left-hander Cole Ragans — for outfield help. Rosenthal shared an update Sunday, noting that the Royals hope to acquire two outfielders this offseason, one via trade and one in free agency.

Despite the Red Sox’ apparent satisfaction with their current starting staff, this makes them a perfect trade partner for Kansas City. Their outfield is crowded, and Jarren Duran is widely expected to be one of their most valuable trade chips. Although the Royals seem to prefer right-handed-hitting outfielders, Duran is too talented to pass on if Boston includes the 2024 All-Star in an enticing package.

Ragans would immediately slot in as the No. 2 starter behind Crochet, but the Royals appear more motivated to move fellow southpaw Kris Bubic. The 28-year-old broke out in 2025, notching a 2.55 ERA in his first All-Star season.

Why Buster Posey doesn't completely close door on Giants trading Bryce Eldridge originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

ORLANDO — When the Giants first started talking to the Boston Red Sox about Rafael Devers, the initial ask was for top prospect Bryce Eldridge, which was an easy no for president of baseball operations Buster Posey. 

Six months later, others in the industry are playing the part of the Red Sox. With little to discuss in terms of actual moves, Eldridge’s name has been floated in some corners over the past couple of weeks. The thinking from some in the industry is that with Devers at first base, the Giants now can afford to deal Eldridge for a frontline starting pitcher to pair with Logan Webb long-term. 

The organization’s preference, though, is to pair Eldridge and Devers for years to come. During his session with reporters on Monday at the MLB Winter Meetings, Posey threw some cold water on any trade rumors. 

“We listen on everybody, but Bryce, we think the sky is the limit for this guy,” Posey said. “He just turned 21 years old. I know he didn’t put up great numbers in his limited playing time (but) he didn’t look like he was overmatched or scared. I thought he had some really good at-bats for being not even 21 (at the time). I think sometimes you can say, ‘Well the guy is young and maybe you’ve got to take that into account,’ but this guy has flown through the system and is playing at Double-A, Triple-A at 19, 20 years old. 

“I think he’s got a chance to be one of the biggest impact bats for the next 10-15 years in the big leagues potentially. I think we’ll listen, but we like him a lot.”

Eldridge might be the best Giants position player prospect since Posey, and he has done nothing since being drafted in the first round in 2023 to cause anyone to pump the brakes on the hype. He was just 3-for-28 in a late-season cameo, but he also had an average exit velocity of 95.6 mph, just above Aaron Judge’s league-leading mark of 95.4. Had he qualified for leaderboards, he also would have been the leader in hard-hit percentage. 

Eldridge profiles as the type of player you build a lineup around, which is why others understandably ask about him when they start engaging Posey and general manager Zack Minasian in trade talks. But unless a Paul Skenes or Tarik Skubal is being dangled on the other end, the Giants seem likely to give the same answer they gave the Red Sox in June. 

While a lot of rumors this time of year have little behind them (the Giants are not actually pursuing Kyle Schwarber, for example), it’s understandable that Eldridge’s name would get floated. Devers is signed through 2033 and it would be a bit unusual to build around a pair of left-handed first base/DH types. While the Giants haven’t fully closed the door on Eldridge one day getting reps in the outfield, that’s not in the plans for 2026. 

Still, Posey thinks the duo works. He offered a quick “yes” when asked about it Monday. On the “Giants Talk” podcast, Minasian pointed out that a lot of teams prefer to rotate players into the DH spot for rest and health reasons, but this situation might be a good exception. 

“Those things make a lot of sense, unless you have someone that you put there that you think is a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat,” he said. 

The more relevant discussion with Eldridge might be how having that combination at first and DH will impact the rest of the roster. Wilmer Flores won’t be back and there doesn’t appear to be room for Dominic Smith, either. Posey said Monday that his preference would be for the bench to offer more positional versatility than it did in 2025. 

Eldridge had surgery earlier this offseason to remove a bone spur in his left wrist, but Minasian said he already is fully cleared. Despite his lack of experience, he’ll be a frontrunner for a roster spot in camp next spring, and the Giants are excited about the possibility of both Eldridge and Devers working with new infield coach Ron Washington on a daily basis in Scottsdale. 

They believe both can grow to be above-average defensively, and Posey said Devers, who showed flashes of being a very good defensive first baseman, won’t be bothered if the Giants end up with a two-man rotation between first base and DH. 

“I think just based on the little bit of time that we were around Rafi last year, he’s a team guy and he wants to win,” he said. “If Bryce is beating down the door, he’s going to want somebody protecting him in the lineup, too.”

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The 2025 MLB Winter Meetings are here.

For the Yankees, it's been a quiet start to the offseason, one that has many fans clamoring for GMBrian Cashmanto start making moves to improve a roster that could not return to the World Series in 2025 after flirting with their first title in nearly two decades a year prior. 

Although Cashman has been known to work in the shadows in the offseason, this year's Winter Meetings could prove fruitful for the Yanks. 

With plenty of holes to fill and questions to be answered, here are five that the longtime GM needs to address this week...

How much are Yanks willing to spend?

This feels like an annual question for Cashman, but it warrants addressing. Hal Steinbrenner's comments about the payroll "ideally" being lower in 2026 have many fans nervous that Cashman will be buying from the bargain bin this offseason. 

Perhaps Trent Grisham accepting the qualifying offer affects the team's spending, but it shouldn't. Bellinger is a clear priority for Cashman, but it will likely take the team over the $300 million threshold. 

Cashman will be asked about this year's payroll and he won't answer in a way that gives clarity, but the best way he can is by signing players who will push them over that mark. Currently, the team's payroll is at around $283.6 million, so one big signing will dispel all questions about the 2026 payroll.

How far is New York willing to go for Cody Bellinger?

Going along with the payroll, Cashman has to answer how far the organization is willing to go to re-sign Bellinger. 

Cashman has been in this position before, most recently with Soto, but with options for a free agent plus outfielder relegated to Bellinger and Kyle Tucker this offseason, the Yankees GM needs someone to man left field. 

Reports say the Yankees are making a "big effort" to bring back Bellinger, but is that all talk? When Soto was a free agent, the Yankees made a good offer, but the Mets simply went above and beyond for the outfielder's services. Will Cashman let that happen again when it comes to Bellinger? It's hard to tell, and Cashman will say it allows Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones a chance to win a spot this spring. But it's an unserious notion considering the team's expectations.

Devin Williams' departure and the bullpen

The Yankees went into the 2025 season with Williams as their closer and now he's on another team. Despite a shaky season, Williams finished strong with the Yanks and a reunion seemed sensible for both sides. But after the right-hander signed a three-year deal with the Mets, it leaves Cashman without a setup man for David Bednar.

Cashman should be asked how close they were of bringing back Williams this offseason, and now that he's gone, what he plans to do to address the holes. Luke Weaver is a free agent. Are the Yankees in on him? What about other high profile relievers like Pete Fairbanks and Robert Suarez?

Is Spencer Jones going to get a chance?

Jones is the buzziest hitting prospect the Yankees have after the slugger mashed his way up the minor leagues. But at this moment, there's no space for the outfielder on the roster.

If the Yankees whiff on Bellinger and Tucker, that can change. However, even if Cashman finds a third outfielder this offseason, is there a spot for Jones as a DH or somewhere else? Cashman said previously that Jones has a chance to crack the Opening Day roster in 2026, but is that still true?

Is the trade market better than free agency?

While teams will negotiate and try to outbid the other teams when it comes to free agents, is Cashman's best path to a formidable roster this offseason via trade?

Cashman has pulled off offseason trades out of the blue before and this year could do so again. There are plenty of starters potentially available via trade (Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, Tarik Skubal) as well as in the outfield if a deal with Bellinger or Tucker can't be done. How far is Cashman willing to swim in the trade waters and who is available?

The longtime GM will keep details close to the vest, but it's worth asking.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame is peppered with players who finished long, distinguished careers by donning a Dodgers uniform, their performance dwindling as their age increased. Greg Maddux, Rickey Henderson, Juan Marichal and Eddie Murray are among those who leap to mind.

An exception was Jeff Kent, who Sunday received 14 of 16 possible votes by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee, the only player among eight on the ballot with enough for induction into Cooperstown.

With unmatched power as a second baseman and an unrelenting approach to his craft, Kent was a Dodger for the last four seasons of his 17-year career, solidifying his Hall of Fame credentials statistically while also serving as a curmudgeonly leader on a roster crowded with young stars such as Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, Andre Ethier and James Loney.

"It's a moment of satisfaction of the things I did right in my career, the things I consistently stuck to," he told MLB Network. "The hard work, the gratification of playing the game the right way. I love the game."

The son of a motorcycle police officer and a product of Huntington Beach Edison High, Kent became emotional during a news conference at the 2005 MLB Winter Meetings when it was announced that he'd signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Dodgers.

"This is the third time I’ve tried to get with the Dodgers,” he said at the time. “I want to be on a team with the potential to win because I’m running out of time. This team has that mentality."

Read more:Fernando Valenzuela falls short of induction into National Baseball Hall of Fame

The Dodgers never won a World Series during Kent's tenure, but he quickly fell into the role of a veteran leader, making himself available to the media after tough losses to shield younger players from the glare.

He said what was on his mind, sometimes to a fault, once suggesting that legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully "talks too much."

Maybe that's why Kent getting the Hall of Fame nod from a list of candidates that included all-time home run leader Barry Bonds, 354-game winner Roger Clemens, 509-home run slugger Gary Sheffield, 1980s stars Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy, and Dodgers icon Fernando Valenzuela was unexpected.

Even Kent was surprised.

"The emotions are overwhelming — unbelievable,” Kent said. “I didn’t even expect it. For me, there were so many quality guys that the committee had to argue through and vote for. I’m grateful that they considered me and gave it a shot at putting me in.”

Read more:Plaschke: Thanks for the ride! 13 moments that defined the Dodgers' 2025 World Series title run

Valenzuela, Bonds, Clemens and Sheffield each had fewer than five votes, meaning they will not be eligible the next time their era is considered in 2031. They can be nominated once more at that time, but will not be eligible for consideration if they again fall short of five votes.

All of the candidates already had been spurned by the Baseball Writers Assn. of America. Seventy-five percent of the votes are necessary for induction, and Kent never received even 50% during his 10 years on the BBWAA ballot that ended in 2023.

"The time had gone by, and you just leave it alone, and I left it alone," Kent said. "I loved the game, and everything I gave to the game I left there on the field. This moment today, over the last few days, I was absolutely unprepared. Emotionally unstable."

Kent was named National League most valuable player in 2000 with the San Francisco Giants, the team with which his career is most associated. He batted a career-best .334 with 33 homers and 125 runs batted in that season and drove in more than 100 runs in each of his six seasons batting behind Bonds.

He said he plans to enter the Hall of Fame wearing a Giants cap.

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

"The turning point in my career was with Dusty Baker, the manager I got with in San Francisco," said Kent, who played in college at California. "He motivated me to get the peak performance out of me."

Kent finished with 377 career homers, 351 as a second baseman, the most ever for the position. He also is the only second baseman to collect more than 100 RBIs in eight seasons.

As a Dodger, he hit 75 homers and batted .290 in more than 2,000 plate appearances. His last manager with the Dodgers was Joe Torre, who described Kent's impact on the franchise.

“He’s one of those players whose actions are supposed to make you understand what he thinks,” Torre said. “It’s the old pro thing.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Brian Cashman appeared Sunday on YES Network for an interview from the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla. Here is the latest from the Yankees' general manager on New York's pursuit of Cody Bellinger and Tatsuya Imai, plus where things stand at key spots after Trent Grisham's qualifying-offer acceptance and Ben Rice's breakout season.

Bellinger 'still in play'

Bellinger opted out of his contract with the Yankees and became a free agent last month, but he is "still in play," Cashman said.

"I talked to (agent) Scott Boras (Saturday)," Cashman said. " ... We're going to continue to have dialogue. He's got a number of players in the marketplace. He's got a very deep roster. Cody Bellinger also is one of 'em. Again, my job is to stay fluid, make sure I have all the intel that's coming in -- as much as I can share with ownership -- and, at some point, something might materialize."

Imai and 'big swings'

The Yankees are reportedly among the most interested clubs for Imai, the Japanese right-hander who is among the prizes of this offseason.

"Very talented player coming over from Japan, and we've certainly taken our big swings for trying to add some more talented players -- whether they're local or overseas, as far as Japan," Cashman said. "So, Scott Boras represents him. So, he's got a long list of talented players on his roster. So, I'm talking to a lot of different agents. But he's obviously one of 'em as well."

Grisham's 'reassurance'

After Cashman explained Grisham's return last month, where does the move leave the Yankees' outfield?

"It gave us some reassurance because, ultimately, we entered the winter down two highly productive, impactful players that led us to be tied with the best record in the American League in the toughest division -- and some of those reasons were Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham," Cashman said. "So, when Trent accepted the qualifying offer, it gave us -- now we've got our center-field situation locked down for the next year.

"We believe the changes he made with his swing were real. And so, we were very happy with that. So, now it's a little bit less pressure to -- now, instead of being down two, we're down one and it gives us a little bit more flexibility. Go with the kids, see what the price tags are in free agency, whatever challenge trades come your way and make a decision when they come your way. And so, the Grisham qualifying-offer acceptance is a good thing for us."

Rice 'manning first base'

Cashman does not feel like he needs "outside help" beyond Rice, who enters 2026 "manning first base for" the Yankees.

"No, Rice at first is fine," Cashman said. "He can catch, he can play first and first base was a secondary position for him -- one he was learning on the run -- and he got better and better as the year went on, so we're really proud of what Rice is and what he brings to the table. And as far as I'm concerned, he's manning first base for us with (Austin) Wells catching. But the one thing, as I touch base on all that stuff, is we're obviously too left-handed.

"So, we need to find a way to balance out. I thought we had a good trade deadline last year 'cause we were able to bring in few right-handed bats. We already had (Paul) Goldschmidt, you had (Giancarlo) Stanton. We had (Amed) Rosario coming in on the trade deadline with (Austin) Slater. ... At the end of the day, it gave Booney some more choices, balanced us out. The deadline we also just had, that we came off of, was fruitful in the fact that it gave us some more controllable inventory.

"A lot of the players we brought in are collapsing right into our winter. They weren't here for three months and gone. They protected us in many ways. So, for instance, if we try to rebuild the bullpen, we have (Camilo) Doval and (David) Bednar now as we move into the 2026 season, but we've lost Devin (Williams) and (Luke) Weaver. So, thankfully, a lot of the things we did at the deadline -- we still have to show, and it gives us some protection, but we need to add to it."

Jeff Kent will finally have a permanent home in Cooperstown.

The longtime infielder, who spent five seasons with the Mets during the mid-1990s, earned induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday via the Contemporary Baseball Era committee ballot.

The magic number for enshrinement was 12 votes from the 16-person group -- a mark of 75 percent that's also required for candidates on the annual BBWAA ballot -- and of the eight players under consideration, only Kent earned enough support (14 votes).

Kent's election was long overdue in the eyes of many voters and fans. He hit 351 of his 377 home runs as a second baseman, making him baseball's all-time leader at the position. He also collected 2,461 hits across 17 seasons, and 510 of them came in a Mets uniform.

In his 10th and final year on the BBWAA ballot (2023), Kent earned a personal-best 46.5 percent of the vote.

Among the Contemporary Era candidates who fell short was Don Mattingly, and his hopes of receiving a plaque in the Hall of Fame will once again linger for a few more years.

The former Yankees capatin was denied entry for a 19th time on Sunday, as he fell six votes shy on the ballot.

Mattingly's next crack at the Hall of Fame will come in 2028, when the Contemporary Era committee votes again. But the latest results reaffirm the chances of him achieving the feat are rather slim. 

In spite of collecting 2,153 hits, nine Gold Gloves, and one AL MVP award across 14 seasons (1982-95), Mattingly never came remotely close to crossing the 75-percent threshold in 15 years on the BBWAA ballot. He topped out at 28.2 percent in 2001, his first year as a candidate.

Interestingly enough, Mattingly received less 2025 support than another former New York first baseman in contention. Carlos Delgado, who slugged his way through four 2000s seasons with the Mets, finished with a second-best nine votes on the Contemporary Era ballot.

Delgado received an insufficent 3.8 percent of the 2015 BBWAA vote -- his first year in the running -- which disqualified him from future ballots. Nevertheless, he was one of baseball's most feared sluggers during the Steroid Era, as he smacked 473 homers and 483 doubles (2,035 totals hits) in 17 seasons.

Baseball icons Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Dale Murphy, Gary Sheffield, and Fernando Valenzuela were the other six players denied Hall of Fame honors on Sunday.

A Chavez Ravine dream was yet again dashed on Sunday.

Fernando Valenzuela was once more denied induction to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Fourteen months removed from his death at the age of 63 in October 2024, and 27 years removed from the end of a pitching career measured by more than just wins, losses and ERA, Valenzuela failed to be elected for the 2026 Hall of Fame class by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee — a 16-person group that once every three years considers players from the 1980s or later who had not been elected to the Hall through the traditional media vote.

Needing 12 votes from that committee to attain Hall of Fame status, Valenzuela instead came up short by receiving fewer than five.

Read more:Shaikin: It's past time to elect Fernando Valenzuela to the Hall of Fame

Because Valenzuela didn’t receive five votes, he will be ineligible to be back on the Contemporary Era Committee’s ballot in 2028. The next time the committee could review his case won’t be until 2031.

Until then, his name will remain among the most notable snubs from Hall of Fame induction.

In his first year of traditional Hall of Fame voting eligibility in 2003, Valenzuela received just 6.2% of the writers’ vote, far from the 75% threshold required for election. In 2004, his name fell off the ballot after garnering a vote total of just 3.8%.

The problem then was that Valenzuela did not boast typical Hall of Fame numbers. Though he was a six-time All-Star, a Cy Young and rookie of the year award winner in 1981, and World Series hero in the Dodgers’ championship run that season, the left-hander posted only a 3.54 ERA in his 17-year, 173-win, 2,074-strikeout career, and amassed only 37.3 wins above replacement according to Baseball Reference.

Of the other 90 pitchers in the Hall of Fame, only one fellow modern-era inductee (Jesse Haines) had a career WAR below 40.0 and a career ERA above 3.50 (excluding players from the Negro Leagues).

Valenzuela’s impact, however, was defined far more than by just production and statistics — seemingly epitomizing the Hall's motto of “preserving history, honoring excellence, connecting generations” with a career that changed the popularity of both the Dodgers and the sport.

Ever since his historic “Fernandomania” rookie season in 1981 — which started with eight consecutive victories for the then-20-year-old southpaw, and ended with his Cy Young, rookie of the year and World Series honors — the Mexican-born hurler had been an enduring cultural icon.

Valenzuela’s success greatly expanded baseball’s reach in Mexico and Latin America. His celebrity fueled a boom in Dodgers fandom, especially among Los Angeles’ Hispanic base.

This winter, hopes of that legacy being recognized in Cooperstown were rekindled when Valenzuela was named as one of eight finalists to be considered by the Hall of Fame’s Contemporary Era Committee.

He joined a group that also had Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy and Gary Sheffield — all of whom were evaluated by a 16-person panel made of former Hall of Fame inductees, former general managers, writers and a statistician, plus two current MLB owners (one of them, Arte Moreno of Angels).

In the end, only Kent (a former MVP and five-time All-Star who spent the final four years of his career with the Dodgers) received enough votes to earn a Hall of Fame election.

Bonds, Clemens and Sheffield joined Valenzuela among those to receive fewer than five votes.

Though Valenzuela never quite recaptured the heights of that singular 1981 campaign, he remained a celebrated and uniting figure over the rest of his 11-year Dodgers career, as well as in stops with the Angels and San Diego Padres, among others, over the back half of his playing days.

Read more:World Series hero Miguel Rojas agrees to return to Dodgers on one-year deal

And since he first dropped off the traditional Hall of Fame ballot 21 years ago, there has been a persistent push from many in the baseball community — and especially the Dodgers’ fan base — to get Valenzuela into Cooperstown.

In 2023, the Dodgers even broke their unofficial rule of retiring only the numbers of the club’s Hall of Fame players, adding Valenzuela’s No. 34 to its ring of honor in a long-overdue celebration.

But for now, that will remain the most recognizable honor of Valenzuela’s contribution to the sport.

Once again, a doorway to Hall of Fame induction has been closed.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Jeff Kent avoids joining Barry Bonds Hall of Fame debate after earning own nod originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Former Giants star second baseman Jeff Kent finally earned a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday after being elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.

However, his longtime teammate in San Francisco, Barry Bonds, again failed to garner enough support to make it to Cooperstown.

Now that Kent is set to be enshrined in the Hall, what does he think of Bonds’ controversial case to have the same honor? The 2000 NL MVP was asked that very question shortly after Sunday’s announcement.

“Barry was a good teammate of mine,” Kent told reporters. “He was a guy that I motivated and pushed — we knocked heads a little bit. He was a guy that motivated me, at times in frustration, in love at times. …

“I don’t think I ever saw a better player play the game overall. Everything that he did, every phase of the game, maybe other than throwing, I don’t know if Barry had such a great arm. But every phase of the game, Barry was one of the best players I ever saw play the game. Amazing. So for me, I’ve always said that.

“I’ve always avoided the specific answer you’re looking for because I don’t have one. I don’t. I’m not a voter, but I can say that he was a teammate that helped me. I believe I helped him. I believe he was one of the best baseball players I ever saw. You know, if you’re talking about moral code and all that, I’m not a voter, and I’m trying to stay away from all of that the best I can because I really don’t have an opinion.

“I’ve left it. It doesn’t matter to me anymore. And I know he’s been argued amongst a lot of baseball elites about if he ought to be in or not, and, you know, keep having that argument. And, you know, you argue through it, and if he’s not, he’s not, and if he is, he is. And it’s not going to matter to me one way or the other.”

Jeff Kent shares his thoughts on Barry Bonds' Hall-of-Fame debate 🤔 pic.twitter.com/QjmD89CtWt

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) December 8, 2025

Bonds’ Hall of Fame debate long has been a topic among baseball media and fans, and Sunday’s setback certainly reignited that discussion online. But Kent still opted not to take a side even after his own election.

Nevertheless, it’s understandable that Kent doesn’t feel the need to add much to the conversation; after all, he likely is asked about Bonds all the time, and the two have a rather complicated history between them.

Bonds now will have to wait until 2031 to be reconsidered for the Hall of Fame, so the debate will have to continue for a few more years before there’s any resolution.

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Barry Bonds' snub from Hall of Fame sparks disgruntled social media reactions originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Social media was sent into a frenzy on Sunday night after MLB announced the shocking results of the Hall of Fame Contemporary Baseball Era ballot.

To the surprise of many, the results revealed that Giants icon Jeff Kent is the lone name bound for Cooperstown in July, while his former teammate and San Francisco great Barry Bonds — and six others — didn’t make the cut.

Here are the votes in full detail, followed by some interesting social media posts about Bonds enduring exclusion once again.

Hall of Fame results: Jeff Kent (14 votes, 87.5%); Carlos Delgado (9 votes, 56.3%); Don Mattingly (6 votes, 37.5%); Dale Murphy (6 votes, 37.5%); Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela each received less than five votes.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 8, 2025

The Hall of Fame is a JOKE. One of the best hitters ever is not recognized by the HOF. Way to lose any and all credibility. https://t.co/NxVtIpcrPE

— Giant Hot Takes (@GiantHotTakes) December 8, 2025

Jeff Kent would not be Jeff Kent without Barry Bonds.

— @SFGiantsMemes (@SFGiantsMemer) December 8, 2025

Barry Bonds is no worse than the fifth greatest baseball player to grace this planet. And he’s probably better than that. We’d tell aliens about him as a way to explain the sport played at its highest level.

It’s a Hall of Dubious if he’s not in.

— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) December 8, 2025

You cannot tell the story of baseball without Barry Bonds. Disappointed, but not surprised with today’s results.

— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) December 8, 2025

The person who by far benefitted the most from being Barry Bonds' teammate is a Hall of Famer before Barry Bonds is https://t.co/YA7yJmKfVU

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) December 8, 2025

Jeff Kent is definitely a Hall of Fame second baseman and deserves recognition on the day of his election.

But it’s difficult to ignore the elephant in the room, Barry Bonds, falling short again. It’s especially embarrassing for the committee responsible for voting…

— Steven Rissotto (@StevenRissotto) December 8, 2025

No one hit more home runs as a second baseman than Jeff Kent. Now, he’s heading to the Hall.

Barry Bonds received less than five votes, which means he won’t be eligible for the next contemporary era ballot in 2028. He’ll have to wait until at least ‘31 to appear again.

— Justice delos Santos (@justdelossantos) December 8, 2025

I’ll never recognize the National Baseball Hall of Fame until Barry Bonds is enshrined. You can’t tell the story of baseball without Barry Bonds. https://t.co/5OyOuPeSF6

— Frank-Paul Santangelo Jr. (@fp_jr) December 8, 2025

Jeff Kent but nobody else is wild https://t.co/gFI1OeuzYL

— Jason Burke (@ByJasonB) December 8, 2025

BARRY BONDS SHOULD BE THERE pic.twitter.com/3mKYmIIfPj

— FieryTrendingX (@FieryTrendingX) December 8, 2025

I can't take Baseball's Hall of Fame seriously when Barry Bonds isn't in it. Roger Clemens is my least favorite athlete ever and he deserves to be in too. Enough. https://t.co/mnK60zAgs8

— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) December 8, 2025

Jeff Kent gotta be in HOF and not Barry Bonds. https://t.co/tusRUAcdihpic.twitter.com/smjEF7D0rh

— Mike Perez (@MikePerez24) December 8, 2025

Shout out to the MLB Hall of Fame for reminding us on today of all days that there are far worse committees and selection processes in sports than the CFP. Helping put life back in perspective. https://t.co/JjYfaJMdrS

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) December 8, 2025

Dude’s long been in the Baseball Mustache Hall of Fame https://t.co/jADwRuNr6Mpic.twitter.com/y9X0FIcpw7

— Dan Baldassarre (@evornithology) December 8, 2025

Giants legend Jeff Kent elected to Hall of Fame; Barry Bonds snubbed again originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

ORLANDO — One of the most feared sluggers to ever wear orange and black was elected to the Hall of Fame on Sunday, but it wasn’t the one whose case has been discussed most often over the past couple of decades. 

In a bit of a surprise, Jeff Kent, the all-time leader in homers by a second baseman, was elected by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee on Sunday. Kent was on the ballot with former teammate Barry Bonds, who failed to receive enough support and will have to wait a few years longer for another shot. 

Kent was the only one of eight players on the ballot to receive more than the 12 votes necessary. He had support from 14 of 16 voters and was the only player in double-digits. Bonds received fewer than five votes, the Hall of Fame announced, so he will not be eligible for the committee again until 2031.

Welcome to Cooperstown, Jeff Kent!https://t.co/zsVeL7hhV8pic.twitter.com/I5O5J3eNMt

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) December 8, 2025

Bonds and Kent reached the committee after falling short on the traditional BBWAA ballot. In his 10 years on that ballot, Bonds maxed out at 66 percent, short of the 75 percent required for induction. Kent reached 46.5 percent in 2023, his final year on that ballot, but got in during his first time being judged by a committee.

“I gave no thought to it,” Kent said on MLB Network. “This is overwhelming. Overwhelming … It’s a moment of satisfaction of the things that I did right in my career and the things that I consistently stuck to, the hard work, the gratification that you get from playing the game the right way. I loved the game, I loved the game, and still do.”

Kent will become the 62nd player in the Hall of Fame who has worn a Giants uniform. He said on MLB Network that he will go in as a Giant, noting that his best years came with Dusty Baker and he reached the World Series in San Francisco. 

“I want to congratulate Jeff on his well-deserved induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame,” Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey said in a statement. “Jeff’s competitive fire, leadership, and production anchored so many great Giants teams, and his legacy is firmly cemented in our franchise’s history. We’re incredibly proud to see him honored among the all-time greats.”

While Kent rarely is seen around Oracle Park these days, Bonds is a regular, often helping current Giants in the cage before batting practice and providing guidance in the clubhouse. He does not speak often about his Hall of Fame status, but at times over the years — most notably at Willie McCovey’s 80th birthday party — it has been clear what the honor would mean. 

Many in the BBWAA stubbornly held firm on Bonds, Roger Clemens and others who fell off the traditional ballot due to PED connections, but by any statistical measure, Bonds’ induction is a no-brainer. On stats alone, he would have gotten in when first eligible a dozen years ago. 

Kent’s case has been fascinating, and it was a bit surprising that he failed to gain any traction in his 10 years on the ballot. A five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Kent is one of the best-hitting middle infielders in MLB history. He won the 2000 MVP Award after hitting 33 homers and driving in 125 runs, and he finished his career with 377 homers, 2,461 hits, and 55.4 Wins Above Replacement. 

Kent ranks 22nd all-time in WAR among second basemen, and 13 of the men ahead of him are already in Cooperstown. He ranks first in homers as a second baseman and third in RBI. 

This year’s Contemporary Baseball Era Committee was made up of seven Hall of Famers (including Juan Marichal), six current or former executives, and three veteran members of the media. The group met on Sunday to discuss the six position players and two pitchers on the ballot. 

While Kent can now celebrate, Bonds is running out of time. Starting this year, any candidate who does not receive at least five of 16 votes in multiple appearances on an Era Committee ballot will not be eligible for future consideration. Bonds might have just one more shot at Cooperstown, and it won’t come for years.

Next year’s round should also be kind to the Giants, as it will consider managers, executives and umpires. Bruce Bochy, Baker and Brian Sabean all could be under consideration next December to be part of the 2027 Hall of Fame class. Bochy and Baker, in particular, are considered near-locks to get inducted. 

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The Yankees' offseason, so far, has been uneventful.

Aside from some minor signings, and one big qualifying offer being accepted, New York has yet to fill out its roster to try to get back to the World Series. While division rivals like the Red Sox and Blue Jays have already made big splashes, Yankees GM Brian Cashman is seemingly biding his time. While the team's needs and priorities are very obvious, the Yankees enter the MLB Winter Meetings with a lot of questions and even more work to do.

Here's a checklist of what the Yankees need to do this week during the Winter Meetings in Orlando...

Bring Cody Bellinger back

The biggest offseason move the Yankees need to make is to re-sign Bellinger. Cashman got a steal when he made the trade with the Cubs last offseason to bring the former NL MVP to The Bronx. Bellinger had one of his best seasons as a pro and helped the Yankees lengthen the lineup and shore up the defense in the outfield. He won games single-handedly with his defense alone this past season and has proven that he's perfect for the pinstripes. 

It's clear Bellinger is Cashman's priority this offseason, just as Juan Soto was a year ago. And while that pursuit didn't pan out, Cashman can't possibly allow Bellinger not to return, especially when teams like the Dodgers and Mets are vying for his services.

It won't be easy, Bellinger — who is represented by Scott Boras — will look to have a lucrative multi-year deal and the Yankees may have to go further than they otherwise might be comfortable with; that's how important Bellinger is to the 2026 Yankees. Aaron Judge and Trent Grisham can't be the only veterans in the outfield next season while they try to capture lightning in a bottle with Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones. 

Enact Plan B if Bellinger leaves

This offseason is becoming eerily similar to last year. Soto took the money to go to the Mets and Cashman had to pivot, and pivot he did.

Cashman traded for Bellinger and Devin Williams while signing Max Fried. The GM's moves worked and helped the Yankees tie the Blue Jays for the best record in the American League. Now, what could Cashman do for an encore?

If the Yankees can't re-sign Bellinger, Cashman needs to be ready to enact his Plan B. Whether that's signing Kyle Tucker or trading for an outfielder like Steven Kwan, the longtime GM has to show the fans that if Bellinger doesn't come back, the outfield will be just fine. 

Cashman has to be creative; he's done it before, and he may need to do it again. Hopefully, he's prepared.

Fill out the bullpen

Two moves the Yankees have made this offseason are re-signing Ryan Yarbrough and picking up Tim Hill's option, which helps fill holes in the bullpen, but there's still work to be done. 

Devin Williams is gone and Luke Weaver is still a free agent. Cashman and the organization have been great at creating a bullpen in the past and I expect this year to be the same. Perhaps a reunion with Weaver is on the way, or signing former Padres closer Robert Suarez to pair with David Bednar is a possibility. And, who knows, perhaps a trade could happen in the same way Williams was acquired. 

Figuring out the outfield is the priority for the Yankees, but finishing up the bullpen is second on the list and Cashman needs to address it soon.

Get greedy and sign a starter

The Yankees' starting rotation is set ... when it's healthy.

Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon will miss the start of the 2026 season, but they will be back. But there may be questions about their effectiveness when they do return. Cashman and the Yankees also have to wonder if they can fully trust the trio of Luis Gil, Will Warren and Cam Schlittler for another season. 

The Yankees can give themselves some comfort by splurging on another starter either in free agency or via trade. 

There are some intriguing buy-low, reclamation projects like Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly who can shore up the back of the rotation. Miami has controllable starters like Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera that can be traded for as well. The rotation is definitely low on the list of priorities for the Yankees, but with so many question marks, it can't hurt to have as many starters as possible and if Cashman brings one in, the younger arms become trade pieces for the aforementioned outfielder.

Dispel all payroll questions

Heading into the Winter Meetings, there's been a lot of chatter about the Yankees' 2026 payroll and whether or not Hal Steinbrenner is willing to go over $300 million, including comments from Steinbrenner himself. They currently sit at around $283.6 million (after taxes), so there's not a lot of wiggle room for the Yankees if they hope to improve their team. 

I find it hard to believe the Yankees would operate below $300 million, so Cashman could show the baseball world — and Yankees fans — that they are ready to spend this offseason by signing a Bellinger or a handful of names. Not to rush the process, but leaving the Winter Meetings without a deal done would not quell fears. It'll be even worse if targets like Bellinger and Tucker sign elsewhere.