Category: Baseball

The Mets have already made two bold moves this offseason -- trading Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers for Marcus Semien and signing Devin Williams to bolster the back end of the bullpen.

With New York looking to rebound following a season with sky high expectations that ended with them missing the playoffs, expect more boldness -- especially with now seeming like the right time to trade some of the team's top prospects if the right impact player is available.

Here's what the Mets' checklist should be as David Stearns and Co. attend the MLB Winter Meetings this week in Orlando...

Re-sign Edwin Diaz

I said it right after the 2025 season ended, and nothing has changed. Re-signing Diaz should be the easiest decision the Mets make this offseason. 

With Williams on board, the team has added a usually lights-out reliever whose relatively down 2025 campaign feels like an aberration -- with that belief bolstered by Williams' underlying numbers and the fact that his changeup remained one of the most dominant pitches in the sport.

But Williams should be part one of two, and the endgame has him serving as the setup man and handing the ball to Diaz to close things out.

Much has been made of the Nimmo trade, and how it could be a sign that Stearns isn't sentimental when it comes to retaining fan favorites. But bringing Diaz back wouldn't be about pleasing the fan base. It would simply be the right baseball move for a team that is trying to win the World Series. 

New York indicated after signing Williams that they remain interested in bringing Diaz back, and they have to know that it will take at least four years to get it done. So their willingness to signal their continued interest in Diaz after inking Williams suggests they'll eventually be comfortable going to four years.

The big question, then, is whether any team is willing to offer Diaz a five-year contract, and if the Mets would match it. Taking all of the reporting into account, it doesn't seem like it will be the Dodgers, Yankees, or Red Sox who go long for Diaz. It could be the Blue Jays, but reports have connected them more to the relievers a tier below Diaz. Toronto is also in on Kyle Tucker, and is trying to re-sign Bo Bichette.

All of this points to a sensible resolution between the Mets and Diaz, who has been clear about his desire to stay. If some team does offer five years, perhaps the Mets can strike a balance by upping the average annual value on a four-year deal and making it just as appealing as any hypothetical five-year one.

Try to get clarity on Pete Alonso's plan

As was the case last offseason, it can be argued that Alonso is the best fit for the Mets and that the Mets are the best fit for Alonso.

But his free agency could drag out anyway, with reports that he's seeking a seven-year deal.

While a seven-year deal (or even a six-year contract) doesn't feel likely, Alonso and agent Scott Boras are under no obligation to give up that hope quickly. And that leaves the Mets in a tough spot.

They're going to need to add serious power, whether it's achieved by re-signing Alonso or signing/trading for someone else. But they can't afford to wait until January to find out if a reunion with Alonso is likely.

If they determine Alonso's asking price is too high, or that he's simply not willing to compromise in the next few weeks, they might have to pivot -- which could potentially result in the end of Alonso's tenure in Queens.

What that pivot could look like is anyone's guess, but free agent Kyle Schwarber is among the interesting possibilities.

Address the starting rotation

It was the failure of the rotation that was most responsible for dooming the Mets' 2025 season. And their biggest task this offseason is adding pitchers to it who help ensure that it doesn't wilt again.

While the easiest way to add impact pitching could be signing free agent Framber Valdez, it can be argued that it isn't prudent to give a 32-year-old pitcher a long-term deal.

There are less expensive options on the free agent market, like Ranger Suarez and Michael King, but they come with their own question marks.

If the Mets believe in 27-year-old Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai as a No. 3 starter with the upside to be more, he could make the most sense as the free agent they set their sights on.

But New York needs to add a legitimate top of the rotation arm, and the best way to do that is by turning to the trade market, where Joe Ryan and Freddy Peralta are the best fits (assuming Tigers ace Tarik Skubal isn't available).

As is noted above, this could be the offseason for the Mets to dangle some of their top prospects if the right trade comes along. A deal for Ryan or Peralta would qualify.

Explore the outfield possibilities

The Nimmo trade means that there are now holes in both left field and center field, and there are a whole bunch of different ways the Mets can go.

Stearns said before the Nimmo trade that prospect Carson Benge could possibly break camp as the starting center fielder. Now, the possibility exists that he begins the season as the starting left fielder.

The presence of Tyrone Taylor gives the Mets a defense-first option to play center, but it seems unlikely they'd go internal in both center and left -- unless they bolster other positions in a big way.

There's also a chance the future of Alonso impacts what the Mets do in the outfield.

For example, if Alonso leaves, it would make sense for New York to be more inclined to spring for someone like free agent Cody Bellinger.

There are also intriguing trade options, including Jarren Duran of the Red Sox, Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox, and Byron Buxton of the Twins -- players who should fit in a world with or without Alonso.

Resolve the situations with Kodai Senga and Jeff McNeil

Despite Stearns saying after the Nimmo for Semien trade that McNeil is on board with what the Mets are doing, it feels pretty likely that he will be playing elsewhere in 2026.

With just one year remaining on his deal, it shouldn't be difficult to find interested teams for the versatile 33-year-old. In the event the Mets don't find anyone willing to give fair value, they could always keep McNeil and have him be a super utility player.

The situation with Senga is much trickier.

Senga's upside is enormous, but he hasn't been on the mound enough (Stearns himself said it would be "foolish" to rely on Senga for 30 starts in 2026). Part of that is due to injury, and part of it is due to issues with Senga's mechanics and comfortability -- something that led to him going to the minors late last season, working on things, and deciding he wasn't able to contribute to the big league team after that minor league stint.

He is set to earn $30 million over the final two guaranteed years of his contract. And given what pitchers have been getting on the free agent market, Senga should be appealing to teams who think they can get his mechanics right and keep him healthy. But the Mets shouldn't be giving him away.

Other possible trade candidates include Ronny Mauricio, Luisangel Acuña, and Mark Vientos.

Five questions for Giants to answer as they head to annual MLB Winter Meetings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

ORLANDO — In at least one area, the Giants are getting solid reviews for their early offseason work. 

They have put together a coaching staff that includes needed experience around first-year manager Tony Vitello, but also young coaches who have built strong reputations while coming through the ranks with other organizations. Throw in the additions of Bruce Bochy, Javier Lopez and Curt Casali to the front office, and Vitello and president of baseball operations Buster Posey will be surrounded by a group that looks well-rounded on paper.

None of that will matter, though, if the roster doesn’t get better, and on that front, the Giants have been quiet. 

The only free-agent contract thus far has gone to lefty reliever Sam Hentges, who will try to join Erik Miller as bullpen lefties as he recovers from shoulder and knee surgeries. The Giants also have added some depth to their outfield, but their most notable offseason move thus far has been a departure. Marco Luciano, formerly their top prospect, was claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

That left the Giants with an open 40-man spot as they flew to Florida for Major League Baseball’s annual Winter Meetings. Will they use it on a big-time starter or a closer in the coming days? Is a trade already in the works? Was that simply so they can take part in Wednesday’s Rule 5 Draft?

We’ll find out over the next week. This is the busiest stretch of the offseason calendar, and Posey and general manager Zack Minasian have plenty of work left to do. Here are five questions that the organization should answer in Orlando …

Will They Spend?

This is the time of year when rumors fly and every story includes quotes from anonymous sources, but as the stove started to heat up in November, a lot of people seemed to ignore a very important piece of information. 

Giants chairman Greg Johnson went on the record in October and hinted at what was to come, telling John Shea of The San Francisco Standard that the organization would be “very cautious” about $100 million deals for pitchers. Johnson also mentioned the long-term commitments the team has made in recent years to players like Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers and Jung Hoo Lee. 

“I think the risk is having too many people on similar six-year-type deals that create less flexibility to the payroll,” he told Shea. 

The Giants actually have been pretty transparent about where they stand financially, even though their preferences are incredibly frustrating to fans. Sources this week confirmed The Athletic’s reporting that Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai likely is out of their comfort zone, and that’s not a surprise if you go back to those quotes from Johnson. This all goes back to the regular season, though.

When the Giants traded for Devers and the roughly $260 million left on his deal in June, some high-ranking team employees were told there essentially was no wiggle room to keep adding money at the July deadline. That didn’t end up mattering because the team cratered so dramatically that Posey ended up selling, not looking to add. 

Months later, the Giants head to Orlando with more than $50 million that they can spend before they start bumping up against the first tax line. But they also are concerned about items that won’t impact their 2026 40-man roster. When you combine Vitello’s salary with his buyout and the $4 million still owed to Bob Melvin, the Giants will be paying an MLB-high $10.5 million to the manager spot in 2026. They owe Blake Snell $17 million on Jan. 15 as a delayed signing bonus for a two-year deal that didn’t work out.

Posey is unique among his peers in that he is part of the ownership group and a member of the board of directors, and he has shown an ability to get his partners to shell out more than planned, particularly with the Devers deal. He also operates in silence, which is worth remembering during this Imai chase.

Even if the Giants end up out on Imai, they still should have the financial ability to add two starting pitchers. The next week will reveal how far they’re willing to go, though. 

Attendance was way up in 2025 and season ticket renewal numbers were strong, so fans will be rightfully annoyed if the Giants stick to the spending plan that they have put out there publicly over the past two months and get outbid for the top free agent starters. 

Can They Get Creative? 

If we can step back and defend part of that plan for a moment … the truth is that many long-term, nine-figure pitching deals become disasters. And paying for high-end relievers is usually a bad idea, as well. 

It’s somewhat understandable if the Giants prefer two- or three-year deals for starters and want to stay away from the closers getting $15 million-plus on the open market, but if that’s the case, they do have to find other ways to add real talent. Their position player core is strong enough to get to the MLB playoffs, and with a lockout looming, 2026 is crucial. By the time there’s labor peace, the core is going to be a bit old. 

If Posey has a huge trade for a reliable starting pitcher up his sleeve, this is the time. This is a good offseason to be looking to make that kind of splash, too. The Minnesota Twins reportedly are pulling their guys off the market, but Freddy Peralta, MacKenzie Gore, Kris Bubic and others might be moved in the next week.

Making that kind of deal requires parting with good prospects, but Luciano’s path was a reminder that prospect-hoarding doesn’t always pay off. The Giants are also much better positioned to deal than they were a year ago thanks to some promising developments within their system. 

Their recent international classes have been strong with another good group on the way in January, and three of their top prospects — Josuar Gonzalez, Gavin Kilen and Jhonny Level — are middle infielders at a time when their big league shortstop is on a long-term deal. There are some really intriguing arms in the low minors. Posey was a firm no when the Boston Red Sox initially asked about Bryce Eldridge, but with Devers looking comfortable at first, there’s at least some possibility that the front office could change its mind.

This would seem to be the time to take a big swing and trade a couple of younger prospects for a pitcher who could help in 2026. Years from now, that might hurt, or we might forget those names altogether. If the Giants aren’t going to fish in the deep waters in free agency, this is a risk they need to take.

What About The Other Side? 

The front office’s preference is to deal mostly with minor league free agents, waiver claims and lesser-known veterans when rebuilding the bullpen, and so far that’s been the way they’ve operated. Lefty Reiver Sanmartin was claimed from the Cincinnati Reds, and Hentges got a modest $1.4 million after a solid run in Cleveland. 

Throw those two in with Miller and Matt Gage and the Giants probably are fine from the left side. Miller was just about fully recovered from elbow soreness by the end of September, and the staff can wait and see who else stands out in Scottsdale. 

The right side of the bullpen needs help, though, and Posey and Minasian probably need to get at least two high-leverage options for Vitello, who will be judged in large part on how he handles late-game decisions in his first year.

Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley already are off the board, and their deals seemed pretty reasonable. Edwin Diaz will be way too pricey, but Robert Suarez might end up closer to the Williams/Helsley range and Pete Fairbanks would be a nice fit on a short-term deal.

Posey said on the “Giants Talk” podcast last month that he anticipates a competition for the closer spot, indicating they won’t spend on the higher-end arms. But the Giants do need to find a favorite for that competition, and at the moment that player isn’t on their roster. They also need a good option for the eighth. A Tyler Rogers reunion would be the obvious move, but that’s not nearly as much of a slam dunk as it seemed when he was traded away. 

The Giants hung around early in 2025 because they had one of the game’s best bullpens. Getting a few new right-handers to throw into the late-inning mix in 2026 is a necessity.

Who Stays, Who Goes? 

It took four decades — from Chili Davis to Heliot Ramos — for the Giants to develop another homegrown MLB All-Star outfielder, a not-so-fun fact that makes the current makeup of their 40-man roster fascinating. The Giants have nine outfielders in those 40 spots, including four homegrown players. It won’t be a comfortable winter for those four, though. 

With the additions of Justin Dean and Joey Wiemer, the front office is signaling that a new mix will be out on the grass next season. That’s particularly noteworthy for Luis Matos, who — like Luciano — is out of minor league options. Wade Meckler and Grant McCray also have been bumped down the depth chart by the additions of Dean, Wiemer and Drew Gilbert. 

Ramos is the starting left fielder, but he could hear his name in trade rumors this month — mostly because there just aren’t a whole lot of other young Giants who could be the centerpiece of any kind of noteworthy deal.

There will be changes to this large outfield group before the spring, and possibly before the end of the Winter Meetings. The big question, though, is whether Posey and Minasian feel additions are needed.

With Ramos in left and Lee in center, the Giants could opt to go with a right-field platoon of the left-handed Gilbert and right-handed Wiemer, which would be excellent defensively and take up very little payroll space. But there still are some veterans out there who could provide more certainty. 

What Does Tony Think?

At the GM Meetings last month, Posey joked that he had to schedule coaching interviews around Vitello’s many podcast and TV appearances. The new manager is good in front of the camera, and the Giants are thrilled with the way he has been able to represent them on a national stage.

Those interviews had a common theme, though. Vitello hasn’t been asked much about his current players, and it’ll be interesting to see if he gives more away in Orlando. He’ll meet with reporters multiple times, and it’s probably time for the focus to turn from how he got here to where he’s headed. 

Is there a young player who really stands out to him? Will there be a notable change in the way the Giants run the bases and defend? Does this new staff have a plan to get Ramos back to his 2024 ways, or fix Hayden Birdsong’s command issues? What does he want to see from Eldridge? 

The manager search took up all of the oxygen in the room when Posey and Minasian met with the media in early October, and the past month has been about finding coaches. But it’s time for everyone involved to start offering some more specifics about how 2026 will look better than 2025. 

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Here's what happened in Mets Land on Friday, in case you missed it...

• On the eve of the Winter Meetings, a report from MLB.com had the Mets "among the favorites" for left-handed starter Framber Valdez
• The Tigers remain "engaged" with teams in trade talks for lefty Tarik Skubal, per an ESPN report
• Mets (and Yanks) are also among the "most interested clubs" in starters Tatsuya Imai and Michael King
• The trade buzz in Miami indicates there's a "strong possibility" the Marlins move one of their starters this offseason (Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera)
• WATCH: Which big-name pitchers should the Mets target? That was the debate on SportsNite
• David Stearns made an addition, claiming right-hander Cooper Criswell off waivers from the Red Sox
• On the diamond in the Dominican, Ronny Mauricio smacked a homer in his winter ball debut
• Speaking of bats, would Kyle Schwarber be a good fit in Queens? That was the conversation on Baseball Night in NY
• Reliever Devin Williams talked about joining the Mets on a three-year deal, and new additions to his pitching arsenal
• WATCH: Williams on Diaz potentially re-signing: 'More good arms is always a good thing'

Mets youngster Ronny Mauricio made his 2025 Dominican winter league debut with LIDOM on Friday night and showed off his power.

In his second at-bat of the game, Mauricio took a 1-2 low-and-in fastball and launched it an estimated 401 feet to give his team -- Tigres del Licey-- a 3-0 lead.

Ronny Mauricio blasts a home run in his second at-bat in winter ball pic.twitter.com/gqd0ZE6Klz

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) December 6, 2025

Mauricio, who was the team's DH, finished 1-for-5 with two strikeouts, but that blast was a welcome sight for the young infielder and the Mets.

The 24-year-old is playing in winter ball for the first time since he suffered a knee injury that required surgery in 2023, which wiped out Mauricio's 2024. This past season, Mauricio showed flashes but was not consistent enough at the plate to warrant everyday playing time, especially when the team was in the midst of a playoff spot.

Mauricio finished the year slashing .226/.293/.369 with an OPS of .662 to go along with six home runs and driving in 10 RBI across 61 games.

With the roster in flux, Mauricio will look to try and make a roster spot this spring, but he'll have to beat out Brett Baty, who had a bounceback 2025. There's also a chance Mauricio will get traded this offseason. His performance at winter ball this year could go a long way for teams to take a chance at the once-touted prospect.

The Mets made a strong addition to their bullpen this week, signing righty Devin Williams to a three-year deal. 

Williams comes to Queens after spending last season on the other side of town with the Yankees. 

The 31-year-old had a bit of an up-and-down start to his time in the Bronx, but was able to find his footing and showed flashes of his dominant form over his last few outings of the regular season and playoffs. 

He'll now look to carry that production over to his first season in orange and blue. 

Williams met with the media over Zoom on Friday afternoon to discuss joining the Mets, potentially teaming up with Edwin Diaz on the backend of the bullpen, and some new additions to his arsenal… 

Why the Mets were a good fit…

Williams feels comfortable in New York after his one-year stint with the Yanks. 

He is familiar with David Stearns and his process from their time together in Milwaukee, but there was one big factor that ultimately came into him picking the Mets in free agency. 

“They’re a team that wants to win,” the two-time NL Reliever of the Year winner said. “Steve [Cohen] is doing all that he can to put a winning product out on the field and I’d love to be a part of that.”

On potentially teaming up with Diaz…

Williams said every team he spoke to before signing offered him the closer’s role. 

He’s currently penciled into that spot for the Mets, but things, of course, could change over the next few weeks with the team still showing interest in signing Diaz back off the open market. 

The long-time closer seems comfortable with the situation either way.

“I think it’s just a good situation,” Williams said. “If he comes back, then I think we’re going to have a really good backend of the bullpen -- more good arms is always a good thing.”

New additions to the arsenal…

Williams has essentially been a two-pitch pitcher his entire career (fastball, changeup). 

But this offseason, he’s continued tinkering with his cutter, which he threw just twice all of last year, and he's planning on leaning on the pitch a bit more this season. 

The righty has also continued working on adding a gyro slider to the mix for next year.

It’s something he’s been developing for years, though he hasn’t put it into play yet.

“I’m just playing with those two,” Williams said. “Just seeing if I can add those two to what I do, and just give myself a little more breathing room with the fastball and changeup.”

The two-time All-Star is also eager to see how new pitching coach Justin Willard and the Mets' highly-regarded pitching lab can help him continue to improve his game. 

"They have a track record of helping guys improve on things they already do, or maybe adding in things," he said. "So I think that they'll be able to help me, and I'm really curious to see what they have for me."

The Mets have added to their pitching depth, claiming RHP Cooper Criswell off waivers from the Red Sox.

Boston signed Criswell to a guaranteed one-year deal above the league minimum this offseason, with hopes of it helping him sneak through waivers when they wanted to clear his 40-man roster spot. 

Instead, the right-hander drew plenty of interest after being DFA'd Thursday, and lands in the Big Apple. 

Criswell served as a versatile swingman during his time in Boston, contributing in the rotation and long relief. 

He enjoyed a strong first season with the club, pitching to a 4.08 ERA in 26 appearances (18 starts). 

The 29-year-old then spent the majority of last year down in Triple-A, appearing in just seven MLB games, before his campaign ended in late-August due to elbow inflammation. 

Prior to the injury, he had a 3.57 ERA and 24.5 percent strikeout rate in 16 games (14 starts) with Worcester. 

Criswell does not have any minor league options remaining.

One of the biggest questions in the air with the MLB Winter Meetings set to begin in a few days is what the Tigers will do with potential Mets target Tarik Skubal.

Skubal, one of the best pitchers in baseball, is set for free agency after the 2026 season. And it seems like a foregone conclusion that Detroit will not be able to retain him.

When the Tigers attempted to extend Skubal, it was reportedly not just a non-competitive offer, but one that was relatively insulting. And owner Christopher Ilitch gave a bit of a weird answer a few months ago when asked about a possible Skubal extension. 

With that as a backdrop, Buster Olney of ESPN reports that the Tigers "continue to be engaged" with teams that are interested in trading for Skubal.

Olney notes that the asking price for the left-hander is "enormous."

Skubal is represented by Scott Boras, but the Mets would have the wherewithal to re-sign him in the event they trade for him -- something that would make the haul they'd have to part with more palatable.

For the Mets, it would likely take at least one or two of their best prospects along with much more to get a conversation going for Skubal.

SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported earlier this offseason that the Tigers have expressed interest in Brett Baty in the past.

Skubal, 29, has led the American League in ERA and FIP the last two seasons. And in 2025, he also led the AL in WHIP (0.89), walks per nine (1.5), and strikeout to walk rate (7.30). He carried that into the postseason, when he fired 7.2 one-run innings while striking out 14 in his Wild Card Series start and posted a 2.08 ERA and 0.61 WHIP while fanning 22 batters in 13.0 innings spanning his two starts in the ALDS.

He has also been a workhorse over the last two years, tossing 192.0 innings in 2024 and 195.1 innings in 2025.

Meanwhile, a look at Skubal's advanced stats via Baseball Savant illustrates his eye-popping dominance. In 2025, Skubal was in the 92nd percentile or better when it came to xERA, average exit velocity, chase percentage, whiff percentage, strikeout percentage, walk percentage, and hard hit percentage.

Skubal's stuff -- he relies heavily on his 4-seam and sinking fastballs and his changeup -- grades out in the 100th percentile. 

He's also relatively inexpensive (for now), expected to make roughly $18 million in 2026 in what is his final season of arbitration.

Both New York clubs are searching for starting pitching this offseason, and two players they are reportedly strongly considering are Tatsuya Imai and Michael King. 

The Mets and Yankees are among the most interested in the free agent righties, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. 

That certainly doesn’t come as a surprise, as both would present a strong addition to either clubs rotation. 

Imai, who was posted by the NPB’s Seibu Lions this offseason, is coming off a spectacular campaign in which he pitched to a career-best 1.92 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 163 innings. 

His plus-arsenal includes a mid-90s fastball, a splitter, slider, and cutter. 

He has until Jan. 2 to sign with a club, and according to a recent report from the Athletic, he is expected to visit with teams upon the end of next week’s Winter Meetings. 

Boston, Philly, and the Cubs are also believed to be interested as well.

King was tremendous in 2024 as he transitioned from the bullpen to a full-time starter, but he battled injuries for most of last season and was limited to just 15 outings with the Padres. 

He dealt with a nerve injury in his throwing shoulder, and also lost time due to a knee injury.

The NY native and former Yankee has top of the rotation potential when healthy, but concerns over his durability could result in him landing a short-term deal this offseason. 

King could potentially bet on himself with an eye on hitting the market again next winter, but there are several other clubs in the mix for his talents including the Orioles, Tigers, and Marlins. 

Giants notes: new reliever Sam Hentges has previous ties to manager Tony Vitello originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — At his introductory press conference in October, Giants manager Tony Vitello mentioned how Bryce Eldridge had turned him down when Vitello was trying to get him to come to Tennessee. Eldridge won’t be the only Giant next season who chose to go pro instead of playing for one of Vitello’s teams. 

New left-handed reliever Sam Hentges was recruited to Arkansas by Vitello in 2014, but he was taken in the fourth round of the MLB draft by the Cleveland Guardians and chose to start his career right out of high school. A decade later, Hentges is hopeful he’s pitching high-leverage innings for Vitello in his first season as a manager. 

The Giants signed Hentges to a one-year deal earlier this week, betting that he’ll be able to overcome two recent surgeries and give them another good left-handed option in their bullpen. Hentges had shoulder surgery in 2024 and knee surgery this past August, but on a Zoom call with reporters, he said his rehab is going well and he anticipates being 100 percent by the start of the spring. 

Hentges called it a “tough rehab,” and it was interrupted when he felt swelling in his right knee while going through a throwing program following shoulder surgery. He ended up needing a procedure to repair a tear in his meniscus. 

Hentges had a 4.18 ERA in four seasons in Cleveland, and over his last three — when he was purely used as a reliever — that number was 2.93, with an even shinier 2.66 FIP. He said the Giants “came in aggressively” when he hit free agency for the first time. 

“The opportunity that they have with Tony Vitello there and some new coaches — we just thought it would be a good fit,” Hentges said. “They came in pretty aggressively from what we were expecting, so it kind of turned out to be a no-brainer decision.”

Hentges said he doesn’t know a lot of current Giants, although he lives in the Phoenix area so he’s working out with other big leaguers and minor leaguers at their Papago complex. He does know Vitello, though, and he’s looking forward to reuniting years after he turned the new manager down. 

Another Familiar Face

Hentges let it slip that he has been working with longtime big league right-hander Jesse Chavez, and the Giants confirmed that he has been hired as Vitello’s new bullpen coach. The full staff is still being finalized and will be announced in the coming days. 

Chavez, 42, is as new to coaching as it gets. He made four appearances for the Atlanta Braves last season, capping an 18-year career that included stints with nine different teams. Chavez pitched for the Braves in each of the last four seasons and also spent time with the A’s early in his career. 

What Will They Do …

The Marco Luciano waiver claim opened a 40-man roster spot, which may be notable. The Giants didn’t anticipate Luciano competing for a big league job in the spring, but they also didn’t have to make a move with his spot this early. 

The spot could go to a free agent or player acquired via trade, but it also allows the Giants to participate in the Rule 5 Draft next Wednesday. They’ll have the 15th selection in the draft. 

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As the Mets search for a top of the rotation starter, they are "among the favorites" for free agent left-hander Framber Valdez, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Per Feinsand, the Orioles are also viewed as a top suitor for Valdez.

In addition to Valdez, Feinsand reports that the Mets are one of the teams most interested in free agent starters Tatsuya Imai and Michael King.

Additionally, Feinsand links the Mets to Ranger Suarez, but lists his most serious suitors as the Astros, Cubs, and Orioles. 

As far as the 32-year-old Valdez, he has been a workhorse over the last four seasons while posting a 3.21 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 767.2 innings. 

After leading the American League in innings pitched in 2022 (201.1 IP), Valdez hasn't really slowed down. He fired 198.0 innings in 2023, 176.1 innings in 2024, and 192.0 innings this past season.

His ERA in 2025 was 3.66 -- the highest it's been since 2019, when Valdez was working mostly in relief. But while the ERA was a tick high, there wasn't much cause for concern elsewhere, as Valdez's WHIP, hit rate, walk rate, home run rate, and strikeout rate were all right around his career averages. 

It's also worth noting that Valdez has excelled over the course of his career despite never being an advanced stats darling. 

Part of the reason why he's able to perform so well while not blowing hitters away is his elite ground ball rate, which was in the 97th percentile in 2025. Valdez's sinker -- which he relied on 44 percent of the time this past season -- also graded out strongly, ranking in the 91st percentile. 

When it comes to Valdez's advanced stats, there are some causes for concern. The biggest one is that his curve ball and slider -- his two main secondary pitches -- both graded out poorly in 2025. That was a stark difference from the prior three seasons, so perhaps it was just a one-year blip.

There was also troubling moment with Valdez this past September, when he seemingly intentionally crossed up his catcher in order to hit him with a pitch -- and showed no remorse after. For his part, Valdez claimed it was unintentional. 

So let’s say – speaking hypothetically, Hal – the Yankees do indeed lower their payroll heading into the 2026 season. Obviously, they still intend to contend and they probably have enough talent to be a playoff threat.

But what would their winter look like if they forgo spending mega free agent dollars and work to improve on the margins only? They of course will reap benefits from an eventual Gerrit Cole return to an already-plus rotation, in addition to the usual Aaron Judge awesomeness and a roster with other strong points. 

Even so, they could use a Cody Bellinger return, bullpen fortification, a righty, defense-first first baseman and perhaps a stop-gap starter. Maybe a utility player, too. 

How does that all work in an offseason in which the owner, Hal Steinbrenner said, “Would it be ideal if I went down (with the payroll)? Of course. But does that mean it’s going to happen? Of course not. We want to field a team we know could win a championship, or we believe could win a championship.” 

With that in mind, here are some suggestions for the Yankees if we remove boldface free agent names such as Bellinger and Kyle Tucker from their options. 

Yeah, we know fiscal restraint doesn’t fit some folks’ “Act like the Yankees and spend big” worldview, but this is just one potential spending scenario in a Hot Stove winter where all things are possible. Heck, maybe it means they’re saving it up for next winter and a free-agent run at Tarik Skubal. Oh, now you’re interested.

Outfield options

This is easy. They want Bellinger back, but he’s so versatile and so skilled in multiple baseball departments that he’s in high demand. For instance, Met fans would love it if he were another Yankee relocation to Queens. So if Bellinger goes elsewhere, what do the Yanks do on the grass? 

Nothing.

Not sexy, we know. Signing Tucker would bring sizzle. But that might be $100 million more than whatever Bellinger costs. If the Yankees are trying to tamp down the payroll, they have choices here. Judge plays right, Trent Grisham, who accepted the qualifying offer, is back in center and Jasson Domínguez and/or top prospect Spencer Jones figure it out in left field. 

Swing-and-miss is a part of Jones’ game, yes. But so is admirable athleticism and dizzying power. He had a .932 OPS and 35 homers across two minor league levels last season. Might be time to find out what he’s got. 

“The Martian” might not have had the otherworldly (get it?) rookie season Yankees fans would have wanted. But Domínguez was once the most-hyped prospect in the world and one season doesn’t say it all about his career. Might be time to find out what he’s got, too. 

If the Yanks do re-sign Bellinger, they could put Jones, Domínguez, and perhaps even Grisham into the trade carousel to address other needs.

Pitching ponderables

With Cole and Carlos Rodón both starting the season late, the Yanks need rotation depth to add to Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil and Will Warren. They re-signed Ryan Yarbrough, who will help, and could examine other lower-level free agents, too.

We’re thinking of names such as Tyler Mahle (2.18 ERA in 16 starts with Texas last season). The righty allowed only five homers in 86.2 innings and home run suppression skills could help in Yankee Stadium. Righty Adrian Houser revived his career with 11 sharp starts with the White Sox, though he had less success after a trade to the Rays. 

Across their history, the Yanks have thrived at bringing in older stars who made their name with other teams, dating way back to the days of Johnny Mize or Enos Slaughter. Could they do it with one from this duo of the Cooperstown-bound ageless hurlers Max Scherzer or Justin Verlander? Might be a fun one-year deal for either.

As for the bullpen, the Yankees have vacancies left by Devin Williams and probably Luke Weaver, who is a free agent. The club has been really good at finding and developing useful relievers who might not be household names. They got mileage out of Ian Hamilton, for instance, and Clay Holmes bloomed under their tutelage. Do they have a few more in the pipeline?

Maybe they go that route again. If not, there are plenty of potentially-useful relief arms available and they wouldn’t be top-of-the-market outlays, including Kyle Finnegan and Michael Kopech. Could they revive former Jays closer Jordan Romano, who is coming off two poor seasons?

Also, several of the Yankees’ most highly-regarded prospects are pitchers, including 22-year-old Elmer Rodriguez, who got to Triple-A for one start last season and had a 2.58 ERA in 150 innings over three levels. Could the kids figure as inexpensive options or trade fodder?

Bench marks

A righty-hitting complement to Ben Rice at first base would be a nice pickup -- someone who can help school the slugging Rice on the defensive nuances of the position. Paul Goldschmidt redux?

Signing a utility player would fortify the bench, too. They liked Amed Rosario last season for his righty bat and he can provide coverage in the infield and outfield. 

So could free agent Willi Castro, a coveted utility man last trade deadline. The switch hitter fizzled after going from the Twins to the Cubs, but he has experience at every position but catcher and first base. 

Five things we know as Phillies travel to the Winter Meetings originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The temperature outside may be dropping, but the hot stove is heating up.

From December 7-10, the Winter Meetings will take place in Orlando. The early stages of the offseason have moved slowly across baseball, but momentum is expected to build — especially for the Phillies. Here are five things to know as the meetings begin.

The Schwarber Sweepstakes is on

All offseason long, it’s been clear that one of — if not the biggest — priorities for the Phillies is bringing back the 32-year-old slugger. And for good reason. Kyle Schwarber is coming off his best season in Philadelphia, delivering a 56-homer, 132-RBI campaign. Although, just ten days ago, the Phils and Schwarber were “not close to a deal,” per MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.

A true leader, strong community presence and an all-around professional, it’s no surprise his market includes multiple suitors. Big-market teams like the Mets and Red Sox have shown interest, but it’s Schwarber’s hometown team making a strong push.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Reds are one of the strongest suitors. Rosenthal notes that Cincinnati could have roughly $20 million to spend on next season based on comments from GM Nick Krall. The Phillies aren’t worried about getting outbid by the Reds for the Middletown, Ohio native, but Cincinnati is a much younger club that could benefit from his veteran presence.

Contract length is a key variable. On MLB Network, former GM and analyst Steve Phillips suggested that a fifth year may decide where Schwarber lands — and that could tilt the race toward the Reds.

If the Phillies don’t retain Schwarber, attempting to replace his power becomes the next priority. That could come through free agency (Pete Alonso, Marcell Ozuna), the posted Japanese market (Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto), or potentially a trade if Byron Buxton waives his no-trade clause in Minnesota.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently noted on Threads that the Schwarber decision could come by the end of the meetings. Buckle up.

Where things stand with J.T. Realmuto

There are few players who know the Phillies’ pitching staff as well as Realmuto. The 34-year-old has spent the past six seasons in Philadelphia, and a thin catching market makes him one of the most attractive options available.

Passan reported that Realmuto is unlikely to seek more than a two-year deal, which increases the chances of a return. Boston and Texas were initially viewed as potential suitors, but neither team is expected to spend aggressively behind the plate.

The value he brings behind the plate remains a separator. On MLB Network, Jesús Luzardo highlighted Realmuto’s preparation and individualized game-planning, saying he “always has such a good plan,” with a clear understanding of how each pitcher attacks a lineup. He also added that the staff has “a lot of faith, a lot of confidence in him back there.”

If the Phillies leave Orlando with clarity on Schwarber and Realmuto, their offseason path becomes much sharper.

Names floated in trade talks

The contract dump of Nick Castellanos has dominated trade speculation, but other players have been mentioned in recent reporting, including Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and, more unexpectedly, Brandon Marsh. Nothing appears imminent, but the organization could be moving away from running out a similar core.

A recent name mentioned in industry speculation is Matt Strahm. Adam Jude of The Seattle Times expressed that the Mariners are exploring left-handed bullpen options and identified Strahm as a fit. The left-hander has one year of club control remaining and has been effective in leverage situations while offering multi-inning capability.

Seattle also presents a potential match because of its roster situation. Randy Arozarena, entering his final arbitration year, would fill a need as a right-handed bat and is coming off his fifth straight 20-home run, 20-steal season. The Mariners also have an organizational surplus behind the plate, with top catching prospect Harry Ford blocked by Cal Raleigh, and they have a need at third base, where Bohm is a fit.

Once the top free agents sign, trade activity typically picks up quickly. It would not be surprising if the Phillies are involved on either side of a swap if one takes place soon.

How set is the Phillies’ rotation?

Starting pitching has received the least attention early in the offseason. The rotation just posted the lowest starter ERA in the National League at 3.53. But there are still questions that will shape the next few weeks.

Ranger Suárez is expected to have a strong market even if there has been little public noise to this point. His price likely rose after Dylan Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million deal with Toronto, putting him in a range that may be difficult for the Phillies to match with nearly $100 million already committed to their rotation in 2026 — without Suárez.

On Bleacher Report, Jon Heyman reported that the Phillies have maintained interest in a reunion and that Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai, who is expected to land a nine-figure deal, is a potential fit.

With Zack Wheeler recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, adding depth to the rotation would make sense, though it may depend on whether the Phillies can alleviate some of their payroll by moving Taijuan Walker.

A more affordable route exists through the mid-tier market, including options such as Nestor Cortes or Tyler Mahle, or potentially a reunion with Walker Buehler at an even lower number.

That scenario would require confidence in Andrew Painter taking a rotation spot out of camp. A group of Sánchez, Luzardo, Nola, Walker and Painter is viable on Opening Day, but the risk comes if Wheeler needs additional time to regain his form.

The market lacks top-end depth, but it has options that fit the middle.

Is Marte still an option?

Last month, Arizona signaled a willingness to discuss trades involving Ketel Marte, and on November 26, the Phillies and Blue Jays reportedly checked in. Marte has a full no-trade clause but did not include Philadelphia or Toronto on his list.

Acquiring him would be expensive, but if Schwarber leaves, the 32-year-old second baseman is one of the few alternatives that keeps the Phils among the top teams in the game.

Marte is a switch-hitter who has produced from both sides and would add a level of versatility the Phillies have lacked in their lineup in recent years. His contract also aligns well with the Phillies’ approach. He is owed $28 million over the next two seasons, a number that provides enough financial flexibility to remain active in other parts of the market.

Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen will likely have multiple conversations in Orlando, and the Phillies’ willingness to involve top prospects will determine how serious those talks become.

Former top prospect Marco Luciano claimed by Pirates, ending Giants tenure originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — For five years, Marco Luciano was on the top 100 lists. He was the kind of player that front offices dream of building around, or trading in a blockbuster.

On Friday, the Giants lost him on a waiver claim.

Luciano’s time in San Francisco ended when he was claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team announced Friday. It’s a disappointing result for an organization that signed him out of the Dominican Republic but failed when it came to his development.

Luciano ended up playing just 41 games in San Francisco, hitting .217 with no homers. The Giants moved him to the outfield last offseason in hopes of jump-starting his career, but he had a .749 OPS in a hitter-friendly Triple-A league and his defense was viewed as poor. Luciano was out of options after the 2025 season and would not have been a real option for a 2026 roster spot next spring.

It was clear that the Giants would have to move Luciano this winter, but losing him for nothing shows how poorly he was managed over the years. The previous leadership in baseball operations kept Luciano at shortstop far too long, pushing back against the idea elsewhere in the industry — and even from some high-ranking Giants officials — that he needed to move to a corner spot or the outfield.

When he was given an extended look in 2024, Luciano struggled defensively. Still, the Giants put a high price on him in trades. For years, Luciano was brought up in potential blockbusters, including some that would have brought All-Star caliber pitchers to San Francisco, but the Giants held on, hoping that he would live up to his potential.

Instead, Luciano will join fellow former top prospect Joey Bart in Pittsburgh. It’s unclear if the outfield will work out for him, but he’s still just 24, and there has never been any question about his power.

Before the move, the Giants had 10 outfielders on their 40-man roster. Like Luciano, Luis Matos is out of options, and the new front office will have to, at some point, make a decision on his future, as well.

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