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MLB free-agent tracker: Sluggers Cody Bellinger, Kyle Tucker and Kyle Schwarber head the list
Rest easy. No Juan Soto or Shohei Ohtani is available this offseason — no one remotely otherworldly enough to cause another seismic disruption in Major League Baseball's free-agent contract calculus.
Yet excellent players pepper the market, as do a slew of better than average options at nearly every position. Teams will need to shop wisely, digesting medical reports on established players coming back from injuries and deciphering scouting reports on another handful of talented players from Japan.
Former Dodgers and Angels players litter the landscape as well. From highly regarded Cody Bellinger to distinguished veterans Kenley Jansen, Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernandez to former top prospects looking to rebound (remember Dustin May and Walker Buehler? Of course you do), players whom Los Angeles fans are well familiar with will seek new homes and fresh starts.
The lists below are not rankings. They are divided into segments and listed by Baseball Reference wins above replacement, known as bWAR. FanGraphs also computes wins above replacement, known as fWAR. Both measures are sound and respected, although the assessments of many players differ.
This is a working document that you can bookmark and return to frequently. When a free agent signs, it will be updated with the team, the contract value and a brief analysis.
Read more:Plaschke: Back to back! Dodgers nab dynasty-defining victory over Blue Jays in World Series Game 7
NAME, AGE, POSITION, 2025 bWAR, CAREER bWAR
Top Hitters
Kyle Schwarber, 33, DH, 4.7, 19.9: Schwarber is a premier slugger with 187 home runs in four seasons with Philadelphia, where he also was an exceptional clubhouse leader. He is pretty much restricted to designated hitter and is approaching an age where offensive production might decline. He still merits a lucrative multi-year deal, although going longer than four years at a $30 million average annual value (AAV) might be inviting buyer's remorse by 2030.
Kyle Tucker, 29, OF, 4.5, 27.3: Although his 2025 bWAR was lower than that of Bellinger and Schwarber, Tucker might have the highest sticker price in this free-agent class. The average of projections from 20 ESPN experts is 10 years and $391.5 million for a $38.8 million AAV. The Dodgers are considered a prime suitor because of their deep pockets and need for a productive corner outfielder.
Eugenio Suárez, 34, 3B, 3.6, 26.8: A drop of nearly one win above replacement from the top three free agents — Bellinger, Schwarber and Tucker — still puts Suárez in an enviable position. Splitting the season between the Diamondbacks and Mariners, Suarez tied a career high with 49 home runs and drove in 118 runs.
Alex Bregman, 32, 3B, 3.5, 43.1: Even though Bregman's bWAR was slightly lower than that of Suárez, he should command a larger deal because he's younger and more well-rounded. Bregman missed 44 games because of injury in his single season in Bosto but put up solid numbers. His average bWAR over his 10-year career is 4.3.
Trent Grisham, 29, OF, 3.5, 14.6: Grisham is an enigma, a first-round draft pick who blossomed with the Padres only to crater and bat under .200 three years in a row. He rebounded in 2025, swatting a career-high 34 home runs with the Yankees. Grisham also has two Gold Gloves in center field.
Bo Bichette, 28, SS, 3.4, 20.8: Bichette showed his toughness by playing effectively in the World Series despite a lingering knee injury. Bichette can flat-out hit, accumulating more than 175 hits in four of the last five seasons with above-average power. He also plays a premium position and will turn only 28 in March, meaning he could command a contract exceeded only by that of Tucker.
Pete Alonso, 31, 1B, 3.4, 23.3: Alonso was disappointed by the tepid interest in him as a free agent last offseason, re-signing with the Mets on a one-year, $30-million deal with a player option. He's expected to test the market again after once again posting the glittering power numbers that have made him a fan favorite in New York for seven years.
Josh Naylor, 28, 1B, 3.1, 8.4: The 5-foot-10, 235-pound left-handed slugger produced well in 2025 while splitting the season between the Diamondbacks and Mariners, batting a career-high .295 and hitting precisely 20 home runs for the third time in five seasons.
Gleyber Torres, 29, 2B, 2.9, 18.7: Torres needed to restore his value after taking a one-year deal with the Tigers following a ho-hum 2024 season with the Yankees. He did so incrementally and should land a measured multi-year deal this time around.
J.T. Realmuto, 35, C, 2.6, 38.8: Realmuto is recognized as one of the top-hitting catchers in baseball, and he's clearly the top free-agent backstop, proving in 2025 that he can still catch upward of 130 games while putting up solid offensive numbers. Still, he will be 35 on opening day and his .700 OPS was his lowest in a decade.
Jorge Polanco, 32, 2B, 2.6, 20.7: Polanco hit 26 home runs and posted an .821 OPS, the switch-hitter's best season since 2021 when he hit 33 homers and drove in 98 runs. Chronic knee problems have put his shortstop days behind him and cut into his range at second or third base, but the bat still plays.
Mike Yastrzemski, 35, OF, 2.6, 16.8: Although the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski posted his best OPS (.839) since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he might be entertaining only contract offers of one year at $10 million or so.
Ryan O'Hearn, 31, 1B/DH, 2.4, 3.1: O'Hearn is an accomplished left-handed hitter coming off a season split between the Orioles and Padres. He can expect a large raise from the $3.5 million he made in 2025, perhaps tripling it.
Read more:MLB free agency: Dodgers cap offseason by signing Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates
Marcell Ozuna, 35, OF/DH, 1.6, 29.5: Ozuna is a proven power bat who has exceeded 20 home runs in nine seasons and led the NL with 18 homers and 56 RBIs in pandemic-shortened 2020. After tremendous 2023 and 2024 seasons in which he totaled 79 homers and 204 RBIs, Ozuna slipped in 2025, batting .232 with 21 home runs while battling hip pain.
Luis Arráez, 29, 1B, 1.3, 16.5: Arráez doesn't get much love from bWAR or fWAR, but he sure can hit, leading all major leaguers with a .317 lifetime average. He led the NL with 181 hits in 2025, but because he doesn't hit for power or walk much, his OPS was a pedestrian .719. The three-time batting champion should continue to be paid about $14 million a year, with the question becoming for how long.
Paul Goldschmidt, 38, 1B, 1.2, 63.8: Goldschmidt boasts the highest career bWAR of any free-agent hitter and he has made it clear that he is not ready to retire. His productivity, however, is trending downward, especially his power. With only 10 homers and 45 RBIs in 534 plate appearances with the Yankees last season, Goldschmidt is no longer an elite hitter.
Victor Caratini, 32, C, 0.9, 4.3: Catchers are at a premium in this free-agent class and Caratini is one of the few with a potent bat and ability to play more than 100 games in a season. He most recently delivered on a two-year, $12-million deal with the Astros and could land a similar contract because of the scarcity of backstops.
Former DODGERS and ANGELS hitters
Cody Bellinger, 30, OF, 5.0, 30.4: Bellinger has gradually rehabilitated his on-field reputation since bottoming out after six years with the Dodgers, when the former rookie of the year and most valuable player was lost at the plate, constantly tinkering with his stance and swing. An excellent bounce-back season with the Cubs in 2023 was followed by a solid 2024 campaign, a trade to the Yankees and an above-average 2025 season while he continued to excel in the outfield and at first base. The turnaround enables him to opt out of his $25-million player option and cash in, though Tucker will likely sign a more lucrative deal.
Miguel Rojas, 37, IF, 1.9, 19.1: Should Rojas choose to retire on top after his heroics in Games 6 and 7 helped the Dodgers to a second consecutive World Series title, he'll land a job as a coach or manager. If he wants to play another season, the utility infielder will find a landing spot, either with the Dodgers or somewhere else that values his leadership and steady hand.
Kiké Hernández, 34, IF/OF, -0.2, 17.0: Game 7 of the World Series was his 103rd postseason game, the stage where the versatile, passionate Hernandez shines: He has an OPS of .826 in the playoffs compared to .707 in the regular season. He has helped the Dodgers to three championships in six years and they likely will re-sign him to a one-year deal in their quest for a three-peat.
Yoán Moncada, 31, 3B, 0.7, 14.9: Moncada provided the Angels with a reasonable facsimile of Anthony Rendon — at least Moncada showed up to play — but he'll never reach the potential the Red Sox hoped for when they signed him out of Cuba to a record $31.5-million deal in 2015 that set Boston back $63 million because of a 100% tax for exceeding the international bonus limit.
Luis Rengifo, 29, IF, 0.3, 6.6: Rengifo hits the open market after seven seasons with the Angels and could command a two-or three-year deal at about a $10 million AAV. His infield versatility is a plus and he put together three consecutive strong offensive seasons before regressing in 2025 to a .622 OPS.
Carlos Santana, 39, 1B/DH, 1.1, 39.3: The switch-hitting Santana still has a bit of thunder in his bat as well as an excellent glove — he won a Gold Glove at first base in 2024. His OPS in 2025 was a career-low .633, however, while playing on a one-year contract with the Cubs.
Justin Turner, 41, 1B/DH, 0.1, 38.7: Turner would love nothing more than to retire as a Dodger, although with Ohtani at DH and Freddie Freeman at first base, there is no place for him in their lineup. He's played for four teams in three seasons since his prolific nine-year run with the Dodgers and has made $141.5 million in his 17-year career.
Michael Conforto, 33, OF, -0.7, 16.9; Conforto held down left field for the Dodgers during the regular season, although his production was as bad as any outfielder in baseball. A former top prospect with the Mets, Conforto hasn't hit even .240 since 2020 and batted .199 for the Dodgers, who had signed him on a one-year, $17-million deal. Expect his best offer to be about one-third of that number.
Top Starting Pitchers
Ranger Suárez, 30, SP, 4.7, 18.1: The left-handed Suárez is younger than most other free-agent starters and is coming off an excellent season. He has a 1.48 ERA over 11 postseason appearances. He is well-positioned to command a lucrative contract of up to six years. Expect him to sign with one of the teams with a high payroll.
Framber Valdez, 32, SP, 3.8, 18.8: Valdez was an impressively consistent workhorse for the Astros and certainly should be able to choose between several multi-year offers. His age works against a long-term deal, but Sportrac estimated his AAV at $33.3 million, easily the highest among free-agent pitchers.
Adrian Houser, 33, SP, 3.3, 5.9: Houser might be due the biggest raise among starters. He had an excellent season split between the White Sox and Rays while making only $1.375 million. Although only once has he made more than 21 starts in a season, Houser could be in line for a $10-million AAV.
Zack Littell, 30, SP, 3.2, 8.3: Littell came up as a reliever, was converted to the rotation after being traded to the Rays in 2023 and now could double his AAV from $6 million to at least $12 million.
Merrill Kelly, 37, SP, 2.9, 15.8: A late bloomer who became a stalwart starter for the Diamondbacks for years, Kelly might be restricted to a two-year deal because of his age. He's a strong candidate for a team that wants a front-end starter without mortgaging the future.
Read more:Hernández: Yoshinobu Yamamoto's remarkable World Series Game 7 became his playoff exclamation point
Nick Martinez, 35, SP, 2.3, 11.2: Martinez is a swingman who has pined for the workload and pay of a full-time starter. The Reds gave him that opportunity in 2025 and he was moderately successful, posting a 4.45 ERA in a career-high 165 2/3 innings while earning $21 million. He'll likely get another one-year deal for less money.
Chris Bassitt, 37, SP, 2.1, 18.1: Bassitt has been a dependable mid-rotation arm, making at least 30 starts four years in a row with league-average results. He is coming off a three-year, $63-million contract with the Blue Jays, but at 37 he might not be able to replicate that deal.
Tyler Mahle, 31, SP, 2.1, 11.1: Mahle came back strong from a shoulder injury with two September starts that quieted concerns. He missed three months after a spectacular beginning of the season and finished with a career-low 2.18 ERA.
Brandon Woodruff, 33, SP, 1.3, 18.6: Another pitcher whose once promising future is clouded by health issues, Woodruff sat out the entire 2024 season and the first half of this year recovering from shoulder surgery. He appeared as good as new in 12 starts, posting a 7-2 record and 3.20 ERA. He's been with the Brewers his entire career and re-signing with them is a strong possibility.
Michael King, 30, SP, 1.2, 10.8: King was acquired by the Padres from the Yankees in the Juan Soto deal ahead of the 2024 season and immediately flourished, going 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA. This season, however, he was sidelined early on with a pinched thoracic nerve and pitched only 17 2/3 innings the rest of the season, finishing 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA. King might settle for a one-year bridge contract to satisfy health concerns before hitting the jackpot a year from now.
Justin Verlander, 43, SP, 1.2, 81.7: Alas, Verlander's dogged pursuit of 300 wins wasn't helped by a 4-11 season with the Giants. He deserved better, posting a 3.85 ERA in 29 starts. The future first-ballot Hall of Famer made $15 million, and a one-year deal at two-thirds of that number seems reasonable. No financial worries: Verlander has been paid $419 million over 20 years.
Dylan Cease, 30, SP, 1.1, 16.9: His ballyhooed acquisition by the Padres ahead of the 2024 season didn't turn out so well. Yes, Cease was 14-11 that year, but got lit up by the Dodgers in the playoffs and regressed to 8-12 with a 4.55 ERA in 2025 while making $13.75 million in his last year of arbitration. The potential remains for him to sign a multi-year deal for an AAV of close to $25 million.
Zac Gallen, 30, SP, 1.1, 20.8: On the plus side, Gallen posted 56 wins over 126 starts the last four years for the Diamondbacks and he's only 30. On the negative side, his ERA has risen each of those four years, peaking in 2025 at 4.83. The right-hander should be looking at a multi-year deal with an AAV of about $18 million.
Shane Bieber, 30, SP, 0.7, 18.5: Getting tagged with the loss in Game 7 of the World Series skewed Bieber's recovery from Tommy John surgery. The Laguna Hills High and UC Santa Barbara product went 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA in seven starts after the Blue Jays boldly bet on him even though he hadn't pitched in 15 months when they acquired him from the Guardians. Bieber is a Cy Young Award winner with a career 66-34 record and 3.24 ERA who should be one of the more intriguing free agents if he declines his player option of $14 million and takes a $4 million buyout to hit the market.
Michael Soroka, 28, SP, 0.6, 6.8: The former first-round pick has never replicated the promise he showed in 2019 when he went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA over 19 starts for the Braves at age 21. Soroka has battled injuries and incompetent teammates — he was 0-10 for the woeful White Sox in 2024 — but he's only 28. Another one-year deal is probably on the horizon.
Zach Eflin, 32, SP, -0.4, 12.9: Eflin's 2025 season was shortened by a back injury that he says has healed. He was one of the better starters in baseball in 2023 and 2024, so he could be a good bet for a team convinced he's healthy. A one-year deal at a high AAV such as $15 million might be in the cards.
Former DODGERS and ANGELS Starters
Tyler Anderson, 36, SP, 2.0, 16.8: The dependable former Angels and Dodgers starter is coming off a three-year, $39-million contract. His 2025 season ended in August because of an oblique strain, and he was 2-8 with a 4.56 ERA in 26 starts. A two-year deal at a reduced AAV isn't out of the question.
Kyle Hendricks, 36, SP, 1.7, 22.7: Pitching for the Angels in 2025 was a homecoming for the former Capistrano Valley High product, and he was serviceable, going 8-10 with a 4.76 ERA over 164 2/3 innings while making $2.5 million. Another one-year deal seems in the cards for the poor man's Greg Maddux.
Jose Quintana, 37, SP, 1.4, 31.7: Quintana has put together solid seasons with the Mets in 2024 and the Brewers in 2025, combining for 302 innings and 21 wins over 55 starts with a 3.79 ERA. The left-hander who seemed washed up in 2021 when he went 0-3 with the Angels after signing a one-year, $8-million contract has rebounded nicely and should find himself shoring up the back of a rotation in 2026.
Griffin Canning, 29, SP, 1.1, 5.8: The former Angels first-round pick out of UCLA underperformed in Anaheim but figured something out with the Mets, posting a 7-3 record with a 3.77 ERA in 16 starts before his season ended with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Jack Flaherty, 30, SP, 0.9, 14.2: Despite a perception that he's always one pitch away from an arm injury, Flaherty made 31 starts for the Tigers and notched 188 strikeouts in 2025. No Dodgers fan can forget his contribution to their World Series title in 2024 when after being acquired at the deadline, the Harvard Westlake High product went 6-2 in 10 starts.
Max Scherzer, 41, SP, 0.2, 75.6: The future Hall of Famer has no intention of retiring, even after posting a 5.19 ERA and giving up 19 home runs in 85 innings for the Blue Jays. Scherzer might take a steep pay cut from the $15.5 million he made in 2025, but he's already been paid $366.5 million in his 18-year career. Dodgers fans remember him as a 2021 trade-deadline acquisition going 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 11 regular-season starts but bowing out of a start in the NLCS.
Walker Buehler, 31, SP, 0.0, 12.3: Returning to form after his second Tommy John surgery hasn't been smooth for the ultra-competitive former Dodgers star. The Red Sox paid his $21.05-million salary last season, and he likely won't get near that much on another one-year deal after posting a 4.93 ERA in 26 appearances.
Dustin May, 28, SP, -0.6, 2.5: Finally healed from injuries and illness, the red-headed former Dodgers starter likely will need to prove himself on a one-year deal after splitting the 2025 season between L.A. and Boston. Time remains on his side and he hasn't been overused.
Andrew Heaney, 34, SP, 0.3, 7.7: Heaney pitched 6 1/2 seasons with the Angels and had two short stints with the Dodgers, including posting a career-low ERA of 3.10 in 2022. The left-hander likely will have to take a low-ball one-year deal after going 5-10 with an unsightly 5.39 ERA in 26 appearances with the Pirates.
Top Relief Pitchers
Edwin Diaz, 32, RP, 3.0, 13.8: Díaz has a plan, and it is to opt out of his $15.5-million 2026 contract with the Mets and negotiate a multi-year deal at about a $20-million AAV. The right-hander with 253 career saves gained the leverage by posting a 1.63 ERA with 28 saves and 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings in 2025.
Tyler Rogers, 35, RP, 2.4, 9.8: The underrated Rogers was traded from the Giants to the Mets at the deadline in 2025 and over a league-high 81 appearances was equally effective in both places. Rogers' submarine delivery induces a ton of ground balls and he is effective against left-handed batters as well as righties. He's averaged 75 appearances a season since 2021.
Brad Keller, 33, RP, 2.4, 9.8: Keller picked a great time to enjoy a career year, heading into free agency after a 2.07 ERA over 68 appearances in his only season with the Cubs. His ERA had been over 5.00 in three of the previous four years, so potential suitors must determine whether he is truly a new pitcher after healing from 2023 surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.
Robert Suarez, 34, RP, 2.3, 5.8: The late-blooming Suarez might be the most sought-after closer besides Díaz. The right-hander led the NL with 40 saves and got better as the season progressed. Suarez didn't break into the big leagues with San Diego until he was 31 because he played one season in Mexico and five in Japan.
Emilio Pagán, 34, RP, 2.0, 6.4: Pagán posted a 2.88 ERA in 70 appearances in 2025 for the Reds, the sixth team he has pitched for effectively in nine seasons. He told reporters he would like to return to Cincinnati even though he was twice as effective on the road as at home.
Sean Newcomb, 33, RP, 1.6, 4.0: Newcomb was a first-round pick of the Angels in 2014 and broke into the majors with the Braves as a starter in 2017. He moved to the bullpen in 2019, endured four injury-riddled seasons and emerged in 2025 as a reliable left-handed option for the Athletics, posting a 1.75 ERA.
Shawn Armstrong, 35, RP, 1.5, 3.9: Armstrong gave up only 40 hits and posted a 2.31 ERA in a career-high 74 innings in 2025 for Texas in part because he had tossed only 347 1/3 innings in nine previous seasons. Armstrong's arm remains strong and his sweeper has been nearly unhittable, with opponents batting .080 against it.
Luke Weaver, 32, RP, 0.8, 3.5: Weaver ran into trouble during the second half of the 2025 season with the Yankees, his ERA jumping a run-and-a-half amid reports that he was tipping his pitches. A starter the first eight years of his career, Weaver moved to the bullpen in 2024 and immediately assumed a role as a high-leverage reliever. The regression late in 2025 might cost him AAV.
Kyle Finnegan, 34, RP, 1.0, 4.3: This is the second foray into free agency for Finnegan, who last year settled for a one-year, $5.38-million deal with the Nationals, the same team he notched 88 saves for the previous five seasons. He again proved a reliable closer, compiling 24 saves. He was traded to the Tigers at the deadline and flourished through the postseason. A two-year deal might result this time around.
Ryan Helsley, 31, RP, 0.1, 7.3: Too bad for Helsley that he wasn't a free agent after the 2024 season, when he led the NL with 49 saves and struck out 79 batters in 66.1 innings with the Cardinals. The right-hander had 21 saves at the 2025 trading deadline and was dealt to the Mets, where he never seemed comfortable in a setup role for Diaz, admitting that he succumbed to pressure. A fresh start should do him good.
Devin Williams, 31, RP, -0.3, 8.7: Williams went from being virtually unhittable with the Brewers for three years to decidedly mortal with the Yankees in 2025, posting a 4.79 ERA when his career ERA entering the season was under 2.00. His devastating changeup and elite velocity are fresh in the minds of many general managers, so expect multiple bidders for Williams' services.
Former DODGERS and ANGELS Relievers
Kenley Jansen, 38, RP, 2.4, 24.4: A Dodgers closer for 12 years and an Angels closer in 2025, Jansen's presence on the mound holding a ninth-inning lead is iconic in L.A. The right-hander has 476 career saves — including 29 last season — and becoming only the third pitcher to reach 500 is a worthy goal. Jansen has his doubters, but he continues to slam the door far more often than not.
Raisel Iglesias, 36, RP, 1.3, 18.5: Another former Angels closer nearing the twilight of his career, Iglesias proved he continues to be effective, notching 29 saves and posting a 3.21 ERA for the Braves in 2025. The Angels signed him to a four-year, $58-million contract ahead of the 2022 season, but he was traded to Atlanta at midseason. Iglesias will take a pay cut this time around but still could be slotted as a closer.
Caleb Ferguson, 29, RP, 0.9, 1.6: A serviceable left-handed option out of the Dodgers' bullpen from 2018 to 2023, Ferguson hasn't really progressed or regressed since, playing for four teams in two years.
Luis García, 29, RP, 0.8, 3.2: García has had three stints with the Angels and one with the Dodgers. He pitched for both teams in 2025, has made 603 career appearances — all but four in relief — and likely will be a late sign when teams get to spring training and realize they need bullpen depth.
Chris Martin, 39, RP, -0.1, 7.7: Martin's career went into overdrive thanks to Dodgers pitching coaches when he was acquired at the deadline in 2023 and posted a 1.46 ERA in 26 appearances, giving up a paltry 12 hits and striking out 34. He's been stellar ever since, first with Boston then with Texas. Who gets him next?
Ryan Yarbrough, 34, RP, 0.6, 5.2: Yarbrough is a swingman with a funky delivery who pitched decently for the Yankees in 2025 until suffering an oblique strain that sidelined him for nearly three months. He was with the Dodgers the second half of the 2023 season and first half of 2024. He made $2 million last season and probably will land a similar deal.
Ryan Brasier, 39, RP, 0.2, 2.8: Brasier parlayed a tremendous second half of the 2023 season with the Dodgers (0.70 ERA in 39 appearances) into a two-year, $9-million contract. His 2025 season with the Cubs was cut short by a groin strain in August and he'll likely settle for a one-year deal at about half the AAV.
Kirby Yates, 39, RP, -0.5, 8.5: One of several bullpen disappointments for the Dodgers in 2025, Yates seemed to hit a wall early and never scaled it, posting a 5.23 ERA in 50 appearances. This from a pitcher who in 2024 with Texas notched 33 saves and posted a minuscule 1.17 ERA. That earned him a one-year, $13-million deal with the Dodgers, one that certainly won't be replicated.
International Players
Munetaka Murakami, 25, 1B/3B, NA, NA: Enthusiasm for the most anticipated position player to come out of Japan in years was slightly dampened after he had arthroscopic elbow surgery and an oblique injury in 2025. The left-handed hitter played only 69 games, but still hit 24 home runs. He bashed 56 in his most productive season with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. He does swing and miss an awful lot, and comparisons range from Schwarber at the high end to Joey Gallo at the low end.
Kazuma Okamoto, 29, 1B/3B, NA, NA: Okamoto might be more appealing to teams scared off by Murakami's low-floor, high-ceiling profile. Like Murakami, Okamoto is a power-hitting corner infielder coming off an elbow injury, but he is four years older and a six-time All-Star in Japan. His contact skills are superior to Murakami’s and he is less of a gamble.
Tatsuya Imai, 27, SP, NA, NA; 2025 team: Somewhat like Dodgers World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Imai is an undersized right-hander whose mid-90s fastball is complemented by a broad arsenal highlighted by a devastating slider. Imai posted a 1.92 ERA in 163 2/3 innings in 2025. Although he may sign for only about half of the $325 million the Dodgers gave Yamamoto, Imai should have plenty of suitors.
Cody Ponce, 31, SP, NA, NA: Originally a second-round draft pick of the Brewers out of tiny Cal Poly Pomona, Ponce exited for Japan after going 0-6 with a 7.04 ERA over 38 1/3 innings with the Pirates in 2021. He put up average numbers for three seasons, jumped to the KBO League in South Korea and blossomed in 2025, going 17-1 with a 1.89 ERA in 29 starts. The difference? He developed a wipeout splitter and increased the velocity on his fastball, enough to perhaps merit a two-year, $20-million deal.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Giants' Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent on Hall of Fame Contemporary Baseball Era ballot
Giants' Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent on Hall of Fame Contemporary Baseball Era ballot originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — Two of the best hitters in Giants franchise history will get another crack at entering the Hall of Fame.
Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent, teammates in San Francisco for six seasons, were among the eight former players listed on this year’s ballot for the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee, which will meet on Dec. 7 in Orlando at the start of the annual MLB Winter Meetings. A 16-member board will meet to discuss this year’s ballot and any candidate who receives at least 12 votes will be part of next summer’s Hall of Fame class.
This is the only path to Cooperstown still available to Bonds and Kent, both of whom fell short during traditional voting.
Bonds was on the BBWAA ballot for 10 years and maxed out at 66 percent, falling short of the 75 percent required. He got another crack in 2022 but received fewer than four votes from this committee, which voted Fred McGriff into the Hall of Fame that year.
Kent, one of the best-hitting second basemen of all-time, didn’t crack 50 percent in 10 years on the BBWAA ballot. He could find more luck with the committees than Bonds, as they have been just as harsh to players with PED connections as the BBWAA writers were.
The 16 voters — a mix of former players, executives and media members — will be announced later this fall. It’s crucial that Bonds finds some support in the room, even if he is not elected this time. The Hall recently passed a rule that states any player who does not get at least five of 16 votes will not be eligible for the Era ballot over the next three years. Failing to reach that mark back-to-back times, starting this year, would make a player ineligible for all future ballots.
Bonds and Kent are joined on this year’s ballot by Roger Clemens, Carlos Delgado, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela. Next year’s ballot will deal with managers, executives and umpires, and again could be Giants-heavy. Bruce Bochy is a lock and Brian Sabean could get some consideration, as well.
Michigan State football winners/losers for Week 10: QB Alessio Milivojevic takes flight
Michigan State football winners and losers: Here are players who helped or hurt their stock in the Spartans’ loss to Minnesota on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Big Ten power rankings for Week 11: We’re down to 6 contenders for conference title
For the second week in a row, all the favorites won in Big Ten play, which sets up an even bigger slate with just four weeks to play.
Sharks' key to playing winning hockey after shootout loss to Red Wings
Sharks' key to playing winning hockey after shootout loss to Red Wings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
- Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
Maybe last year, and certainly the season before, a 3-2 comeback shootout loss, complete with a first NHL goal from a top prospect, would be okay for the Sharks.
But head coach Ryan Warsofsky is trying to set a higher standard, and just maybe, the Sharks are getting there soon.
San Jose is 4-4-1 in its last nine and has been competitive in every single game in this stretch.
Sam Dickinson scored his first NHL goal off a brilliant Will Smith pass, and the Sharks tied it late, before falling in the shootout to the Detroit Red Wings.
But postgame, the discussion with Warsofsky wasn’t about a moral victory, it was about real wins.
Read The Full Story At San Jose Hockey Now
Sixers of all ages have their moments vs. Nets, enjoy themselves early in season
Sixers of all ages have their moments vs. Nets, enjoy themselves early in season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Just about every single active NBA generation had time in the spotlight for the Sixers on Sunday night.
Kelly Oubre Jr. was in the middle of it all.
The 29-year-old wing scored 29 points — 22 in a sensational first quarter — and the 5-1 Sixers cruised to a road victory over the winless Nets.
As Oubre observed in the visitors’ locker room at Barclays Center, the Sixers’ night was bookended by extremes. In the early stages, VJ Edgecombe kept on exploding above the rim. In the final minutes, Kyle Lowry entered and drained a corner three-pointer on the first shot of his 20th NBA season, which the Sixers’ bench celebrated with gusto. Johni Broome made his NBA debut and Hunter Sallis scored his first basket, too.
Edgecombe essentially has a lifetime’s less NBA experience than Lowry.
“He’s a winner, man,” Oubre said of the six-time All-Star guard. “He’s a pro. He’s done this at a very high level for a long time — longer than VJ’s been alive.
“He’s just an inspiration, honestly. He’s done everything at the highest level that we all would wish to do. Just having him around and seeing him hit his first shot of the year, it brings life into the team. He’s our big brother, so we all root for him.”
Oubre didn’t exaggerate much. When Lowry debuted, the 20-year-old Edgecombe was a 3-month-old baby. Lowry, 39, is now the league’s third-oldest player behind only Chris Paul and LeBron James. He’s happy to be an unofficial assistant coach and mentor.
“He’s old as hell,” Tyrese Maxey said after a 26-point, seven-assist evening. “But he works out every day — works out hard every day. He’s in there with me early. He rebounds, he screens. … He watches VJ, he watches Jared (McCain). What he’s doing for our team right now … and he’s up cheering. That’s a Hall of Famer we’re talking about.
“His jersey will probably get retired in Toronto and he’s up cheering for everybody, motivating people, talking in the locker room. I’ve got nothing but love and respect for K-Low and we appreciate having him.”
There’s a circle-of-life aspect to Lowry’s presence on the Sixers.
He’s been a young bench player, a star, a veteran cheerleader. Almost everything’s changed for Lowry in such an enduring, feisty career. He’s passed everything down.
“He’s like my leader,” Maxey said. “He comes to me and leads me, and I try to lead the team. I couldn’t do this without him, honestly. He calls me at least three, four times a day and we talk. It’s good, though. I’m glad he’s here.”
On top of Maxey, two other mid-20s Sixers had outstanding games. Quentin Grimes posted 22 points and a career-high 13 assists. Trendon Watford had 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting, nine rebounds and seven assists against his former team.
“He can do a little bit of everything,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said. “He can handle and he can post. That’s a spectrum of offense, right?”
Oubre is set to hit 30 years old next month. He’s had quite a strong start to his third season as a Sixer. Over 38 minutes per game, he’s averaged 19.5 points on a 65.7 true shooting percentage. Oubre’s best true shooting mark for a full season is 56.0. The lefty’s also chipped in 6.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 assists per game.
Sunday’s first quarter exhibited the best version of Oubre as a scorer. He noted at media day this year that he wanted to play with less haste and more control. That’s often translated to swift drives and short, sensible jumpers. Oubre hasn’t lost his attacking edge either.
“Just letting the game slow down, letting it come to you,” he said. “Not going out there and forcing things, not having any preconceived notions. Trusting the work that I put in over the summer. It’s definitely a work in progress as I continue to learn and grow and watch film, but it works.
“And I’m sure it’s easily digestible that way, if you watch me play. I don’t want to have people watch me play and be like, ‘Oh, he’s forcing’ or ‘He’s rushing.’ It’s just not a good look. So it’s just something that I’ve evolved over time and I’m still continuing to work on.”
He’s a decade or so away from Lowry’s accumulated wisdom, but Oubre sounds like a player who’s logged plenty of years.
Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action
Arsenal’s run without conceding goes on, Thomas Frank plays down tensions, and Eddie Howe’s gamble backfires
First the P45, then the pints. Vítor Pereira could be excused for having a drink on Sunday after his departure from Wolves, with the silver lining for the Portuguese being a decent payout. It is the fourth mid-season dismissal this campaign – there have never been more permanent sackings in Premier League history at this stage of the year (3 November). And while Evangelos Marinakis might have something to answer for, trigger-happy owners and directors are becoming increasingly erratic: that Pereira lasted just 45 days into a new three-year contract reflects as badly on the Wolves board as on the manager, just as Erik ten Hag’s sacking this time last year, coming less than three months after his own contract extension, reflected badly on the Manchester United hierarchy. Backing a manager and then pulling the rug so quickly is baffling, while a board’s desire for a “new manager bounce” so early in the season stinks of desperation and should be seen as an admission of guilt. Michael Butler
Match report: Fulham 3-0 Wolves
Match report: Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
Match report: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Manchester United
Continue reading...Smells like team spirit to Régis Le Bris as Sunderland confound the doubters
The willingness of players to put the side’s best interests ahead of their own has fostered a sense of togetherness that has reaped rewards on the pitch
When David Moyes resigned as Sunderland’s manager in May 2017, after a calamitous 10 months culminating in relegation to the Championship, he waived all entitlement to a payoff. Moyes knew he had failed but, in mitigation, he inherited a poisoned chalice, something arguably confirmed as the club swiftly plummeted into League One. Now Moyes is back in his Merseyside comfort zone and Sunderland have finally returned to the top tier. When he leads his Everton team into the Stadium of Light, the Scot may be startled to see players of the quality of Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fée, Nordi Mukiele and Reinildo wearing red and white stripes. That quartet arrived from Bayer Leverkusen, Roma, Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid respectively. And to think Moyes regularly reiterated the belief that top footballers would not relocate to Wearside because they invariably wanted to live in the London or Manchester areas. Despite that, club sources indicate not one prospective signing queried its geography this summer. Much as the local council is attracting outside investment and IT professionals by rebranding Sunderland as a technology hub situated in “the city by the sea”, the football club is fast becoming a magnet for ambitious young players from across Europe.
Continue reading...Philadelphia's Embiid fined for 'lewd gesture'
Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid has been fined $50,000 (£38,000) by the NBA for what the league determined to be a "lewd gesture" on the court.
The incident occurred during Philadelphia's 109-108 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday when Embiid, 31, scored while getting fouled and then made a chopping gesture to his groin.
Embiid has been fined for the gesture on multiple previous occasions.
In a post on X, which also contained the NBA's social media post detailing his sanction, Embiid appeared to suggest the gesture was similar to a signal that officials make when calling a foul for blocking.
He said: "Yall better start fining the refs for doing the 'lewd', 'blocking foul' gesture since I'm not allowed to do it."
Cameroon-born Embiid did not play in Sunday's 129-105 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, sitting out the match as he continues to manage his recovery from a knee injury which required surgery earlier this year.
ESPN icon Dick Vitale is back for start of another college basketball season after cancer fight
The college basketball season has arrived, and broadcasting great Dick Vitale has taken a long journey to again meet the sport at its starting line. Surgeries, radiation treatments and chemotherapy amid a cancer fight kept him off the airwaves for two years until his return shortly before March Madness.
Luka Doncic drops triple-double to power Lakers to victory over Heat
Of course Luka Doncic made the one that didn’t count.
On a frigid shooting night when the star guard made just one three-pointer on 11 attempts, Doncic swished a 40-footer on a dead ball that elicited a roar from the Crypto.com Arena.
He instead made an influence in other ways.
Doncic overcame his bad shooting to still collect his first triple-double of the season, notching 29 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds in the Lakers' 130-120 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday. Fellow guard Austin Reaves was also struggling with his shot, making just four of 14 three-point attempts, but rallied for 26 points and 11 assists to just three turnovers.
Although their stars slogged through concurrent off nights, the Lakers (5-2) still shot 50.5% from the field. They tallied 33 assists to 11 turnovers. They won their third consecutive game.
“We did a lot of really good things and it could have been even better if me and Luka would've made a shot,” Reaves deadpanned. “But supporting cast and everybody around that played really well.”
Forward Jake LaRavia, who turns 24 on Tuesday, scored in double digits for the third consecutive game off the bench, finishing with 25 points — two shy of his season high — and eight rebounds. He’s averaged 21.7 points per game in the last three games.
Read more:Luka Doncic returns and Lakers get a road win at Memphis
Doncic, who missed three games with minor finger and leg injuries, scored 40 points in each of his first three games this season. Only Wilt Chamberlain had ever started a season with three consecutive 40-point games. But Doncic was happy to sacrifice the scoring streak Sunday.
“We get a win," Doncic said, "[it] doesn't matter how many I scored."
Doncic and Reaves struggled in the first quarter, shooting a combined two for seven from the field. Yet the Lakers still led by seven as the star duo combined for eight assists.
Center Jaxson Hayes was one of the main beneficiaries in that span, scoring 11 points on five-of-five shooting. He had a ferocious one-handed dunk off a Doncic assist that got Hayes so amped up that he head-butted the basket stanchion in celebration. He sank his first three-pointer since March 27, 2023, stepping confidently into a shot that put the Lakers up 23-13 and forced the Heat to call an early timeout.
Hayes finished with 15 points and five rebounds in his first start of the year as Deandre Ayton was held out because of back spasms. Ayton’s back flared up during the Lakers’ win in Memphis on Friday, causing him to sit out the entire second half. He was available to return in the fourth quarter, coach JJ Redick said after the game, but with the Lakers feeding off Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt at center, the team didn’t want to risk further injury.
Read more:NBA approves Buss family sale of Lakers to Dodgers majority owner Mark Walter
The Heat (3-3) finished the third quarter on a 20-7 run to pull within four points heading into the fourth quarter. Former UCLA star Jaime Jaquez Jr., playing in front of his hometown crowd, cut the lead to two with an emphatic one-handed putback dunk 58 seconds in the fourth quarter. A hush fell over the Lakers' crowd.
But Reaves helped quell the comeback effort.
He stumbled while trying to dribble behind his legs, but recovered to shoot a fadeaway mid-range jumper with 1.6 seconds left in the shot clock that put the Lakers up by six with 5:13 remaining in the fourth quarter. Less than 20 seconds later, Reaves threw a lob from just inside midcourt to a soaring LaRavia, who brought the crowd to its feet with a two-handed dunk.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Can The Penguins Take Advantage Of A Weak Metropolitan Division?
When projecting how everything would look one month into the 2025-26 NHL season, most people didn't have the Pittsburgh Penguins as one of the league's top teams.
Yet, here we are on Nov. 2, and the Penguins sit pretty at third in the Eastern Conference standings and fifth in the league standings at 8-3-2 with 18 points. The only team in the NHL with more points than the Penguins are the Colorado Avalanche with 19.
Pittsburgh's early-season success has been a result of many factors, several of which may or may not be sustainable. Yes, the Penguins are getting generally lucky and sport the sixth-highest PDO - or personal discouragement outcomes - at five-on-five in the league (101.86), but their process also seems to be much-improved from last season.
Yes, they have their stinker games, such as the one against the New York Rangers on Oct. 11 or against the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 28, when they still managed a point. Yes, they're getting goaltending that's a little too good to be true. But, even in their 5-2 loss to one of the league's best in the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, they answered a poor start in the first 10 minutes of the game with a relatively good performance through the rest of it.
They aren't bleeding odd-man rushes like they have in previous seasons. Their penalty kill is 15 of its last 16 and has seen some of the NHL's best power plays against Winnipeg and the Minnesota Wild. And they're locking down in third periods, where they have yet to blow a lead and have outscored the opposition, 20-9.
All in all, there's a little bit of everything. And, even if this team regresses to the mean at some point, there is still a decent chance that their hot start could end up making a world of difference for them at season's end - especially in a less-than-inspiring Metropolitan Division.
Right now, the Penguins are tied with the New Jersey Devils atop the Metro with 18 points, but the Devils have the edge with one more win. Below them, though?
There are three teams with 14 points - the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Rangers - and three teams with 13 points - the Flyers, New York Islanders, and Washington Capitals.
Right now, everything is close. Those six teams, so far, aren't really pulling ahead and have their own issues to worry about:
Washington Capitals • News and CommunityWashington Capitals news, video, analysis and community on The Hockey News
Follow all Caps news at https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/- Carolina needs help on the back end. They are relying on a rookie in Alexander Nikishin - a very good rookie, in all fairness - to fill the left side on their top pairing alongside Sean Walker, who probably wouldn't be a top-pair defenseman on most contenders. Beyond that, they have guys in Jalen Chatfield, Joel Nystrom, Mike Reilly, and Charles-Alexis Legault who are fine, but they definitely need more top-four talent, especially on the right side. And they really need a bus driver for their power play, which is dead last in the league.
- Columbus - like Pittsburgh - is probably getting unsustainable levels of goaltending, and they could also use more talent as far as the center depth on their roster. While their forward group is pretty formidable in general - albeit very young - they need an upgrade down the middle in their top-six, as Sean Monahan isn't the ideal first-line center on a contender, and Adam Fantilli isn't quite ready for that role, either. And they can't seem to stop too many teams on the penalty kill and don't score much on the power play, so their special teams are bringing them down.
- The Rangers lack scoring depth - and depth in a general sense - and rely too much on their goaltending to win them hockey games. They are 25th in the league in goals for with 31 in 13 games, and if you look at their bottom-six and bottom-four, this isn't particularly surprising. And it gets even worse when you see that no one in their top-six has more than eight points (hello, J.T. Miller), even if star defenseman Adam Fox has 11 and third-liner Taylor Raddysh leads the team in goals with five.
- The Flyers - even if they have a little bit of talent sprinkled in on the forward front and some veteran reliability on the back end - do not have the goaltending to sustain themselves. The recently injured Samuel Ersson has an .876 save percentage, 28-year-old Dan Vladar is currently sporting a save percentage (.924) far above his career number (.897) and has never had this kind of workload, and the youngster Aleksei Kolosov - although promising in his first two appearances - does not have a track record of sustained success in professional hockey.
- The Islanders are not only old, they're also generally unspectacular at every position. Their goaltending is 25th in the league in save percentage, and that starts with Ilya Sorokin, who has had a disastrous start that includes an .877 save percentage and 3.40 goals-against average in eight games. To be fair, their top-nine is producing at a pretty even distribution, and that group is definitely the strongest on the team. Bo Horvat has has a good start, too. But the only "spectacular" Isles player has been rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer, who is carrying this team's defensive corps on his back with 10 points and a league-leading (among defensemen) five goals.
- The Capitals are a bit of a conundrum, and they should gain some ground as the season goes on. Goaltender Logan Thompson has been spectacular so far, as his .935 save percentage (eight games played) is fourth in the league among qualified netminders - but Charlie Lindgren has been the opposite, as he's sporting an .880 save percentage through four starts. They're struggling on both special teams units, and - beyond their top line and second-line center Dylan Strome - they're not getting much production from their forward unit. It's fair to wonder whether the Capitals were playing a bit above what they actually are last season while riding the high of the Gr8 Chase.
Matthew Schaefer, Islanders Make History In Comeback Win Over Blue JacketsSchaefer ignites a historic comeback, becoming the youngest defenseman with a two-goal game. Islanders snatch a thrilling win.Then, there is the Penguins. Of course, the Penguins aren't without their issues as well, which is what makes this an interesting thought exercise.
- They are riding a combined save percentage of .918, which is third in the NHL - and those numbers probably aren't sustainable through an entire season for both Tristan Jarry (.923 save percentage, career save percentage at .910) or the inexperienced Arturs Silovs (.913, .890). More than likely, their goaltending is due for a regression at some point, even if they have some formidable help waiting in the wings in the AHL with Sergei Murashov and Filip Larsson.
- Their team shooting percentage is also third in the league at 13.3, which - given the fact that Justin Brazeau (27.3 percent) and Anthony Mantha (25 percent) are both well above career averages, and Sidney Crosby is shooting at 33.3 percent (unsustainable, no matter how great he is) - is also due for a regression.
- The left side of their blue line has been outplaying expectations. Parker Wotherspoon looks like a perfect defensive partner for Erik Karlsson on the top pairing, but he's never played more than 55 games in an NHL season and has never played top-pairing minutes. Ryan Shea has been spectacular in his age 28 season - already tying his career-high in goals (2) and surpassing his career high in points (7) - but it's fair to wonder if his level of play is sustainable. And the Penguins do not seem to have a current solution for the bottom-pairing on their left side.
- Crosby, 38, is scoring at a 57-goal, 101-point pace, and Evgeni Malkin, 39, is scoring at a 114-point pace. Crosby's might be somewhat sustainable, at least in the points department. Malkin's - as great as he is - not so much.
5 Reasons The Penguins Might Be For RealThere were surely a lot of items on NHL bingo cards heading into the 2025-26 season.
But, there are some counterpoints to consider:
- Five of the current top-six teams in team save percentage are in the Metro, with Winnipeg at the top of the league (Rangers, Penguins, Blue Jackets, Capitals, and Flyers to follow). It's fair to say that all of those teams - except, perhaps, the Rangers, who have arguably the best goaltender on the planet - are due for a goaltending regression.
- New Jersey is fourth in the league in shooting percentage right behind the Penguins at 13.1 percent - suggesting they could also be due for a regression there. In addition, the Rangers, Flyers, and Capitals are bottom-six in goals-for - which goes beyond strictly shooting percentage, especially in Philadelphia's case, as they are middle-of-the-pack (16th) in shooting percentage. In addition, the Penguins are second in the league in expected goals for (31.48) and 10th in expected goals per 60 (2.84), indicating that they're generating a lot offensively.
- There is a good possibility that the Penguins' left side is outplaying expectations - and that Karlsson is playing miles better this season - simply because the new coaching staff is getting more out of the Penguins' defensive corps. Several defensemen, including Shea and Karlsson, have sung high praise for the work that head coach Dan Muse and defensive coach Mike Stothers have done for the unit - and for the new system the team is deploying, which plays to their strengths and emphasizes forward coverage.
- It's never wise to bet against two surefire Hall-of-Fame centers who are desperate to bring this team back to contention - especially in what could be Malkin's final NHL season.
October Penguins' Prospects Update: ForwardsIt's a new season, and with the month of October in the books, that means it's time for the first <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' prospects update of the season.
Last season, the final playoff spot in the East - and in the Metro - had 91 points. The Penguins have 69 games remaining to amass 73 more points and tie that 91-point mark, which amounts to 37 more wins. And 37 wins in 69 games probably isn't even required because it doesn't account for overtime and shootout loss points.
All in all, there are reasons suggesting that what the Penguins are doing may not quite be sustainable. But - given the shortcomings of other teams in their own division - they may not have to sustain this high a level anyway to end up a playoff team when the 2025-26 regular season concludes in April.
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