Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Oneil Cruz participated in a unique home run derby at loanDepot park, featuring metal bats. The event, hosted by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., also included Junior Caminero, José Ramírez, and Ketel Marte. Up-and-coming Reds infielder Noelvi Marte won the derby, defeating Guerrero in the final round. The event supported low-income children in Latin America.
The Mets have added pitching depth by agreeing to a minor league deal with right-handed reliever Carl Edwards Jr. The contract includes an invitation to major league spring training. Edwards, 34, brings 11 years of MLB experience, including a successful five-year stint with the Chicago Cubs where he won a World Series in 2016 and posted a 3.30 ERA. He has a career 3.56 ERA across appearances with eight different teams.
Clayton Kershaw is among the names to watch in the upcoming 2025 MLB Rule 5 Draft, scheduled for Wednesday. The draft features notable prospects, including a former Florida star and an individual known for impersonating Kershaw. This mention highlights his continued relevance in discussions surrounding emerging talent and potential player movements within the league.
San Francisco Giants President Buster Posey is reluctant to trade top prospect Bryce Eldridge, despite industry interest, stating 'the sky is the limit' for the 21-year-old. Eldridge, who had a 95.6 mph average exit velocity in a late-season cameo (3-for-28), is seen as a future impact bat. He recently underwent surgery to remove a bone spur in his left wrist but is fully cleared and considered a frontrunner for a roster spot in spring training.
Anthony Volpe (shoulder) is not expected to be ready for his season debut before the end of April. He underwent surgery in mid-October to repair a torn labrum and is expected to be cleared to hit by February, but won't be allowed to dive on the shoulder until around April. Jose Caballero is slated to be the primary shortstop until Volpe's return.
Gerrit Cole (elbow) is projected to rejoin the Yankees' rotation in late May or early June. The pitcher, who had Tommy John surgery with internal bracing in March, has been throwing on flat ground but has not yet progressed to mound work. The team previously stated he would not be ready for Opening Day.
Fans have the opportunity to bid on playing catch with Francisco Lindor as part of a charity auction benefiting the Little League Disaster Relief Fund. The auction, running until December 11th, supports leagues impacted by natural disasters, helping them rebuild and recover.
Boston Red Sox starter Sonny Gray reportedly expressed a desire to play in New York to enhance his free-agency value, according to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. Cashman shared this detail with reporters at Major League Baseball's winter meetings in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday night. Gray's comments suggest a strategic approach to his future contract negotiations, aiming to leverage a potential stint with the Yankees to increase his market worth.
Ranger Suárez is noted for his unconventional approach to pitching, deviating from the typical mold of a top-of-the-rotation starter. His distinct style sets him apart in the league.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed at the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings that free agent Cody Bellinger is 'still in play' for New York. Bellinger opted out of his contract with the Yankees last month, but Cashman has engaged in dialogue with agent Scott Boras regarding the slugger. The GM stated he will continue to gather intel for ownership, hoping a deal might materialize to bring Bellinger back to the team.
Outfielder Cedric Mullins, who was traded to the New York Mets last season, has finalized a one-year contract with the Rays. This deal includes a mutual option for 2027. Mullins, an All-Star in 2021, previously played over seven years in Baltimore before his stint with the Mets.
San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King is reportedly seeing his market heat up, becoming a key subject in Sunday's ongoing MLB hot stove rumors. The latest updates indicate increased interest surrounding the pitcher as teams explore potential deals, making him a notable name in current trade discussions.
Top catching prospect Harry Ford was acquired by the Nationals from the Mariners. The deal sent lefty reliever Jose Ferrer to Seattle in exchange for Ford and minor league pitcher Isaac Lyon. This transaction highlights a significant move in the Mariners' roster strategy.
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette is reportedly a target for another AL East team, according to the latest MLB hot stove rumors. As the league prepares for its Winter Meetings, speculation is mounting around potential roster changes. This development places Bichette, a key infielder for the Blue Jays, at the center of trade discussions, highlighting significant interest in his services from within the division.
Sonny Gray, 36, acquired by the Boston Red Sox, shows elite underlying metrics despite a 4.28 ERA in 2025. His 3.29 SIERA ranked 6th in MLB, and his 21.6-point K-BB% difference (26.7% K, 5.0% BB) was 7th highest among qualifiers. Steamer projects 3.9 WAR for Gray in 2026, ranking 9th among pitchers. The Red Sox received $20 million from St. Louis, reducing Gray's guaranteed commitment to $21 million, preserving financial flexibility after trading prospect Brandon Clarke.
Mets infielder Ronny Mauricio, 24, made his 2025 Dominican winter league debut for Tigres del Licey, launching a 401-foot homer in his second at-bat. This marks his first winter ball appearance since a 2023 knee injury and surgery sidelined him for 2024. Mauricio, who finished 1-for-5 with two strikeouts, slashed .226/.293/.369 with a .662 OPS, 6 HR, and 10 RBI in 61 games in 2025. He aims to secure a Mets roster spot this spring, potentially competing with Brett Baty, or could be traded this offseason.
Right-hander Devin Williams, 31, signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets, including $15M deferred, after spending last season with the Yankees. Despite a 4.79 ERA last year, his underlying metrics remained dominant (34.7% K-rate, 99th percentile whiff). Williams is open to a setup role if Edwin Diaz returns, though he's currently penciled in as closer. The two-time NL Reliever of the Year is tinkering with a cutter and gyro slider, eager to work with the Mets' pitching lab to enhance his two-pitch arsenal.
Former top-100 prospect Marco Luciano, 24, has been claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, ending his tenure with the San Francisco Giants. Luciano played just 41 games for the Giants, hitting .217 with no homers. Despite a move to the outfield last offseason, his defense was poor, and he posted a .749 OPS in Triple-A. Out of options after 2025, the Giants' failure in his development led to losing him for nothing. Luciano joins Joey Bart in Pittsburgh, where his power potential remains unquestioned.
The Mets have claimed RHP Cooper Criswell, 29, off waivers from the Red Sox. Boston had signed him to a guaranteed one-year deal this offseason. Criswell served as a versatile swingman, posting a 4.08 ERA in 26 appearances (18 starts) in his first season with Boston. Last year, he spent most of the season in Triple-A, appearing in just seven MLB games before his campaign ended in late-August due to elbow inflammation. He had a 3.57 ERA and 24.5% K-rate in 16 Triple-A games. Criswell has no minor league options left.
Ryan Helsley has signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, with an opt-out after the first year, to be their closer. This follows a "catastrophic" second half with the Mets, where he posted a 7.20 ERA over 20 innings, allowing 16 earned runs. Helsley and the Mets attributed his struggles to a pitch-tipping issue, which he claims is now "ironed out." Despite his struggles, his fastball velocity and slider movement remained strong. The Orioles are betting on a rebound for the fifth-highest paid reliever.
