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MLB News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Yankees Aggressively Pursue Cody Bellinger Amidst High Demand

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Yankees GM Brian Cashman has initiated contact with agent Scott Boras regarding Cody Bellinger, expressing a strong desire for his return. The 30-year-old outfielder, who opted out of his contract, is a top free-agent target after a stellar 2025 season where he hit 29 homers, 98 RBI, and an .813 OPS. Bellinger, a versatile defender playing all three outfield positions and first base, recorded a career-low 13.7% strikeout rate in 152 games and his second-highest WAR (5.1). The Yankees face competition from the Blue Jays, Mets, and Dodgers for his services.

Royals sign former Tigers pitcher Alex Lange to one-year deal

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Right-handed relief pitcher Alex Lange, a former Tigers player, reached a one-year agreement with the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.

Royals sign James McArthur to one-year deal

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Right-handed relief pitcher James McArthur reached a one-year agreement with the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.

Woodruff Accepts $22.025M QO, Returns to Brewers After Injury-Plagued 2025

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Brandon Woodruff has accepted the Milwaukee Brewers' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, extending his tenure as the longest-serving Brewer. Returning from shoulder surgery that cost him all of 2024, Woodruff dominated across 12 outings in 2025 despite reduced velocity, but a lat strain sidelined him for the season's end and postseason. The Brewers plan to keep Woodruff and Freddy Peralta together atop the rotation, with young arms like Misiorowski, Patrick, and Priester poised to backfill innings, potentially alongside another veteran.

Imanaga Accepts $22.025M QO; Cubs Return Pitcher Prone to Long Balls

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Shota Imanaga has accepted the Chicago Cubs' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, returning to the rotation for 2026. While he "knows how to pitch," Imanaga is notably susceptible to home runs due to his lack of velocity and north-south pitching style, making him a valuable regular-season arm but not an ideal postseason starter. His return gives the Cubs the option to run back their 2025 rotation, which ranked 1st in BB/9 and 8th in ERA, though the team may still seek upgrades with more whiff potential.

Torres Accepts $22.025M QO, Returns to Tigers After Hernia Surgery

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Gleyber Torres has accepted the Detroit Tigers' one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, securing his return to second base for 2026. Torres started his Tigers tenure with a terrific .823 OPS through June, but his production sharply declined in the second half due to a hernia that required surgery in October. His return provides clarity at second base but complicates the Tigers' overall lineup alignment, particularly on the left side of the infield, as the team aims for a third consecutive postseason trip.

Mets to Non-Tender LHP Danny Young Following Tommy John Surgery

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The Mets are reportedly planning to non-tender left-handed pitcher Danny Young, making him a free agent ahead of the Nov. 21 deadline. The 31-year-old appeared in 10 games for the Mets in 2025 before undergoing Tommy John surgery in May. Young, who was not arbitration-eligible and set to make approximately $820,000 in 2025, is on pace to return to action at some point in the first half of the 2026 season. He posted a 4.54 ERA across 42 relief appearances with the Mets in 2024.

Red Sox Sign Catcher Connor Wong to One-Year, $1.375 Million Deal

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Catcher Connor Wong and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a one-year contract worth $1,375,000, with an additional $75,000 available in performance bonuses. The 29-year-old, who was eligible for salary arbitration, hit .190 with eight doubles and seven RBIs in 63 games last season, making 52 starts behind the plate. Over five major league seasons, Wong holds a career .245 average with 23 homers and 103 RBIs in 348 games, also making occasional appearances across the infield and outfield.

Royals' Cole Ragans Ranked 6th in 2026 Fantasy Pitcher Rankings After Strong 2025

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Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans is ranked 6th in early 2026 fantasy baseball starting pitcher rankings, signaling high expectations for the upcoming season. Ragans posted an impressive 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 223 strikeouts over 186.1 innings last season. He returned healthy at the end of 2025, leading to confidence that he will be fully healthy and a top-tier performer for the Royals in 2026.

Orioles' Kyle Bradish Ranked 13th Among 2026 Fantasy Pitchers After Healthy Return

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Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kyle Bradish is ranked 13th in early 2026 fantasy baseball starting pitcher rankings. After a healthy return at the end of the 2025 season, Bradish is viewed with high confidence, drawing comparisons to Jacob deGrom's successful comeback. His performance when healthy has been noted as elite, positioning him as a strong contender for a significant impact in the upcoming 2026 season for the Orioles.

Framber Valdez Compared to Ranger Suárez in Free Agency

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Framber Valdez is presented as a top free agent starting pitcher, boasting a career ERA+ of 124 and 18.9 WAR. In 2025, Valdez recorded a K% of 23.3, K%-BB% of 14.8, FIP of 3.37, and xERA of 3.77. Over the last three seasons, his stats include a K% of 24.0, K%-BB% of 16.3, FIP of 3.38, and xERA of 3.83. Valdez's pitch mix is sinker-heavy, complemented by a curveball and a changeup. His sinker averaged 94.3 mph in 2025, and his curve had a Stuff+ of 128, contributing to an overall Stuff+ of 108. Valdez has made only two IL trips in his career, one for elbow soreness in early 2024. He has been a workhorse since 2022, averaging 30.3 starts and 191.8 innings per season, including a league-leading 201 ⅓ innings in 2022.

Ranger Suárez Compared to Framber Valdez in Free Agency

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Ranger Suárez is highlighted as one of the top starting pitchers available in free agency, with a career ERA+ of 125 and 17.8 WAR. In 2025, Suárez showed strong rate-based results with a K% of 23.2, K%-BB% of 17.4, FIP of 3.21, and xERA of 3.14. Over the past three seasons, his metrics include a K% of 22.8, K%-BB% of 15.9, FIP of 3.46, and xERA of 3.72. Suárez has a deeper repertoire than Valdez and averaged 26 starts and 147 innings per year since becoming a full-time starter in 2022, with a season high of 157 ⅓ innings in 2025. He has experienced six IL stints, with only one related to arm trouble (elbow strain in 2022).

Elly De La Cruz played through second-half quad strain

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Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall revealed that 23-year-old shortstop Elly De La Cruz played through a left quad strain from late July through the end of the 2025 season. The injury, which wasn't overly serious, is believed to have affected his second-half performance, where he hit .236/.303/.363 with four home runs and 12 stolen bases, a drop from his first-half slash line of .284/.359/.495 with 18 homers and 25 steals. De La Cruz, who signed a one-year, $770,000 contract with the Reds in March of 2025, finished the season with a .264 AVG, 22 HR, 86 RBI, 102 R, and 37 SB. He is expected to be fully healthy for the start of spring training.

Max Scherzer considered a top free agent fit after strong 2025 season

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The 41-year-old Max Scherzer, a future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young award winner, was a reputable force in the Toronto Blue Jays' starting rotation last season. He recorded a 3.77 ERA in three postseason starts, including two in the World Series, and averaged five innings per start in the 2025 regular season. Scherzer, who has won the World Series with the Nationals (2019) and Rangers (2023) and ranks 11th in MLB history with 3,489 strikeouts, still possesses a consistent four-pitch arsenal (four-seamer, slider, changeup, curveball). Should he depart Toronto, he is considered a strong veteran complement for rotations, with potential free agent fits including the Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, and Cincinnati Reds.

Cardinals Intensify Efforts to Trade Nolan Arenado

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The St. Louis Cardinals are actively trying to trade Nolan Arenado this offseason, having pursued a trade since at least last year and appearing desperate to unload him. Arenado has expressed a greater willingness to approve a trade to more destinations this offseason, waiving his no-trade clause. Cardinals ownership is also prepared to contribute more financially to facilitate a move. While Arenado experienced further decline at the plate this past season, he remains a top-tier defender at third base and is projected as a '2 WAR-ish' player across a full season, though he shouldn't be relied upon for significant offense. Potential trade destinations include the Phillies, Tigers, Mariners, Mets, Angels, and Diamondbacks. It is widely anticipated that Arenado will be wearing a new uniform by Opening Day in 2026.

Braves Re-Sign Closer Raisel Iglesias to One-Year, $16 Million Deal

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The Atlanta Braves have re-signed veteran closer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million contract. The 35-year-old right-hander completed a $58 million, four-year deal and finished 2025 with 29 saves in 34 chances, ranking ninth in MLB. After a 4.42 ERA in the first half, Iglesias dominated with a 1.76 ERA in the second half, converting his final 18 save opportunities after July 28. He became the 40th pitcher to reach 250 career saves, ending 2025 with 253.

MLB Insiders Weigh Options for Tigers' Ace Tarik Skubal

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Detroit Tigers' 28-year-old left-hander Tarik Skubal, a two-time consecutive American League Cy Young Award winner, is entering the final year of his contract in 2026 and is scheduled to hit free agency after the season. Industry insiders believe he could surpass Yoshinobu Yamamoto's record $325 million contract, potentially becoming baseball's first $400 million pitcher. Tigers president Scott Harris is weighing three main options for Skubal's future. The least popular option among 11 insiders is to trade Skubal this winter, as it would require a 'gobsmacking return' and hinder the team's contender status. A more favored approach, if the 2026 season goes 'sideways,' is to trade him at the deadline, which would still yield a 'formidable' haul, such as two prospects ranking later in the top 100 or one elite young player, and would need to clear the bar of Detroit receiving a compensation pick. The third, bold option is to keep Skubal, attempt an extension, and accept a draft pick (valued at roughly $8-10 million) if he leaves. Despite Skubal expressing a desire to stay in Detroit, his representation by Scott Boras makes signing before testing the market unlikely. However, the impending labor strife with the CBA expiring on December 1, 2026, could increase the odds of an extension from 0% to 10%. Skubal's injury history, including Tommy John surgery in college and flexor tendon surgery in 2022, are factors in long-term deal projections. The Tigers' payroll, which was $155 million last season, presents a challenge in justifying a quarter of it for one player, though a shorter deal with opt-outs could be a path to retention.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Wheeler's 2026 Return from Vascular TOS Surgery Targeted for Late May

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Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler, 35, is targeting a late May 2026 return after undergoing vascular thoracic outlet syndrome surgery on September 23, 2025. He was placed on the IL on August 17, 2025, for a right upper-extremity blood clot, ending his 2025 season where he posted a 10–5 record with a 2.71 ERA, 195/33 K/BB ratio, and 0.94 WHIP across 24 starts. The 6-8 month recovery timeline makes an Opening Day return unlikely, but internal optimism exists due to the success rate of vascular TOS outcomes.

José Ramírez's MVP Quest: A Legacy of Top Finishes Without the Crown

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José Ramírez, a seven-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger Award winner for the Cleveland Guardians, is recognized as one of baseball's premier talents, notably for his consistent elite performance despite never winning an MVP Award. He finished third in the 2025 MVP voting, marking his sixth career top-five finish and fourth top-three finish, both of which are records for a player without an MVP win. His 3.61 career MVP share is the highest among all players who have not won the award since 1931. Ramírez's exceptional play includes his second season with at least 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases, a feat only previously achieved consecutively by Bobby Bonds. Since 2017, he has recorded six seasons with at least 5.5 wins above replacement (WAR), ranking second in MLB behind Aaron Judge. His notable MVP finishes include third in 2017 and 2018, second in 2020, fourth in 2022, and fifth in 2024. Across these six top-five MVP seasons, Ramírez accumulated 431 extra-base hits (21 more than any other player), 1,733 total bases (second only to Judge), 563 RBIs (second only to Judge), 166 stolen bases (second only to Trea Turner), 183 homers, and a .906 OPS, while striking out only 430 times. He is positioned to set new records for the most top-five and top-three finishes before a first MVP win, having already surpassed Miguel Cabrera and Lou Gehrig's five top-five finishes and Paul Goldschmidt, Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, and Willie Stargell's three top-three finishes.

Josh Naylor Signs Five-Year, $92.5 Million Deal with Mariners

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Josh Naylor secured MLB's first major offseason deal, signing a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. Mariners general manager Justin Hollander lauded Naylor as one of the smartest players he's ever had, citing his perfect 19-for-19 stolen base record in Seattle, a significant leap from his previous career high of 10 steals. Despite being one of MLB's slowest players, Naylor demonstrated exceptional baseball IQ. He proved an even greater offensive force in Seattle, hitting 38% better than league average with nine homers and 19 steals in 54 games to conclude the regular season. In October, he led the team with a .340 batting average and three home runs, contributing to their AL West title and first ALCS appearance since 2001. While the Mariners should temper expectations for his stolen base totals over the next five years, they can rely on his contact and on-base skills. Despite some regression in bat speed and barrel rate, Naylor still ranked among MLB’s top three first basemen in 2025 with a .295 batting average and a 13.7% strikeout rate, consistently playing solid first base. His power, including 51 home runs over the last two years, combined with his on-base skills and plate approach, perfectly complemented a Mariners team that previously struggled with contact and strikeouts.