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MLB News

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

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Trea Turner's Age-33 Season Projection: Battling for Consistency and Health

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Trea Turner is entering his age-33 season in 2026, looking to build on his best year as a Phillie. In 2025, he posted a .304 average with 179 hits and 36 stolen bases, earning his second career batting title. Defensively, he showed significant improvement, recording 17 Outs Above Average, a dramatic turnaround from his first two seasons. Despite underlying data suggesting potential regression in hard-hit and barrel rates, his unconventional approach of prioritizing on-base ability over power aligns with the Phillies' philosophy. Manager Rob Thomson and President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski have expressed satisfaction with his current offensive output. The primary concern for Turner is health, particularly hamstring issues that have plagued him in recent years. His elite sprint speed necessitates careful lower-body maintenance. While signed through his age-40 season, his 2026 outlook hinges on staying healthy and consistent, with the potential for another batting title and even a Gold Glove.

Ranger Suárez Enters Free Agency with Qualifying Offer, Market Implications Noted

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Left-hander Ranger Suárez is a notable free-agent pitcher represented by agent Scott Boras. Like several other top starters in this year's market, Suárez has a qualifying offer (QO) attached. This means any team signing him would need to surrender draft compensation, a detail that could impact the competitive landscape for his services among MLB teams looking to bolster their pitching rotations this offseason. His status with a QO is a key consideration for potential suitors.

Pete Alonso's Stellar Season Makes Him Top Free Agent Target, Red Sox Show Interest

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First baseman Pete Alonso, represented by agent Scott Boras, is a prominent free-agent target after a strong 2025 season. He hit .272 with 38 home runs and 126 RBI, setting career highs with 170 hits and 41 doubles. Since 2019, Alonso's 264 home runs rank third in MLB, behind Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber. The Boston Red Sox are a standout team in his market, seeking right-handed power, and Fenway Park is seen as a favorable environment for him. Boras hinted at significant interest, stating, “A playoff parched plethora will pounce to participate in the Polar Plunge.”

Dylan Cease Among Top Free Agent Pitchers with Qualifying Offer Attached

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Right-hander Dylan Cease is one of the significant free-agent targets represented by agent Scott Boras this offseason. He is among the market's best starters, but teams pursuing Cease will face the added consideration of a qualifying offer (QO) attached to him. This means that any team signing him would need to surrender draft compensation, a factor that distinguishes him from other available pitchers without such an attachment. This condition could significantly influence his market value and the pool of interested clubs as they navigate the free-agent landscape.

Alex Bregman Opts Out of Red Sox Deal, Drawing Interest from Cubs and Tigers

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Third baseman Alex Bregman, a client of agent Scott Boras, has opted out of his three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, making him a free agent. In his first year with the Red Sox, he posted a .273/.360/.462 slashline with 18 home runs, 28 doubles, and 62 RBI, despite being limited to 114 games due to a right quad injury. Boras highlighted Bregman's impact on the Red Sox's playoff run in 2025. The Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs, who were finalists for Bregman last offseason, are potential suitors for the three-time All-Star.

Cincinnati Reds Claim Catcher Ben Rortvedt Off Waivers from Dodgers

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Backup catcher Ben Rortvedt has been claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds. This move transfers Rortvedt from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Reds, providing Cincinnati with additional depth at the catcher position as they prepare for the upcoming season. Rortvedt will now look to establish himself with his new club.

Nate Lavender Returns to Mets Triple-A Roster Following Rays Outright, Continues Rehab

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LHP Nate Lavender has officially returned to the New York Mets' Triple-A roster after being outrighted by the Tampa Bay Rays. Lavender, who was acquired by the Rays via the Rule 5 Draft last winter, suffered an elbow injury requiring an internal brace procedure. Before his injury, the 25-year-old made five Triple-A appearances, including one start, with Syracuse in 2024, posting a 3.86 ERA. He had generated buzz heading into the 2024 season, following a strong 2023 campaign where he recorded a 1.74 ERA in seven Double-A appearances and a 3.27 ERA in 35 Triple-A appearances. While his rehab progress remains unclear, Lavender is considered a potential depth piece for the bullpen this spring.

Yankees Express Strong Interest in Retaining Free Agent Cody Bellinger

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Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed on Wednesday, November 13, 2025, that the organization is "very interested" in re-signing free agent Cody Bellinger. The Yankees had previously acquired Bellinger in a trade last December. Cashman's statement highlights the team's desire to bring the player back, indicating their intent to pursue him on the open market after his previous stint with the club.

Travis Jankowski Joins Skip Schumaker's Coaching Staff for Texas Rangers

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Former Rangers player Travis Jankowski is set to join the coaching staff of new Texas manager Skip Schumaker. Jankowski, whose team affiliation is listed as the New York Mets, will bring his experience to Schumaker's staff, marking a new chapter in his career. This transition into a coaching role with the Rangers organization highlights his continued involvement in professional baseball, leveraging his past playing experience to contribute to the team's development.

Tarik Skubal Secures Second Consecutive AL Cy Young Award Amidst Free Agency Speculation

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Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal was named the American League Cy Young Award winner on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, marking his second consecutive win. Skubal, 28, became the 12th player to achieve this feat, joining an elite group of pitchers. During the 2025 regular season, he posted a 13-6 record with an AL-leading 2.21 ERA and 240 strikeouts in 195 1/3 innings, also contributing a 1-0 record with a 1.74 ERA in three playoff starts. He received 26 of 30 first-place votes. Skubal anchored the Tigers through a volatile season, helping them to a playoff berth and a wild-card victory over the Guardians. With free agency looming after the 2026 season, his future with Detroit remains uncertain given the massive contract he could command.

Paul Skenes Unanimously Wins NL Cy Young, Makes History After Rookie of the Year Season

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Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes was a unanimous choice for the National League Cy Young Award on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. The 23-year-old made history by becoming the first pitcher in 40 years to win Rookie of the Year and then the Cy Young in consecutive seasons. Skenes, the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, led the majors with a 1.97 ERA and recorded 216 strikeouts in 187 1/3 innings during his first full big-league season. Despite playing for the last-place Pirates, his brilliance shone through, as he finished with a 10-10 record after winning three of his final four decisions.

Jacob deGrom's Historic Back-to-Back Cy Young Wins Remembered as Skubal Repeats

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Jacob deGrom, currently affiliated with the Texas Rangers, is prominently recognized as the last pitcher to achieve consecutive Cy Young Awards before Tarik Skubal's recent accomplishment. deGrom secured this impressive feat in both the 2018 and 2019 seasons while pitching for the New York Mets. His back-to-back wins established a significant benchmark, placing him in an elite category among baseball's premier pitchers and serving as a historical reference point for subsequent multi-award winners in the league.

Hunter Brown Places Among Finalists for 2025 AL Cy Young Award

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Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown was a strong candidate for the 2025 American League Cy Young Award. He was named as one of the pitchers, along with Garrett Crochet of the Boston Red Sox, who were surpassed by Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. Skubal's victory marked his second consecutive Cy Young win, placing Brown as a runner-up in the annual award voting.

Garrett Crochet Finishes as AL Cy Young Runner-Up to Tarik Skubal

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Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet was a prominent contender for the 2025 American League Cy Young Award. He was among the finalists, alongside Hunter Brown, who were ultimately edged out by Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. Skubal secured the prestigious honor for the second consecutive season, making Crochet a runner-up in the highly competitive AL Cy Young race.

Yankees Confident in David Bednar as 2026 Closer, Lessening Market Pressure

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New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman expressed comfort with David Bednar serving as the team's closer for the 2026 season. Cashman highlighted Bednar, acquired last year, as a reliable ninth-inning option, which reduces the pressure on the Yankees to aggressively pursue a closer in the current free-agent market. While acknowledging the difficulty and high compensation for closers, Cashman confirmed the team's satisfaction with Bednar in the role, though they remain open to exploring other bullpen additions.

Ben Rice Poised for Everyday First Baseman Role with Yankees in 2026

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Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman indicated that Ben Rice is highly likely to be the team's everyday first baseman for the 2026 MLB season, affirming his expectation for Rice to have an "everyday role in the big leagues." Rice, who also has experience catching, played 370 innings at first base across 46 starts in 2025. He had a standout season, hitting 26 home runs, accumulating 58 extra-base hits and 65 RBI, with a .255/.337/.499 slash line and an .836 OPS (131 OPS+, 133 wRC+). His thunderous 56.1 percent hard-hit rate ranked in the 97th percentile in MLB. Cashman praised Rice for his consistent hitting and for significantly softening the blow when Giancarlo Stanton was injured, forcing his way into the lineup and the team's future plans.

Yordan Alvarez Begins Jogging at 70 Percent Intensity in Ankle Recovery

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Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown provided an update on Wednesday regarding Yordan Alvarez's recovery from an ankle injury. According to Brown, Alvarez has commenced jogging at approximately 70 percent intensity, as reported by Chandler Rome of The Athletic. This development signifies a positive step forward in the slugger's rehabilitation process, indicating he is progressing well and on track with his recovery timeline. The update offers an encouraging outlook for Alvarez's return to full health.

Dylan Ross Emerges as Strong Contender for Mets' Opening Day Bullpen Spot

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New York Mets president David Stearns highlighted right-hander Dylan Ross as a strong candidate to make the major league team as early as Opening Day. Ross, a 2022 13th-round pick, has rapidly ascended the farm system, recovering from a Tommy John revision in 2024 and posting a dominant 2.13 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 55.0 innings across multiple levels in 2025, reaching Triple-A Syracuse. Stearns praised his "big arm" and "elite stuff," noting his ability to throw hard and command secondary pitches. While acknowledging a need for improved strike-throwing, Stearns expects Ross to be a significant contributor to the Mets' bullpen throughout the upcoming season.

Jeff McNeil's Center Field Role Expected to Diminish for Mets in 2026

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New York Mets president David Stearns confirmed at the GM Meetings that Jeff McNeil is expected to see "probably less" time in center field in 2026. While acknowledging McNeil's valuable positional versatility, having played extensively at second base and corner outfield, and even 31 games in center field during his eight-year career, Stearns stated it wouldn't be a significant portion of his playing time next season. This indicates the Mets are likely to utilize McNeil primarily at his other established positions, despite his proven ability to play across the diamond.

Josh Hader Advances Shoulder Recovery, Throws Off Mound Three Times

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Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown confirmed on Wednesday that closer Josh Hader has made notable progress in his recovery from a shoulder issue. Brown stated that Hader has already thrown off a mound three times, a detail reported by Chandler Rome of The Athletic. This update is a positive indicator for the left-handed reliever, suggesting he is effectively moving through his rehabilitation program and is on schedule to prepare for the upcoming season.