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Chicago Cubs pitcher Cade Horton was recognized as a finalist for the National League Rookie of the Year award. He was ultimately bested by Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin for the honor.
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin has been named the National League Rookie of the Year. Baldwin, who was a finalist for the award, bested fellow nominees Caleb Durbin and Cade Horton to secure the prestigious honor.
Nolan McLean has been identified as a top prospect and is considered a candidate for the 2026 MLB Rookie of the Year award.
Kevin McGonigle has been identified as a top prospect and is considered a candidate for the 2026 MLB Rookie of the Year award.
Trey Yesavage has been identified as a top prospect and is considered a candidate for the 2026 MLB Rookie of the Year award.
Kyle Hendricks, known as “The Professor” for his precision pitching, is set to retire after 12 big league seasons, turning 36 on December 7. A key part of the Cubs' 2016 World Series championship team, Hendricks spent 11 seasons in Chicago, recording a 3.68 ERA over 276 games (270 starts) and ranking seventh in franchise strikeouts. He won the MLB ERA title in 2016 with a 2.13 ERA, finishing third in NL Cy Young voting. His iconic postseason performances included 7 1/3 scoreless innings in the 2016 NLCS Game 6 and starting Game 7 of the World Series. After his final Cubs appearance in 2024, he signed a one-year deal with his hometown Angels, where he posted a 4.76 ERA in 31 starts in 2025, concluding a career with a 3.79 overall ERA.
The Kansas City Royals have acquired 27-year-old outfielder Kameron Misner from the Tampa Bay Rays. Misner, a veteran, appeared in 71 games last season, starting 57 of them. In 217 plate appearances, he posted a .213 batting average with five home runs and 22 RBIs. This move adds outfield depth for the Royals as they look to bolster their roster.
New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga is reportedly attracting "buy-low" trade interest from other teams this offseason, though it's unclear if the Mets are open to a move. Senga's contract no longer includes a full no-trade clause, allowing him to block deals to only 10 clubs. His 2025 season was a mixed bag, showing ace potential through June before a hamstring injury and mechanical issues led to him losing a big-league roster spot by September. Despite the challenges, he finished with a solid 3.02 ERA and 109 strikeouts across 22 outings (113.1 innings). The 32-year-old is owed $28 million over the next two seasons with a 2028 club option, making his contract appealing. Since his 2023 MLB debut, Senga holds a career 3.00 ERA with 209 strikeouts over 52 starts, having placed top-10 in NL Cy Young voting as a Rookie of the Year runner-up.
The future of slugger Pete Alonso with the New York Mets remains uncertain as the offseason begins, with both the team and player unsure how free agency will unfold. Despite perceptions that Mets president David Stearns doesn't want him, Stearns and owner Steve Cohen were aligned on wanting Alonso in 2025, though they feared the downside of a long-term commitment. Alonso re-signed on a two-year deal with an opt-out after year one, delivering an outstanding offensive season in 2025 but a subpar defensive campaign. While Stearns and Cohen would reportedly welcome Alonso back in 2026, potentially with an increased role as designated hitter, an increased willingness to offer a four or five-year deal is unlikely given he is now 12 months older. It is currently impossible to predict if other teams like Boston or Tampa Bay will offer a long-term contract, making any definitive statements about his departure premature.
Three-time All-Star closer Edwin Díaz, 32, is set to test free agency after opting out of the final two years and $38 million of his contract with the New York Mets. Coming off an excellent 2025 season where he posted a 1.63 ERA (2nd among pitchers min. 60 IP) with 28 saves, a .162 BAA (5th tied), 38% K% (3rd), and 18% SwStr% (4th), Díaz has regained his top-tier form after an up-and-down 2024 and a torn patellar tendon in March 2023. He also achieved a career-high 48.4% ground ball rate in 2025, giving up only four homers in 66 1/3 innings, a significant improvement from seven homers in 53 2/3 innings in 2024. The Mets have extended a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, securing draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere. Díaz is considered the clear top closer in this offseason's market, with a four-year, $82 million deal with the Mets being a logical prediction, though teams like the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Cubs, Yankees, and Giants are potential suitors.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase is facing serious charges related to a gambling scandal. He was indicted Sunday for allegedly rigging pitches in collaboration with bettors. Clase subsequently appeared in federal court Monday on charges accusing him and teammate Luis Ortiz of taking bribes. These bribes were reportedly taken to help associates in their native Dominican Republic win prop bets placed on pitches they threw. The unfolding scandal has prompted MLB and major sportsbooks to announce limitations on prop bets related to pitches, indicating a broader impact on the sport's gambling policies.
San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis was honored with the 2025 Rawlings Platinum Glove Award, signifying his status as one of the league's premier defensive talents. This esteemed award acknowledges his outstanding performance and proficiency in the outfield throughout the season. Tatis's recognition underscores his significant impact on the San Diego Padres' defense and his reputation for exceptional glove work.
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt was officially recognized as a winner of the 2025 Rawlings Platinum Glove Award. This prestigious accolade is bestowed upon the top defensive players in Major League Baseball, distinguishing Witt as an elite performer at his position. His selection highlights his exceptional skill and consistent excellence in fielding, making him a standout defensive presence for the Kansas City Royals.
Infielder/outfielder Jose Rojas has signed a minor league contract with the Mets, adding veteran depth as he turns 33 this offseason. Rojas has played 83 big league games, primarily with the Los Angeles Angels, where he posted a .676 OPS with six home runs and 15 RBI in 61 games in 2021, and 22 games in 2022. Since then, he had a stint with the Doosan Bears in the KBO in 2023 and spent time in the Yankees’ minor league system. This past season, Rojas showcased significant power in 124 minor league games, slashing .287/.379/.599 with 32 home runs and 105 RBI, contributing to his 145 career minor league round-trippers and four seasons with over 20 home runs.
Veteran free-agent starting pitcher Max Scherzer is reportedly expected by some in the industry to sign with the San Francisco Giants. This potential move would reunite the 41-year-old, three-time Cy Young Award winner with new Giants manager Tony Vitello, who served as his pitching coach at Missouri in the mid-2000s. A return to the Toronto Blue Jays, his team last season, is also considered an option, as Scherzer expressed great fondness for the unique bonds forged with players and their families. In 17 starts for the American League pennant-winning Blue Jays, Scherzer posted a 5.19 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 23 walks in 85 innings, later contributing in the playoffs with a 3.77 ERA over 14 1/3 innings. He is anticipated to command another one-year deal, aligning with the Giants' interest in adding a veteran presence to their rotation.
Bo Bichette, the elite Toronto Blue Jays hitter, is a complex target for the Mets, potentially boosting run production but challenging David Stearns' run prevention vision. The 28-year-old boasts a .294 career average, hit .311 in 2025, and led MLB with a .381 average and 1.053 OPS with runners in scoring position. He's evolved, trimming his strikeout rate to a career-best 14.5% and increasing his walk rate. Despite a September knee injury, he hit .348 with six RBI in the World Series and showed versatility at second base. However, signing Bichette, who rejected a $22.025 million qualifying offer, would cost the Mets two high 2026 MLB Draft picks and an estimated $26 million annually for 5-8 years. This bold move would reshape the Mets' roster, potentially blocking prospects, and comes despite Bichette's expressed desire to remain in Toronto.
Lucas Giolito has confirmed he is fully recovered from the right elbow injury that prematurely ended his season in late September. Speaking on Audacy's "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast, Giolito stated that he commenced his offseason throwing program in mid-October. This update provides positive news for the Boston Red Sox as their pitcher progresses through his recovery and prepares for the upcoming season. Further analysis of this recovery update can be found at RotoWire.com.
As the 2025-26 MLB offseason gets underway with free agency open and qualifying offers on the table, significant questions surround various teams and players. One such question involves the Detroit Tigers and the potential trade of pitcher Tarik Skubal. The league is abuzz with speculation as teams begin to shape their rosters for the upcoming season.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase has been federally indicted, identified as the primary force behind an alleged sports betting scheme. The indictment details eight instances of Clase intentionally throwing balls, dating back to May and June 2023, resulting in over $100,000 in winnings for bettors on just three pitches. He allegedly communicated directly with bettors, even during games, and obtained tickets for them. Clase, who was suspended for PEDs in 2020 and signed a $20 million extension in 2022, reportedly initiated the scheme before teammate Luis Ortiz joined. Total winnings from wagers involving both pitchers exceeded $450,000. Clase is not currently in custody but faces serious allegations of attacking the integrity of baseball.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is indirectly referenced in discussions surrounding Major League Baseball's long history with gambling scandals, specifically through the mention of his interpreter. This context highlights that despite past controversies involving figures like Pete Rose and the Black Sox, MLB has continued to pursue corporate partnerships. The league's approach indicates that its historical challenges with gambling have not deterred its engagement with such ventures, as detailed in an article published on November 9, 2025.
