The MLB Winter Meetings are underway in Orlando, Florida, with the baseball industry gathering for an action-packed week filled with rumors, signings and trades.
We’ve got everything covered for you, from our predictions at the meetings to the latest updates and analysis as the moves go down.
Which big free agents will pick a team? Who will be mentioned in the blockbuster trade discussion? And what rumors will rule this week? Check back for our predictions and refresh often for the latest information and reaction as the week begins.
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Winter Meetings News and Rumors
December 8th discussion
How far will the Phillies go to keep Schwarber?
A lot of the industry is waiting for this kyle schwarberof independent agent decisions. Market teams both large and small are pursuing him but the most important thing will be what he hears philadelphia phillies And he may come on Monday or Tuesday. Will they match an offer? Will Schwarber need a little less time to stay in Philadelphia? Answers to those questions should be received soon. –Rogers
The king’s lovers are beginning to take shape
Free agent pitcher Michael King has half a dozen lovers, including New York Yankees, boston red sox, New York Mets And chicago cubs But its market has not yet been fully realized. –Rogers
Polanco may take a decision soon
free agent second baseman George PolancoComing off a strong 2025 season seattle marinersExpected to sign with a team during the winter meetings. –Jesse Rogers
Winter Meetings Predictions
Who will be the biggest name to sign (or trade) in Orlando?
Jorge Castillo: I’m all for action at the Winter Meetings, so let’s pick the biggest names on the free agent market: kyle tuckerThere aren’t many contenders who are in the mix for fit or financial reasons, but there is still interest in an ultra-talented player who could change the Championship landscape, And it starts from Toronto,
The Blue Jays highlighted the brightest stars of the last two free agent classes – shohei ohtani And juan soto –And Rogers Communications still has money to spend after investing $500 million Vladimir Guerrero Jr.Another $210 million in April and recent free agent starter Dylan Cease, Tucker visited the Blue Jays facility in Florida last week, Pairing the left-handed hitting outfielder with the right-handed hitting Guerrero would give Toronto a fearsome synergy for years,
Bradford Doolittle: inclusion of Byron Buxton But Ranking of our business candidates I was surprised, mostly because Buxton was adamant that he would remain a twin. It’s surprising he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause, but Buxton is 31, and the Twins don’t look quite ready to win. Several major contenders could use a bump in center field – the Houston Astros And New York Mets Jump out of the obvious – and if the Twins are going down this road, dealing Buxton will soon start those dominoes falling.
Alden Gonzalez: A game of chicken might be going on at this time. On one side it is cody bellingerRepresented by Boras Corporation. On the other side is Tucker, who is being overseen by Excel Sports Management in free agency. They are arguably the two biggest names available, both versatile, multidimensional, dynamic outfielders, their markets are naturally intertwined. And I think Bellinger is in first place.
His price point – ESPN’s Kiley McDaniels is predicting a six-year, $165 million contract – is more reasonable, and his list of suitors appears to be stronger because of it. New York Yankees Want him back. los angeles dodgers, toronto blue jays And the New York Mets fit in, to varying degrees. Given Bellinger’s ability to play first base, other teams will undoubtedly emerge. It would be smart to jump on Bellinger before Tucker comes off the board and further increase his market. And one team will do that this week.
Jesse Rogers: ranger suarezScott Boras’ clients usually take longer to get on board, but not all of them can wait until the New Year, Suarez isn’t looking for a major deal, so taking him off the free agent list by the end of next week seems more than fair,
Talk about the left-hander’s free agency is gaining momentum from potential suitors like the Astros, Mets, Orioles and others. He’s in line for at least a solid four-year deal — and if a team offered five or six years, he’d likely take it.
What’s one move that fans won’t expect you to drop this week?
Castillo: pete alonso maybe i’ll wait till then kyle schwarber His destination is up to him, but my guess is that Alonso will sign with the Red Sox. Boston chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has been clear about his desire to acquire a right-handed slugger for the middle order. There aren’t many players better suited for that role than the right-handed-hitting Alonso, whose 264 home runs since his debut in 2019 are the third-most in baseball. aaron judge And Schwarber.
Alonso is coming off a rebound All-Star season in which he hit 38 home runs with 126 RBI, an NL-leading 41 doubles and an .871 OPS for the Mets. Defensively, Alonso is below average, but he can split time Tristan Casas At first base and designated hitter.
On the other hand, the Mets are committed to improving their defense and it appears they will be able to make a play for Alonso only if their market declines for the second consecutive offseason.
Doolittle: Maybe it’s because I’m overly sensitive to rumors that pique my interest in anti-Wulfian fiction, but I’d say Schwarber would rather sign with his hometown side. cincinnati redsIt’s a perfect fit, and not just because of Schwarber’s ties to Cincinnati, The Reds have a real chance to compete in the NL Central with the right upgrades on offense, And what an upgrade – Schwarber’s swing is perfect for Great American Ballpark, which has featured more homers from lefty hitters than any other venue over the last five years (including 96 more than Citizens Bank Park), Even at age 32, give Schwarber five healthy seasons at that park and he’ll reach the ,500 career bomb,
Gonzalez: This year’s market seems especially ready for a trade, and I think we’ll see some big-name starting pitchers get dealt during the Winter Meetings. Who exactly, is anyone’s guess at this point, but there are several names to choose from, whether it’s two of miami marlins‘ Frontline people (sandy alcantara And Edward Cabrera), three stable giants (freddy peralta, luis castillo And pablo lopez), two rising aces (joe ryan And mackenzie gore) or two Cy Young-caliber arms that are unlikely to move but are still attractive (tariq skubal And Hunter greenAll eyes will be on big free agents this week, but the trade market will dominate. And the starting pitchers will be featured.
Rogers: How about a courageous person: Nick Castellanos Business happens. Perhaps this won’t land as the biggest surprise, given how things went down in Philadelphia last year, but a deal would further show that the Phillies are changing things up a bit as they continue to chase a ring.
Castellanos could be a perfect fit for Pittsburgh, who is desperate to hit. In a recent interview on MLB Network, Castellanos discussed the idea of playing first base. This opens the door to even more possibilities outside of Philadelphia.
What is the rumor that will dominate this week?
Castillo: Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel MarteIf transferred, he would be the best position player to move this offseason – Tucker and Schwarber included. So the fact that he’s available will undoubtedly generate rumors all week.
First, Marte produces. His 15.3 WAR over the past three seasons is 13th among the majors. He has made the NL All-Star team in each of the last two seasons. He finished third in the NL MVP race in 2024. He has a .289/.363/.510 slash line since 2019. Second, his affordable contract – he has five years and $91 million left and $11.5 million remaining on a sixth-year player – only adds to the allure and makes him attractive to many clubs. Marte is 32 and drew anonymous criticism from teammates for his behavior last season, but a player of his caliber will attract considerable interest.
Doolittle: Something about Tucker? It doesn’t feel like there have been many solid reports regarding Tucker’s potential destination, but he is a top free agent, so until he signs, rumor mills are more likely to be focused on his wanderings than anyone else. There will be news about him in Orlando.
Gonzalez: There is no bigger name in the business market than Scooble. At one end, he’s beloved in Detroit, where he’s established himself as the type of cornerstone pitcher who should never pitch anywhere else. On the other hand, the harsh truth is that he is a Boras client who can command a huge amount of money on the open market that the Tigers are either unwilling or unable to pay him. And although the Tigers intend to compete in 2026 and will undoubtedly have a better chance to do so with Skubal leading their rotation, it would be foolish not to at least explore a trade and try to bring back key talent in return. It’s the responsible thing to do — and yet Tigers fans have every right to be angry about this even being a possibility.
Rogers: Where Kyle Schwarber will play in 2026 and beyond. His next contract should be in the $150 million range, although if a new team comes forward and is willing to pay big for not only his power but his leadership, all bets are off. But as interesting as a smaller market might be, the Phillies need someone just as important during his current window to win. There is no guarantee of his return there, but it still matters most.
