The Winter Meetings officially begin Monday amid what already has been a bustling offseason in Major League Baseball.
Several major free-agent signings, along with a number of trades, were finalized well before the front-office representatives and player agents even headed to Orlando.
So if the meetings turn out to be a dud, which happens periodically, it won’t be for a lack of momentum. It does seem unlikely that we’ll see a lack of transactions this week, with teams also working ahead to position themselves for a possible owners lockout after the 2026 World Series.
A number of the biggest free-agent names remain in play as the fun starts in Florida.
Among them are outfielder Kyle Tucker, third baseman Alex Bregman, first baseman Pete Alonso and left-hander Framber Valdez.
While none of them were rumored to be deciding imminently, the Pittsburgh Pirates reportedly made slugger Kyle Schwarber a four-year, $100 million offer.
Schwarber, who turns 33 in March, hit 56 home runs for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025. He has averaged just under 47 homers and 107 walks since 2022. Philly and Baltimore also have reported interest.
The hottest trade rumors right now focus on Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, who would be one of the biggest bats available on the market.
Marte, 32, signed a six-year, $116 million extension in April. Marte has slashed .289/.363/.510 and 21 homers annually since 2019. The Boston Red Sox are said to be interested, but Marte also has 10-and-5 rights to block any trade. The D-backs are said to be seeking pitching help (though, they’re also said to be offering right-hander Zac Gallen around the league).
Among pitchers, one of the bigger names drawing reported interest in the trade market is Washington Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore. At 26 years old, Gore made the All-Star team in 2025 before posting a 6.75 ERA in his final 11 starts. No matter: half of the league is said to be interested.
In addition to their reported pursuit of Marte, the Red Sox are said to be looking at Bo Bichette as a hedge against Bregman, who opted out from his Boston deal after the World Series. Bregman reportedly has drawn interest from the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and others. Alonso could find a landing spot in Boston if he can’t agree with the Mets. New York already traded Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for Marcus Semien, and signed free-agent closer Devin Williams.
The World Series teams haven’t been waiting idly. The Toronto Blue Jays, already having signed right-hander Dylan Cease for seven years and $210 million, reportedly hosted Tucker and his family in Toronto. A successful visit, along with $400 million, just might get it done.
The Dodgers also have interest in Tucker, but he might be more of a luxury when compared to improving the bullpen. Right-hander Robert Suárez, who opted out from the San Diego Padres, could be their No. 1 target among pitchers in free agency.
This is subject to change, but the Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins are said to not be on the verge of trading their best pitchers. That would mean, if true, righties Pablo López and Joe Ryan will be staying put in Minnesota, while Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera will stay with Miami — for now.
There is more to the Winter Meetings than free-agent and trade talk. The meetings kicked off unofficially with the announcement Sunday night that Jeff Kent had been elected to the Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Era committee. Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds (Kent’s more famous teammate) and Don Mattingly were among those denied.
There’s also the MLB Draft Lottery on Tuesday, with the White Sox owning the best odds to receive the No. 1 pick. The Rule 5 Draft unofficially ends the meetings Wednesday afternoon.
–By David Brown, Field Level Media
