Here are three things we’ll be looking at around the world of baseball all day today:
1. Top Free Agents Still on the Board:
The free agent market started late last week with a flurry of activity. Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Guard Suarezagain JT Realmuto it all went off the board within just a few days. That series of moves took this offseason’s free agency from being deep with quality picks to looking pretty barren at the top. At this point, the best options available are secondary Framber Valdez and foreign player Cody Bellinger. Players love it Zac Gallen again Eugenio Suarez they’re still there, too, but they don’t have the kind of sure-fire impact that Valdez and Bellinger can provide.
Bellinger’s market has received a lot of attention because of the long-term disagreement between his camp and the Yankees involved in negotiations. The team’s apparent willingness to include opt-outs after the second and third seasons of its five-year offer in the $150MM to $160MM range has not motivated Bellinger to sign so far. The Blue Jays, Mets, and Cubs are among the other teams linked to Bellinger and could be lurking as possible contenders. Valdez, meanwhile, has had a quiet market but remains linked to the Orioles and Mets. The Blue Jays reportedly met with him in November, but that was before the club was involved Dylan Cease. Where will the remaining stars end up on the market?
2. The Braves make a big contribution to their infield:
Yesterday’s news is that Ha-Seong Kim suffered a hand injury that required surgery with a four-to-five month recovery timeline was a blow to fans in Atlanta. After bringing in Kim in hopes of improving what was among the worst production in the majors at shortstop in 2025, the team will now be without its marquee pitching staff for much of the first half of next year. Coming off a disappointing 86-loss season last year and just three years away Ronald Acuna Jr. reaches free agency, Atlanta certainly hopes to make the most of the 2026 campaign. Will president of baseball Alex Anthopoulos find a way to fill the sudden hole in the team’s roster, despite a salary increase this offseason thanks to additions like Kim, Robert Suarezagain Mike Yastrzemski? Or the team will need to look at internal options such as Mauricio Dubon to keep the team on track while Kim recovers?
3. The desire to hold strong help throughout the league:
Realmuto and Victor Caratini both signed over the weekend, leaving the usual reliable pitcher behind the plate available in free agency. That’s a very notable development given the number of teams reportedly interested in making the move. Both the Rays and Red Sox were both reportedly involved in trades for Realmuto and Caratini, respectively, before the pair signed elsewhere. The Padres have it Freddy Fermin behind the plate but could certainly benefit from adding a reliable player to split time with. The Astros don’t have a backup Yainer Diaz after Caratini left, too. Those clubs will have to look to players left for free Jonah Heim again Gary Sanchezas possible solutions or turn to the trade market, where players like the Yankees’ backup JC Escarra and the Phillies’ backup Rafael Marchan are among the options that may be available at least theoretically.
