What is the story about?
Good
morning.
- Free agent designated hitter Kyle Schwarber has agreed to return to the Phillies on a five-year, $150 million deal.
- Dayn Perry and R.J. Anderson explain why the two sides came together and what this all means going forward.
- Jay Jaffe evaluates the deal and projects what the Phillies can expect out of Schwarber going forward.
- Matt Gelb has the behind-the-scenes story of the negotiations that returned Schwarber to Philadelphia. (The Athletic sub. req.) Also where the Phillies go from here.
- Ken Rosenthal reports that the Orioles matched the Phillies offer for Schwarber (The Athletic sub. req.) but Schwarber chose to stay put.
- Jayson Stark has an appreciation of Schwarber, Phillies legend. (The Athletic sub. req.)
- Tim Britton examines what Schwarber’s deal means for other free agent sluggers on the market. (The Athletic sub. req.)
- In the other big free agent signing, the Dodgers inked former Mets closer Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million deal.
- Keith Law has mixed feelings on the deal, (The Athletic sub. req.) thinking that it’s unlikely that Díaz lives up to the contract but also figures that it was the best solution for solving the Dodgers bullpen woes.
- Russell Dorsey is more optimistic, thinking the Dodgers have addressed their last remaining weakness in signing Díaz.
- Michael Baumann thinks the deal will likely be good for both the Dodgers and Díaz, but there are a few flashing warning signs to consider.
- Mark Feinsand writes about the next steps for the Mets, Dodgers and Phillies.
- This seems like old news by now, but in a swap of Oscar-nominated actors/baseball players, the Nationals sent lefty reliever Jose Ferrer to the Mariners for catcher Harrison “Harry” Ford. Ferrer had 11 saves last year and won an Oscar for Best Actor for Cyrano de Bergerac in 1950. Ford made his major league debut last year and was nominated for Best Actor for Witness in 1985, losing to William Hurt in Kiss of the Spider Woman.
- Keith Law likes the “Ford vs. Ferrer” trade for both sides. (The Athletic sub. req.)
- Left-hander Steven Matz signed a two-year deal with the Rays. Davy Andrews explains what the Rays are getting in Matz.
- Former Cub Michael Soroka inked a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks. Davy Andrews looks at what kind of a pitcher Soroka is today.
- Steve Gilbert reports that Arizona is “no closer” to trading All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte than they were when the Winter Meetings started.
- Ken Rosenthal has more on the trade market for Marte (The Athletic sub. req.) and other Winter Meetings rumors.
- The Red Sox traded infielder Vaughn Grissom to the Angels for minor league outfielder Isaiah Jackson.
- The Pirates have signed free agent lefty Gregory Soto to a one-year, $7.75 million deal.
- David Schoenfield has the best fit for pitchers who may be on the trade market.
- Jake Mintz argues that if the Tigers don’t intend to trade Tarik Skubal, the team needs to go “all-in” this year.
- There are lots of rumors about the Padres looking to make a deal. AJ Cassavell has four Friars who might get dealt.
- Brittany Ghiroli looks at the Nationals dilemma on whether to trade Mackenzie Gore now or later. (The Athletic sub. req.)
- New Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman are arguing about what was and wasn’t said by Gray when he was traded to the Bronx. Mike Axisa gets you up to speed on this story.
- As you know by now, the White Sox won the MLB Draft Lottery. R.J. Anderson has five candidates to be the first pick in the 2026 Draft next July.
- Kiley McDaniel predicts the first five picks of the draft.
- Jim Callis has a very early mock draft.
- Draft Lottery “Winners and Losers.”
- The Rule 5 Draft is this afternoon. Jonathan Mayo has 17 players who could get taken today.
- Gabe Lacques profiles top Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin, who could make his MLB debut this upcoming season.
- Blue Jays manager John Schneider doesn’t want fans to blame Isiah Kiner-Falefa for the team’s loss in Game 7 of the World Series.
- Kyle Schwarber, second baseman Brice Turang, shortstop Gunnar Henderson and catcher Will Smith were all named to Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Anthony Castrovince reports.
- Castrovince also talks to Team USA manager Mark DeRosa about the difficulties in putting together a pitching staff and why DeRosa thinks things will be different in 2026.
- Sonja Chen outlines how Japan has built a WBC powerhouse team, winning three of the five tournaments.
- And finally, Zack Meisel remembers the most unusual places that a general manager has ever signed a free agent or made a trade. (The Athletic sub. req.) Somehow he missed Jim Hendry signing Ted Lilly while in the hospital and hooked up to an EKG machine. Still lots of good ones.
