Everything felt like it was finally moving. You had Alex Bregman ditching the Red Sox for a massive $175 million deal with the Cubs, which basically sent a shockwave through every front office from Boston to Seattle. Then the Diamondbacks went and nabbed Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals, a move that feels like it should have happened years ago but finally crossed the finish line this week.
But honestly? The biggest thing in major league baseball news and rumors right now isn't who signed. It’s who hasn't.
Kyle Tucker is sitting out there like the last kid picked for dodgeball, except he’s a four-time All-Star who’s basically a lock for 5.0 WAR if his shins stay intact. It’s mid-January. Pitchers and catchers are basically packing their bags for Florida and Arizona, and the best outfielder on the market is still waiting for someone to blink.
The Kyle Tucker Waiting Game
It’s getting a little tense. Usually, by now, a guy of Tucker's caliber has his jersey press conference and is already looking for houses in a new zip code. Instead, we’re seeing a classic high-stakes staring contest.
The New York Mets are hovering. They always are. After losing Pete Alonso to the Orioles—which, wow, that still looks weird in print—and watching Edwin Díaz head to the Dodgers, Steve Cohen is under some serious pressure to actually do something. Reports from insiders like Will Sammon suggest the Mets want Tucker on a shorter, high-AAV deal. We’re talking maybe $50 million a year over three or four seasons.
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Tucker’s camp? Yeah, they aren't exactly biting. Scott Boras is notorious for "chasing years," and word is they want a deal that flirts with $400 million total.
Then you’ve got the Blue Jays. Toronto just lost the World Series in a way that’ll haunt them for a decade, and they missed out on Bregman too. They’re reportedly offering the long-term security Tucker wants, but after signing Kazuma Okamoto to a $60 million deal, you have to wonder how much liquid cash is left in the Rogers Communications vault.
The Infield Shakeup Nobody Expected
While everyone watches the Tucker drama, the trade market for infielders has gone absolutely nuclear. The Cubs signing Bregman didn't just help their lineup; it made Nico Hoerner the most popular guy in the league for all the wrong reasons.
He’s suddenly the "odd man out" in Chicago.
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- The Seattle Mariners are basically living in the Cardinals' DMs. They want Brendan Donovan badly. They’ve also been asking about reliever JoJo Romero, because apparently, you can never have enough lefties who throw 98.
- The San Francisco Giants are "aggressively pursuing" a second baseman. They’ve checked in on Hoerner, but they’re also looking at Donovan.
- The Boston Red Sox are reeling. Losing Bregman hurt. Now they’re looking at Bo Bichette or maybe Eugenio Suárez as a "well, we have to do something" pivot.
It’s a weird game of musical chairs. If Seattle lands Donovan, does that push the Giants to overpay for Hoerner? If the Red Sox trade for Bichette, does Toronto use that prospect capital to finally finish the Tucker deal?
Pitching Panic in the Bronx and Beyond
The Yankees just traded for Ryan Weathers from the Marlins. It’s a classic Brian Cashman move—trade four prospects you’ve never heard of for a lefty with a "high ceiling."
Does this mean they’re out on the big fish? Probably. They seem content with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón leading the way, but fans are still screaming for Cody Bellinger. The Yankees made an offer—somewhere north of $30 million a year—but it’s been a total standoff.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox are looking at the trade market for arms because the free-agent prices for guys like Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez are reportedly "insane." Valdez is 32 now, and while he’s a groundball machine, teams are terrified of giving five years to a guy whose ERA just climbed to its highest point in years.
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Why the Market is Moving This Way
You’ve got to look at the "Dodger Effect." Los Angeles has won two titles in a row. They just added Edwin Díaz. They’re the "Death Star."
Teams like the Mets and Yankees are realizing that just being "good" isn't enough anymore. You either have to be perfect, or you have to be lucky. That’s why you’re seeing these massive gaps in asking prices. Owners are scared of long-term commitments that don't guaranteed a ring, while players see the $300M+ deals handed out recently and refuse to take a discount.
It’s kinda fascinating. And also incredibly frustrating if you’re a fan of a team like the Brewers or Tigers, who are just trying to hold onto their stars like Freddy Peralta or Tarik Skubal while the big spenders circle like vultures.
What You Should Watch Next
If you're trying to keep up with major league baseball news and rumors as we head toward February, keep your eyes on the "Friday Deadline." There's a lot of chatter that Tucker wants a decision made before the weekend.
- Watch the Mariners' farm system. If they trade a top-5 prospect, it’s happening for Brendan Donovan.
- Monitor the Bellinger-Yankees standoff. If Belli signs elsewhere (maybe a return to the Cubs or a surprise Giants move), the Yankees will have to pivot to the trade market for a bat, potentially Luis Robert Jr.
- The "Pivot" Signings. When one of the big three (Tucker, Bichette, Bellinger) falls, the others will go within 48 hours.
Check the transaction wires for any "minor" trades involving relief pitching. Often, a team like the Red Sox or Phillies will move a mid-level prospect for a bullpen arm right before they announce a massive free-agent signing to balance the 40-man roster.
The stove isn't just hot. It’s basically melting.