If you woke up today looking for a standard box score with a winning pitcher and a box of Cracker Jack, you’re probably a little confused. Look, it’s mid-January. The stadiums in the Bronx and Chicago are currently buried under a layer of frost, and the only "diamond" most players are seeing is on a golf course in Scottsdale. There were no MLB scores last night in the traditional sense because the 2026 regular season doesn't even kick off for another two months.
But wait.
If you think the league is sleeping, you haven't been paying attention to the absolute chaos happening in the front offices. While the grass is dormant, the "Hot Stove" is burning at a level we haven't seen in a decade. We just witnessed one of the most expensive 24-hour periods in baseball history.
The big winners (and losers) of the last 24 hours
Honestly, the biggest "score" last night didn't happen on a field; it happened in a lawyer's office in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Dodgers just effectively broke the internet—and maybe the competitive balance of the NL West—by snagging Kyle Tucker on a massive four-year, $240 million deal.
Think about that for a second. $60 million a year.
💡 You might also like: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
The Dodgers are basically valuing Tucker’s 2026 season alone at a staggering $120 million when you factor in the luxury tax penalties. They are chasing a three-peat, something we haven't seen since the 1998-2000 Yankees. It’s aggressive. It’s polarizing. It’s exactly why people either love or loathe the blue crew.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs finally put their money where their mouth is. They landed Alex Bregman on a five-year, $175 million contract. This is a massive shift for a North Side team that has been accused of "playing it safe" for the last few seasons.
- Dodgers: Sign Kyle Tucker (4 years, $240M)
- Cubs: Land Alex Bregman (5 years, $175M)
- Red Sox: Secure Ranger Suárez (5 years, $130M)
- D-backs: Trade for Nolan Arenado (shaking up the NL West)
Why the trade market is the real scoreboard
If you're still hunting for actual runs and hits, you have to look south. The Winter Leagues are in the heat of their playoffs right now. In the Dominican (LIDOM) and Mexican (LMP) leagues, the games actually mean something right now.
For example, in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP), the Tiburones de La Guaira and Cardenales de Lara have been in a dogfight. These aren't just "exhibition" games; these are high-intensity matchups featuring big-league talent trying to stay sharp or prove they belong on a 40-man roster come February.
📖 Related: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
But back to the states. The real MLB scores last night are measured in "prospect capital." The Arizona Diamondbacks pulled off a shocker by acquiring Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals. Arizona is clearly tired of being the Dodgers' little brother. By bringing in a 10-time Gold Glover, they’ve signaled that the NL West is going to be a bloodbath in 2026.
The Bo Bichette sweepstakes is getting weird
With Tucker and Bregman off the board, everyone is staring at Bo Bichette. The Blue Jays seem to be pivoting back to their star shortstop after losing out on the Tucker sweepstakes. But the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees are lurking.
The Yankees, in particular, are in a weird spot. They’ve been haggling with Cody Bellinger over the length of a contract—they want five years, he wants seven. If that falls through, don't be surprised if Brian Cashman makes a massive play for Bichette. It feels like a game of musical chairs where the music is about to stop, and there are only two chairs left for three superstars.
International signing day: The future starts now
Yesterday wasn't just about the veterans. It was the opening of the 2026 International Signing Period. While the big-league stars are fighting for hundreds of millions, the next generation of stars just got their start.
👉 See also: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
The Yankees were surprisingly active here, despite having a smaller bonus pool than usual. They signed two high-end shortstops from the Dominican Republic, Germayhoni Beltre and Abrahan Pichardo.
It’s easy to overlook these moves because they won't help the team in April, but this is how you build a sustainable winner. Just look at guys like Juan Soto or Ronald Acuña Jr.—they were these kids just a few years ago.
What happens next?
The "scores" are going to keep coming in the form of push notifications. Here is what you should be watching for over the next 48 hours:
- Cody Bellinger’s decision: Does he cave on the seven-year demand, or does he find a mystery team?
- The Starting Pitching market: With Ranger Suárez off the board, teams like the Orioles and Mets are going to get desperate for rotation depth.
- Spring Training countdown: We are officially less than 30 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting.
Basically, if you're looking for MLB scores last night, you have to broaden your definition. The "wins" are happening in the front office, and the "losses" are the fanbases watching their stars sign elsewhere.
If you’re a Dodgers fan, you’re celebrating a championship before a single pitch has been thrown. If you’re a Cardinals fan? Well, seeing Arenado head to a rival is a tough pill to swallow.
Get your notifications turned on. The next "score" could be a trade that changes the entire landscape of the 2026 season. Check the waiver wires and the transaction logs daily, because the off-season is finally in its final, chaotic sprint toward Spring Training.