The 2025-26 Major League Baseball offseason is in full swing, and with Winter meetings just behind us, we're moving deeper into off-season sports calendar. Among other things, winter in baseball means a constant influx of rumors about free agent signings, trades and the like. By the way, you can find Thursday's news recap just below.
Withstands ground pitcher Suarez
Atlanta Braves agree to terms with free agent Robert Suarez a three-year contract worth $45 million, the club announced Thursday.
Earlier in the offseason, CBS Sports named Suarez the best player No. 21 free agent in the current class. Here's part of RJ Anderson's review:
“Suarez has developed a reputation for being unreliable. It's not entirely deserved. Over the past three seasons, it has had more outages and fewer accidents than Jeff Hoffman, Ryan Helsley, Matt Strahmamong other pitchers with high levels of leverage and higher perceived trust ratings. One part of Suarez's reputation is valid: his dependence on the fastball. He increased the number of replacements year after year, but still threw one or the other heater in 75 out of every 100 passes. If it works, then as the old saying goes, it works.”
Suarez, 34, boasts a career ERA+ of 141 and a FIP of 3.36 in four parts. Major League Baseball seasons, all with Parents. His 40 saves in 2025 led the National League. Overall, the two-time All-Star struck out 219 batters in 210 career innings. In Atlanta Raisel Iglesiaswho re-signed to a one-year, $16 million deal earlier this winter, figures to get most of the savings while Suarez will primarily serve as a high-leverage setup specialist, according to Athletic.
Skubal probably on the go?
When it comes to multiple American League Cy Young winner Tariq Subal Detroit TigersIn 2026, trade speculation continued consistently, but no significant progress was made on the extension. On that front, a Skubal trade this offseason is becoming increasingly likely, reports ESPN's Jorge Castillo.
Needless to say, such a deal would be the biggest move of the winter given Skubal's current level of dominance:
Those numbers are in line with what he did in 2024, and the 29-year-old left-hander has the best-in-class stuff to back it up. It goes without saying that any team with any hope of contending in 2026 could use a pitcher of Skubal's rare caliber. This includes, most notably, the Tigers, who have made back-to-back plate appearances. Regardless, CEO Scott Harris may decide he'd rather get a catch now than see Skubal released at the end of the season.
Cubs express trade interest in Hoerner
The Chicago Cubs are apparently planning to return to the playoffs again in 2026, meaning there is no point in trading standout second baseman Nico Hoerner. Hoerner is only 28 years old and has signed a contract for next season at a bargain price. He is also a two-time Gold Glove winner with a combined WAR of 19.6 over the past four seasons. This is not a player that serious teams are selling. However, Hoerner's name did come up in trade talks with the Cubs, according to Hoerner. Athletic. Presumably, the Cubs will only consider offers for Hoerner if they address current roster needs elsewhere, but who's to say in light of the Ricketts family's lax management.
Yankees May Be Entertaining Jazz Trade Talks
Speaking of prospects getting questions about major players, the Yankees have at least allowed themselves to be asked about the trade status of infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. ESPN reports. Chisholm was a key player for the Yankees last season, as he had an OPS+ of 125 and a WAR of 4.2 in his first full season in the Bronx, and is considered a key player for the future. He is 27 years old and faces his third and final year of arbitration eligibility in 2026. Payroll certainly shouldn't be a concern for the Yankees, but owner Hal Strainbrenner doesn't want to put the full weight of the club's resources into a gaming product. So the Chisholm debate, no matter how serious, could be seen as part of the payroll compensation for late offseason moves.
Boras trades Bregman to Mariners
Standout infielder Alex Bregman remains on the free agent market after a successful 2025 season with the Red Sox:
He's a three-time All-Star who is still playing at his best, and the Red Sox appear to be interested in bringing him back. Additionally, the Cubs and Tigers have also been linked to Bregman, and agent Scott Boras is of course busy trying to drum up more interest in one of his marquee clients. By the way, this is from Adam Jude of the Seattle Times:
Mega-agent Scott Boras, who represents Alex Bregman, the top free-agent third baseman on the market, has initiated talks with the Mariners to express Bregman's willingness to consider Seattle as a destination, an industry source told The Times.
The interest may not be entirely mutual, as the M's are more likely to opt for an internal solution at the hot corner next season or replenish the infield via trade. However, there is no doubt that Bregman's presence will significantly improve Seattle's prospects in 2026 and beyond.
