As the winter baseball season heats up, several significant developments are unfolding in Major League Baseball. Here are three key updates to watch for today.
First, star outfielder Kyle Tucker appears to be nearing a decision on his future. According to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, Tucker could sign with a team as soon as today. The New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged as frontrunners for his services, with Heyman noting it would be a “major upset” if he were to choose another team. The Blue Jays are known to have made a long-term offer, although details remain scarce. Meanwhile, the Mets have reportedly presented a deal with an average annual value of $50 million, in addition to a four-year offer. The Dodgers are seen as a potentially disruptive force in this bidding war, although details of their proposal are not fully clear at this time.
Secondly, the Chicago Cubs are hosting an introductory press conference for their newly signed third baseman, Alex Bregman, today at 10:30 AM CT. Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer and Bregman’s agent Scott Boras will likely be present. This press conference could shed light on how the Cubs plan to manage their now-crowded infield. With Bregman likely displacing Matt Shaw at third base, Shaw may be pushed into a utility role unless a trade involving him or second baseman Nico Hoerner occurs. Hoerner has been involved in trade discussions this offseason, but reports indicate that the Cubs would require a substantial offer to consider letting him go.
Lastly, the 2026 international signing period has officially opened and will run until December 15. Teams have established bonus pools ranging from $5,440,000 to $8,034,900 to sign international prospects, with the allowance to trade bonus allotments in increments of $250,000, up to a maximum of 60% of the total pool they were originally given. Many top prospects, including Luis Hernandez, Francisco Renteria, and Wandy Asigen, already have pre-arranged agreements with MLB clubs. Websites such as Baseball America, MLB.com, and BeisbolFR.com are providing thorough coverage of the international amateur free agency landscape, and a roundup of notable signings is expected to appear on MLB Trade Rumors later today.
With these developments, fans and teams alike are eager to see how the offseason unfolds as franchises build their rosters for the upcoming season.