Ongoing controversy surrounding the World Baseball Classic's player insurance policy may result i...

<p>Ongoing controversy surrounding the World Baseball Classic's player insurance policy may result in some last-minute changes to rosters.</p><p>On Saturday morning, after Puerto Rico captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2909" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2909">Francisco Lindor</a> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3468188" href="https://thescore.com/news/3468188">withdrew</a> from the WBC after being declined insurance coverage, Puerto Rico Baseball Federation president Dr. José Quiles offered a harsh rebuke of the tournament's participation requirements. Dr. Quiles suggested that the insurance problems are disproportionately affecting Puerto Rico and that his nation, which is hosting Pool A at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium, may withdraw from the WBC entirely.</p><p>"We are considering not participating in this edition (of the WBC). It's a discussion we've already had," Quiles told <a href="https://x.com/jayfonsecapr">Puerto Rican journalist Jay Fonseca</a> in Spanish, as translated by <a href="https://x.com/Shawn_Spradling/status/2017636498921689280">WBC reporter Shawn Spradling</a>. "If we are not playing under equal conditions, we will not participate. It's a decision that is almost made. We are issuing a warning. We'll see what happens in the coming days, and we will make a final decision."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Puerto Rico's threat may have already spurred some change, as it could result in MLB approving additional players who were previously denied, a source told <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/31/sports/red-sox-moran/">Tim Healey of the Boston Globe</a>.</p><p>Puerto Rico also worked with WBC president Jim Small to issue a request for MLB commissioner Rob Manfred to reconsider the cases of several of its players, according to <a href="https://x.com/Shawn_Spradling/status/2017735985660821855">El Nuevo Día's Carlos Rosa</a>, as translated by Spradling. A meeting was held Saturday to discuss the insurance issues.</p><p>In response to the criticisms, a WBC spokesperson told <a href="https://x.com/Shawn_Spradling/status/2017728213636587941">Spradling</a>, "The vetting process on player eligibility for all WBC teams is currently ongoing."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is how WBC insurance works, at least the best I understand it.<br><br>It all boils down to “guaranteed salaries”:<br><br>To play in the World Baseball Classic, a player on a Major League 40-man roster must be covered by insurance to guarantee their salary. <br><br>The insurer for the WBC is…</p>— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shawn_Spradling/status/2017656405285630205?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Lindor was denied insurance because he underwent elbow surgery in October, shortly after the New York Mets' season ended. While he withdrew from the WBC, the 32-year-old said in a statement Friday that he'll be a full participant at Mets spring training.</p><p>But Lindor was far from the only player affected. <a href="https://x.com/crosarosa/status/2017618250398335279">Eight members</a> of Puerto Rico's roster - including <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3992" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3992">Carlos Correa</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5166" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5166">Victor Caratini</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13614" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13614">Jovani Morán</a>, among others - also withdrew from the WBC for various reasons, including insurance issues. Venezuela lost second baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2841" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2841">Jose Altuve</a> and shortstop <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2083" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2083">Miguel Rojas</a> due to a lack of insurance; Altuve's team, the Houston Astros, reportedly requested that he skip the tournament.</p><p>Rojas, who turns 37 in February, was denied insurance for the tournament because of his age. A new policy in place beginning with this WBC prevents players aged 37 or older from being insured, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47792100/miguel-rojas-unhappy-denial-wbc-due-insurance-rule">ESPN's Alden González</a>. The new rule left him incensed ahead of what's likely his final big-league season, and last chance to play for his country.</p><p>"My only question is: Why is it just with our countries (in Latin America), like Venezuela, Puerto Rico, a couple Dominican players?" Rojas said Saturday at Dodgers FanFest, per González. </p><p>"I don't see that happening with the United States or happening with Japan. And I'm not trying to attack anybody, or attack what's going on ... but at the end of the day, it feels like it's just happening with the players that want to represent their country from Latin America. So there's a lot of things I would like to talk about with someone in control, with someone from MLB."</p><p>Full World Baseball Classic rosters will be announced Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. ET, two days after the submission deadline.</p>

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 13: Francisco Lindor #12 of Puerto Rico celebrates after hitting a triple in the fifth inning against Israel at loanDepot park on March 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

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Report: MLB discussing WBC insurance after Puerto Rico threatens to withdraw

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms with free-agent outfielder Austin Hays, sources told E...

<p>The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms with free-agent outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8511" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8511">Austin Hays</a>, sources told <a href="https://x.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/2017606968244863328">ESPN's Jesse Rogers</a>.</p><p>The deal is a one-year contract worth $6 million in guaranteed money, including a base salary of $5 million in 2026, reports <a href="https://x.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/2017612942402064704">The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal</a>. The deal also contains a mutual option for 2027 with a $1-million buyout if the option isn't exercised, <a href="https://x.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/2017625090893222086">Rosenthal</a> adds.</p><p>Hays can earn another $375K through incentives based on plate appearances, according to Rosenthal. He apparently chose the White Sox in part because they offered him a chance to play every day, as opposed to being the right-handed half of a platoon.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>He slashed .266/.315/.453 with 15 home runs and 64 RBIs in 103 games with the Cincinnati Reds last season. Hays spent the first seven years of his career with the Baltimore Orioles, where he became an All-Star in 2023 before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies at the 2024 deadline.</p><p>He signed with the Reds as a free agent last winter.</p><p>The 30-year-old joins a White Sox outfield that includes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5354" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5354">Andrew Benintendi</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17727" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17727">Brooks Baldwin</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13636" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13636">Everson Pereira</a>, and fellow newcomer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15424" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15424">Luisangel Acuña</a>. Top prospect <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18839" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18839">Braden Montgomery</a> will also attend big-league camp as a non-roster invitee, as will minor-league signees <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10712" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10712">Jarred Kelenic</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8896" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8896">LaMonte Wade Jr.</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13886" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13886">Dustin Harris</a>, among others.</p><p>Hays, who's primarily played left field but has experience at all three outfield positions, can slot in at right field daily in 2026 while Montgomery continues developing. He could also slide over to left in place of Benintendi against left-handed pitching, thanks to his lifetime .819 OPS versus southpaws.</p><p>The Reds, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and Chicago Cubs were all interested in signing Hays before he chose the White Sox offer, according to <a href="https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/2017603088446521800">Jon Heyman of the New York Post</a>.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Austin Hays #12 of the Cincinnati Reds bats in the second inning during Game One of the National League Wild Card Series between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Report: White Sox, Hays agree to 1-year, $6M contract

New York Mets star and Puerto Rico captain Francisco Lindor will not participate in this year's 2...

<p>New York Mets star and Puerto Rico captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2909" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2909">Francisco Lindor</a> will not participate in this year's 2026 World Baseball Classic as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on his right elbow.</p><p>In a statement issued by the MLB players' association on Lindor's behalf, insurance issues were cited as the reason for his withdrawl.</p><p>"Due to the cleanup procedure that Francisco Lindor had on his right elbow earlier this offseason, he will not be participating for team Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic," the MLBPA's <a href="http://x.com/MLBPA/status/2017447338713755945">statement</a> read. "Francisco is obviously disappointed that he will be unable to participate. However, because of WBC insurance constraints, he is ineligible to play in WBC games. He will participate fully in all spring training activities."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Lindor underwent a right elbow debridement in October, shortly after the Mets' season ended.</p><p>The 32-year-old has represented Puerto Rico in each of the last two WBCs. He helped Puerto Rico reach the 2017 WBC final, and went 9-for-20 with five RBIs over five games in the 2023 tournament. This past April, Lindor was named captain of Puerto Rico's 2026 squad, marking the second straight tournament he received the honor.</p><p>His absence is the latest blow to a Puerto Rican roster that's among the favorites to advance out of Pool A, which is being played at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Puerto Rico will also be without <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3992" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3992">Carlos Correa</a> after the Houston Astros third baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3464827" href="https://thescore.com/news/3464827">withdrew</a> this week because of insurance-related issues.</p><p>Lindor is coming off another stellar season with the Mets that saw him hit .267/.346/.466 with 31 homers, 86 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases over 160 games while leading the NL in plate appearances and at-bats. It marked his second 30-30 season in the last three years.</p><p>Puerto Rico will open its tournament against Colombia in San Juan on March 6 at 6 p.m. ET. Full rosters for all teams will be announced on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. ET, two days after the final 30-man squads are submitted.</p>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 04: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets warms up before the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Citi Field on August 04, 2025 in New York City.

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Puerto Rico captain Lindor out of WBC due to insurance issues

The Kansas City Royals and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino avoided arbitration by agreeing to a ...

<p>The Kansas City Royals and first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13889" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13889">Vinnie Pasquantino</a> avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year contract, the team announced Friday.</p><p>Pasquantino's deal will pay him more than $11 million in guaranteed money, sources told <a href="https://x.com/anne__rogers/status/2017366038745137247">Anne Rogers of MLB.com</a>. It also includes incentive clauses that can increase his earnings to nearly $16 million.</p><p>Completion of the agreement is pending a physical, per the team.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Pasquantino and the Royals had been slated to go to an arbitration hearing in the next few weeks after failing to agree on a contract before the Jan. 8 deadline. He filed at $4.5 million, while the team countered at $4 million.</p><p>Instead, the sides seem to have found common ground with a multi-year agreement that covers his first two years of arbitration. Barring another extension, Pasquantino will again go through the arbitration process when his new deal expires in 2028, his final season before free agency.</p><p>The 28-year-old is coming off a solid campaign for the Royals that saw him emerge as a bona fide power threat in spacious Kauffman Stadium. He slashed .264/.323/.475 while setting career highs in home runs (32) and RBIs (113) across 682 plate appearances.</p><p>Pasquantino's reported agreement leaves left-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10665" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10665">Kris Bubic</a> as Kansas City's lone arbitration-eligible player still without a contract. Bubic, who's in his third year of arbitration, is asking for $6.15 million, while the Royals countered by filing at $5.15 million.</p>

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 19: Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of the Kansas City Royals hits an RBI double in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium on September 19, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Royals, Pasquantino agree to 2-year deal to avoid arbitratation

Veteran reliever David Robertson, a former All-Star and consistent bullpen presence for nearly tw...

<p>Veteran reliever David Robertson, a former All-Star and consistent bullpen presence for nearly two decades, announced his retirement Friday after 17 big-league seasons.</p><p>The 40-year-old spent his final campaign with the Philadelphia Phillies. He made 20 regular-season appearances plus one more in the playoffs after they signed him in late July.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUJj2fhgRBX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUJj2fhgRBX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
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</div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUJj2fhgRBX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by David Robertson (@drobdrobdrob)</a></p>
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<script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></figure><p>Robertson's probably best known for his nine years with the New York Yankees, where he emerged as a key weapon in front of Mariano Rivera on their 2009 World Series-winning squad. He made his lone All-Star appearance as a Yankee in 2011 - a season in which he also earned downballot Cy Young and MVP votes after tallying 100 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Alabama native succeeded Rivera as New York's closer in 2014 and saved a career-high 39 games before signing with the Chicago White Sox that winter. He was traded back to New York at the 2017 deadline.</p><p>Robertson hit a major roadblock in 2019 when elbow issues limited him to seven appearances with the Phillies, leading to Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2020. The procedure ultimately extended his career: Robertson returned late in 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays and went on to pitch four more seasons, including a 2024 campaign with the Texas Rangers where he posted a 3.00 ERA in 68 games as a 39-year-old.</p><p>He retires having posted a 2.93 ERA, 2.98 FIP, and 1.16 WHIP along with 1,176 strikeouts, 365 walks, and 179 saves across 881 big-league appearances with eight teams. Robertson - who worked entirely as a reliever, save for one start as an opener in 2021 - is one of just 16 pitchers to collect at least 1,000 Ks out of the bullpen. He ranks 10th all time in strikeouts by relievers.</p><p>Robertson was a staple of October, appearing in 10 different postseasons over his 17-year career. He didn't allow a run in five outings to help the Yankees win the 2009 World Series, and he dominated during Philadelphia's 2022 NL pennant run. He also helped the United States win the 2017 World Baseball Classic and earn a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.</p><p>Robertson will become eligible to appear on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in 2031.</p>

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Former All-Star reliever David Robertson retires

The Los Angeles Dodgers' pursuit of a second straight World Series title appeared to take everyth...

<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers' pursuit of a second straight World Series title appeared to take everything out of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5351" href="/mlb/players/5351">Blake Snell</a>.</p><p>The two-time Cy Young winner admitted Thursday that pitching 34 innings during L.A.'s championship run left his arm "tired" and "exhausted," according to <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/01/29/sports/dodgers-to-be-patient-with-snell-and-yamamoto/">Jack Harris of the California Post</a>. As a result, Snell is taking a cautious approach, as he and the Dodgers have reportedly decided to have him ease into his offseason throwing program.</p><p>While Snell insists he'll be ready for Opening Day, people within the organization don't consider it a guarantee, according to Harris.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"You want to ramp up, but I gotta take my time and get healthy," Snell told Harris. "I feel like I'm doing the right thing. I feel good. I've been throwing. It feels better. In the postseason, I gave everything I had for that. But on the front end of spring, I'll have to be patient and let my body get to 100%.</p><p>"That's what I'm learning talking with (the team). Don't rush. Be patient. Make sure you're 100%. And that's what's awesome about the organization. They really are focused on your health and well-being."</p><p>Snell, who joined the Dodgers last offseason on a five-year, $182-million deal, made just 11 regular-season starts in 2025 due to a shoulder injury. But the setback left him well-rested for the postseason, where he put up a 3.18 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 41 strikeouts over six appearances.</p><p>The 33-year-old delivered dominant starts in the wild-card series, NLDS, and NLCS, allowing only two earned runs combined. However, Snell struggled in Games 1 and 5 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, surrendering 10 runs across the two starts.</p><p>Still, he was available for the epic Game 7 at Rogers Centre, emerging from the bullpen to toss 1 1/3 scoreless innings on two days' rest to set up the Dodgers' comeback. Snell handed the ball in the bottom of the ninth to fellow starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17234" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17234">Yoshinobu Yamamoto</a>, who delivered a performance for the ages on no rest to successfully defend L.A.'s championship.</p><p>"I was happy I was able to pitch the whole time," Snell told Harris. "But it was tough."</p><p>Snell isn't the only Dodgers veteran facing questions about his status in 2026. Yamamoto, also pushed to his limit in Game 7, is ramping up early to prepare for the World Baseball Classic, where he'll be Japan's ace. He threw 211 innings in 2025.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a>, meanwhile, is preparing for his first full season as a two-way player since 2023. Manager Dave Roberts said the four-time MVP may be given "six, seven, (or even) eight days off" between starts to help maintain his arm, according to Harris.</p><p>The Dodgers haven't made a major addition to their rotation this winter, but they're likely to try phenom <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/19077" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/19077">Roki Sasaki</a> - who excelled in relief during the playoffs - as a starter again. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18587" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18587">River Ryan</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/16566" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/16566">Kyle Hurt</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18585" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18585">Justin Wrobleski</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15809" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15809">Gavin Stone</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12497" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12497">Landon Knack</a> are also on the 40-man roster as depth options.</p>

TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 01: Blake Snell #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks to the dugout after being removed from the game during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game seven of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on November 01, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.

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Snell: WS run left arm 'exhausted,' will ramp up slowly in spring

The Houston Astros acquired right-handed pitcher Kai-Wei Teng from the San Francisco Giants in ex...

<p>The Houston Astros acquired right-handed pitcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12817" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12817">Kai-Wei Teng</a> from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for catcher/outfield prospect <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/19413" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/19413">Jancel Villarroel</a> and international bonus pool money, the teams announced Thursday.</p><p>Teng, who made his big-league debut in 2024, adds versatility to Houston's staff as a swingman. Although he primarily worked as a reliever in Triple-A last year, he started seven of his eight MLB appearances.</p><p>The 27-year-old Taiwan native posted a 6.37 ERA, 3.81 FIP, and 1.55 WHIP over 29 2/3 innings with San Francisco in 2025. He allowed just two homers and tallied 39 strikeouts in the majors for a stellar 11.8 K/9 rate, but he countered that by issuing 17 walks for a 5.2 BB/9 and hitting seven batters. At Triple-A last season, Teng recorded a 3.63 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 89 strikeouts (14.1 K/9) and 22 walks (3.5 BB/9) across 57 innings.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Houston plans to begin 2026 with a six-man rotation, according to Rome and Baggarly. Whether Teng will be a part of that rotation isn't clear, but he should get a chance, as the Astros will reportedly stretch him out as a starter in spring training.</p><p>Teng comes to the Astros with some additional flexibility, as he has two minor-league options remaining. He isn't arbitration-eligible until 2029 and won't reach free agency until 2032.</p><p>For San Francisco, trading Teng frees up a 40-man roster spot that'll likely go to outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5438" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5438">Harrison Bader</a>, who reportedly <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3464855" href="https://thescore.com/news/3464855">agreed</a> to a two-year deal with the club.</p><p>Villarroel, 21, was ranked by <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2025/astros/">MLB.com</a> as the Astros' No. 13 prospect at the end of 2025. Signed by Houston as an amateur free agent in 2022, he hit .259/.351/.388 with eight homers, 54 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases across 100 games between Low-A Fayetteville and High-A Asheville last year.</p><p>The Venezuelan is a natural catcher who can play multiple defensive positions. Villarroel spent significant time bouncing between catcher and left field in 2025, and he also has professional experience at right field, first base, and second base.</p><p>To make room for Teng on the 40-man roster, Houston designated right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13784" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13784">J.P. France</a> for assignment. France, 30, broke out as a key starter for Houston in 2023. However, he's made just six big-league appearances since then because of ongoing shoulder issues that required surgery two years ago.</p>

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 15: Kai-Wei Teng #66 of the San Francisco Giants delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 15, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Giants trade Teng to Astros for prospect

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman pushed back against criticism that he hasn't done ...

<p>New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman pushed back against criticism that he hasn't done enough to shake up the roster this winter, insisting the team will look different in 2026.</p><p>"First, we have good players. It's a collection of really talented players. It's not the same roster (as 2025), I would differ there," Cashman said Wednesday, according to <a href="https://x.com/snyyankees/status/2016639606553289055">Yankees Videos</a>. "We have some players at some point returning from the IL (next season) that are important players - (ace) <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2913" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2913">Gerrit Cole</a> being, obviously, one of them."</p><p>Cashman's comments come just days after New York finalized a five-year, $162.5-million contract to bring back <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4899" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4899">Cody Bellinger</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Yankees won 94 games in 2025 despite Cole's absence, reaching the playoffs for the seventh time in eight years under manager Aaron Boone. However, they finished second in the AL East after losing the tiebreaker to the Toronto Blue Jays, who then eliminated New York in the ALDS.</p><p>Cashman's response to the early playoff exit has centered around beefing up the starting rotation. New York's biggest acquisition this winter was right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12507" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12507">Ryan Weathers</a>, acquired from Miami for four prospects earlier in January. The Yankees also selected <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17858" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17858">Cade Winquest</a> from St. Louis in the Rule 5 Draft and traded for reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/17225" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/17225">Angel Chivilli</a> on Thursday.</p><p>The rest of the club's projected 2026 Opening Day roster remains largely unchanged from last year. New York handed out only two big-league free-agent contracts this offseason - re-signing both Bellinger and utility player <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5078" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5078">Amed Rosario</a> - while center fielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8203" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8203">Trent Grisham</a> returned after accepting the qualifying offer in November.</p><p>The Yankees <span style="margin:0px; padding:0px; text-align:left">may also not be done re-signing old friends, with <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/JackCurryYES">YES Network's Jack Curry</a> reporting Tuesday that the team is still discussing a reunion with first baseman <a target="_blank" href="https://thescore.com/wbc/players/1851">Paul Goldschmidt</a></span>, per <a href="https://sny.tv/articles/yankees-free-agency-trade-buzz-tracker-2025-26?utm_sf_post_ref=660551335&amp;utm_sf_cserv_ref=19556528">SNY</a>. If Goldschmidt did return, the right-handed hitter would platoon with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/16165" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/16165">Ben Rice</a> and help balance a lineup that Cashman <a href="https://x.com/BryanHoch/status/1997851681674174605">acknowledged</a> in December was too left-handed.</p><p>While defending his offseason moves Wednesday, Cashman pointed out that the roster will likely look quite different by October. He noted that the club acquired "a lot of weapons" ahead of the 2025 trade deadline and highlighted the anticipated returns of Cole, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4763" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4763">Carlos Rodón</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13802" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13802">Anthony Volpe</a> from injury as major boosts.</p><p>"We've had some additions from the second half (of 2025) that got their feet wet with the Yankees, some with success, some with failures or success," Cashman said. "But they'll now be in a position to join us with their feet on the ground and getting their sea legs under them - with a manager, too, learning how to utilize these guys, where they slot, and everything else."</p><p>He added: "So I disagree (that) it's the same team running it back. It's gonna be some differences. And the competition's gonna be different, too. In some cases, some (other) teams got better. In other cases, some teams you could maybe argue some teams got a little worse. Our division's the best in baseball. But long story short, one series (loss) ... is not gonna define what we think our capabilities are."</p>

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 15, 2022: Senior Vice President, general manager Brian Cashman of the New York Yankees looks on prior to Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on October 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Yanks' Cashman defends offseason moves: 'Not the same roster' as 2025

Things got more than a little chippy at the end of Tuesday's game between the New Orleans Pelican...

<p>Things got more than a little chippy at the end of Tuesday's game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder, leading to a near-brawl between the teams.</p><p>The action started heating up with a little over a minute to go in the fourth quarter and the Thunder up seven. Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams and New Orleans' Saddiq Bey got tangled up on an inbounds play and had to be separated after exchanging shoves. Both players received technical fouls.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jaylin Williams and Saddiq Bey get into it late in Thunder-Pelicans 👀<br><br>Both got hit with double techs.<a href="https://t.co/1salZU93P5">pic.twitter.com/1salZU93P5</a></p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/2016351095417684428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Tensions at Paycom Center then boiled over at the final whistle. After the Pelicans missed a final shot at the buzzer, Lu Dort and Jeremiah Fears got into it under the net, leading to both benches clearing. Dort appeared to try and grab Fears near his neck, but instead got a fistful of jersey as the pile grew larger.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lu Dort and Jeremiah Fears get into it after the buzzer 👀 <a href="https://t.co/AyVASuPsYy">pic.twitter.com/AyVASuPsYy</a></p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/2016370913625747962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"I wasn't too sure what happened," Thunder star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> told reporters postgame of Dort and Fears' exchange, including <a href="https://x.com/Joe_Sway/status/2016364217310302557?s=20">ClutchPoints' Josue Pavón</a>.</p><p>"I had heard them going back and forth after I made the last two free throws. ... And then I turned around and they were face-to-face. I'm sure it was nothing crazy though. Typical basketball scuffle."</p><p>Oklahoma City head coach Mark Daigneault felt the whole skirmish could've been avoided had the referees done a better job of managing the game down the stretch.</p><p>"I think that's a foul on Dort. And if it was, they should put a whistle on that play regardless of the score and time because if they do that, everybody stops playing and you can legislate the situation as you normally would," Daigneault said, per <a href="https://x.com/Joe_Sway/status/2016358934982889632?s=20">Pavón</a>. </p><p>"But because they didn't put a whistle on it, it's the end of the game. They can do nothing about it, and you end up with that situation."</p><p>When the dust settled, the Thunder walked away with a 104-95 win.</p>

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JANUARY 27: Saddiq Bey #41 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jaylin Williams #6 of the Oklahoma City Thunder exchange words during the second half at Paycom Center on January 27, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Thunder-Pelicans nearly brawl at buzzer after testy 4th quarter

With spring training looming, Zac Gallen's market seems to be finally gaining steam.  The Baltimo...

<p>With spring training looming, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9755" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9755">Zac Gallen</a>'s market seems to be finally gaining steam.</p><p>The Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, and Arizona Diamondbacks - Gallen's team for the last seven seasons - are showing interest in the veteran right-hander, <a href="https://x.com/MLBNetwork/status/2016285842591891751">Jon Heyman of MLB Network</a> reports.</p><p>Gallen is one of the best starting pitchers left on the free-agent market despite coming off a difficult 2025. He posted a career-worst 4.83 ERA and 8.2 K/9 along with a 1.26 WHIP in 192 innings with Arizona last season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>However, Gallen's just two years removed from finishing third in NL Cy Young voting as the ace of the D-Backs' 2023 NL pennant-winning staff. The 30-year-old is also one of the more durable starters in baseball, making at least 28 starts every year since 2022 and throwing at least 180 innings in three of the last four seasons.</p><p>If Gallen can bounce back in 2026, he'd be a great help to any of the reported clubs bidding for his services. The Cubs, Orioles, and D-Backs have all acquired starting pitching this winter but would benefit from slotting Gallen atop their rotations, where he'd lengthen their staffs.</p><p>Gallen rejected the D-Backs' qualifying offer in November, meaning he's tied to draft-pick compensation should he sign with another team before Opening Day.</p><p>The Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres also checked in on Gallen, although they're considered long shots to land him, according to Heyman.</p><p> </p>

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 15: Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on September 15, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Report: Orioles, Cubs, D-Backs interested in Gallen

Nathan Rourke is staying on the West Coast, as the CFL's reigning Most Outstanding Player has agr...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///cfl/players/149469" href="https://thescore.com/cfl/players/149469">Nathan Rourke</a> is staying on the West Coast, as the CFL's reigning Most Outstanding Player has agreed to a two-year extension with the BC Lions.</p><p>Rourke was scheduled to become a free agent next offseason before signing the extension.</p><p>"I'm honoured to continue my lifelong dream as a professional football player with the BC Lions," Rourke <a href="https://www.bclions.com/2026/01/27/rourke-remains-home-through-2028/?utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=dhtwitter&amp;utm_content=app.dashsocial.com/bc-lions/library/media/634535645">said</a> in a statement. "I'm fortunate to be part of an organization that believes in me and trusts me to lead both on and off the field. ... This organization has redefined family for me and I'm excited to keep chasing the goal of bringing a Grey Cup back to the West Coast."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Rourke, 27, is coming off a historic 2025 campaign that saw him join Hall of Famer Russ Jackson as the only Canadian QBs to be named MOP. He passed for a Canadian single-season record 5,290 yards along with 31 touchdowns and a 70.4 completion percentage. The dual-threat pivot also ran for 564 yards - tops among quarterbacks and eighth in the league overall - and 10 rushing majors.</p><p>The Oakville, Ontario, native was originally drafted by BC second overall in 2020. He briefly left the Lions in 2023 to pursue NFL opportunities before returning in August 2024.</p><p>BC went 11-7 last year to finish second in the West Division, but the team was eliminated by Saskatchewan in the West final. The Lions haven't played in a Grey Cup game since their most recent win in 2011.</p>

REGINA, CANADA - NOVEMBER 8: Nathan Rourke #12 of the BC Lions throws a pass during warm-up before the CFL Western Final game between the BC Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium on November 8, 2025 in Regina, Canada.

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Lions extend CFL MOP Rourke through 2028

Pittsburgh Pirates icon Andrew McCutchen doesn't seem pleased with how the team is treating him b...

<p>Pittsburgh Pirates icon <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1105" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1105">Andrew McCutchen</a> doesn't seem pleased with how the team is treating him before what could be the final year of his career.</p><p>McCutchen, who's currently a free agent, had harsh words for his longtime team Saturday, hours after Pirates general manager Ben Cherington was noncommittal about re-signing him.</p><p>"Andrew has meant a ton to the team. He's had an incredible run at two different times," Cherington told fans who asked about McCutchen at Saturday's PiratesFest, according to <a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2026/01/24/piratesfest-ask-management-accountability-bob-nutting-travis-williams/stories/202601240016">Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</a>. "Certainly his legacy as a Pirate is secure. Everybody with the Pirates, it's our desire to maintain a really good relationship with Andrew well into the future. Then we come back to our team. What is the job? The job is to build a team that gives us the best chance to win games when you're at the ballpark in June and July."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>He added: "Our approach this offseason has been laser-focused on what gives us the best chance to win more baseball games in Pittsburgh than we have in the past seasons. That's gonna continue to guide our decisions. So much respect for Andrew. That relationship is really important to us. We'll continue to communicate with him directly as the team comes together. We have more work to do."</p><p>Cherington's words apparently didn't sit well with McCutchen. Late Saturday, the 39-year-old lashed out at the Bucs on X while responding to Pittsburgh radio host Josh Rowntree, who suggested that the team should move on.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I wonder, did the Cards do this Wainwright/Pujols/Yadi? Dodgers to Kershaw?Tigers to Miggy? The list goes on and on. If this is my last year, it would have been nice to meet the fans one last time as a player. Talk to them about my appreciation for them over the years. Shake that… <a href="https://t.co/oB8Nq1bjng">https://t.co/oB8Nq1bjng</a></p>— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCUTCH22/status/2015280376088781216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"If this is my last year, it would have been nice to meet the fans one last time as a player," McCutchen wrote. "Talk to them about my appreciation for them over the years. Shake that little kid's hand or hug the fan that's been a fan since (Roberto) Clemente. You see, this is bigger than baseball! Bigger than looking at a 40-man roster and cherry-picking numbers that fit your agenda or prove why your opinion matters. The fans deserved at the very least to get that opportunity."</p><p>McCutchen's spent 12 of his 17 big-league seasons in Pittsburgh, where he broke out as a star and a beloved Pirate during the early 2010s. He was named 2013 NL MVP after leading the team to its first winning record and playoff appearance in 21 years.</p><p>Pittsburgh traded him (and Gerrit Cole) after the 2017 season, when both homegrown stars were nearing free agency. McCutchen played for four teams over the next five seasons before returning to the Pirates in 2023.</p><p>McCutchen hit .239/.333/.367 with 13 homers and 57 RBIs across 551 plate appearances as the Pirates' primary DH in 2025. In August, he told <a href="https://x.com/JMackeyPG/status/1957540927875989595">Mackey</a> that he wanted to keep playing in 2026. But when asked at that time if he wanted to come back to Pittsburgh, McCutchen stated that winning was his priority and he'd "have to take care of my business first."</p><p>The five-time All-Star reiterated his outlook in his comments Saturday.</p><p>"(I don't know) what the future holds for me at the present moment, but what I do know is, though I am 39, on the back end of my career, I still work everyday to be better than I was the year before," he wrote. "If there wasn't a burning desire to continue this journey, I would be home surrounded by my family, in which no one would judge or be surprised. But not yet. There's more work to do, and I'm not done, no matter what label to you try to stamp on me. Rip the jersey off of me. You don't get to write my future, God does."</p>

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 30: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on after a fan fell from the stands during the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on April 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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McCutchen rips Pirates after GM's comments on uncertain future with team

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish, who won't pitch in 2026 while recovering from elbow sur...

<p>San Diego Padres right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2901" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2901">Yu Darvish</a>, who won't pitch in 2026 while recovering from elbow surgery, refuted a report that claimed he's decided to retire.</p><p>Earlier Saturday, <a href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/01/24/padres-pitcher-yu-darvish-set-to-retire/">Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune</a> reported that Darvish had informed the Padres of his plan to walk away from baseball. While the 39-year-old did acknowledge in a post on X that he's considering "voiding (my) contract" with the Padres, he insisted that no decision has been made.</p><p>"Right now, I am fully focused on my rehab for my elbow, and if I get to a point where I can throw again, I will start from scratch again to compete," Darvish wrote. "If once I get to that point I feel I can't do that, I will announce my retirement."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You may have seen an article, and although I am leaning towards voiding the contract, there’s still a lot that has to be talked over with the Padres so the finer details are yet to be decided. <br>Also I will not be announcing my retirement yet. <br>Right now I am fully focused on my…</p>— ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) <a href="https://twitter.com/faridyu/status/2015178902596206685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"Yu has not made a final decision yet. This is a complicated matter we are still working through," Darvish's agent, Joel Wolfe, added in a statement obtained by <a href="https://x.com/Feinsand/status/2015173744705020369">Mark Feinsand of MLB.com</a>.</p><p>Darvish is under contract with the Padres through 2028. If he were to walk away now, he'd forfeit the $43 million left on his deal, barring a negotiated buyout settlement with the team.</p><p>Those negotiations may already be underway, as people involved in the process told Acee that details regarding a buyout amount still need to be worked out. Darvish may indeed be open to giving up a large chunk of the contract, sources told Acee.</p><p>Darvish has made 31 starts for San Diego over the last two seasons because of elbow problems and a personal issue in 2024. He missed the first three months of last season while recovering from elbow inflammation.</p><p>The 39-year-old made his 2025 debut in early July and posted a career-worst 5.38 ERA with 68 strikeouts and 14 homers allowed over 15 regular-season starts. He started Game 3 of San Diego's wild-card series but lasted just one inning and took the loss in what may have been his final major-league appearance. A few weeks later, he underwent internal brace surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, ending his 2026 season before it started.</p><p>Darvish has compiled a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 2,075 strikeouts (placing 80th all time) across 297 big-league starts with the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and Padres. He's a five-time All-Star and two-time Cy Young runner-up. He led the majors with 277 strikeouts in 2012.</p><p>Darvish is the only Japanese-born pitcher to record 2,000 strikeouts in the majors, and his 115 MLB wins are second only to Hideo Nomo among his countrymen. He and Nomo are the only pitchers with 3,000 combined strikeouts across MLB and Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.</p>

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the New York Mets during the fifth inning at Petco Park on July 30, 2025 in San Diego, California.

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Darvish refutes report that claims he's retiring

Washington Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni strongly rejected the notion th...

<p>Washington Nationals president of baseball operations Paul Toboni strongly rejected the notion that his team is actively trying to move shortstop <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12501" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12501">CJ Abrams</a> as part of the team's rebuild.</p><p>The San Francisco Giants apparently made an aggressive push to acquire Washington's All-Star shortstop and then shift him to second base, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6994852/2026/01/23/sf-giants-cj-abrams-trade-talks-josuar-gonzalez/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=mlbtw&amp;source=mlbtw">The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly</a>. However, the sides couldn't get a deal done.</p><p>"We'll field calls. I'll give you the cliche response that probably every GM in every sport gives, which is we'd be dumb not to listen, right? But it's not something like we're calling other teams and looking to trade CJ," Toboni told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Orc9hSfPWrI">106.7 The Fan's Grant &amp; Danny</a> when asked whether he's had discussions with rival executives about Abrams. "And part of the reason why I say that is because I think maybe more so than anyone on our roster, our staff is excited to get their hands on CJ and really work with him from a developmental standpoint."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Toboni added: "While we'll always listen, we're gonna take it day-by-day and see what comes our way. And if there's something that makes sense, hey, we'll talk about it. But it hasn't even come close at this point in time."</p><p>When asked if he sees Abrams playing shortstop for the Nationals, Toboni replied: "I do, yes."</p><p>Even before the team <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3461908" href="https://thescore.com/news/3461908">dealt</a> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12506" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12506">MacKenzie Gore</a> to Texas for five prospects, Abrams was seen as a potential trade piece for the rebuilding Nationals. The 25-year-old is one season removed from making the All-Star team and has three years of team control (including 2026) remaining.</p><p>San Francisco was apparently willing to part with its No. 2 prospect, shortstop Josuar Gonzalez, in a deal for Abrams, according to Baggarly. Other Giants prospects reportedly discussed with Washington included left-handers <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18888" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18888">Carson Whisenhunt</a> and Jacob Bresnahan, outfielder Bo Davidson, and shortstop Jhonny Level.</p><p>Abrams, who's played 13 games at second in the majors, would've joined a strong Giants infield featuring first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5400" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5400">Rafael Devers</a>, shortstop <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4784" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4784">Willy Adames</a>, and third baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5380" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5380">Matt Chapman</a>.</p><p>Instead, he'll remain a cornerstone of the Nationals for the foreseeable future. Abrams, who put up a .748 OPS with 19 homers in 144 games last season, will form one half of a rotating double-play combo with both <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9620" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9620">Luis García Jr.</a>, whom Toboni said will split time between first and second, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12677" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12677">Nasim Nuñez</a> in 2026.</p><p>The Giants, meanwhile, must now look for a second baseman elsewhere. They <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3454466" href="https://thescore.com/news/3454466">reportedly</a> held conversations with the St. Louis Cardinals about <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13675" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13675">Brendan Donovan</a> and spoke to the Chicago Cubs about <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10637" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10637">Nico Hoerner</a> earlier this winter. San Francisco was also apparently involved in trade talks with the Miami Marlins about starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9569" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9569">Edward Cabrera</a> before he was dealt to the Cubs, according to Baggarly.</p><p>Despite being linked to multiple top position players, San Francisco has done little this winter to improve its position player group. Potential backup catcher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15546" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15546">Daniel Susac</a>, a Rule 5 Draft selection in December, is the only bat whom the team has added since the offseason began.</p><p>The Giants' new plan is to try and find a bat in free agency, where they're targeting veteran outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5438" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5438">Harrison Bader</a>, Baggarly reports.</p><p> </p>

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 26: CJ Abrams #5 of the Washington Nationals rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Chicago White Sox at Nationals Park on September 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

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Nats' Toboni denies shopping Abrams amid Giants' reported pursuit

Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant will miss at least three weeks because of a sprained ulnar ...

<p>Memphis Grizzlies superstar <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62077" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62077">Ja Morant</a> will miss at least three weeks because of a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, the team announced Saturday.</p><p>The injury will keep Morant - who's been the subject of trade rumors for the last month - sidelined beyond the Feb. 5 trade deadline.</p><p>Morant apparently sustained the injury during the Grizzlies' home loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. It's unclear when or how it happened, although nothing appeared to be amiss during that contest. He scored 23 points in nearly 30 minutes of action against Atlanta, and missed a potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>However, Morant ended up missing Friday's loss to New Orleans because of the ailment.</p><p>The elbow issue continues an injury-plagued season for Morant, who's played in just eight games since Nov. 15 because of a lingering calf issue. Morant only returned from that ailment six days ago.</p><p>The 26-year-old has averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game across 20 contests in 2025-26.</p>

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 30: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at FedExForum on December 30, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Grizzlies' Morant sidelined through trade deadline with elbow injury

The face of the Cleveland Guardians isn't going anywhere.  Cleveland and superstar third baseman ...

<p>The face of the Cleveland Guardians isn't going anywhere.</p><p>Cleveland and superstar third baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4066" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4066">José Ramírez</a> have agreed to a four-year, $106-million extension, sources told <a href="https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/2015126919394525631">ESPN's Jeff Passan</a>. The new agreement is being tacked onto the final three years and $69 million of his current deal, turning it into a restructured seven-year, $175-million contract.</p><p>As with his original contract, the new deal includes a full no-trade clause and doesn't contain any opt-outs, a source told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6995697/2026/01/24/jose-ramirez-guardians-contract-extension/">Zack Meisel of The Athletic</a>. Ramírez also gets a slew of award bonuses, with the amounts now doubled from what they were previously, according to <a href="https://x.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/2015107224029278293">The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The restructured deal will see Ramírez earn $25 million per season starting this year, according to <a href="https://x.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/2015106761095553340">The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal</a>. That figure increases his 2026 salary by $4 million in 2026 and $2 million in '27 compared to the structure of his original contract, according to <a href="https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/american-league/cleveland-guardians/">Cot's Contracts</a>. It also includes $70 million in deferrals spread out over 10 years, Passan adds.</p><p>This agreement keeps Ramírez in Cleveland through his age-40 season, all but ensuring he'll finish his career as a Guardian. The 33-year-old's firmly established as one of the franchise's all-time greats; he ranks top three in Guardians history in nearly every important offensive category and is their all-time leader in plate appearances and extra-base hits. Barring injury, he'll surpass Terry Turner for the team's games played record - a mark that's stood since 1918 - in early April.</p><p>Ramírez's latest pact marks the second time that he's chosen to sign a seemingly team-friendly contract instead of pursuing millions more in free agency. He inked his original $141-million extension in April 2022, prior to starting what would have been a contract year. The Guardians were close to trading him to the Toronto Blue Jays or San Diego Padres before that deal got done, according to Meisel.</p><p>Originally signed by Cleveland out of the Dominican Republic in 2009, Ramírez reached the majors in 2013 and broke out three years later while leading the team to the 2016 AL pennant. The nine-time All-Star is a lifetime .279/.353/.504 hitter with 1,668 hits, 285 homers, 949 RBIs, and 287 steals across 13 seasons. Ramírez is one of only five players with at least three career 30-30 campaigns, while his six Silver Sluggers are tied with Mike Schmidt for second most at third base, trailing only Wade Boggs.</p><p>Ramírez enjoyed another stellar year in 2025, hitting .283/.360/.503 with 30 homers, 85 RBIs, and 44 stolen bases to record his second straight 30-40 season. He finished third in AL MVP voting - the fourth time he's been an MVP finalist - while also winning a Silver Slugger and being named a Gold Glove finalist.</p><p>Despite locking up its star, Cleveland is still projected to sport one of MLB's lowest payrolls in 2026. Its current payroll of around $97 million ranks 29th out of 30 teams, according to <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/tax/_/year/2026">Spotrac</a>.</p><p>Although they've generally operated as a low-budget team, the Guardians have enjoyed significant on-field success over the last decade, with seven playoff appearances since 2016 and division titles in three of the last four seasons. However, they were eliminated in the wild-card round by the division-rival Detroit Tigers in October despite having home-field advantage, extending the club's championship drought to 78 years.</p>

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 14: José Ramírez #11 of the Cleveland Guardians jokes with the Miami Marlins dugout during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on August 14, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Report: Guardians, Ramírez agree to 4-year, $106M extension

The New York Mets finally found their ace.  New York acquired two-time All-Star right-hander Fred...

<p>The New York Mets finally found their ace.</p><p>New York acquired two-time All-Star right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9771" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9771">Freddy Peralta</a> from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for top prospects <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/16155" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/16155">Jett Williams</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18990" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18990">Brandon Sproat</a>, the teams announced Wednesday.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Freddy Peralta on his IG story:<br><br>“LGM! 🐫🧡💙”<br><br>(via IG/fpd04____) <a href="https://t.co/JDwr0aSmyt">pic.twitter.com/JDwr0aSmyt</a></p>— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) <a href="https://twitter.com/SNY_Mets/status/2014192241686843903?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Mets also received right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13648" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13648">Tobias Myers</a> in the deal.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Peralta will earn $8 million in 2026 after the Brewers picked up the club option on his contract in November. The 29-year-old will be a free agent next winter.</p><p>Until then, he'll serve as the Mets' No. 1 starter, giving the rotation the anchor it desperately needed. Peralta's coming off a career-best season in Milwaukee, where he posted a 2.70 ERA, 3.64 FIP, and 1.07 WHIP along with 204 strikeouts and an NL-best 17 wins over 33 starts. For his efforts, the Dominican native finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting.</p><p>Since making his big-league debut in 2018, Peralta has been a mainstay in the Brewers' rotation throughout the first half of this decade. He's one of only two pitchers, along with the Toronto Blue Jays' <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8145" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8145">Dylan Cease</a>, to record 200-plus strikeouts in each of the last three seasons, according to <a href="https://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/2014173266135372135">Sarah Langs of MLB.com</a>.</p><p>Peralta's also familiar to Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who was the Brewers' general manager during most of Peralta's tenure in Wisconsin. Stearns initially traded for Peralta, then a Seattle Mariners prospect, in December 2015 and signed him to his current $15.5-million contract in 2020.</p><p>"Acquiring Freddy adds another established starter to help lead our rotation. Throughout the offseason, we sought to complement our rotation with another front-end pitcher, and we're thrilled we are able to bring Freddy to the Mets," Stearns said, per <a href="https://x.com/SNY_Mets/status/2014184295993127252">SNY</a>.</p><p><strong>Mets' projected 2026 rotation</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th>Pitcher</th>
<th>Throws</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Freddy Peralta</td>
<td>RH</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Nolan McLean</td>
<td>RH</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>David Peterson</td>
<td>LH</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Clay Holmes</td>
<td>RH</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Sean Manaea</td>
<td>LH</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Kodai Senga</td>
<td>RH</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Acquiring Peralta completes a busy week for the Mets. The club also recently signed star infielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9615" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9615">Bo Bichette</a> to a $126-million contract and added former All-Star outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9624" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9624">Luis Robert Jr.</a> in a trade with the Chicago White Sox.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What an incredible week. Let’s go Mets !</p>— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevenACohen2/status/2014182951592906856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Mets beat out a crowded field of suitors, including the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox, to land Peralta.</p><p>Meanwhile, Milwaukee receives two of New York's top young players in the deal. Williams and Sproat were ranked by <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/mets/">MLB Pipeline</a> as the Mets' No. 3 and No. 5 prospects, respectively, prior to the trade.</p><p>Williams, 22, was the Mets' first-round pick (14th overall) in 2022. The Dallas native split his 2025 season between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse, hitting a combined .261/.363/.465 with 17 homers, 52 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases across 486 plate appearances. Listed at just 5-foot-7, Williams is a versatile talent, with experience playing second base, shortstop, and center field.</p><p>Sproat, a right-handed pitcher, made his big-league debut late last campaign. In four September starts for the Mets, the 22-year-old put up a 4.79 ERA with 17 strikeouts. He spent most of 2025 in Triple-A, where he posted a 4.24 ERA and 124 WHIP with 113 strikeouts and 53 walks across 26 appearances (25 starts).</p><p>Myers owns a lifetime 3.15 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 165 strikeouts and 51 walks over 188 2/3 big-league innings since 2024. The 27-year-old spent his rookie season in Milwaukee's rotation before the club used him as both a starter and reliever this past year. He has one minor-league option left and won't reach free agency until 2030.</p><p>To make room for Myers on the 40-man roster, New York designated right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13601" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13601">Cooper Criswell</a> for assignment.</p>

TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 29: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in the fourth inning during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 29, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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Brewers trade Peralta to Mets in 4-player deal

The Los Angeles Angels are re-signing free-agent third baseman Yoán Moncada on a one-year, $4-mil...

<p>The Los Angeles Angels are re-signing free-agent third baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wbc/players/5008" href="https://thescore.com/wbc/players/5008">Yoán Moncada</a> on a one-year, $4-million contract, sources told <a href="https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/2014142092210061391">Jon Heyman of the New York Post</a>.</p><p>Moncada was the Angels' primary third baseman in 2025 after joining the club on a similar one-year pact last winter. Although thumb and knee injuries limited the 30-year-old to 84 games in 2025, he hit .234/.336/.448 with 12 homers and 35 RBIs across 248 plate appearances. Despite the abbreviated season, those totals marked Moncada's best offensive numbers in five years.</p><p>However, he struggled defensively at the hot corner. Once a sure-handed defender, Moncada rated as one of the worst third basemen in baseball last year, accruing minus-10 defensive runs saved and minus-13 outs above average. Meanwhile, his arm strength ranked in the 24th percentile. He also failed to play in 100-plus games for a third straight season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Both sides are hoping the reunion will help Moncada rediscover some of his old form in 2026. A strong first-half performance could also position the Angels to trade him if they're out of contention leading up to the deadline.</p><p>Moncada will presumably regain the everyday third-base job in Anaheim. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18783" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18783">Christian Moore</a>, the Halos' 2024 first-round draft pick who made his big-league debut last summer, had been projected to take over the job. But with Moncada back in the fold, Moore can start at his natural position of second base, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13794" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13794">Vaughn Grissom</a> moves into a utility role.</p><p>The Angels, coming off their 10th straight losing season and second consecutive 90-loss campaign, are having a busy winter, though most of their moves have been marginal. In addition to bringing Moncada back, they inked former All-Stars <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12291" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12291">Alek Manoah</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8362" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8362">Jordan Romano</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2077" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2077">Drew Pomeranz</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3735" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3735">Kirby Yates</a> to one-year deals. The team also traded for Grissom, outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12300" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12300">Josh Lowe</a>, and starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12265" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12265">Grayson Rodriguez</a>.</p><p>Originally signed by Boston after defecting from Cuba in 2015, Moncada is a lifetime .252/.332/.426 hitter with 105 homers and 374 RBIs across parts of 10 big-league seasons with the Angels, Red Sox, and Chicago White Sox.</p>

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 01: Yoán Moncada #5 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on June 01, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Report: Angels bring back Moncada on 1-year, $4M deal

The New York Mets acquired former All-Star center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White ...

<p>The New York Mets acquired former All-Star center fielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9624" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/9624">Luis Robert Jr.</a> from the Chicago White Sox for infielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15424" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15424">Luisangel Acuña</a> and right-handed pitching prospect Truman Pauley, the teams announced Tuesday.</p><p>The Mets are taking on the remainder of Robert's contract, <a href="https://x.com/Joelsherman1/status/2013831220715467219">Joel Sherman of the New York Post</a> reports. He's set to earn $20 million in 2026 and comes with a $20-million club option or $2-million buyout for 2027.</p><p>"We've got financial flexibility now to bring in (more) talent. We're going to be very active," White Sox general manager Chris Getz said following the trade, according to <a href="https://x.com/ChuckGarfien/status/2014011196458844425">Chuck Garfien of Chicago Sports Network</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Robert spent his entire six-year career with the White Sox, who signed him as an amateur free agent after he defected from Cuba in 2016. His best season came in 2023, when he was named an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger after hitting .264/.315/.542 with 38 homers, 80 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. He won a Gold Glove and placed second in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2020.</p><p>The Mets are hoping that a change of scenery will help the 28-year-old rediscover his form. Last season, Robert hit a career-low .223/.297/.364 with 14 homers, 53 RBIs, and 33 steals over 110 games while missing significant time with a hamstring injury. He's suffered from multiple ailments over the last few seasons, including a knee strain in 2023 and a hip flexor strain in 2024.</p><p>"Obviously the talent is real," Getz said of Robert, according to <a href="https://x.com/scottmerkin/status/2014020273603752201">MLB.com's Scott Merkin</a>. "Unfortunately, he hasn't had the consistency that he had hoped or we had hoped. I know that he cares about the game deeply, he wants to play well. It's a challenging game. I know injuries have really held him back."</p><p>Despite his offensive struggles, Robert remains a solid defender, tallying seven outs above average in center last year.</p><p>Robert will presumably take over as New York's everyday center fielder, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4063" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4063">Tyrone Taylor</a> sliding over to left field. Top prospect <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/19109" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/19109">Carson Benge</a>, who had been projected to break camp in center field prior to Robert's addition, could also still make the team as a corner outfielder.</p><p>Robert's right-handed bat will also help balance out what had been a lefty-heavy Mets lineup. He's the second righty bat added by the club in a few days following its signing of star infielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9615" href="/mlb/players/9615">Bo Bichette</a> to a three-year, $126-million contract.</p><p>The Mets added Robert to their outfield after being spurned by superstar <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8173" href="/mlb/players/8173">Kyle Tucker</a>, who rejected their $220-million offer in favor of a four-year, $260-million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. New York <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3458825" href="https://thescore.com/news/3458825">reportedly</a> had interest in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4899" href="/mlb/players/4899">Cody Bellinger</a> on a short-term contract before landing Robert.</p><p>New York now heads into 2026 with four new bats - Robert, Bichette, first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3558" href="/mlb/players/3558">Jorge Polanco</a>, and second baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3420" href="/mlb/players/3420">Marcus Semien</a> - in its lineup. The club traded stalwart <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3045" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3045">Brandon Nimmo</a> to Texas for Semien in November and allowed franchise icon <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8674" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8674">Pete Alonso</a> to depart in free agency.</p><p>Acuña, the younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8292" href="/mlb/players/8292">Ronald Acuña Jr.</a>, owns a .248/.299/.341 slash line with three homers, 14 RBIs, and 16 steals across 109 big-league games since 2024. He spent last season bouncing between New York and Triple-A Syracuse as a utility infielder.</p><p>The 23-year-old is a natural infielder and has experience playing second, third, and shortstop. Acuña's also been adding center field to his repertoire this winter, making 17 appearances in center while playing winter ball in Venezuela. He could head into spring as a candidate to earn the White Sox everyday center field job.</p><p>Pauley, 22, was the Mets' 12th-round draft pick out of Harvard this past summer. He recorded 91 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings as a sophomore and made three professional starts in Low-A after being drafted.</p>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 25: Luis Robert #88 of the Chicago White Sox at bat against the Kansas City Royals at Rate Field on August 25, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

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White Sox trade Robert to Mets

The National Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed two new members Tuesday, as the BBWAA elected Carlos ...

<p>The National Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed two new members Tuesday, as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3460429" href="https://thescore.com/news/3460429">the BBWAA elected</a> Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones into the class of 2026. Here are the biggest takeaways from the vote.</p><p><strong>Punishment served</strong></p><p>There are undoubtedly going to be a lot of folks outside of Houston - and particularly in Los Angeles - who are steamed at seeing Beltrán get the call because of his prominent role in the 2017 Astros' sign-stealing scandal. It's understandable as a fan, to be sure. But his election also signals that it's time for everyone to move on.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>To quickly review: Beltrán was the only Astros player publicly named in the commissioner's report on the scandal. Beltrán initially denied involvement, but was then cited as a central figure in the scheme. After that, he lost his job as Mets manager - a position he'd held for barely two months - before ever managing a game.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/554732/cropped_GettyImages-119901854.jpg?ts=1673903960" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/554732/w220xh124_GettyImages-119901854.jpg?ts=1673903960 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/554732/w320xh180_GettyImages-119901854.jpg?ts=1673903960 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/554732/w640xh360_GettyImages-119901854.jpg?ts=1673903960 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/554732/w768xh432_GettyImages-119901854.jpg?ts=1673903960 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/554732/w1080xh607_GettyImages-119901854.jpg?ts=1673903960 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Between losing the Mets job and waiting four years to get into Cooperstown, it's fair to say that Beltrán has now served his "punishment" of sorts. And that's enough. The entire saga, while blatantly against the rules, was nothing new to baseball, and not on the same level as other scandals. The history of illegal sign-stealing is well documented, dating back to the 1900s. Heck, the Astros weren't even the only team doing it in 2017. That was the same year the Boston Red Sox - who played Houston in the 2017 playoffs - were caught <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/05/sports/baseball/boston-red-sox-stealing-signs-yankees.html">using an Apple Watch</a> to steal opponents' signs.</p><p>Like they did with Roberto Alomar over his spitting incident, many voters decided to play gatekeeper for a couple of years to send some kind of message to Beltrán about his transgressions. Based on the vote totals, some may still hold it against him. That's their prerogative. But now he's officially served his time, and we can move on to celebrating his brilliant career.</p><p><strong>Changing trends</strong></p><p>Tuesday's election will be remembered as a celebration of center fielders, but it was also a big day for modern players with non-traditional Hall of Fame resumes. One player in particular, longtime Mariners ace Félix Hernández, should be pumping his fist after seeing the results.</p><p>Hernández was perhaps the biggest beneficiary of this year's wide-open ballot, leaping from 20.6% in his 2025 debut to 46.1% on this year's vote. That's a jump of 25.56%, giving him the largest year-over-year gain since modern BBWAA voting began in 1966, per <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/notmrtibbs.com/post/3mcvewd7qfk2g">Hall of Fame tracker Ryan Thibodaux</a>. It's an incredible turn of events for a player who many feared was going to go one-and-done last winter.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/84766/cropped_USPW_261967.jpg?ts=1768959812" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/84766/w220xh124_USPW_261967.jpg?ts=1768959812 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/84766/w320xh180_USPW_261967.jpg?ts=1768959812 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/84766/w640xh360_USPW_261967.jpg?ts=1768959812 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/84766/w768xh432_USPW_261967.jpg?ts=1768959812 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/84766/w1080xh607_USPW_261967.jpg?ts=1768959812 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports</span></figcaption></figure><p>Voters are starting to show that they're open to re-evaluating what a modern Hall of Famer looks like. This is of particular importance on the mound, where traditional benchmarks like high inning and win totals are going extinct. As Hernández is rising, Cole Hamels - the one newcomer with a legitimate chance of sticking around - debuted at 23.8%. Can he ride King Félix's coattails up the ballot? It's early, and Hamels will have to win a lot of folks over, but the early returns for the lefty are certainly positive.</p><p>All of this also applies to Chase Utley on the position player side. The Phillies great saw his support jump by nearly 20% from 2025, no doubt thanks to the logjam having been cleared above him. Utley's a favorite of the analytics crowd, and ranks among the greatest second baseman ever despite missing significant counting milestones such as 2,000 hits or inexplicably failing to win a Gold Glove. Now, he's maybe a year or two away from writing his speech.</p><p>Overall, it was a very good day for modern players whose cases are deeper and lack the more traditional round numbers associated with baseball immortality. What makes a Hall of Fame player changes with each era, and we're starting to see what 21st-century Baseball Hall of Famers will look like.</p><p><strong>A celebration of center</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492759/cropped_GettyImages-81592850.jpg?ts=1703607088" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492759/w220xh124_GettyImages-81592850.jpg?ts=1703607088 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492759/w320xh180_GettyImages-81592850.jpg?ts=1703607088 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492759/w640xh360_GettyImages-81592850.jpg?ts=1703607088 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492759/w768xh432_GettyImages-81592850.jpg?ts=1703607088 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492759/w1080xh607_GettyImages-81592850.jpg?ts=1703607088 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Sports Illustrated / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>For a position of such importance, it's kind of stunning to see that until Tuesday there were just 25 primary center fielders (including Negro League stars) in the Hall of Fame. Even more shocking was the fact that writers had elected just two center fielders this century before putting Jones and Beltrán in.</p><p>Jones, the first Curaçao native to reach Cooperstown, is being honored for his defense. He's the first player to be elected on the BBWAA ballot after failing to reach the 2,000-hit mark while playing entirely in the expansion era (since 1961). He did have some very good offensive years in Atlanta - perhaps even better than you might remember - but it's the glove that got him to Cooperstown. Defense matters, especially in center, and it's great to see the voting bloc finally reward a master of fielding at his position.</p><p>Beltrán, meanwhile, was simply the best of the best. A true five-tool talent, he's one of only eight players with 300 homers and steals, led multiple teams to October, and was highly regarded for both his skill and intelligence. There's no doubt that he would have reached 3,000 hits if not for some hard-luck injuries.</p><p>Here's hoping that the elections of Beltrán and Jones open the door for some long-overdue corrections in center field. Save for the active Mike Trout, Kenny Lofton, Cleveland's base-stealing wizard who unjustly went one-and-done in 2013, is now the best retired center fielder outside Cooperstown by <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/jaws_CF.shtml">JAWS</a>. Jim Edmonds, another defensive wizard who didn't have the offensive counting numbers, has also gone overlooked for too long.</p><p><strong>Quick hits</strong></p><ul>
<li>Alex Rodriguez finished with 40% of the vote in Year 5. Is that a sign that the tide is turning for the all-time great shortstop and face of the steroid era? Probably not. A-Rod's still going to need a major push to get over the 75% hump. It feels like he's headed for the same fate as Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens: aging off in the 65% range and then being shut out by committees.</li>
<li>Manny Ramirez, whose all-time great offense was stained by two PED suspensions near the end of his career, finishes his 10 years of eligibility having failed to crack the 40% mark. His fate now rests in the Era Committee's hands, and they've been very unkind to known PED users.</li>
<li>Andy Pettitte is another pitcher who's smiling tonight. The Yankees icon had another big jump and is now almost in the 50% range. Time isn't on his side - he's got two years left in front of the writers - but if nothing else he'll finish his 10 years of eligibility in a good spot to go in via the committees.</li>
<li>It's a bit surprising to see longtime closer Francisco Rodríguez, who ranks sixth all-time in saves, not gain more traction after Billy Wagner's election last year. Relievers are very hard to judge, but Rodríguez now is arguably the best closer outside the Hall, and he's stuck at 11.8%.</li>
<li>Jimmy Rollins and Bobby Abreu failed to get the big surges they were counting on. Rollins may be able to ride Utley's wave into the Hall over the long term, but Abreu - an oft-overlooked talent even when he was playing - is simply stuck in the mud.</li>
</ul>

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HOF takeaways: Beltrán's election helps baseball move on from Astros scandal 

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Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb

News Editor

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Josh Wegman

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