Bob Nightengale
@bnightengale.bsky.social
USA TODAY Major League Baseball columnist, BBWAA VP, Arizona chapter chairman, Hall of Fame voter, @Audacy MLB radio insider, usatoday.com/sports/mlb
The Miami Marlins have long coveted prized Cubs outfield prospect Owen Caisse if they are able to finalize a deal involving starter Edward Cabrera.
January 7, 2026 at 5:26 PM
The Miami Marlins have long coveted prized Cubs outfield prospect Owen Caisse if they are able to finalize a deal involving starter Edward Cabrera.
Cubs are finalizing a deal to acquire RHP Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins, per an industry source.
January 7, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Cubs are finalizing a deal to acquire RHP Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins, per an industry source.
The Toronto Blue Jays strike again, and sign Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto. Amazing offseason for the defending AL champions.
Jeff Passan on it.
Jeff Passan on it.
January 3, 2026 at 6:29 PM
The Toronto Blue Jays strike again, and sign Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto. Amazing offseason for the defending AL champions.
Jeff Passan on it.
Jeff Passan on it.
Remember when Tatsuya Imai and Munetaka Murakami were projected to earn in excess of $300 million in free agency?
Well, the duo combined for just $88 million with Imai getting 3-year, $54M from Astros and Murakami 2 years, $34 million from White Sox in surprising low deals.
Well, the duo combined for just $88 million with Imai getting 3-year, $54M from Astros and Murakami 2 years, $34 million from White Sox in surprising low deals.
January 1, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Remember when Tatsuya Imai and Munetaka Murakami were projected to earn in excess of $300 million in free agency?
Well, the duo combined for just $88 million with Imai getting 3-year, $54M from Astros and Murakami 2 years, $34 million from White Sox in surprising low deals.
Well, the duo combined for just $88 million with Imai getting 3-year, $54M from Astros and Murakami 2 years, $34 million from White Sox in surprising low deals.
The Baltimore Orioles, making another big move to return to the postseason, sign veteran starter Zach Eflin to a one-year deal.
December 29, 2025 at 1:11 AM
The Baltimore Orioles, making another big move to return to the postseason, sign veteran starter Zach Eflin to a one-year deal.
Miracle on small-budget highway:
The Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox had 3 of the 4 lowest payrolls in MLB last season.
But in the last 72 hours, they’ve spent $80.5 million on free agent signings after closer Pete Fairbanks’ 1-year, $13M deal with Miami.
The Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox had 3 of the 4 lowest payrolls in MLB last season.
But in the last 72 hours, they’ve spent $80.5 million on free agent signings after closer Pete Fairbanks’ 1-year, $13M deal with Miami.
December 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Miracle on small-budget highway:
The Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox had 3 of the 4 lowest payrolls in MLB last season.
But in the last 72 hours, they’ve spent $80.5 million on free agent signings after closer Pete Fairbanks’ 1-year, $13M deal with Miami.
The Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox had 3 of the 4 lowest payrolls in MLB last season.
But in the last 72 hours, they’ve spent $80.5 million on free agent signings after closer Pete Fairbanks’ 1-year, $13M deal with Miami.
The Pirates, after earlier adding Brandon Lowe, finally may provide some run support for Cy Young winner Paul Skenes.
The Pittsburgh Pirates dip into their piggy bank and sign free agent first baseman Ryan O’Hearn to a 2-year, $29 million contract for much needed offense. @/ByRobertMurray on it.
December 23, 2025 at 7:37 PM
The Pirates, after earlier adding Brandon Lowe, finally may provide some run support for Cy Young winner Paul Skenes.
The Pirates’ previous multi-year free-agent contract before Ryan O’Hearn’s two-year, $29 million deal came in December 2016, when they signed Ivan Nova for three years and $26 million.
December 23, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The Pirates’ previous multi-year free-agent contract before Ryan O’Hearn’s two-year, $29 million deal came in December 2016, when they signed Ivan Nova for three years and $26 million.
The Pittsburgh Pirates dip into their piggy bank and sign free agent first baseman Ryan O’Hearn to a 2-year, $29 million contract for much needed offense. @/ByRobertMurray on it.
December 23, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The Pittsburgh Pirates dip into their piggy bank and sign free agent first baseman Ryan O’Hearn to a 2-year, $29 million contract for much needed offense. @/ByRobertMurray on it.
The Chicago White Sox sign LHP Sean Newcomb to a 1-year, $4.5M contract.
December 23, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The Chicago White Sox sign LHP Sean Newcomb to a 1-year, $4.5M contract.
The Seattle Mariners sign OF Rob Refsnyder to 1-year, $6.25M deal. Jeff Passan with agreement; @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social on money.
December 22, 2025 at 9:42 PM
The Seattle Mariners sign OF Rob Refsnyder to 1-year, $6.25M deal. Jeff Passan with agreement; @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social on money.
Second baseman Jeff McNeil has been informed he has been traded from the Mets to the Athletics. Jeff Passan on it.
December 22, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Second baseman Jeff McNeil has been informed he has been traded from the Mets to the Athletics. Jeff Passan on it.
The Boston Red Sox officially announce the trade for 1B Willson Contreras
December 22, 2025 at 7:51 PM
The Boston Red Sox officially announce the trade for 1B Willson Contreras
The Red Sox, who will be responsible for $32.5 million of the $40.5 million owed to Willson Contreras, are now expected to end trade talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2B Ketel Marte.
December 22, 2025 at 1:20 AM
The Red Sox, who will be responsible for $32.5 million of the $40.5 million owed to Willson Contreras, are now expected to end trade talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2B Ketel Marte.
The other prospects are RHP Yhoiker Fajardo and RHP Blake Aita who are going back to St. Louis. @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social on full return.
Hunter Dobbins is the only player on the Red Sox 40-man roster going back to St. Louis in the Willson Contreras trade. The trade will include other fringe prospects and cash.
December 22, 2025 at 1:14 AM
The other prospects are RHP Yhoiker Fajardo and RHP Blake Aita who are going back to St. Louis. @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social on full return.
Hunter Dobbins is the only player on the Red Sox 40-man roster going back to St. Louis in the Willson Contreras trade. The trade will include other fringe prospects and cash.
December 22, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Hunter Dobbins is the only player on the Red Sox 40-man roster going back to St. Louis in the Willson Contreras trade. The trade will include other fringe prospects and cash.
The Boston Red Sox get their first baseman:
Swing trade for Cardinals 1B Willson Contreras.
The Cardinals will receive RHP Hunter Dobbins and prospects per Jeff Passan. It is the 2nd deal between the clubs in the last few weeks after starter Sonny Gray was traded to Boston.
Swing trade for Cardinals 1B Willson Contreras.
The Cardinals will receive RHP Hunter Dobbins and prospects per Jeff Passan. It is the 2nd deal between the clubs in the last few weeks after starter Sonny Gray was traded to Boston.
December 22, 2025 at 1:05 AM
The Boston Red Sox get their first baseman:
Swing trade for Cardinals 1B Willson Contreras.
The Cardinals will receive RHP Hunter Dobbins and prospects per Jeff Passan. It is the 2nd deal between the clubs in the last few weeks after starter Sonny Gray was traded to Boston.
Swing trade for Cardinals 1B Willson Contreras.
The Cardinals will receive RHP Hunter Dobbins and prospects per Jeff Passan. It is the 2nd deal between the clubs in the last few weeks after starter Sonny Gray was traded to Boston.
Next up for the Chicago White Sox after the Munetaka Murakami signing: They still would like to move CF Luis Robert for pitching depth and are engaged in talks with the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds.
December 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Next up for the Chicago White Sox after the Munetaka Murakami signing: They still would like to move CF Luis Robert for pitching depth and are engaged in talks with the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds.
Chicago White Sox win the Munetaka Murakami sweepstakes and sign the Japanese slugger to a 2-year, $34 million contract. The huge free-agent contract expected for Murakami just never materialized. Jeff Passan on it.
December 21, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Chicago White Sox win the Munetaka Murakami sweepstakes and sign the Japanese slugger to a 2-year, $34 million contract. The huge free-agent contract expected for Murakami just never materialized. Jeff Passan on it.
The Detroit Tigers officially announce signing of reliever Kyle Finnegan with details of his 2-year, $19 million contract:
2026: $8.75M
2027: $8M
2028: $10M mutual option or $2.25M buyout.
Performance bonuses:
$125,000 each for 40, 45, 50, and 55 games finished
2026: $8.75M
2027: $8M
2028: $10M mutual option or $2.25M buyout.
Performance bonuses:
$125,000 each for 40, 45, 50, and 55 games finished
December 21, 2025 at 12:20 AM
The Detroit Tigers officially announce signing of reliever Kyle Finnegan with details of his 2-year, $19 million contract:
2026: $8.75M
2027: $8M
2028: $10M mutual option or $2.25M buyout.
Performance bonuses:
$125,000 each for 40, 45, 50, and 55 games finished
2026: $8.75M
2027: $8M
2028: $10M mutual option or $2.25M buyout.
Performance bonuses:
$125,000 each for 40, 45, 50, and 55 games finished
Teams paid $90 million more in luxury taxes than last year’s record of $311.3 million
The Dodgers’ $169.3 million in luxury tax penalties are more than the entire payroll of 12 teams
December 19, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Teams paid $90 million more in luxury taxes than last year’s record of $311.3 million
The Dodgers’ $169.3 million in luxury tax penalties are more than the entire payroll of 12 teams
December 19, 2025 at 11:35 PM
The Dodgers’ $169.3 million in luxury tax penalties are more than the entire payroll of 12 teams
The final CBT payrolls with the Dodgers paying record taxes
December 19, 2025 at 11:34 PM
The final CBT payrolls with the Dodgers paying record taxes
The 3-way is now official.
The Pirates get their bat; the Astros get their starter; the Rays get their prospects.
Going to Pirates: Brandon Lowe, LHP Mason Montgomery, OF Jake Mangum.
Going to Astros: Mike Burrows.
Going to Rays: OF Jacob Melton and RHP Anderson Brito.
The Pirates get their bat; the Astros get their starter; the Rays get their prospects.
Going to Pirates: Brandon Lowe, LHP Mason Montgomery, OF Jake Mangum.
Going to Astros: Mike Burrows.
Going to Rays: OF Jacob Melton and RHP Anderson Brito.
December 19, 2025 at 8:59 PM
The 3-way is now official.
The Pirates get their bat; the Astros get their starter; the Rays get their prospects.
Going to Pirates: Brandon Lowe, LHP Mason Montgomery, OF Jake Mangum.
Going to Astros: Mike Burrows.
Going to Rays: OF Jacob Melton and RHP Anderson Brito.
The Pirates get their bat; the Astros get their starter; the Rays get their prospects.
Going to Pirates: Brandon Lowe, LHP Mason Montgomery, OF Jake Mangum.
Going to Astros: Mike Burrows.
Going to Rays: OF Jacob Melton and RHP Anderson Brito.
The deal is now official with the Orioles outbidding several other teams who made strong offers for Shane Baz. The Rays love OF Slater de Braun, who was the Orioles’ No. 6 prospect.
Prospects headed to Tampa Bay: Outfielders Slater de Brun and Austin Overn; catcher Caden Bodine; RHP Michael Forret; and a competitve balance round A pick.
The Baltimore Orioles grab at least one much-needed starter with Shane Baz in trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Prospects go back to TB per @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The deal is now official with the Orioles outbidding several other teams who made strong offers for Shane Baz. The Rays love OF Slater de Braun, who was the Orioles’ No. 6 prospect.