ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that the Rangers "are trying to deal outfielder Adolis Garcia and catcher Jonah Heim before Friday's tender deadline."
Garcia has been battling injuries the last few seasons and is entering the final year of his contract. He hit .227/.271/.394 last season with 19 home runs and 13 steals. His power production and batting average have fallen off from his 2023 high, and Jonah Heim also regressed back down to earth after his outstanding 2023 season. Passan notes that both of them could be non-tendered if a deal is not made.
(Nov 18 -- NBC Sports)
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Ryan Helsley's poor second half "hasn't hindered his market" this offseason.
Helsley was brutal after coming to the Mets at the trade deadline, posting a 7.20 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, and 22/11 K/BB ratio in 20 innings. However, Passan notes that "Helsley, with his 100 mph fastball and 90 mph slider blowing up stuff models, is going to get paid." Had he finished the season strong, he may have commanded a deal pushing $100 million, but Passan believes that he will still get about $50 million on a multi-year deal this offseason.
(Nov 18 -- NBC Sports)
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that free agent RHP Cody Ponce "is going to land the largest deal for a KBO-to-MLB jump."
The 31-year-old Ponce made just five MLB starts and threw 55.1 MLB innings before leaving the States in 2022 to play in Japan. He then went to play in the KBO in 2025, where he "remade his body," which allowed him to gain three mph on his fastball. He also learned a splitter and won almost every major award in the league while posting a 17-1 record, 1.89 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 252/41 K/BB ratio over 180 2/3 innings in 29 starts for the Hanwha Eagles. He'll be an intriguing name to watch this offseason.
(Nov 18 -- NBC Sports)
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that many teams view Michael King as "a nine-figure sort of talent," who won't command that much on the market due to injuries.
The 30-year-old King was limited to just 15 starts this season due to a shoulder injury and has just one full MLB season as a starting pitcher, back in 2024, so there are some concerns about his durability. If not for those, Passan indicates that "King might be at the top of the free agent pitchers list." Many teams view him as a nine-figure talent, but the expectation is that he will get a similar deal to Nathan Eovaldi's three-year, $75 million deal from last offseason. That has many teams in the market for King, including low-revenue teams.
(Nov 18 -- NBC Sports)
Konnor Griffin: Could compete for shortstop job
The Pirates are "strongly considering" giving Griffin the opportunity to win their starting shortstop job, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
(Nov 18 -- Rotowire)
Snyder's Soapbox: 'Can't beat 'em, join 'em' attitude is weak work for athletes
In a perfect world, players would rather rally up against the big bad wolf instead of joining forces
(Nov 18 -- CBS Sports)
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Japanese RHP Tatsuya Imai "could easily wind up the highest-paid starter this winter."
According to Passan, Imai, Framber Valdez, and Dylan Cease are likely to command the biggest offers on the free agent market. However, Imai is only 27 years old and is viewed by some organizations as similar to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, given their stature, upper-90s fastballs, and deep pitch mixes. Passan also notes that some teams are "just not in on him" for whatever reason, but Imai's market figures to be a strong one this offseason.
(Nov 18 -- NBC Sports)
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that free agent INF Luis Arreaz doesn't "warrant a big-money deal" in the eyes of many executives.
Arraez is one of the best contact hitters in baseball. He's won three batting titles and led the NL in hits in 2025. However, he is also a poor defender, a mediocre baserunner, and has very little power. At a time in the league where batting average doesn't hold the value that it used to, Arraez is unlikely to command a big deal. Passan notes that he "won't be begging for a job," but his poor defensive profile and limited offensive skill set will force him to take a smaller deal than you might expect from a batting title champion.
(Nov 18 -- NBC Sports)
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Kyle Schwarber is in such demand this offseason that his offers will likely bump his "average annual value to more than $30 million a year."
Schwarber's age and position inflexibility make him unlikely to get a long-term deal. In fact, Passan said he's unlikely to get more than a five-year deal, which means contenders are more inclined to pay him a big yearly fee. Schwarber has also ironed out a lot of his weaknesses against left-handed pitching and has some of the best power and plate discipline in the league. Passan lists the Red Sox, Phillies, Pirates, Mets, Blue Jays, and Tigers as teams that are interested in Schwarber, who could be one of the first big bats to sign this offseason.
(Nov 18 -- NBC Sports)
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that the Pirates "are strongly considering giving" SS prospect Konnor Griffin "the opportunity to win their big league shortstop job."
Griffin is the top prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline and many other rankings sites. He's just 19 years old, but he hit .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 steals in his first professional season after Pittsburgh drafted him 9th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. As Passan notes, the last teenager to debut in the majors was Juan Soto back in 2018, and the Pirates are certainly not a win-now team, so it feels unlikely Griffin will actually open the season as the team's shortstop, but he may not be that far away.
(Nov 18 -- NBC Sports)
2025-26 MLB Offseason Preview: NL Central
Cubs look to spend big in effort to supplant Brewers atop division. The post 2025-26 MLB Offseason Preview: NL Central appeared first on Pitcher List.
(Nov 18 -- TheRotoFeed)
Starting Pitcher Stuff+ Risers & Fallers Apr 28 2025, A Review
Did their changed Stuff+ marks stick all season? Source
(Nov 18 -- TheRotoFeed)
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that Johan Oviedo is generating interest on the trade market.
The 27-year-old Oviedo missed all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and then was delayed to start 2025 with a lat strain. However, he posted a 3.57 ERA in nine starts in 2025 while showing off an upper-90s fastball and improved shapes on his two-seam and four-seam fastball. Pair that with a slider that has been a plus pitch for him, and teams see the makings of a solid back-of-the-rotation starter. Rosenthal reports that the Pirates would much rather trade Mitch Keller and his $54.5 million salary over the next three years, but both right-handers are names to watch this offseason.
(Nov 18 -- NBC Sports)
The Opener: QO Deadline, Rule 5 Protection Deadline, Naylor
Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today: 1. Deadline for qualifying offer decisions: Today’s the deadline for players who were extended the qualifying offer to make their decisions on whether to accept the QO or head into free agency encumbered by draft pick compensation.…
(Nov 18 -- MLB Trade Rumors)
Cowboys cruise to victory over Raiders; Virginia Tech hires James Franklin
Plus, an injury could cost Victor Wembanyama major award consideration; LSU flies Ole Miss coach's family to Baton Rouge for tour
(Nov 18 -- CBS Sports)