LOS ANGELES — There were two prevailing thoughts from some people around the Dodgers organization regarding Juan Soto's free agency this winter.

The team is probably unlikely to land the 26-year-old superstar, who is expected to command a contract upward of $700 million on a frenzied open market.

But, the Dodgers might as well try ...Read more

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Rays decided they had seen enough of enigmatic outfielder Jose Siri and traded him on Tuesday afternoon to the Mets for reliever Eric Orze.

Siri, 29, at his best provided elite-level defense, impressive power and game-changing speed, often one of the most exciting players on the field. But he also had lapses in ...Read more

NEW YORK — The Mets have their replacement for Harrison Bader.

The club traded minor league right-hander Eric Orze to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday for center fielder Jose Siri. A 29-year-old out of the Dominican Republic, Siri profiles similarly to Bader but comes at a reduced cost.

Much like Bader, who recently became a free agent after ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — Two hours before a crucial vote, the Tampa Bay Rays sent a stern letter to Pinellas County commissioners informing they can no longer move forward with a new stadium deal under the current terms.

However, the letter said the team stands “ready to work on a new solution” in Tampa Bay.

The letter, written by Rays presidents ...Read more

NEW YORK — If the Yankees want to dethrone the Dodgers, they may have to out-recruit them this winter.

The Yankees, fresh off of losing the World Series to Los Angeles, are currently focused on re-signing Juan Soto after the right fielder enjoyed a star-studded 2024 campaign in the Bronx. The Bombers, led by Hal Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman ...Read more

MIAMI — Clayton McCullough seems like a smart man. Friendly. Even-keeled. Quick with a thought, too, like when he was asked if he was a patient man and he said, “Only if I have to be.”

The game being played in South Florida is wondering why he wanted the Miami Marlins job, though there’s only 30 of them out there and this job represents...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes’ record-setting first MLB season allowed him to take home some much-deserved hardware.

The Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced on Monday evening that it had honored Skenes with its annual Rookie of the Year award for the National League. He is the second player in Pirates franchise history to win ...Read more

NEW YORK — Various tattoos grace Luis Gil’s body, yet it’s the three words lettering the front of his neck that always get attention.

“GOD BLESS ME,” they read in all caps. The ink, acquired last December, is a reminder, a motivator and a thank you, as Gil leaned heavily on his faith after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022.

...Read more

LOS ANGELES — You couldn't afford to attend the World Series. You couldn't get tickets to the Dodgers' championship celebration.

You may have already stocked up on championship merchandise, but you and your family would like to see the Dodgers in person.

The good news: Spring training is three short months away, and tickets for the Dodgers' ...Read more

SEATTLE — The Mariners will add another player to the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer.

Could there be more in the future?

On Monday morning, the Baseball Hall of Fame along with Baseball Writers Association of American (BBWAA), released the official voting ballot for induction in 2025.

Ichiro headlines a group of 14 players added to this ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Steve Aschburner was a top-notch Timberwolves beat writer for The Minnesota Star Tribune in the 1990s. As prolific as he was, he couldn’t do it all by himself.

That’s where I came in.

In 1999, after covering a Twins team that went 63-97-1, I was assigned as Aschy’s backup on the Wolves beat. One day, as I headed to ...Read more

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — At the time, the moment seemed unremarkable. A ground ball to Taylor Walls. An underhand flip to Jose Caballero to force Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at second base. A completed 4-3 Rays victory in their final home game of a frustrating 2024 season.

Is it really possible that was the closing act in the life of ...Read more

Only one Paul Skenes major league rookie debut patch autograph card exists.

It can be found in a pack of 2024 Topps Chrome Update cards.

The Pittsburgh Pirates want that card.

Badly.

The team made quite an offer Friday on X — with a bonus thrown in by Skenes' famous girlfriend — to whomever ends up in possession of the unique and ...Read more

Major League Baseball last expanded in 1998. For years, commissioner Rob Manfred has maintained the league would not consider expansion until the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays resolved their stadium situations.

In September, the A's played their final game in Oakland, en route to Sacramento next year and eventually Las Vegas. In July, ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers reliever Brusdar Graterol is expected to miss the first half of next season after undergoing surgery Thursday on the labrum in his right shoulder, the team announced.

Graterol's surgery comes after a season plagued by shoulder troubles, in which he made just seven regular-season outings and missed the first two rounds of...Read more

ATLANTA — Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale is the 2024 National League Comeback Player of the Year.

In his first season in Atlanta, Sale won a triple crown — achieved by leading the NL in wins, ERA and strikeouts. He finished with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts.

On Nov. 20, Sale is expected to win the first Cy Young Award of his ...Read more

SAN DIEGO — It’s that time, once again.

Time to behold the A.J. Preller Effect on baseball’s national media, as they report and pontificate on potential splashy trades or free-agent signings to come.

Preller’s bold track record demands that every pundit or reporter mention the Padres as a potential destination for almost every ...Read more

The Angels signed veteran infielder Kevin Newman, who could provide depth across the infield, the team announced on Thursday.

Shortstop Zach Neto, third baseman Anthony Rendon and utility infielder Luis Rengifo will all be coming off injuries next season, and Newman could fill in for any of them.

The Angels previously added Scott Kingery, who ...Read more

TAMPA, Fla. — The Rays are planning to play the 2025 season at Tampa's Steinbrenner Field, spring training home of the rival New York Yankees.

The Rays have been looking for an interim home since Hurricane Milton caused extensive damage to Tropicana Field last month. Under a repair plan revealed Tuesday, the Trop won’t be playable until the...Read more

SAN DIEGO — By now, the depths of Jackson Merrill’s terrific 2024 season have been duly plumbed. All that remains is to find out Monday if baseball writers chose the Padres’ center fielder as the National League’s Rookie of the Year.

But worth a few moments of exploring, here, following, are side benefits to A.J. Preller being right ...Read more