Kaplan: Jason Robertson’s superstar rise, trade targets and other rumblings around NHL
Welcome to December in the NHL, where parity reigns more than ever and no lead is safe. And while I’ve heard plenty of theories on why — defense taking a backseat, special teams mattering more, a rash of injuries, the rebuilding teams improving faster than expected — do we really care to figure out why? It’s been a thrilling season on the ice, and the game arguably has never been in a better place.
Off the ice, things have been a bit quieter for now. But storylines should ramp up by the end of the month following the holiday freeze. In the meantime, here’s the buzz I’m hearing about teams, trades, hot seats, injuries and more.
Let’s begin with one of the buzziest players in the league at the quarter mark:
Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill has long known Jason Robertson had star potential. But even the GM admits: He didn’t know the 23-year-old would be this dominant this soon. “We knew he was a good player, but what he’s doing right now is very special,” Nill told ESPN on Friday. “He’s taking it to the next level.”
Riding an 18-game point streak into Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+/Hulu), Robertson is leading the league with 23 goals and has a legitimate shot at MVP. He’s turning into appointment television. As the hype train rolls on, Nill can pinpoint the exact reason for Robertson’s success.
“He’s so committed to getting himself better,” Nill said. “He has a special gift. He has great hockey sense, great hands, great puck skills. But he simply doesn’t stop working. He works all the time.”
Rewind to late August when I visited Robertson at his offseason home outside of Detroit to film a video feature, which airs on “The Point” on Tuesday (6 p.m ET, ESPN2). It was amid Robertson’s prolonged contract negotiations with the Stars, which bled into the preseason (he eventually signed a four-year, $31 million deal).
Robertson told us if we wanted to experience an authentic summer day with him, we’d have to show up early. He typically arrived at the rink before the sun came up, getting his first skating session in at 6 a.m. A week prior, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were playing at Comerica Park. As a rock fan, Robertson wanted to go — but decided against it. He knew if he stayed out late, it would mess up his skating session the next morning.
The work ethic was instilled by his family. Robertson’s mother, Mercedes, was born in the Philippines and moved to the U.S. when she was three. His father, Hugh, is a lawyer.
“My mom always told me, ‘Filipino culture is about hard work and family,'” Robertson said. “Growing up, that’s pretty much what our lifestyle was.”
The Robertsons built a synthetic rink in their backyard in California so the kids could get more ice time — until neighbors complained to the homeowner association, and they had to take it down. When Jason was 10, his family pulled him and his brother Nick (now a forward with the Maple Leafs) out of school and relocated them to Michigan, where there were more competitive hockey opportunities. They were homeschooled, which brought the brothers even closer.
The Stars saw Robertson’s work ethic come through as soon as he went pro. He slipped to the second round of the 2017 draft, mostly because of questions about his skating. He kept that work ethic in the AHL, working closely with Rich Peverley on the Stars development staff. And after Robertson went through the entire 2020 playoff bubble as a Black Ace — spending 66 days in Edmonton without getting a single minute of game action — Peverley found a team in Europe where Robertson could get some playing time. Robertson respectfully declined; he believed what was best for him was going to Michigan to work on getting faster and stronger. He returned to Dallas the next season, and was the runner-up for the Calder Trophy, with Kirill Kaprizov taking home the honor.
As for why it’s all clicked for him in the NHL? Robertson credits his teammates and the organization for giving him space to find his game.
“When you’re a skill player, and you do things that skill players do, and it doesn’t work, you can’t lose that confidence or ability to say, ‘OK I’m going to try again because it will work out in the end,'” Robertson said. “I’m fortunate that the coaching staff allowed me to do that, they were pretty open with me trying things, knowing the type of player I am. And my teammates are great at keeping me honest. That allowed me to keep trying things, and stay persistent, until I could find my own momentum.”
THE STARS HAVE exceeded expectations early, leading the competitive Central Division. Most importantly in the big picture: They successfully staved off a rebuild. There was a time it felt inevitable, given Dallas had nearly $20 million in salary cap space devoted to two players (Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin) who appeared to be regressing.
Instead, it’s been a retool on the fly.
“In this business, we’re all greedy,” Nill said. “I don’t want to go through the highs and lows. But we’re fortunate here, I think we got through our dip. We were able to be patient, not overreact to things, and right now we feel like we’re in good shape.”
The Stars wouldn’t be this well-positioned if they didn’t hit on so many draft picks over the last several years. They’ve seamlessly transitioned to a new core, including 2015 second-rounder Roope Hintz (who just signed an eight-year, $67.6 million extension last week) plus Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger and Robertson, all drafted in 2017. Nill is also giddy about their AHL depth, citing a handful of players “on the cusp” of breaking through in the NHL.
Nill cautions you never know how long a player’s development path will take, adding that the pandemic messed up some timelines. So what we’re seeing now is a confluence of good drafting, good development and good timing.
But the 2022-23 Stars would not be seeing this success without the resurgence of their highest paid veterans, specifically Benn, who has nearly doubled his point-per-game pace from last season, with 26 points and 10 goals in his first 25 games.
“He’s rejuvenated,” Nill said. “He changed his training last summer. He lost some weight. He was on the ice all summer, less weight, more speed training. He knew his game needed to get quicker and faster.”
Nill said Benn is enjoying the assignment of playing with younger players like Wyatt Johnson and Ty Dellandrea.
“He’s still the old Jamie Benn,” Nill said. “He plays a physical game, and the way he plays he’s fighting his way the whole time. There’s not a lot of players like that in today’s game.”
Seguin is also looking better — which Nill credits to time and patience following the 30-year-old’s double hip surgery following the 2020 bubble.
“I don’t think people understand how hard it can be on the player,” Nill said. “People think, you have surgery, you’re better now. But it really takes a year, year and a half to get you back to where you are. So right now, we’re reaping the rewards.”
Latest on coaches
There haven’t been any coaching changes this season, but there are a few situations to monitor.
It’s an important few games coming up for the New York Rangers, who find themselves at a pressure point. Monday night was a key come from behind win against the Blues, and if the Rangers keep it up, all will be well. But I’ve been told that Rangers owner Jim Dolan has been paying close attention to Gerard Gallant recently. According to sources, Dolan wants Gallant to take more accountability for the team’s recent swoon. While it seems crazy to fire a coach this soon after a trip to the conference finals, such is life in professional sports and specifically the New York market.
The Vancouver Canucks had explored options to replace Bruce Boudreau last month, then the team started to win again. But his tenure in Vancouver is hanging on by a thread. Boudreau is in the last year of the deal and the expectation is that there will be a new coach in Vancouver next season, no matter how this one shakes out.
And while the Ottawa Senators under D.J. Smith have underachieved so far, it would be surprising to see a change before the new ownership group takes over.
Trade market slow to pick up
Things have been relatively slow on the trade front; typically we get at least one or two transactions by Thanksgiving. Talks are expected to heat up around the league after the holiday freeze around Christmas, though we are starting to get a clearer picture of what teams and players could be in play.
Defenseman Jakob Chychrun is the big name, but the Arizona Coyotes have maintained a high asking price; it’s greater than the first-round pick, two second-round picks and two players that the Anaheim Ducks received for Hampus Lindholm last season ahead of the trade deadline.
The Los Angeles Kings are believed to be in the mix for Chychrun. At the same time, they are trying to clear a log jam on the right side of their defense. The Maple Leafs are looking to add and the priority is defense given how banged up their blue line is. The Calgary Flames could aggressively add, and always keep an eye on the Tampa Bay Lightning for making a sneaky splash.
The Florida Panthers have been so pressed for cap space they’ve been unable most nights to dress a full 23-man roster. While it was initially pressing to clear space for Anthony Duclair, who could return as soon as this month, Patric Hornqvist going on long-term injured reserve buys them some time.
THE TEAMS EXPECTED to unload multiple players with expiring contracts at the deadline include the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks. All of those teams, plus the Coyotes, could also act as third-party brokers as retaining salary is expected to be a big trend once again this season.
Will Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews be traded at the deadline? Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz has made it clear to both players that their numbers will be retired one day and has promised them that the organization would treat them with respect through the process. So the ball is in their court. GM Kyle Davidson is waiting for Kane and Toews, who both hold no-movement clauses, to come to him with whatever direction they’d like to go; he’s not going to push them either way.
On Kane specifically, I’ve been told he’s not looking to move, but as the wheels are expected to come off even more for Chicago on the ice over the next month, he’s keeping his options open.
Many in the league are curious how aggressive the New Jersey Devils will be considering their blazing hot start. When I saw GM Tom Fitzgerald in New Jersey on Monday, he reiterated what he told me earlier in the year: He’s always looking for ways to improve, but philosophically believes a team is built during the summer, not during the season. So he’s looking for “hockey trades” with the long-term vision in mind.
The Washington Capitals must remain flexible to clear room for when Tom Wilson and Nicklas Backstrom return, which means they’re limited in how much they’ll be able to add. The Columbus Blue Jackets are looking to make some moves. With the news that Jakub Voracek is taking time away to deal with concussions — and could potentially be done playing — it’s a strong possibility he goes on LTIR.
Kraken a second season surprise
One of the biggest surprises is how improved the Seattle Kraken have been in their second season. With a seven-game winning streak before losing Saturday, they’re second in the Pacific Division and top five in goals scored per game. Not bad for a team that finished with the NHL’s third worst record last season.
“We believed our play was better than our record said last season,” GM Ron Francis told ESPN on Friday. “At the end of the day, your record is what it is. But it’s no secret we struggled with our goaltending. We didn’t feel we were giving up as much as the goals were going in. That’s changed this year. And of course, scoring also helps. We’re not a team that can rely on a superstar or a guy that can carry us night in and night out. But the beauty is we’re getting contributions all over the lineup.”
Matty Beniers, Seattle’s first draft pick (No. 2 overall in 2021), is maybe better than advertised with 10 goals and 21 points in 24 games — including a breakaway overtime winner against the Capitals last week. And it helps to have a healthy Jaden Schwartz (limited to 37 games last season) and Brandon Tanev (30).
The Kraken aren’t looking for pity for why last season derailed, but there are legitimate reasons. A false positive COVID scare before the season opener was hardly ideal. As the players and families adjusted to the new city, the team had a hard time galvanizing.
“We had several team-building things planned last year, to try to get to know each other,” Francis said. “We had to cancel all of them. Every single one [because of COVID]. This year we had a normal training camp. We were able to get a few golf trips and team dinners in, and that certainly helped us feel more like a team.”
FRANCIS SAID THE team will decide over the next month what direction they’ll go at the trade deadline. But after unloading six players at last year’s deadline, including captain Mark Giordano, the Kraken may be able to pivot this time around if they keep winning. Francis feels great about how many draft picks the Kraken have in the coming years, and will have to weigh how many assets they’re willing to give up to make a playoff push this year.
Max Pacioretty could be Canes’ biggest addition
The Carolina Hurricanes are in decent shape despite a string of early injuries — though they’d be more comfortable if they could consistently score more. It’s one of the biggest reasons they traded for Pacioretty this offseason, who is still rehabbing from Achilles tendon surgery in August.
There’s no timetable for Pacioretty’s debut, but he’s been ramping up his training. Over the last two weeks, the winger has had a cadence of skating for two days, then taking a day off. Pacioretty is anxious to play. He hasn’t had any setbacks and has been feeling good skating. But those around him are preaching patience. Red Wings defenseman Mark Pysyk also underwent Achilles tendon surgery in July. In one of his first practices back in late November, Pysyk reinjured the tendon — a reminder that no matter how good the athlete feels, there’s a natural healing process that needs to take place.
The Canes return from a long road trip Dec. 15. Around that time, Pacioretty will undergo more X-rays and MRIs, which should provide clarity on his timeline.
The Hurricanes are viewing Pacioretty as their “trade deadline add,” but that doesn’t mean they aren’t exploring other options too. When I asked GM Don Waddell if his team could be a third party broker at this year’s deadline, he said, “We’d rather use the cap space with LTI to see if we could help our team.” Scoring is the team’s biggest need.
An underreported story of the Canes is the emergence of 23-year-old goalie Pyotr Kochetkov, who agreed to a four-year, $8 million extension last month.
“Goaltenders are always risky, but we saw enough from him in the KHL, last year in the playoffs and saw there was an opportunity to sign him to a long-term deal,” Waddell said. “It could fizzle out from our end. If he keeps up his play on his end, he may have left money on the table. But at the time, both parties were really happy. He’s making an NHL salary now, which allows him to take care of his family.”
A few shoutouts
In making calls this week, many sources wanted to share kudos for players and coaches having great seasons.
Let’s begin with a team: the Detroit Red Wings. One veteran player in the Eastern Conference could not stop gushing about Detroit to me after playing them last month.
“That team is going to be so legit so soon,” the player said. “They have the talent, they also have the swag. Watch out for them.”
I asked one assistant coach in the Eastern Conference to identify a breakout player for the 2022-23 season. He focused on Buffalo.
“The Sabres also impress me, they’re never out of games, they compete hard,” the coach said. “Tage Thompson is a player that came out of nowhere for me — not a guy I knew a lot about, and all of the sudden he looks like a dominant guy in this league. He’s showing a lot of versatility and creativity. Works hard on every shift. More than just a big body.”
The Sharks have the best penalty kill in the league right now. Give credit to assistant coach Ryan Warsofsky, who runs San Jose’s penalty kill and defense. At age 35, he is a rising star in the coaching industry. He led the Chicago Wolves to the Calder Cup last season and should get head-coaching looks over the next few years.
The MLB winter meetings are underway in Orlando, Florida, with the baseball industry gathering for an action-packed week of rumors, signings and trades — including big splashes by top NL powerhouses with the Philadelphia Phillies bringing back Kyle Schwarber and the Los Angeles Dodgers adding top closer Edwin Diaz.
We’ve got it all covered for you, from our predictions going into the meetings to the latest updates and analysis as the moves go down.
Which big free agents will pick a team? Who will be mentioned in blockbuster trade discussion? And what rumors will rule the week? Check out our predictions and refresh often for the latest intel and reaction as the week unfolds.
Key links: Olney, Passan: Latest intel | Every team’s plan | FA tracker | Grades
Winter meetings news and rumors
Dec. 9 buzz
Why Marlins, Orioles could be a trade match
The Marlins are active in trade talks with multiple teams for Edward Cabrera, a 27-year-old right-hander who has been considered the most likely among their controllable starters to be moved, a source familiar with the situation said. At this point, the Orioles are the most advanced in those talks, as first reported by The Athletic. If completed, it’s an ideal fit. The Orioles are in need of a top-of-the-rotation starter and the Marlins are seeking controllable offensive pieces. — Alden Gonzalez
Will Dodgers make another free agency splash for a star outfielder?
Now that the Dodgers have solved their glaring ninth-inning problem, agreeing to a three-year, $69 million contract with Edwin Diaz, they can shift their focus to adding an outfielder. And until he comes off the board, they’ll continue to be linked to top free agent Kyle Tucker.
The Dodgers aren’t expected to get into the $400 million range on a long-term deal, but like with Diaz, they’ll remain on the periphery in case a short-term, high-AAV deal makes sense. That might not be the case for Tucker, who’s 28 and widely considered the best free agent available. Another option is Cody Bellinger, though it remains to be seen whether both sides are truly interested in a reunion. Of note: Both of those players are attached to a qualifying offer, as was Diaz.
Asked Tuesday night if he could see himself making another big free agent signing, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said: “I would say we definitely can. Whether that makes the most sense within the timing of our roster — there’s so many factors that go into it, and any decision you make has a future cost. … So, yes we can. How likely it is is probably another question.” — Gonzalez
Why extensions could be coming for A’s core hitters
The Athletics still need to build out some depths in their starting pitching as they aim to become sustainable contenders in the leadup to their move to Las Vegas, but there’s little doubt they’ve built a formidable core of position players — and part of the focus this offseason, in addition to adding reliable arms throughout their pitching staff, is keeping that core intact.
The A’s extended Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler last offseason, and now they’d love to find a way to lock up the likes of Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson and Shea Langeliers.
“There’s a big effort there to keep this group together,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “If we look at the group prior to this, that you could identify as a group that you would have wanted to move forward with, a group that came together in ’17 and ’18 and ’19 — the resources weren’t there to afford to keep that group together. I think there’s a vision and a future here going forward with this group that we were able to at least get those opportunities out in front of these players.” — Gonzalez
Will D-backs get enough to move Marte?
All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte continues to be the talk of this year’s winter meetings, but the Arizona Diamondbacks are asking a high return at the moment, sources familiar with the market told ESPN, which falls in line with what general manager Mike Hazen has communicated publicly — that he’s not required to trade Marte, but he will surely consider the right deal.
The Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are among those who have been linked to Marte, though others are surely involved. A lot of teams have shown interest, but talks have yet to get serious.
The D-backs would ideally land a higher-end starting pitcher in return — a major need with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly probably departing via free agency, and Corbin Burnes spending at least the majority of 2026 recovering from Tommy John surgery — and would require major league-ready talent as part of any package, a source said. Given that his 10-and-5 rights kick in in April, there is at least some urgency to trade him this offseason.
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said he has been in touch with Marte over the offseason and that the mention of his name so aggressively in rumors “might have caught him by surprise a little bit.”
“But I think he gets it,” Lovullo added. “I told him just what I told you guys — teams are smart. They want really good players. He’s one of the best in the National League. I understand why teams are making phone calls on him. He gets that.” — Gonzalez
White Sox have high bar for dealing Robert
In his first 31 games after the All-Star break, Luis Robert Jr. demonstrated what kind of impact he could have, batting to a .298/.352/.456 slash line, clubbing five homers and stealing five bases. Throughout Robert’s career, the talk has been about his possible impact if he ever remained injury-free and in the lineup, and this was an example of that.
But then Robert got hurt, again, and the Chicago White Sox — with very little future payroll obligation — picked up his $20 million option for 2026, in the hope that he could hit that ceiling for an extended period. The White Sox don’t intend to trade Robert until some interested team is willing to pay for the value of what he could be at his best, rather than for a bargain price. Some teams have checked on Roberts’ availability, but to date, no team has met Chicago’s high bar for a trade return.
Short of that, the White Sox are likely to keep Robert into the ’26 season, and maybe beyond. The team holds another $20 million option for the ’27 season, a year of club control that could make Robert look even more attractive in trade if the 28-year-old is able to stay on the field and generate the kind of high-end production the White Sox enjoyed last summer. — Buster Olney
Fairbanks drawing lots of interest
Pete Fairbanks is a very popular player this offseason. The right-handed reliever has received interest from several clubs, including the Marlins and Blue Jays, sources told ESPN. Fairbanks, 31, recorded a 2.83 ERA in 61 appearances for the Rays last season. He reached free agency after Tampa Bay, in a cost-cutting measure, did not pick up his $11 million option. His injury history could be a concern for teams, but he’s expected to land a two- or three-year deal. — Jorge Castillo
Three teams to watch in trade talks
Free agent splashes dominated the winter meetings spotlight Tuesday morning, but trade winds continue to swirl in Orlando. The Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres are all coming up often as teams that could make a deal soon. — Jesse Rogers
Could the Blue Jays make another splash?
The reigning AL champions are still looking to spend after a strong start to the offseason and could leave the winter meetings with a new closer. Pete Fairbanks and Robert Suarez are two names to watch in Toronto’s reliever search — Rogers
Don’t expect a Valdez deal soon
The top closer and one of the top hitters in this free agent class agreed to deals Tuesday, but don’t expect to see the best available starting pitcher come off the board next. The market for right-hander Framber Valdez is still developing and he won’t be signing with a team for a while. — Rogers
Diaz’s deal with Dodgers spices up meetings
Moments after news broke of Kyle Schwarber‘s return to the Phillies, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a major move of their own in signing top free agent closer Edwin Diaz. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the deal is for three years and $69 million — which sets an AAV record for relievers.
The Dodgers had a clear need in the ninth going into the offseason, no matter how much they hyped up their depth publicly. But many doubted they’d go long term for the top guy in Diaz. A shorter, higher-AAV deal falls right in line with their preference. — Gonzalez
Will Schwarber’s return to Phillies heat up winter meetings?
Slugger Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a five-year, $150 million contract, sources told ESPN. Schwarber’s return to Philly takes one of the most coveted free agents of this winter off the board and could be the move that sparks a run of action as the winter meetings roll on.
Dec. 8 buzz
Dodgers eyeing trades — but say Teoscar Hernandez won’t be dealt
The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t expected to make major free agent moves this winter — at least not to the extent of the past two offseasons — and they’re certainly talking like a team content with where things stand.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Monday that “there’s not as many clear paths to make the team meaningfully better.”
Earlier, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts — acknowledging the team’s philosophy last year, that injecting new blood into the roster might be a good way to maintain an edge — said, “There’s really no big splash we feel needs to be made, because this team is still focused, and there’s some talk about a three-peat.”
Still, sources have said, the Dodgers will continue to look for ways to upgrade their outfield and fortify the back end of their bullpen, with the trade market the ideal path. A center fielder would be ideal for the Dodgers because of how it would fortify the entire outfield’s defense, prompting Andy Pages and his plus arm to move to right field while Teoscar Hernandez and his shoddy defense transition to left.
But Gomes praised Pages’ center-field defense, adding that it allows the team the flexibility to pursue any outfielder. Gomes also shot down rumors of Hernandez potentially being traded.
“That doesn’t feel likely,” Gomes said. “Obviously, you can never say never on those types of things, but Teo, I know that’s come up. That’s not something we anticipate at all.” — Gonzalez
Teams checking in on former All-Star Willi Castro
The Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies are among the teams interested in signing utility man Willi Castro, sources told ESPN. Castro, 28, was an All-Star in 2024 after a strong first half with the Minnesota Twins, but he regressed through the second half and into the 2025 season.
The switch-hitter slashed .245/.335/.407 with the Twins in 2025 before he was sent to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. He struggled in Chicago, batting just .170 with one home run and a .485 OPS in 34 games and did not have a plate appearance in the postseason.
Advanced metrics indicate Castro also regressed defensively in 2025, dropping from 0 to minus-9 outs above average, but he’s a versatile defender who played second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield spots. — Castillo
Padres keeping trio in bullpen, need starting pitchers
In his winter meetings availability, San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen said the team will keep Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon and David Morgan in the bullpen rather than converting them to starters.
“It’s a risky proposition health-wise and performance-wise,” Stammen said.
So, the Padres are very much in the market for starters. — Gonzalez
What will Tigers do with Skubal?
The Detroit Tigers continue to have trade dialogue with other teams about two-time American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. At its heart, Detroit’s choice about whether to swap Skubal now — before he reaches free agency next fall — comes down to this question: Will owner Chris Ilitch and the team’s front office place more on the opportunity to win in 2026, or will they place a greater value on the extraordinary collection of young players they would presumably acquire in a Skubal deal?
What complicates this decision is that the Tigers reside in the highly winnable AL Central. The theoretical path to the World Series is probably easier than it would be to come out of the AL East, with all of its financial monsters, or the AL West, where the Mariners are poised to be a formidable force for years to come. Despite a late-season collapse, the Tigers were still just a run away from playing for the AL championship two months ago.
If the Tigers decide to keep Skubal, they will have to be at peace with the reality that they’ll recoup just a fraction of Skubal’s current value when and if he departs as a free agent — through draft pick compensation. This is the part of the market equation that has compelled the Guardians to flip the likes of CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee or Francisco Lindor in past trades, and why the Brewers dealt Corbin Burnes before the 2024 season. — Olney
Which Marlins starting pitcher will be traded?
Sandy Alcantara is a long shot to be traded at this point, as is teammate Eury Perez, the 22-year-old right-hander whom Miami Marlins would love to sign to an extension. The most likely Marlins starter to get traded, a source familiar with the team’s thinking said, is Edward Cabrera, who is out of options and would be controllable for three years.
Cabrera, 27, posted a 3.53 ERA with 150 strikeouts and 48 walks in 137⅔ innings in 2025. The Marlins would love to use Cabrera — and potentially fellow starter Ryan Weathers, who is coming off an injury plagued season — to address their offensive needs, primarily at first base.
Cabrera, though, is among a deep crop of available starting pitchers this offseason, alongside the likes of Freddy Peralta, Kris Bubic, Mitch Keller, Joe Ryan, Hunter Greene and, most notably, Tarik Skubal. Peralta, Ryan, Greene and Skubal will most likely stay put, but they are nonetheless in trade talks. — Gonzalez
How far will the Phillies go to keep Schwarber?
A lot of the industry is waiting on Kyle Schwarber‘s free agent decision. He has both big and small market teams chasing him but most important will be what he hears from the Philadelphia Phillies, and that can come as soon as Monday or Tuesday. Will they match any offer? Will Schwarber take a little less to stay in Philadelphia? Those questions should be answered soon. — Rogers
King’s suitors starting to take shape
Free agent pitcher Michael King has a half dozen suitors, including the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Chicago Cubs, but his market hasn’t completely materialized yet. — Rogers
Polanco could make a decision soon
Free agent second baseman Jorge Polanco, coming off a strong 2025 season with the Seattle Mariners, is expected to sign with a team during the winter meetings. — Rogers
Winter meetings predictions
Who will be the biggest name to sign (or get traded) in Orlando?
Jorge Castillo: I root for action at the winter meetings, so let’s pick the biggest name on the free agent market: Kyle Tucker. There aren’t many suitors that, whether it’s for fit or financial reasons, are in the mix, but there’s still interest for an ultra-talented player who can alter the championship landscape. And it starts with Toronto.
The Blue Jays whiffed on the brightest stars of the past two free agent classes — Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto — and Rogers Communications still has money to spend after investing $500 million in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in April and another $210 million recently in free agent starter Dylan Cease. Tucker visited the Blue Jays’ facility in Florida last week. Pairing the left-handed-hitting outfielder with the right-handed-hitting Guerrero would give Toronto a scary tandem for years.
Bradford Doolittle: The inclusion of Byron Buxton on our trade candidates ranking took me aback, mostly because Buxton has been insistent that he will remain a Twin. It’s surprising that he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause, but Buxton is 31, and the Twins don’t seem all-in on winning. Several leading contenders could use a bump in center field — the Houston Astros and New York Mets jump out as clear fits — and if the Twins are heading down this road, dealing Buxton soon would start those dominoes to fall.
Alden Gonzalez: A game of chicken might be brewing at the moment. On one side it’s Cody Bellinger, represented by the Boras Corporation. On the other it’s Tucker, whose free agency is overseen by Excel Sports Management. They’re arguably the two biggest names available, both of them versatile, multi-dimensional, dynamic outfielders, their markets naturally intertwined. And I think Bellinger goes first.
His price point — ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel predicts a six-year, $165 million contract — is more reasonable, and his list of suitors is seemingly more robust because of it. The New York Yankees want him back. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets are all a fit, to varying degrees. Given Bellinger’s ability to also play first base, other teams will undoubtedly emerge. Jumping on Bellinger before Tucker comes off the board and further inflates his market would be smart. And one team will do so this week.
Jesse Rogers: Ranger Suarez. Scott Boras clients usually take longer to come off the board, but not all of them can wait until the new year. Suarez isn’t staring at a megadeal, so checking him off the free agent list by late next week seems more than plausible.
The chatter surrounding the left-hander’s free agency from potential suitors such as the Astros, Mets, Orioles and others is picking up. He’s in line for at least a solid four-year deal — and if a team offers five or even six, it’ll likely land him.
What is one move fans might not expect you to predict will go down this week?
Castillo: Pete Alonso will probably wait until Kyle Schwarber decides on his destination, but I predict Alonso will sign with the Red Sox. Craig Breslow, Boston’s chief baseball officer, has been clear about his desire to acquire a right-handed slugger for the middle of the order. Not many players are better qualified for that role than the right-handed-hitting Alonso, whose 264 home runs since his debut in 2019 are the third most in baseball behind Aaron Judge and Schwarber.
Alonso is coming off a rebound All-Star season in which he clubbed 38 home runs with 126 RBIs, an NL-leading 41 doubles and an .871 OPS for the Mets. Defensively, Alonso is below average, but he could split time with Triston Casas at first base and designated hitter.
The Mets, on the other hand, are determined to improve their defense and would seemingly be in play for Alonso only if his market collapses for the second straight offseason.
Doolittle: Maybe it’s because I am overly susceptible to rumors that tickle my penchant for anti-Wolfean narratives, but I’ll say Schwarber will sign with his hometown Cincinnati Reds. It’s such a perfect fit, and not just because of Schwarber’s ties to Cincinnati. The Reds have a real chance to contend in the NL Central with the right upgrade on offense. And what an upgrade — Schwarber’s swing is perfect for Great American Ballpark, which has featured more homers from visiting lefty hitters over the past five years than any other venue (including 96 more than Citizens Bank Park). Even at 32, give Schwarber five healthy seasons at that park and he’ll reach 500 career bombs.
Gonzalez: This year’s market seems especially ripe for trades, and I think we’re going to see some big-name starting pitchers dealt during the winter meetings. Who, exactly, is anybody’s guess at this point, but there are a bevy of names to choose from, whether it’s two of the Miami Marlins‘ frontline guys (Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera), three steady veterans (Freddy Peralta, Luis Castillo and Pablo Lopez), two budding aces (Joe Ryan and MacKenzie Gore) or two Cy Young-caliber arms who are unlikely to move but are fascinating nonetheless (Tarik Skubal and Hunter Greene). All eyes will be on the big free agents this week, but the trade market will dominate. And the starting pitchers will be featured in it.
Rogers: How about a bold one: Nick Castellanos gets traded. Perhaps it won’t land as the biggest of surprises, considering how things went down in Philadelphia last year, but a deal would further show that the Phillies are turning things over a bit as they continue to chase a ring.
Castellanos could be the perfect fit for Pittsburgh, which is desperate for hitting. In a recent interview on MLB Network, Castellanos discussed the idea of playing first base. That opens the door to even more possibilities outside of Philadelphia.
What is the one rumor that will dominate the week?
Castillo: Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, if moved, would be the best position player to move this offseason — Tucker and Schwarber included. So the fact that he is available will undoubtedly generate rumors all week.
First, Marte produces. His 15.3 WAR over the past three seasons is 13th in the majors. He has made the NL All-Star team each of the past two seasons. He finished third in the NL MVP race in 2024. He owns a .289/.363/.510 slash line since 2019. Second, his economical contract — he has five years and $91 million plus a sixth-year player option at $11.5 million remaining — only adds to the allure and makes him palpable for several clubs. Marte is 32 and drew anonymous criticism from teammates for his behavior last season, but a player of his caliber will draw substantial interest.
Doolittle: Something about Tucker? It doesn’t feel like there have been many concrete reports regarding Tucker’s possible destination, but he’s the top free agent, so the rumor mill is more likely to focus on his wanderings than anyone else until he signs. News about him will pick up in Orlando.
Gonzalez: There is no bigger name on the trade market than Skubal. On one end, he is beloved in Detroit, where he has established himself as the type of cornerstone who should never pitch anywhere else. On the other is the cold reality — that he is a Boras client who would command the types of sums in the open market that the Tigers are either unwilling or unable to pay him. And though the Tigers intend to contend in 2026 and would undoubtedly have a better chance of doing so with Skubal fronting their rotation, it would be foolish not to at least explore a trade and attempt to get major talent back in return. It’s the responsible thing to do — and yet Tigers fans have every right to be enraged about this even being a possibility.
Rogers: Where Kyle Schwarber will play in 2026 and beyond. His next contract should be in the $150 million range, though if a new team steps up and is willing to pay big time for not only his power but his leadership, then all bets are off. But as intriguing as a smaller market might be, the Phillies need him as much as anyone during their current window to win. His return there isn’t a guarantee, but it still makes the most sense.
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins placed center Evgeni Malkin on injured reserve Tuesday with an upper-body injury.
The move comes after the 39-year-old Malkin sat out a shootout loss to Dallas on Sunday. Malkin, in the final season of his contract with the Penguins, is off to one of the better starts of his 20-year career.
The Russian has eight goals and 21 assists in 26 games for surprising Pittsburgh, which began the season with modest expectations but is firmly in contention in the competitive Metropolitan Division.
The Penguins also placed forward Blake Lizotte on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Lizotte has three goals and two assists in 27 games.
The club described Malkin and Lizotte as both week-to-week.
Pittsburgh recalled forwards Danton Heinen and Sam Poulin from their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to fill out the roster ahead of Tuesday night’s visit by Anaheim, the start of a five-game homestand.
TORONTO — Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann has been suspended one game for high-sticking Tampa Bay Lightning winger Oliver Bjorkstrand, the NHL announced Tuesday.
The incident occurred three minutes into the third period of Toronto’s 2-0 win over Tampa Bay on Monday night.
McMann received a match penalty after swinging his stick and hitting Bjorkstrand’s head following a cross-check from the Lightning forward.
McMann, who is being suspended for the first time in his career, will forfeit U.S. $7,031.25. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
He will miss Toronto’s game Thursday night against the visiting San Jose Sharks, and is eligible to return when the Maple Leafs host the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
McMann, 29, has eight goals and six assists in 29 games this season.
Leafs coach Craig Berube disagreed with the match penalty on Monday, calling it a “tough one.”
“From our view on the bench, I couldn’t really see it too well. I’ll take a look at it, but I had a tough time with that,” he said after the game.
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