‘The Yankees are coming to play in Mexico’: How Diablos Rojos got a ‘dream’ series with MLB’s most iconic team
Once again, a major league team will play at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium, the home ballpark of the Diablos Rojos del México, part of Major League Baseball’s efforts to create a more international game. Last April, the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants played at the ballpark in a game that counted. This time, the situation is different. To some, more special.
It’s the New York Yankees, first of all, playing in Mexico for the first time in 56 years, since Mickey Mantle’s final season in pinstripes.
And more importantly — at least to their Mexican opponent — they’re not there for an MLB game.
“We just don’t want to bring big league teams to play one another; the owners wanted to bring teams to play the Diablos Rojos,” said Jorge Del Valle, the club’s head of baseball operations.
The Yankees and Diablos Rojos will meet Sunday and Monday in Mexico City in a pair of exhibition games before the start of the 2024 major league season. It’s a rematch of a two-game series the teams split in March 1968.
How did it come about — and what does it mean? ESPN spoke to officials from both teams to tell the story.
The dream takes shape
Rodrigo Fernández, MLB Mexico director: The whole world wants to see the most popular team, the Yankees, with the most fans. … It’s on the wish list every year: “Hopefully, the Yankees come this year.” And the opportunity to bring them over presented itself.
Othón Díaz, Diablos Rojos president and CEO: Those games between San Francisco and San Diego [in Mexico City last year], which were spectacular, the way the players and fans experienced [it], with fireworks and all, delighted the world and the major leagues. It allowed us to raise our hand and be taken seriously … under the leadership of [Diablos Rojos owners] Alfredo and Santiago Harp. Without them, this wouldn’t be a reality. They were the architects behind all of this. And with some of the cultural aspects, the Harp family had a good friend in Omar Minaya. We made inroads with him acting on the Yankees’ behalf to make all this happen. It’s not just a dream come true, it’s something that will surprise older fans and newcomers.
Omar Minaya, Yankees senior advisor to baseball operations: This all started to sprout in the middle of last season, [Giancarlo] Stanton and [Jose] Treviño were in the middle of that action. Ben Tuliebitz, the Yankees traveling secretary, told me that a few players, specifically Stanton and Treviño, asked him why the Yankees didn’t play outside of the United States, and if it would be possible to play in Mexico. I heard this and thought it was a good idea, so I got to work on it. I called Alfredo Harp Helú and his son Santiago, who are good old friends of mine. I’ve known the Harp family for over 15 years, before we came together in San Diego. When I was with the Mets, we collaborated with them when they built their academy in Oaxaca.
Díaz: Look, I can tell you that the first part of it was Omar Minaya, who’s beloved by the family and the Diablos organization. He was with the New York Mets, at a high level. When he joined the Yankees, it’s one of those times when you need something from a certain place, and it so happens that your friend is there. At least you have that connection from the inside who can talk about what’s done well here and that it’s not a crazy idea to bring them. In that sense, with everything coming together like that, Omar Minaya joining the Yankees was what got this project off the ground.
Jorge Del Valle, Diablos Rojos head of baseball operations: They’ve asked us to beat the Yankees and not much else in the way of responsibility.
The logistics — and the ballpark
Díaz: People who are important to the operation are coming over, so we have to comply with a lot of protocols. One of the more complex issues is that the [Yankees] are an enormous organization. It’s broadcasting people coming over, safety people, protocol people, and meanwhile here it’s only three or four people. Sometimes you don’t even know who you’re speaking to, or who’s asking for what, because you don’t know if it’s protocol or safety. So you’re swamped. You get emails and you have a hard time remembering what you had said. That’s happened. On the staff, folks like [stadium director] Francisco Ramos have done a lot. … The Yankees are requesting the same expectations as if this were a major league game.
Francisco Ramos, Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium director: As far as needs go, the ballpark covers practically everything. There are a few special requests, such as when there’s a concert and a star wants something particularly done with the dressing area. What they’ve requested for the clubhouse is things that we already have, like towels, food. Those are tailored for each event. The ballpark has two clubhouses for 40 players and the coaching staff. Since last season, a space for female staffers on par with the men’s has been offered, which few other stadiums have.
Díaz: There are a lot of things that have made it happen, one of them being this magnificent setting. I think the ballpark is the cornerstone for it all. People come today and have a better experience — and it’s not me saying it but several publications — where they say it’s overtaken soccer. They don’t feel safe at soccer games anymore, and that’s a sport where if you miss one minute or 20 seconds, you miss the goal, and it’s over. Here, one of the great things about it is when we arrived on the scene a lot of people had it in their heads that baseball is boring because of all the down time, but one of the biggest tasks for this to work is to understand the weaknesses and turn them into strengths. There are times when you’re enjoying it better during those lulls because people are dancing or having a good time. The pitching could be interesting, but the dancing or the camera aimed at a fan doing something funny are what make people have an unforgettable experience.
Minaya: The stadium is first-class, possibly the best in all of Latin America, and you’ve had some regular-season games there already. We spoke to Murray Cook, who is the official field and stadium consultant for MLB, and he told us it’s one of the best out there.
Del Valle: There are requirements as far as the turf, which is why renovations were made. It has to do with safety issues and accommodations. They’ve been working with a group since December, checking things off a list. A lot of the work has been done by Francisco Ramos on the stadium front, and Othón Diaz on the Diablos Rojos front. The table is set and ready for them.
Díaz: They will be the first on that new turf, it’s been announced. They’ve had chances to test it out. Nobody can say that the turf at Alfredo Harp doesn’t measure up with any ballpark in the majors.
Ramos: The most difficult issue is what happens off the field with things like transportation, safety, air travel.
Díaz: Like I told you, the Yankees have staff charged with watching over all of this. We accompany them in everything, join them in dealing with authorities. One example is [our] visit to Felipe Ángeles International Airport [about 20 miles north of Mexico City] with people from the Yankees, going over logistics, transportation, everything needed for their visit. We spoke with authorities, who provided all of the facilities for this to work. We accompany them and there have been previous visits, but in reality it’s the team that sets conditions. MLB people come, too. It’s so organized, so well structured.
As you all know they have a sponsor and their own plane they use for travel. They don’t fly steerage class like the rest of us. They have it pretty good. Everything is geared to treat them like the stars they are, they are extraordinary guests. They will be taken care of from the moment they arrive at the airport. They will be received when they get here and given every consideration reserved for celebrities or world leaders, that kind of level. That’s why the support of the federal government is essential, as well as the support of authorities and the Secretariat of National Defense. The great thing about it is when these events take place, Mexicans are extraordinary, with constant teamwork at play. It’s nothing like the myth of the crabs in a bucket pulling each other down. When we’re focused on a goal, it’s really motivating and important for all Mexicans: a team effort, united and with ease.
Why the Yankees, Diablos Rojos and Mexico are a match
Díaz: It comes from the history made 56 years ago, that’s where it all started. If you visit the Diablos Rojos’ museum, there’s an iconic photo in one of the rooms of Diablos players, [Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Famer] Ramón “Diablo” Montoya among them, with Mickey Mantle. The video there talks about that legendary moment when the Diablos beat the Yankees [in the first of two exhibition games], and from there we get this opportunity, boosted with the reality that the Yankees are the baseball team, and they don’t just belong to baseball.
Victor Gonzalez, Yankees relief pitcher: To have the opportunity to go there, to Mexico, and pitch there, I have a lot of family members there who will have the opportunity to see me pitch. So to wear the Yankee pinstripes and be at home and pitch in front of my family, I think it’s going to be incredible for me.
My understanding is there aren’t any tickets available for the games so I think the people are very excited to receive this great team in Mexico City.
Aaron Boone, Yankees manager: I love when we went to London. I love when we went to the Field of Dreams in Iowa. Excited for the Little League series this year. Mexico’s another wrinkle right before the season. Something unique and different, and hopefully something that will be a cool life and baseball experience.
Alex Verdugo, Yankees outfielder: I like that they’re bringing games to different countries. … It’s going to be just get out there, eat some good food. You already know the fans are going to be awesome. So I’m looking forward to that environment and everything that comes with it.
Obviously, you see it on social media here and there, but I think it’s more of like even In person at the game, when they’re there cheering you on. They root for all their players, though. Everybody that’s going for Mexico and that’s trying to help and do something, they’re behind them like 100%.
Díaz: I’ll tell you a story. I had over a thousand WhatsApp messages, on the day of the announcement, and two days later I had more than 2,000. Apologies to my friends, because to this day I haven’t gotten back to all the people who were seeking me out. It’s impossible. One of the many things with the Yankees is that it’s not just baseball people, because people who worked with me at Mexico’s national sports commission would ask about it, people at the university from when I was there as the athletics director, from Club Alemán [an athletic club], some friends from grade school who I didn’t even know were my classmates. The funny thing about all of it is that I didn’t know how they got my number.
This is the cherry on top of the cake. More so than the big league games, which we had last year, and Monterrey had one back in the day [Monterrey has hosted five regular-season series since 1996]. But for a Mexican team to play against one from the majors, and its most iconic to boot, that’s the cherry without a doubt. “Cherry” is what you’re accustomed to saying, but because of the magnitude it’s really more like the apple. It’s incredible, this dream we’re living.
Ramos: We see it from the point of view of, the Diablos are the iconic team from a fan and history standpoint and with the ballpark, so the opponent won’t just be on the field but will also be represented in the stands, since we’ll have a group of people from different parts of the world here to see the most famous team in the world.
Del Valle: Since I came aboard, the owners have been talking about bringing the Yankees to play against the Diablos. … MLB and the Yankees found out how serious the Diablos Rojos were. At the end of the day, this showed the world what Mexican baseball is about.
Díaz: If you go back and check around Dec. 28 [a date comparable in Latin America to April Fools’ Day] back in 2020, on Diablos social media we wrote something like, “The Yankees are coming to play in Mexico,” thinking it was something impossible, so we posted it. Just a few years later, it’s a reality.
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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