‘Run, Forrest, run!’: How good a football player was Forrest Gump, really?
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Ryan McGee, ESPN Senior Writer
“He must be the stupidest son of a b—- alive! But he sure is fast!”
— “Bear Bryant” speaking of Forrest Gump in “Forrest Gump”
It was 30 years ago this fall that “Forrest Gump,” the story of a gentle soul who ended up traveling the globe, meeting presidents and filling the world with wisdom such as “Life is like a box of chocolates,” and “Stupid is as stupid does,” was running through the box office and toward six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Tom Hanks and Best Director for Robert Zemeckis.
If you are a true Gump believer — and judging by the film’s $678 million gross, the 2.5 million copies sold of Winston Groom’s book that inspired the film, the brisk sales of its recent 30th anniversary Blu-Ray re-release, not to mention the line of people I recently saw waiting to eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Times Square, there are many — then you also know that this fall also marks 60 years since the kid from fictional Greenbow, Alabama, became an All-America kick returner for Bear Bryant’s Alabama Crimson Tide.
Forrest Gump, wearing No. 44, scored the very first time he touched the football, a 99½-yard kickoff return against a team that appears to be the Vanderbilt Commodores. He went end zone to end zone, including a crossfield detour mid-return as he ran toward Bryant on the Bama sideline. Then he added at least another 50 yards because he didn’t stop after crossing the goal line and kept churning through the Legion Field tunnel and presumably into downtown Birmingham.
Now, amid these two very important anniversaries, and as his alma mater runs into Week 13 with an eye on running into the College Football Playoff, we ask a crucial, crimson-tinted question: Just how good at football was Forrest Gump, really?
“It’s been a while since I really broke down his film, but what I did see back in the day made an impact on me,” current Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer confessed during a chat about how, after taking the job as Top Tider, he immersed himself in the program’s unparalleled history. “He was raw, but fast and coachable. No coach is ever going to turn down a kid with that combination.”
Not even the Bear.
“And that’s what I did. I ran clear across Alabama.”
There are no official statistics for Forrest Gump’s time at Alabama. Trust us, we asked the sports information office as well as the Bear Bryant Museum, located on the Tuscaloosa campus. They had nothing, forcing us to show some, ahem, gumption, and piece together what we could, based on what we do know.
We know that Gump was a student at the University of Alabama on June 11, 1963, because he was an eyewitness to George Wallace’s Stand in the Schoolhouse Door, when the governor of Alabama made a symbolic attempt to prevent two Black students from enrolling for class, in opposition to school integration.
We also know that Gump had already played at least one season of football before that, because we see Bryant and his staff flabbergasted as they watch the TV news and see their return specialist returning a notebook to one of those students, Vivian Malone, after she drops it in front of Wallace, protesters and the National Guard.
We also know that his first All-America season had to be 1962, because he met John F. Kennedy at the White House (and drank all his Dr Peppers). JFK died on Nov. 22, 1963, before the All-America roster for that year would have been chosen.
We also know that when Gump graduates from Alabama, he says, “Can you believe it? After only five years of playing football, I got a college degree.”
So it would appear that Gump’s time with the Tide likely ran from 1959 to 1963, and that makes sense. If you don’t recall, Gump caught Bryant’s attention when, while running from a truckload of bullies, he unknowingly sprinted the length of the Greenbow High Braves’ stadium in front of the Bear. That would have been the fall of ’58, Bryant’s first fall in Tuscaloosa and in the middle of a rebuilding 5-4-1 campaign. The kind of season that would make a college football coach desperate enough to sign a kid who was described to him as “just the local idiot” with an IQ that we know to be 75.
Back then, freshmen didn’t play. Neither did Gump in ’59. The following year, the Tide’s third game of the season was also their first at Legion Field against … Vanderbilt. That’s the first TD return we see in the movie. The next one comes at the same stadium, and clearly in a later season, because the home crowd has figured out to unfurl “Stop Forrest!” signs to prevent him from making any more tunnel sprints. This is also at Legion Field, and the opponent appears to be wearing the distinctive colors of the Tulane Green Wave. And the real life Tide did indeed play and defeat Tulane in 1961.
See? We’re figuring this out!
If this was indeed the Forrest Gump Era of Alabama football, there was nothing stupid about it. During his presumed four years on the roster, the Tide posted a record of 38-4-1 and an SEC mark of 24-4-1, went 3-0-1 in bowl games and also won the first of Bryant’s six national titles in 1961.
“Of course, it didn’t hurt that his quarterback was Joe Namath,” noted Dr. Carl Miller, professor and chair of the English department at Palm Beach Atlantic University. “Anyone who ever talked to Winston Groom about Alabama football knows how he felt about Joe Namath.”
“Always be able to look back and say, at least I didn’t lead no humdrum life.”
When Groom wrote the book “Forrest Gump” in 1986, the story of a boy with a low IQ who spends a lifetime unlocking pockets of true brilliance, it was inspired by two of his own life experiences. The first was a tale his father told him often, about a kid in his neighborhood who was relentlessly teased and bullied by local kids because of his apparent lack of intelligence. But when his parents bought a piano, that same kid suddenly began filling the neighborhood with the most amazing music, having taken nary a lesson. The second spark came from Groom’s time as a football-crazed student at the University of Alabama.
“When I was on the English faculty at Alabama, I proposed a course on the history of college football in literature, and we convinced Winston to participate,” said Miller, who grew up a dedicated Ohio State fan but came to love the Crimson Tide after four years of teaching in Tuscaloosa. His class covered topics ranging from college football in literature (see: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) to the game’s secret history of steering academics (why do you think the Ivy League was formed?). “Winston Groom’s freshman year was 1961, Bryant’s first national title, and his final year was ’64, Bryant’s second national title. And he would always say, ‘You should have seen Namath before he blew out his knee,'”
Groom, who died Sept. 17, 2020, just as his beloved Tide were beginning their roll toward Nick Saban’s sixth and final national title in T-Town, often said that being a student during the Bryant era taught him “the importance of winning.” He liked to compare being the author of a book to being a head coach. “As a writer, you are the commanding general,” he explained to Miller’s class in 2012. “It is your job to make sure that everything you do is as perfect as you can get it.”
Groom’s written version of Gump was far less perfect than the character in the film. The film version was also a hell of a lot smaller. In the movie, Gump’s frame is an even 6 feet tall, weighing in at 175 pounds, which is what Tom Hanks describes as his frame at the time. In the novel, Gump is massive, standing 6-6 and making the scales creak at a hefty 240. On the written page, he doesn’t return kicks. Groom’s Bryant envisions Gump as a wide receiver and has him constantly drilling pass routes in practice. But when Gump struggles to mentally digest the playbook, Bear decides to pivot to a strategy of “We is gonna turn your big ass loose,” and Forrest Gump becomes a halfback.
In his first game, the season opener against Georgia, Gump scores four touchdowns in a 35-3 rout of the Dawgs. The Tide won the national title during a time when titles were awarded before bowl games were played. Good thing. The semi-fictional Bama team lost to Nebraska in the Orange Bowl after Kenny Stabler, who was supposed to throw the ball to No. 44 for what would have been Gump’s third TD of the game, instead threw it out of bounds when he mistakenly thought it was third down, not fourth.
“As with most of what Winston wrote about Gump and college football, that was based in truth,” Miller said. “The ’64 team went undefeated in the regular season and won the national championship but lost to Texas in the Orange Bowl. And Kenny Stabler did make that infamous mistake, but it was in the Tennessee game the following year.”
“Now you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows.”
Almost exactly six decades after Stabler’s mistake that led to a tie, the Vols and Tide were once again on the field for the Third Saturday in October. It was Oct. 19, 2024, and 101,910 of the 101,915 people in attendance were watching No. 7 Alabama battle No. 11 Tennessee in Knoxville. The five who were not were hunkered down in a corner of the Neyland Stadium media box. A sportswriter was showing four NFL scouts footage of a fictional college football player and asking for a talent assessment.
Said one: “He’s too one-dimensional. It’s all straight-line, like a track guy trying to become a football player.”
Replied another: “Who gives a damn about that? Look how fast he is. Has anyone clocked him?”
They were told that in the novel, Bryant says Gump runs the “hunrit yards” in 9.5 seconds. But before it could be explained what that translates to in NFL draft combine 40-yard dash speed, one of the scouts already had a watch on Gump’s TD return against Tulane.
“I’ve got him at 4.5 in the 40. Sign his ass up,” he declared. “I’m not using a high-round draft pick on him. My bosses wouldn’t do that anyway because you know he’s going to bomb the s— out of the interviews. But if we can take guys who have never played football and turn them into All-Pros just based on how strong or fast they are” — see: Ziggy Ansah and current Bills OT Travis Clayton — “then I think I’d take a chance on a dude this fast.”
Some 500 miles south of Knoxville, in Mobile, Alabama, another group of evaluators watched that same film, the only game film that exists of their local hero. Among them is Jim Nagy, senior director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the launching pad for countless college-to-pro football prospects.
“He clearly lacks some focus,” he said. “Great straight-line speed but, man, he looks straight-line. A really linear athlete. Not gonna make many people miss, but he hits it. He’s pulling away; he’s got some juice.”
Then Nagy sounds like novel-version Bear Bryant. “As a receiver, what are we going to do with this guy? He’s kind of a one-trick pony … but I think we could get something out of him on vertical routes, go routes. Down here at the Senior Bowl, he’d be a hard guy to defend on one-on-ones.”
Ultimately, Nagy and his staff decided they would extend an invitation to Gump for the Senior Bowl. After all, Gump did grow up just down the road in Greenbow. But there are two problems. Gump is too senior for the Senior Bowl. He’s around 84 years old now. Also, Greenbow doesn’t exist. Neither does the Legion Field he ran over and through and out of. Well, it does, sort of …
“Some people don’t think miracles happen. Well, they do.”
Gump’s home stadium in the movie is located a couple of time zones west of Alabama. Who knows? Perhaps during his 3-year, 2-month, 14-day and 16-hour crisscrossing run of America, Gump looked over his shoulder along Chavez Avenue at the football stadium of East Los Angeles College and thought to himself, “Well, that place looks familiar.”
Weingart Stadium was built in 1951, home of the ELAC Huskies. After a major renovation in 1984, the seating capacity was boosted to 22,355. That’s big for a community college, but not big enough to resemble Legion Field. So director Robert Zemeckis turned to his longtime collaborator and special effects legend Ken Ralston, the original Industrial Light & Magic guru who helped shape the Star Wars galaxy and helped Zemeckis send Doc Brown’s gigawatts-powered DeLorean back to the future.
Ralston and his crew took a group of several hundred extras dressed as Alabama fans and moved them from section to section of Weingart Stadium, eventually piecing each frame of film together like a jigsaw puzzle. This created not only a backdrop of packed stands, but also the added illusion of an upper deck. For Gump’s kick return action scenes, stadium flip cards spelled out “GO ALABAMA,” “GO FORREST” and “STOP.”
“This was kind of at the start of all the computerized special effects we have now, so when you were there the place was empty, but then when you saw the movie you were like, ‘Where’d all those people come from?'” recalled Sonny Shroyer, who played Bear Bryant. If you recognize the name, it’s because he was also Enos, the hapless deputy from “The Dukes of Hazzard.” Enos donned the houndstooth fedora at ELAC as well as Beaufort, South Carolina, where the stand-in for Greenbow High was located. “I can tell you this, though: There were no special effects used for the double who ran for Tom Hanks in the wide shots. That guy could fly. And then when we did the close-ups, it turned out that Tom could too.”
Shroyer, who accepted a football scholarship to Florida State but after injuries graduated from Georgia, was in the same room with Bryant once, at a charity golf tournament hosted by fellow TV icon George Lindsay, aka Goober from “The Andy Griffith Show.” So, with those credentials, an evaluation of Forrest Gump the football player, please, Enos … er, Coach Bryant?
“All I know is I saw him touch the ball twice and he scored twice.”
“Momma always said you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes, where they’re going, where they’ve been.”
Gabriel Mangrum has seen Forrest Gump touch the ball much more than that. Like, 281 times to be exact. Mangrum, known as GManski to his social media followers, is a former wide receiver for the Fitchburg (Massachusetts) State Falcons who graduated earlier this year with a degree in film and theater. Born in Texas and a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan, the aspiring actor was already posting his meticulous football talent evaluations to social media. Then he started doing the same with famous football players from the silver screen, everyone from Rudy Ruettiger to “The Waterboy.”
When the resurrected EA Sports College Football video game dropped earlier this year, Mangrum painstakingly created Forrest Gump — a 99 rating for speed, lowest possible rating for intelligence — added him to the current Crimson Tide roster and proceeded to manually play every single Alabama down in season mode to see what would happen.
It’s strange going from no views to actually having a lot of people enjoy my work😅 Appreciate y’all who support💯 be sure to check out the new vid 👀https://t.co/LFKimFuyC8 pic.twitter.com/b55yN1Oe8n
— Gmanski (@gmanski3) August 3, 2024
“I rated him a one-star because he was literally coming off the street, just as he did in the movie,” Mangrum explained of his Gump creation. Of course, the PS5 processor didn’t start Gump. He didn’t even play. But Mangrum also ran every weekday practice session between games, and No. 44’s speed became too much to ignore. By midseason, he was on the field. And just as happened in both the book and movie, the first time digital Forrest Gump got his hands on the football, he ran straight to paydirt.
“When I ran with him, I worked hard to run just like he did in the movie,” Mangrum said. “He never jukes. Ever. And when he cuts, he turns his whole body, runs toward the sideline, and then turns toward the end zone, whole body again. That’s what I did. And he couldn’t be stopped.”
Forrest Gump’s final virtual 2024 stats: 1,487 yards, good for second in the nation (and 184 more than Boise State Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty), via only 206 rushes, good for an FBS-best 7.2 yards per carry; 165.2 yards per game and 17 touchdowns, also second in the nation. In addition, Gump hauled in 75 catches for 1,065 yards and nine TDs, easily the best among running backs. Along the way, the All-American led the Tide to a national title, as Bama beat Notre Dame 43-0 in the CFP National Championship game, of which Gump was named Most Outstanding Player.
“The only issues were that he didn’t fumble much, but when he did, it was usually at the worst time,” Mangrum said, adding, “And you might have noticed that at LSU, during the pregame, Forrest is over there celebrating with the wrong team.”
“What’s my destiny, Mama?” “You’re gonna have to figure that out for yourself.”
We attempted to interview the man who played Gump himself, while Hanks was making the promotional rounds for his latest film, “Here,” also directed by Zemeckis and costarring the actress who played Gump’s girlfriend Jenny, Robin Wright. His brief response was a reminder that he was no college football skills expert. He’s more of a baseball guy. Though it is worth noting that he did get in a vicious shot on behalf of his faux alma mater ahead of last year’s Alabama-LSU game.
During a speech at the World War II Museum in New Orleans, which he co-founded, he said, “Hope, faith, and collective effort may even lead to LSU beating Alabama tomorrow. If that can happen, ladies and gentlemen, we can accomplish anything.”
Tom Hanks, who famously played fictional Alabama football player Forrest Gump, makes a brief comment about LSU’s upcoming game against the Crimson Tide during a speech at a World War II museum in New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/RbAgv7zON7
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) November 3, 2023
While not ready to play the role of an NFL scout, the two-time Oscar winner did praise the physical prowess that came with becoming No. 44.
“I worked out quite a bit, and it was all running. My buttocks, as Forrest would put it, were in particularly spectacular condition. If it shows up on our television, as it will from time to time, my wife [actress Rita Wilson] will request that it stay on until she gets to see me running away from the camera. My touchdown play, as it were.”
The touchdown play for this story came just as “Here” was arriving in theaters. It came Nov. 8 in Oxford, Mississippi, on the eve of Ole Miss’s rainy upset victory over Georgia. Trying to explain the premise of this story to a media pal, this very writer bemoaned, “The only thing missing is a chance to talk to Forrest Gump himself.”
The pal replied, pointing, “Well, why don’t you? There he is.”
And he was. Like a mirage on a desert highway around the 1-hour, 57-minute mark of an Oscar-winning film, Forrest Gump himself was running around the Grove, attempting to crash the show of another Alabama legend, Paul Finebaum. I shouted to him, “Run, Forrest, run! Over here!”
When you’re working on a Forrest Gump story and assume you won’t be able to interview Forrest Gump but then you’re at The Grove in Oxford and Forrest Gump shows up… pic.twitter.com/FfhpDkyfwg
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) November 20, 2024
My question was simple. Forrest Gump, you didn’t get to play much college football, at least that we saw. So how do you think you would have fared in the National Football League?
“Aw man, I’d still be running. But I hit that portal. There’s a big party in the ‘Sip. So, Hotty Toddy ever since I left Bama. Life couldn’t be any better …” Then Forrest (real name: John Nance) broke into a dance.
The touchdown dance of a man with an IQ of 75, but an EA Sports talent rating of 99.
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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