MLB offseason tracker: Mets land Luis Robert Jr. as trade and free-agency dominoes continue to fall
A busy MLB winter takes shape
MLB’s offseason has moved from speculation to action, with trades, signings and roster decisions reshaping depth charts across the league. The winter meetings have passed, yet the sport’s “hot stove” continues to burn, driven by teams trying to solve familiar problems: adding pitching, finding lineup balance, and managing payroll and long-term flexibility.
Among the most notable developments is a report that the New York Mets have agreed to a trade for Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. Elsewhere, clubs have committed significant money to cornerstone players, arbitration deadlines have produced a wave of agreements, and several high-profile names remain central to ongoing market conversations.
Mets reportedly agree to acquire Luis Robert Jr.
According to a report from ESPN, the Mets have agreed to terms on a trade to acquire White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. The report says Chicago will receive infielder Luisangel Acuña and right-handed pitcher Truman Pauley.
The reported deal is one of the clearest signals yet that New York is willing to be aggressive in reshaping its roster. The Mets have been active in multiple areas this winter, and the Robert acquisition, if finalized as reported, would represent a direct attempt to address an outfield picture that has been in flux.
That outfield uncertainty has been fueled by other Mets moves mentioned in the broader offseason churn, including the departure of Brandon Nimmo in a trade that brought in Marcus Semien. The Mets also signed Jorge Polanco, who has indicated he expects to play a good amount of first base in New York following Pete Alonso’s exit.
Philadelphia signals it may be done — but the roster math remains complicated
The Phillies, coming off a 96-66 season that included a second consecutive NL East title, have indicated they may be nearing the end of their major offseason work. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told USA Today Sports the club is “content” with where it stands and likely done making substantial moves.
Philadelphia’s offseason has already included a series of notable transactions. The team re-signed designated hitter/outfielder Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million deal and catcher J.T. Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million contract. The Phillies also added outfielder Adolis Garcia on a one-year, $10 million deal and reliever Brad Keller on a two-year, $22 million deal, among other moves.
At the same time, the Phillies lost left-hander Ranger Suárez, a 2024 All-Star, who agreed to a five-year, $130 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. Suárez had spent his entire professional career with Philadelphia after signing at age 16 in 2012. He posted a 12-8 record with a 3.20 ERA last season in 26 starts, covering a career-high 157.1 innings. He also has a strong postseason track record, going 4-1 with a 1.48 ERA and one save in eight starts and three relief appearances totaling 42.2 innings.
Because Suárez turned down a qualifying offer from Philadelphia, the Phillies receive an additional draft pick after the fourth round of the amateur draft in July as compensation.
Red Sox add Suárez and remain linked to more infield decisions
Boston’s agreement with Suárez adds a high-profile left-hander to a rotation projected to include Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray and Brayan Bello, with Tanner Houck also mentioned as a possibility. Suárez’s back issues have surfaced at times, with three injured list stints in the past four seasons for lower back spasms, soreness or stiffness.
Boston’s winter, however, is not solely about pitching. The club has been tied to ongoing infield questions, including the future of Alex Bregman. Reports described an “aggressive offer” from Boston to re-sign Bregman, while other notes indicated the Cubs and Diamondbacks have also been among teams connected to him. Bregman opted out of a three-year, $120 million deal with Boston after one season; in 114 games last season he hit .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs, 62 RBIs and 3.5 wins above replacement.
Another potential pivot point in the infield market is Bo Bichette. Multiple items in the offseason chatter have linked Bichette to teams including the Phillies, Cubs, Red Sox and Dodgers. Bichette is also reportedly open to moving to second base, according to MLB Network, after playing the position during the World Series. In the 2025 regular season, he slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs and 94 RBIs in 139 games, though he missed time due to a knee injury.
Blue Jays stay aggressive and pursue Kyle Tucker
Toronto, the defending American League champion after a 2025 season that ended with a World Series loss to the Dodgers, has been among the offseason’s most active teams. The Blue Jays have already signed starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million deal, added Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto on a four-year, $60 million contract, signed starter Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million deal and reliever Tyler Rogers to a three-year, $37 million contract. The team also has former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber—acquired at last year’s trade deadline—slated for a full season, and rookie Trey Yesavage mentioned as part of the rotation outlook.
Toronto’s next major target appears to be free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker. Reports indicate the Blue Jays have made a long-term offer to Tucker, and that Toronto has “increased” its efforts to sign him. Tucker, who spent the 2025 season with the Chicago Cubs after seven seasons with the Houston Astros, hit .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 136 games, producing 4.6 wins above replacement.
Tucker has also been linked to the Mets, Dodgers and other top clubs, with one report suggesting the Mets are offering a short-term $50 million deal. Tucker’s 2025 season was described as affected by a finger injury, yet he remains one of the marquee names on the market.
Yankees target pitching depth; bullpen and rotation remain in focus
New York has been active on the pitching front as well. The Yankees reportedly agreed to a deal for Miami Marlins left-hander Ryan Weathers, with multiple reports saying the Marlins will receive four minor leaguers in return. Weathers, the seventh overall pick in 2018, battled injuries in 2025 but posted a 3.99 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 38.1 innings across eight games.
Rotation depth has also been a theme for the Yankees amid injury concerns. A report noted that Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt are expected to be unavailable at the start of the season, heightening the need for additional starters. Trade-market monitoring has included names such as Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera and Brewers ace Freddy Peralta, according to The Athletic.
In another bullpen-related note, left-hander Ryan Yarbrough is reportedly returning to the Yankees on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, providing flexibility as either a reliever or starter.
Freddy Peralta trade chatter — and Milwaukee’s decision
Few pitchers have generated as much trade discussion as Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta. One report said several teams—including the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox and Braves—were looking into acquiring him, and that a deal would require a significant return. Peralta was worth a career-best 5.5 wins above replacement in 2025 and is set to make $8 million.
However, Milwaukee later announced it triggered Peralta’s $8 million club option for 2026, keeping him in the organization for the final year he is under contract. Peralta led the National League in wins with 17 in 2025 and posted a 2.70 ERA over 176.2 innings, playing a key role in Milwaukee’s MLB-best 97-win regular season and run to the NLCS.
Even with the option exercised, the offseason conversation around Peralta illustrates how teams weigh competing priorities: contending in the present while also managing the risk of losing a top player to free agency after the season.
More trade movement: Cubs land Edward Cabrera; Pirates add Brandon Lowe
The Cubs were also connected to major rotation changes. Reports said Chicago has acquired Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera, with outfield prospect Owen Caissie described as the centerpiece of the return, along with other prospects. Cabrera posted a 3.53 ERA over 137.2 innings in 26 starts in 2025 after a difficult 2024. He averaged 97 mph on his fastball in 2025 and is expected to slot into a rotation group that includes Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Colin Rea, with Justin Steele recovering from Tommy John surgery and potentially returning midseason.
In a separate multi-team trade, Pittsburgh agreed to acquire two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe from Tampa Bay. The Rays will send Lowe, left-hander Mason Montgomery and outfielder Jake Mangum to the Pirates. Pittsburgh will deal right-handed pitcher Mike Burrows to Houston, while Tampa Bay receives prospects from the Astros. Lowe hit .256 with 31 home runs and 83 RBIs last season, giving the Pirates a veteran bat for a lineup seeking more power.
Arbitration deadline brings widespread agreements
Arbitration season produced its own headline count. Of 166 MLB players eligible for arbitration, 148 agreed to new deals ahead of the deadline. The list of players reaching agreements included Seattle outfielder Randy Arozarena ($15.65 million), Cincinnati right-hander Brady Singer ($12.75 million), Baltimore outfielder Taylor Ward ($12.175 million), Philadelphia left-hander Jesús Luzardo ($11 million), Seattle right-hander Logan Gilbert ($10.927 million), Toronto outfielder Daulton Varsho ($10.75 million), and Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. plus Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (both $10.2 million).
Among the 18 players who did not agree, Detroit left-hander Tarik Skubal stood out. He requested a record $32 million in salary arbitration, while the Tigers offered $19 million. Players without agreements face hearings before three-person panels from Jan. 26 to Feb. 13 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Notable contracts and roster decisions across the league
Beyond the biggest trade and free-agent headlines, several other moves and decisions have helped define the early shape of 2026 rosters:
Pete Alonso to Baltimore: Reports said the Orioles signed first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract. Alonso hit .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs in 2025 and finished his Mets tenure as the franchise home run leader with 264.
Edwin Díaz to the Dodgers: The Dodgers agreed to a three-year, $69 million contract with closer Edwin Díaz, a deal described as carrying a record average annual value for a closer. Díaz had 28 saves with a 1.63 ERA in 2025.
Athletics extend Tyler Soderstrom: The A’s and left fielder Tyler Soderstrom agreed to a seven-year, $86 million contract that includes a club option for an eighth season and bonus provisions that could raise the value, pending a physical. Soderstrom hit .276 with 25 home runs and 93 RBIs in his first full MLB season.
Diamondbacks keep Ketel Marte: Reports indicated three-time All-Star Ketel Marte will remain in Arizona after trade speculation. Marte hit .283 with 28 home runs and a .893 OPS in 2025 while earning a Silver Slugger.
Royals adjust Kauffman Stadium dimensions: Kansas City is moving the bulk of its outfield fence in by 10 feet while keeping center field at 410 feet and maintaining the foul poles’ locations.
What to watch next
Even with major pieces already in motion, the offseason remains unsettled. Several storylines still have room to evolve based on the information circulating around the league:
The Mets’ next steps after the reported Luis Robert Jr. agreement, especially given their willingness to discuss trades involving multiple infielders and pitchers.
Kyle Tucker’s decision as Toronto, New York and other teams continue to be linked to the top free-agent outfielder.
The infield market led by Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, with teams weighing fit, cost and positional flexibility.
Pitching supply and demand as clubs search for starters via trade or free agency, a theme underscored by rotation injuries and the premium placed on durable arms.
For now, the offseason’s defining feature is its breadth: trades, free-agent commitments, arbitration decisions and roster reshuffles are all happening at once. The reported Mets move for Luis Robert Jr. is a major checkpoint, but it is also part of a broader pattern—teams acting early, acting decisively, and continuing to search for edges before spring training arrives.