As the MLB offseason heats up ahead of the 2026 season, the Seattle Mariners are prepared to offer top prospects for St. Louis Cardinals utility player Brendan Donovan. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers remain lukewarm on free agent Alex Bregman, and the Baltimore Orioles have re-signed pitcher Zach Eflin. Other notable developments include interest in Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto and Andrew Heaney's retirement.
The MLB hot stove is simmering with activity as teams position themselves for Opening Day in 2026. Five of the top six free agents remain unsigned, and trade discussions are ongoing, according to reports from December 29, 2025.
The Seattle Mariners, seeking a second baseman after Jorge Polanco's departure to free agency, are willing to part with top prospects like switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje to acquire Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals, per the Seattle Times. Donovan's versatility extends to the outfield, which could pave the way for prospect Colt Emerson. The Mariners have also been linked to Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte. Cijntje's potential trade value is heightened by left-hander Kade Anderson, the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft, who could contribute next season.
In Detroit, interest in free agent third baseman Alex Bregman is described as 'lukewarm' at best by the Detroit Free Press. The Tigers offered Bregman a six-year, $170 million deal last offseason, but he chose the Boston Red Sox, where he played in 2025. Bregman shares a history with Tigers manager A.J. Hinch from their Houston Astros days. Detroit's quiet offseason includes short-term signings of closer Kenley Jansen and pitcher Drew Anderson, plus re-signing setup man Kyle Finnegan. Prospect Colt Keith is slated for most third-base duties, though the roster offers flexibility.
The Red Sox, who haven't signed a major-league free agent this offseason alongside the Colorado Rockies, continue targeting infield help post their trade for Willson Contreras, reports the Boston Globe. Potential additions include Donovan, Marte, Houston Astros' Isaac Paredes, and free agents Bo Bichette and Bregman. Boston's infield features Romy Gonzalez, Marcelo Mayer, and Nick Sogard, bolstered by trades for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo.
The Baltimore Orioles announced the re-signing of right-hander Zach Eflin to a one-year deal with a mutual option late on December 28, per FanSided. The contract includes a $3 million signing bonus, $5 million salary for 2026, a $2 million buyout for 2027, totaling $10 million guaranteed, with $4 million in start-based bonuses. Eflin, 31, was limited to 14 ineffective starts in 2025 due to back and lat issues but was reliable from 2023-24.
Interest is growing in Japanese first baseman Kazuma Okamoto, 29, from the Yomiuri Giants, with the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, and Pittsburgh Pirates in pursuit, according to BeisbolFR. His posting window closes January 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET. Okamoto hit .322/.411/.581 with 15 home runs in 77 games in 2025 despite an elbow injury; he has shifted from third base to first. Ranked as the 22nd-best free agent, he is seen as more MLB-ready than Munetaka Murakami, who signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the Chicago White Sox.
Veteran left-hander Andrew Heaney, 34, announced his retirement over the weekend via social media. 'I will miss the game greatly, but all of my experiences and the lasting relationships have made me a better person,' Heaney wrote. His 12-season career ended with a 56-72 record and 4.57 ERA, including a win in Game 4 of the 2023 World Series for the Texas Rangers and one appearance for the 2025 champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
