The Toronto Blue Jays are favored to sign free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, according to front office sources. Other rumors include the New York Yankees' interest in Cody Bellinger and the New York Mets' willingness to trade position players like Brandon Nimmo.
Major League Baseball's offseason rumor mill is active following the World Series. The Blue Jays, fresh off an American League pennant, are considered favorites to land Kyle Tucker, the top available free agent, per ESPN reports. Interest in Tucker extends to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a potential short-term deal, along with the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and New York Mets. The Chicago Cubs, who acquired Tucker from the Houston Astros last winter, are not expected to retain him.
In New York Yankees news, center fielder Trent Grisham accepted the team's qualifying offer on Tuesday. Despite a crowded outfield featuring Aaron Judge in right, Grisham in center, Jasson Domínguez in left, Giancarlo Stanton at designated hitter, and Ben Rice at first base, the Yankees plan to continue pursuing free-agent Cody Bellinger, according to MLB.com. Bellinger, 30, posted a .272/.334/.480 line with 125 OPS+, 25 doubles, five triples, 29 home runs, 98 RBI, 89 runs, and 5.1 WAR last season.
Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai was posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions, with his negotiating window opening Wednesday and running until January 2. Imai, ranked as the 12th-best free agent by CBS Sports, had a dominant year with a 1.92 ERA and 3.96 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 163 innings, featuring mid-90s velocity and a forkball-like slider.
The Pittsburgh Pirates intend to spend this winter to build around ace Paul Skenes, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. They were prepared to offer first baseman Josh Naylor more than double their previous record free-agent deal of $39 million before he returned to the Seattle Mariners on a five-year, $92.5 million contract. Pittsburgh has interest in designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and is considering top prospect Konnor Griffin, 19, for shortstop. Griffin hit .333/.415/.527 across three levels, including 21 Double-A games, but concerns include rushing his development and a potential 2027 work stoppage.
The Phillies aim to reunite with Schwarber, 33 in March, who averaged .228/.358/.508 with 135 OPS+ and 47 home runs over the last three seasons. Competition includes the Boston Red Sox, Mets, Blue Jays, and Pirates. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers have discussed trades for outfielder Adolis García, in his final year of control after a down season, and catcher Jonah Heim, a potential non-tender candidate due to below-average hitting and defense amid payroll cuts. No deals are close.
The Mets are open to trading utility player Jeff McNeil, outfielder Brandon Nimmo—who has five years left at over $20 million annually and a no-trade clause—plus prospects Luisangel Acuña, Mark Vientos, and Brett Baty. The team has discussed including salary to facilitate a Nimmo deal.