Bob Nightengale
@bnightengale.bsky.social
USA TODAY Major League Baseball columnist, BBWAA VP, Arizona chapter chairman, Hall of Fame voter, @Audacy MLB radio insider, usatoday.com/sports/mlb
Next up for the Chicago White Sox after the Munetaka Murakami signing: They still would like to move CF Luis Robert for pitching depth and are engaged in talks with the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds.
December 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Next up for the Chicago White Sox after the Munetaka Murakami signing: They still would like to move CF Luis Robert for pitching depth and are engaged in talks with the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds.
Chicago White Sox win the Munetaka Murakami sweepstakes and sign the Japanese slugger to a 2-year, $34 million contract. The huge free-agent contract expected for Murakami just never materialized. Jeff Passan on it.
December 21, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Chicago White Sox win the Munetaka Murakami sweepstakes and sign the Japanese slugger to a 2-year, $34 million contract. The huge free-agent contract expected for Murakami just never materialized. Jeff Passan on it.
The Detroit Tigers officially announce signing of reliever Kyle Finnegan with details of his 2-year, $19 million contract:
2026: $8.75M
2027: $8M
2028: $10M mutual option or $2.25M buyout.
Performance bonuses:
$125,000 each for 40, 45, 50, and 55 games finished
2026: $8.75M
2027: $8M
2028: $10M mutual option or $2.25M buyout.
Performance bonuses:
$125,000 each for 40, 45, 50, and 55 games finished
December 21, 2025 at 12:20 AM
The Detroit Tigers officially announce signing of reliever Kyle Finnegan with details of his 2-year, $19 million contract:
2026: $8.75M
2027: $8M
2028: $10M mutual option or $2.25M buyout.
Performance bonuses:
$125,000 each for 40, 45, 50, and 55 games finished
2026: $8.75M
2027: $8M
2028: $10M mutual option or $2.25M buyout.
Performance bonuses:
$125,000 each for 40, 45, 50, and 55 games finished
Teams paid $90 million more in luxury taxes than last year’s record of $311.3 million
The Dodgers’ $169.3 million in luxury tax penalties are more than the entire payroll of 12 teams
December 19, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Teams paid $90 million more in luxury taxes than last year’s record of $311.3 million
The Dodgers’ $169.3 million in luxury tax penalties are more than the entire payroll of 12 teams
December 19, 2025 at 11:35 PM
The Dodgers’ $169.3 million in luxury tax penalties are more than the entire payroll of 12 teams
The final CBT payrolls with the Dodgers paying record taxes
December 19, 2025 at 11:34 PM
The final CBT payrolls with the Dodgers paying record taxes
The 3-way is now official.
The Pirates get their bat; the Astros get their starter; the Rays get their prospects.
Going to Pirates: Brandon Lowe, LHP Mason Montgomery, OF Jake Mangum.
Going to Astros: Mike Burrows.
Going to Rays: OF Jacob Melton and RHP Anderson Brito.
The Pirates get their bat; the Astros get their starter; the Rays get their prospects.
Going to Pirates: Brandon Lowe, LHP Mason Montgomery, OF Jake Mangum.
Going to Astros: Mike Burrows.
Going to Rays: OF Jacob Melton and RHP Anderson Brito.
December 19, 2025 at 8:59 PM
The 3-way is now official.
The Pirates get their bat; the Astros get their starter; the Rays get their prospects.
Going to Pirates: Brandon Lowe, LHP Mason Montgomery, OF Jake Mangum.
Going to Astros: Mike Burrows.
Going to Rays: OF Jacob Melton and RHP Anderson Brito.
The Pirates get their bat; the Astros get their starter; the Rays get their prospects.
Going to Pirates: Brandon Lowe, LHP Mason Montgomery, OF Jake Mangum.
Going to Astros: Mike Burrows.
Going to Rays: OF Jacob Melton and RHP Anderson Brito.
The deal is now official with the Orioles outbidding several other teams who made strong offers for Shane Baz. The Rays love OF Slater de Braun, who was the Orioles’ No. 6 prospect.
Prospects headed to Tampa Bay: Outfielders Slater de Brun and Austin Overn; catcher Caden Bodine; RHP Michael Forret; and a competitve balance round A pick.
The Baltimore Orioles grab at least one much-needed starter with Shane Baz in trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Prospects go back to TB per @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The deal is now official with the Orioles outbidding several other teams who made strong offers for Shane Baz. The Rays love OF Slater de Braun, who was the Orioles’ No. 6 prospect.
Prospects headed to Tampa Bay: Outfielders Slater de Brun and Austin Overn; catcher Caden Bodine; RHP Michael Forret; and a competitve balance round A pick.
The Baltimore Orioles grab at least one much-needed starter with Shane Baz in trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Prospects go back to TB per @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Prospects headed to Tampa Bay: Outfielders Slater de Brun and Austin Overn; catcher Caden Bodine; RHP Michael Forret; and a competitve balance round A pick.
The Baltimore Orioles grab at least one much-needed starter with Shane Baz in trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Prospects go back to TB per @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The Baltimore Orioles grab at least one much-needed starter with Shane Baz in trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Prospects go back to TB per @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social
The Phillies acquire LHP Kyle Backhus from the Diamondbacks for minor league OF Avery Owusu-Asiedu.
December 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The Phillies acquire LHP Kyle Backhus from the Diamondbacks for minor league OF Avery Owusu-Asiedu.
The Royals acquire reliever Matt Strahm from the Phillies for RHP Jonathan Bowlan. @feinsand.bsky.social, Robert Murray on it.
December 19, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The Royals acquire reliever Matt Strahm from the Phillies for RHP Jonathan Bowlan. @feinsand.bsky.social, Robert Murray on it.
Deal is for $75M and includes opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Michael King will return to the San Diego Padres after all, agreeing to a 3-year contract. @feinsand.bsky.social first on it.
December 19, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Deal is for $75M and includes opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Michael King will return to the San Diego Padres after all, agreeing to a 3-year contract. @feinsand.bsky.social first on it.
December 19, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Michael King will return to the San Diego Padres after all, agreeing to a 3-year contract. @feinsand.bsky.social first on it.
Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who’s a free agent after the 2026 season, is a surprise entrant for the Team USA roster. Team USA easily will have their best pitching staff in their WBC history considering it already includes fellow Cy Young winner Paul Skenes.
December 18, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who’s a free agent after the 2026 season, is a surprise entrant for the Team USA roster. Team USA easily will have their best pitching staff in their WBC history considering it already includes fellow Cy Young winner Paul Skenes.
San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller commits to Team USA in the WBC
December 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM
San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller commits to Team USA in the WBC
The Cleveland Guardians acquire LHP Justin Bruihl from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations.
December 17, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The Cleveland Guardians acquire LHP Justin Bruihl from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations.
Reliever Luke Weaver follows Devin Williams and leaves the Yankees for the Mets. It will be a 2-year, $22 million deal, same as Brad Keller received from the Phillies, per @joelsherman.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Reliever Luke Weaver follows Devin Williams and leaves the Yankees for the Mets. It will be a 2-year, $22 million deal, same as Brad Keller received from the Phillies, per @joelsherman.bsky.social
Kenley Jansen passes physical and is officially the Detroit Tigers’ closer:
2026: $9 million
2027: $12 million club option or $2 million buyout.
2026: $9 million
2027: $12 million club option or $2 million buyout.
December 17, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Kenley Jansen passes physical and is officially the Detroit Tigers’ closer:
2026: $9 million
2027: $12 million club option or $2 million buyout.
2026: $9 million
2027: $12 million club option or $2 million buyout.
Big day for free-agent reliever signings today:
Jordan Romano: Angels
Drew Pomeranz: Angels
Chris Martin: Rangers
Caleb Ferguson: Reds
Caleb Thielbar: Cubs
Jason Foley: Giants
Jordan Romano: Angels
Drew Pomeranz: Angels
Chris Martin: Rangers
Caleb Ferguson: Reds
Caleb Thielbar: Cubs
Jason Foley: Giants
December 17, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Big day for free-agent reliever signings today:
Jordan Romano: Angels
Drew Pomeranz: Angels
Chris Martin: Rangers
Caleb Ferguson: Reds
Caleb Thielbar: Cubs
Jason Foley: Giants
Jordan Romano: Angels
Drew Pomeranz: Angels
Chris Martin: Rangers
Caleb Ferguson: Reds
Caleb Thielbar: Cubs
Jason Foley: Giants
The Mets make the Jorge Polanco signing official:
David Stearns: ‘Jorge’s athleticism and versatility on both sides of the ball make him a perfect fit…..As we stand now, we would anticipate Jorge playing first base, DH, and bouncing around to other positions as needed.”
David Stearns: ‘Jorge’s athleticism and versatility on both sides of the ball make him a perfect fit…..As we stand now, we would anticipate Jorge playing first base, DH, and bouncing around to other positions as needed.”
December 16, 2025 at 10:52 PM
The Mets make the Jorge Polanco signing official:
David Stearns: ‘Jorge’s athleticism and versatility on both sides of the ball make him a perfect fit…..As we stand now, we would anticipate Jorge playing first base, DH, and bouncing around to other positions as needed.”
David Stearns: ‘Jorge’s athleticism and versatility on both sides of the ball make him a perfect fit…..As we stand now, we would anticipate Jorge playing first base, DH, and bouncing around to other positions as needed.”
The Arizona Diamondbacks have become a surprise entrant in the Alex Bregman sweepstakes and are ‘kicking the tires’ on the possibility. The Dbacks would certainly have the financial flexibility if they move 2B Ketel Marte and could move 3B Jordan Lawlar to 2B
December 16, 2025 at 10:20 PM
The Arizona Diamondbacks have become a surprise entrant in the Alex Bregman sweepstakes and are ‘kicking the tires’ on the possibility. The Dbacks would certainly have the financial flexibility if they move 2B Ketel Marte and could move 3B Jordan Lawlar to 2B
The Phillies outfield is ‘pretty much set’ after Adolis Garcia signing, Phillies president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski says.
December 16, 2025 at 5:51 PM
The Phillies outfield is ‘pretty much set’ after Adolis Garcia signing, Phillies president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski says.
Atlanta took a $2 million gamble by trading for him at the trade deadline and it pays off as they re-acquire their starting shortstop
Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim returns to Atlanta, and gets $20 million for 2026. He opted out of one-year, $16 million option.
@jonheyman.bsky.social on it.
@jonheyman.bsky.social on it.
December 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Atlanta took a $2 million gamble by trading for him at the trade deadline and it pays off as they re-acquire their starting shortstop
Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim returns to Atlanta, and gets $20 million for 2026. He opted out of one-year, $16 million option.
@jonheyman.bsky.social on it.
@jonheyman.bsky.social on it.
December 16, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim returns to Atlanta, and gets $20 million for 2026. He opted out of one-year, $16 million option.
@jonheyman.bsky.social on it.
@jonheyman.bsky.social on it.