LAS VEGAS — Major League Baseball’s general managers gathered this week in Las Vegas, spoke to agents roaming the lobby of the Cosmopolitan, found out who’s actually available in trades, and departed to the airport vowing to keep in touch over the next 3 ½ weeks until everyone convenes again at the baseball winter meetings in Orlando.
There were no trades, no major free-agent signings, but GMs walked away armed with at least enough information to begin making calls in the next two weeks before Thanksgiving.
The GMs, much to their dismay, learned that Pittsburgh Pirates Cy Young winner Paul Skenes is not available, under any circumstance.
“Paul Skenes is going to be a Pirate in 2026,’ Pirates GM Ben Cherington said emphatically.
The Detroit Tigers will listen to offers for two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, but unless you’re willing to include your first-born, star players and best prospects, don’t bother calling, they were told.
Skubal, who was in Las Vegas, and agent Scott Boras said they are willing to listen to any contract extension ofers, but the Tigers aren’t ready to stuff a $400 million check in an envelope any time soon.
“I want to be a Tiger for a very long time,’ Skubal said.
MLB rumors and latest news
– The San Diego Padres, who announced Thursday they are up for sale, won’t trade All-Star right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. now, but go ahead and check back with their new ownership a year from now .
– The Los Angeles Dodgers, with $87 million coming off the books, will keep folks honest in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, but probably won’t be the high bidders – instead wanting to focus on shoring up their bullpen. They could pursue Edwin Diaz or Devin Williams, but rival executives expect them to go after former Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks, who has 75 saves with a 2.98 ERA the past three seasons.
– While Williams remains an option for the Dodgers, rival teams have been told that if Williams has his druthers, the St. Louis native would love to stay in the Midwest. The Cincinnati Reds have already met with Williams’ representatives.
– The Toronto Blue Jays will be linked to every marquee free agent and could be in play for everyone from shortstop Bo Bichette to right fielder Kyle Tucker to starter Tatsuya Imai to lefties Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez.
They certainly won’t be interested in all of them, but agents won’t be shy in trying to attach interest to their clients, no matter if there’s an ounce of truth, or not.
– The Baltimore Orioles plan to spend money, just like the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta and Yankees.
“We’re going to have an active offseason,” said Jed Hoyer, Cubs president of baseball operations. “Take that for what it’s worth.”
– Future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander’s next destination could be a return to Houston, where he won a Cy Young award, two World Series titles, and has spring training near his home in Jupiter, Fla.
– The best position player on the trade market is Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte, who has 10-and-5 rights and can reject any trade by mid-April, but the cost may be prohibitive for suitors.
– Free-agent All Star closer Edwin Diaz could be the first marquee free agent to sign, but unless someone is willing to meet his asking price of least a five-year, $100 million contract, he could linger on the market for past Thanksgiving.
– The Milwaukee Brewers reiterated they have no intention of trading ace Freddy Peralta, said Matt Arnold, Brewers president of baseball operations. They will listen, but considering Peralta is owed only $8 million in the final year of his contract, would have to be blown away.
– Teams have inquired about trying to acquire former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins, but owner Bruce Sherman has told several staff members he definitely plans to have him on the roster at the start of the 2026 season.
– The Houston Astros plan to keep their infield intact and aren’t interested in trading corner infielder Isaac Paredes or first baseman Christian Walker.
“We’re not really trying to pull from the infield in the trade market, simply because we feel like all those guys are going to be part of the top of our lineup,” Astros GM Dana Brown said. “I know we have people talk about Walker. But we haven’t talked about Walker in a trade. Walker’s our everyday first baseman.”
– The Mets are expected to land at least one high-end starter.
“I don’t know how many true No. 1 starters are available right now,” said David Stearns, Mets president of baseball operations. “I don’t know how many are actually going to be traded. I don’t know how many are truly available in free agency. But you would always like to find that top of the rotation guy.’
– The St. Louis Cardinals let everyone know they’re open for business under Chaim Bloom, their new president of baseball operations.
They want to trade starter Sonny Gray and third baseman Nolan Arenado, who are owed a total of $73 million, and are open to moving All-Star Brendan Donovan and outfielder Lars Nootbaar.
– The Cincinnati Reds have listened, but don’t have any intention of trading ace Hunter Greene, who has three years and $42 million left on his contract.
“Look, I don’t want to rule out anything,” said Nick Krall, Reds president of baseball operations, “But that’s a hard one to actually say, ‘Hey, we’re going to trade the guy that has a chance to be the ace of your staff and top-of-the-rotation guy going into the postseason.’’’
– The New York Yankees badly want to re-sign Cody Bellinger, and although they can afford both players, don’t expect center fielder Trent Grisham to accept their $22.05 million qualifying offer.
“We’re very interested in bringing him back,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman said of Bellinger. “He’s going to have a lot of choices because he can do a lot of different things… We would be better served if we could retain him. If not, we’ll have to look at alternative ways to fill it.’
– The Pirates, who are one of baseball’s most profitable teams, according to baseball officials with access to their finances, are expected to add at least $30 million to their payroll for 2026.
– The Texas Rangers are lowering their payroll from $240 million, but it’s still expected to be at least $200 million for the 2026 season, Rangers GM Chris Young said.
“I just don’t feel sorry for ourselves that our payroll is going to be smaller than it was,” Young said. “I don’t think it’s going to inhibit us. …I’m a competitor. It doesn’t deter me. It means we better be better at our jobs. And that’s what I expect to do. I think the biggest thing that we need to do is play up to our expectations. This past season and the year before, we did not do that.
“If we play up to our expectations, I’m confident that the roster we build will be good enough to compete for a playoff spot.”
The idea of the Rangers reducing payroll could seduce teams to seek two-time Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom in a trade this winter. He is owed $75 million over the next two years with a $20 million club option in 2028.
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