Here’s the latest Yankees free agency and trade buzz during the 2025-26 MLB offseason…

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Jan. 5, 12:30 p.m.

While the Yankees are interested in Bo Bichette, it appears they’d have to make a move in order to acquire him. 

According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of the Athletic, New York doesn’t view Bichette as a shortstop, and they’d likely have to trade 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. or 3B Ryan McMahon if he were to land in the Bronx. 

Anthony Volpe is expected to miss some time at the beginning of the season, but the Yanks have expressed belief in the former first-round pick returning to form after a disappointing year on both sides of the ball. 

Chisholm’s name has been floated in trade rumors all offseason with him set to hit free agency next offseason. 

Bichette, who spent his first seven seasons with the Blue Jays, is certainly an intriguing target for the Yanks. 

While he has poor defensive metrics at SS, the 27-year-old has reportedly expressed a willingness to transition to second.

Jan. 3, 6:25 p.m.

Another big market team is looking to add infielder Bo Bichette this offseason.

According to the NY Post’s Jon Heyman, the Phillies are among the teams interested in Bichette. Of course, the teams that have checked in on the Blue Jays infielder include the Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox and Toronto. 

The Phillies already have Trea Turner at shortstop, but Bichette proved he was capable of playing second base when the Blue Jays moved him there this past offseason. Currently, the Phillies have Bryson Stott and Edmundo Sosa as their second basemen. 

The Blue Jays signed Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto on Saturday to play in the infield, but it is unclear whether that takes them out of bringing Bichette back. 

Jan. 1, 1:21 p.m.

While it remains unclear whether the Yankees will make any sort of big splash this offseason, it seems their eyes are beginning to wander with several top free agents still on the market.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees are among three previously unreported clubs to “check on” star shortstop Bo Bichette. The other new suitors are the Dodgers and Cubs.

Heyman also reports the Yankees are gauging league interest in infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. — whose name has appeared in base-level trade rumors all winter — and a formal offer to free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger was issued earlier this week.

Bichette, who just wrapped up seven seasons with the division-rival Blue Jays, is undoubtedly an intriguing target for the Yankees. While his defensive metrics at shortstop are poor, the 27-year-old has reportedly expressed a willingness to move over to second base.

Of course, that transition with the Yankees would be contingent upon a firm decision on Chisholm’s future. But Bichette is an obvious offensive upgrade at shortstop — internal spring training competition is expected with Anthony Volpe recovering from shoulder surgery.

Bichette was rather steady at the plate for the Blue Jays in 2025, slashing a laudable .311/.357/.483 with 44 doubles, 18 home runs, and 94 RBI in 139 games. He also delivered under the brightest lights, hitting .348 with six RBI in seven World Series games against the Dodgers.

Spotrac currently projects Bichette’s market value at $23.3 million annually, and there’s a chance his contract lands in the range of six to eight years.

Dec. 26, 9:50 a.m.

While the holiday season has lowered the hot stove temperature, it appears the Yankees’ hopes of re-signing Cody Bellinger remain high enough.

A reunion with the star outfielder is still a priority in the Bronx, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, and the club feels “pretty confident” he won’t move boroughs for a deal over in Queens.

The pursuit of Bellinger is also endorsed by the Yankees’ captain. Heyman reports Aaron Judge is “a big advocate” for a long-term commitment with the former MVP, who hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI as a one-year rental in pinstripes last season.

It’s unclear when Bellinger will take himself off the free-agent market, but with high demand from championship contenders, some projections have him earning around $30 million annually on a six-year contract. The Yankees may have to sweeten the pot in order to convince him to stay.

Dec. 23, 10:10 p.m.

Tatsuya Imai is one of the high-profile free agent starters this offseason, but it seems he may not be Bronx-bound if YES Network’s Jack Curry is to be believed.

Curry spoke about the perceived connection between the Yankees and Imai on Tuesday’s episode of Yankees Hot Stove and poured some cold water, saying, “The vibe I’m getting is that connection does not exist.”

He added that any pursuit of Imai by the Yankees this offseason is very different than the one they conducted for Yoshinbou Yamamoto a couple of years ago.

“With Imai, the Yankees have been very quiet,” Curry said. “I don’t think the Yankees have been as aggressive, as intense in any kind of pursuit of Imai. They are making some moves around the edges… but I don’t think they are the frontrunners for Imai, and I don’t think he’ll be signing with them.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently told reporters that the Yankees have not met with Imai — as of Dec. 19 — and that he doesn’t know if New York will set up a meeting with the right-hander.

Imai has until Jan. 2 to sign with a team.

Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.

The Yankees have lost another bullpen arm to free agency, as the Braves announced that they’ve signed right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton to a non-guaranteed one-year deal. 

Hamilton was a staple in New York’s bullpen over the past three seasons.

The club decided to non-tender him this winter, though, after he put together a bit of an up-and-down campaign. 

He pitched to a 4.28 ERA and issued 22 walks over 40 innings of work. 

Atlanta will look for him to rebound in a bullpen that’s also added Robert Suarez and retained Raisel Iglesias this winter. 

Dec. 19, 11:25 a.m.

Former Yankee Michael Kingre-signed with the San Diego Padres on a three-year, $75 million deal on Thursday night, despite some buzz that he could return to New York.

However, according to a report from the NY Post’s Jon Heyman, the Yankees did not make an offer to King and “have other targets” on their radar.

Over five seasons with the Yanks from 2019-2023, King made 115 appearances (19 starts) and posted a 3.38 ERA over 247.2 innings. He was then part of the blockbuster trade with the Padres that brought Juan Soto to the Bronx ahead of the 2024 season.

King transitioned to a starter with the Padres and made 45 starts (46 games total) over two seasons, going 18-12 with a 3.10 ERA and 277 strikeouts.

Among the “other targets” New York could pursue include OF Cody Bellinger, who had a strong 2025 with the Yanks and is expected to get a five or six-year deal.

Dec. 17, 3:50 p.m.

Luke Weaver signed a reported two-year, $22 million deal with the Mets on Wednesday and it seems like the Yankees were not looking to bring back the right-hander.

Joel Sherman of the NY Post reported that the Yankees were not part of the bidding to try to retain Weaver. 

The Athletic reported earlier this week that both sides had mutual interest in a potential reunion after Weaver pitched to a 3.22 ERA and a 0.994 WHIP in 129 appearances across three seasons in the Bronx.

Dec. 16, 8:59 a.m.

The Yankees have “genuine” interest in a reunion with right-handed reliever Luke Weaver, reports Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, who notes that the interest is mutual.

Kirschner adds that roughly 10 teams have contacted Weaver’s camp this offseason.

Weaver, 32, was solid for New York last season, with a 3.62 ERA (3.89 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP with 72 strikeouts in 64.2 innings.

His best season came in 2024, when he had a 2.89 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 84.0 innings while striking out 103 — a rate of 11.0 per nine.

If brought back, Weaver would likely be one of the main bridges to closer David Bednar.

Dec. 14, 7:35 p.m.

While reports indicated that the San Francisco Giants “do not anticipate making the nine-figure investment” required to sign free agents this offseason, they aren’t checked out of the marketplace altogether.

The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser reported recently that the Giants “have checked in on” Cody Bellinger, the Yankees’ No. 1 target.

Bellinger proved to be a big part of the Yanks’ last season, contributing well on both sides of the ball with 29 home runs, 98 RBI, and a .272/.334/.480 slash line for an .813 OPS (125 OPS+ and wRC+) while ranking in the 93rd percentile in outs above average (seven) and with 12 defensive runs saved.

Dec. 11, 12:21 p.m.

The Yankees “have listened” when it comes to a potential Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Chisholm is set to earn roughly $12 million via arbitration in 2026 in what is his final season before free agency.

He spent time at third base (28 starts) and second base (96 starts) in 2025 — and was not thrilled with his time at third, noting “everybody knows I’m a second baseman.”

Offensively, Chisholm had a big season, posting an .813 OPS while hitting 31 home runs.

The Yankees’ infield is unsettled. Ben Rice is penciled in at first base, with Ryan McMahon at third base. But the shortstop situation is in flux with Anthony Volpe expected to miss the start of the 2026 season after having shoulder surgery.

Other infield options include Jose Caballero and Oswaldo Cabrera.

Dec. 10, 7:26 p.m.

Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta is a hot name on the trade market this offseason, and the Yankees are among the teams reportedly looking to add him to their team.

According to Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Yankees are one of five teams looking to trade for Peralta, joining the Orioles, Red Sox, Giants and Astros. Other clubs like the Mets had previously reported interest in a trade for Peralta. 

The news comes just days after the Brewers made it known they were open for business on a trade. 

With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon starting the 2026 season on the IL, the Yankees would hope Peralta gives them the depth needed to get through a season until their big arms return.

Dec. 8, 9:50 p.m.

Looking for bullpen help, the Yankees have shown an interest in right-hander Brad Keller, according to a report from Gary Phillips of The New York Daily News on Monday.

Nothing is imminent between Keller and the Yanks, Phillips reported, adding that two or three teams are considering signing the 30-year-old free agent as a starting pitcher.

Keller is coming off his best year as a professional by far, pitching to a 2.07 ERA and 0.962 WHIP with 75 strikeouts to 22 walks in 69.2 innings over 68 appearances out of the bullpen. The righty has some very attractive attributes: 30.6 percent hard-hit percentage (99th percentile) last year, with a fastball that averaged 97.2 mph and a sinker at 96.7 mph.

Dec. 8, 8:45 p.m.

As the Mets and Yankees continue to look to revamp their bullpen this offseason, they’ve both called the Brewers about reliever Trevor Megill, according to Joel Sherman of the NY Post.

Megill, of course, is the older brother of Mets starter Tylor Megill.

The 32-year-old would be a tremendous boost at the backend for either club, as he has developed into one of the top relievers in baseball over the past few seasons. 

Megill missed time to injury last year, but pitched to a stellar 2.49 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while locking down 30 saves. 

Dec. 8, 1:24 p.m.

SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino believes there’s a “solid chance” the Yankees will retain free agent Amed Rosario.

Rosario had a .788 OPS in 16 games for the Yanks last season after being acquired from the Nationals ahead of the trade deadline.

The 30-year-old excelled against left-handed pitching in 2025, slashing .302/.328/.491 in 122 plate appearances.

Rosario would provide strong versatility if brought back, with the ability to play shortstop, third base, second base, and left field. 

Dec. 7, 9:31 p.m.

While the Yankees reportedly discussed the chance of a reunion with All-Star reliever Devin Williams a few weeks ago, it appears their conversations never intensified.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said as much on Sunday night at the Winter Meetings, telling Greg Joyce of the New York Post that the club didn’t even make a formal offer to Williams before he signed a three-year deal with the Mets last weekend.

According to Joyce, Cashman asked Williams’ agent to keep the Yankees in the loop regarding the right-hander’s market, but he didn’t get a call prior to Williams signing in Queens. Cashman also noted that Williams’ reps never “needed to” update him on the process.

Dec. 4, 11:42 a.m.

While other suitors are certainly in the mix, Cody Bellinger remains the Yankees’ No. 1 target, and the club is making a “big effort” to bring him back, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Heyman lists the Mets, Phillies, Angels, and Dodgers as other possibilities. 

ESPN’s Jeff Passan has previously reported that signing Bellinger would be a “multipart move” for the Yankees, as the club would almost certainly need to move one of their other outfield pieces –potentially Jasson Dominguez or up-and-coming prospect Spencer Jones. 

With Trent Grisham accepting the qualifying offer, the Yanks would have a surplus of outfielders if Bellinger was to re-sign.

Dec. 3, 8:22 p.m.

The high-stakes bidding war for Kyle Tucker officiallyincludes one of the Yankees’ division rivals, as the superstar outfielder visited the Blue Jays’ facility in Florida on Wednesday, according to a report from Robert Murray of FanSided.

It’s no surprise the reigning AL champions are big-game hunting for a new bat. The club signed free-agent starter Dylan Cease to a massive seven-year, $210 million deal and right-hander Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract in the last week.

Murray reports the Blue Jays are also interested in retaining shortstop Bo Bichette, who could garner an average annual value above $20 million.

Tucker would make the Blue Jays’ lineup even more imposing. In his lone season with the Cubs, the 28-year-old slashed .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs and 25 steals. His seven-year run with the Astros was far more impressive, though — he hit .274 with 125 homers and 417 RBI.

Only time will tell if the Yankees make a legitimate run at Tucker’s services. His contract demands seem too rich for their blood, and the Yankees have stated they’re focused on re-signing Cody Bellinger, who’d come at a much lower price.

Welcome back to The Playlist, your weekly guide to the best waiver adds across 9-cat and standard points leagues. And, as always: many of the Week 12 High Score recommendations (Donte DiVincenzo, Isaiah Stewart, Nikola Jović, Ayo Dosunmu, Peyton Watson) also hold real value here. Double-check your wire before digging deeper — several of those guys shouldn’t be sitting in competitive leagues.

Alright, back to business. Here are the 50%-and-under plays that can help you win Week 12.

🎧 Who’s in My Rotation: Shallow leagues

Aaron Nesmith – SF/PF, Indiana Pacers (27% rostered)

Nesmith needs to be added because the Pacers will be without Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) for what could be weeks. On Sunday, Nesmith had his best all-around performance of the season, scoring 25 points with 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks on 50% shooting. 

Don’t expect that many assists every night; however, without Mathurin, he’ll have a bigger offensive role in the short term. He’s a strong asset in 9-cat and points in Week 12 (and beyond) because the Pacers play all three games on the lightest slates this week.

Jake LaRavia – SF/PF – Los Angeles Lakers (21% rostered)

Until Austin Reaves is ready to return, LaRavia is a must-roster player. He’s gone off in the Lakers’ past two games, averaging 23.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 stocks in 36 minutes.

The Lakers play three games in four nights from Tuesday through Friday, so a possible rest day for LeBron James or Luka Dončić can’t be out of the question. Either way, LaRavia can help fantasy managers in 9-cat or points leagues in Week 12.

Jay Huff – C, Indiana Pacers (17% rostered)

Huff may have been dropped in your league because of his inconsistent numbers, but I’m streaming him for blocks and 3s while Isaiah Jackson is out with a concussion. Huff’s contributions to points and rebounding are sporadic; however, if he pushes past 20 minutes, he has a top-100 profile in 9-cat formats. 

Indiana’s frontcourt injuries and schedule make him a player to stream on the days with a smaller slate. Huff’s been a top-90 player over the past month.

De’Andre Hunter – SF/PF, Cleveland Cavaliers (20% rostered)

Hunter is more of a points league streaming option this week with the Cavs playing on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Hunter’s usage has remained at 21% despite coming off the bench, but he’s actually improved his true-shooting percentage. 

That said, he’s playing fewer minutes as a bench guy, but in a week where every additional counting stat matters, give Hunter a look.

Sandro Mamukelashvili – PF/C, Toronto Raptors (17% rostered)

“Mamu” is officially out of the deep flier category with Raptors starting center Jakob Poeltl out with a lingering back injury. Mamu should be a target for anyone looking to stream on Monday, because he’s efficient and makes an impact whenever he’s on the floor. 

In Saturday’s win over Atlanta, Mamu delivered 13 points with 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocks in 32 minutes. That’s the type of ceiling we’re looking at here and in Week 12, you should pick him up for Monday’s game and let it ride.

🎧 Who’s in My Rotation: Deeper leagues

Max Christie – SG/SF, Dallas Mavericks (13% rostered)

I like Christie for 9-cat and points leagues. He was a top-50 player in 9-cat last week after averaging 22/4/3 on 66% shooting from the field. He won’t stay that hot, but the minutes and opportunity are there. 

Dallas plays Sacramento, Utah and Chicago on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, so load up on Christie as well as other Mavs players like Naji Marshall and Brandon Williams.

Kevin Huerter – SG/SF, Chicago Bulls (11% rostered)

I previously mentioned picking up Ayo Dosunmu from the Bulls, and Huerter was my 1B with Josh Giddey and Coby White out. Huerter’s done a good job of filling in some necessary gaps in rebounding and scoring. 

In four games last week, Huerter finished 77th in 9-cat leagues. His FG% is a constant hit-or-miss, but he can help your counting stats. Huerter is an expensive option for either format.

Clint Capela – C, Houston Rockets (4% rostered)

Listen, Capela is definitely not the guy I’d want on my team in 2025, but the truth of the matter is: next man up. Alperen Şengün and Steven Adams are both dealing with ankle injuries. Stevens is questionable on Monday, but there’s still a massive void in the Rockets’ frontcourt. Houston could elect to play small; however, Capela did work in his 27 minutes on Saturday, proving that he still has something in the tank. 

He scored 8 points with 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks. Even in a limited role, Capela remains a plus-rebounder and decent defender, which gives him instant streaming value in 9-cat or points leagues.

Sam Merrill – SG/SF, Cleveland Cavaliers (8% rostered)

Merrill benefits from a good schedule (as discussed with De’Andre Hunter). Still, fantasy managers need to understand that he is primarily a one-trick pony who occasionally can get some steals. 

If you pick up Merrill, you’re doing it for his 3s. He hit five 3s on Sunday, so he can surely help fantasy managers looking to gain an edge in that area.

Other adds to consider:

• T.J. McConnell – PG, Indiana Pacers

• Pelle Larsson – SG/SF, Miami Heat

• Jock Landale – C, Memphis Grizzlies

Has Steve Kerr forgotten that Stephen Curry is still a superstar? Kerr went on ]

New Orleans offers the best prizes though in Murphy and Herb Jones. Dunleavy should try to get both. Murphy is a versatile 6-foot-8 defender and an elite, high-volume shooter who would thrive in the Kerr motion offense. Jones is a terrifying defensive presence who could take the toughest perimeter assignment off Draymond’s aging shoulders. They would change the complexion of the entire Golden State roster. What is the harm in surrendering multiple first-rounders and Kuminga to secure a duo that would help the Warriors push for another title?

And if that doesn’t work, you pick up the phone and call Brooklyn. Michael Porter Jr. is currently averaging nearly 26 points a night and hitting 41% from deep. There is no better single fit for the Warriors than him. But around the league, word has been since the summer that the Nets have little-to-no interest in Kuminga. If that’s true, a three-team framework is a clean workaround.

The door shouldn’t be slammed shut on Butler or Green deals either. One of them would have to go if the Warriors had a chance to land Giannis Antetokounmpo anyway, with Butler’s $48.7 million salary being a perfect match for a deal. The Giannis dream aside, it’s hard to imagine too many deals that’d make sense involving Butler.

Green’s case is more complex: At age 35, he hasn’t shown he can be an All-Defensive player on a night-in, night-out basis. For only the second time in his Warriors tenure, the team is statistically better defensively when he’s off the floor than when he’s on. We’ve seen a lot of that lately: Draymond has been ejected twice in recent weeks, and even removed himself from a game after a heated discussion on the bench with Kerr.

Green has been in Golden State since the beginning. It’s hard to believe Steph would approve of moving his longtime running mate, and it’d be a shocker if the Warriors were to go behind his back to make the move. But if the goal is a fifth ring, and the perfect deal comes along, sentimentality has to go out the window along with those future picks.

Nobody is asking Golden State to do something stupid. The point is to do something decisive when Curry is still great enough to justify an aggressive bet. Kerr wants fans to believe the team is being smart by taking a long view. But the only truly irresponsible outcome is the one they’re drifting toward: wasting elite Curry seasons to hoard draft picks that might never open a championship window.

Both the Mets and Yankees continue to look for ways to improve their starting rotations this offseason. 

One player they’ve both shown interest in on the trade market is Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. 

Peralta would be a strong addition to both clubs rotation, but according to a report from the Athletic, Milwaukee’s asking price remains high even with just one year of control remaining.

The righty, of course, will earn a cost-efficient $8 million for this season. 

Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon indicated that a major-league-ready starting pitcher seems to be part of the Brewers’ desired return, as they look to remain a contender this year. 

Some of the other teams in the mix include the Dodgers, Braves, and Red Sox. 

The Yankees are currently in discussions with the Brewers about Peralta, and they are also reportedly talking with the Marlins about right-hander Edward Cabrera. 

The Mets have also reportedly shown interest in Cabrera, and they remain “seriously interested” in making an addition to their rotation. 

Peralta has made 30+ starts each of the past three seasons, and he’s coming off a year in which he posted a career-best 2.70 ERA and finished fifth in Cy Young voting. 

Cabrera made a career-high 26 starts last season for Miami and pitched to a 3.53 ERA. 

Wanna bet? If the wager involved Shohei Ohtani, the answer from gamblers was yes more often than it was for any other player in any sport last year, according to data from BetMGM.

When betting on game results in 2025, gamblers placed the most wagers on NFL games. However, when betting on individual athletes, gamblers placed the most wagers on Ohtani, the two-way superstar for the World Series champion Dodgers and National League most valuable player. Saquon Barkley, the running back for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, ranked second.

That data considered only BetMGM wagers that involved individual players — sometimes for awards such as MVP, a spokesman said, but most often for prop bets determined by individual performance.

Read more:Shaikin: Should Angels fans just give up and join the Dodgers bandwagon?

By way of example from another sportsbook, Caesars Sports offered these World Series prop bets for Ohtani: Would he hit a leadoff home run? Drive in at least seven runs? Collect at least 10 hits? Hit a 470-foot home run? Hit at least five home runs? Deliver a walk-off hit? Hit two home runs and strike out 10 batters in the same game? Strike out 20 batters in the series? (Ohtani did not do any of those eight things.)

The most popular major leaguers beyond Ohtani among bettors, according to BetMGM, all were sluggers: Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees ranked second, followed by Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays, Juan Soto and Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds, Riley Greene of the Detroit Tigers and Bryce Harper of the Phillies.

Yet the most notorious MLB prop bets last year involved pitchers, not hitters.

In November, Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted on federal charges that they “rigged pitches” — that is, they tipped bettors about whether they would throw a pitch outside the strike zone in specified situations and how hard they would throw it. Prosecutors say bettors won hundreds of thousands of dollars for themselves and paid Clase and Ortiz thousands of dollars for their help.

The pitchers have pleaded not guilty, with a trial scheduled for May. Prosecutors told the court last month that Clase, a three-time All-Star, likely would face 87 to 108 months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines — that is, up to nine years — if convicted on each of the four counts in his indictment.

The pitchers also face a potential lifetime ban from baseball. Clase, 27, is under contract for $6 million this year; the Guardians hold a $10-million option for 2027 and another for 2028. Investors who pooled their money to support him in exchange for a percentage of his career earnings are at risk of losing their investment.

The types of prop bets placed on Clase and Ortiz may become even less popular next season.

Read more:Plaschke: Thank you, L.A. sports teams, for saving me during the worst year

On the day after Clase and Ortiz were indicted, Major League Baseball announced an agreement with sports book operators to cap such pitching prop bets at $200. The operators, MLB said, represented “more than 98% of the U.S. betting market.”

In its announcement, the league noted that most prop bets are not solely influenced by one person — that is, whether Ohtani hits a home run depends in significant part on how he is pitched.

“However, ‘micro-bet’ pitch-level markets (e.g., ball/strike; pitch velocity) present heightened integrity risks because they focus on one-off events that can be determined by a single player and can be inconsequential to the outcome of the game,” the league statement said. “The risk on these pitch-level markets will be significantly mitigated by this new action targeted at the incentive to engage in misconduct.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Phillies hire Don Mattingly as next bench coach originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Rob Thomson has a new right-hand man.

The Phillies announced Monday that they have hired Don Mattingly as their bench coach.

While the club did not announce the length of Mattingly’s contract, he indicated during his introductory press conference that he views the role as more than a short-term stop.

“I’ve committed to a couple of years with [Thomson] and we’ll go from there,” Mattingly said. “I’m assuming that would be it for me.”

The move comes after Philadelphia reshaped its coaching staff shortly after the season, shifting former bench coach Mike Calitri into a newly created field coordinator role. This opening allowed the club to pursue a veteran presence with extensive managerial experience — something the front office openly prioritized.

“Managers use bench coaches in different fashions during a game,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said during the end-of-season press conference. “I think it would be ideal to have somebody that has had some managerial experience.”

Mattingly, 64, fits that description cleanly.

He brings more than a decade of experience as a Major League manager, leading the Dodgers from 2010–15 and the Marlins from 2016–22. Across 13 seasons, Mattingly managed 1,827 games and was named the National League Manager of the Year in 2020. He then joined the Blue Jays as bench coach ahead of the 2023 season, spending the past three years in Toronto.

In Philadelphia, Mattingly’s role will center on supporting Rob Thomson during games — a responsibility he described as “being another set of eyes and ears,” helping stay ahead of situations and easing the decision-making load as games move quickly.

“It gets busy and fast,” Mattingly said. “You might be thinking about your pitching, then you’ve got a pinch-hit situation. All those things come fast. My job is to stay ahead a little bit and help lighten the load.”

It’s a reunion in several ways.

Thomson, Mattingly and Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long all overlapped in the Yankees organization. Thomson joined New York’s Major League staff as field coordinator in 2007. Mattingly served as the Yankees’ bench coach that season, while Long was in his first year as the club’s hitting coach.

“There’s a lot of familiarity there,” Thomson said, noting Mattingly’s attention to detail and communication style. “He’s been there. He’s done it. That matters — especially for our players.”

Now, Mattingly also joins an organization led in part by his son, Preston, the Phillies’ general manager — a dynamic Mattingly acknowledged required thought before accepting the role.

“I was concerned about it right away,” Mattingly said, explaining that maintaining trust inside the clubhouse was essential. “Players need to trust that I’m not a voice that’s just running upstairs talking about everything. That’s not how I operate.”

Beyond the dugout, Mattingly’s playing resumé stands on its own. The 1985 American League MVP spent all 14 of his Major League seasons with the Yankees, compiling 2,153 hits, 222 home runs and a .307 career average. He was a six-time All-Star and a nine-time Gold Glove winner.

Despite 43 years in Major League Baseball as a player and coach, Mattingly has yet to win a World Series. The Phillies — who have reached the postseason four straight seasons without a championship — will see if that changes with “Donnie Baseball” now on staff.

Don Mattingly met with the media Monday. You can watch the full availability below:

Bo Bichette to Philly? Making a case to sign the former All-Star originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Right-handed hitting could remain a clear priority for the Phillies, even as the calendar turns to January.

On Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Phillies have an interest in infielder Bo Bichette, adding them to a growing list of teams linked to the 27-year-old free agent.

The appeal is straightforward. Bichette hits right-handed, brings lineup balance and, importantly, has shown a willingness to move off shortstop — a flexibility that could make a fit in Philadelphia possible.

Bichette’s market is not a simple one. Productive position players under 30 rarely linger in free agency, but injuries and defensive questions over the past two seasons have complicated his value, even as his career offensive numbers remain strong.

A familiar profile

Bichette’s offensive resumé closely mirrors that of Trea Turner, one of Dave Dombrowski’s largest free-agent commitments in his time with Philadelphia.

Across four full seasons (minimum 120 games) prior to free agency, Turner had hit .298/.353/.476 (.829 OPS). Under the same criteria, Bichette posted a nearly identical .301/.343/.478 line (.821 OPS). Over that span, the two were separated by just 12 hits and 13 at-bats.

Both led the league in hits twice and earned two All-Star selections before hitting the open market.

Turner ultimately commanded an 11-year, $300 million deal before the 2023 season, driven largely by his speed. Bichette does not offer that same element, and his defense is a significant question mark.

In 2025, Bichette recorded minus-13 Outs Above Average at shortstop, placing him in the lowest percentile league-wide, according to Statcast. Turner also struggled defensively in his career, but is coming off a phenomenal year with the glove. For Bichette, a move off shortstop would be a guarantee in any agreement.

Making room for Bo

Until this postseason, Bichette had played exclusively at shortstop, logging 6,184 career innings at the position. A left knee sprain sidelined him late in September, but he returned for the World Series and made a smooth transition to second base, committing no errors.

There is risk in projecting him at second or third long-term, but the bat could justify it.

If the Phillies explored moving an infielder, Alec Bohm stands out. The 29-year-old third baseman is set to reach free agency next offseason, and Bichette would represent an offensive upgrade with a similar contact-oriented approach.

A Bryson Stott trade would be a different calculation. Stott remains under control through 2028 and has experience at shortstop, but moving him could help facilitate a deal for a catcher if the Phillies are unable to re-sign J.T. Realmuto.

From a lineup perspective, Turner and Bichette separating sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper is an easy fit on paper.

Beyond the peripherals

Bichette’s offensive profile is atypical, in a good way.

He sprays the ball to all fields. For his career, he has pulled 28.2 percent of batted balls, gone straightaway 37.1 percent of the time and used the opposite field on 34.7 percent — roughly nine points below league average in pull rate and more than nine points above average to the opposite field.

Primarily a fastball hitter, Bichette was productive against all pitch types in 2025. He hit .308 against fastballs and posted a career-high .313 average with 67 hits against breaking pitches.

His most damage came against offspeed offerings, mostly changeups, where he hit .319 with 10 extra-base hits and a .609 slugging percentage, despite seeing the pitch just 10.4 percent of the time.

Bichette is also comfortable expanding the zone.

The Phillies ranked third in MLB last season in out-of-zone swing rate at 30.7 percent, while Bichette owns a career mark of 35.7 percent (per FanGraphs). While that approach carries risk, it has not hindered his production.

In 2025, he posted an 18.4 percent swing-and-miss rate, ranking in the 83rd percentile, and has made contact on 89.3 percent of in-zone swings over his career.

It’s an aggressive profile, but one that has consistently worked.

What would it cost?

Projecting Bichette’s contract is tricky because of his positional uncertainty.

The situation draws parallels to Marcus Semien prior to the 2022 season. Semien had spent most of his career at shortstop before shifting primarily to second base in 2021, when he slugged 45 home runs for Toronto. Despite a crowded shortstop market that offseason, Semien still secured a seven-year, $175 million deal with Texas, effectively receiving shortstop-level money to play second base.

This offseason features a thin free-agent infielder class. With limited supply, Bichette remains positioned to command a strong market, even this late into the winter.

A deal in the range of six years and $180 million is plausible, particularly if the Phillies structure it to manage luxury tax penalties in the front-half. That could require moving Bohm’s projected $10.25 million arbitration salary, similar to how the club handled Matt Strahm.

Such a move could also complicate a Realmuto reunion, pushing the Phillies toward younger, controllable catching options.

Whether Dombrowski is willing to reshuffle the roster to that degree remains an open question. But Bichette represents the type of offensive addition that could meaningfully change a lineup that has reached the postseason four straight years without a title.

A connection worth noting

There is also a familiar thread.

“When you talk about calm, he’s about as calm as it gets,” Bichette told Sportsnet ahead of Game 6 of the World Series, referring to Don Mattingly, the Phillies’ new bench coach.

Bichette and Mattingly built a strong relationship in Toronto, one that was visible even after the Blue Jays’ Game 7 loss to Los Angeles. That connection alone would not drive a signing, but it is part of the backdrop.

For a Phillies team searching for lineup balance and another dependable right-handed bat, Bichette checks a lot of boxes — if they’re willing to make another splash.

Michael Bisping knows more than one should about eye injuries in fighting, and doesn’t want Tom Aspinall to make the same mistakes he did.

Aspinall, who will be undergoing surgery on both eyes after suffering severe eye pokes in his title fight against Ciryl Gane, has spoken about getting on the road to recovery. However, Bisping, who competed in his most significant UFC bouts with one eye, wants Aspinall to take his time.

“It was 10, 11, 12 fights – I don’t know how many fights it was with one eye, but it was definitely a lot,” Bisping said in a YouTube video. “… Because of that, and because I had about five or six eye surgeries, I do know a little about this. Real quick, let’s talk about this: Tom’s gonna need, apparently, eye surgery. It’ll probably just be a minor thing like a realignment of the tendons, but these can go wrong.

“… My retina was reattached after it was detached against Vitor Belfort, and then it re-detached, and then they fixed it again, and then I got glaucoma, because once you start messing around with the eyes, in fact, just like any part of your body, once you start going in and messing around with it, it’s never the same again. It’s never quite as strong, and things can go wrong.”

To make things especially complicated, Aspinall is dealing with procedures in both eyes. Bisping’s right eye was his problematic side, which stemmed from his fight against Belfort in January 2013. Bisping returned to action that April. In total, he made 11 more appearances, which included his middleweight title reign.

However, Bisping wishes he had taken more time to focus on healing, because now, he can’t see out of his right eye. He urges Aspinall to be patient in his recovery, because he’s risking permanent damage.

“The one thing you can’t do with an eye is rush back,” Bisping said. “That is the one big lesson that I learned, because I did that. I rushed back too soon. I rushed back to sparring. I rushed back to competition, and I never saw out of that eye again. Tom has got to take his time.”

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Bisping offers Tom Aspinall advice on eye surgery recovery

The Houston Rockets have had players donning a total of 52 different jersey numbers (and have one not part of any numerical series for Houston assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson) since their founding at the start of the 1967-68 season, worn by just under 500 players in the course of Rockets history.

To honor all of the the players who wore those numbers over the decades, Rockets Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who wore them since the founding of the team all those years ago right up to the present day.

With seven of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Rockets of all time to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.

And for today’s article, we will continue with the 10th of 14 players who wore the No. 4, big man alum Greg Smith. After ending his college career at Fresno State, Smith went unselected in the 2011 NBA draft, playing in other leagues until until he signed with Houston that same year.

His stay with the team lasted until he was cut by the team in 2014.

During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Smith wore only jersey Nos. 0 and 4 and put up 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets jersey history No. 4 – Greg Smith (2011-14)