The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays consummated their third big trade in the past two years, as the Orioles acquired much-needed starting pitching in right-handed starter Shane Baz, in exchange for an impressive and freshly drafted prospect package.

The teams announced Dec. 19 that the Orioles will receive Baz in exchange for 2025 draftees Caden Bodine and Slater de Brun, along with pitching prospect Michael Forret, outfielder Austin Overn and the 33rd overall pick in the 2026 draft, a competitive balance selection. It continued a busy day for the Rays, who added seven players to their portfolio, with two more coming in the three-way deal that saw them ship Brandon Lowe to Pittsburgh.

Baz, 26, gives the Orioles a potentially dominant piece of their rotation, even as he continues the ramp-up from Tommy John surgery that erased his entire 2023 season. Baz returned to make 14 starts with a 3.06 ERA in 2024, then ramped his innings pitched total to 166 in 2025, even as his ERA spiked to 4.87. Yet his 2025 road ERA of 3.86 was far better than his 5.90 mark at Steinbrenner Field, the hitter-friendly, wind-swept park the Rays used as repairs were made to Tropicana Field.

That’s a pretty good starting point heading to 2026, when Baz shouldn’t face innings restrictions and may be best poised to reclaim the form that saw him strike out 12.2 batters per nine innings in his major league glimpses with the Rays in 2021 and 2022.

Baz is also under team control for three seasons, aligning with franchise cornerstones Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman and newly signed slugger Pete Alonso, who received a five-year, $155 million deal.

He folds into an Orioles rotation helmed by right-hander Kyle Bradish and lefty Trevor Rogers, taking significant pressure off Bradish and Tyler Wells, who are bouncing back from elbow surgeries of their own. The Orioles are still expected to explore further starting pitching reinforcements.

In return, the Rays got a relatively deluxe package of prospects, led by catcher Bodine, an on-base savant and the 30th overall pick out of Coastal Carolina in July’s draft; he can catch and play outfield. The Rays also snagged de Brun, a prep outfielder from Oregon drafted 37th overall in July.

De Brun was ranked sixth overall in the Orioles’ still-strong farm system by MLB Pipeline, while Bodine and Forret – who struck out 91 in 74 innings across high A and AA in 2025 – are ranked 10th and 11th.

While AL East rivals, the Orioles and Rays have not shied away from big deals. The Orioles acquired right-hander Zach Eflin from Tampa Bay in 2024, and shipped reliever Bryan Baker to the Rays in July in exchange for a competitive-balance draft pick.

That pick was used on de Brun – who finds himself a Ray eventually, anyway.

SEATTLE — On a cold December night in the Pacific Northwest, Sam Darnold was in the midst of a nightmare performance similar to his past two outings versus the Los Angeles Rams.

Darnold had thrown two interceptions and the Seahawks were down 30-14 midway through the fourth quarter. Seattle’s win probability was as low as 2.7% with 9:04 remaining in the fourth quarter, according to Next Gen Stats. The two picks gave Darnold eight total turnovers in his previous three meetings against the Rams, including the playoffs.

The crowd was restless.

Then momentum dramatically shifted when the Seahawks’ Rashid Shaheed returned a punt 58 yards to the house. It catapulted the Seahawks to their largest fourth-quarter comeback in franchise history. Seattle carried its momentum into overtime as they successfully converted a game-winning two-point conversion in a 38-37 overtime victory over the Rams.

Playoffs clinched. The Seahawks control their own destiny. First place in the NFC is currently theirs.

‘Just an electric atmosphere. With all the adversity we were dealing with throughout the game,’ Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said postgame. ‘The resiliency (and) the relentlessness is there, the character of this team is there, and they have each other’s backs, all three phases.’

The adversity and resiliency Macdonald referenced postgame mostly resides with his starting quarterback.

Darnold exorcised his Rams demons in what was perhaps the biggest game of his career.

Following two interceptions in the second half, Darnold made a 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end AJ Barner in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks tied the game on the ensuing play on a bizarre two-point conversion. Then Darnold completed five of six passes in overtime that was capped off by a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and a game-winning two-point try by tight end Eric Saubert.

‘For me especially, I’ve had games like this in the past where I haven’t played necessarily my best football and turned the ball over. But at the end of the game, you see yourself on the other side. It’s not great when you have interceptions and turnovers. You want to limit that, but all you can do is fight back,’ Darnold explained. ‘I was just going to continue to plug away and get the ball to open receivers, and go through my reads.’

What made Darnold’s response to adversity even more impressive is his recent history against the Rams. He went into Thursday 1-4 versus the Rams, including the playoffs. The Rams picked him off four times in Week 11 and twice before Thursday’s massive rally. Many might have thought the game was over when Darnold tossed his second interception of the night and just chalked it up as the Rams being Darnold’s kryptonite.

But the defense had a trio of three-and-outs in the fourth quarter, Shaheed ignited Seattle with thr punt return and Darnold showed tremendous resiliency after his earlier mishaps.

The victory could galvanize the Seahawks in their final two regular-season games and into the postseason. Seattle is on top of the NFC, and now it has a quarterback who’s proven he can respond to adversity and help rally the team to victory on a big stage.

‘These types of wins truly show what type of team you have,’ Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams said. ‘To be able to comeback in the fourth quarter, go to overtime, get that two-point conversion, and like all those small details that you know bring the team together. Especially when we’re making that push into the playoffs where there’s gonna be some hard-fought games. I think that really shows what type of team we have.’

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

If you’re looking for pedigree in one of the games in the first round of the College Football Playoff then the meeting of Alabama and Oklahoma is your meeting. Including this year, the teams have combined for 14 appearances and three titles with the lion share of those coming from the Crimson Tide’s success under Nick Saban.

This is the first playoff for Kalen DeBoer in his two seasons as Alabama coach. But he does have the previous experience of taking Washington to the title game in the 2023 campaign. Oklahoma has been to the playoff four times previously and yet to win a game. Is this finally the time for the Sooners to break through?

If they do, it will happen with defense leading the way. In the previous meeting between the teams five weeks ago, Oklahoma forced three turnovers and pulled out a road win in Tuscaloosa. Alabama will need to avoid those miscues in what should be a low-scoring game.

Which team will advance to a meeting with Indiana in the Rose Bowl? Our experts weigh in with their predictions.

Matt Hayes

Unless the Alabama offense has had a reawakening in the last two weeks, what happened in Tuscaloosa in November will play out again in Norman. And probably just as ugly. Oklahoma finally gets its first playoff win and keeps its streak against the Crimson Tide going. Oklahoma 20, Alabama 17.

Jordan Mendoza

Alabama didn’t look good toward the end of the season, including the home loss to Oklahoma. It would make sense the Crimson Tide would again struggle against the Sooners, but the extra time off should give the Alabama offense some time to get back in rhythm. But its defense wins the day to get a revenge win and move onto the Rose Bowl. Alabama 20, Oklahoma 19.

Paul Myerberg

What did Alabama learn from this year’s loss to Oklahoma? (And last year’s, too.) Look for the rematch to be decided on defense and by which team avoids the type of crucial turnover that could tip the game in either direction. Despite dropping two in a row to the Sooners, the Crimson Tide have more room for error. Alabama 20, Oklahoma 13.

Erick Smith

Oklahoma’s margin for error has been slim with its offense struggling to generate consistent success and its elite defense and special teams providing field position and points. Alabama has more balance and ability to generate big plays in the passing game. The Tide just need to play clean. It’s a tough ask. But they somehow pull it out. Alabama 24, Oklahoma 21.

Eddie Timanus

In all likelihood, we’re in for another defensive slog that typified the early matchup between the teams. The side that gets the most opportunities with a short field will slip by, and the Tide will be able to create more such chances. Alabama 20, Oklahoma 13.

Blake Toppmeyer

If Alabama loses to Oklahoma for the third time in the past 13 months, Crimson Tide fans will direct Kalen DeBoer to a copy of “100 Things to Do in Ann Arbor Before You Die.” Neither offense enters this game playing well, but the Sooners possess an elite defense. That, plus home-field advantage, is a powerful combination. Oklahoma 19, Alabama 17.

The latest 2026 NFL mock draft has QBs Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore going 1-2, though Ty Simpson remains a wild card.
The Giants could be in prime position to trade back if they land the No. 1 overall pick.
A run of defensive players could help round out the top 10.
Ohio State is predicted to have four players selected in the first round, including two in the top ten.
Several trades are proposed, including the Jets moving up to the first pick and the Giants acquiring additional first-round selections.

With the NFL’s regular season drawing to a close, compiling a 2026 mock draft has gone from complete guesswork to … educated guesswork.

With the top of the first-round order still not set and the underclassmen declaration cutoff almost a month away, there are still many moving parts that need to be settled before the full picture can come into focus. But the parts are moving more slowly, at least, with the College Football Playoff beginning and the top 18 slots nearly two weeks away from being set. And as the action on the field gears down, that’s when draft season truly ramps up.

With that in mind, here’s our latest 2026 NFL mock draft projection:

2026 NFL mock draft

1. (PROPOSED TRADE) New York Jets (from New York Giants) – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

If the Giants do secure the top overall pick, they might as well start the bidding for the selection right after Week 18. With Jaxson Dart in tow and a robust pass rush, there’s no reason for Big Blue to hang onto this spot when it has myriad other needs that don’t necessarily align with the top of the draft board. The Jets could seize on that opportunity by flipping their own top-five pick and the Indianapolis Colts’ selection from the Sauce Gardner trade, which is rapidly becoming more valuable amid the team’s spiral. After a season of stasis, Gang Green would have every reason to strike out for Mendoza, a high-floor passer who also could help bring a cultural sea change. With much of the offensive line in place and Garrett Wilson at his disposal, the Jets could actually propel themselves a good distance in 2026 if they’re able to bring aboard Mendoza as a pilot.

2. Las Vegas Raiders – Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

The Silver and Black host the Giants in Week 17 in a matchup that likely will decide who secures the No. 1 overall pick. Given the way things are going, the Raiders might be the front-runners for the slot. The expansive scope of an undeniable rebuild is setting in for Las Vegas, which has to decide whether to make more expansive leadership changes after already firing Chip Kelly. And while the current setup hardly feels conducive to success for an inexperienced young quarterback, the front office has the cap space to go on a free-agent spending spree and fast-track a facelift at a few key spots. Moore could still return to Oregon for another year, but his composure and ability to thrive both within and outside of structure will make him a coveted prospect if he takes the leap.

3. Tennessee Titans – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

Losing out on the top draft pick isn’t necessarily a devastating development for Tennessee, which could have benefitted from trading back but still lands arguably this class’ premier prospect at No. 3. Reese increasingly looks ticketed for a move to the edge at the next level, as the shift would allow him to fully harness his rare tools to beat blockers and find the ball. There’s no telling what scheme the new coach would bring on, but there has to be room to build around the 6-4, 243-pounder regardless.

4. Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Take this not as any sort of referendum on Shedeur Sanders but rather an embrace of the work still to be done on this roster. The offense right now is essentially scorched earth, leaving this as an impossible turnaround for almost anyone the organization could put behind center. With Tate joining standout rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr, the passing attack could finally get some cornerstones in place, though the offensive line also looks due for an overhaul.

5. (PROPOSED TRADE) Giants (from Jets) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

This seems like a much more natural spot for the Giants to settle in and address key areas of need, particularly receiver and offensive line. Injuries marred Tyson’s final season in Tempe, and his medical history could complicate what once seemed like a pretty straightforward case to be a top-10 pick. So long as teams are comfortable with his outlook, however, the 6-2, 200-pound target sizes up as exactly the kind of weapon who could thrive alongside Malik Nabers and help ease the burden on Dart.

6. Arizona Cardinals – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

As the Raiders and Ashton Jeanty demonstrated this year, taking a running back this high without the proper infrastructure to support him is a dangerous proposition. But Arizona is only a year removed from having one of the NFL’s most efficient ground attacks, with this season’s rushing output being derailed by backfield injuries. While the Cardinals still must address the offensive line in free agency, Love is an electric playmaker who could break big gains as both a runner and receiver.

7. New Orleans Saints – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

Tyler Shough’s impressive returns in a short window should be more than enough to entrench him as the starting quarterback for 2026. With that question resolved, New Orleans can turn its attention to a roster that still feels like a grab bag of talent that still skews too old. The edge group surely could stand to be reimagined, and Faulk can earn his keep as an upper-echelon run stuffer while he hones his pass-rush skills.

8. Washington Commanders – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

Dan Quinn and Co. finally seemed to submit to a lost season, keeping Jayden Daniels from further harm by putting the star quarterback on ice until next season. For Washington to come anywhere close to reclaiming its status as an NFC contender, it will need to reinvigorate a front that has largely looked lifeless. While Bain’s burly build might spark some skepticism about whether he can be a prolific pass rusher off the edge in the NFL, Quinn might be able to look past that and to a skill set that enabled the 6-3, 275-pounder to become college football’s most consistent disruptive force.

9. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Taking a safety in the top 10 might be a non-starter for some talent-starved teams. The Bengals, however, should have no qualms about pouncing on Downs if he lasts to this point. After coach Zac Taylor’s pleas for someone on the defense to step up and lead largely went unheeded, the Jim Thorpe Award winner could be exactly the kind of transformative figure required to jump-start the unit. Cincinnati owns the league’s worst run defense and has been woeful when covering tight ends, and Downs could be an immediate force on both fronts.

10. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

With a couple of late-season wins by Atlanta preventing this pick from ending up too much higher, the Rams end up with a steal in April’s trade rather than a full-on heist. Fano’s fleet feet would make him an enticing fit for Sean McVay’s offense, though he needs to become stronger to take on the NFC West’s bevy of powerful pass rushers.

11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

The calls for a quarterback here figure to grow considerably louder in the wake of Tua Tagovailoa’s benching. But Miami needs to display patience in several aspects of a rebuild that could have an extended timeline. Going with McCoy might have an extensive payoff down he line, as the 6-0, 193-pound cover man still has a solid claim as this class’ top cornerback despite missing the entire season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

12. Kansas City Chiefs – David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech

It’s a new day in Kansas City after the franchise’s 10-year playoff streak came to an end, and there’s significant pressure to parlay a rare early first-round draft pick into an immediate contributor. Bailey figures to be exactly that for whichever team he joins, with a lightning-quick first step and deep bag of moves enabling him to make a smooth transition. His 6-3, 250-pound frame might necessitate some creative usage, but the Chiefs can’t afford to be rigid given how far their pass rush has fallen off.

13. Minnesota Vikings – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

J.J. McCarthy’s last two outings have given Minnesota some signs of encouragement as the franchise tries to sort out its significant step back from its 2024 form. One area for the team to address is its outlook at cornerback, where injuries have taken a significant toll. Delane is far from the prototype at the position given his modest size and speed, but his coverage skills are impeccable and would allow the team to optimize its secondary by moving Byron Murphy Jr. back inside.

14. Dallas Cowboys – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Quinnen Williams’ arrival could only do so much to lift a defense that’s very nearly at its breaking point. A linebacker this early might seem like a luxury, but Styles is hyperathletic and remarkably clean against the run. Putting the 6-4, 243-pounder alongside DeMarvion Overshown would make for an imposing pairing on a defense that has too often been undone by miscues at the second level.

15. Baltimore Ravens – Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The Ravens have made a habit of scooping up top talent after draft-day tumbles, and the trend could continue here with Woods. Originally seen as a potential top-five pick entering the season, the Clemson standout never managed to translate his occasional flashes of disruptiveness into the prolific production expected of him. At this point in the draft, however, he’s worth the gamble for a defense that has the fourth-worst pressure rate in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats.

16. Carolina Panthers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

When the Panthers offense is at its best, it’s chipping away at teams with its ground attack while mixing in downfield shots for chunk gains. But the unit still can’t hang its hat on either of those areas. Sadiq can be of considerable help in both categories, as the vertical threat also makes a serious dent in the run game with his overpowering blocks.

17. Detroit Lions – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)

Unable to recapture last season’s magic, the Lions are now on the outside of the NFC playoff picture after seizing the No. 1 seed a year ago. While the defense has been weighing down this year’s group, Detroit shouldn’t blink at the opportunity to fortify its front on either side of the ball. Sliding from tackle to guard here, the physical Mauigoa could help the Lions better assert themselves as the rough-and-tumble outfit that they’ve long sought to embody.

18. (PROPOSED TRADE) Giants (from Colts via Jets) – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Big Blue has a host of issues, so scoring another first-round draft pick would be a sizable win if the team can manage it. Though there could be an inclination to repair a ramshackle run defense or double-dip on offense via the line, the glaring problem at cornerback warrants addressing after various recent investments went bust. An explosive athlete who can clamp down on receivers in coverage or catch up to them to make a play on the ball, Cisse would give the Giants some much-needed assistance to allow its vaunted pass rush a chance to do damage.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

For a team that should be the clear front-runners in the NFC South, Tampa Bay is still too often undermined by its own errors, particularly at the second level of its defense. Allen might be an immediate salve, with his savvy approaches to coverage and stuffing the run sure to stand out to Buccaneers brass.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

At one point this fall, Simpson was coming along so quickly in his first season as a starter that he looked like he could be a legitimate challenger to be the first quarterback taken in the draft despite his shortage of experience. Now, that notion seems fairly distant, as he’s struggled a good deal in the last month. Simpson still could threaten for a slot somewhere in the top 10, but his stock might be slightly volatile if he declares and lasts beyond that point. Pittsburgh might value his quick processing and pocket maneuvering more highly than some other teams, and his arrival could clear up a post-Aaron Rodgers future that long looked murky.

21. Philadelphia Eagles – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

The story of Philadelphia’s offseason might center on how the organization handles the long-running unrest on offense, but that won’t be solved by plugging in a player or two. The outlook is much simpler in the secondary, where a No. 2 corner with Terrell’s coverage chops and tackling prowess would firm up the last pressing weakness on the back end.

22. Houston Texans – Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

To some, the defensive line might seem like the last place for Houston to be concerned with after the fearsome pass rush helped revive the team’s season. But the Texans aren’t nearly as settled on the interior as they are on the edge, and McDonald could create additional headaches for opposing lines by commanding double teams and pushing the pocket.

23. Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

More change on the edge seems inevitable for the Cowboys, who face Dante Fowler Jr., Sam Williams and Jadeveon Clowney all hitting free agency. This might be early for Parker, who had a largely lackluster season after being projected as a potential top-15 pick in the spring. But the 6-3, 265-pounder is a well-rounded defender who served up a reminder of his potential with a three-sack outing against South Carolina.

24. Buffalo Bills – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

It’s past time to break Josh Allen out of hero mode and give him the well-built downfield threat he’s so sorely been lacking. At 6-4 and 210 pounds with a knack for coming down with contested catches, Boston ticks nearly every box of what the Bills should be seeking in a potential go-to target.

25. Chicago Bears – A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

Turnovers have been the life force of the Bears’ defense, but the unit needs to depend on a more tenable formula after this season. The forceful Washington, who would be a fine running mate for Gervon Dexter Sr., could help Chicago better command the line of scrimmage.

26. Los Angeles Chargers – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

A broken foot derailed Banks’ season, but don’t sleep on the 6-6, 330-pounder’s chances of cracking the first round. He offers more pass-rushing upside than many of the other massive interior defenders in this draft, and he would still enable Jim Harbaugh to play the brand of bully ball he desires.

27. San Francisco 49ers – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

The Brandon Aiyuk saga doesn’t appear to be headed for any sort of reconciliation between San Francisco and the talented wideout, leaving the 49ers with a distinct lack of clarity beyond Ricky Pearsall in the receiving corps. Adept at freeing himself from coverage in the underneath and intermediate areas, Lemon could become a fast favorite of Kyle Shanahan, who could position the Biletnikoff Award winner to become a high-volume target early on in his scheme.

28. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

No matter what direction they go with their two first-round draft picks, the Browns need to take some sizable swings to close a significant talent gap with the rest of the AFC. Bringing aboard the 6-7, 360-pound Proctor would certainly qualify as that, as he could provide a major payoff if he’s able to iron out some inconsistencies as a blindside protector.

29. Rams – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

What does the team that has very nearly everything give itself with a second first-round draft pick? The secondary surely stands out as a point of interest for Los Angeles despite the progress made this season, and McNeil-Warren’s size (6-2, 202 pounds) and range would present more opportunities for the defense to stay aggressive and versatile.

30. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB/DE, Texas A&M

An undersized edge rusher who took the Southeastern Conference by storm after transferring from Bowling Green, Howell seems like the kind of player Mike Vrabel would pound the table for. New England could stand to add more juice to its pass rush, particularly if it doesn’t re-sign K’Lavon Chaisson after his breakout season.

31. Seattle Seahawks – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

There aren’t too many points of uncertainty for the Seahawks’ loaded defense in the near term, but the 2026 cornerback room is one of them. Hood combines the size and spirit necessary to take on the likes of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, though taking on the talented duo is a tall task for any rookie.

32. Denver Broncos – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

An offense that once had to scrape along before putting things together late seems to be finding its stride. But Bo Nix surely wouldn’t object to being given a threat like Concepcion, who could accelerate the unit’s big-play progress and complement Courtland Sutton nicely.

At this point, Major League Baseball’s winter merry-go-round of blue chip free agents should be slowing to a halt. Yet here we are, a week before the holidays tip off in earnest, and the music has hardly commenced.

Generally, if business isn’t finished by Dec. 25, it gets booted into the new year, where a different countdown clock commences: a month or less before the modern player typically arrives at their team’s spring training facility.

And it’s not so much the big names still on the board as it is the lack of specificity attached to them. Certainly, tires have been kicked and perhaps even offers made under the radar, but since a brief winter meetings burst, movement has been anything but imminent.

With that, let’s aim to speed things along with destinations for a half-dozen of this winter’s biggest names:

Kyle Tucker

Might be the quietest and oddest pursuit of a definitive 1/1 free agent in recent memory – heavy on supposition, light on specifics. Lest we remind you, Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani signed their $700 million-plus contracts just as the winter meetings began and shortly after they concluded, respectively, the past two seasons.

Even in the grim soft core collusion days of recent vintage, there were sightings of Manny Machado sneaking a meeting at Citizens Bank Park and rumblings that clubs might try a quick strike on Bryce Harper on a shorter term, fatter annual basis before those fellows found homes nearly a month into spring training.

Tucker? He’s a bit less dynamic a presence than the aforementioned superstars, and thus the buzz has been a tad less palpable. But his time will come soon, as the pool gets shallower.

And the destination that’s made sense all along – Toronto – only continues to blink brightly.

The Blue Jays’ podium finishes in the Soto and Ohtani sweepstakes shows a fair amount of dry powder remains at Rogers Centre even after they inked their own franchise player to a $500 million deal. Sliding Tucker into a corner outfield spot would also come so easily and provide a readymade lineup replacement when George Springer departs after this season.

But for 2026, the Blue Jays can pretty much concoct a dream team, with fresh blood to quickly cure that one-game-short residual effect as they gun for a World Series title.

Destination: Blue Jays

Bo Bichette

Yeah, might as well get both these guys out of the way. It’s a bit less likely the Jays can lay out cash for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Dylan Cease and Tucker and retain their homegrown middle infielder, who recently reportedly acknowledged he’d be willing to move off shortstop to second base.

That will significantly boost the comfort level for prospective suitors who might have been scared off by his suboptimal defensive metrics as he reached his late 20s. And while his market value may take a little hit, his offensive profile – two-time AL hits king, consistent 20-plus home run pop, a .311 average and .840 OPS in his platform year – holds up quite well at second.

Yet will the market be there for him in this particular winter?

Teams certainly loved what they saw in 2025, and even after a knee injury cost him the final month of the season and the first two rounds of the playoffs, his relatively heroic World Series performance on essentially one leg was an eye-opener.

Still, he may find the landscape more lucrative next winter, with another big offensive year on the board and 162 games to show how dynamic and productive he can be at second base. More teams should be in play: Nico Hoerner and Jazz Chisholm Jr. will be free agents, which on one hand fills the market with second basemen but on the other puts a pair of massive-market teams in the mix.

Perhaps Bichette follows the path old teammate Marcus Semien paved: A switch to second, one massive season in Toronto and then a return trip to the market a year later, when he’ll still be just 28.

Destination: Blue Jays

Framber Valdez

We certainly miscalculated, believing Valdez might be a 1A to Dylan Cease’s No. 1, if not a tad higher given Valdez’s uber-consistent success in Houston.

Alas, chicks – and by chicks, we mean front offices – dig the strikeout, which is why the Blue Jays lavished $210 million on Cease before the turkey hit the oven last month. Valdez is simply a horse whose value spreads intrinsically throughout a five-man rotation.

He’s averaged 192 innings for the Astros the past four seasons, toting a 1.16 WHIP all along, has won some huge playoff games and consistently punches out eight to nine per nine innings over his career.

Sure, his Texit wasn’t entirely smooth, and he’s not the sort of ace whose charisma might light up the box office. But the Baltimore Orioles don’t need that: They’ve got Pete Alonso and the proverbial bright young core, and are badly in need of both pitching and a guy who can predictably provide more than 150 innings of excellent work.

The Orioles said they had no limitations financially this winter, and we believed them, and suddenly Alonso was studying up on how best to crack a crab. They intimated they weren’t done this winter even with Alonso in the fold.

We still believe them.

Destination: Orioles

Alex Bregman

When you put on the Boston Red Sox uniform, the window between beloved superstar and whisper campaign once you leave is never large. And by all metrics, Bregman’s one year in Boston – on a heavily-deferred $40 million salary with an opt-out – was a huge success.

The consummate clubhouse dude played a massive role in returning playoff baseball to Boston, even if his arrival created a domino effect that shoved Rafael Devers off third base and eventually to San Francisco.

Yet with roughly $250 million off the books thanks to Devers’ departure, re-upping Bregman should theoretically be easy enough – along with further upgrades. But the Red Sox passed on Alonso and Bregman is hanging out there like a massive prize, posting grindset thirst traps from his Arizona gym, even as the local team out there put up smoke signals it might be in on him.

It all adds up to a classic Boston ghosting, even as Fenway Sports Group projects to pocket nearly $1 billion from its reported sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Hey, sustainability should be just around the corner.

Meanwhile, all the old characters are back in play from Bregman’s first go-round in free agency. And at Wrigley Field, they’ll be losing Tucker’s big bat – and hefty salary – to free agency.

Even as Matt Shaw showed some viability in his rookie season, there’s still plenty of room for Bregman, whose 128 adjusted OPS would be a massive upgrade over Shaw’s 98. Hoerner’s potential departure would allow room for both on the dirt in 2027.

And should Bregman land on the IL a couple times, as he did with the Red Sox, there’s admirable depth to cover for him. Besides, the Cubs could use another dawg.

Destination: Cubs

Cody Bellinger

This might be the ultimate staring contest of the winter, the Yankees certainly wanting their very valuable corner outfielder back, Bellinger perhaps desiring a few more years of financial certainty than the Yankees are willing to offer.

It’s a tricky spot, to be sure, given Bellinger’s age (30) and that his 152 games played marked just the second time since 2019 he’s topped the 130 mark.

But he’s clearly healthier than he’s been since he was the NL’s 2019 MVP, and worthy of an extensive, but not crazy, commitment.

And that sounds like a perfect deal for the folks across town.

Mets owner Steve Cohen’s cash and David Stearns’ moderating influence should cook up a really nice package for Bellinger, who should have a couple spots to play in Queens now that Brandon Nimmo’s been traded, Alonso left and Mark Vientos may be on the block. If nothing else, the collection of Bellinger and Jorge Polanco would give the club admirable depth both in a roster and lineup sense.

Destination: Mets

Tarik Skubal

OK, we just had to throw a changeup here, pun semi-intended.

Skubal’s pending free agency in Detroit has been the rustling in the basement that teams simply can’t ignore this winter. The rather obvious notion that Skubal will walk after this year into a free agency that should break all-time records for pitcher salary has turned all eyes on Detroit.

He’d certainly fit in L.A., a one-year rental to boost a pitching staff that will be licking its wounds from two World Series titles – and the Dodgers have perhaps the most prospects to offer. He’d certainly fit anywhere in New York, particularly since the Yankees believe their 94-win core was pretty good – and Skubal would lessen the sting of waiting for Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón to return from injury.

Yet there’s also an 87-win team that twice reached the ALDS, only to lose in heartbreaking fashion each time. A club with an interesting young core, a rebuilt bullpen, a ballpark perfect for Skubal to flourish one more time before hitting the market.

Rumblings are nice. But common sense prevails more often than not.

Destination: Tigers