Here’s a look around the baseball world today, with three storylines that are shaping the late stages of the offseason:
1. Top Free Agents Still Waiting for the Right Fit
The top of the free-agent board thinned out in a hurry last week. In a matter of days, Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Ranger Suárez, and J.T.
Realmuto all found homes, leaving a market that once looked deep now feeling a little bare at the top. But that doesn’t mean all the impact talent is gone.
Two names still loom large: Framber Valdez and Cody Bellinger. Valdez, a lefty with postseason pedigree and frontline stuff, has had a surprisingly quiet winter.
He’s been linked to the Orioles and Mets, and the Blue Jays reportedly met with him back in November-though that was before they brought in Dylan Cease. Still, Valdez is the kind of arm who can shift the balance of a rotation, and there’s no doubt teams are keeping tabs.
Then there’s Bellinger. His market has been a hot topic, especially with the Yankees reportedly offering a five-year deal in the $150-160 million range, complete with opt-outs after the second and third years.
So far, that hasn’t sealed the deal. The Blue Jays, Mets, and Cubs are all lurking, and it’s clear Bellinger’s camp is holding out for the right combination of money, years, and flexibility.
He’s not just a bat-he’s a Gold Glove-caliber defender who can play center or first, and when he’s locked in, he’s a game-changer.
Other names like Zac Gallen and Eugenio Suárez are still out there, too, but Valdez and Bellinger are the kind of players who can move the needle on Day 1. The question now is who’s going to make the move-and when?
2. Braves Suffer a Major Blow to the Infield
Atlanta’s offseason took a tough turn with the news that Ha-Seong Kim will miss four to five months following hand surgery. That’s a gut punch for a team that brought Kim in to address one of its biggest weaknesses-shortstop production. In 2025, that spot was a black hole offensively, and Kim was expected to provide a steady glove and a spark at the plate.
Now, the Braves are staring down a big question: how do you fill that hole while staying on track in a critical year? After an 86-loss season and with Ronald Acuña Jr. inching closer to free agency, the window to contend is still open-but it’s not going to stay that way forever.
President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos has already pushed the payroll higher this winter with moves for Kim, Robert Suárez, and Mike Yastrzemski. But with Kim sidelined until at least midseason, the front office has to decide whether to dip back into the market or lean on internal options like Mauricio Dubón.
Dubón brings versatility and experience, but Kim was supposed to be the anchor. Replacing that kind of impact isn’t easy.
3. Catching Market Dries Up-But Demand Hasn’t
The catching carousel spun quickly this past weekend, with J.T. Realmuto and Victor Caratini both signing deals that took the last two reliable everyday options off the free-agent board. That’s created a bit of a scramble for teams still looking to shore up the backstop position.
The Rays and Red Sox were reportedly in the mix for Realmuto and Caratini, respectively, but came up short. Now they, along with clubs like the Padres and Astros, are left scanning what’s left.
San Diego currently has Freddy Fermin as their primary catcher, but pairing him with a proven veteran could be a priority. Houston, meanwhile, needs a backup for Yainer Diaz after Caratini’s departure.
At this point, the options are thin. Free agents like Jonah Heim and Gary Sánchez are still available, but the supply is limited-and the demand is real.
That could push some teams toward the trade market. Backup catchers like J.C.
Escarra (Yankees) and Rafael Marchan (Phillies) might be available, at least in theory, but it’s going to come down to how aggressive front offices want to get.
Catching is one of those positions where depth matters just as much as star power. Teams that miss out now could be scrambling come April.
With top-tier free agents still unsigned, key injuries reshaping rosters, and positional needs becoming more urgent by the day, this stage of the offseason is anything but quiet. Buckle up-there’s still plenty of movement to come.