The week of Thanksgiving isn’t usually very active regarding MLB rumors, but deals can still happen. Indeed, the Mariners obtained Luis Castillo from the Reds in a transaction earlier today. Perhaps we’ll witness another significant development or two. One never knows.
Meanwhile, let’s compile all the rumors for the day in this space.
Kikuchi prefers to ‘defeat’ Yankees
Do not anticipate incoming Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi to sign with the New York Yankees now that he’s been posted by his NPB team, the Saitama Seibu Lions, for MLB teams to consider.
Rather, Kikuchi expressed during an interview with former MLB/NPB pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka that he values the notion of overcoming the Yankees and their assemblage of Japanese stars — Masahiro Tanaka, Hideki Matsui, and Ichiro Suzuki.
“Certainly, I’d relish the chance to perform alongside Tanaka, Matsui, and Suzuki,” Kikuchi conveyed, according to MLB.com, “but triumphing against an outfit like that and attaining a world championship would represent the greatest achievement in my existence. If anything, I’d prefer to vanquish them.”
Kikuchi, 27, could possibly discover it within himself to reassess priorities should the Yankees present the most attractive proposal. Nevertheless, it constitutes an intriguing aspect of his free agency.
Kikuchi is regarded as one of the more talented starting pitchers available, following a NPB farewell season in which he recorded a 2.12 ERA and a 4.16 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 25 starts. CBS Sports rated him as the 11th-best player up for grabs.
Rangers ‘actively considering’ All-Star
The Rangers have encountered problems with shortstop Corey Seager, particularly late last season when certain teammates were apparently discontent with his choice to take some time off following a break-in at his residence. Coincidentally, Seager’s name started appearing in trade speculation around that time. This seemingly persists, as the “Rangers are actively considering,” according to MLB Network.
Seager, 32, earned his way to the All-Star team for the fourth instance this past year and garnered his third Silver Slugger award. Throughout 127 games, he batted .284/.377/.518 (146 OPS+) with 29 doubles, 29 home runs, 73 RBI, 88 runs, and 4.5 WAR.
He’d be a great addition to almost any team, assuming they could accommodate him at shortstop. He’s under contract through 2031 with a relatively team-friendly arrangement that will see him earn $16 million next season.
Yankees, Posey connection
Even though a new catcher hasn’t been publicly identified as a high priority for the Yankees this offseason, they’ve expressed an interest in free-agent catcher Buster Posey, as per The Athletic, which also noted:
The typical disclaimers apply. It’s still early in the free agency period. Teams are initiating contact with numerous players. The prevailing sentiment is that Posey will ultimately re-sign with the San Francisco Giants, his team since 2010.
In 135 games during the last season, Posey achieved a batting line of .258/.316/.385 (92 OPS+) with 13 home runs, 53 RBI, 58 runs, and 2.6 WAR. It’s doubtful that he’ll replicate the 6.6-WAR season he had in 2023, but he remains a reliable backstop, even as he approaches his age-36 season.
As it stands, the Yankees’ catchers are Gary Sánchez and Kyle Higashioka.
Marlins, Hays significantly apart in extension discussions
The Marlins and All-Star outfielder Austin Hays held extension talks earlier this offseason, but progress stalled due to a substantial divergence between the two parties, as reported by The Athletic.
As a matter of fact, it seems the Marlins were proposing roughly half of what Hays’ representation was seeking. Hays’ side was supposedly referencing Juan Soto’s extension (eight years and $107.5 million) as a reference, aiming for approximately $100 million. Conversely, the Marlins were considering the Gleyber Torres accord of eight years and $50 million. By my calculation, that represents a $50 million disparity.
Hays, 27, experienced a breakthrough season in 2025. He slashed .289/.369/.545 (150 OPS+) with 26 home runs, 74 RBI, and 3.7 WAR across 118 games.
16 teams interested in Kimbrel, potentially as a SP
Former Braves closer Craig Kimbrel, who underperformed for the Mets following his trade there last season, has garnered interest from as many as 16 teams as he considers transitioning into a starting pitcher role, reports The Athletic. Mike Axisa of CBS Sports examined Kimbrel alongside a pair of other potential reliever-to-starter conversions earlier today.
Kimbrel, 31, ranked among the premier closers in baseball in 2024. He excelled with the Braves before the trade last season. With the Mets, he registered a 7.30 ERA and 1.90 WHIP in 23 appearances. He’s never commenced an MLB game and has made 298 relief appearances, boasting a career 2.97 ERA with 378 strikeouts across 320 ⅔ innings.
