MLB Free Agency 2025: Winter Meetings Live Updates. Schwarber to Phillies, Díaz to Dodgers reported.

The MLB offseason had proceeded at a relatively unhurried pace leading up to this week’s winter meetings, but the initial significant event materialized on Tuesday morning. Reports indicated Kyle Schwarber had finalized a five-year, $150 million agreement to rejoin the Philadelphia Phillies. Merely moments later, news emerged that Edwin Díaz and the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers had reportedly come to terms on a contract.

Schwarber was listed at the third spot on Yahoo Sports’ roster of the top 50 free agents, behind Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, while Díaz occupied the eleventh position.

Major League Baseball executives, player agents, and numerous other stakeholders have gathered in Orlando, Florida, this week to negotiate various deals during baseball’s premier offseason event. The previous year’s winter meetings witnessed Juan Soto’s record-setting $765 million contract with the New York Mets, the high-profile trade involving Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox, Max Fried’s acquisition by the Yankees, and several other substantial transactions.

This year, Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker is seeking a contract that could exceed $300 million, while Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal might be available for trade. The Washington Nationals appear poised to move MacKenzie Gore, and multiple other free agents could secure contracts valued in nine figures.

Tuesday also marked the White Sox securing the top selection in the MLB Draft lottery, with the Rule 5 Draft scheduled for Wednesday.

Keep updated with Yahoo Sports for comprehensive coverage of developments, speculations, and all the “hot stove” excitement from the 2025 winter meetings:

Live33 updates
  • Chris Cwik

    Chris Cwik

    Pete Alonso, previously a power hitter for the New York Mets, is reportedly a highly sought-after player during the winter meetings. Among the clubs showing interest, the Mets, Baltimore Orioles, and Boston Red Sox are considered the frontrunners to acquire the first baseman, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Alonso, at 31 years old, is fresh off a season where he recorded a .272/.347/.524 batting line. This marked a rebound year for Alonso, following a challenging 2024 season where his 122 wRC+ matched his career low. His previous struggles had led him to accept a smaller contract in last season’s free agency. That agreement contained an opt-out clause after only one season, which enabled Alonso to enhance his market worth before re-entering free agency this winter. Currently, Alonso appears poised to secure the significant contract he was aiming for last winter. The fact that at least three teams are reportedly vying for him strengthens his position.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    The terms for Finnegan are reportedly a two-year agreement worth $19 million, including an additional $1 million in performance incentives, as reported by Robert Murray of Fansided. This represents a substantial financial gain for a relief pitcher who performed well for the Tigers during the regular season but showed some decline in the ALCS.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    This year, the Tigers brought in Kyle Finnegan during the trade deadline and seem to be interested in retaining him for additional pitching appearances. The club is nearing an agreement with the relief pitcher, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    As a new era begins under a new president of baseball operations, it seems probable that the Nationals will move starting pitcher Mackenzie Gore this winter. Jon Morosi of MLB Network suggests that a potential trade partner could be their divisional competitor. A transaction involving Gore moving to the Baltimore Orioles would be significant, extending beyond baseball dynamics, given the ongoing strained relationship between the two organizations since the Nationals relocated, further intensified by a long-standing dispute concerning television rights that was settled earlier in the year.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    While the Dodgers made a significant acquisition today with the Edwin Diaz agreement, they still possess a distinct requirement in their outfield. Having secured the premier relief pitcher available, the question arises: why not also pursue Kyle Tucker, the top outfielder on the market? According to The Athletic, the reigning champions are keen on Tucker but are not looking for a six- or seven-year commitment. Instead, they would consider a three- or four-year agreement with an exceptionally high average annual salary. This approach is not new for them, though it often results in players declining such offers. Nevertheless, it bears observing should Tucker’s market not materialize as anticipated.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    Numerous clubs reportedly seek to acquire a premier second baseman in professional baseball.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    The Marlins are currently discussing potential trades for starting pitcher Edward Cabrera with the Baltimore Orioles and other organizations, as per The Athletic. Cabrera delivered a strong performance in 2025, achieving a 3.53 ERA across 137 2/3 innings, but he also had two stints on the injured list, including one for an elbow sprain. The Marlins’ demands and their readiness to execute a deal remain uncertain, yet teams place a high value on starting pitchers whose contracts are controllable, which explains their exploration of this option. Cabrera’s contract is controlled by the team until 2028.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    While the Pirates were unable to acquire Kyle Schwarber today, they successfully obtained New York Mets relief pitcher Gregory Soto! The two-time All-Star will earn $7.75 million from the Buccaneers following his performance last season, where he recorded a 4.18 ERA and 3.91 xERA over 60 1/3 innings. He is not considered the top relief pitcher who departed the Mets today.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    The market for Ketel Marte is still in its early stages, but Jon Morosi of MLB Network indicates that the Red Sox are perceived as a formidable contender for his services.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    The White Sox participated in the 2026 MLB Draft Lottery holding the highest probability of securing the first overall selection, at 27.73%. Their fortune prevailed, as they claimed their first top pick since 1977 (Harold Baines) on Tuesday. The initial ten selections are as follows: 1. Chicago White Sox
    2. Tampa Bay Rays
    3. Minnesota Twins
    4. San Francisco Giants
    5. Pittsburgh Pirates
    6. Kansas City Royals
    7. Baltimore Orioles
    8. Athletics
    9. Atlanta Braves
    10. Colorado Rockies Further details are available here.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    The athlete, who has earned two Gold Glove awards, recorded an .808 OPS when facing right-handed pitchers and a .676 OPS against left-handed pitchers in 2025. It appears the Red Sox intend to continue providing him an opportunity as a regular starter.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    The specifics of an agreement reported Monday evening are now clear. Steven Matz has signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Rays, who additionally acquired center fielder Cedric Mullins.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    Following Edwin Diaz’s agreement with the Dodgers, the outcome was largely anticipated, but it is now confirmed: Devin Williams is set to serve as the Mets’ closer in the 2026 season.

  • Chris Cwik

    Chris Cwik

    The Baltimore Orioles aim to make a significant impact this offseason. The team has reportedly engaged in discussions with Kyle Tucker, identified as the top hitter available on the market, as per Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Tucker, aged 28, recently completed a season with the Chicago Cubs where he achieved a .266/.377/.464 batting line. This information surfaces after previous reports indicated the Orioles had proposed a five-year, $150 million contract to Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber, however, chose to accept the identical offer from the Philadelphia Phillies. Both developments underscore the Orioles’ intention to acquire high-profile players this winter. Having failed to secure Schwarber, it is plausible that the Orioles will intensify their efforts to sign Tucker.

  • Chris Cwik

    Chris Cwik

    Initial hopes were significant for Vaughn Grissom when the Boston Red Sox positioned him as the key component in the Chris Sale trade. However, injuries plagued Grissom’s tenure in Boston, resulting in the team sending the shortstop to the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Grissom, at 24 years old, now seeks to rebuild his career in the major leagues with his third professional club. In return for Grissom, the Red Sox will acquire outfielder Isaiah Jackson. During his time with the Atlanta Braves, Grissom demonstrated flashes of potential stardom in his initial appearances in the big leagues. Due to injuries, he was called up to the majors at 21, where he proved more than capable at the plate. As a rookie, he posted a .291/.353/.440 batting line across 156 plate appearances. Grissom was anticipated to begin the 2023 MLB season as the Braves’ shortstop following Dansby Swanson’s departure in free agency. Yet, he failed to secure the role during spring training and subsequently spent most of the season in the minor leagues. That year, he logged only 80 major league plate appearances, batting .280/.313/.347. Despite this underwhelming performance, the Red Sox still recognized potential in Grissom’s hitting ability. That December, Boston traded Sale to the Braves for Grissom and an undisclosed amount of cash. This transaction was primarily a financial maneuver by Boston, aiming to divest itself of Sale’s substantial contract. Although Grissom had just completed a difficult season, he remained young, and the impression of his promising rookie year was still fresh.

  • Jack Baer

    Jack Baer

    A prominent relief pitcher in professional baseball is reportedly making his way to Los Angeles. Edwin Díaz, formerly the New York Mets’ closer, has reached a contractual agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers, as confirmed by Will Sammon of The Athletic. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the arrangement spans three years and is valued at $69 million. Since Díaz declined a one-year qualifying offer of $22.025 million, the Mets will be awarded draft pick compensation due to his departure. Díaz was unequivocally the most sought-after arm in the bullpen market this offseason, positioned at No. 11 on Yahoo Sports’ compilation of the top 50 free agents, outranking the subsequent reliever by 16 spots. Further information about Diaz is available here.

  • Chris Cwik

    Chris Cwik

    Ultimately, Kyle Schwarber will continue his career in Philadelphia. As reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Schwarber and the Phillies are reportedly completing a five-year deal worth $150 million. Schwarber, aged 32, was anticipated to be among the most pursued players on the market after hitting a personal best of 56 home runs last season and securing second place in the NL MVP voting. Schwarber exemplifies what is termed the “three true outcomes” in baseball: home runs, walks, and strikeouts. This term generally characterizes players whose plate appearances predominantly conclude with one of these three scenarios. Schwarber perfectly matches this description. Since his inaugural season in the major leagues in 2015, Schwarber has recorded a 14.2% walk rate, a 28.4% strikeout rate, and has achieved 340 home runs. These statistics place him ninth, tenth, and second, respectively, among players accumulating at least 3,000 plate appearances during that timeframe.

  • Chris Cwik

    Chris Cwik

    The MLB winter meetings wouldn’t be complete without Scott Boras’ characteristic playful remarks concerning his clients. Nevertheless, on this occasion, Boras seems to be fueling speculation with his statements. When questioned about free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger on Tuesday, Boras hinted at the potential involvement of the Los Angeles Dodgers for his client. The Dodgers are seeking an additional outfielder following Michael Conforto’s struggles during his single season with the team. Conforto was ultimately excluded from the team’s postseason roster. This exclusion, however, did not prevent the Dodgers from clinching the championship. Should Bellinger sign with Los Angeles, it would signify a return for the power hitter. Bellinger began his professional career with the Dodgers, playing his initial six seasons with the franchise. Since his departure, Bellinger has maintained his effectiveness as a player, achieving a .281/.338/.477 slash line over the last three seasons.

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