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Shohei Ohtani took to the mound on Saturday against the Giants on the team's Bobblehead Day for MLB legend Barry Bonds.

Bonds was in attendance at the game to take part in the festivities around him and his bobblehead. Everyone wanted their hands on a bobblehead as fans lined up outside Oracle Park for a chance to take home one of the 20,000 available. But, it wasn't just fans wanted to take home the souvenir—Ohtani made sure he got to grab one, too.

Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow shared the fun story of Ohtani securing a Bonds bobblehead when appearing on KNBR's show this week. Someone with Ohtani after the game went up to a group of Giants workers who happened to be collecting the leftover bobbleheads after the game. Ohtani apparently wanted one of the bobbleheads, so the guy he was with asked a worker if he could grab one.

“He wanted the Barry Bonds bobblehead,” Krukow said. “Isn’t that a cool story?”

It's understandable why Ohtani would want a Bonds bobblehead—the guy's a legend of the sport. But, the way he went about securing one was pretty funny.

Ohtani walked away with two wins on Saturday. The Dodgers won 2-1 over the Giants, and the pitcher/designated hitter got his bobblehead.

Rayan Cherki, who made a move from Olympique de Lyonnais to Manchester City this summer, has spoken about his objectives with the Cityzens. The winger-cum-attacking-midfielder has also revealed his style and mentality, which can have an immense impact on City's season under Guardiola as they aim to reclaim the Premier League title at the end of the campaign.

Cherki an 'old school' guy

Cherki was one of the high-voltage signings Guardiola's recruitment team accomplished heading into the 2025-26 season. A whopping £34 million was spent by the Etihad-based club to convince French outfit Lyon to let go of their star player, who scored 29 times and assisted on 45 occasions in 185 appearances for the Ligue 1 giants. Overwhelmed to join City, Cherki had already shown signs of his 'old school' mentality since his arrival. Although he took some time to settle into the side alongside an injury that sidelined him for a period, he is slowly integrating himself into Guardiola's system and finding the groove under the Spanish maestro. In 13 appearances, he has already secured eight goal contributions, which include four goals and four assists. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhat are Cherki's objectives?

Speaking in an interaction with TF1, Cherki expressed that he simply wanted to enjoy himself under Guardiola's leadership. Moreover, he is not someone who has statistical objectives for a season but wants to be close to his stats from the last season, where he scored 12 goals and assisted 20 times in 44 matches. 

He revealed: "I’m not a stats guy. I think that you can see that in the way that I play football. I’m an old-school footballer, and the ‘old-school’ didn’t look at stats. I know that nowadays, that element is very important."

He had revealed his old-school mentality in his initial City days, where he expressed anger against Manchester United, who defeated Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals to book a place in the last four. He had commented: "I (didn't) like (it) when Manchester United won the game against Lyon because I'm a Lyonnais. Now I am waiting for the game (to) kill them. I'm here to win all the games." He had also mentioned, "I'm not Kevin De Bruyne, he is the legend. I'm here to help the team and to write my own story. I hope to win all the time with the team. When I spoke with Pep, he wanted me – he was very, very clear. Pep told me, 'when you have the ball, you are free', which is very good for me because it's my first quality to help the team."

Cherki's former coach ideates what he needs to shine

Laurent Blanc, who nurtured Cherki at Lyon, has spoken up on what the star, who has accumulated just four starts this season, needs to establish a place in City's starting lineup. 

He said to L'Equipe, via the Mirror: "I don't know where it comes from, whether it's street talent or innate talent, but he's brimming with it. I can assure you that there aren't many players like him. He's a rare gem. In the media world, you call him a rising star. He has no technical limitations. His limitations will be more tactical and physical. Physically, I had the pleasure of seeing him again recently; he's changed, and for the better. He's among the best, the very best.

"If he adapts tactically, he'll have a huge advantage. His talent and genius make him a rare player. He just needs to find a coach who trusts him. And I think he has. Because of his talent and his natural ability, he doesn't put pressure on himself. His love of the game keeps him free from any kind of pressure. But for him, things are about to get serious. We're going to be more and more demanding. He has enough talent to rise to the challenge. I understand it's difficult for coaches to play him, given the pressure to get results. But yes, he has to be played. And yes, he has to be given freedom. Because I'm convinced that with Rayan, you'll always have a better chance of winning than losing."

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Getty Images SportWill Cherki start against Newcastle?

Cherki earned 53 minutes of playing time against Liverpool in City's last league game before the November international break. When City return to the pitch on November 22 against Eddie Howe's Newcastle United, Cherki will be aiming to get more minutes against a struggling Magpies. With Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland alongside him, he could be more lethal and help Haaland extend his magnificent form from the World Cup qualifiers. Moreover, Cherki's scoring knack could also be handy for Guardiola against a Newcastle team, which will be vying to return to winning ways after suffering a hefty 3-1 loss to Brentford in their previous outing. 

Pakistan fast bowler suffered the same penalty as India captain Suryakumar Yadav

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Sep-2025Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has been found guilty of breaching the ICC code of conduct during the Super Four game against India in the Asia Cup on September 21. Rauf was fined 30% of his match fee by ICC match referee Richie Richardson.It is understood that Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan was not fined and let off with a warning by Richardson on Friday.During an ill-tempered game in Dubai, Rauf was seen responding to heckling from Indian fans by signalling 6-0 with his hands and making gestures depicting the downing of aircraft, in an apparent reference to the military conflict between India and Pakistan in May this year. Farhan had celebrated his fifty by mimicking a gunshot.India captain Suryakumar Yadav was also fined 30% after being found guilty of breaching the ICC code of conduct for making comments that alluded to the military conflict after the group game against Pakistan on September 14. India had appealed against the verdict.The PCB had filed a complaint against Suryakumar, while the BCCI had done the same against Rauf and Farhan. All three players had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which necessitated hearings with Richardson.There was heightened tension between India and Pakistan during their group game on September 14, with India refusing to shake hands with Pakistan at the toss and after the game, which India won by seven wickets. In the Super Four match between the sides, there were a number of confrontations between Pakistan’s bowlers and India’s openers. Abhishek Sharma later accused Pakistan of “coming at us for no reason”.The two teams are set to play each other for the third time in the tournament, in the Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday.

He was rewarded for being aggressive yet conventional in a match-turning spell against SRH

Matt Roller17-Apr-20251:02

How Jacks’ part-time offspin found success

The old art of orthodox right-arm offspin is on its deathbed in the IPL. R Ashwin, once its standard-bearer, was dropped by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) this week after spending six games predominantly bowling carrom balls, and Washington Sundar can hardly get a game for Gujarat Titans (GT). Sunil Narine and Maheesh Theekshana? They are better categorised as mystery spinners. Glenn Maxwell is still going, but tends to spear in darts rather than looking to turn the ball.But on Thursday night at the Wankhede, an improbable saviour emerged. Will Jacks’ spell of 2 for 14 from three overs ensured that Mumbai Indians (MI) hardly missed the legspin of Karn Sharma when he went off injured, and put the brakes on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) just as they looked to accelerate. Perhaps there is a pulse after all: reports of offspin’s demise in the T20 format were an exaggeration.Harbhajan Singh is one of the all-time great offspinners, and a four-time IPL champion. On the eve of this season, he bemoaned what he perceives to be the defensive approach of the modern offspinner: “They are scared of getting hit for sixes… [They] are more interested in conceding less runs than taking wickets. The reason for specialist offspinners disappearing is this mindset.”Related

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Yet Jacks is unlike most occasional spinners in that he actively looks to turn the ball: he has a classical action, tries to get flight and dip, and at 6ft 2in, his height unlocks extra bounce. He only bowls an average of one over per match in T20s, but Surrey have used him as a frontline spinner in the County Championship and he even has a Test-match six-for to his name.Jacks came into this game sweating on his place, after a quiet start to the season with his new franchise. But he was told at training on Wednesday that he should expect to bowl early on against SRH’s left-handed top three: he came on for the seventh over, with Abhishek Sharma – whom he had dropped first ball at slip – and Travis Head riding their luck early on.At last year’s T20 World Cup, England threw Jacks the ball for the second over against Australia in Barbados, and he disappeared for 22 runs as Head ruthlessly targeted a short square boundary, helped by a stiff crosswind. His third ball, tossed up and crunched back down the ground, must have brought back bad memories: “We’ve had a few good battles,” Jacks said after Thursday’s match, grimacing.But it proved to be the only boundary that he conceded, and his second over featured the ball of the night: a slow, flighted offbreak which had Ishan Kishan charging down the pitch and spun sharply – 5.4 degrees – to beat his outside edge. By the time that Ryan Rickelton had whipped the bails off, Jacks was halfway towards Hardik Pandya at mid-off in celebration.0:55

Bangar: Hardik was spot-on with his captaincy

Hardik’s decision to bring Jacks back ahead of his frontline overseas spinner, Mitchell Santner, was immediately vindicated at the start of his third over: Head charged down and picked out long-off, bringing an uncharacteristically sluggish innings to a tame end. Jacks then proved that he can bowl to right-hand batters too, with five precious dots (and a wide) to Heinrich Klaasen.”If you bowl tentatively to people like that, it’s only going to end one way,” Jacks said. “Originally, I thought I was going to bowl in the powerplay; I didn’t, so I had a bit more protection. I knew I could bowl with confidence and use my skills: I’m a tall bowler, I get good turn and bounce, so that’s what I was trying to do.”Jacks is an unlikely candidate to keep the right-arm offspinner relevant, but his words must be heartening for Harbhajan to hear. “Sometimes, I feel like I can be too defensive instead of using what I’m good at,” he said. “It’s very easy to focus on the batters, but you’ve got to remember that you have your skill as well – and you’re there to get them out.”I knew there was going to be a bit of spin assistance, so as long as I wasn’t floating the ball up there and bowling aggressively… That’s what I was trying to do, looking to get them out. As an offspinner to two left-handers, I’m always looking to take wickets and be aggressive: I know they’re always going to come after me as well, being the sixth bowler.”Jacks is a quick offspinner, and bowled between 90.7-100.9kph throughout his spell. But his combination of bounce, drop and turn was match-turning. “He came up against our three left-handers,” Daniel Vettori, the SRH head coach, said. “All those batsmen said it was hard to get down [the pitch] to him, and when he did drop short, it sat in the wicket and was difficult to hit.”His runs with the bat – 36 off 26 from No. 3, after an early reprieve from Head at cover – ensured that he will have plenty more opportunities to bowl his offbreaks this season. In doing so, he has the chance to prove that there is still a role for his secondary skill in this league – and this format.

Angels outfielder Taylor Ward crashed into the metal scoreboard in Daikin Park on Sunday afternoon. Ward was chasing down a fly ball when he hit the scoreboard face-first and suffered a cut that immediately required towels from the bullpen. Ward eventually left the field on a cart.

After the game fellow Los Angeles outfielder Jo Adell ripped the Houston ballpark for the dangerous location of the scoreboard.

"He's doing what he's supposed to do," said Adell via SoCal News Group's Jeff Fletcher. "He's being aggressive on a play. At the bottom line, and I've talked about this before, but there should be no out of town metal scoreboard anywhere on the baseball field. It's the big leagues. This sh– is ridiculous. A guy goes back to make a play, and he's got to worry about a metal fence. That's crazy. So that's my honest opinion about it. He did everything he could to make a play, and he gets beat up by something that's beyond controllable."

As dangerous as the scoreboard may be, this appears to be the first time that someone has suffered such an injury at Daikin Park, which was formerly Minute Maid Park and originally Enron Field. The ballpark was originally opened in 2000 when it featured a hill and flagpole in centerfield. Those features also had people worried and they were removed following the 2016 season.

This leaves the train in left field as the only unique feature in the ballpark that hasn't been removed or caused an injury.

Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa has been left out of the DR Congo squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, which is slated to commence on December 21. Although the decision will be a shock for the forward, it should benefit the Magpies, who are still waiting to see their £55 million summer signing in action. The 29-year-old has not featured for the Premier League club since arriving from Brentford due to a knee injury suffered on international duty just days after completing his move.

AFPInjury strikes days after his Newcastle arrival

Wissa’s start to life in the North East has been shaped entirely by misfortune. After signing on deadline day, he immediately joined DR Congo for the September international break. He starred in a 4-1 win over South Sudan on September 5 and showed why Newcastle paid a premium for him as he racked up a goal and an assist. But in the following fixture, a narrow 3-2 defeat to Senegal, Wissa sustained the knee injury that has sidelined him ever since. Initial fears centred around possible ACL damage, but Newcastle quickly moved to reassure supporters that the forward had avoided a catastrophic setback. His recovery has been slower than first anticipated, with it reported that the striker suffered a minor setback during rehabilitation.

AdvertisementInternational snub helps Newcastle’s festive plans

Wissa was recruited as a Premier League-ready replacement for Alexander Isak following the Swede’s high-profile exit to Liverpool. His arrival was part of a broader attacking rebuild, and Newcastle believed his work rate and finishing ability made him a perfect fit for Howe’s system. In his absence, fellow summer arrival Nick Woltemade has stepped up impressively with seven goals in 14 starts across all competitions.

Had Wissa been selected for AFCON, Premier League regulations would have prohibited Newcastle from using him during the tournament window, even if he regained fitness earlier than expected. DR Congo’s decision to leave him out means that once he recovers, he is free to feature in every match of Newcastle’s congested festive schedule. If he continues to progress and avoids setbacks, he could finally be named in a matchday squad within the next two weeks, marking the end of a lengthy wait for his debut. 

Getty ImagesHowe doesn't want to rush Wissa into action

Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s Premier League meeting with Tottenham this week, head coach Eddie Howe struck a cautious but optimistic tone.

"He (Wissa) had an 11 vs. 11 game this week while we were at Everton. He will have another one this week, and we will see where he is," he said.

"There has been no change. He is working back, and he is doing well; everything is positive, but he will be back involved when we think he is able to contribute to the group and has a minimal chance of reinjury."

Wissa has been progressing through a tightly managed individual training programme, with Newcastle’s medical staff taking a long-term view of his recovery. Howe has been impressed with the forward’s determination and professionalism, particularly given the psychological blow of joining a new club only to be immediately sidelined.

"He has a very strong character and that comes across," Howe continued. "He’s good with the players, he’s very positive. He’s a leader. You can see that already. He’s trying to inspire and help the players, which is sometimes very difficult when you come to a new club and you’re injured straight away. That’s a real tough mental challenge for him to take on, especially with his transfer fee. There’ll be a lot of emotions going through him, but all he can focus on is trying to get fit and trying to make a difference on the pitch."

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What comes next?

With DR Congo choosing not to gamble on his fitness, Wissa’s pathway back now lies entirely within Newcastle’s hands. If his recovery continues smoothly, the forward could soon begin the Premier League chapter that was put on hold before it even started. 

DR Congo’s AFCON squad in full: 

Goalkeepers: Timothy Fayulu (FC Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre), Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege)

Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Gedeon Kalulu (Lorient), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Rocky Bushiri, Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw)

Midfielders: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Charles Pickel (Espanyol),  Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht), Theo Bondgonda (Spartak Moscow), Michael-Ange Balikwisha (Celtic), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Brian Cipenga (Castellon)

Forwards: Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Ibrahim Mayele (Pyramids), Samuel Essende (Augsburg), Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor), Cedric Bakumbu (Real Betis).

Glasgow Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell was provided the funds to splash on a host of new signings for Russell Martin during the summer transfer window.

The former Everton surpremo was shaping the squad for the first time since his move to Ibrox in April, and there was plenty of movement in and out of the club.

As you can see in the graphic above, Thelwell was backed by the board when it came to incoming signings, as he splashed the cash on several significant additions.

The most expensive signing of the summer window was centre-forward Youssef Chermiti, who arrived from Everton in an £8m deal. So far, the Portugal U21 international has scored one goal for Rangers.

Bojan Miovski was also brought in for a reported fee of up to £4.2m to bolster the club’s attack. The former Aberdeen man has only scored two goals in all competitions, per Sofascore.

Another Thelwell signing who has been underwhelming since his move to Ibrox in a £3.5m deal from Luton Town has been attacking midfielder Thelo Aasgaard.

Where Thelo Aasgaard ranks among Thelwell's Rangers signings

Thelwell signed eight players on permanent deals in the summer, on top of the Oscar Cortes and Lyall Cameron deals that were agreed before his tenure, and the bulk of them failed to make much of an impact.

Djeidi Gassama has been the best addition to the squad out of those eight players. The French winger has scored six goals and provided two assists in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which is more than any other summer signing has managed.

Oliver Antman, who joined from Go Ahead Eagles for £3m, has the most assists in the squad of any summer signing, with three, per Transfermarkt, and still has plenty of time left to improve at the age of 24.

Chermiti ranks just above Miovski, despite the fee, because he is five years younger than the Macedonia international and has more time ahead to develop and reach his potential at Ibrox.

1

Djeidi Gassama

2

Oliver Antman

3

Thelo Aasgaard

4

Youssef Chermiti

5

Bojan Miovski

6

Emmanuel Fernandez

7

Joe Rothwell

That is also why Emmanuel Fernandez, who has started two games, ranks above Joe Rothwell, who is 30 and did not even make the bench for the 3-0 win over Dundee at Dens Park.

That leaves Thelo Aasgaard in third place. That may sound like praise at face value, but it really paints a picture of how underwhelming Thelwell’s signings have been.

The Norway international has produced one goal and one assist in 16 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, and the assist was a short pass to Gassama before his wonder goal in the earlier clip.

Aasgaard was also sent off against Celtic in the semi-final of the League Cup at Hampden Park for Danny Rohl’s side, which means that he has as many red cards as goals for the club so far.

At the age of 23, the former Luton star has time ahead of him and may develop into a future star for the Gers, but his current performance level has been underwhelming, at best.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

That is why there may be some regrets over their decision to part ways with attacking midfielder Ianis Hagi, who was released by Thelwell at the end of his contract in the summer.

Why Rangers must regret releasing Ianis Hagi

The Light Blues chief may regret releasing the Romania international because he would walk into the starting line-up over Aasgaard based on his form for Rangers and his performances for his new club this season.

Hagi currently plays for Analyaspor in Turkey after moving on from Ibrox as a free agent in the summer, despite showing some impressive displays in the Scottish Premiership last term.

After working his way back into the squad under Philippe Clement after a contract issue, the 27-year-old attacking midfielder scored four goals, created six ‘big chances’, and registered five assists in 16 league starts for the Light Blues, per Sofascore.

These statistics show that the playmaker, who former Romanian international Ilie Dumitrescu dubbed “sensational” last term,provided a regular threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Scottish giants, whilst being utilised as a number ten or as a winger.

As aforementioned, Aasgaard has not shown consistency as either a scorer or as a creator since his £3.5m move from Luton, which is why the decision to release Hagi in the summer looks like a misjudged one.

Appearances

9

8

Goals

1

2

Conversion rate

7%

13%

Key passes

7

17

Big chances created

0

2

Assists

1

1

Fouls won per game

1.4

2.5

As you can see in the table above, Hagi’s form in the Turkish top-flight is also vastly superior to the Norwegian midfielder’s for Rangers, as he has scored ten more chances and scored twice as many goals in fewer appearances.

These statistics show that the Romania international has taken the threat that he provided on the pitch for Rangers last season and carried it into his form in Turkey for his new club.

Hagi only turned 27 in October and is not a player who is heading into the final years of his career or is regressing as a player, as evidenced by his form this season, which makes it all the more surprising that the Gers allowed him to leave for nothing.

Rangers can avoid Gilmour repeat by playing teen who's a "heck of a player"

Danny Rohl can avoid his own Billy Gilmour situation by unleashing this Glasgow Rangers youngster.

1 ByDan Emery Nov 17, 2025

Their respective statistics suggest that the Romanian star would walk into the current Rangers team over Aasgaard, and that says it all about Thelwell’s recruitment in the summer, as it stands.

The batter, who averages nearly 70 in first-class cricket, has been picked in the Zimbabwe squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Oct-2025Batter Antum Naqvi is in line for a Zimbabwe debut in their upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan after being named in their 16-man squad. Fast bowler Tinotenda Maposa, who has played 14 white-ball internationals for Zimbabwe, is another potential debutant.Left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava and allrounder Brad Evans, both of whom were not part of Zimbabwe’s most recent Test series against New Zealand in July-August earlier this year, returned to the squad. Evans, 28, has played a solitary Test so far, which came in February 2023.Of Indian and Pakistani descent, Naqvi was born in Brussels, Belgium and moved to Australia when he was four, where he earned a commercial airline pilot’s license. He put his aviation career on hold, as per BBC Sport, to pursue cricket. He has recently qualified to represent Zimbabwe, according to a statement from Zimbabwe Cricket.Related

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Naqvi is one of the brightest emerging talents in Zimbabwe, boasting an average of over 60 in both first-class and List A cricket. In January 2024, he became the the first player from a Zimbabwean team to hit a triple-century at any level of representative cricket. Overall, he has racked up 1626 runs in 26 first-class innings at an average of 67.75 and strike rate of 72.65.In his most recent first-class fixture, he scored 68 and 108, his sixth hundred in the format, for Zimbabwe A against MCC in Harare last week.Sean Williams, Trevor Gwandu, Newman Nyamhuri, Clive Madande and Vincent Masekesa all were left out from the previous Test squad. It is understood that Williams missed out due to personal reasons.Craig Ervine will captain the team, with Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza and Blessing Muzarabani lending more experience to the team.Harare will host the one-off Test against Afghanistan from October 20 to 24. This will be Zimbabwe’s first international assignment since they secured qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.Zimbabwe squadCraig Ervine (capt), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Roy Kaia, Tanunurwa Makoni, Wellington Masakadza, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, Antum Naqvi, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Brendan Taylor, Nick Welch

MLB’s hot stove is about to get cranked up this week, as the 2025 winter meetings begin Monday in Orlando, Fla., where executives from all 30 teams will gather. And with executives, managers and player agents in the same room, the proverbial engines of the free agent and trade markets are being revved up. Some of the offseason’s biggest deals often go down at the winter meetings. This year could be no different. 

The best available position player on the market, Kyle Tucker, met with the reigning American League champion Blue Jays, perhaps a precursor to his market picking up speed this week. Arguably the next best free agent hitter, National League home run king Kyle Schwarber, is a candidate to be the first free agent domino to fall in Orlando. And then there’s the trade market. Will back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal be dealt by the Tigers? All these questions—and more—will be answered in the coming days, making for an exciting time for baseball fans. That said, here are the biggest questions in MLB heading into the winter meetings.

1. Where will Kyle Tucker land? 

Tucker, who won’t turn 29 until Jan. 17, combines a 15.8% career strikeout rate and an 11.5% walk rate with 30-home run, 30-stolen base capabilities on offense. And he’s a former Gold Glove winner in the outfield. Put it all together and Tucker is well-positioned to become just the third player in the game’s history to exceed $400 million on a free agent contract. 

So where will Tucker, the biggest fish, land? The already-busy Blue Jays, who hosted Tucker at the club’s player development complex in Dunedin, Fla., earlier this week, look poised to be an aggressive suitor for the top free agent bat fresh off of the franchise’s first World Series appearance in 32 years. Contenders with money to spend, such as the Phillies and Giants, should also have a realistic shot at landing the talented outfielder. The Cubs, who traded for Tucker last offseason, aren’t expected to pony up the money to re-sign him. 

And while two of the sport’s biggest spenders, the Dodgers and Yankees, may turn their attention to other endeavors rather than splurge on Tucker, they still can’t be ruled out. With a come-one, come-all market, all eyes will be on Tucker in Orlando. 

2. Will a top-tier starter get dealt? 

The hot stove is already cooking in the starting pitching market, as Dylan Cease, No. 10 ranked free agent, signed a $210 million deal with Toronto back in November. And we’ve already seen movement on the starter trade market, with former first-round pick Grayson Rodriguez dealt to the Angels, and three-time All Star Sonny Gray and tantalizing 27-year-old Johan Oviedo acquired by the Red Sox. 

But there are bigger trades that could be facilitated with the movers and shakers in Orlando. It behooves a playoff contender like Detroit to hold onto back-to-back Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, a 2027 free agent expected to command a record deal, until at least the trade deadline. But if the Tigers are blown away by a monster prospect-laden offer for Skubal, would they pull the trigger and get what they can for the lefty ace now? It bears watching. 

Skubal isn’t the only former Cy Young winner who could be moved at the winter meetings, either. Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, a workhorse starter who was one of the top pitchers available at the 2025 trade deadline before Miami opted to hold onto him, figures to garner plenty of interest from pitcher-needy contenders given that he returned to All-Star form in the second half. If Skubal, Alcantara or another top-tier starter is dealt during the winter meetings, it could shift the hierarchy at the top of baseball’s food chain. 

3. Will Kyle Schwarber change teams? 

For the third time in the last four offseasons, a league leader in home runs is on the free agent market. In 2022, it was Aaron Judge. In '23, Ohtani. No one would argue that the 32-year-old Schwarber, who is tied alongside Ohtani for the second-most home runs since '22, should command a deal in the stratosphere of the two best baseball players in the world. But it’s likely that the man who just led the NL with 56 homers and finished second in the MVP voting while playing in all 162 games will net a lucrative deal. 

The burning question is: Where? 

Schwarber has played the last four seasons in Philadelphia, where he has blossomed into one of the very best sluggers in baseball while becoming a fan favorite, as well as a leader in the clubhouse. Since the spring, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has made clear that he’d like to retain Schwarber—and the mission hasn’t changed come winter. 

But Philadelphia will have plenty of competition. The Reds, a dark horse in the race, don’t possess the same coffers that the Phillies do, but might have geography on their side. Schwarber is a native of Middletown, Ohio, which is 35 miles to the north of Cincinnati. Might he be interested in a homecoming with a team on the rise managed by World Series winner Terry Francona? Or could the Mets, sworn NL East enemy of the Phillies, continue their rivalry with Philadelphia into the offseason and push for Schwarber as a Plan B in the event free agent first baseman Pete Alonso leaves? Phillies fans shudder at the thought. Perhaps Schwarber, seeing what the Red Sox are building in Beantown, wants a longer stint in Boston after he helped lead the club to the American League Championship Series as a trade deadline acquisition in 2021. Then, there’s the possibility of a surprise team emerging in the Schwarber sweepstakes. 

The hulking slugger perhaps said it best in the aftermath of the Phillies’ gut-wrenching NL Division Series defeat to the Dodgers. 

“You never know how it's gonna work out, right?”

4. Which one of Scott Boras’s clients will sign next? 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for commission-gobbling agent Scott Boras, who, in anticipation of the lavish deals he hopes to negotiate, always enters the winter in a jolly mood with punny jokes about his clients not far from his lips. 

And Boras has plenty of reasons to be whistling a merry tune heading into the winter meetings. He’s representing four of top 10 free agents, headlined by Cody Bellinger, Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso, the latter two of whom are the best available at their respective positions. Oh, and Boras also represents two of the more promising free agents from Japan, starter Tatsuya Imai and first baseman/third baseman Kazuma Okamoto. 

Plus, for Boras, the festivities have already begun. He helped land Dylan Cease—one of the better starters on the market—the biggest free agent contract in Blue Jays history, kicking the pitching market into high gear in the process. 

It’s possible more of Boras’s high-profile clients will net deals in Orlando. The question is, who will be the first? There’s a compelling case that it could be Alonso, whose market seems centered around two big-money contenders—the Mets and Red Sox—with items of equal importance to signing Alonso on their respective to-do lists. Or perhaps Boston bows out of the Alonso sweepstakes and instead quickly ensures that Bregman, a well-rounded third baseman, proven winner and key veteran presence, returns before his market intensifies. There’s also a chance that, should Tucker get signed and set a robust market for position players, that Bellinger—a fine consolation prize for Tucker hopefuls and a Plan A for the wealthy Yankees—finds a landing spot. One thing is for sure: Boras is hoping the winter meetings are quite busy. 

5. Could small-market teams make a splash?

The usual suspects are expected to be busy shoppers in Orlando. Most of the teams that comprise baseball’s top 10 payrolls—the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, Red Sox, etc.—are among the clubs in the mix for some of the sport’s top free agents. 

But what about the small-market teams, effectively baseball’s have-nots? Last offseason, the lower-budget Athletics made a free agent splash when the club signed starter Luis Severino to a three-year, $67 million contract that represented the largest guaranteed contract the franchise had ever handed out. There’s a few clubs who could surprise at this year’s winter meetings, similarly to how Oakland did last December. 

The Reds, parked amid the bottom 10 teams in payroll, have been linked to Schwarber. Baltimore, possessing a strong, youthful core and an ownership that has been reluctant to spend in offseasons past, is reportedly in the mix for Tucker, as well as top free agent starters Imai, Ranger Suarez and Michael King. The Pirates, mired in a stretch of seven straight losing seasons and owners of one of the lowest payrolls in the majors, have been rumored to be a potential spender with designs on adding to the club’s offense, MLB’s lowest-scoring unit this past season. 

Could little-bank-take-big-bank at this year’s winter meetings? 

6. How will the Dodgers retool for a run at a three-peat? 

Los Angeles became the first team since the 1999 Yankees to repeat as World Series champions. Those Yankees went on to capture a third championship in 2000. Can the Dodgers enter truly rarified air in '26? To do so, they will need to address one of the club’s biggest weaknesses: the bullpen. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, knowing where his bread was buttered—and wasn’t—largely rode his starters to the Dodgers’ second straight title, as they averaged nearly six innings pitched per start in the postseason. And after the Dodgers’ bullpen posted an ERA north of four and the seventh-most blown saves during the regular season, one would expect the club to address the bullpen this winter. 

But could the events of last year’s offseason dissuade Dodgers’ brass from opening up the wallet to spend on relievers? Los Angeles inked relief pitchers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates to deals for a combined $85 million, but the two underachieved mightily. Thus far, the Dodgers have reportedly been circling the waters around three-time All-Star reliever Edwin Diaz, but perhaps the market accelerates to heights too rich even for the affluent Dodgers. Improving the bullpen on the margins is not out of the question for Los Angeles. 

The Dodgers also have a need in the outfield, given Michael Conforto’s free agency, as well as the inconsistencies of Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages. Might Los Angeles make a splash by landing the top free agent in Tucker or perhaps seek a reunion with Bellinger, who rose to MVP heights and won a World Series during his six seasons with the club? The Dodgers could also explore the trade market for some upgrades in both the bullpen and outfield. 

Whether the back-to-back defending champions choose to reload loudly or quietly makes them a potential catalyst in Orlando.