New York

Mets

The Yankees believe that they have made a strong offer to Bellinger — at five years and $160 million with two opt-outs — and they’re willing to let him walk if he’s unwilling to accept that or if the Mets or another big market team decide to blow that offer away. A return to the Yankees still seems like the most plausible scenario for Bellinger.

It’s the second time in two weeks that the 24-year-old shortstop has changed teams through waivers. The Rays claimed him from the Pirates on January 8, then designated him for assignment just a few days later to make room for Brett Wisely. He’ll now join the Mets. Cheng slashed an underwhelming .209/.307/.271 with just one home run and 18 stolen bases across 107 games at Triple-A Indianapolis during the 2025 season.

The deal includes opt-outs after each season. The quick response from the Mets after missing out on Kyle Tucker sees them bringing in Bichette for third base. That seemed like it was going to be former top prospect Brett Baty’s spot, but he could now get some work at first and DH; he still ought to be in the lineup against righties one way or the other. Bichette appeared Philadelphia-bound until the Mets stepped up their offer following the Tucker sweepstakes. Perhaps the Phillies could now use their spending power to make a run at lefty Framber Valdez.

The two-time defending World Series champions have added another superstar to their fully-operational Death Star on a short-term deal that contains opt-outs after 2027 and 2028. It’s a phenomenal landing spot for Tucker as he’ll join a star-studded lineup that already features generational talents Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. The perennial 25-homer, 25-steal threat’s extensive track record as an elite five-category fantasy contributor speaks for itself, and he remains a locked-in second-round pick in drafts this spring. He’s the rare all-around hitter whose production largely transcends park factors, though relocating to Dodger Stadium represent a tangible boost to both his over-the-fence power in addition to significant counting stats upside. Durability is the lone blemish on an otherwise pristine profile, as Tucker has navigated consecutive injury-marred seasons, including playing through a fractured hand with the Cubs last year and a prior three-month absence due to a shin fracture during his final season with the Astros. The 28-year-old has decided to take his talents to Los Angeles after weighing offers from the Blue Jays and Mets.

Two-year minor league deals are typically for injured players set to miss a season, so we’re guessing that’s the case here. McGough, 27, got off to an awful start in the White Sox system last season and announced his retirement in May. He had a 1.98 ERA and an 88/28 K/BB in 81 2/3 innings for the Orioles and White Sox in 2024, with the team change coming because he was traded for Eloy Jimenez at the deadline.

The Mets needed some extra pool money to sign top international prospect Wandy Asigen, who recently committed to them after a deal with the Yankees fell apart. That worked out great for the Guardians, who don’t like spending money. Gomez was the Mets’ No. 22 prospect, according to Baseball America. The 20-year-old, an international signing in 2022, had a 2.76 ERA in 71 2/3 innings for two A-ball teams last season.

Asigen is the second-ranked prospect in this year’s international class, according to MLB.com, and had an agreement with the Yankees until December when the Mets swooped in. The 16-year-old has a “special left-handed swing” and has reportedly produced exit velocities of 110 mph or higher. He has just an average arm, but is a plus runner and an elite athlete, which allows him to cover plenty of ground. He has the tools of an elite prospect.

Passan notes that the Mets are offering $50 million a year, which confirms earlier reports that the Mets have a four-year, $200 million offer out for Tucker. The Blue Jays’ offer will obviously be for far less money each year, but the total sum is likely to be more, and he’d have more long-term stability in a longer contract. Passan believes Tucker will make a decision this week, and it seems like the choice comes down to whether he wants more money up front and another chance to enter free agency in four years or if he wants the security of a longer-term deal.

Details of where the Mets and Tucker are at keep leaking, but it’s still unclear what kind of proposals the Dodgers and Blue Jays have offered up or if there are any mystery teams lurking. It looks like we’ll be waiting a bit longer to find out.

Yesterday, it was reported that the Mets were offering $50 million per year to Tucker for a short-term deal. Then, a following report suggested that the Blue Jays are willing to sign Tucker to a long-term deal, so it would make sense that the Mets would have countered by making a longer offer to Tucker. While nothing appears imminent, it seems like Tucker’s free agency is a two-team race between the Mets and Blue Jays, with the Dodgers lurking in the background.