MLB rumors: Alex Bregman’s suitor list grows, favorites for Framber Valdez, Mets pushing for Schwarber?
Major League Baseball’s winter meetings begin Sunday, which means business is picking up across the industry. Below, CBS Sports has compiled all the whispers and moves from Friday in one convenient place.
Count the Cubs among the teams pursuing third baseman Alex Bregman, according to The Athletic. The Tigers and Red Sox, Bregman’s current club, are also in attendance, according to the New York Post.
Oddly enough, these three teams were also the three finalists for Bregman’s services last winter. He ultimately signed a three-year pact with Boston that allowed him to opt out after each of the first two seasons.
Bregman, 31, had a fantastic season with the Red Sox. He hit .273/360/.462 (128 OPS+) with 18 home runs and 3.5 wins above replacement. CBS Sports ranked Bregman as the No. 2 free agent in the classbehind outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Mets, Orioles favorites for Valdez
The Mets and Orioles are considered among the favorites to sign free agent left-hander Framber Valdez, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Valdez, 32, was rated by CBS Sports as the best starter available this winter. Over eight seasons, he compiled a 3.36 ERA (124 ERA+) and a 2.71 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He received the Cy Young Award four times.
As Feinsand notes, both organizations’ major baseball operations have ties to the Astros and to Valdez, for whatever that’s worth.
Mets pushing Schwarber?
ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the “juiciest rumor” he’s heard this week is that the Mets are pushing for outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber. As Olney notes, even if the Mets don’t sign Schwarber, they can increase his cost to the Phillies, or any other team that reaches a deal with him.
Schwarber, 32, hit .240/.365/.563 (150 OPS+) with 56 home runs and 4.7 wins above replacement. It’s unclear whether the Mets, who have openly discussed wanting to improve their team’s defense, would place him at DH, or experiment with him in left field or first base.
ESPN adds that Schwarber is expected to serve a five-year sentence.
The Red Sox add another arm
The Red Sox and Pirates agreed to a five-player trade Thursday night. Right-hander Johan Oviedo, left-handed minor league reliever Tyler Samaniego and catcher Adonys Guzman were traded to Boston in exchange for outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia and pitching prospect Jesus Travieso.
Oviedo, 27, is the second starting pitcher the Red Sox have secured this winter, joining Sonny Gray. He was limited to nine starts last season, during which he compiled a 3.57 ERA (121 ERA+) and a 1.83 strikeout-to-score ratio in 40 innings. Oviedo has a varied arsenal, including a pair of fastballs and breaking balls. He plans to compete for a rotation spot in the spring.
Garcia, 23 in a few days, is considered by some media as one of the top 100 prospects. Garcia – nicknamed “The Password” – was 1-for-7 in his first exposure to the majors in 2025. Garcia has above-average raw strength, having posted exit velocities north of 110 mph in the minors. However, he tends to withdraw. He should get a long watch in Pittsburgh’s outfield.
