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Rumor Corner: Nolan Arenado file | Dodgers versus Giants

Nolan Arenado more likely than ever to leave

Last year, we suspected there was a good chance Nolan Arenado would leave St. Louis. But now, more than ever, we agree that the veteran’s chances of leaving St. Louis are good.

Arenado understands the situation, and it’s safe to assume that he’ll be a little less guarded about potentially saying yes to a deal.

Dodgers more active than ever?

The Dodgers put money into their club to try and win. And for the past two years, it’s been working, considering they’ve been defending champions since 2024.

Last year, the club invested a lot in its relievers, but to no avail. The Dodgers’ bullpen was a problem in the playoffs.

How much will the Dodgers want to invest? According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers may be more active than ever in filling their team’s gaps.

With the threat of a work stoppage (due in part to the way the club spends) looming in a year’s time, this may be the Dodgers’ last chance to push in that direction.

Keep an eye on the Giants

If the Dodgers ever fail to sign Kyle Tucker or even certain relievers like Devin Williams, we shouldn’t be surprised to see a club like the Giants get their hands on the L.A. club’s targets.

Tucker and Williams are the ones to watch in town.

Kyle Schwarber the leader

Is Kyle Schwarber likely to leave the Phillies? The chances are excellent, on paper, of him signing a new contract with the Phillies.

His leadership is said to be incomparable in the Philly locker room. Everyone loves him.

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A bizarre off-season for the managerial waltz

Are you one of those people who want to cry that teams always hire the same managers? The latest round of managers is here to show you that this year was different.

Case in point?

The San Francisco Giants hired Tony Vitello, who has never set foot in a professional locker room as a manager or player. The Nationals set their sights on Blake Butera, who is 33. Kurt Suzuki got the job in Anaheim because he was willing to sign for just one year.

The Padres hired Craig Stammen, a former reliever who wasn’t expected to be a manager in the public eye. He had been with the Padres for three years.

Craig Albernaz (Orioles) has no MLB managerial experience either, but the hire is less left field.

Five of the eight hires are guys who have never managed in the Majors. Walt Weiss (Braves), Derek Shelton (Twins) and Skip Schumaker (the best hire of the winter in my opinion) at the Rangers already had experience.

The Rockies don’t have a manager right now… but who cares: they’re not a real club. The Rockies have just appointed Paul DePodesta as their head of baseball operations.

He’s the Moneyball guy who’s been in the NFL for years.

You tell me if it’s good or bad, but we’re seeing some changes in managerial hires. Several big names (most of whom have experience) have been passed over.

For example?

Albert Pujols, David Ross, Brandon Hyde, David Bell, Bob Melvin and Bruce Bochy: these are just a few of the names that weren’t able to find a position for the 2026 season.

We’ll see what happens. But clearly, we’re thinking outside the box.

PMLB
  • Silver Sticks in the National.

  • Justin Dean in San Francisco.

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Ross Atkins refuses to confirm Jeff Hoffman as closer in 2026

During today’s Blue Jays bosses’ press conference, a number of topics were discussed. But there was one that deserved a little more attention: the case of Jeff Hoffman.

The Blue Jays reliever, who acted as closer in 2025, has had his ups and downs. During the season, he sometimes struggled.

In the playoffs, he was very good, but gave up a bad home run in Game 7. He’s said loud and clear that he blames himself and his teammates for costing him a World Series ring.

But you have to wonder, in all this, how much confidence the Blue Jays have in him.

The question was put to Ross Atkins today. And the club’s GM refused to confirm that Jeff Hoffman will be the ninth-inning reliever for the Blue Jays in 2026.

His answer was… evasive.

He said Hoffman wasn’t attached to the idea of being the closer , and that the pitcher would likely be open to anything that makes the Blue Jays better going forward.

In other words: the Blue Jays will be looking for an impact reliever, and if they find one, Hoffman will lose his job in the ninth inning. If not, he’ll be the closer.

There are several quality relievers on the free-agent market, and we’ll have to see if any of them want to head to Toronto as a free agent. If not, a transaction is possible.

So everything is on the table.

PMLB
  • Tony Gonsolin DFA.

  • Pete Fairbanks is a free agent.

  • Lucas Giolito did not receive a qualifying offer.

  • Bo Bichette at shortstop in Toronto: possible.

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MLB en bref : Les Rockies engagent le gars de Moneyball | Craig Stammen, gérant des Padres

Les Rockies engagent le gars de Moneyball

Paul DePodesta quitte les Browns de Cleveland (NFL) pour aller diriger les opérations baseball des Rockies.

C’est lui, pour ceux qui se posent la question. Il a eu plusieurs postes, dont celui de DG des Dodgers, mais il est reconnu pour avoir été le bras droit de Billy Beane à Oakland.

Craig Stammen, gérant des Padres

Albert Pujols a manqué son coup. Les Rockies sont la seule équipe sans gérant, présentement.

Don Mattingly à Philadelphie?

Les Phillies pourraient le considérer comme entraîneur de banc. Son fils est le DG du club.

Max Muncy reste chez les Dodgers

Aucune surprise.

Que fera Kyle Schwarber?

La question se pose.

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Blue Jays: John Schneider praised | Mark Shapiro has no contract

Today, the Blue Jays held their media availability with club patrons to mark the end of the club’s 2025 season. This came just days after the loss in Game 7 of the World Series.

And it came on the day the club confirmed it had submitted a hostile offer sheet to Bo Bichette.

Of necessity, several questions were asked. In particular, Mark Shapiro was asked if he had signed a contract, as his current deal will expire in a few weeks.

He said he hadn’t, but that it was coming, and that he felt inspired for the future. I believe him, because otherwise he wouldn’t have talked to the media like that.

He didn’t want to talk about his manager’s contractual situation (that’s for Ross Atkins to do, he said), but he did say that John Schneider is becoming one of the best in his profession. That’s something.

Ross Atkins later confirmed that John Schneider will be around in 2026 (there was an option in his contract) and that discussions to keep him in town longer will take place. The GM also praised the manager, whom he finds good.

What about the payroll?

Shapiro expects the 2026 payroll to be in the same ballpark as the 2025 payroll. And he also thinks the run to the World Series will make the Blue Jays attractive to players.

PMLB
  • Jose Berrios should have a normal winter and be ready for camp.

  • Pitchers: Ross Atkins started doing his homework to get some.

  • The Blue Jays are happy to have Shane Bieber.

  • Don Mattingly felt ready to move on. Note that the coaching staff shouldn’t change too much this winter.

  • Renovations have begun.

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Three possible destinations for Bo Bichette

Today (Thursday) marks the opening of the free agent market. And one of the names to keep an eye on in the coming weeks is certainly Bo Bichette.

In 2025, Little Bichette posted a .311 batting average, with a .357 on-base percentage, while adding 18 home runs, 94 runs produced and a very low total of 91 strikeouts. Although Bichette missed the final month of the season, he finished second in the American League in hits with a total of 181.

The 27-year-old missed much of the playoffs with a knee injury, but was in the field for all seven games of the World Series, posting a .348 batting average with a huge long ball in the final game of the Fall Classic.

Bichette is expected to attract the attention of several Major League Baseball teams this off-season. Here are three of them:

Of course, a return to the Toronto Blue Jays isn’t out of the question, even though for most of 2025, it seemed clear that this would be Bichette’s last season with the Blue Jays. Perhaps the Jays’ participation in the World Series and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s new contract will have changed things.

The San Francisco Giants could also be in the running to acquire Bichette’s services, as they are in need of hitters who know how to get to the trails after finishing in the lower reaches of the Manfred Circuit offensively during the 2025 season. With Willy Adames settled in at shortstop, a move to second base would be in order for Bichette, which could pay off for the Giants.

Finally, the Detroit Tigers, who will see second baseman Gleyber Torres head to the free agent market. Detroit’s second basemen posted an OPS of .755 in 2025, ranking third in MLB, while conversely, the team’s third basemen posted an OPS of .628. Bichette could fill either role and help an offense in need of reinforcement.

Honorable mention to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who could very well get their hands on Bichette and send Mookie Betts to right field.

This will be a very interesting case to follow.

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Don Mattingly leaves the Blue Jays

According to the New York Post, the Blue Jays and Don Mattingly have parted ways.

The Blue Jays bench coach of the past three years has decided to leave to do something else. But it’s not because he’s on bad terms with the club, according to reports.

The game veteran felt he needed a new challenge. He doesn’t want to retire.

If you ask me, I’m not surprised. He had been brought in to help John Schneider (who grew up a Yankees fan in New Jersey and watched Donnie Baseball play in the Bronx) develop as a manager.

Now that’s a success.

He had also been brought in to help the forward. His responsibilities as a guy in charge of helping the offense were taken away… and in 2025, under David Popkins, the Blue Jays’ bats woke up.

Maybe it was time to move on, then.

Details to come…

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Dodgers must send Mookie Betts to outfield

Mookie Betts is quite an athlete. To see him go from right field to shortstop at an age when guys normally go the other way is a feat that probably needs to be talked about a bit more.

And he’s been excellent this season, having been a finalist for the Golden Glove in 2025.

In 2024 and 2025, the Dodgers started Betts at shortstop – and twice won the World Series. But in 2024, Betts finished the year in the outfield.

While his gesture on behalf of the team is to be commended, I believe the Dodgers have a responsibility to bring Betts back to right field in 2025.

In my eyes, if the star has had a tough series (the former Red Sox has had his moments, but in general, it’s been tough for him), it’s because of the accumulated fatigue of the shortstop position.

It just makes sense if the club can pick up a good middle infielder to compensate.

Andres Gimenez, who finished the season as Toronto’s shortstop, said after a few weeks full-time at the position he felt the effect on his body. Imagine for a veteran like Betts, who spent the season at the #6 position…

By sending Betts to right, the Dodgers could also move Teoscar Hernandez from there (it sounds like I’m not ruling out a trade, but if not, he could go to left) and stabilize right field.

Most importantly, it could maximize Betts’ performance by keeping him fresher and more available. And at this point in his career, I think that’s pretty important.

Maximizing star performance is important. I’m sure the conversations are happening for Shohei Ohtani, so why not do the same for Betts?

PMLB
  • Good listening.

  • Joc Pederson stays in Texas.

  • Kenta Madea in Japan.

  • Bruce Bochy: special advisor to the Giants. Jayce Tingler joins Giants coaching staff.

  • Adam Ottavino is not expected to manage the Rockies.

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Passion MLB – The Podcast, Episode 88

The World Series is already behind us, but it was one hell of a game! Sébastien Berrouard and Charles-Alexis Brisebois take a look back at the last two games of the Fall Classic and the 2025 season. The latest rumours as the off-season approaches were also discussed.

Enjoy.

We remind you that people who want to listen to us live can do so every Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Facebook, on X and on YouTube. We record live to answer everyone’s questions.

However, those who want to listen to us in a more traditional podcast format can also do so by visiting all the good podcast platforms at any time.

SpotifyYouTubeApple PodcastAmazon Music

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Rumor mill: Kyle Schwarber linked to the Yankees

Over the next few weeks, we expect to see a lot of action in the MLB. The big names on the free-agent market will be looking to sign their next contracts… and more and more, various rumors are circulating about what’s in store this winter.

So let’s take a look at what’s circulating right now.

Kyle Schwarber linked to the Yankees

One of the names we’ll be keeping a close eye on this winter is Kyle Schwarber. The slugger, who has just broken everything in Philadelphia over the past few years, will be a special case in that he is a designated hitter who will turn 33 at the start of next season.

Usually, these guys don’t have a huge market… but Schwarber is a special case.

And what’s interesting is that in the last few hours, Jesse Rogers(ESPN) has linked Schwarber’s name to… the New York Yankees.

This would be a contingency plan for the club if Cody Bellinger has to leave.

Obviously, Schwarber would be a perfect fit in the Yankees lineup. We know the left-hander loves to shoot the ball, and with the close fence in right at Yankee Stadium, Schwarber could hit home runs a ton.

That said, Schwarber’s fit is more complex to imagine defensively. He’s purely a designated hitter, after all… and Giancarlo Stanton already occupies that position in the Bronx.

And that’s without taking into account the fact that Aaron Judge could very well be called upon to do so in the near future.

Schwarber would bring an undeniable offensive impact, but would be quite a headache defensively. Something to keep an eye on.

Kyle Tucker should leave Chicago

Last winter, the Cubs pulled off a major coup by completing a transaction for Kyle Tucker. The outfielder was in his final year before full autonomy in 2025, so he was purely a rental player.

Unless the Cubs offered him a long-term contract… which they didn’t.

And according to what’s circulating at the moment, we can expect Tucker to decide to leave Chicago, while the player is looking for a contract worth over $300 million.

That’s what Jeff Passan and Jesse Rogers of ESPN are reporting.

Not a small-market team, the Cubs have developed a habit of letting their big players go on the free-agent market rather than signing them. And the club seems to be on the way to doing the same with Tucker.

Even so, a $300 million contract for a player of this calibre is far from excessive in today’s MLB.

Interestingly, the Cubs don’t even seem to want to spend that kind of money on a top-notch reliever. And that’s likely to make another team happy…

Dodgers want big relievers

Ahead of the 2025 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers have invested in the bullpen. The club pulled out the checkbook for Tanner Scott, and they also got their hands on Kirby Yates.

But the champions’ biggest weakness this year was in the bullpen. We saw it clearly in the playoffs: apart from Roki Sasaki (who is a starter), Dave Roberts had no real trusted reliever.

Scott wasn’t even in the line-up for the World Series. That’s saying a lot.

But clearly, the Dodgers are eager to try again: according to Alden Gonzalez, the club is expected to be very aggressive in getting their hands on a big reliever.

One wonders if Edwin Diaz, for example, will be in the club’s sights. The reliever has decided to exercise his opt-out, so he could be an option on the table for the Dodgers.

Alternatively, the club could take a chance on Devin Williams, who finished his season well with the Yankees. Robert Suarez, Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Helsley and Kenley Jansen (reportedly making a comeback with the Dodgers) could also be options to keep an eye on.

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