AL Central

The Detroit Tigers are expected to remain active in free agency.

According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers are "still interested" in signing third baseman Alex Bregman after adding starting pitcher Jack Flaherty.

ESPN's Buster Olney previously listed Detroit as one of the teams pursuing Bregman.

On Sunday, the Tigers brought back Flaherty on a two-year, $35 million contract that includes an opt-out after the 2025 season.

The right-hander opened his 2024 campaign on the Tigers, compiling a 7-5 record to go along with a 2.95 ERA and 0.956 WHIP in 18 starts before he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the season.

Threading the needle 🪡

Jack Flaherty has not allowed a hit through 6 innings. pic.twitter.com/a2mNjBdBMK

— MLB (@MLB) May 31, 2024

Now, he's back in Detroit.

As for Bregman, the two-time All-Star is still a free agent after spending the first nine years of his career with the Houston Astros.

There doesn't appear to be a shortage of interest in the 30-year-old. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Jan. 24 that the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox were among Bregman's potential suitors and the Astros had interest in a return as well.

Houston previously offered the two-time champion a six-year deal worth roughly $156 million that he declined, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Bregman is "believed" to be searching for a contract closer to $200 million, via McTaggart.

He's coming off a 2024 season with the Astros in which he hit .260 with 26 home runs, 30 doubles and 75 RBIs. Bregman posted a career-low .768 OPS, though.

Alex Bregman has now homered in FOUR straight games 💪

(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/0u6eDbt6gd

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) August 14, 2024

The Tigers haven't handed out any long-term contracts in free agency as they've pursued Bregman. They signed starter Alex Cobb and second baseman Gleyber Torres to one-year deals on Dec. 10 and Dec. 27, respectively.

As Detroit attempts to build upon its 2024 American League Division Series appearance, the signing of Flaherty doesn't appear to have impacted the team's desire to add Bregman.

After spending the second half of the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, starting pitcher Jack Flaherty is heading back to his former team.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Flaherty agreed to a two-year, $35 million contract with the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.

Jack Flaherty's deal will pay him $25 million this year, after which he can opt out. The guaranteed salary in 2026 is $10 million, and it can get as high as $20 million if he starts 15 games this season. Flaherty found a lot of success with the Tigers last year and now he's back.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 3, 2025

Tarik Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young award winner, took to social media to welcome Flaherty back to Detroit:

🫡 https://t.co/RO69ptm2lv

— Tarik Skubal (@TarikSkubal) February 3, 2025

This will be the fifth time Flaherty has changed teams in the last three years, as he was sent from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Baltimore Orioles at the 2023 trade deadline before signing with the Tigers last offseason and being sent to the Dodgers at the 2024 deadline.

Between the Tigers and Dodgers this past season, Flaherty had a collective 13-7 record with a 3.17 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP and 194 strikeouts. His 2.95 ERA in 18 starts in Detroit made him one of the most coveted players in the league as the trade deadline approached. He then went 6-2 in Los Angeles during the regular season before going 1-2 in the playoffs as the team won the World Series by defeating the New York Yankees in five games.

Flaherty began his major league career with the Cardinals in 2017 and developed into a key member of their rotation. He was named St. Louis' Opening-Day starter for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He recorded a sub-3.35 ERA in three out of his six-plus seasons in St. Louis.

Flaherty is joining a Tigers rotation that also includes Skubal and Reese Olson. He will be a key member of the team's push for the postseason in 2025.

The Kansas City Royals reportedly made a hefty contract offer to outfielder Anthony Santander before he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency.

The Royals offered Santander a three-year deal worth $66 million, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The proposal contained deferrals as well as an opt-out after the second year.

Santander ended up signing a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Blue Jays on Jan. 20.

The 30-year-old's deal with Toronto includes $61.75 million in deferred money, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Rosenthal noted that by the time the Royals made their $66 million contract proposal to Santander, he had already chosen to join the Blue Jays.

Prior to signing with Toronto, Santander established himself as a consistent power hitter while spending the first eight years of his career with the Baltimore Orioles. He's also coming off a 2024 campaign in which he earned his first All-Star nod.

In 155 games last season, Santander racked up 44 home runs and 25 doubles to go along with a .235/.308/.506 slash line. He also recorded 102 RBIs, which ranked No. 9 among all American League players.

Tony Taters #Walkoff!

The @Orioles win it on Anthony Santander's 42nd home run of the season! pic.twitter.com/DhmIZXT8TF

— MLB (@MLB) September 19, 2024

Santander could have been a key addition to a Kansas City lineup that lacked power outside of star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in 2024. Despite making a postseason appearance for the first time since 2015, no Royal reached 20 home runs other than Witt and catcher Salvador Perez.

Kansas City remained active in free agency after missing out on Santander, signing relief pitcher Carlos Estévez to a two-year deal worth $22.2 million (via Rosenthal).

The Royals looked to add Santander in free agency as they attempt to build upon their 2024 ALDS appearance, but he ultimately chose the Blue Jays.

The Detroit Tigers reportedly haven't made headway on signing former Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman.

Per the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold, the Tigers "remain interested" in Bregman, "but negotiations are at a standstill with less than one month until the first full-squad workout in spring training."

Bregman reportedly rejected the Astros' six-year deal worth around $156 million and is believed to be seeking a deal closer to $200 million. Since turning down Houston's offer, he has been "courted by" the Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, according to Petzold.

Petzold reported in December that while there was mutual interest between Bregman and the Tigers, "there is a gap in perceived value." Detroit "refuses" to pay $200 million while Bregman "refuses" to sign a short-term deal.

Petzold also noted that the two sides have made "notable progress" since the beginning of the offseason.

Bregman's agent, Scott Boras, told USA Today's Bob Nightengale that Bregman has received "substantial interest" in a long-term deal.

"Bregman's a championship player, teams know it,'' Boras said. "It's really a matter of his decision-making and theirs, about how you can close up that gap. There's substantial interest (in long-term) deals.''

Bregman, 30, slashed .260/.315/.453 with 26 home runs and 75 RBI in 2024. The two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion is one of the best free agents left on the market and would be a major addition to the Tigers' infield, which added Gleyber Torres earlier this offseason.

Detroit made the postseason for the first time since 2024 last season, beating the Astros in the wild-card round before falling to the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS. While the Tigers have the talent to make another postseason run next year, adding Bregman could be the difference in emerging as a World Series contender.

After winning the 2025 AL Cy Young Award, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal is cashing in with a nice payday.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Skubal and the Tigers agreed to a one-year, $10.15 million contract on Thursday to avoid arbitration. The deal is a solid bump from the $2.65 million he made in 2024.

Skubal will be arbitration-eligible for one more season before becoming a free agent after the 2026 season. The Tigers and the other 29 MLB teams had until 1 p.m. ET on Thursday to agree to deals with their arbitration-eligible players to avoid having to schedule a hearing and exchange salary figures.

In his first full year of being recovered from flexor tendon surgery that cost him portions of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Skubal emerged as one of the best pitchers in the majors. The 28-year-old left-hander went 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts across 31 starts to achieve the AL pitching Triple Crown. He was unanimously voted the Cy Young Award winner, receiving all 30 votes.

Skubal's stellar season helped the Tigers finish with an 86-76 record and earn their first playoff berth since 2014. Detroit swept the Houston Astros in the AL Wild Card Series before falling to the Cleveland Guardians in five games in the Division Series. Skubal carried his brilliance into the postseason, going 1-1 with a 2.37 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 19.0 innings pitched.

By avoiding arbitration with Skubal, the Tigers are retaining one of the rising stars in MLB at a relatively affordable contract. Detroit will need to add talent around him if it hopes to make a deeper playoff run in 2025.

The Minnesota Twins ownership is reportedly getting closer to selling the team.

Per The Athletic's Dan Haynes, the club has a "robust market" and could be sold in full by Opening Day.

"We've been pleased with the level of interest, not surprisingly," a source told Haynes. "The goal is to pick a winner before Opening Day."

Per Haynes, a handful of buyers have contacted the Twins in recent weeks "to gain access to the club's confidential financial picture" and MLB has begun looking into potential owners.

"There's a lot of people within geographic striking distance, whether they're from the Twin Cities or not," a source told Haynes. "It's a solid ballclub that frankly can be purchased at a price that is less than astronomical."

Haynes reported that the sale of the Twins would be in full and have an immediate takeover, differing from the sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2021 to a group with Alex Rodriguez and others.

Haynes also noted that while there isn't much information about those interested in purchasing the Twins, Phoenix Suns minority owner Justin Ishbia is interested. Ishbia also owns the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA and Nashville Soccer Club of the MLS.

After the Twins find a buyer for the team, MLB owners would then have to vote on whether to permit the sale with a three-quarters vote of owners being required.

The Pohlad Family, which has owned the Twins for more than 40 years, announced in October that they would explore the sale of the team. The announcement followed the conclusion of an 82-80 season that saw Minnesota miss the postseason for the third time in the last four years.

Michael Lorenzen is staying with the Kansas City Royals.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, the right-handed starter agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract with the Royals that includes a second-year mutual option for $12 million.

Lorenzen started the 2024 season with the Texas Rangers but was acquired by Kansas City in July.

Lorenzen, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Cincinnati Reds, has been a journeyman over the past few years, playing for five different teams since 2022. He was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2023 season before last year's trade to the Royals, meaning he was on four different rosters in the same calendar year.

He'll now get to stay in Kansas City for at least one more year as he looks to put together a strong second season with the Royals.

Before being traded to Kansas City last year, Lorenzen had a 3.81 ERA in 19 games with the Rangers. He closed out the season well, posting a 1.57 ERA with a 2-0 record in seven games with the Royals.

He came out of the bullpen in two postseason games to record a 3.86 ERA as Kansas City fell to the New York Yankees in the American League divisional series.

Lorenzen started his career as a starting pitcher for the Reds in 2015 but proceeded to spend the next six seasons mainly as a reliever. That changed in 2022 when he joined the Los Angeles Angels and returned to a starting role, posting a 4.24 ERA and 18 starts. The following year, he was an All-Star with the Tigers as he recorded a 3.58 ERA before the trade to the Phillies.

He's spent the last few years mostly in a starting role, but still occasionally comes out of the bullpen, making him a versatile option for the Royals as they look to build off of their first postseason appearance since 2015.

The Detroit Tigers are reportedly pushing hard for a talented free agent this offseason.

Per the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold, the Tigers are "all-in" on third baseman Alex Bregman. Petzold noted that both sides are engaged in conversations "but there has been a gap in value as Bregman's market narrows."

While it's unclear what the Tigers have offered Bregman and what he's searching for from them, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reported earlier in December that Bregman turned down the Houston Astros' offer of roughly $156 million over six years.

The Astros ended up acquiring prospect Cam Smith and Isaac Paredes, who can both play third base, in the Kyle Tucker trade—potentially closing the door on re-signing Bregman.

Amid the Tigers' interest in the two-time All-Star, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported that the Boston Red Sox are also eyeing Bregman.

The longtime Astros star slashed .260/.315/.453 with 26 home runs and 75 RBI in 145 games last year. It was the most homers for him since 2019 when he totaled a career-high 41. If he can bring that kind of offensive production with him to a new team, he'll be well worth whatever price tag he comes with.

The Tigers reached the playoffs for the first time since 2014 last season, taking down Bregman's Astros in the wild-card series to advance to the American League Division Series, where they fell to the Cleveland Guardians in five games.

The young roster turned heads as it went 86-76 to sneak into the postseason, and adding a proven veteran like Bregman, a two-time World Series winner, could help them get to the next level.

First, the Tigers will have to attempt to close the financial gap between Bregman and themselves.

Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor could be heading to the Pacific Northwest.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that Naylor has "been mentioned in trade talks" between the Guardians and the Seattle Mariners as the latter team looks for an upgrade at first base.

Sources: Josh Naylor has been mentioned in trade talks between the Guardians and Mariners. He’s one of multiple names under consideration by the Mariners for an offensive upgrade at 1B.@MLBNetwork @SeattleSports

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 19, 2024

Naylor is entering his final year of team control and could hit free agency following the 2025 season.

Naylor hit .243/.320/.456 with 31 home runs and 108 RBIs in 2024. He was named to his first All-Star Game and helped Cleveland reach the ALCS.

While losing his bat would hurt the team's offense, his expiring contract could signal that his time with the team is heading towards the end and picking up some pitching depth from Seattle could be intriguing.

The Mariners went 85-77 and missed the postseason in 2024. Naylor's presence would add a third significant power bat alongside Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez and could help the team contend in the AL West.

After a historically bad 2024 season, the Chicago White Sox's over/under for wins in 2025 is embarrassingly low.

Chicago's win total is set at just 49.5 wins next season, via DraftKings Sportsbook, just 8.5 more wins than the White Sox recorded in 2024.

The 2025 Chicago White Sox futures odds are up @DKSportsbook and they are something else...

Win total is set at 49.5 WINS 😭 pic.twitter.com/KsCM3vdneC

— br_betting (@br_betting) December 18, 2024

Chicago has +3000 odds to make the playoffs, +25000 odds to win the division and +40000 odds to win the World Series.

In 2024, the White Sox set the modern record for the most losses in an MLB season, surpassing the 1962 New York Mets, who went 40-120-1. The Mets were in their first year as a franchise when they set the record for the most losses, which is understandable. Chicago, however, didn't have the same excuse.

The White Sox also had the fifth-worst winning percentage since 1900 at .253.

Unsurprisingly, the awful year for Chicago led to the team firing manager Pedro Grifol in August after just two seasons at the helm. Along with Grifol, the White Sox parted ways with bench coach Charlie Montoyo, third-base coach Eddie Rodriguez and assistant hitting coach Mike Tosar.

Shortly after the conclusion of the regular season, Chicago hired Will Venable to be its next manager. Venable will have the tall task of changing the course of the White Sox franchise as he tries to avoid breaking the team's record for the most losses.

Venable brings 18 seasons of experience with him as a player, executive and coach. The former outfielder has been a coach for the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and, most recently, the Texas Rangers. He helped lead Texas to a World Series victory in 2023.

The bar is low for Venable after Chicago's forgetful season, but he'll still try to have a productive year in 2025 and make bettors regret taking the under on the White Sox's win total.