Left-handed pitcher Kyle Hart has signed with the San Diego Padres following an outstanding 2024 season in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Hart, 32, impressed in South Korea, posting a 13-3 record with a 2.69 ERA and leading the league with 182 strikeouts in 157 innings. His performance earned him the prestigious Choi Dong-won Award, which is given to the KBO's best pitcher, solidifying his reputation as one of the top arms in the league.
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Hart, originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2016, has spent much of his career in the minor leagues, with brief appearances in MLB in 2020. His success in the KBO has caught the attention of multiple MLB teams, and the Padres have secured his services for the 2025 season, with a club option for 2026. The financial details of the contract have not been disclosed, but Hart’s return to the big leagues marks a major milestone in his career.

Daniel Vogelbach has been hired by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a special assistant to the hitting department. The former MLB first baseman and designated hitter, known for his time with teams like the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and the Pirates, brings over a decade of experience to his new role. Vogelbach's most recent stint was with the Mets, where he played a key part in their 2022 playoff run. His extensive career will now be used to help develop young hitters for the Pirates.
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After a challenging 2023 season and a short time with the Blue Jays in 2024, Vogelbach has decided to transition into coaching. His in-depth knowledge of hitting and mechanics is seen as a valuable addition to the Pirates' coaching staff. This move allows him to share his expertise with the next generation of ballplayers, marking a significant shift from his playing career to mentoring. The Pirates are hopeful that Vogelbach's insights will have a positive impact on their offensive development moving forward.

The New York Mets are likely done making moves for the offseason, as they aren’t expected to add any more players before Opening Day. Despite some discussion surrounding infield depth, the Mets are not anticipated to bring back veteran shortstop José Iglesias. The 34-year-old, known for his strong defense and solid contact hitting, was with the Mets last spring but ultimately didn’t make the roster. With Francisco Lindor securing the starting shortstop position and other utility players on the roster, the Mets are comfortable with their infield situation heading into the season.
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Iglesias remains a free agent, but a return to the Mets is unlikely at this point. The team has focused on building pitching depth and maintaining payroll flexibility, leaving them with little room to bring in another veteran infielder. The Mets will likely turn to younger players and internal options to fill any infield gaps. Unless there's an injury or unexpected move, the team seems set for the 2025 season, leaving Iglesias to consider opportunities elsewhere.

The Baltimore Orioles are expected to start the season without two key players, as both Trevor Rogers and Jorge Mateo are unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. Rogers, who suffered a right knee subluxation in January, has been behind schedule in his recovery, delaying his return to full baseball activities. Orioles General Manager Mike Elias confirmed that the left-hander is still weeks away from being fully prepared, making his availability for the start of the season highly doubtful. His absence could impact the Orioles' pitching depth as they look for alternative options in the rotation.

​Meanwhile, infielder Jorge Mateo is still recovering from the elbow surgery that ended his 2024 season early. Although he has made progress, Elias stated that Mateo likely won't have enough at-bats in spring training to be ready by Opening Day. With both players sidelined, the Orioles may need to adjust their roster plans, exploring backup options to fill the gaps left by Rogers and Mateo as they prepare for the season opener on March 27 in Toronto.

The 2025 MLB season will kick off with a two-game series in Tokyo between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19. This marks the return of MLB regular-season games to Japan since 2019, providing a unique opportunity for fans to witness international baseball action. The Tokyo Series is a celebration of baseball's global reach, and it’s expected to draw significant attention from both Japanese and international fans alike.
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The Dodgers and Cubs are both set to feature prominent Japanese players in the opening matchups. Dodgers’ ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to take the mound for Los Angeles, while Cubs’ left-hander Shota Imanaga will start for Chicago. This matchup not only showcases the talent of these players but also highlights the connection between the two teams and their Japanese heritage, adding extra excitement for the Tokyo Series.

Garrett Crochet, the talented left-handed pitcher recently acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the Chicago White Sox, has expressed his desire to explore a contract extension with the team. After an impressive 2024 season, where he posted a 3.58 ERA over 32 appearances, Crochet is eager to prove his worth in a full season with the Red Sox. "I want to see what I could do in a full season," he remarked, signaling his commitment to showing the organization what he’s capable of over an extended period.

​The Red Sox have shown interest in securing Crochet for the long term, with early discussions about a potential extension already taking place. Reports suggest that both sides have considered a four- or five-year deal, which would ensure the Red Sox have control over Crochet’s prime years. While no agreement has been reached yet, both the team and Crochet are expected to continue talks and evaluate the terms as the season unfolds, with an eye on securing a deal that benefits both parties.

MLB Network is planning to move its operations and office space to a new location as part of a major restructuring. The new site, set to open in midtown Manhattan, will consolidate various MLB offices that were previously spread across different areas of the city. This move is expected to bring all departments under one roof, allowing for better collaboration and communication across teams.
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The new office will span multiple floors, totaling approximately 400,000 square feet, and will be designed to create a dynamic environment that reflects the history and excitement of baseball. MLB’s decision to relocate is part of its broader strategy to modernize its infrastructure and provide a more efficient workspace for its employees. This move will also help foster a unified corporate culture as the league looks to streamline its operations moving forward.

As spring training draws near, New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is in a great position heading into the 2025 season. After facing challenges in 2024, Cole has worked hard during the offseason to ensure a strong start to the upcoming year. He began his preparation earlier than usual, focusing on his health and fine-tuning his pitching mechanics. Both Manager Aaron Boone and General Manager Brian Cashman have expressed confidence in Cole’s readiness and dedication to returning to his top form.
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Cole’s commitment to his craft is clear, especially after the setbacks of last season. His early preparation and determination to stay with the Yankees highlight his drive to contribute to the team’s success. With the start of spring training approaching, Cole’s leadership and performance will be critical in helping the Yankees contend for a strong 2025 season.

With Alex Bregman now off the market, the New York Yankees are reportedly eyeing a potential trade for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. A seven-time All-Star and ten-time Gold Glove winner, Arenado still has three years left on his contract with the Cardinals. While his offensive numbers dipped slightly last season, with a .272 batting average, 16 home runs, and 71 RBIs, he remains one of the best defensive players in the game. The Cardinals have reportedly been open to trade talks, and Arenado’s preferred-team list includes the Yankees, making this a deal to watch.
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Although the Yankees have shown interest in Arenado, recent reports suggest they are not actively pursuing a trade at the moment. Arenado’s full no-trade clause adds complexity to the situation, as he would need to waive it for any potential deal. While the Yankees were also linked to Alex Bregman, their pursuit of Arenado remains uncertain. At this stage, it’s unclear whether the Yankees will make a play for the veteran third baseman, as they continue to evaluate options to strengthen their infield.

The San Diego Padres have signed pitcher Nick Pivetta to a four-year, $55 million contract, adding a strong arm to their rotation. The deal includes a $3 million signing bonus and is backloaded, with Pivetta earning $1 million in 2025, followed by $19 million in 2026, $14 million in 2027, and $18 million in 2028. Additionally, the contract includes opt-out clauses after the 2026 and 2027 seasons, offering Pivetta flexibility during his time with the team.
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Pivetta, 32, joins the Padres after spending the past four and a half seasons with the Boston Red Sox. In 2024, he posted a 6-12 record with a 4.14 ERA, recording 172 strikeouts over 145 2/3 innings. Throughout his career, Pivetta has compiled a 56-71 record with a 4.76 ERA across 223 games. He will join a Padres pitching rotation that includes Dylan Cease, Yu Darvish, and Michael King, filling a crucial spot while Joe Musgrove is out for the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery.

The Boston Red Sox have made a major move by signing free-agent infielder Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract. The deal includes opt-out options after the first two seasons, giving Bregman flexibility throughout his tenure in Boston. With an average annual salary of $40 million, this contract places him among the highest-paid players in Major League Baseball. His addition brings veteran leadership and a proven track record of success to a Red Sox team looking to strengthen its infield and lineup.
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A two-time All-Star and key part of the Houston Astros’ World Series wins in 2017 and 2022, Bregman is expected to shift to second base to accommodate Rafael Devers at third. While he has limited experience at the position, his versatility and offensive firepower make him a valuable asset for the Red Sox. His impressive career numbers at Fenway Park, where he boasts a .375 batting average and a 1.240 OPS, likely played a role in his decision to join the team. With this signing, Boston aims to make a strong push for contention in the coming seasons.