MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2026 free agency

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MLB Hot Stove tracker: Live updates on news, rumors, signings and trades for 2026 free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On Dec. 2, 2026, the baseball world will likely be coming to a complete halt. In most offseasons, big moves would happen throughout the winter — but this year, the impending lengthy lockout means that there could be a significant flurry of acquisitions before the final month of the year even arrives.

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With the Milwaukee Brewers crowned as the 2026 World Series champions, and before the player's union and owners focus on negotiations over a potential salary cap and more, November is expected to be a sped-up version of a typical MLB offseason. There will be no Winter Meetings for executives to utilize, and with a chance that the lockout doesn't end until spring, teams will likely be attempting to squeeze in as many roster moves as possible.

The unusual circumstances should create for an urgent and active "Hot Stove" throughout the month of November. The big fish of the free agent class will be Tarik Skubal, who has long been speculated as having a real shot to break Yoshinobu Yamamoto's record for the largest contract ($325 million) given to a starting pitcher — the two-time Cy Young Award winner is likely to land with a big spender, including a chance of a return to the Dodgers.

Other top free-agent options include sluggers Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki, starting pitchers Michael King and Freddy Peralta, and Japan triple-crown winner Teruaki Sato, who will be posted to MLB clubs. On the trade market, expect to see names like Jarren Duran, C.J. Abrams, Mason Miller and Zach Neto pop up in rumors.

The Sporting News is tracking all of the latest buzz from the MLB offseason below, from rumors to signings and trades. Follow along with the latest updates.

MORE: Ranking the best free agents available in 2026 MLB offseason

MLB Hot Stove 2026: Latest news, rumors on signings and trades

Eight players receive qualifying offers

Eight players received a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer and have until Nov. 17 to accept or decline it: OF Randy Arozarena, 1B Jake Bauers, CL David Bednar, C Ryan Jeffers, 2B Brandon Lowe, OF Seiya Suzuki, SP Trevor Rogers, RP Adrian Morejon.

Cubs 'badly want' Tarik Skubal

Passan writes that the Dodgers and Mets are the two most "obvious" suitors for Skubal, but the Cubs also "badly want" to add him despite being "skeptical that they will be willing to compete at the sort of dollars Skubal is expected to get."

RHP Hiromi Itoh, RHP Kaima Taira posted to MLB teams

  • Date: Nov. 2
  • Source: MLB

Two top arms from Japan, Hiromi Itoh and Kaima Taira, have also been posted to MLB clubs. Itoh had a 3.18 ERA and 159 Ks in 172.2 IP with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2026, while Taira went 12-5 with a 1.36 ERA and 141 Ks in 146 innings for the Saitama Seibu Lions.

Teruaki Sato officially posted to MLB teams

Third baseman/outfielder Teruaki Sato, who won the triple crown in Japan's Central League this past season, has officially been posted to MLB clubs by the Hanshin Tigers. 

Sato will be one of the top bats on the open market, likely to have some urgency to find a team before the impending lockout.

Rays pick up option on SP Drew Rasmussen

  • Date: Nov. 1
  • Source: ESPN

Tampa Bay has picked up the $20 million option on star pitcher Drew Rasmussen, meaning he can now become a free agent after the 2027 season. 

Nick Martinez, Michael King, more decline options to become free agents

As anticipated, most of the free-agent market's top potential players have opted out of their contracts, including the Rays' Nick Martinez, the Padres' Michael King and the Brewers' Dustin May.

One name who opted into their decision was Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai, who has $36 million remaining on his deal after struggling with a 4.93 ERA last season. The Braves, as expected, also exercised their $17 million option on Ronald Acuna Jr. and $7 million option on Ozzie Albies.

Bo Bichette picks up Mets player option

Last offseason, the Mets landed one of the top infielders available in Bo Bichette, who included a player option in the deal with the chance to secure a long-term contract this offseason. Instead, he'll spend at least more season in Queens.

Bichette opted the second season of his three-year, $126 million contract, set to make $42 million in 2027 after struggling (.702 OPS) for most of the 2026 season.

Red Sox send Nate Eaton to A's

In the first trade of the offseason, Boston sent outfielder Nate Eaton to the A's in exchange for Minor League right-hander Jareth Rayo.

MORE:Pete Crow-Armstrong headlines SN's 2026 MLB award winners

MLB free agent signings and trades by team

Arizona Diamondbacks

Athletics

Atlanta Braves

Baltimore Orioles

Boston Red Sox

Chicago Cubs

Chicago White Sox

Cincinnati Reds

Cleveland Guardians

Colorado Rockies

Detroit Tigers

Houston Astros

Kansas City Royals

Los Angeles Angels

Los Angeles Dodgers

Miami Marlins

Milwaukee Brewers

Minnesota Twins

New York Mets

New York Yankees

Philadelphia Phillies

Pittsburgh Pirates

San Diego Padres

San Francisco Giants

Seattle Mariners

St. Louis Cardinals

Tampa Bay Rays

Texas Rangers

Toronto Blue Jays

Washington Nationals

Best MLB free agents available

Here are the top available free agents from SN's ranking of the top 16 free agents this winter: 

  • SP Tarik Skubal (No. 1)
  • OF Randy Arozarena (No. 2)
  • SP Michael King (No. 3)
  • 2B Brandon Lowe (No. 4)
  • SP Freddy Peralta (No. 5)
  • OF Seiya Suzuki (No. 6)
  • SP Sonny Gray (No. 7)
  • 3B Teruaki Sato (No. 8)
  • RP Adrian Morejon (No. 9)
  • RP David Bednar (No. 10)
  • C Ryan Jeffers (No. 11)
  • 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. (No. 12)
  • SP Trevor Rogers (No. 13)
  • 1B Jake Bauers (No. 14)
  • 2B Luis Arraez (No. 15)
  • 1B Ty France (No. 16)

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