The 2026-27 MLB offseason is less than a week old and already the stoves are stirring and the rumors are arriving. We’ve ranked the top 50 free agents and top 25 trade prospects, and built you a schedule of important offseason dates and deadlines you need to know about. Now here are Tuesday’s hot events.
Yankees could pursue Skubal and trade a starter
The Yankees are considering at least one run for Tarik Skubal, by far the best free agent availablethen trading another starting pitcher to fill needs elsewhere on the roster, ESPN reports. New York is one of the few teams in baseball that legitimately doesn’t need to add to its rotation this offseason, even if there isn’t too much pitching.
Here is the club’s current rotation depth chart:
- RHP Cam Schlittler
- LHP Max Frit
- RHP Gerrit Cole
- LHP Carlos Rodón
- LHP Ryan Weather
- RHP Will Warren
- RHP Clarke Schmidt (missed most of 2026 following UCL surgery)
- RHP Elmer Rodriguez
Schlittler and the well-paid veterans aren’t going anywhere. Warren is the most sensible trade chip. He pitched 156 innings with a 3.92 ERA and solid metrics under the hood last season and has four years of team control remaining. Cheap and controllable pitch is the greatest currency in the game. It is always in demand and can get you everything you need in a trade.
The Yankees need help at second and third base this offseason, possibly in center field and at catcher as well. Signing Skubal (or another veteran) and trading Warren for help on the position player side is a smart strategy for New York.
Mets focus on rotation upgrades
The Mets are focused on adding to their rotation and are “active everywhere,” according to The Athletic. They are interested in the top of the market (i.e. Tarik Skubal) as well as the small army of solid veterans that fill the middle tier of the free agent class. The Mets could also explore the trade market, although the team is reportedly unwilling to deal prospects this offseason.
For now, Nolan McLean and Christian Scott are the only locks for New York’s 2027 rotation. Here is the team’s starting pitching depth chart:
- RHP Nolan McLean
- RHP Christian Scott
- LHP Zac Thornton
- RHP Kodai Senga
- LHP Sean Manaea
- RHP Tylor Megill (missed in 2026 following surgery at UCL)
- RHP Jonah Tong
- RHP Tobias Myers
- RHP Justin Hagenman
Senga could return to the bullpen after performing admirably as a closer late this year. Clearly, the Mets need at least one starter this offseason and could really use more than one, just to reduce their reliance on young pitchers like Thornton and Tong. President of baseball operations David Stearns is not inclined to give pitchers long-term deals, which could put the Mets at a disadvantage for Skubal.
Rangers prioritize center field
Gold Glove finalist Evan Carter underwent right hip surgery last week and will miss the start of the 2027 season, Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young announced Monday. As a result, Texas will prioritize help in center field this offseason. If necessary, the Rangers can put left fielder Wyatt Langford (also a Gold Glove finalist) in center, but Langford is best in left.
“There’s no doubt that we have to be aware that Evan is coming off major surgery and that we will have to find potential replacements if he is not ready to start the season, or if there are setbacks,” Young said, via MLB.com. “It doesn’t change our confidence in Evan long-term, but it does change our short-term plans that we need a backup and someone who can definitely fill in or play a very solid center field and hopefully contribute offensively.”
The free agent class doesn’t offer much in center field unless you’re willing to assume injury risk or age-related decline. Here are the best free agent outfielders available according to FanGraphs projected 2027 WAR:
- Trent Grisham: 2.1 WAR
- Luis Robert Jr.: 1.6 WAR
- Daulton Varsho: 1.3 WAR
- Cedric Mullins: 1.2 WAR
- Tyrone Taylor: 0.8 WAR
Jarren Duran (Red Sox) and Steven Kwan (Guardians) stand out as candidates for center field jobsalthough Kwan in particular will come at a high price. A cheaper, defense-focused stopgap like, say, Denzel Clarke (Athletics) or Blake Perkins (Goalies) may be the best short-term option while Carter is on the mend.
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