Here is the last Dishes free agency and trade buzz during the 2025-26 MLB offseason…
November 29, 11:30 p.m.
The Phillies would certainly like to keep Kyle Schwarber in free agency this offseason, however, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com the two sides are currently not close to an agreement.
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Not surprisingly, Zolecki notes that Schwarber’s agents are looking to capitalize on his brilliant campaign in which he finished only behind Shohei OhtanI vote for NL MVP.
The 32-year-old is expected to eventually return to the City of Brotherly Love, but we’ll see how things play out.
The Pirates, Reds and Red Sox are among the teams reportedly expressing interest in Schwarber.
November 29, 3:30 p.m.
Former Mets reliever Ryan Helsley and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a two-year contract, pending a physical, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal includes an opt-out clause after the first season.
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Helsley will be Orioles’ ninth-inning option despite right-handed lineup interest of many teams this offseason to be reconverted into a starter.
After six and a half seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, the 31-year-old was traded to New York at last season’s trade deadline to help bolster the Mets’ bullpen. A closer for the Cards who arrived in New York with a 3.00 ERA and 21 saves, Helsley was designated as the Mets’ setup man ahead of Edwin Diaz.
However, his time in New York did not go well, achieving a 7.20 ERA in 22 games and ultimately losing the job in the eighth inning.
However, in 297 career games, Helsley has a 2.96 ERA and 105 saves.
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November 26, 7:45 p.m.
As the Mets look to re-sign Edwin Diaz this winter, the team is reportedly checking out other elements of the bullpen.
According to at the New York Postthe Mets spoke with representatives of Robert Suarez And Pete Fairbanks.
Suarez, of course, has been the Padres’ closer the past two seasons, including a 40-save effort in 2025. He is a back-to-back All-Star and had a 2.97 ERA in 70 appearances last season.
Fairbanks pitched to a 2.83 ERA and converted 27 saves in 61 games with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025.
November 26, 6:25 p.m.
The Mets have one fewer potential starting pitching target on the board after Dylan Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to several reports.
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Cease is coming off a relatively rough year, with an 8-12 record and a 4.55 ERA over 32 starts. His strikeout rate was still very high (11.5), but the right-hander will look to help Toronto return to the World Series.
As for the Mets, there are still plenty of free agents and trade targets to target. While Framber Valdez doesn’t seem to be on their radarMichael King, Ranger Suarez and Japanese star Tatsuya Imai are always available.
November 20, 5:53 p.m.
While the Mets are undoubtedly looking to rebuild their starting rotation, this doesn’t appear to be a free agent Framber Valdez is at the top of their wish list.
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Appearing on Wednesday’s Mets Hot Stove, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported that the Mets were not among the teams that met with the left-hander during the general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas.
Martino notes that Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns prefers to develop his own ace-level pitchers in-house and generally doesn’t spend a lot of money on starters at the top of the rotation, although Stearns can be flexible on this. At 32 years old, Valdez is likely looking for a lucrative multi-year contract.
Valdez is a two-time All-Star with the Astros and pitched to a career 3.36 ERA, but he also appeared to intentionally cross his catcher in September to hit him with a pitch, which raised red flags.
November 10, 4:26 p.m.
While the Mets are expected to be aggressive in their quest to start pitching this offseason, one of their current rotation arms is already attracting some outside interest.
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According to Will Sammon of The Athleticright-handed Kodai Senga is considered a low-cost trade target among some teams, although it’s unclear whether the Mets are legitimately willing to move him.
The report also notes that Senga’s contract no longer includes a full no-trade clause: he can now block deals with just 10 clubs.
The 2025 season was a confusing tale of two halves for Senga, who looked like a Mets ace through June and ultimately lost a big league spot in September. Between his ups and downs was a summer hamstring injury that required early rehabilitation and caused mechanical headaches.
Still, he posted a solid 3.02 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 22 outings (113.1 innings).
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There’s reason to believe Senga can recast this Cy Young-caliber version of himself, and his contract is by no means an albatross for reported suitors. The 32-year-old is only expected to make $28 million total over the next two seasons, with a club option for 2028.
Since joining the Japanese majors in 2023, Senga owns a career 3.00 ERA with 209 strikeouts in 52 starts (285 innings). He also placed in the top 10 in NL Cy Young voting as a finalist for Rookie of the Year.
