Brian Cashman touched on a whole bunch of topics today with reporters here in Las Vegas. Among them, he said Giancarlo Stanton will be on the team next season.
Alex Anthopoulos on the Ronald Acuña Jr. trade speculation: "I have no idea where that stuff came from. There's not even a hint of smoke to it. Zero. "
So you're not trading Ronald Acuña Jr.?
"Absolutely not. Put it in bold."
Brian Cashman confirmed Brad Ausmus is a candidate for the Astros’ managerial job (and was a candidate for their GM job).
He also described hitting coach James Rowson as a “free agent.” The Yankees are going through options for that role.
The Mets are scheduled to meet with Tarik Skubal next week, a source tells ESPN. They figured to be in the running from the jump. @JonHeyman was on it.
Yankees catching coach Tanner Swanson is leaving the organization to become the Mariners’ bench coach, a source confirms to ESPN. Swanson was in that role since the 2020 season. He will now be Jason Kanzler’s right-hand man in Seattle. @Joelsherman1 was first on the news.
The Mets are hiring Johnny Washington as a co-hitting coach, a source confirms to ESPN. Washington was a minor league hitting coordinator with the Braves last season. He's been a major-league hitting coach with the Padres and Angels. @Joelsherman1 was on the news.
The Mets are hiring A.J. Ellis to their major league coaching staff as strategy coordinator, a source confirmed to ESPN. The former big-league catcher previously worked in the Padres’ front office. @WillSammon was on the news.
Here is the MLBPA’s response to MLB’s proposal today.
The Tigers have declined Kenley Jansen's $12 million club option, a source tells ESPN. They will pay him a $2 million buyout. Jansen is now a free agent two saves shy of 500.
The Yankees added INF/OF Marco Luciano to their 40-man roster. A former top prospect, Luciano, 25, batted .293 with 27 home runs and a .933 OPS in 116 games between Double A and Triple A in 2026.
The Mets signed utilityman Christian Cairo to a one-year major-league deal. Cairo, 25, finished the 2026 season in the Mets' organization after the Phillies DFA'd him. He started games at six positions, slashing .230/.381/.300 in 130 Triple-A Games. He's the son of Miguel Cairo.
Yuki Matsui has decided to not opt out of his contract with the Padres. He is on the books for $6.5 million in 2027 with a $7 million player option for 2028.
Matsui: “I wanted to come back because I believe in this team and the fans deserve a championship. They support this team every game and that means a lot to me and my teammates.”
The Yankees aren’t bringing back Omar Minaya and Brian Sabean, a source confirmed to ESPN. Both were advisors to Brian Cashman. @JonHeyman was on it.
Ben Rice, who played in five postseason games, finished first in home runs (4) and tied for first in RBI (9) in the postseason.