MLB rumors: Mets interested in reunions with star free agents, Dodgers plot Plan B to Kyle Tucker

The 2025-26 offseason in Major League Baseball is fully underway, which means we’re gradually ticking off the dates on our offseason calendar. That also means a steady supply of rumors, most of which center on free agency and trades (along with the occasional hiring and firing). Speaking of which, you can find Tuesday’s supply just below. 

Tucker a possibility for Dodgers 

Will the top-rated free agent pair up with the top-rated team this offseason?

Kyle Tucker is available on the market, the Dodgers have a need at the outfielder corners, and they have the resources and competitive will to make it happen. As one of the best all-around players in baseball (when healthy), Tucker seems like an ideal fit in L.A. for 2026 and beyond. However, such a pairing is not to be assumed. The Dodgers have some impressive outfield prospects on the way, and as the Athletic reports they may be inclined to sign a veteran outfielder to a short-term deal to serve as a bridge to those incoming outfield prospects. Possibilities on that front include free agents Harrison Bader and Trent Grisham, or it’s possible the Dodgers could revisit trade talks with the Guardians regarding Steven Kwan. 

Mets would “love” to re-sign Alonso, Díaz

Between first baseman Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Díaz, the Mets could lose two of the top 15 players on the free-agent market. Yet New York’s top baseball operations decision maker isn’t ready to rule out a possible return.

“We love both Pete and Edwin. They’ve been great representatives of the organization,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday at the GM meetings. “We’d love to have them both back. At this stage of the offseason, it’s really tough to predict any outcomes, but certainly, we would love to have both those guys back.”

Of the pair, Díaz would seem more likely to re-up with the Mets. Alonso, conversely, was a late re-signing last spring and appears to again be a redundancy given the Mets already employ a surplus of corner infielders, including Mark Vientos, the most logical candidate to take over at the cold corner if and when Alonso departs. 

Contreras may stick with St. Louis

The Cardinals, in the midst of pivoting toward some level of mid- to long-term rebuild, are likely to explore trade opportunities for the veterans remaining on their roster. The wrinkle is that those three veterans — third baseman Nolan Arenado, right-hander Sonny Gray, and first baseman/catcher Willson Contreras — all have no-trade clauses. Arenado is certainly willing to waive his for the right fit and Gray has indicated a willingness to do the same, albeit for perhaps a narrower band of destinations. As for Contreras, he’s repeatedly said he wants to remain in St. Louis as he heads into the third year of a five-year, $87.5 million pact. 

At the end of the 2025 season, he reiterated those desires to new lead decision-maker Chaim Bloom, and the Belleville News-Democrat reports that Contreras still seems inclined to stick with St. Louis. Coming off another productive season, Contreras would probably have a market for his services, especially if he’s willing to take on part-time catching duties, but for now he still seems like he wants to remain a Cardinal despite what seem like long odds of contention in 2026.