The 2025 MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida wrapped up on Thursday, December 12, bringing with them several blockbuster free agent signings that reshaped the competitive landscape heading into the 2026 season. While the meetings lacked the frenzy of major trades that often characterize this annual gathering, the quality of moves made up for the quantity, with three sluggers and elite relievers finding new homes.
The Quiet Trade Market
Unlike some previous years where blockbuster trades dominated headlines, the 2025 Winter Meetings were notably light on significant player-for-player swaps. Not a single trade involving a player who appeared in a Major League game during 2025 was completed during the meetings themselves. This marked a departure from the typical Winter Meetings atmosphere, where general managers often use the face-to-face environment to finalize complex multi-team deals.
The lack of trades didn’t mean teams weren’t talking, however. Several high-profile players remained in trade discussions throughout the week, including Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, and various starting pitchers across the league. These conversations are expected to continue into January as teams work to address their roster needs.
Kyle Schwarber Returns to Philadelphia
The first domino to fall came on Tuesday, December 9, when slugger Kyle Schwarber agreed to return to the Philadelphia Phillies on a five-year, $150 million contract. The deal brought the National League’s home run leader back to the organization where he had blossomed into a perennial MVP candidate.
Schwarber’s 2025 season was nothing short of spectacular. The 32-year-old designated hitter led the NL with 56 home runs while driving in a Major League-best 132 RBIs. He finished second in MVP voting after slashing .240/.365/.563 across all 162 games. His power display fell just two home runs shy of tying Ryan Howard’s franchise record for most homers in a single season by a Phillie.
The market for Schwarber had been intense, with multiple teams making serious pushes to land the left-handed power bat. The Baltimore Orioles reportedly offered a five-year, $150 million contract before Schwarber ultimately chose Philadelphia. His hometown Cincinnati Reds also made a strong effort, with reports suggesting their offer was in the range of five years for $125 million. The Pittsburgh Pirates even extended a four-year offer that would have more than tripled their previous largest contract given out in free agency.
For the Phillies, retaining Schwarber was a top priority after the team won the NL East for the second consecutive season but fell short in the Division Series. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski had made it clear throughout the fall that bringing back Schwarber was essential to the team’s plans. The slugger serves as the team’s clear clubhouse leader and provides the power element that anchors Philadelphia’s lineup alongside Trea Turner and Bryce Harper.
Dodgers Add Elite Closer Edwin Díaz
Minutes after the Schwarber news broke, the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers made waves by agreeing to terms with former New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz on a three-year, $69 million contract. The deal set a new record for average annual value for a relief pitcher at $23 million per year, breaking the previous mark that Díaz himself had held.
Díaz opted out of the remaining two years and $38 million guaranteed on his contract with the Mets to test free agency, and the gamble paid off handsomely. The three-time All-Star was coming off a dominant 2025 season in which he posted a 1.63 ERA with 28 saves in 66⅓ innings. He struck out 98 batters while walking just 14, showcasing the elite combination of his high-velocity fastball and devastating slider.
Among relievers who threw at least 50 innings in 2025, Díaz had the second-lowest ERA in baseball. His 38% strikeout rate ranked second among all relievers, and his advanced metrics consistently showed dominance across the board.
The Dodgers’ bullpen had been a weak spot despite the team’s championship success. Their relievers combined for a 4.27 ERA and blew 27 saves during the regular season. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the need for improvement, stating that “getting a high-leverage reliever is never a bad thing.”
The Mets’ final offer to Díaz was reportedly three years and $66 million with slight deferrals, but they were unable to match Los Angeles’ financial commitment. The signing marked the second consecutive offseason where the Dodgers spent big on bullpen help, having added Tanner Scott on a four-year, $72 million deal before the 2025 season.
At his introductory press conference, Díaz was candid about his decision: “I chose the Dodgers because they are a winning organization. I’m looking to win, and I think they have everything to win.”
Pete Alonso Joins the Orioles
The biggest power bat to change teams during the Winter Meetings was Pete Alonso, who agreed to a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, December 11. The deal represented a major statement from an Orioles organization that had been relatively passive in free agency in recent years.
Alonso bet on himself after struggling to find a long-term deal following the 2024 season, when he posted career lows across several offensive categories. He returned to the Mets on a $30 million deal for 2025 and delivered his best season since his rookie campaign, slashing .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs while playing all 162 games.
The five-time All-Star enhanced his value by taking a more aggressive approach at the plate, reducing his strikeout rate while playing in one of baseball’s most pitcher-friendly parks. In August, he became the Mets’ all-time home run leader, surpassing Darryl Strawberry’s previous record of 252. He now has 264 career home runs entering his age-31 season.
For Baltimore, the signing addressed multiple needs. President of baseball operations Mike Elias had expressed a willingness to spend more aggressively than at any point during his seven-year tenure, and Alonso fit the profile perfectly. The Orioles were looking for a middle-of-the-order right-handed power bat to balance their lineup and provide veteran leadership after finishing in last place in 2025.
“I think there’s a lot of factors that led to this being the right moment. First of all, it’s the right player,” Elias said at Alonso’s introductory press conference. “We were really looking to take our lineup over the top with a middle-of-the-order bat, an impact hitter, and a right-handed one to boot.”
The Orioles had initially pursued Schwarber, making the same five-year, $150 million offer that Philadelphia ultimately matched. When Schwarber chose to remain with the Phillies, Baltimore pivoted to Alonso and secured what may prove to be an even better fit given the right-handed power element he brings.
The signing creates some roster complications, as the Orioles already had Ryan Mountcastle and top prospect Coby Mayo as first base options. Both could become trade chips as Baltimore continues to seek starting pitching help this offseason.
Braves Fortify Bullpen with Robert Suárez
On the final day of the Winter Meetings, the Atlanta Braves made a significant addition to their bullpen by signing closer Robert Suárez to a three-year, $45 million contract. The 34-year-old right-hander led the National League with 40 saves in 2025 while posting a 2.97 ERA in 69⅔ innings for the San Diego Padres.
Suárez had opted out of the final two years and $16 million remaining on his contract with San Diego to test free agency, and he landed a deal that will pay him $13 million in 2026 and $16 million in both 2027 and 2028.
The Venezuelan native has been one of baseball’s best relievers since making his Major League debut at age 31 in 2022. Over four big league seasons, all with the Padres, Suárez compiled a 2.91 ERA with 77 saves. He was a two-time All-Star and led all of baseball with 76 saves over the past two seasons.
What makes Suárez particularly effective is his premium velocity and extension. His four-seam fastball averaged 98.6 mph in 2025, and his 6-foot-8 release point ranked in the 81st percentile, creating a higher perceived velocity that gives hitters problems. Opposing batters hit just .155 against his fastball, which he threw 63.4% of the time.
The Braves had already re-signed closer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million deal in November, so Suárez will initially work as the setup man. However, with Iglesias only signed through 2026, Suárez could transition to the closer role for the final two years of his contract.
The signing addressed one of Atlanta’s biggest weaknesses from their disappointing 2025 campaign. The Braves’ bullpen ranked 19th in both ERA and strikeouts, and the team had declined options on relievers Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley in November. By adding both Iglesias and Suárez, Atlanta has constructed one of the most formidable late-inning combinations in baseball.
Other Notable Developments
Beyond the headline-grabbing signings, several other transactions and storylines emerged from the Winter Meetings:
The Mets’ Difficult Week: New York had arguably the worst Winter Meetings of any contending team. The organization saw three key players depart, with Schwarber re-signing with division rival Philadelphia, Díaz leaving for Los Angeles, and Alonso joining Baltimore. This came after the Mets had already traded their longest-tenured player, Brandon Nimmo, to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien in November. The team had earlier signed Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million deal as insurance if Díaz departed, but losing both Alonso and Díaz left fans frustrated after the team’s second-half collapse cost them a playoff berth.
Starting Pitcher Market Stalls: Despite the activity in the position player and relief pitcher markets, starting pitchers remained largely unsigned during the Winter Meetings. Major names like Framber Valdez, Michael King, Tatsuya Imai, and Ranger Suárez are still available as teams continue their evaluations. The market appears to be moving slowly, with pitchers and teams meeting to build interest rather than rushing to deals.
Trade Rumors Persist: While no major trades materialized during the meetings, several high-profile players remained in active discussions. Tigers ace Tarik Skubal continues to generate significant interest, with a trade increasingly seen as likely before the 2026 season. Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte drew attention from multiple teams including the Mariners, Pirates, Tigers, Red Sox, and Blue Jays, though talks have yet to become serious. The Nationals are expected to shop All-Star left-hander MacKenzie Gore, who has two years of team control remaining.
Rangers Open to Listening on Corey Seager: In a surprising development, the Texas Rangers indicated they’re in “listening mode” on star shortstop Corey Seager, who has six years and $186 million remaining on his contract. While a trade is far from certain, Texas is facing payroll constraints after trading Marcus Semien and appears willing to at least hear offers for the two-time World Series MVP.
Draft Lottery Results: The Chicago White Sox won the first overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, their first number one selection since taking Harold Baines in 1977. The Tampa Bay Rays received the second pick, followed by the Minnesota Twins at third.
Relief Pitcher Market Continues to Move: Beyond the marquee signings of Díaz and Suárez, several other relievers found new homes. The market has been particularly active for high-leverage arms, with Kyle Finnegan signing a two-year deal with the Detroit Tigers and Gregory Soto joining the Pittsburgh Pirates on a deal worth $7.75 million. Pete Fairbanks, Kenley Jansen, and Luke Weaver remain among the top closers still available.
Looking Ahead
While the 2025 Winter Meetings didn’t feature the blockbuster trades that sometimes dominate headlines, the quality of free agent signings significantly altered the competitive landscape. The Phillies retained a key piece of their core, the Dodgers addressed their biggest weakness, the Orioles made a statement about their willingness to compete for championships, and the Braves fortified what had been a weak bullpen.
As teams return to their respective cities, the offseason work continues. Major free agents like Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman remain unsigned, and the starting pitcher market has yet to fully develop. The trade market, which was largely dormant during the meetings, could heat up in January as teams that missed out on free agents look to improve through player exchanges.
For baseball fans, the Winter Meetings served as a reminder that the offseason can be just as exciting as the regular season, even when trades don’t dominate the headlines. The moves made in Orlando will reverberate throughout the 2026 season and could very well determine which teams find themselves competing for championships next October.
