NEWS: Pitcher Framber Valdez inks 3-year, $115M deal with Tigers
In a bold offseason move, veteran left-hander Framber Valdez and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a three-year, $115 million contract, marking one of the most significant free-agent signings of the winter. Valdez, 32, arrives in Detroit after eight seasons with the Houston Astros, where he established himself as one of baseball’s most durable and effective starters. Over his career through the 2025 season, he compiled an 81-52 record with a 3.36 ERA and more than 1,050 strikeouts, earning two All-Star selections and pitching a no-hitter in 2023. In 2025, the Dominican native posted a 13-11 record with a 3.66
NEWS: Caribbean Series tournament starts Feb. 1
The 2026 Caribbean Series — known in Spanish as the Serie de Caribe — unfolds from February 1 through February 7, 2026, at Estadio Panamericano in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico, part of the greater Guadalajara area. This 68th edition brings together five elite winter league champions in a vibrant week of baseball. Historically, the Caribbean Series began in 1949 as a round-robin clash of winter league winners from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, growing into the region’s premier club baseball showcase every February. This year’s lineup reflects an unusual twist: Venezuela’s professional league (LVBP) opted not to participate
NEWS: Brewers ace Freddy Peralta traded to New York Mets
The Mets continued their aggressive offseason roster moves by acquiring right-hander Freddy Peralta from the Brewers on January 21, adding a proven, high-strikeout starter to a reshaped rotation. Peralta, 29, has been one of Milwaukee’s most reliable arms in recent years. He was the staff ace in 2025, sporting a 17-6 record, 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts in 173.2 innings. Since transitioning full time to the rotation in 2021, the Dominican Republic native has posted a 3.30 ERA. For his career, he owns a 70-42 record, 3.59 ERA and 1,021 strikeouts in 843 innings, giving the Mets a swing-and-miss presence
NEWS: CF Luis Robert Jr. traded to Mets
The Mets added a dynamic centerpiece to their lineup on January 21, acquiring center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox in exchange for infielder Luisangel Acuña and a right-handed pitching prospect. Robert, 27, gives New York a true five-tool presence in the middle of the diamond. In 2024, despite injuries limiting his playing time, he slashed .264/.315/.475 with 14 home runs, 35 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 100 games for Chicago. The Cuban native has shown superstar potential, most notably in 2023, when he hit 38 homers and had 80 RBIs and 20 steals, earning an All-Star
NEWS: Carlos Beltran elected to Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026
After four tries, Carlos Beltran was finally elected to the Hall of Fame on January 20, cementing the legacy of one of the most complete and dynamic players of his generation — a switch-hitting center fielder who blended power, speed, defense and postseason excellence across two decades in the majors. Beltran debuted with the Royals in 1998 and quickly established himself as a five-tool star, later becoming a cornerstone for the Astros, Mets, Cardinals, Yankees and Rangers. Over 20 big league seasons, he compiled 2,725 hits, 435 home runs, 1,587 RBIs and 312 stolen bases, finishing with a .279 batting
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL January 18: Orlando Cepeda signs with Red Sox as a DH
An aging Orlando Cepeda, 35 and coming off a bad year, signed with the Red Sox to become the team’s primary designated hitter on this day in béisbol, January 18, 1973. The new American League-only DH rule allowed a batter to hit for the pitcher in a move meant to add more offense to games. Cepeda was primed to be history’s first DH during the 1973 home opener at Fenway Park against the Yankees. But the honor went to Bombers designated hitter Ron Blomberg instead. Batting sixth that day, Blomberg came up in the top of the first inning with
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL January 17: Victor Martinez injures knee, misses 2012 season
The Tigers’ quest to win the World Series after losing the 2011 ALCS was dealt a serious setback when DH Victor Martinez blew out his knee on this day in béisbol, January 17, 2012. Martinez, who tore his ACL, was out for the entire year after tearing his ACL during an off-season training session. He was one of Detroit’s best hitters in 2011, batting .330 and knocking in 103 runs on just 12 homers. The Tigers won only 88 games in 2012 without Martinez in the lineup but won the AL pennant, only to be swept by the Giants in
THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL January 16: Carlos Beltran fired as Mets manager before season starts
Carlos Beltran lost his job as Mets manager before he even put on the uniform on this day in béisbol, January 16, 2020. The Hall of Fame candidate was fired by New York after he was the only player named in the MLB investigation into sign stealing by the 2017 Houston Astros. Beltran was technically the third manager to get (garbage) canned. The probe also cost Astros manager A.J. Hinch his job, as well as Red Sox skipper Alex Cora, who was a Houston coach during the scandal that involved Astros personnel using a centerfield camera to steal pitching signs
