Heading into Thanksgiving, Major League Baseball‘s free agent market is still taking shape ahead of the annual winter meetings.
Outfielder Kyle Tucker is widely considered the best player available and could end up signing a deal north of $400 million. Other impact bats include Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette and Pete Alonso, while Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Zac Gallen and Ranger Suarez are among the top pitchers in the class.
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USA TODAY Sports’ MLB team made our official winter predictions earlier in November and will stand by those picks, but here’s why one of us thought – and still thinks – the way we did about a couple of those things:
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Freddie Freeman (5) and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Freddie Freeman (5) and the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Freddie Freeman (5) and Max Muncy (13) celebrate after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Shohei Ohtani (17) and center fielder Justin Dean (75) celebrate with teammates after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Shohei Ohtani (17) and pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) and Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with the Commissioner’s Trophy after the Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) celebrates with the Commissioner’s Trophy after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
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See the Dodgers’ World Series winning moment and champagne-soaked party
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7.
Orioles will sign a higher-end starter
Coming off back-to-back postseason trips a year ago, the Orioles drew widespread condemnation in the Old Line State for their winter inactivity. They proceeded to finish in last place, firing manager Brandon Hyde along the way and the Orioles Project now comes to a crossroads in 2026.
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It was admittedly David Rubenstein’s first offseason as an owner so perhaps the boss could be forgiven if he splashes some cash to make an impact signing this winter.
The Orioles are expected to pursue some of the top starting pitchers on the market, namely lefty Framber Valdez and right-hander Dylan Cease, and a signing or two may signal that Baltimore is now open for business.
Edwin Diaz will leave the Mets
Six years after joining the team in a trade that this columnist foolishly said would go down as one of the worst in franchise history, Diaz is fourth on the Mets’ all-time saves list and has become something of a cultural icon across sports for his bullpen entry.
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A free agent for the second time in four winters, Diaz opted out of the final two years of the record-breaking deal he signed to stay in Flushing late in 2022. He missed the entire 2023 season after a fluke injury in the World Baseball Classic, overcame rust in his 2024 return to get the Mets to the NLCS and then won his second NL Reliever of the Year award for the Mets in 2025.
But maybe it’s best for everybody to say goodbye?
There was consensus on Diaz’s last nine-figure contract but he’s three years older now and chasing another deal in the $85-105 million range. David Stearns would surely love to reinvest in multiple relievers as the Mets pick up the pieces following a disaster finish.
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Diaz won’t be without high-level suitors as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays should both be in the market for a top reliever. Would the 31-year-old sign on if he wasn’t guaranteed the ninth inning?
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 6, 2025: The Phillie Phanatic interacts with Philadelphia Phillies service dog Tugger during a break in action against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 6, 2025: The Phillie Phanatic interacts with Philadelphia Phillies service dog Tugger during a break in action against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 7, 2025: Jackie Hornung and her Samoyed dog, Lumi (also known as Little Bear Lumi), throw a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the New York Mets and Miami Marlins at Citi Field.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 6, 2025: A dog is seen at the game between the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays at Citi Field.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 3, 2024: Fans bring their dogs during the Bark in the Park night prior to the game between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 28, 2024: Decoy, the dog of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, waits for instruction before delivering the first pitch before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 28, 2024: A dog gets close to the camera during the Bark at the Park event before the Colorado Rockies’ game against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 28, 2024: Television actress Caitlin O’Connor holds her dog Bubbles on the field prior to the Pittsburgh Pirates playing the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 24, 2024: Oakland Athletics head groundskeeper Clay Wood (left) and manager Mark Kotsay (right) pet Reba, the Oakland Athletics’ clubhouse dog, in the dugout before the game between the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 12, 2024: Dogs walk on the warning track for Bark in the Park day before the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 2, 2024: Fans and their dogs walk the field during a pup parade during Pups in the Park day prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 2, 2024: Fans and their dogs walk the field during a pup parade during Pups in the Park day prior to the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 9, 2024: A dog takes the ball from Milwaukee Brewers first base coach Quintin Berry following a first pitch prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Bark at the Park night at American Family Field.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 5, 2024: Oakland Athletics infielder Max Schuemann shares a moment with Reba, the Oakland Athletics’ clubhouse dog, before a game against the Miami Marlins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 16, 2024: Chase Field, Arizona
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
March 31, 2024: Oakland Athletics head groundskeeper Clay Wood’s dog Reba plays with a baseball on the field before the game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Guardians at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
March 29, 2024: Oakland Athletics groundskeeper Clay Wood and his dog rake the infield before a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
March 29, 2024: A dog dressed in New York Mets apparel sits in front of Citi Field before the Opening Day game between the Mets and Milwaukee Brewers.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Oct. 8, 2023: Camden Yards
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 7, 2023: Great American Ball Park.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 7, 2023: Great American Ball Park.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 19, 2023: Citi Field (Mets)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 9, 2023: Great American Ball Park
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 11, 2023: Citi Field
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 28, 2022: Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (Oklahoma CIty Dodgers)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 5, 2022: A dachshund gives a Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw doll a ride around the field during the Pups at the Park Parade at Dodger Stadium.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 5, 2022: Dodger Stadium
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 16, 2022: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Brooks, a 2-year-old Dalmatian owned by Sarah Paukert of Ames, enjoys the action during the Dog Days at Principal Park as the Iowa Cubs hosted Columbus in a minor league baseball game on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in Des Moines.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 7, 2022: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brent Suter throws out a first pitch for his dog on Bark at the Park night prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at American Family Field. Suter wrote a children’s book “The Binky Bandit” inspired by his mini golden doodle.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 4, 2022: Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 4, 2022: Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 9, 2022: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 19, 2022: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 28, 2021: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 3, 2020; Minute Maid Park (Astros)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 10, 2020: Dodger Stadium
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug 7, 2020: Dodger Stadium
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 2, 2020: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 10, 2019: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox).
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 8, 2019: Marlins Park
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 13, 2019: Coors FIeld (Rockies)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
July 16, 2019: Brewers pitcher Jeremy Jeffress pets his dog.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
July 16, 2019: Josh Hader shows fans his dog at Miller Park.
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
July 7, 2019: Oracle Park (Giants)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
July 7, 2019: Oracle Park (Giants)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 21, 2019: Oakland Coliseum (Athletics)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 21, 2019: Oakland Coliseum (Athletics)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 17, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds).
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 4, 2019: Petco Park (Padres)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 4, 2019: Petco Park (Padres)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 4, 2019: Petco Park (Padres)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 29, 2019: Camden Yards (Orioles)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 14, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 14, 2019: Great American Ball Park (Reds).
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 29, 2019: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
March 6, 2019: Salt River Fields (Rockies spring training)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Feb. 21, 2019: Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe with his dog on media day
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 24, 2018: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 30, 2018: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 16, 2018: Tropicana Field (Rays)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept 12, 2018: Camden Yards (Orioles)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 12, 2018: Camden Yards (Orioles)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 2, 2018: Minute Maid Park (Astros)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 22, 2018: Coors Field (Rockies)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 19, 2018: Petco Park (Padres)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 19, 2018: Petco Park (Padres)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 30, 2018: Kauffman Stadium (Royals)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 20, 2018: SunTrust Park (Atlanta)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
May 5, 2018: Citi Field (Mets)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
April 23, 2018: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Sept. 6, 2017: Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 29, 2017: Petco Park (Padres)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
June 10, 2017: Tropicana Field (Rays)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 20, 2016: Citizens Bank Park (Phillies)
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Bark at the Park: Dogs at MLB games
Aug. 29, 2015: AT&T Park (Giants)
Here’s what USA TODAY Sports’ MLB writers and editors predicted for the winter’s top free agents back on Nov. 9:
Bob Nightengale: Blue Jays
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Cody Bellinger, OF/1B, Yankees
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2025 World Series: All the best moments from Dodgers vs. Blue Jays Game 7
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) prays before Game 7.
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2025 World Series: All the best moments from Dodgers vs. Blue Jays Game 7
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) prays before Game 7.
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2025 World Series: All the best moments from Dodgers vs. Blue Jays Game 7
Shohei Ohtani (17) warms up before Game 7.
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2025 World Series: All the best moments from Dodgers vs. Blue Jays Game 7
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) warms up before Game 7.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB free agent predictions 2026 as hot stove and trade rumors swirl