MLB notes: A Pete Alonso contract prediction plus more players who could sign short-term deals  —  Now that first baseman Pete Alonso's camp has told the New York Mets he is willing to accept a three-year contract with opt-outs, other prominent free agents are contemplating whether to follow suit.

Roki Sasaki Chaos Has Already Begun In Advance Of International Signing Day  —  Roki Sasaki has not informed clubs which team he will choose, but the second order effects of his impending signing have begun.  —  In November, we wrote about how Sasaki being posted could create chaos throughout the international market.

Yankees fans who mauled Mookie Betts at World Series banned from all MLB stadiums indefinitely  —  The two fans who grabbed Mookie Betts' wrist and tried to rip the ball out of his hand during Game 4 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium have been banned “indefinitely” from attending any MLB games, The Post has learned.

MLB Insider: Jeff Hoffman almost landed with AL East rival before signing with the Blue Jays  —  On Friday, the Toronto Blue Jays announced the signing of free-agent pitcher Jeff Hoffman.  But only days earlier, the right-hander appeared headed for another American League East team.

KC rewards No. 1 prospect Caglianone with Spring Training invite  —  This story was excerpted from Anne Rogers' Royals Beat newsletter.  To read the full newsletter, click here.  And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.  —  KANSAS CITY - Jac Caglianone, the top-ranked Royals prospect …

Red Sox' Garrett Whitlock definitive on role as he starts his ‘year of health’  —  BOSTON — For years, Garrett Whitlock has said he'd take any role for the Red Sox as long as he got to keep a major league uniform.  Heading into 2025, things have changed.  —  Speaking at the club's Fenway …

New Yankees closer Devin Williams brings Airbender to Bronx  —  For years, teammates have asked Devin Williams to teach them his changeup, a pitch so unusual and dominant it has its own nickname.  Williams always helps.  They just never get “The Airbender” right.  —  “I haven't seen anyone replicate it,” Williams said.

Cubs To Sign Colin Rea  —  The Cubs are in agreement with Colin Rea on a one-year, $5MM guarantee.  Rea receives a $4.25MM salary for the upcoming season and is guaranteed a $750K buyout on a $6MM club option for 2026.  The right-hander is represented by Joe Speed.

Yankees' willingness to trade Marcus Stroman could help them land infielder  —  The Yankees are still trying to trade Marcus Stroman and are willing to pay down his $18M salary.  —  Should they save money there, the Yankees would have more to spend on an infielder — though don't expect Alex Bregman or Nolan Arenado.

2024-25 MLB offseason: Under-the-radar free agent fits  —  Conversations about the MLB offseason understandably focus on the biggest names.  With a number of major players off the board, the top three still available are Alex Bregman, Roki Sasaki and Pete Alonso, while Jack Flaherty …

There's Still Time for Off-Season Moves, but Some M.L.B. Teams Are Steps Ahead  —  There are still a number of difference-making free agents on the board and likely some significant trades still to come, but let's take stock of each team's offseason moves — or lack thereof.

Chase Utley is a Phillies legend.  Was keystone star Hall of Fame worthy?  —  In his second year on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, second baseman Chase Utley presents an interesting case as one of the top offensive second basemen of his era, an underrated fielder and a guy who simply knew how to win.