The Major League Baseball offseason is winding down, with just over two weeks until pitchers and catchers report to their spring training sites in Florida and Arizona. There’s still significant work left, including finalizing deals with key free agents like left-hander Framber Valdez and right-hander Zac Gallen. CBS Sports has gathered the most important moves and social media updates from Sunday for your convenience.
Andrew McCutchen, the 39-year-old former MVP, voiced his disappointment on social media Saturday night about remaining unsigned. He implied that the Pittsburgh Pirates are handling their veteran stars differently compared to how other teams have treated their aging stars. McCutchen questioned, “Did the Cardinals ever neglect Wainwright, Pujols, or Yadier Molina? Did the neglect Kershaw? Did the Tigers ignore Miggy? The list is endless,” as he reflected on the Pirates Fan Fest. He added that if this is indeed his final season, it would have been meaningful to connect with fans one last time as a player.
Having spent his last three seasons with Pittsburgh, McCutchen’s career there appears to be coming to an end. In 2025, he played 135 games, batting .239 with an on-base plus slugging line of .333/.367 (OPS+95), smacking 13 home runs and stealing a base. During the winter, the Pirates have focused on bolstering their offense in hopes of becoming playoff contenders. Their moves include trading away second baseman Brandon Lowe along with outfielders Jake Mangum and Jostinson Garcia, while signing first baseman/designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn.
This situation presents a challenge for the Pirates management. McCutchen holds a special place within the organization and deserved transparency regarding his future. However, the front office seems under pressure to explore every avenue to enhance the roster, aiming to surround ace Paul Skenes with the highest possible talent.
Meanwhile, the New York Mets have inked right-handed pitcher Craig Kimbrel to a minor league contract, as reported by the New York Post. If Kimbrel makes the Opening Day roster, he will earn $2.5 million. Once regarded as one of the game’s best closers, 37-year-old Kimbrel has rebounded well recently and has pitched for seven different teams since 2021. Last season, he appeared in 14 major league games split between the Astros and Braves, achieving a 2.25 ERA with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.43. Since 2023, Kimbrel’s ERA stands at 3.98 with a 2.79 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The Mets have been active this offseason, adding right-hander Freddy Peralta, outfielder Luis Robert, and infielder Bo Bichette over the past two weeks, alongside earlier signings of relievers Luke Weaver and Devin Williams to key bullpen roles.
Fan Take:
This offseason hustle underscores how teams are aggressively shaping rosters to compete immediately, often balancing loyalty to veterans like McCutchen with the pressing need to win now. For baseball fans, these moves highlight the sport’s evolving landscape where legacy and performance collide, setting the stage for a compelling and unpredictable season ahead.
