BetNow MLB Hot Stove Report: Bregman, Tucker and the Moves That Could Shape 2026

The MLB offseason has been slow to ignite, but January is bringing pressure points across the league. Several elite free agents remain unsigned, trade talks are intensifying, and front offices are quietly deciding whether to push now or wait it out until spring training forces action. The Big Names Still on the Board

Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger and Bo Bichette headline a market stuck in a familiar standoff: players holding firm on value, teams hesitant to overextend. Bregman continues to draw strong interest, with multiple clubs monitoring how far his price will slide. Tucker’s age, plate discipline and power make him the most complete bat available, while Bellinger’s camp appears content to test the market before circling back to familiar ground if needed. Bichette remains intriguing, though teams remain split on his long-term defensive home.

Other Hitters to Watch

Luis Arraez and Miguel Andujar are generating quiet buzz. Both can hit — Arraez with elite contact skills and Andujar with power against lefties — but neither fits cleanly into modern roster construction. Their value may depend on a team willing to prioritize offense over positional certainty.

Pitching Market Still Waiting

Despite early movement among relievers, frontline starters remain available. Ranger Suárez and Framber Valdez are viewed as the top options, with several teams expected to engage more seriously this month. Other arms like Zac Gallen and Lucas Giolito are beginning to surface in conversations as clubs reassess rotation depth.

Trade Rumors Heating Up

Arizona faces a looming decision on Ketel Marte, signaling that offers must improve soon or talks will shut down. Detroit appears content holding Tarik Skubal unless blown away. Elsewhere, names like Brandon Donovan, Mackenzie Gore and Freddy Peralta continue to circulate, with Peralta’s affordable contract making him especially attractive.

What Comes Next

As spring training approaches, leverage shifts toward teams willing to act decisively. Free agents in the middle tiers could feel the squeeze first, while blockbuster moves may come quickly once one domino falls.

The hot stove hasn’t exploded yet — but the heat is rising.