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The 2026-27 Major League Baseball offseason is underway, and hot stove activity has begun just two days in. Key developments include player option decisions, potential trade candidates, and international posting news.
Bo Bichette Exercises Player Option with Mets
New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette has picked up his $42 million player option for the 2027 season, as reported by The Athletic. Bichette also holds another $42 million player option for 2028.
At 28 years old, Bichette is coming off a difficult first season in Queens, where he recorded a .702 OPS with 18 home runs. He also experienced defensive adjustments while transitioning from shortstop to third base. The Mets currently project their infield with Bichette at third, Francisco Lindor at short, and Marcus Semien at second, though the team still needs to address first base and could explore veteran trades.
Diamondbacks Open to Trade Offers for Ketel Marte
The Arizona Diamondbacks are prepared to listen to trade inquiries for second baseman Ketel Marte, according to the Arizona Republic. The club previously explored trade options last offseason without reaching a deal. Marte holds full no-trade protection, giving him control over his destination if he chooses to leave Arizona, though his personal preference remains unknown.
Marte, 33, experienced a challenging 2026 season on the field and was placed on the restricted list in August after going absent without leave. Manager Torey Lovullo noted that it marked the fourth consecutive season Marte missed a game without permission, presenting interested teams with potential clubhouse and reliability factors to consider alongside his athletic fit.
Seibu Lions to Post Right-Hander Kaima Taira
Japan’s Seibu Lions announced that right-handed pitcher Kaima Taira will be made available to MLB teams via the posting system. The posting is expected to become official soon, giving Taira a 45-day window to negotiate and sign with a major league club or return to Japan for the 2027 season.
Taira, who turns 27 next month, features an unusual low-release window combined with a mid-90s four-seam fastball, cutter, sinker, sweeper, slider, changeup, and splitter. After pitching as a reliever in 2024 and 2025, he transitioned to a starting role in 2026 and posted a 1.36 ERA with 141 strikeouts across 146 innings.
Red Sox Complete a Pair of Minor Trades
The Boston Red Sox completed the offseason’s first two trades by dealing utility player Nate Eaton to the Athletics in exchange for minor-league right-handed pitcher Jareth Rayo. The move connects to recently appointed Athletics president of baseball operations Taylor Smith, who previously worked in Boston’s front office.
Boston also traded infielder Tsung-Che Cheng to the Detroit Tigers for cash. The departures of Cheng and Eaton clear two spots on the Red Sox 40-man roster, though the team still needs to free up three additional spots by Monday to accommodate players returning from the 60-day injured list.
