MLB Player News

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow on Monday was noncommital when asked whether Story was the team's starting shortstop in 2027, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Story has one year and $25 million remaining on his contract (plus a $5 million buyout of a $25 million team option for 2028), and is coming off an injury-shortened 2026 campaign that saw him slash just .235/.271/.351 with five homers over 64 games. Slated to turn 34 on Sunday, Story has played fewer than 100 games in four of his first five seasons in Boston. Top prospect Franklin Arias is an option to take over at shortstop in 2027, possibly by Opening Day, but the Red Sox also haven't ruled out adding an upgrade at shortstop from outside the organization. If that happens, Story could shift to second base or the bench.

White Sox GM Chris Getz announced on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM on Tuesday that Smith will remain in the bullpen for 2027.

The 23-year-old was one of Chicago's top relievers as a rookie in 2026, posting a 1.29 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 41:16 K:BB across 28 regular-season innings. Grant Taylor is being shifted to the rotation after recording 10 saves, so Smith could have a chance to compete for the closer job if the White Sox don't make any significant additions to the back end of their bullpen this offseason. Similar to Taylor and Garrett Crochet previously, Smith could move back into the rotation down the line.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that Taylor will move into the rotation next season.

All 96 regular-season appearances for Taylor to this point in the majors have been either as a reliever or opener, but he's been a starting pitcher in the past and the White Sox are ready to reintroduce him to the role. Taylor logged a 2.25 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 106:30 K:BB over 84 regular-season frames in 2026, notching 10 saves along the way. He threw a total of 92.2 innings between the regular and postseason, so Taylor will have workload limitations in place in 2027, though it's unclear at this point what exactly that will look like.

Santana will like to continue his playing career, Will Sammon, Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic report.

Santana inked a one-year, $2 million contract with the Diamondbacks last winter but was released after going just 2-for-24 at the plate. He then signed a minor-league deal with Atlanta but was cut loose before appearing in a big-league game for them. Santana will turn 41 shortly after Opening Day next season and would likely have to accept a minor-league deal.

Stewart was named the 2026 National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year on Monday.

Stewart mashed his way to this award and earned 20 of 30 potential first-place votes. He clobbered 32 homers and collected 112 RBI and 87 runs over 162 appearances during his rookie campaign while also managing to hit for average (.263). Stewart isn't known for his speed, but the 22-year-old also tallied 15 stolen bags on 23 attempts.

McGonigle was named the 2026 American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year on Monday.

McGonigle earned 28 of the 30 available first-place votes on the way to Rookie of the Year honors. He put together a stellar first campaign as a big leaguer, slashing .278/.376/.430 with 18 home runs, 72 RBI, 12 stolen bases and 97 runs in 156 appearances. McGonigle managed this impressive offensive onslaught while splitting time between third base (94 starts) and shortstop (96 starts), while also occasionally occupying the DH slot (five starts).

General manager Craig Breslow noted Monday that Casas (wrist) could see at-bats in a winter league, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Casas last appeared in the big leagues during the 2025 season before undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon and an intercostal strain. He then underwent arthroscopic wrist surgery on his left wrist in August, ending any chance of a return in 2026. If given a clean bill of health, Casas could have a chance to gain some confidence in his surgically-repaired wrist over the offseason before reporting for spring training ahead of the 2027 campaign.

The Mets outrighted Paris to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Paris was a waiver claim of the Mets in October. He passed through waivers this time around but will remain in the organization. Paris slashed .307/.427/.554 in 62 games at Triple-A Salt Lake in the Angels organization in 2026, but he has a career .510 OPS and 38.4 percent strikeout rate over parts of four seasons in the majors.

The Dodgers claimed Cairo off waivers from the Mets on Monday.

Cairo slashed .230/.381/.300 batting line, four homers, 25 steals and a 92:76 BB:K over 130 games at the Triple-A level between the Phillies and Mets organizations in 2026. The Mets were unable to slip the infielder through waivers, so he'll join the Dodgers' 40-man roster.

Brown has yet to be cleared to resume throwing, and surgery to repair his neck injury has not been ruled out, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Brown was shelved for the final three-plus months of the 2026 season due to a stress reaction in his neck, which is an injury that also forced him to miss substantial action in 2024. The Cubs and Brown are still determining the best course of action to treat the chronic injury, and it has the right-hander's status for 2027 unclear. Brown was terrific this season when on the mound, logging a 1.85 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 65:19 K:BB over 68 frames covering eight starts and 12 relief outings.