Houston Astros

Skubal, who turned 28 Wednesday, was a unanimous winner and is just the fifth Tiger to win the award and the first since Max Sherzer in 2013.

The Atlanta Braves are in a better spot than most teams with their starting rotation, but they'll still have some tough decisions to make soon. Max Fried, the two-time Braves All-Star who started the World Series clincher in 2021, is now a free agent after rejecting Atlanta's qualifying offer on Tuesday.

It's widely known the Houston Astros don't have a strong farm system. Once their teardown rebuild was completed and they became perennial championship contenders, the organization decided to trade away multiple star prospects over the years to keep their dynastic run alive. Because of that, the Astros didn't have too many tough choices to make regarding who they were going to protect from the Rule 5 Draft ahead of Tuesday's deadline. According to Ari Alexander of KPRC 2, they decided to add left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon to their 40-man roster so other teams around the league couldn't poach him.

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch came up short in the 2024 AL Manager of the Year race, losing to Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt.

The Houston Astros, two-time World Series champions and the heartbeat of Houston's sports scene, are stepping into a new era. Come Wednesday, January 1, 2025, Minute Maid Park will transform into Daikin Park, courtesy of a groundbreaking naming rights deal with Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. This 15-year partnership marks the beginning of a fresh chapter for Houston's beloved ballclub. While nostalgia swells at the thought of saying goodbye to the “Juice Box,” fans can take solace in the fact that Daikin is no stranger to Houston's energy.

The Detroit Tigers are a team that many people are keeping a close eye on during the MLB offseason. After their shocking run at the end of the season, which resulted in earning a playoff spot in the American League and victory over the Houston Astros in the Wild Card Round, the front office is ready to spend. The natural progression from the young players on the team is expected, but the time to add established veterans to raise the ceiling is now. There are some clear areas of need on the roster, which can be filled in free agency.

The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to be active in the trade market this winter as the front office looks to reduce payroll and open opportunities for the club's young talent core. Following three-time All-Star Willson Contreras and ace Sonny Gray's decisions to invoke their no-trade clause for 2025, the Cardinals aren't left with many options to decrease payroll significantly. Fortunately for Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr.'s wallet, a St. Louis fan favorite signed to an expensive contract remains on the trade block and the Houston Astros might be a suitor.

On Monday, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced its complete 2025 ballot, with CC Sabathia and Ichiro Suzuki appearing as first year eligibles for Cooperstown.

Nick Martinez was among 13 free agents who received a qualifying offer on Nov. 4.

Bregman’s wealth of playoff experience, renowned work ethic and rep as a clubhouse leader are some of the headlining features of his case as one of this winter’s premier free agents.

GM Dana Brown wants to keep Bregman in H-Town for the remainder of his career. But free agency always opens the door to change. And if Bregman decides to leave, Houston will have to pivot.

Chandler Rome of The Athletic is reporting that the Cleveland Guardians have agreed to a minor league contract with left-handed pitcher Parker Mushinski.

The Dodgers' 7-6 victory over the Yankees in Game 5 for their eighth World Series title and second in five years averaged 18.6 million viewers on Fox, Fox Deportes and streaming, according to Nielsen. The series averaged 15.81 million, its best performance since 2017 when Houston's victory over the Dodgers in seven games averaged 18.93 million. Its also quite a turnaround from last year, when the Texas Rangers;' title over the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games averaged a record-low 9.11 million.

Alex Bregman's future will be the focus this offseason.

Teoscar Hernández made an outstanding throw to home plate in Game 3 of the World Series at a critical moment in their 4-2 victory over the Yankees.