MLB Winter Meetings Live: Wednesday Rumors, Trades and Analysis

The 2025 MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando didn’t deliver the late-night fireworks fans have come to expect. Still, the week quietly shifted the balance of power across both leagues.

Pete Alonso’s massive deal in Baltimore, the Phillies’ record commitment to Kyle Schwarber, and a closer shakeup involving Edwin Díaz all stood out. Front offices this year skipped splashy surprises and instead focused on deliberate, calculated roster building that’ll shape the 2025 season and beyond.

Orioles Land Pete Alonso in Franchise-Altering Deal

The Baltimore Orioles made the biggest move of the Meetings, landing free-agent slugger Pete Alonso on a five-year, $155 million contract. It’s the second-largest financial commitment in club history and marks a shift—Baltimore’s not just a young, up-and-coming team anymore; now they’re acting like a contender willing to pay for proven power.

What Alonso Brings to Baltimore’s Lineup

Alonso steps right into the heart of the Orioles’ order. His elite home run power and knack for driving in runs give Baltimore a real middle-of-the-order anchor to pair with its young core.

He also answers questions about long-term stability at first base and DH. The move gives the club a postseason credibility it hasn’t felt in years.

Even with Alonso, the Orioles aren’t finished. They’re still actively hunting starting pitching, knowing a World Series run will take more than just a beefed-up offense.

Phillies Make Kyle Schwarber Their Offensive Centerpiece

In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies doubled down on power by locking up Kyle Schwarber with a five-year, $150 million deal. That’s a record for Schwarber’s profile, and it’s clear the front office values his on-base skills and game-changing power at top dollar.

Schwarber’s Long-Term Role in Philadelphia

Schwarber’s contract tells you the Phillies see him as a long-term fixture in the middle of their order. He’ll likely spend a good portion of the deal at DH.

His ability to flip a game with one swing keeps Philadelphia in the thick of the NL’s offensive arms race, even as the roster shifts around him.

Dodgers Reinforce the Bullpen with Edwin Díaz

The Los Angeles Dodgers tackled a critical need by signing closer Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million contract. For a club chasing a championship every year, locking down the back end of the bullpen felt essential, and Díaz brings that high-octane, late-inning punch.

Díaz’s Impact on the Dodgers’ Pitching Structure

With Díaz set as the ninth-inning anchor, the Dodgers can finally reshuffle their relief corps into more defined roles. That kind of stability shortens games and helps Los Angeles manage workloads over the marathon 162-game season.

Mets Begin a Tough Reset After Losing Alonso and Díaz

No team felt the Meetings’ ripple effects more than the New York Mets. Losing both Alonso and Díaz in one offseason forces a major recalibration of their competitive timeline and financial plans.

David Stearns’ New Direction in Queens

President of baseball operations David Stearns has started reshaping the roster, signing elite reliever Devin Williams. Stearns seems hesitant to invest heavily in bat-only corner players, hinting at a shift toward versatility, defense, and run prevention.

The Mets are also checking out bullpen upgrades, joining clubs like the Blue Jays in looking at arms such as Luke Weaver and Tyler Rogers.

Draft Lottery and Rule 5: White Sox and Rockies Make Quietly Big Moves

The offseason talent pipeline took the spotlight through the Draft Lottery and Rule 5 Draft. Both events could have long-term ripple effects.

White Sox Win the Lottery, Rockies Take RJ Petit First in Rule 5

The Chicago White Sox landed the top overall pick in Tuesday’s Draft Lottery, their first No. 1 selection in nearly 50 years. Early buzz has UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky as a leading candidate—a possible franchise shortstop for a club deep in rebuild mode.

The Colorado Rockies used the No. 1 pick in the Rule 5 Draft to select RJ Petit, a right-hander from the Tigers’ system. Rule 5 picks rarely grab headlines, but sometimes they quietly reshape a pitching staff, especially in a place like Colorado, where any pitching help matters.

Other Teams Position for Flexibility and Future Moves

Plenty of clubs left Orlando still working the market, not quite ready to call it an offseason. Their next few moves could shape the second phase of the winter.

Red Sox, Twins, Padres, Jays and the Remaining Big Names

Several key storylines are still up in the air:

• Red Sox: They’re pushing hard to keep Alex Bregman around. He’d give them a cornerstone bat and some much-needed steady infield defense.
• Twins: Minnesota’s chasing veteran first basemen like Josh Bell. They’re hoping for a stabilizing force in both the lineup and the clubhouse.
• Padres: San Diego won’t even consider moving Fernando Tatis Jr.. But they might deal Nick Pivetta or Jake Cronenworth to free up some payroll.
• Blue Jays & Mets: Both clubs are hunting for bullpen help. Names like Luke Weaver and Tyler Rogers keep popping up on their radar.
• Top Free Agents: Guys like Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette are still out there. Multiple big-market teams are circling, trying to land a star.

 
Here is the source article for this story: MLB Winter Meetings live updates: Latest news, rumors and analysis from Wednesday