MLB NEWS — Shifting away from the Cubs’ specific stuff for a moment (don’t you worry, there’s more to come), I thought we could discuss some of the bigger stories from around baseball that were supposed to be in my morning bullets, but got squeezed out by CubsCon(tent). See what I did there?
Okay, MLB news. Let’s go.
Kyle Tucker’s Other Offer
On Thursday, Kyle Tucker signed a record-breaking four-year, $240 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Even accounting for the $30 million in deferrals, the present value of the contract results in an AAV-shattering $57M salary per year. And that’s before considering the extra value of the opt-outs following years two and three of the deal.
Tucker also reportedly had another short-term offer on the table from the Mets, who would have paid him $60M in 2026 and 2027 plus $50M in 2028 and 2029, also including opt-outs after the second and third year (a fairly equivalent deal, all things considered). No deferrals, either.
But he also had a THIRD offer on the table, and this was the one we had been waiting to hear more about. According to Jon Heyman, the Blue Jays made Tucker a 10-year, $350 million offer.
Blue Jays offer to Kyle Tucker was $350M for 10 years. They certainly put in a big effort. Still one of the biggest winter winners with all they’ve done.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 17, 2026Color me surprised that’s not what Tucker wanted to accept.
Don’t get me wrong, signing for a record-AAV with the best team in baseball and still giving yourself a shot at more money down the line with the opt-outs is a perfectly reasonable approach. But if he was looking for big money, plenty of stability, and a chance to win a World Series, the Blue Jays offer sure seems tempting.
Alas. He chose cowardice, signing with the Dodgers instead (okay, I’m just hamming it up now for fun … but also screw the Dodgers).
Also, my GOODNESS, the Blue Jays are in their aggressive era, eh?
Maybe they’re not quite the Dodgers, but they have been very legitimately involved on just about every single gigantic free agent in the last few years, including Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Kyle Tucker, and others. They’ve also extended Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a record deal and signed Dylan Cease to a $210M contract. They want it bad. Good for them.
It’ll be an honor to knock out the Dodgers in the NLCS and then the Blue Jays in the World Series.
© Jonathan Hui-Imagn ImagesAtlanta Braves Revenue Lessons
The Atlanta Braves are owned by a publicly traded company; therefore, they’re required to release their financial statements every season. And it’s routinely a big moment for baseball nerds (… and I’m sure the players’ union), because it provides a very rare look at the “books” of an upper-middle-class team in a big market.
According to their 2025 statements, the Braves took in $311M in adjusted revenue last year, up about 7% from 2024, with $46 million in profit. And that came during a year in which they posted their lowest attendance numbers since 2019 and did not make the playoffs.
The Atlanta Braves financial statements are publicly available and serve as a general guide for understanding the business of baseball. Any good accountant can move some decimals here and there, but these are a good starting ground. The Braves made $46M in profit last year on… pic.twitter.com/7v1EEykSBf
— Daniel Meyer (@TheAstrosLocker) January 16, 2026Now, here’s a friendly reminder that the Dodgers TV deal *alone* reportedly brings in $300 million annually … or roughly the equivalent of ALL Braves’ revenue in 2025.
That, my friends, is why it’s disingenuous to say “every team should spend like the Dodgers.”
Every team should spend MORE money than they are — some teams more than others, no doubt about it. But NO TEAM can keep up with the Dodgers. That TV deal is an unmatchable unicorn in the industry. It explains everything about them.
Oh, and don’t forget that the Dodgers also have the Los Angeles market and the cash machine that is Shohei Ohtani.
Victor Caratini Rides Again!
Back when I lived in Wrigleyville, my (then fiancée) and I had an apartment in a high-rise building, about one block from Wrigley Field. In that building lived a number of young Cubs players, from Javier Baez to Addison Russell to Willson Contreras, to Albert Almora Jr., and others. I think the Cubs must’ve used it as an easy, nearby temporary housing suggestion for those guys back then. I don’t know.
My one-bedroom apartment was even the prior residence of Rob Zastryzny. How do I know? Because I got his mail for the first few weeks of living there. Lol.
Anyway, one day, my wife comes up the elevator and says to me, “Hey, there’s a Cubs player in the lobby, but I don’t know who it is.” After asking some other prying questions, but getting nowhere, I just made my way down to the lobby, myself, to … eh hem … check to see if we had any packages. And then I saw him, Victor Caratini with his Cubs bag and gear, standing around, looking lost. I said, hi, confirmed it was him … and proceeded to see if anyone had the news yet. They didn’t! Too bad I didn’t break the news back then.
Little did we know, this was coming before some major organizational change. Miguel Montero had just criticized some of his own pitchers after a loss, which didn’t sit well with the team and eventually led to his DFA (and Caratini’s coinciding promotion).
Anyway, I digress.
Caratini, now 32, has blossomed into a legitimate, long-time big league catcher. He spent four years with the Cubs, one with the Padres, and two with the Astros. He’s mostly been a backup, but his switch-hitting, low-strikeout, and solid-behind-the-plate profile has kept him around for years.
And now, he’s even getting paid: The Minesotta Twins have signed Victor Caratini to a two-year, $14M deal.
Twins, C Victor Caratini reportedly agree to 2-year deal, per multiple reports including @MLBNetwork insider @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/3lbKga0NAR
— MLB (@MLB) January 16, 2026I don’t know why I feel such affinity for the former Cubs prospect, especially now that he’s not with the Brewers, but I just feel happy to see him succeed. Keep it going, Vic. You’ve put together a really nice career.
© Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesOther MLB News:
The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly among the teams interested in signing free agent starter Justin Verlander, who turns 43 years old next month. Speaking of which, Verlander is still out there, but so are free agents Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen. Likewise, Freddy Peralta, Tarik Skubal, and MacKenzie Gore are all on the trade market. This offseason has hummed along nicely, but it’s not done yet. How many Pete Crow-Armstrong highlights will be on this list?What was your favorite defensive play from last season?Matty V and Harold look back on some notable plays ahead of our MLB Network Countdown: Defensive Plays of 2025.? Tonight at 7pm ET pic.twitter.com/nd09Mx1NH0
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 17, 2026 Uh, yeah, they better be:Does acquiring Alex Bregman and Edward Cabrera make the Cubs the favorite to win the NL Central?Boog Sciambi: "Yes." pic.twitter.com/E8R4J5xOJC
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 17, 2026 At the end of the day, it’s F the Dodgers, always.RF ➡️ Kyle TuckerLF ➡️ Teoscar HernándezThe Dodgers are looking even stronger heading into 2026. t.co/pQJkEyGHMR pic.twitter.com/qXBriWLsMU
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 17, 2026 Elly De La Cruz turned down what would have been the largest contract in Cincinnati Reds history.“I let my agent take care of all of that,” De La Cruz said at Redsfest.@ctrent on the Reds' attempt to lock up one of their brightest stars: t.co/Sd1AU1DmWH
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) January 17, 2026Hence then, the article about mlbits kyle tucker s 10 year offer braves financials victor caratini rides again more was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( MLBits: Kyle Tucker’s 10-Year Offer, Braves Financials, Victor Caratini Rides Again! More )
Also on site :