cbssports
The 2026-27 MLB offseason is just over a week old, and the hot stove is already buzzing with moves and rumors.
Top 50 free agents and top 25 trade candidates have been ranked, and a calendar of key offseason dates and deadlines has been compiled. Here are Saturday's hot stove happenings.
Scherzer Undecided on Future
Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer will pitch in "lockout games" this offseason to determine whether he will continue his career, according to the New York Post. The collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1. Players on opposing teams work out together throughout the offseason and are expected to organize games to stay sharp during the lockout.
Scherzer, 42, made 18 starts around injuries with the Blue Jays this season. If 2026 was his final season, he went out with a bang, striking out seven in seven innings of one-run ball in Game 162. He is currently ninth all-time with 3,557 strikeouts, three behind former Tigers teammate Justin Verlander.
Multiple Teams Eye Ty France
Multiple teams have interest in free agent Ty France, according to The Athletic. A deal could come together quickly. France had a career year in 2026 after opening his stance a bit, which unlocked more hard-hit ability. He is also a terrific defensive first baseman and the second-best available first baseman.
It's unclear which teams are in the hunt for France, though there is no shortage of contenders who could use the 32-year-old. The Diamondbacks, Guardians, Mets, Rangers, and of course Padres stand out as potential landing spots. Given his career year and the surprising lack of right-handed power in the game right now, France could command a multi-year contract.
Fubon Guardians Post Top Reliever
The Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League have posted righty reliever Jyun-Yue Tseng for MLB teams, reports the Associated Press. Officially, Tseng has until Dec. 22 to sign, though the expected lockout means his signing deadline is really Dec. 1.
Tseng, 25, pitched for Chinese Taipei in the World Baseball Classic in 2023 and 2026. He saved 25 games with a 1.80 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 52 innings this past season. Tseng's fastball typically sits in the mid-90s but has run as high as 100 mph in the past. His secondary pitches need work to carve out an MLB career as more than a middle reliever.
Key Analysis
Scherzer's decision to test his readiness in lockout games highlights the uncertainty surrounding the aging ace, while France's breakout season has made him a sought-after commodity in a market thin on right-handed power. Tseng's posting adds an intriguing international arm to the mix, though his development will determine whether he can rise above a middle-relief role.
Originally reported by cbssports.