MLB in brief: Kona Takahashi returns to Japan | Paul Skenes shaves his head

Kona Takahashi returns to Japan

He hasn't reached an agreement with an MLB club.

Kona Takahashi will indeed return to Japan for 2026, as he's expected to sign a new multi-year deal with Seibu, per source. The deal will include opt outs that will allow him to test MLB free agency as soon as next winter without being subjected to the posting system.

– Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 3, 2026

The Cody Bellinger file

Can the Dodgers get him out of New York?

“I think the West Coast can lure him back.”

Could a coast-to-coast battle be at the forefront in locking down Cody Bellinger? #Dodgers | #Yankees
https://t.co/iXax8hx4iO pic.twitter.com/fsgZVMULDh

– MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) January 2, 2026

Paul Skenes shaved

And Yankees fans dream.

Paul Skenes is now clean-shaven…

Yankees fans are starting to dream… pic.twitter.com/ynLpWBWi3O

– Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) January 2, 2026

Julio Rodriguez the MVP?

Possible.

It's never too early for award predictions!

Here are https://t.co/Z3s2EphcSH'spicks for who's taking home hardware in the AL this year pic.twitter.com/qUu1uS6QoF

– MLB (@MLB) January 3, 2026

Trey Yesavage, meanwhile, could be the rookie of the year.

Trey Yesavage enters 2026 as a favorite for the AL Rookie of the Year Award

He headlines the Blue Jays farm system.

Full scouting report here: https://t.co/PaEJH1cO2h pic.twitter.com/mANDfs697w

– Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) January 3, 2026

The A's aren't done yet

A pitcher should land in Sacramento.

Ken Korach says he'd be surprised if the A's didn't add a veteran starting pitcher in free agency. pic.twitter.com/9YN3rINI2y

– Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) January 2, 2026

Next to 3000 sure shots

Who will it be?

MLB Active Hits Leaders

2431 – Freeman, age 35
2388 – Altuve, 35
2266 – McCutchen, age 38
2190 – Goldschmidt, age 37
2069 – Machado, age 32
1921 – Arenado, 34
1880 – Santana, 39
1822 – Bogaerts, 32
1801 – Harper, 32
1772 – LeMahieu, 36
1767 – Betts, 32
1754 – Trout, 33

Who will reach 3000? pic.twitter.com/9ikSVP960W

– Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) January 2, 2026

This content was created with the help of AI.