Buster Olney: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Fresh off consecutive World Series titles, and several offseasons adding star-caliber talent, many believe the Los Angeles Dodgers are ruining baseball.

New York Mets News / New York Mets on SI / December 5

Mets called a landing spot for elite Japanese free agent pitcher

MLB’s winter meetings begin Monday in Orlando, and unsurprisingly, the New York Mets are right at the center of the rumor mill. In an article published by ESPN on Friday, insiders Jeff Passan and Buster Olney shared the latest intel on the top names available via trade and free agency.

Detroit Tigers News / Athlon Sports / December 5

Tigers Still Shopping Ace Pitcher, ESPN Reporter Writes

Buster Olney gave a Tarik Skubal update The Tigers' pursuits have continued The asking price was revealed The Detroit Tigers made the playoffs last season but failed to advance to the World Series despite a promising season during which they had the best record in the Majors from several weeks.

MLB News / ESPN / December 5

What Buster Olney, Jeff Passan are hearing about Schwarber's suitors, top free agents and blockbuster trades

Here's our latest intel heading into the MLB winter meetings, starting with the slugger who holds the key to the offseason.

New York Yankees News / New York Yankees on SI / November 30

Yankees Path to Signing Japanese Star Getting Easier

The New York Yankees have a real shot at landing Tatsuya Imai this winter. This thought stems from teams having already made additions, financial constraints, and Imai's own preference.

San Francisco Giants News / Total Apex Sports / November 29

The San Francisco Giants Are Not Pursuing Tatsuya Imai

The San Francisco Giants were expected to be one of the top teams in the mix for Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai. According to Buster Olney, a lot of their market pitching inquiries have been for more modestly priced arms — a strong indication they aren’t chasing the highest priced pitchers, like Imai.

New York Yankees News / Empire Sports Media / September 9

Yankees could trade struggling shortstop this upcoming offseason

Buster Olney of ESPN said on ESPN Radio that rival executives believe the Yankees might consider trading Anthony Volpe this upcoming winter, who has had a miserable 2025 season.

Atlanta Braves News / Atlanta Braves on SI / September 3

ESPN's Buster Olney Suggests Perplexing Offseason Move for Braves

The rumor mill is starting to get going as the regular season reaches its final month. While joining 680 The Fan on Tuesday, MLB insider from ESPN, Buster Olney, suggested that the Atlanta Braves could target All-Star shortstop Trevor Story, should he be available.

MLB News / Athlon Sports / September 2

ESPN Insider Warns Yankees’ Reward for Winning Could Be Red Sox Clash

Here’s your dose of playoff irony: even if the Yankees steamroll a cakewalk September schedule and finish with the second-best record in the American League, ESPN’s Buster Olney predicts they could still slide into the wild-card slot—facing the Red Sox right out of the gate.

Seattle Mariners News / Seattle Mariners on SI / August 21

ESPN's Buster Olney Discusses Plight of Seattle Mariners as Struggles Mount

The Seattle Mariners will enter Friday's contest with the Athletics at 68-60 and in possession of the third wild card spot in the American League. That said, the last 10 days have been a major grind for the Mariners, who have lost seven of nine.

MLB News / New York Yankees on SI / August 14

Yankees Sneak Past Mets' Playoff Chances

Both the New York Yankees and their crosstown rival, the New York Mets, are in something of a mid-season slump. The Yankees, who once led their division by seven games, are third in the AL East, while the Mets, despite signing slugger Juan Soto to a record-breaking contract in December, are five games behind the Philadelphia Phillies.

Seattle Mariners News / Seattle Mariners on SI / August 7

ESPN Insider Seems to Think Seattle Mariners Can Catch Astros and Win AL West

Heading into play on Thursday, the Seattle Mariners trail the Houston Astros by just two games in the American League West race. The M's are looking to run down the Astros and win their first division title since the 2001 season, but is it possible?

New York Yankees News / New York Yankees on SI / July 29

Yankees Rival Could Trade Multiple Players

One of the New York Yankees' division rivals could shake up the trade deadline in a big way. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the expectation around the

New York Yankees News / Last Word On Sports / July 28

Rumor: Yankees Eyeing Reunion with Former Outfielder

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the New York Yankees are looking for right-handed hitting outfielders to add at the trade deadline. Among the names they’ve kicked the tires on is Harrison Bader of the Minnesota Twins, Olney reports.

Tampa Bay Rays News / Last Word On Sports / July 27

Rumor: Rays Open to Trading Slugger as Deadline Nears

According to a report from Buster Olney of ESPN, the Tampa Bay Rays are shifting their mindset surrounding the trade deadline. The Rays aren’t playing well, and Olney reports that both Rays’ staffers and rival clubs have been shocked by the recent rough patch.

Boston Red Sox News / Boston Red Sox on SI / March 24

Red Sox Fans Will Be Fired Up After Buster Olney's Dodgers Comments

The Boston Red Sox are in a completely different position than they were even one year ago. At this point last year, there were plenty of people who thought the Red Sox were going to finish in the last place in the American League East again.

MLB News / ChiCitySports / March 21

Alex Bregman revelation casts a dark cloud on Cubs ownership

The Chicago Cubs, apparently, weren’t as close to signing free agent third baseman Alex Bregman as reported. The push for Bregman was a crazy one. Chicago showed no interest in Bregman for almost the entirety of the offseason and then, as spring training approached, they were suddenly in hot pursuit of the veteran star and former Houston Astro.

Detroit Tigers News / Fastball on SI / February 21

Buster Olney of ESPN Calls Detroit Tigers 1B Battle the Most Interesting of Spring

The Detroit Tigers are coming off a season that saw them finish third in the American League Central and make the playoffs thanks to a torrid final six weeks of the regular season.

Cincinnati Reds News / Cincinnati Reds on SI / January 24

Cincinnati Reds Named Buster Olney's Most Improved Team This Offseason

ESPN analyst Buster Olney listed his "Five Most Improved MLB Teams in 2025," and the Cincinnati Reds were top on his list. "The Reds had the worst record in the majors in one-run decisions last year -- 15-28 -- and they are likely to get better merely by moving to the mean," Olney wrote.

Seattle Mariners News / MLB Trade Rumors / August 11, 2024

Mariners activate star outfielder from 10-day injured list

A collision with the outfield wall left him with a right high ankle sprain back on July 21, and he was placed on the IL a couple of days later.

Watch: Mariners All-Star pulls off impressive barehanded play

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Seattle Mariners News / Seattle Mariners on SI / July 13, 2024

ESPN Insider Buster Olney Discusses Seattle Mariners Financial Issues and More

The Seattle Mariners enter play on Saturday at 52-44 on the season. With two games left before the All-Star break, the Mariners now lead the Houston Astros by just one game in the American League West.

New York Mets News / Yardbarker / June 24, 2024

Insider shares huge claim about ejection of Mets' Edwin Diaz

Insider shares huge claim about sticky-stuff ejection of Mets' Edwin Diaz

ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney suggested that he's not shocked New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz suffered a sticky-stuff ejection in the ninth inning of what became New York's 5-2 win at the Chicago Cubs on Sunday evening.

Mets' Edwin Diaz's rough season takes another brutal turn

Mets legend speaks honestly about Pete Alonso heading toward free agency

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The '2023 MLB Opening Day starters' quiz

New York Mets News / Yardbarker / March 2, 2023

Mets have concern over star closer Edwin Diaz's usage in WBC

The New York Mets are concerned over how star closer Edwin Diaz will be used in the World Baseball Classic when he competes for Puerto Rico, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

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New York Yankees News / Yardbarker / October 25, 2022

MLB insider: Teams think Yankees will re-sign Aaron Judge

MLB insider: Other teams think Yankees will re-sign Aaron Judge

It was reported before Judge set a new AL single-season record of 62 home runs that the four-time All-Star selection could earn up to $375 million over 10 years via his next contract.

Do Yankees have 'plenty of time' to figure out Aaron Judge's future?

Did Aaron Judge talk about Yankees in past tense after ALCS sweep?

Report: Dodgers could consider radical plan in pursuit of Aaron Judge

The greatest postseason players in MLB history

The 'Yankees who have hit 40 home runs in a season' quiz

New York Yankees News / Yardbarker / September 27, 2022

Buster Olney denies report that ESPN pressured Yankees to keep rain delay going for Aaron Judge's home run chase

Baseball fans who stayed up extra late on Sunday night in hopes of seeing New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge get one last crack at hitting his 61st home run of the season were left disappointed, as the contest against the Boston Red Sox was called after six innings, resulting in a 2-0 New York victory.

Insiders: Yankees' Aaron Judge 'wearing down,' 'pressing' amid home run chase

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