Dodgers notes: Bo Bichette update, Tatsuya Imai to Astros

Although the offseason is now two months through, there is still a plethora of major talent still waiting on where their careers will take them next.

Outfielders Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger, who are at the cream of the crop for free agents at their position, still don’t have a home for the 2026 season. Bo Bichette’s name has come up in recent rumors, and his market now includes three previously unreported teams, being the Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs, and New York Yankees, per Jon Heyman at the New York Post.

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With Mookie Betts slated as the primary shortstop after a phenomenal season defensively, a move for Bichette would place him at second base, with Mark Feinsand of MLB.com previously indicating that the now-former Blue Jay would be willing to switch over to second base full-time. Bichette had never played outside of shortstop until the 2025 World Series, where he started both at second base and designated hitter.

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It only took nine and a half hours for the first major signing of 2026 to take place, and a pitcher who was determined to take down the Dodgers now has that opportunity.

Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai agreed to a three-year, $54 million deal with the Houston Astros with opt-outs after every year of the deal. Jesse Rogers at ESPN was the first to report the contract details. The 27-year-old starter pitched in 24 games for the Seibu Lions, posting a 10-5 record with a 1.92 ERA and 0.892 WHIP, striking out 178 hitters while walking 45 over 163 2/3 innings of work. He will serve as a frontline member of Houston’s rotation behind AL Cy Young contender Hunter Brown as they look to bounce back after missing the postseason in 2025.

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2025 gave Dodgers fans and Los Angeles sports fans a lot to be thankful for. Whether it be the Rams defeating the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round right after the multiple wildfires, the Lakers making a blockbuster trade for Luka Dončić, or the Dodgers repeating as champions, it was a memorable year full of pleasant surprises.

Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times writes a touching piece on how sports allowed him to find strength in the face of adversity, as he was personally affected by the Eaton fires that ravaged the city of Altadena.

In 2025, sports showed me that life can get better, life will be better, that if we hang in there long enough we can all hit that Miggy Ro homer, make that Andy Pages catch, stay forever young. And thus I offer a heartiest and hopeful welcome to 2026.