New York Mets lock in Kai Correa as bench coach for 2026 and promote Jeff Albert to director of Major League hitting, signaling a rapid, data-driven rebuild under David Stearns. Correa brings elite defensive analytics and infield teaching; Albert translates minor league scouting into big-league hitting prep. The hires came with zero leaks, underscoring Stearns’s preference for stealth and speed. Gold Glove finalists Torrens and Peterson highlight Mets defensive emphasis, while Soto and Lindor show mixed defensive marks. Rookie Tong and catcher Alvarez add intriguing winter notes as the organization presses ahead.

Max Fried headlines the AL Gold Glove finalists after leading MLB pitchers with 10 defensive runs saved and 39 assists in his first season with the Yankees, edging Jacob deGrom and Luis Severino for the trio. In the NL, Ryan McMahon anchors the infield after joining the Yankees midseason, with Ke’Bryan Hayes and Matt Shaw also in the mix at third. Catcher Luis Torrens heads the Mets’ catching group alongside Patrick Bailey and Carson Kelly, while David Peterson joins Torrens as a Mets finalist on the mound with Logan Webb and Matthew Boyd. The Yankees last Gold Glove winner was Volpe in 2023, and the Mets’ last was Lagares in 2014.

Dodgers dominate the NLCS early as Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto stitch 17 innings with a single run allowed, signaling a championship-ready pitching core. Milwaukee’s Brewers remain a model of efficiency, doing more with less while chasing a deeper playoff run. Chicago’s Cubs face an identity dilemma, aiming for sustained success without selling out to expensive stars. Jed Hoyer’s end‑of‑season remarks frame a winter of defense, consistency, and market-minded moves as the Cubs seek a clearer path forward.

Hoyer’s emphasis on defense and clean baseball underscores a broader theme: teams want to be competitive every year, not just when star power is abundant. The article also notes rival playoff scripts, including aces delivering deep outings for Tarik Skubal, Garrett Crochet, and Freddy Peralta, illustrating how postseason pitching depth remains the ultimate differentiator.