ARLINGTON — The Rangers held their 15th annual Toy Drive benefiting Mission Arlington–Mission Metroplex at Globe Life Field on Tuesday night, continuing a tradition that has become a key part of the club’s community outreach during the holiday season.
This year’s event was hosted by Rangers outfielder Evan Carter and his wife, Kaylen, who spent the evening mingling with fans and spreading holiday cheer on a night centered around giving back.
Fans were encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys valued at $15 or more. Each fan who donated received a ticket to a select 2026 Rangers home game. The response was significant, as more than 1,000 toys were collected to support Mission Arlington–Mission Metroplex’s Christmas Toy Store, which provides gifts at no cost to children and families in need.
“We are so fortunate and blessed to have the people we have around us,” Carter said of the support he and Kaylen received from the community. “From the fans to the staff and everyone who came out and donated, we really appreciate their time and generosity.”
The night was highlighted by a trio of free autograph sessions, which featured a mix of current Rangers, alumni and broadcasters. Carter signed for hundreds of fans alongside teammates Jake Burger, Josh Smith and Cody Bradford. Alumni including Rangers Hall of Famer Ian Kinsler, Rafael Palmeiro and Derek Holland also participated, while Rangers Sports Network broadcasters Eric Nadel, Jared Sandler, Eleno Ornelas and Laura Stickells greeted fans and joined in the festivities.
“At this time of year, there are certainly families that are hurting,” said Karin Morris, senior vice president of community impact & executive director of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. “It’s incredibly rewarding to know that kids will have a brighter Christmas because of what we’re doing here tonight.”
Affectionately known throughout Arlington as “Miss Tillie,” Tillie Burgin, executive director of Mission Arlington–Mission Metroplex, emphasized the importance of the partnership with the Rangers: “To work with the Rangers on this event every year means everything to our organization. We’re so grateful.”
Fans who were unable to attend this year’s Toy Drive can still donate to Mission Arlington-Mission Metroplex online by purchasing items through their Amazon Wish List.
Mets, Yankees among clubs in on Tucker (report)
MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Kyle Tucker.
Dec. 9: Dodgers could pursue Tucker on short-term deal (report)
Even after agreeing on a deal to add closer Edwin Díaz to their star-studded roster, the Dodgers might not be done chasing top-flight free agents. According to Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic (subscription required), Los Angeles could still pursue Tucker.
Rosenthal and Woo reported that the Dodgers likely wouldn’t offer Tucker a long-term deal for six or seven years, with a three- or four-year contract more of a possibility. Regardless, Los Angeles — coming off back-to-back World Series titles — doesn’t seem to be content after signing Díaz to a three-year deal worth a reported $69 million.
Inking Tucker is far from a certainty (MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand wrote that he would be “surprised” if Tucker signed with Los Angeles) but adding a top free-agent bat still appears to be a priority for the Dodgers. MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reported on Tuesday morning — before news of the Díaz deal broke — that Los Angeles is among the clubs interested in shortstop Bo Bichette. Bichette would be a big move for L.A., but Tucker would make an even bigger splash.
Dec. 9: Orioles reportedly have spoken with Tucker’s camp
Although we’re still waiting for Tucker’s market to come into focus, the second day of the Winter Meetings may have provided some clarity.
Philadelphia still needs outfield help, but considering Tucker’s potential price tag and lefty profile, the team’s deal with Schwarber seriously diminishes the chances that it will pursue him. The Dodgers may also be more reluctant to spend what it takes to reel in Tucker after investing $69 million in Díaz, unless the recent trade chatter around outfielder Teoscar Hernández results in a move.
The O’s are one of the most interesting teams to watch in the wake of Schwarber’s decision to return to the Phillies. According to a report from The Athletic (subscription required), the O’s offer to Schwarber matched the one he accepted from Philadelphia (five years, $150 million).
With money to spend and a desire to return to contention in a hurry after a disappointing 2025 season, Baltimore is expected to stay aggressive in the free-agent market.
The Athletic’s report mentions Tucker as a target for the Orioles and notes that the club has been “involved in discussions for virtually every player at the top of the market this offseason, other than infielders Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette, neither of whom would fill a need.”
Dec. 5: Orioles in the mix for Tucker?
The Orioles were at one point in this offseason considered to be “a team to watch” when it came to Tucker’s free agency. Sometime later, their stance regarding a Tucker pursuit reportedly changed to one in which they weren’t ruling it out. Is Baltimore now fully in the mix to acquire the slugging right fielder?
According to MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon in an article for The Athletic (subscription required), the O’s “remain involved” in the Tucker sweepstakes.
Could Tucker be another splashy move for Baltimore heading into the 2026 campaign? It certainly wouldn’t hurt in an ultra-competitive division from which three postseason teams emerged in ’25.
Dec. 3: Tucker remains in play for aggressive Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have been active this offseason, addressing their rotation with the additions of Dylan Cease (seven years, $210 million) and Cody Ponce (three years, $30 million), but those moves may be just the start for the defending AL champs.
According to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, Toronto’s spending in the pitching market hasn’t taken it out of the mix for Tucker. In fact, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that Tucker was at the Blue Jays’ complex in Florida on Dec. 3. That visit was initially reported by Robert Murray of FanSided.
The Blue Jays are also still considering Bo Bichette, their longtime shortstop.
Nov. 20: O’s reportedly not ruling out a pursuit of Tucker
The Orioles bolstered their outfield on Tuesday by acquiring Taylor Ward, who hit 36 home runs this past season, in a trade with the Angels for right-handed starter Grayson Rodriguez. That deal gives the O’s a surplus of outfielders, with Ward, Tyler O’Neill, youngsters Colton Cowser and Dylan Beavers, and the recently added Leody Taveras all in the mix. And yet, they may not be done upgrading that group.
“If the Orioles landed Tucker, they possibly could package Cowser or Beavers with prospects to satisfy some of their pitching needs. Or, they could pursue other avenues,” Rosenthal and Sammon wrote. “Their thinking would be: Make Tucker the anchor of a still-mostly youthful lineup, then figure out the rest.”
Nov. 14: Is there an early frontrunner in the Tucker sweepstakes?
The GM Meetings in Las Vegas wrapped up on Thursday. There weren’t any big deals struck, but as far as the teams most interested in Tucker, one club’s name kept coming up throughout the week, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand: the Blue Jays.
“You’ve heard the same teams named all week — the Yankees, the Phillies, the Dodgers. The one team I heard more than anybody else connected to Tucker was the Blue Jays,” Feinsand said during Thursday’s edition of MLB Tonight. “Obviously right now [the Blue Jays have] all the momentum in the world coming off the World Series appearance. … I think Tucker is certainly going to be in the mix there in Toronto.”
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman agreed that the Blue Jays will be “a definite bidder” for this year’s No. 1 free agent. One team that may not be a major threat to sign Tucker? His 2025 club, the Cubs. Feinsand said Tucker “probably won’t” end up back with Chicago.
Nov. 10: Dodgers, Blue Jays, Yanks viewed as likely Tucker landing spots; Orioles a team to watch?
With the GM Meetings beginning Monday in Las Vegas, the Hot Stove should start to heat up this week. Even if we don’t see a bevy of free-agent signings, there will likely be plenty of rumors and information to glean from regarding some of the best players in this year’s class.
A separate league source told The Athletic that the O’s are “open to pursuing a premium bat, both in terms of price and production.”
The Dodgers could easily slot Tucker into right field and slide Teoscar Hernández over to left, a position where they lacked a serious offensive threat this season. Toronto has fallen short in the bidding for some recent headline free agents (Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, Juan Soto). But it may not be denied this time after coming up just one win shy of a World Series title. The Yankees, meanwhile, have an outfield spot to fill with Cody Bellinger currently in free agency.
Offense doesn’t seem like Baltimore’s biggest need this offseason; it should be more focused on adding a top-of-the-rotation starter as well as more pitching depth to improve a staff that had a 4.60 ERA this season. However, in the wake of a last-place finish in the AL East, the Orioles may be motivated to land the best free agent available. Plus, Tucker is very familiar with O’s president of baseball operations Mike Elias, who was the Astros’ scouting director when Houston drafted Tucker fifth overall in 2015.
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