Baseball doesn't actually sleep in the winter. It just gets weird. If you are looking for major league baseball scores in the middle of January, you won't find a box score from Yankee Stadium or Dodger Stadium. Not yet. But the scoreboards are still humming in places like Santiago, Caracas, and Mazatlán.
January is the bridge. It’s that strange, high-stakes gap where the "scores" that matter aren't just runs and hits, but the dollar amounts on free-agent contracts and the arbitration figures filed by superstar catchers. Honestly, the 2026 offseason has been a total fever dream. While the MLB regular season doesn't kick off until March 25—when the Giants host the Yankees at Oracle Park—the competitive fire is already burning in the Caribbean winter leagues.
The Only Major League Baseball Scores Happening Right Now
If you need a live scoreboard fix today, January 15, 2026, you have to look south. The Winter Leagues are in the heat of their postseason runs. These aren't just "exhibition" games. These are games filled with MLB prospects, grizzled veterans, and local legends playing for national pride.
- LIDOM (Dominican Republic): The Tigres del Licey and Águilas Cibaeñas are usually the ones to watch here.
- LVBP (Venezuela): Postseason drama is currently unfolding. Just a few days ago, the Tiburones de La Guaira were battling to keep their repeat hopes alive.
- LMP (Mexico): The Mexican Pacific League is deep into its playoffs. Scores here are often low, dominated by elite pitching and rowdy atmospheres.
Basically, if you see a score like 4-2 in a game between Culiacán and Hermosillo, those are the most relevant baseball results on the planet right now. They determine who represents their country in the Caribbean Series, which is essentially the "World Series of February."
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The Financial "Scoreboard" of the 2026 Offseason
Let’s talk about the scores that actually change the landscape of the 2026 season. The Baltimore Orioles just shattered their "small market" reputation. They dropped a massive $155 million, five-year deal to land Pete Alonso. Seeing "Polar Bear" in an Orioles jersey? It feels wrong, but for Baltimore fans, that’s a winning score if I’ve ever seen one.
Then you've got the Toronto Blue Jays. They went absolutely nuclear this winter. They signed Dylan Cease to a staggering seven-year, $210 million contract. That is $30 million a year for a guy who has been an absolute workhorse.
The "score" for the Houston Astros was slightly different. They went international. They locked up Japanese standout Tatsuya Imai for three years at $54 million. Imai is coming off a season with a 1.92 ERA for the Seibu Lions. If his stuff translates to Minute Maid Park, the rest of the AL West is in serious trouble.
Arbitration Deadlines: The Quiet Scoreboard
Just this week, the New York Mets managed to avoid a mess. They settled with five players before the arbitration deadline. Francisco Alvarez, their 24-year-old powerhouse behind the plate, got his deal done. So did David Peterson and Tylor Megill. These aren't the scores that make SportsCenter, but they are the ones that keep a clubhouse from getting toxic before Spring Training even starts.
What Most People Get Wrong About Offseason Scores
Most casual fans think the offseason is "dead time." It’s not.
It’s a chess match.
Take the Chicago White Sox, for example. They won the MLB draft lottery. That is a massive "score" for a franchise that has been struggling to find its identity. They also signed Munetaka Murakami, the Japanese slugger who has been terrorizing pitchers in the NPB for years. The White Sox are essentially betting the house on international talent and high-end draft picks.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks are playing defense. Everyone is calling them about Ketel Marte. Mike Hazen, their GM, says he isn't trading him. But when teams like the Yankees and Dodgers start waving "major league-ready starting pitchers" in your face, the "score" of that trade becomes very tempting.
Spring Training 2026: When the Real Scores Return
We are officially less than a month away from seeing MLB logos back on the field. The 2026 Spring Training schedule is already out, and it has some wild twists.
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- February 20: The first unofficial "scores" arrive. Yankees vs. Orioles in the Grapefruit League. Red Sox playing Northeastern University (always a fun blowout).
- February 21: The first full slate of games. Every team is in action.
- March 3-4: This is the cool part. MLB teams will play exhibition games against World Baseball Classic teams. Team USA will be in Scottsdale playing the Giants and the Rockies.
These scores don't count toward the standings, but they tell us everything about who spent their winter in the gym and who spent it on the couch.
Why the 2026 Season Scoreboard Looks Different
The regional sports network (RSN) landscape just imploded. On January 8, nine teams—including the Braves and the Rangers—saw their FanDuel Sports Network contracts terminated because of missed payments.
What does this mean for you? It means "where" you find your major league baseball scores might change. MLB is likely going to have to step in and produce these games locally. It’s a mess for the owners, but for fans, it might actually make it easier to watch games without the dreaded "blackouts" that everyone hates.
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Actionable Insights for Following the 2026 Season
If you want to stay ahead of the curve before Opening Day, do these three things:
- Watch the Caribbean Series (February): This is where you see the "mid-winter" form of players who will be impact bench bats or late-inning relievers in MLB come May.
- Track the "Post-Arbitration" Trade Market: Now that the January 8 deadline has passed, teams know exactly what their players cost. This is when the "salary dump" trades usually happen.
- Check the World Baseball Classic Rosters: Since the tournament starts in early March, many stars will be ramping up their intensity much earlier than usual. Their Spring Training "scores" will actually mean something this year because they are playing for a trophy, not just a spot on the 26-man roster.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most expensive and strategically diverse years in history. Between the Blue Jays' spending spree and the White Sox's international gambles, the scoreboard is already active. You just have to know where to look.