The way fans watch baseball is about to drastically change, as Major League Baseball tears the Band-Aid off its distribution model and pivots toward a future where linear television and streaming coexist, even if it comes at a cost to both sports leagues and consumers.

Track all the latest MLB free agency and trade news with fantasy baseball analysis from Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell.

This is a real setback for people who use YouTube TV to watch out-of-market baseball. MLB.TV has been an important part of sports streaming, and many subscribers thought that adding more ESPN channels to YouTube TV would also bring MLB’s package.

ESPN and Major League Baseball appeared headed for an ugly separation after the network opted out of its rights deal in February. Nine months later, it appears to be the best thing to happen to both parties.

Major League Baseball is going back to Iowa. For the first time since 2022, MLB at Field of Dreams is returning to Dyersville, Iowa, with a Thursday, Aug. 13, matchup between the Phillies and Twins at the refurbished site.

Yet another Japanese star is set to make the leap to Major League Baseball, and this one packs a powerful bat and a useful glove at third base.

ESPN announced Wednesday that it has purchased from MLB the exclusive in-market streaming rights to the Guardians, Padres, Mariners, Twins, Diamondbacks and Rockies. For 2026, the Guardians games will still be available on MLB platforms in addition to the ESPN app.

The request followed indictments of Cleveland pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz accusing them of taking bribes to rig pitches for bettors.

All of the MLB awards have been handed out, with Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge repeating as NL and AL MVP, respectively, and now all eyes are on potential free agent moves that front offices hope will propel teams across MLB into World Series contention.

MLB pitching prospect Antonio Jimenez is under intensive medical care after a car crash in the Dominican Republic that killed three people.