Who is Jeff Passan?
Jeff Passan is an American baseball sportswriter and senior MLB insider for ESPN, known for breaking major news on free agency, trades and league-wide trends. He previously covered baseball for The Kansas City Star and Yahoo Sports before joining ESPN’s baseball team in 2019.
At ESPN, Passan contributes written analysis, appears on television shows and podcasts, and is positioned as one of the network’s primary sources for sourced MLB reporting rather than purely opinion-based commentary. His work has earned national awards and solidified his reputation as a leading authority on the modern game.
Passan and the 2025-26 MLB Offseason
In the 2025-26 MLB offseason, Jeff Passan’s reporting is central to how fans and media understand the winter market, from the winter meetings to the slow-developing free-agent landscape. His coverage with colleagues like Buster Olney details how clubs are approaching spending, especially amid concerns that some traditional big spenders may act more conservatively.
Passan has spotlighted how the market for top hitters is revolving around free agents such as Kyle Schwarber, noting that the timing and size of Schwarber’s deal could dictate subsequent moves for teams ranging from the Phillies and Mets to the Red Sox and Orioles. By outlining these dynamics, he gives context to each signing and explains why some teams are waiting while others move aggressively.
Trade Market, Pitching Moves and Breaking News Alerts
Beyond free agency, Passan plays a key role in ESPN’s coverage of potential trade candidates, particularly frontline and mid-rotation pitchers who could be moved during the winter. Working with evaluators, he helps rank pitchers by trade value and identifies logical fits based on farm systems, payroll flexibility and competitive windows.
ESPN amplifies Passan’s influence by promoting “Breaking News from Jeff Passan” alerts in its app, meaning many fans first learn of major signings, trades or Hall of Fame decisions through his updates. This combination of timely alerts, detailed analysis and longform context makes Passan one of the most important voices shaping how the 2025-26 offseason is perceived and debated.