Welcome to the final full week earlier than Thanksgiving, a time frame within the Main League Baseball season that’s typically fairly useless. It is at all times potential issues begin to shake free, however for now, let’s simply remember that this week is unlikely to see numerous precise participant motion. 

One thing to observe this week: The deadline for gamers to simply accept or decline the qualifying supply is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. After that, we’ll know which gamers are free brokers whereas connected to compensation and that are remaining with their groups on a one-year deal.

Let’s dive in to the remaining. 

Dodgers set to satisfy with Soto

The Dodgers would be the subsequent staff to satisfy with Juan Soto and Scott Boras. MLB.com studies the 2 sides will meet early this week, maybe as quickly as Tuesday. The defending World Sequence champions want an outfielder with Teoscar Hernández now a free agent and Mookie Betts shifting again to the infield. 

As issues stand, the Dodgers are anticipated to maneuver Tommy Edman again to heart discipline, and James Outman and Andy Pages are the highest in-house candidates to play the corners. They are going to virtually actually add an outfielder this winter, possibly two, and Soto is much and away the very best accessible. Cot’s Baseball Contracts estimates the membership’s 2025 aggressive tax payroll at $272 million, effectively under their 2024 quantity ($352 million).

Reds pitcher Nick Martinez goes to simply accept the qualifying supply, studies the Cincinnati Enquirer. Meaning he’ll be enjoying 2025 on a one-year, $21.05 million deal. The veteran righty appeared in 42 video games final season, 16 of them begins, and pitched to a 3.10 ERA (142 ERA+) and 1.03 WHIP in 142 ⅓ innings. 

He truly joined the rotation for good on Aug. 5 and made 11 begins to complete the season. In that span, he was 5-2 with a 2.42 ERA in 63 ⅓ innings with 53 strikeouts in opposition to simply eight walks. 

With Martinez returning, certainly he is earned a spot within the rotation, so proper now the Reds’ steady of starters seems one thing like: Hunter Greene, Martinez, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo and Rhett Lowder. 

Some chilly water on Soto and the Blue Jays

The Blue Jays, believed to be the runners-up within the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes, have been closely linked to free-agent famous person Juan Soto this winter, even securing a gathering with him and agent Scott Boras as they maintain court docket for his or her suitors. On Monday in The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal threw some chilly water on the concept, citing not solely the “unsure future” of membership president Mark Shapiro and normal supervisor Ross Atkins, but additionally that the Jays aren’t actually all that effectively arrange for future success, each in their very own diision and in comparison with another contenders. Oh, and there is this conundrum with present famous person Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is ready to hit free company subsequent offseason as issues stand: 

Maybe Guerrero is telling the Jays, “Discover some gamers to place round me, after which I will take into account staying.” Maybe Soto, Anthony Santander and different Jays free-agent targets are saying, “Signal Vlad Jr., after which we’ll discuss.” By which case, the Jays are caught between a rock and a tough place — an not possible place, however one in every of their very own making.

Pure hypothesis right here: Soto continues to be going to signal with one of many two New York groups and all the remaining is simply noise. 

Adames market is huge

Unsurprisingly, the marketplace for free-agent shortstop Willy Adames is “very broad,” based on Jon Morosi on MLB Community. He names the Astros, Blue Jays, Braves and Pink Sox as groups and it is fairly extensively believed the Dodgers will have a look as effectively — although they might transfer Mookie Betts to shortstop and pursue an outfielder as a substitute. 

The Astros point out is especially fascinating as a result of an Adames signing would transfer him to 3rd base, that means Alex Bregman can be signing elsewhere. 

Adames, 29, hit .251/.331/.462 (118 OPS+) with 33 doubles, 32 homers, 112 RBI, 93 runs, 21 steals and three.1 WAR for the Brewers final season. 

‘Nothing to report’ on Bregman, Astros talks

Astros proprietor Jim Crane took some off-topic questions Monday at a press convention to announce that the staff has renamed their ballpark on Monday, a number of of which revolved round departing free agent Alex Bregman. Crane mentioned there’s “nothing to report but” and that normal supervisor Dana Brown has been dealing with conversations with Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras. By way of the Athletic: 

“Everyone knows Scott. He’ll do the very best he can to get essentially the most cash for him if it is a spot he desires to go,” Crane mentioned. “However, sooner or later we would need to decide. We’re wanting now as a backup and we’re exploring all of the choices. That is what’s taking place now.”

Crane additionally famous that the Astros have the wherewithal to spend huge and are high quality to take action with out “going loopy.” They have been fourth in payroll final season behind the Dodgers, Yankees and Mets. It would not sound like he desires to interrupt into that high three. 

Bregman, 30, has spent 9 years with the Astros on the big-league degree now. He is not the MVP candidate he as soon as was (he completed fifth in 2018 and second in 2019), however he is nonetheless a really productive participant. Final season, he hit .260/.315/.453 (118 OPS+) with 30 doubles, 26 homers, 75 RBI, 79 runs and 4.1 WAR. 

The White Sox have signed free agent outfielder Austin Slater, studies the New York Submit. 

Slater, 31, had stops with three totally different groups final season. In 84 video games, he hit .209/.321/.266 (73 OPS+) with -0.2 WAR. 

It is arduous telling at this level how Slater suits into the White Sox’s plans for subsequent season, as we do not know precisely who will likely be traded. Luis Robert and Andrew Benintendi are set to be the middle fielder and left fielder, respectively, however Robert is a significant commerce candidate and the Sox would probably like to get out of a few of Benintendi’s contract if they might, given the state of the franchise. 

The White Sox went 41-121 final season.