Subsequent week at the moment, the Winter Conferences shall be full go, so the offseason right here for Main League Baseball ought to actually begin ramping up after a predictably sluggish begin. We’d even get the largest information of the offseason earlier than the conferences begin, as Juan Soto is rumored to be presumably signing his deal by the top of this week.
As for all the things else, let’s get to it.
Yanks eyeing Adames as Soto back-up plan
The New York Yankees’ No. 1 offseason precedence is after all bringing again Juan Soto to the Bronx. However what occurs if Soto as an alternative goes to the Mets, Crimson Sox, Dodgers, or Blue Jays? In that case, the Yankees can be seeking to fortify the offense in different, albeit lesser methods. Talking of which, here is MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand:
“In line with sources, one of many choices being thought-about is Willy Adames, who’s drawing curiosity from the Yankees. Adames is the highest free-agent shortstop accessible after posting a profession yr with 32 dwelling runs and 112 RBIs in 161 video games.”
The 29-year-old Adames has been a major shortstop for his whole big-league profession, and he is been a extremely productive hitter by positional requirements. Over components of seven MLB seasons, Adames has an OPS+ of 109, and he is averaged 28 dwelling runs and 32 doubles per 162 video games performed. That form of pop from such a premium place has helped Adames put up a profession WAR of 21.5. His 2024 season with the Brewers suggests he is nonetheless on the prime of his sport.
Yankees involved with Fried
Along with vigorously pursuing Juan Soto, the New York Yankees are additionally seeking to fortify the rotation behind ace Gerrit Cole. On that entrance, Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay revealed on his radio present that the Yankees have reached out to ace lefty Max Fried, who’s on the free-agent market. Kay spaketh:
“The Yankees had a 90 minute Zoom name with Max Fried yesterday, and it supposedly went very effectively . . . any person who’s on the Fried facet stated that Max actually actually favored them and apparently they are going to have one other assembly, as effectively.”
When wholesome, Fried has been probably the greatest beginning pitchers in baseball on a charge foundation. The 30-year-old Fried for his profession boasts an ERA+ of 140 with an FIP of three.29. Twice he is completed within the prime 5 of the NL Cy Younger balloting, most not too long ago as runner-up in 2022. He is coming off a 2024 season for the Braves during which he pitched to a 3.25 ERA with a 2.91 Okay/BB ratio in 174 1/3 innings. For his efforts, Fried earned his second profession All-Star choice.
Two extra groups in on Crochet?
Practically any contending crew or these hoping to contend have proven some degree of curiosity in White Sox All-Star beginning pitcher Garrett Crochet. Add the Cubs and Reds to the listing, stories Jon Morosi of MLB Community.
Crochet, a 25-year-old lefty, is beneath crew management by 2026. Final season, he went 6-12 (keep in mind, the White Sox had been 41-121) with a 3.58 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.07 WHIP and 209 strikeouts in 146 innings. He took an enormous step again within the second half and his workload was restricted, however this was his first full yr in an MLB rotation. He was 6-6 with a 3.02 ERA and 0.95 WHIP within the first half.
The Cubs are already heavy on lefties with Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd, however it could not harm to seize somebody with the upside of Crochet. The crew is more likely at this level to commerce, given the roster, than signal a significant free agent, given the entrance workplace’s aversion to big-dollar threat.
The Reds appear to have a full rotation with Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, Andrew Abbott and Nick Martinez, however there are many questions there and having six starters this present day is simply good enterprise.
Astros might float trades of massive items
Between what is a strong MLB payroll and comparatively barren farm system, the Astros are at a little bit of a crossroads. Alex Bregman is a free agent whereas Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez are each one yr away from hitting the market. The Astros have already been stated to have mentioned buying and selling back-end reliever Ryan Pressly, however The Athletic floats a much more jarring thought.
Making both Kyle Tucker or Framber Valdez accessible in commerce discussions could be the best path for Houston to stability its current and future. Each males are estimated to make greater than $15 million of their closing journey by the arbitration course of. Subsequent winter, each will demand the type of free-agent offers Crane is loath to offer. Parting with both Valdez or Tucker wouldn’t sign a rebuild, however would convey again the type of prospect haul to assist stabilize a fledgling farm system.
Tucker solely performed in 78 video games final yr resulting from harm, however he was extremely productive when on the sphere and is arguably their finest place participant. Valdez is their ace and simply went 15-7 with a 2.91 ERA, ending seventh in Cy Younger voting.
Who the Astros selected to commerce from the 2 — if both — would absolutely be decided based mostly upon the returns that had been being provided. It is clearly simply within the hypothesis stage, however this can be a juicy one for certain.
Bohm to Seattle?
There’s been loads of speak in regards to the Phillies presumably buying and selling All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm this offseason whereas the Mariners appear to be perpetually on the lookout for offense. Would possibly there be a match?
A report within the Seattle Instances says the Mariners’ “biggest want” this offseason is a 3rd baseman and discusses the potential match of Bohm in Seattle. In alternate, the Phillies had been reportedly asking for both Logan Gilbert or George Kirby.
Bohm, 28, hit .280/.332/.448 (117 OPS+) with 44 doubles, 15 homers, 97 RBI and three.0 WAR final season. He is beneath crew management for 2 extra years earlier than hitting free company. A down second half and even worse playoff efficiency together with a roster that might take in his loss have created a scenario the place it is sensible for the Phillies to deal Bohm. Maybe the Mariners can capitalize and enhance their ballclub within the course of.
At current, the Rangers’ five-man rotation can be Jacob deGrom, Jon Grey, Cody Bradford, Tyler Mahle and Kumar Rocker with Dane Dunning as a sixth possibility. It might work, but when the 2023 World Collection champions are attempting to contend in 2025, they may certain use some extra. Mahle and deGrom are not too long ago off elbow surgical procedures, Bradford solely labored 76 ⅓ innings final yr, Grey is fairly effectively established as mediocre, Dunning should not be in a rotation and Rocker solely bought 11 ⅔ innings beneath his belt final yr as a rookie.
Re-signing Nathan Eovaldi, who’s at present a free agent, is a “skilled precedence” for the entrance workplace, based on the Dallas Morning Information.
Eovaldi, 34, spent the final two years with the Rangers. He was an All-Star in 2023 and went 24-13 with a 3.72 ERA (110 ERA+), 1.12 WHIP and 298 strikeouts in 314 ⅔ innings in his two seasons. He additionally made loads of massive pitches within the run to the World Collection title in 2023, working greater than 36 innings in six begins — the Rangers received all six.
It is a pure match, however the Rangers aren’t alone within the bidding, as a number of groups just like the Orioles, Crimson Sox, Cubs and Braves have additionally proven severe curiosity.
Muncy open to transferring round
With the Dodgers rumored to be in on so many gamers, having somebody in home like Max Muncy by no means hurts something. He can play first, second or third and will additionally function a delegated hitter. DH is locked up by Shohei Ohtani whereas Freddie Freeman has first base locked down, however Muncy might nonetheless shuttle between second and third, and even spell the opposite two if and after they want a break. He principally performed third final season, however with Nolan Arenado clearly accessible through commerce, Muncy might go to second base (presumably kicking Gavin Lux to shortstop and Mookie Betts again out to proper discipline). Decide a place, actually.
“So long as you place me on the market, I am going to play left discipline, proper discipline, third, first,” Muncy stated on Foul Territory. “I am going to play wherever they need to put me. So long as it means I am on the market on that discipline, carrying Dodger blue, taking part in in that stadium, it would not matter to me. If you’re speaking about (Arenado), you are speaking about arguably one of the best defensive third baseman of all-time at this level, in case you take a look at his numbers. I can see why it will be interesting. To me it would not matter. … If it is changing into extra of a task participant, I do not care, I simply need to assist the crew win.”
It stays to be seen if the Dodgers are taken with Arenado. They very seemingly will not hassle discussing till they be taught they’re out of the Juan Soto sweepstakes. In the event that they signal Soto, there is not any purpose to pursue Arenado.
Reds on the lookout for offense
Reds basic supervisor Nick Krall instructed MLB.com that the crew is on the lookout for assist on the plate.
“We’re wanting so as to add hitters to our membership,” Krall stated. “Probably it is going to be an outfielder over an infielder, however I would not rule something out simply but.”
Properly, we might assist by ruling out Juan Soto. There are different outfielder accessible in free company, after all, comparable to Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernández, Jurickson Profar, Joc Pederson, Tyler O’Neill and Michael Conforto, amongst others.
