With lower than a month to go till pitchers and catchers report for responsibility, Main League Baseball’s offseason is starting to wind down. That leaves groups with a valuable few weeks left to use the ending touches to their rosters. Under, CBS Sports activities has compiled all of Thursday’s most notable information, rumors, and strikes in a single handy touchdown spot.
Mets closing provide on Alonso
The Mets and longtime first baseman Pete Alonso have continued to barter on a doable reunion by way of a lot of the offseason, however nothing has come collectively but. On Thursday, the New York Submit reported that the Mets had made a “last-ditch” provide after which, as soon as rejected, “started their pivot away” from Alonso. The reported deal provided was for 3 years and someplace within the ballpark of $68 million to $70 million.
Hours earlier than the report, the Mets agreed to a one-year reunion with veteran Jesse Winker and can now reportedly concentrate on the bullpen — notably free agent lefty Tanner Scott.
The indication therein is that the Mets have come to consider Alonso’s time with the ballclub is over, barring one thing unexpected.
Our personal Mike Axisa lately dug into whether or not a short-term deal just like the aforementioned provide would make sense for both Alonso or the Mets (or one other group).
Alonso, 30, has spent his whole profession so far with the Mets. Throughout six seasons, he is batted .249/.339/.514 (134 OPS+) with 226 dwelling runs. His contributions have been value an estimated 19.8 Wins Above Alternative, in response to Baseball Reference. Alonso is a four-time All-Star honoree and a two-time House Run Derby champion.
CBS Sports activities ranked Alonso because the Eleventh-best free agent obtainable coming into the winter. On the time, we famous he could possibly be in for a cold reception as a result of “he is additionally a righty-hitting first baseman nearing his thirtieth birthday. Groups have proven they will make exceptions for generational abilities, an Albert Pujols or a Miguel Cabrera, however Alonso falls wanting that measuring stick.”
It is value noting that The Athletic studies different groups are nonetheless concerned within the Alonso bidding, together with the Blue Jays. Ought to Toronto land Alonso, the expectation is that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would stay in place.
Earlier this week, CBS Sports activities famous that the Blue Jays, coming off a depressing season, discover themselves at a crossroads and will use some readability on their short- and long-term course:
The opposite possibility entails specializing in their short-term competitiveness, irrespective of the long-term penalties, by upgrading the roster round Guerrero and Bichette. Thoughts you, if the Blue Jays had been going to take that sort of aggressive stance to the offseason, they most likely would’ve already achieved it by making certain they landed a few of their earlier targets. Whereas Sasaki’s youth makes him the uncommon free agent who’s a smart goal irrespective of which manner the Blue Jays find yourself going, a failure to woo him might depart the Blue Jays with out one other alternative this offseason so as to add an impression expertise to their roster. (“Could” as a result of there are nonetheless a couple of high quality free brokers remaining, like Alex Bregman and Jack Flaherty, and it is doable that the commerce market might provide a couple of splashes between now and Opening Day.)
The Blue Jays are additionally one of many three finalists for Japanese ace Roki Sasaki. The Dodgers and Padres are additionally believed to be within the working.
Jays, Guerrero extension talks to ‘speed up’
Talking of Guerrero, The Athletic studies the next:
The Blue Jays haven’t spoken to Guerrero’s camp about an extension since earlier than Christmas, in response to a supply briefed on the conversations. Nevertheless, these talks are anticipated to speed up earlier than Guerrero’s self-imposed deadline of Feb. 17, the day earlier than the Jays maintain their first full exercise for pitchers and place gamers.
Keep in mind, the 25-year-old Guerrero is ready to hit free company after the 2025 season. He is already a four-time All-Star and completed AL MVP runner-up in 2021 to two-way celebrity Shohei Ohtani. Final season, Guerrero hit .323/.396/.544 (166 OPS+) with 44 doubles, 30 homers, 103 RBI, 98 runs and 6.2 WAR.
The Blue Jays is not going to solely have to persuade Guerrero to signal an extension with cash, but in addition with the course of the franchise, in all probability.
Padres seize backup catcher
The Padres have agreed to phrases on a take care of free agent catcher Martín Maldonado, studies The Athletic.
Maldonado, 38, hit .119/.174/.230 with -1.3 WAR for the White Sox final season. He is lengthy been generally known as a defense-first backstop with a cannon for an arm who works properly with pitchers. The Astros swore by him for years and he received a hoop with them in 2022.
Luis Campusano is the Padres’ beginning catcher.
