We are now one week away from Thanksgiving and the MLB Winter Meetings are set for Dec. 4-7. At this point in the offseason, teams are working on laying the groundwork for their offseason plans rather than making big moves. Despite this, the rumor mill is in full swing, so let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing rumors.
A ‘sleeper’ on Ohtani?
The highly sought-after two-way star Shohei Ohtani is the biggest prize of this MLB offseason. While the Los Angeles Dodgers are seen as the favorites to sign him, the Toronto Blue Jays remain an interesting dark horse, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Ohtani won’t be pitching in 2024 due to recovery from Tommy John surgery, but he will still be able to serve as a designated hitter. The Blue Jays have a need for a DH, and Ohtani’s left-handed bat would add depth to their lineup.
Another Cubs-Ohtani rumor along with more Cubs
There have been numerous reports linking the Cubs to a potential pursuit of Ohtani, and Jesse Rogers of ESPN has added to the speculation, indicating that the time could be right for the Cubs to make a move for Ohtani.
Additionally, the Cubs have an opening at designated hitter in the short-term and are expected to make multiple significant additions to their roster this offseason as they look to build a team capable of contending for a World Series under newly hired manager Craig Counsell.
In other roster news, the Phillies have shown strong interest in NPB superstar pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Yamamoto, at 25 years old, has been a standout player in the Nippon Professional Baseball league, winning the Sawamura Award (equivalent of the Cy Young) for three consecutive seasons. In his most recent season, he posted impressive numbers, indicating that he has the potential to be a top-tier pitcher in MLB from the moment he joins. With Zack Wheeler as their frontline starter, the Phillies could see Yamamoto as a strong addition to their rotation, particularly with Aaron Nola’s free agency leaving a gap at the top of their pitching staff.
Angels not planning on rebuilding?
Despite speculation that the Los Angeles Angels may be headed for a rebuild due to their lack of recent playoff appearances and an underperforming farm system, the team’s general manager, Perry Minasian, has stated that they have aggressive plans to improve the team for the upcoming season.
According to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, the Angels have no intentions of entering a rebuilding phase. With a payroll around $154.9 million for the 2024 season and ample room for additional spending, they have the flexibility to make significant roster improvements if they choose to do so.
Yankees, Mets in on Margot
Several teams, including the New York Yankees and the New York Mets, have engaged in discussions about a possible trade for Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Manuel Margot, as reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Last season, Margot posted a batting average of .264 with 21 doubles, a triple, four home runs, and 38 RBI in 99 games, showcasing his versatility by playing across all three outfield positions, primarily in center field.
