The calendar — it is a wall calendar sponsored by a neighborhood funeral residence — has flipped to 2025 a few of the greatest names, together with Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes, are off the board. Nonetheless, some notable free brokers and commerce targets stay out there, and meaning a each day provide of MLB rumors we get into the again half of the offseason. Talking of which, Thursday’s provide might be discovered slightly below.
Angels weighing run at Alonso
The Angels are “weighing” a pursuit of free agent first baseman Pete Alonso, reports the New York Post. The Halos have a very good younger first baseman in Nolan Schanuel, their 2023 first spherical decide, although they may attempt Schanuel within the outfield if they carry in Alonso, and even commerce Schanuel for assist elsewhere on the roster. Veterans Anthony Rendon, Jorge Soler, and Mike Trout determine to get the vast majority of the staff’s DH at-bats.
We ranked Alonso as the 11th best free agent available this offseason. The longer he goes unsigned and the nearer we get to spring coaching, the extra probably it’s that Alonso returns to the Mets, maybe on a one-year contract with participant choices just like the offers Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman took final winter. Free company has been unkind to right-handed hitting first basemen of their 30s lately. Pretty much as good as Alonso is, gamers together with his profile do not money in large usually.
Tigers, Jays favorites to land Bregman
Veteran third baseman Alex Bregman, an Astros lifer who appears virtually sure to signal elsewhere, is the highest free agent left in the marketplace, and his scenario could also be coming into focus. Jon Heyman during a recent live stream appearance recognized the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays as, at the moment juncture, the “almost definitely” to land Bregman. The Tigers particularly have been linked to Bregman for a while. Detroit is coming off a shock playoff run in 2024, whereas the Jays want to rebound from a deeply disappointing season. Every staff is in want of an improve on the scorching nook, and Bregman guarantees simply that for years to come back.
Earlier within the offseason, CBS Sports activities ranked Bregman as the No. 3 free agent in the current class. Here is a part of our write-up:
Bregman has been one of the productive third basemen within the sport for a lot of his profession. He is compiled the sixth-most WAR on the place since 2020, placing him forward of Rafael Devers and behind solely the who’s who of this period’s third basemen. He is had a terrific profession so far. But this train is, partially, about wanting ahead. The extra we dug in on Bregman, the extra we developed reservations about his bat. There isn’t any denying his really feel for contact however we’re not as assured concerning the different components. For example, Statcast’s calculations recommend he would have at the very least 30 fewer profession residence runs had he hit the identical array of batted balls in one among 17 different MLB fields. You’ll be able to’t maintain that in opposition to Bregman — you golf the course you are on — however it does recommend his energy would possibly play down elsewhere. There’s additionally the matter of his stroll fee, which cratered to a career-low 6.9% final season as he grew extra aggressive. Bregman’s bat-to-ball and defensive expertise stay adequate for him to offer worth; there’s just a bit extra motive to say “hm” right here than his identify worth signifies.
Bregman turns 31 in late March. The incumbent Astros have their infield corners spoken for with Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker, which suggests no path for a Bregman reunion.
White Sox signal Rojas
The Chicago White Sox have agreed to phrases with infielder Josh Rojas on a one-year contract, MLB.com reports. Rojas, 30, is coming off a 2024 season with the Mariners wherein he slashed .225/.304/.336 (91 OPS+) with eight residence runs and 10 stolen bases in 142 video games. For his profession, he owns an OPS+ of 92 throughout components of six major-league seasons. Rojas is ready to man a number of positions, together with second and third base. He is spent vital time at shortstop as lately as 2021, and he is additionally seen innings on the outfield corners.