The offseason slogs on right here in Main League Baseball with three of the highest eight and 5 of the highest 12 free brokers nonetheless on the board. In looking at our tracker, 24 of the highest 50 stay unsigned. A number of gamers considered commerce candidates heading into the offseason have but to be moved, however there’s some information on that entrance.
A’s outfielder Brent Rooker was mentioned to be a attainable goal for a number of groups searching for an influence improve, however in the midst of the evening final evening, information broke that he had agreed to a five-year, $60 million extension with the Athletics.
We’re over a month from spring coaching, however the offseason is greater than midway over if we mentioned it was the top of the World Collection till pitchers and catchers report. Groups want to start out rounding these rosters into form.
Let’s collect the newest information and rumors from the recent range proper right here.
Yankees buying Stroman
The Yankees are “actively making an attempt to deal” beginning pitcher Marcus Stroman, reports USA Today. Stroman, 33, is owed $18.5 million for 2025, however there’s additionally a participant choice for $18 million in 2026 to think about. In 154 ⅔ final season throughout 29 begins and one reduction look, Stroman went 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA (95 ERA+), 1.47 WHIP and 113 strikeouts towards 60 walks, ending with 0.7 WAR. He was on the Yankees postseason roster however by no means noticed sport motion.
Boston or keep residence for Arenado?
The Cardinals headed into the offseason able to deal third baseman Nolan Arenado and had reportedly agreed on a deal to Houston, however Arenado vetoed that together with his no-trade clause rights. Issues on the Arenado commerce entrance proper now are “quiet,” president of baseball operations John Mozeliak admitted on the radio final week. Per The Athletic, “a number of league sources point out the Red Sox characterize Arenado’s final probability to get dealt earlier than the 2025 season.”
As issues stand, it would not appear to be a robust risk. Even when the Purple Sox need to transfer Rafael Devers to first base, a greater acquisition at third would possible be signing free agent Alex Bregman as an alternative of buying and selling even mid-level prospects for Arenado.
Arenado shall be 34 subsequent season. He is owed $74 million for the subsequent three seasons, although the Rockies are nonetheless caring for $10 million of that. Final season, he hit .272/.325/.394 (101 OPS+) with 16 homers, 71 RBI and a couple of.5 WAR.
Mets meet with big-time free-agent reliever
The New York Mets have met with All-Star reliever Tanner Scott, reports The Athletic. The 30-year-old lefty labored 72 innings in 72 appearances final season, pitching to a 1.75 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 84 strikeouts. He had 22 saves however was shifted away from nearer after the Marlins traded him to the Padres. He additionally ended with 11 holds whereas solely blowing two saves all 12 months. His stroll fee is a contact excessive, however he is proven the power to excel in a closing or setup position.
The Mets have Edwin Díaz as nearer with pitchers like José Buttó and Reed Garrett in setup roles proper now. Danny Young at present seems to be like the one lefty within the bullpen, so Scott could be an excellent match right here as a southpaw and prime setup man.
Yankees eyeing infield choices
Excessive-average infielder Luis Arráez has already been traded twice in the previous few years whereas profitable three straight batting titles with three totally different groups. Would he be moved once more? MLB Network reports that Arráez being traded to the Yankees is a “risk” however that it is not near occurring proper now.
The Padres made it to the NLDS with Arráez as their main leadoff man in 2024, however there proceed to be whispers about them wanting to chop prices. Arráez is not on a monster contract or something, however he is projected to make round $14.6 million in arbitration this coming season earlier than hitting free company. If the appropriate deal comes alongside, maybe the Padres pounce.
Arráez, 27, hit .314/.346/.392 (106 OPS+) with 200 hits, 32 doubles, two triples, 4 homers, 46 RBI, 83 runs, 9 steals and 1.0 WAR final season. He’s attainable one of the best participant in baseball in terms of hit instrument, however there is a void in all places else. He has little or no energy, would not draw walks, is a poor defender and would not run a lot given how usually he singles. There’s worth to his hit instrument, clearly, which is why groups proceed to indicate curiosity in him, however there’s additionally a cause groups proceed to make him accessible by way of commerce.
If the Yankees added him, they’d most likely play him at second and put Jazz Chisholm Jr. again at third. That is not a robust infield protection.
Failing that, the Yankees may flip to a different veteran choice. The New York Post reports that the Yankees have “checked in” on free-agent second baseman Jorge Polanco. Polanco, 31, is recovering from October knee surgical procedure however must be prepared for a full and regular camp. The switch-hitter is able to manning a number of infield positions, and for his profession he owns a stable 110 OPS+ throughout elements of 11 MLB seasons. The Mariners declined their $12 million choice on Polanco for 2025, which allowed him to hit the market.
Rays lengthen Rasmussen
The Rays have reached a contract extension with right-hander Drew Rasmussen, his company introduced. The deal is for 2 years and $8.5 million, with an choice for 2027 that might take the deal to $28 million. With out this extension, he’d hit free company after the 2026 season.
Rasmussen made 28 begins in 2022 and eight in 2023 earlier than having to endure an inner brace surgical procedure on his pitching elbow. He returned final season for 16 appearances, solely 4 of which have been begins. He is been excellent with the Rays since being traded there in 2021, pitching to a 2.72 ERA in over 278 innings. It is only a matter of staying on the mound, now as a starter, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Jays amongst Estévez suitors
The Blue Jays are “amongst a half dozen groups” displaying curiosity in free agent nearer Carlos Estévez, according to the New York Post. The 32-year-old right-hander was traded from the Angels to the Phillies in entrance of the deadline final season. On the entire, he labored 55 innings in 54 video games and pitched to a 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 50 strikeouts towards simply eight unintentional walks. He saved 26 video games in 31 probabilities.
Chad Green closed for the Blue Jays for a superb portion of final season and is again with the ballclub, however he could possibly be utilized in different roles. Estévez would make a high-quality match.
Braves searching for OF, SP, RP
Although the Braves have been extraordinarily quiet this offseason, they continue to be “available in the market for an outfielder, a high-leverage reliever and a starter adequate to make a postseason rotation,” according to The Athletic. One thing that may have made them a bit much less aggressive thus far, per the report, is that each ace Spencer Strider and 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. are making good progress of their rehab from season-ending 2024 accidents.
Mariners nonetheless dangling Castillo
All-Star beginning pitcher Luis Castillo stays on the commerce block “with the thought of buying major-league expertise or near it whereas clearing the remainder of the contract,” reports The Athletic.
Castillo, 32, completed fifth in AL Cy Younger voting in 2023, however took a step again final season. He completed 11-12 with a 3.64 ERA (101 ERA+), 1.17 WHIP and 175 strikeouts in 175 ⅓ innings with 1.8 WAR. That contract the Mariners want to shed has three years and $72.45 million left, together with a vesting choice for 2028.
Pirates Verdugo
The Pirates have proven some curiosity in free-agent outfielder Alex Verdugo, reports Fansided. The 28-year-old Verdugo was a full-time starter for the AL pennant-winning Yankees final season, posting 0.8 WAR whereas hitting .233/.291/.356 (83 OPS+). It was simply the worst full season of his profession. In 2023 for the Purple Sox, he hit .264/.324/.421 (98 OPS+) with 2.6 WAR.