MLB RUMORS — The free-agent market hasn’t fully spun back up into gear after the holidays, but it hasn’t been entirely stagnant either. A week ago, the Diamondbacks surprisingly signed Corbin Burnes. This morning, we discussed the recent free agent deals for Michael Lorenzen, Chris Martin, and Jake Bauers, plus that trade for Gavin Lux. And just tonight, Justin Verlander signed a $15M deal with the Giants, returning for his 20th (and age-42) season. We’re not quite cooking, but the stove is heating back up after a very fun and active December.
Next up for the Cubs? Maybe a better reliever than we’re used to signing.
The Free Agent Relief Market Is “Going to Start Moving” – Will Cubs Be Involved? t.co/GAMqRxNEp9 pic.twitter.com/5ynvApsLuJ
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) January 7, 2025Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman
The industry seems to believe two things when it comes to free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso: (1) A return to the Mets is the most likely outcome and (2) it might take until Spring Training for a deal to materialize.
According to USA Today, Alonso (and really Scott Boras) is reportedly using the Prince Fielder (!) nine-year, $214M deal as a comparison (… seriously?), while interested teams are not interested in going higher than the Freddie Freeman/Matt Olson range (around $165M). Frankly, I think Pete Alonso is delusional if he thinks he’s coming close to that AND I think he should be thrilled to get paid like Freeman.
In addition to the Mets, the Red Sox and Blue Jays are interested in Freeman. Though the Blue Jays are in active negotiations with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Red Sox are also in on Alex Bregman, which would push Rafael Devers over to first. I really don’t know what other option Alonso will have. Maybe he’ll do the short-term/opt-out thing.
As for Bregman, Bob Nightengale has an update there, too.
According to Nightengale, a couple of managers are leading the charge:
Red Sox manager Alex Cora has been “vocal in his desire to sign” Bregman, but president Craig Breslow doesn’t quite feel the same (plus, Devers reportedly does not want to move off third base). And Tigers manager A.J. Hinch is “lobbying for” Bregman.Meanwhile, the Phillies and Mets are interested, while the Blue Jays (I’m shocked) have reportedly “shown the strongest interest.” Getting in Bregman’s way, it’s reported, is Nolan Arenado, who has said that he’ll waive his no-trade clause for the Red Sox and Mets after previously wielding it to block a trade to the Astros.
© Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY SportsNolan Arenado’s Time is Running Out
At The Athletic, Katie Woo reports that “The Cardinals efforts to trade Arenado are at a standstill, which has stalled their offseason plans.”
Woo reports that the Yankees have checked in on Arenado, but found the asking price too high, leaving the Red Sox as “true players,” and “Arenado’s last chance to get dealt before the 2025 season.”
All that aside, look at how plainly the Cardinals are making Arenado available. This is truly an unusually candid comment from a team president: “If we have the ability to find him a place he desires, it’s something we are going to try to do. If not, he will have to be a part of our club moving forward.”
He will have to be a part of our club. Ouch.
Other MLB Rumors:
The Atlanta Braves, though quiet so far, are reportedly still in the market for an outfielder, a good starter, and “a high-leverage reliever.” And According to Ken Rosenthal that high-leverage reliever could be Tanner Scott, on whom they’ve done background work. Although I suspect the Cubs to swim in a deeper end of the free agent relief pool than they normally do, I do not think they’ll go all the way to the Scott tier. That said, it seems likely the other top relievers won’t sign until Scott sets the market. So here’s to a quick resolution on that front, Atlanta or otherwise. Also according to Rosenthal, the Seattle Mariners are still discussing Luis Castillo trades with the “idea of acquiring major-league talent or close to it,” while dumping the rest of his relatively pricey contract extension. I don’t know if the Cubs are still interested in dealing for Castillo, but they were connected at one time this offseason. However, those rumors seemed to center around the idea of trading an infielder to Seattle, which may now be less likely after they traded Isaac Paredes to the Astros. According to Jon Morosi, the Yankees are still trying to get one more infielder this offseason, and Luis Arraez is one of the possibilities..@jonmorosi says that a Luis Arraez trade to the Yankees is a "possibility" but that sides are not close right now. #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/EgOb2fSnB2
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 7, 2025 Bob Nightengale heard something similar (re Yankees), reporting that New York is “seeking a left-handed reliever and an infielder.” He added that the Yankees “are actively trying to deal starter Marcus Stroman, clearing his $18 million salary.” And that “They have had talks with free-agent left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin and infielder Brendan Rodgers.” The Cubs were connected to left-handed reliever (and old friend) Andrew Chafin earlier in the offseason, though the signing of Caleb Thielbar might have satisfied their need for a lefty reliever if that’s the extent to which they see Chafin. Robert Murray and Chris Cotillo report that the Pirates are interested in outfielder Alex Verdugo.Pirates are indeed hot after Alex Verdugo and are a team to watch there, as @ByRobertMurray reported. Other teams like Mets, Jays involved, too.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 7, 2025 GOOD.There is not a lot of industry optimism that the Mets will land Roki Sasaki t.co/0gWZmYYtfC pic.twitter.com/pkvQK1vKuc
— SNY (@SNYtv) January 8, 2025 Read More Details
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