MLB RUMORS — According to the Associated Press, Tarik Skubal, the top free agent on the market (by a mile), has met or plans to meet with six teams.
Three of those teams — the Dodgers, Mets, and Padres — have been identified and can, in my estimation, be considered the far-and-away front-runners for Skubal.
Which, no real surprises there, as those three teams have not only been mentioned most often in connection to Skubal, but are also routinely among the handful of organizations to really wade into the deepest pockets of free agency.
The other three teams have not been identified, though I suppose it’s worth pointing out that the only other organizations (besides the three above) who’ve handed out contracts north of $300 million are the Blue Jays, Angels, Yankees, Phillies, Rangers, Marlins, and Red Sox. So we can probably guess that one or two of those parties are in the mix, as well.
UPDATE: Before I even clicked publish, the Blue Jays were identified as one of the six teams. Only two mystery teams remain.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Tigers also found themselves with a meeting, just to see, and perhaps even the Cubs, though that would almost necessarily be exploratory, as we have been conditioned and told not to expect Tarik Skubal … or any free agent of his caliber.
As things stand, I’d say this is a three-team race, with the Dodgers as the front-runner, the Mets as the biggest threat (wouldn’t be at all surprised if they wind up with the biggest total guaranteed offer), and the Padres as a wild card, because they always are.
The Latest MLB Rumors:
Will the Brewers Trade Trevor Megill?
There are a lot of reasons to hate the Brewers, but my (least?) favorite: No matter who exits the organization, the team keeps on humming.
For example, over the last few years, Milwaukee has lost executives (David Stearns), managers (Craig Counsell), closers (Josh Hader, Devin Williams), star bats (Willy Adames), and starting pitchers (Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta), but it has never slowed them down. In fact, it’s their entire business model, so to speak. They do it without emotion, they do it well, and they may do it again this offseason.
At USA Today, Bob Nightengale reports that Brewers closer Trevor Megill “will definitely be shopped, and likely moved before opening day.”
Megill, 32, has saved 81 games over the past three seasons, including 30 in each of the last two years, never finishing with an ERA above 2.72, a strikeout rate below 27.3%, or a barrel rate above 7.8%. He is a premier closer and will net them something shiny if and when they move him before his final year of team control (2027).
And then, of course, the Brewers will be fine, as one of Abner Uribe (1.97 ERA over 59.1 IP) or Aaron Ashby (3.12 ERA, 2.98 FIP, 30.3 K%) can ascend to that role … where they will dominate as a shutdown closer before being traded with one year of control remaining to continue restocking the organization. Sucks, but that’s what’ll happen.
Brewers Closer Trevor Megill © Jeff Curry-USA TODAY SportsNo Star Trades Coming?
One thing on which I’d been keeping a close eye, albeit with low expectations, this offseason is the possibility of a star bat being traded. But at least three of the players who fell into the “potentially shoppable” bucket are reportedly staying put.
According to Jon Morosi, the “Braves have no interest in moving (Ronald) Acuña Jr. and will not engage with teams if they inquire.” Likewise, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper “are staying put,” according to Bob Nightengale. So no reunion with Schwarber at DH is coming. And don’t expect Harper or Acuña to fill one of the vacancies in the Cubs outfield.
However, Nightengale keeps the door cracked just slightly on my favorite potential match, Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Padres never seem encumbered by the massive long-term deals on their books, but if they’re going to seriously pursue Tarik Skubal, as is expected, perhaps they’ll HAVE to see what they can get for Tatis.
I think it’s an incredible long shot for a million reasons (money chief among them), but Tatis would be an exciting way for the Cubs to backfill the massive amount of offense they’ll be losing by way of Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, Michael Conforto, and Tyrone Taylor.
For what it’s worth, Nightengale also wonders if Mason Miller could be dangled. But a deal for Miller is even more unlikely for the Cubs, given that his acquisition cost would be so incredibly high.
Drew Rasmussen Extension?
One modestly exciting potential trade candidate for the Chicago Cubs this offseason is Rays starter Drew Rasmussen. The 31-year-old right-hander is coming off an excellent season in Tampa Bay (2.67 ERA, 5.0 fWAR, 26.0 K%, 4.0 BB%), throws hard (96 mph), and is under control for just one more season — which is the key to his availability.
However, in what can be described either as (1) a divergence from the norm or (2) a play for leverage, the Rays are reportedly considering an extension instead.
Here are Ken Rosenthal, Will Sammon, and Katie Woo on the topic:
The Tampa Bay Rays hold interest in keeping their ace Drew Rasmussen beyond the upcoming season, people familiar with the club’s thinking said.
Rasmussen, who is coming off a stellar postseason, is under contract only through 2027 at $20 million. On the surface, he would profile as a trade candidate; his single-season salary would rank as the highest in franchise history. But in an end-of-the-year news conference after Tampa Bay’s World Series appearance, Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander expressed a strong desire to hold onto Rasmussen for 2027.
While never completely ruling out a trade, Neander told reporters on Nov. 3, “We’re going into this offseason when you were that close to where we were, it’s hard to think we’ll be closer if ‘Ras’ isn’t part of the team.”
It is reasonable to assume that the Rays could soon approach Rasmussen, 31, about an extension.
I’d wager the chances of a trade far exceed those of an extension, but I guess it’s possible the Cubs will have to look elsewhere if they’re hoping to acquire an impact starting pitcher via trade this offseason.
Other MLB Rumors:
According to The Athletic, “New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga is attracting trade interest from multiple teams, people briefed on the matter said. After the Mets demoted Senga to the bullpen, the right-hander fared better as a late-inning reliever. He has long preferred to start games.” I don’t see the Cubs getting involved with the Mets for Senga, but he is an interesting bounceback candidate, and these two front offices have collaborated on a lot of trades lately (relatively speaking). The Seattle Mariners are reportedly interested in Seiya Suzuki, who has been a target of theirs in rumored trade deals of the recent past. The Chicago White Sox are generally expected to be active in the free agent starting pitcher market this offseason, which could overlap with the Cubs’ interests, as GM Chris Getz has stated plainly: “We’re going to exhaust the starter market, both free agency — we’ll take a look — along with trades,” said Getz. “That is our top priority.” But they may have already filled one slot internally, as Grant Taylor is expected to move into the rotation. I tend to think the Cubs will be ABLE to land whomever they want from that non-Skubal tier of free agent starting pitchers, but it doesn’t hurt to have as many potential suitors as possible look elsewhere for solutions.Hence then, the article about mlb rumors skubal meetings set no star trades will brewers trade their closer rasmussen extension more was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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