As we prepare for the MLB Winter Meetings – Major League Baseball’s flagship offseason event – rumors abound about free agent signings and blockbuster transactions. Wednesday is no exception, so let’s dive right into what’s happening around the sport.
Mets are still on the market for starters
The Mets signed former Yankees right-hander Luis Severino to a one-year deal on Wednesday night, and they’re not done yet. The club still plans to add several starting pitchers. according to SNY. Severino is merely the first, and they remain in the hunt for Orix Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the top starter on the free-agent market this offseason.
“The Mets have been active in the starting pitching market. You’re not finished yet. You may not even be there in the short term. Luis Severino is one of several guys they will sign for that rotation depth.” said SNY’s Andy Martino. “…As we’ve said all along, the Mets are going to sign two, three or more of these starting pitchers in the middle to the bottom of the rotation. This is just one of them.”
This wasn’t a particularly deep free agent class to begin with, and two top starters (Sonny Gray and Aaron Nola) have already signed. Yamamoto, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez and Blake Snell are the best there is. The second-tier market includes Lucas Giolito, Marcus Stroman and Michael Wacha.
Stop intensifying trade talks
Trade talks with White Sox righty Dylan Cease are intensifying, making a trade possible before the Winter Meetings. according to MLB.com. The Braves and Dodgers have been linked to Cease this offseason, and many other clubs have undoubtedly inquired as well. Our RJ Anderson recently explained why “Cease” is so appealing.
Cease, who turns 28 next month, is a year away from being runner-up for the AL Cy Young. He took a step back last season, pitching 177 innings with a 4.58 ERA, although Chicago’s league-worst defense didn’t help him and Cease still offers top-notch stuff and two years of team control. He is one of the most sought-after starters on the trade market and for good reason.
Yankees discuss details of potential Soto deal
The Yankees appear to be prioritizing improving a lineup that was sorely lacking outside of Aaron Judge last season, and GM Brian Cashman in particular has indicated he wants to add multiple outfielders to the mix for 2024 and beyond. All of this is a prelude to the ongoing and entirely credible rumors that the Yankees are targeting Padres slugger Juan Soto in a trade.
On that front, SNY’s Andy Martino has an update on the current state of affairs:
“Talks between the Yankees and San Diego Padres about a Juan Soto trade have progressed to the point where player names are being exchanged, league sources say. San Diego’s initial demand was very high – understandably – and the teams are not close to an agreement.”
Reaching the stage where certain names are on the line certainly indicates momentum, but the “not close” part is also important and will be given due attention.
As far as fit goes, Soto is ideal for the Yankees’ struggling offense. The 25-year-old left-hander is one of the best pure hitters in baseball thanks to his elite combination of strength and patience/baseball skills. In an ideal world he would be a DH, but of course the Yankees have Giancarlo Stanton as their primary player in that role. The Padres are believed to be looking to trim payroll this offseason, and Soto is likely looking at a salary north of $30 million in his latest attempt at arbitration. That salary commitment and the fact that 2024 will be Soto’s peak year means that the trade costs, while significant, would likely not be completely prohibitive.
In an offseason where Shohei Ohtani is a free agent, nothing will question his ability to grab headlines, but a potential Yankees trade for guys like Soto would come closer than anything else plausible.
Jay’s GM dismisses Bichette rumors
We recently examined the hypothesis of a Bo Bichette trade and found that it was unlikely for such a thing to occur. The 25-year-old Bichette is a capable defensive shortstop who consistently puts up excellent numbers on the field, and he is under contract through 2025 on modest terms. It goes without saying that such a profile would mean a huge return in trading. However, the Blue Jays are probably in contention mode, and no contender should have the right to trade a player like Bichette. In fact, Jays GM Ross Atkins says there is no truth to the speculation:
Situations are always fluid in the offseason, meaning even the most decisive statements can be undermined, but the Jays certainly don’t seem to have any intention of cutting their best player. Given their current ambitions, it should be.
Red ink Pagan
The Reds have agreed to a two-year contract with right-hander Emilio Pagán. Mark Feinsand reports. Feinsand adds that the deal is still pending. According to Ken RosenthalThe deal guarantees Pagán $16 million and includes a player option after the first year.
The 32-year-old Pagán is coming off the 2023 season with the Twins, where he posted a 2.99 ERA and 3.10 K/BB ratio in 69 1/3 innings. Over the course of his career, he posted an ERA+ of 112 in parts of seven MLB seasons. In 2019, he recorded 20 saves as a member of the Rays.
Royals sign Hampson
The Royals have signed super utility man Garrett Hampson to a one-year contract, the team announced Wednesday. ESPN reports The deal is worth $2 million. Hampson, 29, had a good season with the Marlins in 2023, hitting .276/.349/.380 in 98 games while playing all three outfield positions as well as second and third bases. Miami non-tendered Hampson earlier this offseason in lieu of paying him a projected $1.3 million via arbitration, so things worked out well for him.