Major League Baseball’s 2023 Winter Meetings are taking place this week in Nashville, and most of the attention is on the two biggest names that could change teams this offseason: Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto. Ohtani, the two-time American League MVP, remains without a contract, but the focus Wednesday was on Soto. The Yankees have been interested in the Padres outfielder all season and are close to acquiring the star slugger. The two teams have been in talks throughout the day and are still working on a potential seven-player deal as of Wednesday evening.
The Yankees were the team with the strongest connection to Soto and their interest remained even after they traded for Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo on Tuesday night. The Verdugo trade was the most notable transaction so far at the Winter Meetings, which have been unusually slow as teams, agents and players await Ohtani’s decision. The Dodgers, Blue Jays and Giants have all reportedly met with Ohtani in recent days, and the incumbent Angels are still in the process of re-signing him.
Once Ohtani signs, the free agent market could really open up, particularly for Japanese right-back Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Multiple teams working on Ohtani are also reportedly interested in Yamamoto, who could secure a contract in the $250 million to $300 million range.
Follow below as CBS Sports provides live updates this week on the latest rumors, signings and trades during the Winter Meetings.