Major League Baseball’s 2023 Winter Meetings are taking place in Nashville this week, and most of the attention is on baseball’s biggest name in free agency: Shohei Ohtani. The two-time unanimous MVP remains without a contract, but the most serious suitors are emerging. 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. In addition to Ohtani’s free agency, Padres superstar Juan Soto is highly available on the trade market.
Ohtani could sign a contract this week, with his decision expected in mid-December. However, the time frame for a Soto transfer is unknown and there is always a chance that San Diego keeps him. The Yankees are the most heavily linked to Soto, although the two sides were far apart in trade negotiations on Sunday. Things have been relatively slow in the first month of the offseason, perhaps because teams – and other free agents – are waiting to sign Ohtani. The first day of the winter meetings was also slow, but transaction activity should increase on Tuesday and Wednesday. Once Ohtani signs, the market could really open up, particularly for Japanese right-back Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Several teams involved in Ohtani are also reportedly involved in Yamamoto.
Follow below as CBS Sports provides live updates this week on the latest rumors, signings and trades during the Winter Meetings.