2 FA sluggers drawing ‘sincere interest’ from this club

We’re keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.

Jan. 29: Blue Jays have ‘sincere interest’ in Turner, Martinez

The Blue Jays, still hunting for an impact bat to fill the voids left by free agents Matt Chapman and Brandon Belt, have “sincere interest” in Justin Turner and J.D. Martinez, according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi. Earlier on Monday, Morosi included the Giants, Mets and Cubs as possibilities for Turner, who is “increasingly likely” to make his free-agent decision this week.

After nine seasons with the Dodgers, Turner spent 2023 with the Red Sox and remained productive at the plate, slashing .276/.345/.455 with 23 homers and 96 RBIs over 146 games. With Rafael Devers entrenched at third base, Turner saw more time (98 games) at DH than anywhere else last season. He also made 41 appearances at first base, 10 at second and seven at third. Turner could have returned to Boston for 2024, but he opted to decline his $13.4 million player option and accept a $6.7 million buyout.

Martinez is a DH-only player at this point in his career; he has played three games in the field over the past two seasons. But the 36-year-old is coming off of a fantastic season with the Dodgers that saw him produce a .271/.321/.572 slash line across 479 plate appearances. Martinez’s 33 home runs were his most since 2018. His 17.1 % barrel rate ranked in the 99th percentile, and his 55.1% hard-hit rate was a career high.

Jan. 29: Mariners acquire Polanco from Twins in 5-player deal; is Cease next?

The Mariners struck a headling-grabbing trade on Monday, but maybe not the one some were expecting.

The Mariners needed an upgrade at second base, a position where the club produced a 75 wRC+ last year. Will they now turn their attention to upgrading their rotation?

Seattle has reportedly been discussing a trade for White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, who reports that Chicago is seeking a package centered around pitchers Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo.

Sharing his thoughts on the latest Cease rumblings, MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said earlier on Monday that he believes the Mariners’ plan would be to acquire Cease and then use their newfound depth to add offense, flipping either Miller or Woo in a separate trade for a bat. Now that Seattle has added Polanco’s offense without giving up any high-profile young arms, perhaps the Mariners will be more willing to push harder for the White Sox ace.

That said, it would be surprising to see Seattle part with Miller or Woo in a deal for Cease, considering both hurlers are controllable through 2029. Cease has two years of team control remaining before free agency.

Cease seemed likely to be traded earlier this offseason, but his chances of being dealt before Opening Day have dwindled due to the White Sox lofty asking price. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman recently heard from one general manager that Chicago has been asking for “the sun and the moon” in exchange for the 28-year-old.

The Mariners’ rotation is currently led by Luis Castillo and George Kirby — the third- and eighth-place finishers in the 2023 AL Cy Young Award voting, respectively — with Logan Gilbert in the No. 3 spot. Adding Cease would give the club another potential frontline starter for the upcoming season, with the right-hander placing second in the AL Cy Young race two years ago.

Jan. 29: Angels reach deal with Hicks

The Angels reached a one-year deal with free-agent outfielder Aaron Hicks on Monday.

Hicks is the first hitter the team has added on a big league deal this offseason. The Angels were also recently connected to Adam Duvall and Joey Votto in their search for offensive help after losing Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers as a free agent in December. 

The Angels’ agreement with Hicks may take them out of the running for Duvall, considering they also have Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell in their outfield mix.

With an opening at designated hitter and a need for another left-handed bat, Votto is still a possibility for the Halos, though they may prefer to rotate multiple players at the DH spot in 2024.

Jan. 28: Mets looking for lefty reliever, interested in Peralta (report)

Adam Ottavino, who returned to the Mets on a one-year deal (per a source) Saturday, might not be the last reliever the team adds in free agency this offseason.

Jan. 28: Who are the Red Sox targeting in search for pitching help?

Although the Red Sox are continuing their search for pitching help prior to the start of Spring Training in February, a move for one of the top arms left on the free-agent market is not expected to happen.

Alex Speier of the Boston Globe (subscription required) wrote Saturday that “every indication remains that the Sox won’t be pursuing long-term deals for [Jordan] Montgomery or [Blake] Snell,” which is not exactly surprising after Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy told reporters prior to the team’s annual Winter Weekend event earlier this month that Boston’s 2024 payroll would “probably” be lower than it was last year.

Instead, the Red Sox are looking for lower-cost arms to fill out their depth. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, Boston’s targets include swingman Jakob Junis and reliever Ryne Stanek. More >

Jan. 27: Do Cubs have a big move in store to address their offense?

The Cubs have made multiple moves to address their pitching staff this month, signing Japanese lefty Shōta Imanaga to a four-year deal on Jan. 11 before reportedly reaching a one-year deal with reliever Hector Neris on Saturday. However, Chicago still has work to do before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in mid-February.

While they traded for infielder Michael Busch (MLB Pipeline’s No. 44 overall prospect), the Cubs have yet to add a proven bat to their lineup, which has a huge hole after Cody Bellinger became a free agent. Some Cubs have already voiced their desire to play with Bellinger again in 2024. Chicago has been connected to free-agent third baseman Matt Chapman as well and was also linked to first baseman Rhys Hoskins before he signed with the rival Brewers. More >

Jan. 27: Will Yanks add one of these relief pitchers?

The Yankees have made significant additions this offseason to address their lineup (Juan Soto), outfield depth (Alex Verdugo, Trent Grisham) and starting rotation (Marcus Stroman). They haven’t, however, added a relief pitcher on a Major League contract — yet. 

One of New York’s potential relief targets came off the board on Saturday when Hector Neris reportedly reached a one-year deal with the Cubs, but there are still a number of possibilities left on the market.

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, writing for the New York Post on Thursday, mentioned several relievers with whom the Yankees have spoken this winter in addition to Neris: Wandy Peralta, Keynan Middleton, Ryan Brasier and Phil Maton. More >

Jan. 25: O’s in on Lorenzen

The Orioles are still looking to add starting pitching, and Michael Lorenzen is one name they have their eye on. 

MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reported Thursday that the O’s have expressed interest in the free-agent right-hander. 

Lorenzen reportedly threw a bullpen session in California earlier this week (along with Noah Syndergaard) with about 16 MLB teams in attendance, per FanSided’s Robert Murray.

Baltimore has been seeking a frontline starter, and Lorenzen is probably more of a mid-rotation type, but he would still bolster the pitching staff of an Orioles team looking to build on last year’s 101-win season.

The 32-year-old was one of the better pitchers moved at last season’s Trade Deadline as the Phillies acquired him from the Tigers after he posted a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts. Lorenzen threw a no-hitter during his home debut in Philly, but he struggled after that night and ended up posting a 5.51 ERA in his 11 outings for the Phillies. Lorenzen finished the season in Philadelphia’s bullpen and made two scoreless relief appearances during the postseason.

Jan. 25: Royals looking to add a closer (report)

The Royals have been one of the most active teams in baseball this offseason, already having added veteran starters Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha, among others. According to Ken Rosenthal and Levi Weaver of The Athletic (subscription required), Kansas City may not be done bolstering its roster in a wide-open AL Central division. The report suggests that the Royals are “open to adding one more piece — a closer.”

While the free agent market for closers is thin, Rosenthal notes that Kansas City is looking to acquire one via trade. The trade market isn’t very deep, either, though names like Devin Williams, Emmanuel Clase and Kenley Jansen have been floated in rumors this offseason.

Jan. 23: Syndergaard drawing interest

FanSided’s Robert Murray reports that “about 16 teams” watched free-agent starter Noah Syndergaard throw a bullpen session on Tuesday in California. (Michael Lorenzen also threw a bullpen session there.) 

Murray specifically mentions the Padres and Pirates as two clubs that are interested in Syndergaard.

The 31-year-old Syndergaard is far removed from being the electrifying hurler known as Thor who overpowered hitters with his flamethrowing right arm from 2015-19. Last season, he had a 6.50 ERA, served up 22 homers and struck out only 56 batters in 88 2/3 innings split between the Dodgers and Guardians.

However, perhaps he is regaining a little bit of that lost velocity. Murray writes that Syndergaard consistently sat between 93-95 mph during the session. His four-seamer and two-seamer each averaged about 92 mph last year.

Jan. 20: ‘Widespread belief’ that Bellinger will re-sign with Cubs

Several teams have been connected with Bellinger so far this offseason, including the Blue Jays, Giants and Mariners. But according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, there is “widespread belief within the industry” that Bellinger will re-sign with the Cubs, though “only if/when his asking price comes down.” More >

Jan. 18: Front-runner emerging for Soler?

Jorge Soler is one of the leading hitters remaining on the free agent market, and according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman in an article for the New York Post, his market is gaining steam. Heyman reports that the Blue Jays are emerging as a front-runner for the slugger, who turns 32 next month. He adds that the D-backs and Red Sox are also showing interest.