At least 6 teams reportedly interested in All-Star slugger
LATEST FREE AGENT & TRADE RUMORS5:27 PM UTC
We’re keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.
Jan. 14: At least 6 teams reportedly interested in J.D. Martinez
Following a robust year at the plate, J.D. Martinez seems to have a robust market in free agency. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, at least six clubs are interested in the five-time All-Star, although they are waiting for his price to drop.Â
While Nightengale doesn’t mention which clubs are eyeing Martinez or his asking price, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported earlier this month that the Mets, Tigers and Blue Jays are “believed to have some interest” in the 36-year-old slugger. The Angels could also be a possibility as they seek someone who can fill the big shoes left behind by Shohei Ohtani at DH.
Martinez bopped 33 homers and 62 extra-base hits in 113 games for the Dodgers last season. His 134 OPS+ was his best since his standout 2018 campaign, when he finished fourth in the American League MVP voting.
Jan. 14: Blue Jays ‘quietly monitoring’ Snell (report)
There hasn’t been much noise surrounding Blake Snell’s free agency of late as it appears clubs are waiting to see if his asking price will drop. That’s the sentiment expressed by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, who reports that while several clubs remain interested in the prized left-hander, the Blue Jays have been “quietly monitoring” his free agency this winter.Â
The Blue Jays have not been previously mentioned as a possible suitor for Snell. Still, their interest is not surprising given that they were one of the finalists for Shohei Ohtani and have been linked to other big-ticket free agents, including Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman. More >
Jan. 13: ‘Active’ market for Neris, with Yanks and Rangers emerging as front-runners (source)
The market for veteran reliever Hector Neris is gaining momentum. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Yankees and Rangers appear to be emerging as front-runners for the 34-year-old right-hander.
Neris spent the first eight seasons of his Major League career with the Phillies before pitching for the Astros from 2022-23. He helped Houston win the World Series in ’22, following that up with the best campaign of his career last year, when he posted a 1.71 ERA over 71 appearances.
Jan. 12: What is Giantsâ next move after Hicks deal?
Jordan Hicks is headed to the Giants on a four-year, $44 million deal, a source told MLB.comâs Mark Feinsand. While the contract terms arenât all that surprising, considering Hicksâ electric stuff and relative youth (heâs 27), San Franciscoâs reported plan for the flamethrowing righty is. According to ESPNâs Jeff Passan, Hicks is expected to work in the Giantsâ rotation after previously serving mostly as a reliever.Â
The move raises questions about what might be next for the Giants this offseason. Theyâve been linked to reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell on the free-agent market, but itâs possible their acquisition of Hicks will cause them to focus their attention on other targets, such as third baseman Matt Chapman.
Granted, the Giants arguably haven’t done enough to address their rotation questions. Hicks did start eight games for the Cardinals in 2022, but he posted a 5.47 ERA over just 26 1/3 innings in those outings. He also has an extensive injury history.
Hicks joins Logan Webb, Kyle Harrison, Ross Stripling and Keaton Winn in the Giantsâ projected rotation to open 2024, with Alex Cobb expected to return sometime in the first half after undergoing left hip surgery in October and Robbie Ray due back from his Tommy John rehab in the second half.Â
Hicks, Ray, outfielder Jung Hoo Lee and catcher Tom Murphy make up the Giantsâ major additions so far this offseason.
Jan. 11: Three teams ‘expressing interest’ in Votto (report)
Votto, 40, hit .202/.314/.433 in an injury-shortened 2023 campaign. Although injuries have limited him to 156 games over the past two seasons, he is two seasons removed from posting a .938 OPS with 36 home runs in 129 games. In 17 seasons with the Reds, he had a .920 OPS with 356 home runs. He is the active leader in walks, with 1,365.
Votto could get a chance to continue his playing career with the hope that he’ll be able to stay healthy and produce at a level higher than league average at the plate, especially now that we’re well into the era of the universal designated hitter.
Jan. 11: Will Yanks make another big move after Stroman signing?
The Yankees made their first significant offseason addition to the starting rotation Thursday, agreeing on a two-year contract with 32-year-old right-hander Marcus Stroman, per a source. Perhaps their work on the rotation won’t end there.
While Ken Rosenthal wrote in The Athletic (subscription required) that this “figures to be [the Yankees’] last major offseason move,” MLB Network insider Joel Sherman believes that this transaction won’t end the Yankees’ efforts to acquire a frontline starter via free agency or the trade market “if prices fall.”
So, whom might the Yankees target next? Reports have linked them to multiple high-profile starters and relievers. More >
Jan. 11: Which teams remain interested in Snell, Montgomery?
Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery might have already been the two best starting pitchers left in free agency, but following the Cubs’ signing of ShĆta Imanaga and the Yankees’ agreement with Marcus Stroman, there is no doubt. The two left-handers — one a two-time Cy Young Award winner, one a 2023 postseason standout — figure to attract a lot of interest in the coming days as the demand for top-flight starting pitching far outweighs the supply right now.
The Yanks have also expressed interest in reuniting with Montgomery, but even before the Stroman news broke, New York was “starting to believe Montgomery prefers to return to Texas or go somewhere else” rather than play in the Bronx again, per Heyman.Â
Heyman mentioned that the Red Sox, Giants, Phillies and Angels are among the clubs that have shown interest in Montgomery. The Rangers have been linked to Montgomery frequently this offseason, and Heyman described them last week as “the most likely team” to get the 31-year-old southpaw.
Jan. 11: What trade with Dodgers might mean for Cubs’ FA pursuits
Chicago’s acquisition of Busch is especially intriguing as it relates to the team’s free-agent pursuits, with The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma (subscription required) reporting that Busch is expected to enter Spring Training as the team’s primary first baseman.
The Cubs have been pursuing Cody Bellinger and Rhys Hoskins, two of the top first-base options on the first-agent market this offseason, but the move to land Busch could cause Chicago to focus its resources elsewhere, perhaps toward signing third baseman Matt Chapman, starter Jordan Montgomery or closer Josh Hader, three other free agents to whom the Cubs have recently been connected. More >
Jan. 10: Do Orioles have the best chance to land Cease?
The trade talk surrounding Dylan Cease has quieted in recent weeks, but it’s not due to a lack of interest. White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday that there “[isn’t] a club out there that hasnât expressed some level of interest” in the 28-year-old pitcher.
In a Tuesday afternoon appearance on Foul Territory, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that, owing to the dearth of starting pitching on the free agent market, the White Sox could be waiting for the few remaining big names to come off the board to drive up demand for Cease among clubs who miss out on the likes of Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery.
Chicago’s reported demand is high. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers wrote Wednesday that the club is looking for multiple high-end prospects and some “fill-ins” in return. Rogers listed the Yankees, Cubs and Reds as three teams that could pry Cease away from the Windy City, and Rosenthal included the Red Sox, Giants and Rangers among the clubs most in need of starting pitching.
But both reporters indicated that the Orioles could be the strongest contender for Cease because of their deep farm system, which features six players ranked in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects.
“The Orioles could use Cease more than the White Sox right now,” one front office executive told Rogers.
Furthermore, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden (subscription required) believes the Orioles’ depth will ultimately enable them to “outbid the other teams in contention” for Cease.
Jan. 10: Cubs reportedly in talks with numerous top free agents
With the Cubs and left-handed starter ShĆta Imanaga seemingly on the verge of finalizing a multiyear deal, what will be Chicago’s next move? It appears the club is exploring many options at the top of the free-agent market. More >
Jan. 10: Hader’s market still in flux; powerhouse clubs interested
The free-agent starting pitching market still features some notable names, including Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery.
Might Josh Hader have to wait until those starters sign before finding a deal of his own?
Sources told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that some teams considering Hader — namely the Yankees and Rangers — are prioritizing rotation help, viewing the All-Star reliever as a fallback plan if theyâre unable to land an impact starter. Feinsand includes the Cubs and Phillies as two other interested clubs and describes the Dodgers as the “wild card” in the Hader sweepstakes. More >
Jan. 8: Are Giants the best fit for Chapman?
Any team interested in Chapman must weigh the positives and negatives in his profile. He is a dependable power hitter who has played in at least 140 games in each of the past five full seasons. In 2023, he ranked in the 98th percentile or higher in barrel rate and hard-hit rate. And defensively, the two-time Platinum Glove winner remains very strong at the hot corner.
Conversely, Chapman’s 17 homers last season were his fewest in a full season, and a right middle finger injury impacted his results at the plate, which included a .659 OPS after April 30. His strikeout rate has been north of 27% in each of the past four years. After declining the qualifying offer from the Blue Jays, Chapman will cost his new team at least one Draft pick and money from its international bonus pool in addition to a likely nine-figure contract.
Considering all of that, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required) wrote Monday about why the Giants could make sense as a landing spot for Chapman as he enters his age-31 season. More >
Jan. 8: Mets ‘actively trying’ to trade for starting pitching (source)
With Sean Manaea in tow, per source, the Mets’ starting rotation options now include Kodai Senga, JosĂ© Quintana, Luis Severino, Tylor Megill, Adrian Houser, Joey Lucchesi and Manaea (plus David Peterson when he returns from injury).
Although that collection could be good enough for the Mets to contend in 2024, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports that New York isn’t done trying to address its rotation. According to Feinsand, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns is âactively trying to trade for more starting pitching.” More >
Jan. 8: Hoskins ‘makes so much sense’ for Cubs
The Cubs have an opening at first base that could still be filled by Cody Bellinger. But if Chicago can’t re-sign its 2023 star, there is one other free-agent first baseman who “makes so much sense” for the Cubs, according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi. That’s Rhys Hoskins. More >
Jan. 8: Rays reportedly shopping DH RamĂrez
Tampa Bay is shopping designated hitter Harold RamĂrez, sources told The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required). Acquired via trade with the Cubs before the 2022 season, RamĂrez has put up a .306/.348/.432 slash line in two seasons with Tampa Bay. That period includes just 18 home runs over 803 at-bats, but RamĂrez has shown good contact skills (17.4% strikeout rate) and has posted a .374 average and a .921 OPS against left-handed pitching.
The 29-year-old has two years of club control remaining and is projected to receive $4.4 million in arbitration in 2024, per MLB Trade Rumors. Trading RamĂrez could allow the Rays to give more plate appearances to 25-year-old Jonathan Aranda and their No. 3 prospect, infielder Curtis Mead.
Joc Pederson, J.D. Martinez, Jorge Soler, Brandon Belt and Rhys Hoskins are among the players available to clubs looking for a DH in free agency. RamĂrez could present those teams with another route to filling that need.
Jan. 7: Are Yankees poised to make major rotation addition?
As they search for rotation help, the Yankees are continuing to negotiate with free agents Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. They also remain involved in trade talks with the White Sox regarding ace righty Dylan Cease.
While there’s no indication the Bronx Bombers are close to adding any of those pitchers yet, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports in an article for the New York Post that thereâs a belief the Yankees will ultimately add a significant starting pitcher before the offseason is over, with managing partner Hal Steinbrenner âsaid to be on board with the concept of a serious addition to a rotation.â More >
Jan. 7: What’s next for the Dodgers after the reported deal with Teoscar?
The Dodgers have had an offseason for the ages by acquiring Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot and re-signing Jason Heyward. Their busy winter continued Sunday with a reported one-year, $23.5 million deal with Teoscar HernĂĄndez, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Will this deal complete the Dodgersâ offseason or are there more moves on the way? More >
Jan. 7: Red Sox listening on Jansen, Yoshida (report)
While the Red Sox continue to explore several options to add to their roster, they could also look to trade away multiple players to keep their payroll in check.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Boston is telling teams that All-Star closer Kenley Jansen — owed $16 million in the final year of a two-year contract — is available. The team is also willing to listen on outfielder Masataka Yoshida, who signed a five-year, $90 million deal with the Red Sox last offseason. More >
