Are Blue Jays done adding after deal with Turner?

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

Jan. 30: Blue Jays reach deal with Turner (source)

Morosi reported Monday that Toronto was showing “sincere interest” in Turner and J.D. Martinez in its search for an impact bat to fill the voids left by free-agent third baseman Matt Chapman and designated hitter Brandon Belt.

Morosi expects Turner to be Toronto’s primary DH, so it’s unlikely the Blue Jays will continue to pursue Martinez.

What’s more unclear is what the addition of Turner means for Toronto’s chances of a reunion with Chapman. With Turner joining Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Cavan Biggio, Santiago Espinal and Davis Schneider on the Blue Jays’ roster, they now have several players they can rotate at the hot corner, albeit none that can make a two-way impact like Chapman.

Jan. 30: Could Mets be a match for Woodruff?

SNY’s Andy Martino said Tuesday that right-handed starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff is a free-agent possibility for the Mets, although nothing is close to being finalized between the two sides.

Woodruff is a two-time All-Star who has a 152 ERA+ over the past four seasons. However, his availability for the 2024 season is in doubt following right shoulder surgery in October. That means Woodruff, who turns 31 in February, is likely looking for a two-year deal on the open market. More >

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 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.