Royals, Witt reportedly discussing extension
LATEST FREE AGENT & TRADE RUMORS2:57 PM UTC
We’re keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.
Feb. 5: Royals reportedly discussing extension with Witt
The Royals are trying to work out a contract extension with burgeoning superstar Bobby Witt Jr., according to reports from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman and FanSidedâs Robert Murray. Heyman hears the two sides are making progress in their talks.
Witt, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, made significant strides on both sides of the ball in his second season. The 23-year-old shortstop posted an .813 OPS with 4.4 WAR (per Baseball-Reference) and became the first player in Royals history to record a 30/30 season, finishing with 30 homers and 49 steals.
Witt still has four years of team control remaining before heâll be eligible to test free agency. A potential Witt extension would presumably shatter the record for the richest contract a player has signed with the Royals. Salvador Perez set the current record with his four-year, $82 million extension in 2021.
Feb. 3: Dodgers remain open to re-signing Kershaw
Feb. 2: Will White Sox wait until summer to trade Cease?
The Brewers’ decision to trade ace pitcher Corbin Burnes to the Orioles on Thursday could lead to renewed trade rumblings surrounding White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease. However, MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi doesn’t think Chicago will move Cease before Opening Day.
âI believe [Cease is] going to be a trade more at the Trade Deadline,â Morosi said.
Cease at one point seemed to be as likely as any ace pitcher to be dealt this offseason, but Chicago hasnât been able to find a club willing to meet its reportedly lofty asking price. The Oâs have been considered one of the leading contenders for Cease, but they are presumably out of the mix after acquiring Burnes.
Cease has two years of team control left, so the White Sox can afford to be patient in trade talks. The Brewers did not have the same luxury with Burnes, who can become a free agent next offseason.
Feb. 2: Do Brewers have more trades in store after shipping out Burnes?
Corbin Burnes might not be the last star player the Brewers trade prior to Opening Day. After Milwaukee dealt Burnes to the Orioles on Thursday, a source told MLB.comâs Mark Feinsand that closer Devin Williams and shortstop Willy Adames could be put on the trade block next.
With hard-throwing righty Abner Uribe in their bullpen and infield prospect Joey Ortiz coming over in the package for Burnes, the Brewers have ready-made replacements for Williams and Adames on their roster, so they could use one or both players to acquire rotation help. Williams is controllable through 2025, while Adames is eligible to test free agency after the upcoming season. More >
Feb. 2: Yanks were willing to exceed RodĂłnâs contract in offer to Snell (report)
While the exact offer the Yankees made to free-agent lefty Blake Snell is unknown, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman hears that they were willing to go âabove [Carlos] RodĂłnâ in their negotiations with the two-time Cy Young Award winner. New York signed RodĂłn to a six-year, $162 million contract ($27 million average annual value) last offseason. More >
Feb. 2: Is Mets’ offseason complete after adding Fujinami, Diekman?
The Mets reached one-year deals with relievers Shintaro Fujinami and Jake Diekman on Friday, per a source. Those moves could be the finishing touches on what has been a busy offseason.
Fujinami and Diekman are the latest players to reach big league deals with the Mets in this free-agent cycle, joining pitchers Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, Adam Ottavino, Austin Adams, Michael Tonkin and Jorge LĂłpez, and position players Harrison Bader and Joey Wendle. New York also traded for right-hander Adrian Houser and outfielder Tyrone Taylor.
One day before the Mets came to terms with Fujinami or Diekman, SNY’s Andy Martino reported that the team was just about finished with its offseason work. More >
Feb. 2: Are Giants planning a move for a starting pitcher?
Itâs fair to wonder if the Stripling trade is a precursor to a bigger pitching move for the Giants. With Stripling gone and Alex Cobb and Robbie Ray sidelined with injuries, the Giants currently have Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, Keaton Winn and Tristan Beck lined up to start behind ace Logan Webb. The Harrison-Hicks-Winn-Beck quartet has combined to make 23 starts at the big league level.
It remains a possibility that San Francisco could make a run at Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery, both of whom have been linked to the Giants this offseason and are still available in free agency as the start of Spring Training looms. If the Giants are looking for a lower-cost option, Hyun Jin Ryu, Michael Lorenzen, Mike Clevinger and Noah Syndergaard remain unsigned as well.
Feb. 2: At least 8 teams showing ‘significant interest’ in Pham
The market for free-agent left fielder Tommy Pham is heating up, with at least eight teams showing “significant interest,” sources told MLB.comâs Juan Toribio.
Pham posted a .256/.328/.446 slash with 16 homers, 68 RBIs and 22 steals over 129 games for the Mets and D-backs in 2023. He also had three homers and a .772 OPS over 16 games for Arizona in the playoffs, helping the club reach the World Series.
The 35-year-old has bounced around over the past six seasons, playing for seven teams. Itâs unclear which teams are interested in Pham now, but the Twins, Red Sox, Padres, Giants, Mets, Angels, Marlins and Nationals are among the clubs that could benefit from the addition of a left fielder/DH-type such as Pham.
Feb. 1: After blockbuster Burnes deal, what’s next for the free agent starter market?
Following the Dodgers’ signing of Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract in December, it was thought that the frozen free agent market for starting pitchers might begin to thaw.
While Yamamoto’s countryman, left-hander ShĆta Imanaga, and right-hander Marcus Stroman both found new homes (Imanaga with the Cubs and Stroman with the Yankees), the top two names on the market — reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and World Series-winning left-hander Jordan Montgomery — remain just that: available.
In the wake of the blockbuster trade that moves former NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes from Milwaukee to Baltimore, could we see Snell and/or Montgomery move soon?
It was no secret that the Orioles, who won 101 games and the AL East last season, were looking for perhaps the final piece to the puzzle to compete for a World Series title — a frontline starter. They certainly got that in Burnes, but how will rival clubs react?
Will the Yankees, for example, make another splash after trading for Juan Soto by acquiring Snell to pair with AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole at the top of the rotation? Sure, the Yanks have already added Stroman. But given the injury histories of left-handers Carlos RodĂłn and Nestor Cortes, who missed much of last season while on the injured list, could New York make a run at the best arm available?
The Yankees have reportedly made an offer to Snell of six years and $150 million, which he turned down. Will they go over $200 million now that the division rival O’s have landed Burnes? What about Montgomery? Will he get more of a look from his former team in the Bronx given what’s transpired?
Speaking of Montgomery, the Rangers — who defeated the Orioles in the AL Division Series last fall — could certainly stand to bolster their rotation as they await the return of Jacob deGrom, who is hoping to be back on the mound at Globe Life Field in August. Will Texas, a team that has been seen as the most logical fit for Montgomery, bring the veteran southpaw back to Arlington?
Perhaps another AL East rival of the Orioles will make a big splash — after all, the Blue Jays have reportedly been “monitoring” the Snell market and haven’t yet made a move to bolster their rotation, and the Red Sox are reportedly in the mix for Montgomery.
Time will tell. But time is running out, and the Burnes deal could accelerate the bidding for the market’s top starters in the coming days.
Jan. 31: What is Twinsâ next move after trading Polanco?
The Twins saved roughly $5 million in their trade with the Mariners on Monday, sending infielder Jorge Polanco to Seattle for four players and cash considerations. Minnesota expects to reinvest that money back into its big league roster, according to president of baseball operations Derek Falvey, who indicated the club could be looking specifically for a position player after moving out Polanco.
âI think weâre going to be flexible and open-minded to what it looks like with adds to the infield, what it looks like with adds to the outfield,â Falvey said. âAnd maybe thereâs an opportunity to continue to add on the pitching side — I think our focus might turn more to the position player route.â
With a need for a right-handed bat, itâs possible the Twins could turn to a familiar face such as infielder Donovan Solano or outfielder Michael A. Taylor, both of whom made solid contributions for the club in 2023. Another possibility Minnesota has considered? Adam Duvall, according to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes (subscription required).
Taylor or Duvall would make sense as center-field insurance for Byron Buxton. After making zero appearances on defense in 2023 following right knee surgery the previous September, Buxton is expected to move back to center in â24. However, his lengthy injury history means the Twins canât be overly reliant on the 30-year-old.
Jan. 31: Blue Jays sign Turner
The Blue Jays have signed free-agent infielder Justin Turner to a one-year deal.
MLB Network insider Jon Paul 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.
July 31: Padres reach 4-year deal with Peralta
The Padres struck a deal with free-agent reliever Wandy Peralta on Wednesday, agreeing to a four-year, $16.5 million contract with the lefty, according to multiple reports. The club has not confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical and includes three opt-outs, according to The Athletic.
Peralta was one of the best relievers remaining on the free-agent market. With Peralta off the board, Aaron Loup, Jake Diekman, Scott Alexander and Brad Hand are among the best left-handed relievers still available. There are more options for teams in need of a right-handed bullpen arm, with Jakob Junis, Ryan Brasier, Ryne Stanek, Brad Boxberger, Matt Barnes and Lou Trivino unsigned.
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 Todayâs 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 âthe sun and the moonâ in exchange for the 28-year-old.
The Marinersâ 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.Â
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: 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 âevery indication remains that the Sox wonât be pursuing long-term deals for [Jordan] Montgomery or [Blake] Snell,â which is not exactly surprising after Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy told reporters prior to the teamâs annual Winter Weekend event earlier this month that Bostonâs 2024 payroll would âprobablyâ 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, Bostonâs targets include swingman Jakob Junis and reliever Ryne Stanek. More >
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