Cubs talking Belli trade with Yanks, leading race to acquire Tucker
LATEST FREE AGENT & TRADE RUMORS
We're keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.
Dec. 12: Cubs 'believed to be favorites' for Tucker, talking Belli trade with Yanks
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Monday at the 2024 Winter Meetings that Houston is receptive to trading anyone, including right fielder Kyle Tucker, if it means improving the roster. "I think everybody -- you would listen on all the players," Brown said. "I don't think that you would turn a deaf ear to any of these guys." It appears those comments weren’t just posturing by Brown.
Sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand that it’s more likely than not that Tucker will be traded this winter, with some projecting a deal could come together rather quickly. MLB Network insider Joel Sherman reported something similar Wednesday morning for the New York Post. Tucker is set to reach free agency after the 2025 season, and Sherman writes that Juan Soto’s record deal with the Mets is seen as likely to raise Tucker’s asking price “up to a $300 million or perhaps even $400 million payday."
The Cubs "are believed to be the favorites" to land the outfielder, per Feinsand.
The Cubs and Astros have discussed a possible trade involving Tucker going to Chicago and outfielder Seiya Suzuki and third baseman Isaac Paredes heading to Houston, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome (subscription required).
Suzuki, who has a full no-trade clause, may be out of reach for Houston, however, as a league source told The Athletic that the Cubs are "highly unlikely" to trade him. Instead, they would seemingly prefer to move first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger in a separate deal, perhaps to the Yankees.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports in an article for the New York Post that the Yanks and Cubs made "a bit of progress late Wednesday" in trade talks involving Bellinger, though there's still a gap over how much money each side should have to cover in a potential trade. Bellinger will earn $27.5 million in 2025 and has a $25 million player option ($5 million buyout) in 2026.
The Yankees remain in the mix for Tucker, too, with the Astros reportedly keen on acquiring pitcher Luis Gil, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year. New York does have a newfound pitching surplus after reaching an eight-year, $218 million deal with left-hander Max Fried on Tuesday. But given the Yankees’ experience of trading for Soto and losing him to free agency after one season, rival executives believe New York will explore other options to improve its lineup rather than risk such a scenario taking place again, Feinsand reports.
According to Sherman, the Phillies and Giants have also expressed interest in Tucker.
Dec. 12: What's next for Red Sox after Crochet trade? Possibly another big arm
The Red Sox have landed the ace they've been looking for, reaching a trade with the White Sox to acquire All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet for a haul of four prospects. However, it appears Boston isn't done with its search for starting pitching.
According to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox are continuing to explore the market for frontline arms, including free agent Corbin Burnes. Meanwhile, MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reports that Boston is talking to the Mariners about a trade for one of their starters. Luis Castillo, who has three years remaining on a five-year, $108 million deal (plus a $25 million vesting option in 2028), appears to be the focus of those discussions.
With the Red Sox also looking to add a hitter, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand hears that they are one of the teams pursuing the top third baseman on the market, Alex Bregman. More >
Dec. 12: Blue Jays, Giants considered favorites for Burnes (sources)
Thanks to Max Fried's reported eight-year, $218 million deal with the Yankees, Corbin Burnes is now in a tier of his own when it comes to free-agent starting pitchers. And sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Tuesday that the Giants and Blue Jays are expected to be the most aggressive pursuers of Burnes. Those two teams remained the favorites as the Winter Meetings came to an end on Wednesday. More >
Dec. 12: Padres 'listening' on most veterans, have gotten inquiries on Cease, Arraez, Bogaerts
One year after trading Juan Soto, could the Padres consider another blockbuster for one of their star players?
It’s a possibility, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, who reported Wednesday night in an article for the New York Post that the Friars are "listening on almost all their veterans" and have received inquiries about starter Dylan Cease, infielder Luis Arraez and shortstop Xander Bogaerts.
Cease and Arraez are both eligible for free agency next offseason and could garner substantial interest. Bogaerts will likely be tougher to move, as he’s going into the third year of an 11-year, $280 million contract and is coming off a .688 OPS -- his lowest since 2014.
Cease in particular has been the subject of increased trade chatter in recent days, with MLB.com's Mark Feinsand and MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reporting on the right-hander's potential availability amid surging prices for free-agent arms.
Dec. 11: Bregman could make decision soon
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, there’s a sense Alex Bregman will be the next big free agent to make his decision. The Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers and incumbent Astros are among the teams in the mix for the free-agent third baseman.
Astros general manager Dana Brown said multiple times Monday night that he was “feeling optimistic” about the Astros’ chances of re-signing Bregman. The club has offered him six years at about $156 million, which would be the richest contract in club history.
MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reported earlier Wednesday that he has been hearing "more buzz" connecting Bregman to the Yankees, adding that New York's interest in the third baseman is "real."
The Yankees addressed their pitching staff Tuesday with the acquisition of Max Fried, but they are still in search of offensive help after missing out on Juan Soto. The same goes for the Red Sox, who acquired pitcher Garrett Crochet in a trade with the White Sox on Wednesday.
The Tigers, meanwhile, have been looking for a right-handed bat and a third baseman, though Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reported Monday that they were unlikely to meet Bregman's asking price (believed to be at least $200 million).
Dec. 11: Pirates could trade from rotation -- Jones said to be 'very available' (report)
With reigning NL Rookie of the Year and flamethrowing phenom Paul Skenes atop their starting rotation, the Pirates are looking to add some offense to provide support for what has suddenly become a strong group of starters, including right-hander Jared Jones. But Jones, another young flamethrower who posted a 3.56 ERA in the first half of his rookie campaign in 2024 before a lat strain sidelined him for nearly two months, could be on the trading block himself.
According to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jones is "very available," and the Pirates are also "open to the idea" of dealing right-hander Mitch Keller. Keller, who is entering the second year of a five-year, $77 million contract extension, would be more affordable, by comparison, than much of the starting pitching available on the free-agent market.
Jones, who remains under team control for five more years, could bring a substantial haul in return, which Pittsburgh would surely insist includes a proven hitter to augment an offense that finished tied for 27th in the Majors with an 86 wRC+.
Dec. 11: What comes next in SP market?
Two of the biggest names available in the starting pitching market have come off the board over the past two days. On Tuesday, Max Fried and the Yankees reached an eight-year, $218 million deal (per sources). After missing out on Fried, the Red Sox have acquired All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet from the White Sox for a haul of four prospects.
There aren't many options left for teams in need of an established ace. In free agency, there's only Corbin Burnes, whose market could move quickly now that the Fried and Crochet situations are settled.
Sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Tuesday that the Giants and Blue Jays are expected to be the most aggressive pursuers of Burnes. Those two teams remained the favorites as the Winter Meetings came to an end on Wednesday. The incumbent Orioles also remain in the mix, along with the Red Sox (even after adding Crochet). However, the belief among rival executives is that those two clubs might not be as aggressive as Toronto and/or San Francisco.
Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki is also available after being posted on Monday, but he isn't expected to pick a team until the 2025 international signing period opens on Jan. 15.
Jack Flaherty, Sean Manaea, Nick Pivetta and Walker Buehler are some of the other notable starters available on the free-agent market.
In terms of trade candidates, sources told Feinsand that the Astros' Framber Valdez (controllable through 2025) and the Padres' Dylan Cease (controllable through 2025) could potentially be available, along with the Mariners’ Luis Castillo (three years remaining on a five-year, $108 million contract), the Cardinals’ Sonny Gray (two years left on a three-year, $75 million contract) and the Marlins’ Jesús Luzardo (controllable through 2026). Gray is the only one of those pitchers with a full no-trade clause.
With their hopes of retaining Burnes continuing to fade, the Orioles are among the teams showing interest in Cease, per MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi.
Dec. 11: Angels, Nationals reportedly interested in Torres; Nats also eyeing Walker
The Angels and Nationals have expressed interest in former Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres, according to a report from MLB Network insider Joel Sherman in an article for the New York Post. Torres was also connected to the Halos by MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi on Tuesday.
That the Angels are one of the teams interested in Torres isn't too surprising. Angels second basemen posted a .593 OPS and negative 1.2 Wins Above Replacement (FanGraphs) in 2024, worse than every team outside the Red Sox.
The Nationals, meanwhile, reportedly have asked if Torres would be open to moving to third base because they have Luis García Jr. at second. Torres resisted a switch to the hot corner when the Yankees acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. prior to the 2024 Trade Deadline, but Sherman speculates that he might be more open to it now that he's a free agent. Washington has had trouble finding production at third base since Anthony Rendon left to sign with the Angels in free agency after the 2019 season. Nats third basemen have posted a 78 wRC+ since 2020, the second lowest in MLB.
The Nationals are also in the mix for free-agent first baseman Christian Walker, as FanSided's Robert Murray reports that Washington has been in talks with the 33-year-old. Juan Yepez is currently atop Washington's depth chart at first base, and although he was decent in limited time with the club last season (.283 average and a .764 OPS), Yepez has 20 home runs since debuting with St. Louis in 2022. Walker has hit at least 26 homers in each of the past three seasons and taken home a Gold Glove Award at first base in each of those years.
The Yankees, Tigers and Astros are among the other clubs that have reportedly shown interest in the right-handed slugger.
Dec. 11: Reds have ‘checked in’ on Pivetta after trying for Crochet
The Reds were one of the teams involved in trade talks for Garrett Crochet, but they are now looking at other options after the White Sox traded Crochet to the Red Sox on Wednesday.
One of those options, according to MLB Network insider Joel Sherman, is the man Crochet is replacing in Boston’s rotation, free-agent righty Nick Pivetta.
The Reds brought back Nick Martinez via the qualifying offer earlier this offseason and added Brady Singer in a trade with the Royals. They also have a number of promising young hurlers in the fold, including Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott and Rhett Lowder. However, it’s no surprise that the team is searching for additional pitching help after a 2024 season that saw its rotation decimated by injuries.
Pivetta, 31, has never posted an ERA below 4.04 in a single season, but he offers some intriguing upside, given his lifetime 10.0 K/9 and career-best 4.78 K/BB ratio in 2024. Pivetta turned down a qualifying offer from the Red Sox, so he's tied to Draft compensation if he signs elsewhere.
Dec. 10: Arenado has 6 teams on his trade wish list (source)
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak confirmed Monday that the team is looking to trade third baseman Nolan Arenado.
“It’s my intention to try,” Mozeliak said when asked if the franchise would seek to deal the 33-year-old third baseman.
“We both remain optimistic that both parties will remain happy somehow. [Arenado remaining with the Cardinals] is a possibility, but I’m not sure that puts us where we want to be. From a financial standpoint of trying to move our payroll -- there are certainly other ways to do that, but [trading Arenado] would be a big help. It’s financial, but it also creates a runway for someone else.”
Arenado has a full no-trade clause and thus the ability to block any potential deal. In addition to having the Dodgers, Padres and Angels on his wish list, Arenado would also be willing to accept a trade to the Phillies, Mets or Red Sox, sources told MLB.com's John Denton. The Yankees have also expressed interest in acquiring Arenado, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic (subscription required).
Under contract for three more seasons and $74 million ($10 million of which will be paid by the Rockies), Arenado posted a .719 OPS in 2024 -- his worst OPS since his rookie year in 2013. Teams who miss out on top free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman could look to acquire Arenado instead. Arenado is also open playing first base if necessary.
Arenado's agent, Joel Wolfe, told reporters on Tuesday that the third baseman is willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to a team ready to win now. He added that Arenado's list of acceptable destinations is "bigger than you would think" and not constrained by geography.
Dec. 10: Rangers bring back RHP Eovaldi, trade for INF Burger (sources)
The Rangers made moves to address their rotation and their lineup on Tuesday night. They first agreed to a three-year, $75 million deal with right-handed starter Nathan Eovaldi, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Eovaldi, who will turn 35 in February, produced a 3.72 ERA with 298 strikeouts over 314 2/3 regular-season innings with the Rangers over the past two seasons. The Texas native also stepped up in the 2023 postseason, going 5-0 with a 2.95 ERA over six starts to help the Rangers win their first World Series title.
Later in the evening, Texas acquired slugging infielder Jake Burger from the Marlins for three Minor Leaguers, per a source. Burger adds some thump to Texas' lineup. He is coming off a 29-homer season with 76 RBIs for Miami. In 2023, he hit a career-high 34 homers with the White Sox and Marlins and recorded an .827 OPS.
Dec. 10: Sasaki setting up plans to meet with suitors
After being posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball on Monday, Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki is now free to begin negotiating with MLB teams.
Sasaki's agent, Joel Wolfe, met with reporters at the Winter Meetings in Dallas on Tuesday, outlining the process for Sasaki’s forthcoming decision and offering up some details about what the pitcher might be looking for in a potential suitor.
Sasaki and Wolfe are set to map out a schedule to begin meeting with teams "hopefully next week," Wolfe said. More >
Dec. 10: Robert drawing significant trade interest
White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who was viewed as a top candidate to be dealt at the 2024 Trade Deadline, has received considerable trade interest this offseason, general manager Chris Getz said Monday.
While Getz said the team isn't necessarily "heavily motivated" to trade Robert, according to Chuck Garfien of the Chicago Sports Network, the native of Cuba is apparently being coveted by multiple clubs.
After finishing second in American League Rookie of the Year Award voting in 2020 and winning a Gold Glove Award that year, Robert earned AL All-Star honors and won a Silver Slugger Award in 2023. But he was limited to 100 games in 2024 by a right hip flexor strain suffered early in the season, hitting .224 with 14 home runs, a .657 OPS and a high 33.2% strikeout rate.
Dec. 10: Blue Jays make big splash with trade for Guardians' Giménez
The Blue Jays acquired second baseman Andrés Giménez, one of the best defensive infielders in baseball, from the Guardians on Tuesday.
Still just 26 years old, Giménez is only two seasons into a seven-year, $106.5 million extension, meaning he has five years of club control remaining along with a team option for 2030.
Toronto, which also acquired right-handed reliever Nick Sandlin in the deal, sent first baseman Spencer Horwitz and Minor League outfielder Nick Mitchell to Cleveland. More >
Dec. 10: Astros have met with INF Polanco (report)
Jorge Polanco is a free agent after the Mariners declined his option last month, and the 31-year-old infielder is at the Winter Meetings in Dallas looking for work.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, Polanco has met with at least two teams during the Meetings, one of which is the Astros. Polanco's 2024 season was marred by a left knee injury that contributed to an underwhelming .213/.296/.355 slash line over 469 plate appearances with Seattle. However, per Heyman, Polanco is “completely healthy for the first time in a few years.” From 2019-23, Polanco slashed .267/.337/.458 with 89 home runs for the Twins.
The switch-hitter has spent most of the previous four seasons at second base, but he does have plenty of prior experience at shortstop and a little at third base. Heyman also said the Blue Jays met with Polanco, but their need for a second baseman was filled Tuesday when they acquired three-time Gold Glover Andrés Giménez from the Guardians.