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

Jan. 8: Will the Cardinals retain Arenado after all?

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak made it perfectly clear during the Winter Meetings that the team intended to trade third baseman Nolan Arenado. One month later, however, Arenado is still with St. Louis, and the chances of the 33-year-old being dealt before Opening Day appear to have diminished considerably.

The Cards thought they had a deal to send Arenado to the Astros in mid-December, but Arenado exercised his full no-trade clause to block the trade. Houston subsequently signed first baseman Christian Walker, locking in Isaac Paredes as its starting third baseman and taking the club out of the mix for a potential Arenado trade.

According to a report from Katie Woo of The Athletic (subscription required), “there has been next to no traction in [Arenado] trade talks” since the Cardinals’ deal with the Astros fell through. The Yankees were also among the small number of teams to inquire about Arenado in early December, but they balked at St. Louis' demands, with the Cardinals unwilling to eat a large portion of his remaining contract -- three years, $74 million ($10 million of which will be paid by the Rockies) -- just to move him.

Per Woo, multiple league sources have indicated that the Red Sox represent Arenado’s last chance of being traded before the start of the 2025 campaign.

A source told MLB.com's John Denton that Arenado has informed the Cardinals that he is willing to approve a trade to Boston. Meanwhile, Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com have reported that the Red Sox are "a preferred destination -- if not the preferred destination" for the third baseman, although Boston's level of interest in acquiring Arenado is unclear, as the club remains in play for free agent Alex Bregman.

Jan. 8: Mystery team involved in Sasaki sweepstakes?

The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes are entering the home stretch, with a week to go before the start of the 2025 international amateur signing period on Jan. 15 and 15 days remaining before the right-hander’s posting window is due to close on Jan. 23.

To this point, Sasaki has met with seven known clubs: the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Giants, Rangers and Padres. However, those might not be the only teams Sasaki is considering. More >

Jan. 8: Boston, Detroit the 'most likely landing spots' for Bregman (report)

While the Blue Jays, Yankees and Mets have also been connected to free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman lately, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman thinks the Red Sox and Tigers are the “most likely landing spots.”

Boston has been busy on the pitching side of the ball this offseason, adding Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, Patrick Sandoval, Aroldis Chapman, Justin Wilson and Jovani Moran, but they have yet to sign a bat in free agency.

FanGraphs puts Boston’s current payroll at an estimated $172 million, presumably leaving plenty of room in its budget to fit Bregman.

If the Red Sox do end up adding Bregman, it’s possible they’ll use him to address their hole at second base. Signing Bregman to play third base and moving Rafael Devers to first is another possibility, potentially freeing up the club to trade first baseman Triston Casas for more pitching.

The Red Sox also have been mentioned as a potential suitor for Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. A source told MLB.com's John Denton that Arenado has informed the Cardinals that he is willing to approve a trade to Boston. Meanwhile, Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com have reported that the Red Sox are "a preferred destination -- if not the preferred destination" for the third baseman, although Boston's level of interest in acquiring Arenado is unclear.

The Tigers, meanwhile, already bolstered their infield with the addition of second baseman Gleyber Torres on a one-year, $15 million deal, but third base remains unsettled. Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press recently reported that Detroit is "all in" on Bregman to fill the void. Even after signing Torres, the Tigers' payroll sits at just $109 million.

Heyman doesn’t view the Yankees or Mets as likely fits for Bregman at this juncture, but the Blue Jays can’t be ruled out. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Tuesday that the Jays have been showing “the strongest interest” of any team in the mix for Bregman.

Jan. 8: Latest on Mets’ negotiations with Alonso

A reunion between Pete Alonso and the Mets is still a possibility, but there’s been “no recent progress” in contract negotiations between the two sides, reports SNY’s Andy Martino. In Martino’s view, it is “truly a coin flip” whether Alonso will re-sign with the Mets.

Outside of Queens, the market for Alonso appears to be narrow. The Angels and Giants were linked to the first baseman in recent reports. Meanwhile, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Tuesday that the Blue Jays and Red Sox are also showing interest in Alonso. More >

Jan. 7: Blue Jays continuing pursuit of big-name free agents

The Blue Jays have had trouble sealing the deal with star free agents over the past two offseasons, falling short in their pursuits of Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes and Max Fried. Toronto, though, cannot afford to stand pat as it enters a critical 2025 season -- the final year before both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette can test free agency.

With this in mind, the Blue Jays are continuing to pursue some of the biggest names left on the free-agent market, including a trio of high-profile bats.

Toronto has made an offer to outfielder Anthony Santander, according to multiple reports. Meanwhile, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that the Jays “have shown the strongest interest” of any team in the mix for third baseman Alex Bregman.

And though they have Guerrero stationed at first base, they’re also showing “strong interest” in Pete Alonso, perhaps with a plan to play him at their unsettled DH spot this season while giving them an insurance policy at first in case Guerrero departs as a free agent. Toronto has been trying to sign Guerrero to an extension, but Nightengale reports that the two sides are at least $100 million apart in their negotiations.

The Blue Jays have been recently linked to some of the best available pitchers on the market as well, including starter Jack Flaherty (per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand) and closer Carlos Estévez (per MLB Network insider Jon Heyman).

Jan. 7: Verlander agrees to 1-year deal with Giants (source)

The Giants are adding a likely future Hall of Famer to their starting rotation.

Justin Verlander and the Giants are in agreement on a one-year deal, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The club has not confirmed the deal.

The 41-year-old Verlander is coming off a rough season with the Astros, highlighted by a 5.48 ERA in just 90 1/3 innings. But he is only two years removed from winning his third Cy Young Award. More >

Jan. 7: Mets have met with All-Star closer Scott (report)

According to a report from The Athletic's Will Sammon (subscription required), the Mets are shopping for bullpen help and have met (likely via phone or video) with Tanner Scott, widely considered to be the best reliever available in free agency. More >

Jan. 7: Yankees have talked to Padres about Arraez trade (report)

As the Yankees continue to explore ways to upgrade their infield, the club has been discussing a trade with the Padres for three-time batting champion Luis Arraez, reports Jeff Passan in an article for ESPN+ (subscription required). More >

Jan. 7: Yankees ‘actively’ shopping Stroman (report)

Marcus Stroman appears to be the odd man out in the Yankees’ rotation after the team signed Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract in December, adding the left-hander to a stable of starters that already included Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt and reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, as well as Stroman.

As a result, the Bronx Bombers are “actively trying to deal” the 33-year-old Stroman, according to a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. More >

Jan. 7: Pirates eyeing Grichuk, Verdugo (sources)

Sources tell MLB.com's Mark Feinsand that the Pirates are showing interest in corner outfielders Randal Grichuk and Alex Verdugo.

Grichuk's 11th season in the Majors was one of his best even though the 33-year-old was a part-time player with the D-backs. He produced an .875 OPS and hit 12 homers in 254 at-bats last year. Most of his plate appearances came against left-handed pitching, and he recorded a .319/.386/.528 slash line against them.

Verdugo, 28, got off to a good start last season with the Yankees but really struggled over the final few months and ended with a .647 OPS and an 83 wRC+, which tied for 121st out of 129 qualified hitters. However, the lefty-hitting Verdugo does provide better defense (2 outs above average in 2024) and contact skills (93rd percentile whiff rate) than Grichuk.

Some of the other available mid-tier bats in the corner-outfield market include Mark Canha, Austin Hays and Jesse Winker. That group is a clear step down from Anthony Santander -- the top slugger left on the outfield market -- and a fellow 2024 All-Star, Jurickson Profar.

Jan. 6: A's, Rooker in agreement on five-year extension (source)

The Athletics have reached an agreement with Brent Rooker on a five-year contract extension, a source told MLB.com on Monday night. The deal, which was first reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, is worth $60 million and includes a sixth-year vesting option for 2030. More >

Jan. 6: Reds acquire Lux from Dodgers

The Dodgers' signing of KBO star Hyeseong Kim on Friday made for a crowded infield in L.A. But they alleviated that infield logjam on Monday by dealing Gavin Lux to the Reds. Lux was also reportedly generating interest from the Mariners and Yankees before being traded to the Reds. More >

Jan. 6: Lorenzen agrees to one-year deal with Royals (source)

The Royals reunited with Michael Lorenzen on Monday evening, agreeing with the right-hander on a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $7 million with a mutual contract option for 2026, a source said. More >

Jan. 5: Orioles still shopping for starting pitching (report)

Although they’ve added Tomoyuki Sugano (one year, $13 million) and Charlie Morton (one year, $15 million) to their rotation this offseason, the Orioles are still exploring additional moves to upgrade their starting staff, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal (subscription required).

With Sugano and Morton in the fold, Baltimore has plenty of rotation depth. However, the team has not directly addressed the departure of ace Corbin Burnes, who signed a six-year, $210 million deal with the D-backs.

The issue, as Rosenthal notes, is that the O’s options to find a reasonable facsimile for Burnes are limited, and some of the best available pitchers -- trade candidates Dylan Cease and Luis Castillo and free agent Jack Flaherty -- don’t appear to be ideal fits for Baltimore.

Cease can become a free agent next offseason, so acquiring him from the Padres would basically be a repeat of the Burnes situation, requiring the O’s to surrender a significant package of young talent for a one-year rental.

Castillo comes with long-term control, but at a high cost -- he’s owed $68.25 million over the next three years and has a $25 million vesting option for 2028 -- for a pitcher who is now 32 years old and showed signs of decline in 2024. Plus, the Mariners would likely require MLB-ready talent in return for Castillo, and Rosenthal reports that the Orioles are not inclined to move Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, Jordan Westburg, Coby Mayo or Heston Kjerstad.

The Orioles can land Flaherty without having to give up any players in return, though the memory of his struggles after being acquired by Baltimore prior to the 2023 Trade Deadline hasn't entirely faded.

Given those drawbacks, it's entirely possible the Orioles will end up proceeding with their current rotation options and then reassess at the Trade Deadline.

Jan. 3: Which teams are in on Flaherty?

Jack Flaherty enjoyed a stellar World Series-winning season in 2024. One of the top starting pitchers in free agency this winter, the 29-year-old also isn’t tied to the qualifying offer, meaning any team that signs him won’t have to give up a Draft pick as a result.

And yet, Flaherty remains unsigned as we begin 2025. But he is drawing interest from a handful of teams. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Giants, Blue Jays, Tigers and Cubs are among those in the mix for Flaherty. The Orioles are also open to a reunion with the right-hander, according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi. More >

Jan. 2: Angels weighing pursuit of Pete Alonso (report)

While a potential return to the Mets seems plausible for Alonso, there are plenty of other clubs looking to add his elite power bat into the mix. Could the Angels be one of those teams?

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported in a Bleacher Report live stream that the Angels are weighing a pursuit of Alonso. Heyman says that he believes Angels owner Arte Moreno wants to add another big bat, citing Alonso as well as free-agent outfielder Anthony Santander. More >

Jan. 1: Market for Max Scherzer is 'heating up' (report)

Many prominent free agents have signed this offseason, but there are plenty of players with excellent résumés still on the market.

For example, Max Scherzer -- a three-time Cy Young Award winner -- remains unsigned. That could change soon, as MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported in a Bleacher Report live stream that Scherzer's market is "heating up a bit." Heyman suggested that Scherzer is fielding interest from four teams, although it is unclear who those clubs are.

The 40-year-old Scherzer is coming off a season where he dealt with various ailments and threw a career-low 43 1/3 innings. When Scherzer was on the mound, however, he was still quite effective, posting a 3.95 ERA (101 ERA+) with 40 strikeouts and 10 walks.

Scherzer may not be at his lofty heights where he was a consistent 200-inning ace racking up Cy Young Awards, but there's still upside for a quality starter ... if he can stay healthy. Given his injured-plagued 2024 season and that he'll turn 41 in July, there's no guarantee that he'll remain healthy enough to stay on the mound, but plenty of teams might be willing to still take a chance.