Is Burnes a backup plan for these Soto suitors?
LATEST FREE AGENT & TRADE RUMORS
We're keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.
Dec. 5: Burnes meets with Yankees, Blue Jays (reports)
As they await Juan Soto’s decision, both the Yankees and Blue Jays are staying engaged with the starting pitching market. According to reports, New York and Toronto recently met with Corbin Burnes, the No. 1 starter available in free agency. More >
Dec. 4: Mariners had trade talks involving Bohm, Hoerner (report); Walker could be on their radar
The Mariners ranked 21st or worse in OPS at second base, third base and shortstop this season. Their first basemen recorded good numbers overall, but of their two top producers at the position, one is a free agent (Justin Turner) and the other is an outfielder by trade (Luke Raley).
It's clear that Seattle needs to upgrade its infield this offseason, and they have been linked to a few big names in the trade market and free agency.
Adam Jude of the Seattle Times reports that Seattle "has been active in exploratory talks with other clubs" for a new third baseman. He adds that the Mariners talked to the Phillies about third baseman Alec Bohm and that Philly asked for either Logan Gilbert or George Kirby in return. Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has indicated the Mariners won't be open to trading one of their young starting pitchers this winter.
Jude writes that the Mariners also had preliminary talks with the Cubs regarding Gold Glove infielder Nico Hoerner and that Chicago is seeking "proven Major League talent" as part of a deal.
Christian Walker is another name to watch for the Mariners, according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi. Walker's free-agent contract probably won't be as long or as rich as one that gets signed by Pete Alonso -- the other top first baseman on the market -- simply because the 33-year-old Walker is four years older. But after a season in which Walker slugged 26 homers in 130 games, recorded an .800-plus OPS for the third consecutive season and won his third consecutive Gold Glove, he is a player coveted by many teams looking for help at first base.
"I think for [Walker] on a three- or maybe even a four-year deal, with the defensive value that he brings and the power, I think Walker and the Mariners, that is one of the pairings that I'm watching very carefully potentially in the days ahead," Morosi said during Wednesday's edition of Hot Stove.
Alonso has more home runs than Walker over the past three seasons (120 to 95), but Walker has been vastly superior on defense over that same span, according to outs above average (36 to minus-16).
Dec. 4: Soto decision expected by Monday?
While there has been speculation that Juan Soto would make his highly anticipated decision on where to sign before the Winter Meetings are over, ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that we should know where the coveted superstar will be playing next season "at latest" by Monday, when the Winter Meetings get underway in Dallas. More >
Dec. 4: Yanks interested in Adames (sources), reportedly meet with top starters
The Yankees remain hopeful about bringing Juan Soto back to the Bronx. But if that doesn't happen, the reigning American League champions have to be ready to pivot to some of the other top players in the free-agent market. And it seems like they are developing such a plan.
Sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand that one of the backup options being considered by the Yankees is top free-agent shortstop Willy Adames. New York also met with the top two starting pitchers on the market, Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, according to reports. More >
Dec. 4: Cubs, Reds join Crochet sweepstakes
The Cubs and Reds are both among the candidates to trade for left-handed starter Garrett Crochet this winter, according to a report Wednesday from MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi.
Previously, teams such as the Orioles, Red Sox, Dodgers and Phillies had been mentioned as the top contenders to land the White Sox ace, but Chicago and Cincinnati are new additions to the list. More >
Dec. 4: Are Padres leading the Sasaki sweepstakes?
Padres or Dodgers? Dodgers or Padres? Those are reportedly the top suitors for Japanese right-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki. However, it seems like there is buzz building toward San Diego ending up with hard-throwing ace.
During his Wednesday chat on Bleacher Report, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reiterated what he has reported in recent days: The Padres "have a real shot" at signing Sasaki. Furthermore, baseball reporter Francys Romero wrote on social media that several industry sources believe the Padres "are in a strong position" to land the 23-year-old. More >
Dec. 4: KBO star Kim posted for MLB teams
Hyeseong Kim, one of the top hitters in the KBO, was officially posted by his team, the Kiwoom Heroes on Wednesday, making him a free agent. Beginning Thursday, Kim can start negotiating with MLB teams. He has until 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 3, 2025, to sign with a club.
A 25-year-old second baseman, Kim slashed .326/.383/.458 with 11 home runs and 30 steals for Kiwoom this year. He has batted .326 over the past three seasons and has a career .304 average over eight seasons in Korea.
The Mariners are reportedly among the teams interested in the left-handed hitter. More >
Dec. 3: Latest on Arenado trade rumors
Nolan Arenado sent baseball fans on social media into a bit of a frenzy on Sunday when he made an Instagram post that featured the Kendrick Lamar song "Dodger Blue." The eight-time All-Star and Southern California native is reportedly on the trade block, so does this mean that Arenado will indeed be wearing Dodger Blue next season?
MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said Tuesday that the post was "interesting," but he considers the Dodgers to be "somewhere on the periphery" of potential landing spots for Arenado. Morosi mentioned three teams that seem to be more likely suitors: the Red Sox, Padres and Tigers.
The Red Sox can open up a spot for Arenado if they shift Rafael Devers across the diamond to first base. Morosi said the Padres could be involved for the 10-time Gold Glover if they trade infielder Luis Arraez. The Tigers are looking for right-handed bats and have been linked to free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman.
Dec. 3: Juan Soto in process of eliminating potential suitors
It's no surprise that Juan Soto has been widely expected to sign a record-breaking contract in free agency.
A report from The Athletic (subscription required) only furthered that notion, claiming that the floor for signing Soto is $600 million, according to their sources. Soto's agent, Scott Boras, also told reporters at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday that their camp is in the process of eliminating potential landing spots but did not elaborate on which teams those could be. More >
Dec. 3: Will Red Sox's agreement with Chapman heat up RP market?
There are a bunch of high-quality relievers available in free agency, but the first one off the board is veteran left-hander Aroldis Chapman. The 36-year-old has agreed to a one-year deal with the Red Sox, a source tells MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Chapman joins Boston -- his seventh MLB team -- after the Red Sox ranked 24th in bullpen ERA (4.39) and 22nd in relief K/9 rate (8.54) this past season. Entering his 16th Major League season, Chapman is coming off a pretty solid year with the Pirates, highlighted by 98 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings.
So which marquee bullpen arm will be the next to sign? Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, Kenley Jansen, Jeff Hoffman and Clay Holmes are among the top options on the market. Eight teams are interested in right-hander Tommy Kahnle, per MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. Just about every contender would like to upgrade its bullpen, but an interesting wrinkle is that Hoffman and Holmes have garnered interest as starting pitchers, per MLB Network insider Joel Sherman.
Dec. 2: Teams interested in converting Clay Holmes to a starter (report)
According to a report in The New York Post from MLB Network insider Joel Sherman, there could be a surprise starter on the free-agent market. Multiple teams -- including the Mets, per Sherman's reporting -- have been asking about Holmes making the leap from the bullpen to the starting rotation in the same vein as Jordan Hicks, who was signed by the Giants to a four-year deal last offseason and started 20 games for them after spending the previous three seasons exclusively as a reliever.
Holmes made 114 starts in the Minors -- 40 of them in Triple-A -- after being drafted in the 9th round of the 2011 Draft by the Pirates, but he has not started a Major League game since his first season in 2018, when he made four starts for Pittsburgh. Since then he has been used in a variety of roles out of the bullpen, including as the closer for the Yankees for much of the past three seasons.
Teams looking at Holmes in this role would be seeking to replicate the recent success of bullpen converts like Hicks, AL Cy Young Award finalist Seth Lugo and Reynaldo López. Sherman writes that Jeff Hoffman is another free-agent reliever who is drawing interest as a potential starter.
Dec. 2: Adames among Astros’ backup plans if Bregman departs (report)
The Astros are “staying in contact” with free agent Willy Adames as a contingency plan in case they are unable to come to terms with Alex Bregman, according to a report from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal (subscription required).
Adames is a natural shortstop, but he is reportedly open to moving to third base for the right team and contract, potentially making him a fit for Houston. MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi has also linked Adames to the Astros.
Per Rosenthal, Jorge Polanco is another fallback option for Houston in free agency, though the team is continuing its efforts to re-sign Bregman, who has spent his entire nine-year career with the Astros.
Dec. 2: Springs, Fairbanks generating trade interest (report)
The Rays were one of the most active Trade Deadline sellers this past summer, dealing away Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, Isaac Paredes, Aaron Civale, Phil Maton, Jason Adam, Amed Rosario and Shawn Armstrong.
Tampa Bay made another trade in November, sending center fielder Jose Siri to the Mets, and there might be more deals to follow. According to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs and reliever Pete Fairbanks have been generating trade interest in the past several days.
Given their contracts, Springs and Fairbanks could both be attractive trade options for clubs that don’t want to pay the requisite price for free-agent pitching.
Springs has two years left on a four-year, $31 million deal, with a $15 million club option for 2027. The lefty is owed $10.5 million in each of the next two years, which is a good deal less than the average annual values of the deals struck by mid-tier starters Yusei Kikuchi ($21 million AAV), Frankie Montas ($16 million AAV) and Matthew Boyd ($14.5 million AAV) in free agency this offseason.
Springs, 32, looked like a potentially elite starter before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023, recording a 2.26 ERA with a 4.8 K/BB ratio in 151 1/3 innings across 2022-23. He returned to post a 3.27 ERA over seven starts in 2024 before being shut down in September with arm fatigue.
Fairbanks has also dealt with his share of injuries and saw his strikeout rate plummet in 2024 (23.8%), but he is under contract for a reasonable $3.667 million salary next year and has a $7 million club option for 2026. The hard-throwing righty pitched to a 2.66 ERA with 38 saves and a 34.8% K-rate across 2020-23.
Dec. 2: How might Mets fill out rotation after Montas deal?
According to a source, the Mets agreed to terms late Sunday with right-hander Frankie Montas on a two-year, $34 million contract. The deal, which the Mets have not confirmed because it’s pending a physical, includes an opt-out after 2025.
President of baseball operations David Stearns has said he expects to add multiple starters on big league deals this winter, meaning the Mets won’t be done after signing Montas. But based on how Stearns has operated since he was hired, a move for an elite free-agent starter such as Corbin Burnes might be unlikely.
In the wake of the Montas deal, MLB Network insider Joel Sherman reported Monday in an article for Post Sports+ (subscription required) that he heard from a "plugged-in agent" over the past few weeks who said his sense was that the Mets were not playing at the top of the free-agent pitching market.
As Sherman notes, the Stearns-led Mets front office is developing a pattern for how it views free-agent starters, preferring to focus on short-term deals with upside. Montas' deal fits that mold.
Per Sherman, the Mets have also inquired on former Dodgers starter Walker Buehler, who would fit that pattern as well. More >
Dec. 2: Cubs reportedly active in bullpen market after landing Boyd
The Cubs and free-agent left hander Matthew Boyd reached an agreement on a two-year deal on Monday, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
More pitching moves could be coming for the Cubs, who are "one of the most active teams in the industry on bullpen arms," according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi. More >
Nov. 30: Might Dodgers, Yanks pursue Arenado trade?
The Cardinals have reportedly put star third baseman Nolan Arenado on the trade market, and according to NJ.com's Randy Miller, both of this year's World Series participants might look to swing a deal for the eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove Award winner.
"One guy that could be a possibility [for the Yankees] is Arenado from St. Louis," Miller said on WFAN Radio on Saturday. "I think the Cardinals are trying to trade him, St. Louis would have to pick up some of the money and maybe the Yankees could have a deal where they trade some prospects. ... I keep hearing it's going to be either the Yankees or the Dodgers -- I think he's a West Coast guy that would prefer to go to the Dodgers and I think the Dodgers want him."
Nov. 30: Mets and Red Sox appear to be most likely landing spots for Soto (report)
According to NJ.com Yankees reporter Randy Miller in an appearance on New York's WFAN Radio on Saturday, the Red Sox and Mets are the most likely landing spots for Soto, with the Blue Jays "all in" on the superstar slugger and the Yankees likely to "finish fourth" in the Soto sweepstakes. More >
Nov. 28: Blue Jays casting wide net in free agency
The Blue Jays are reportedly one of five teams that have made an offer to superstar free agent Juan Soto, but they clearly aren’t putting all of their eggs in the Soto basket this offseason.
With Toronto seen as a “dark horse, at best,” in the Soto sweepstakes, SportsNet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith reports that the club is showing interest in third baseman Alex Bregman, outfielder Anthony Santander, left-hander Max Fried and right-hander Luis Severino.
This is a pivotal offseason for the Blue Jays, who are coming off a disappointing 2024 campaign. While Toronto moved a number of players at the Trade Deadline, the club opted to hold onto most of its top trade candidates with an eye on contending in 2025 -- the final year Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are under club control.
However, the team is likely going to need an influx of talent to do so after posting the fourth-worst record (74-88) in the American League last season.
Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro said in early October that he was expecting the team’s 2025 payroll to be similar to what it was in 2024, when Toronto had an estimated Opening Day payroll of $225 million (per Cot’s Baseball Contracts).
Including projected salaries for arbitration-eligible players, Cot’s puts Toronto’s current payroll at roughly $184 million, which could leave the team with around $41 million to spend. According to Nicholson-Smith, the Blue Jays could stretch beyond their budget “for a special or unique opportunity” such as Soto.
Nov. 27: Giants 'believed to have significant interest' in Burnes (source)
Losing Blake Snell is tough for the Giants, but losing him to the Dodgers? That has to sting L.A.'s longtime rival. San Francisco now has a massive void to fill in its rotation. There are a handful of high-quality starting pitchers left on the free-agent market, and the Giants might look toward the very top of it to find their Snell replacement.
According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Giants "are believed to have significant interest" in Corbin Burnes. More >