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: These teams reportedly 'main players' for Burnes
The Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Orioles and Giants are “among [the] main players” for free-agent ace Corbin Burnes, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
Burnes’ market appears to be closely linked to that of superstar outfielder Juan Soto, a fellow Scott Boras client. Soto is also being pursued by the Yanks, Blue Jays and Red Sox (as well as the Mets and Dodgers). More >
Dec. 5: Astros have made offer to Bregman (source)
The Astros have offered Alex Bregman a six-year deal worth around $156 million, a source told MLB.com this week. That would be a club-record contract for the team in terms of dollars, but Bregman is believed to be seeking a deal closer to $200 million, which likely would price out the Astros and force them to move on from their cornerstone third baseman. The club is already considering backup options if Bregman signs elsewhere. More >
Dec. 5: Could Brewers pull off another Burnes-style deal this offseason?
Prior to the 2024 season, the Brewers traded ace starting pitcher Corbin Burnes, who was entering his final season of club control, to the Orioles in return for a couple of talented young players -- infielder Joey Ortiz and left-handed pitcher DL Hall -- as well as a 2024 Competitive Balance Draft pick that Milwaukee used on infielder Blake Burke, its No. 16 prospect.
It was a move that changed the immediate fortunes of both clubs as Burnes went on to have a stellar year for the Orioles, who made the playoffs, and the Brewers acquired multiple players who look like they can make an impact for years to come.
Might Milwaukee make a similar trade this offseason with another one of its star pitchers?
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), the Brewers are receiving inquiries on closer Devin Williams, who is entering his final year of arbitration prior to free agency. The Cardinals' Ryan Helsley is another closer who is a year away from free agency, but "teams talking to the Cardinals are under the impression the team will hold Helsley," Rosenthal wrote. "... [W]ith Helsley less available than initially expected, perhaps the Brewers can make the kind of deal for Williams they made for Corbin Burnes last winter."
Rosenthal adds that any deal for Williams would ideally include a young starting pitcher going back to the Brewers. Williams, 30, is a two-time winner of the Trevor Hoffman Award, which goes to the best reliever in the National League. He missed the first four months of this season due to a back injury, but he was phenomenal when on the mound during the regular season, allowing only three earned runs and striking out 38 batters over 21 2/3 innings.
Dec. 5: Dodgers close to bringing back Teoscar (report)
Teoscar Hernández has made his desire to return to the Dodgers clear. He said last month that he is "going to do everything in my power" to come back to the reigning World Series champions. It sounds like such a reunion is close to happening.
Dodgers reporter David Vassegh said Wednesday on AM 570 radio in Los Angeles that the Dodgers and the slugging outfielder "are trying to nail the final details of a contract. So, things are looking good for Teoscar Hernández and the Dodgers to be back together." More >
Dec. 5: Sevy the latest FA starter to come off the board
Right-hander Luis Severino has agreed to a three-year deal with the A's, a source told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi on Thursday afternoon. The deal, which has not been confirmed by the club, is expected to be worth $67 million, and would represent the largest guarantee in the history of the A's franchise.
Severino is the latest free-agent starter to come off the board. Here's a look at the largest deals struck by starting pitchers this offseason:
- Blake Snell: Five years, $182 million with Dodgers
- Luis Severino: Three years, $67 million with A's (source)
- Yusei Kikuchi: Three years, $63 million with Angels
- Michael Wacha: Three years, $51 million with Royals
- Frankie Montas: Two years, $34 million with Mets
- Matthew Boyd: Two years, $29 million with Cubs (source)
- Nick Martinez: One-year, $21.05 million with Reds (accepted qualifying offer)
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 >