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

Dec. 20: Blue Jays open to trading Bichette; eyeing Bregman (report)

At the beginning of the offseason, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins told MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi that his answer was “an easy no” to any trade inquiries about shortstop Bo Bichette. Less than two months later, the club’s stance on trading the upcoming free agent appears to have softened a bit.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal (subscription required), a Bichette trade is one of three major moves that are “in play” for the Blue Jays as they look to remove some of the uncertainty surrounding their starting lineup. Toronto is also eyeing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman and talking to first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. about a long-term contract extension. Guerrero, like Bichette, can become a free agent after the 2025 season.

After falling short in their pursuits of Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto in back-to-back offseasons, “[t]he perception within the industry remains that the Jays are desperate to do something big,” Rosenthal writes.

A Bichette trade would clear the way for Andrés Giménez -- acquired from the Guardians during the Winter Meetings -- to take over as the Blue Jays' new starting shortstop and add some more financial flexibility for the team to make another big addition, such as Bregman or ace pitcher Corbin Burnes. Bichette is owed $16.5 million in the final year of the three-year, $33.6 million contract he signed before the 2023 season, covering his final three arbitration years.

That said, a Bichette trade remains unlikely. Rosenthal reports that Toronto is open to moving Bichette, but only for a high price. It’s going to be tough to find a team willing to meet the team’s demands when Bichette has only one year of control remaining and is coming off his worst season, one in which he missed almost three months with a right calf strain and posted a 71 OPS+ with four homers over 81 games.

Dec. 20: Walker's deal with Astros likely closes the door on Bregman reunion

The Astros and free-agent first baseman Christian Walker are in agreement on a contract, a source tells MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the deal is for three years at $60 million.

Walker was one of the most coveted first basemen on the open market as the 33-year-old hit 95 home runs over the past three seasons with the D-backs and won a Gold Glove in each of those years. The Astros had a clear need at first, where their top in-house option was Jon Singleton. But his inability to hit left-handed pitching (.457 OPS in 82 PA this past season) leaves him best suited as more of a platoon bat.

Houston pivoted to Walker after third baseman Nolan Arenado used his no-trade clause to block a deal that would have sent him from the Cardinals to the Astros (per sources).

As Feinsand noted Friday on MLB Network, the move to add Walker likely closes the door on the possibility of a reunion with free agent Alex Bregman. Isaac Paredes -- acquired from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade -- is now locked in as the team's new starting third baseman.

"Paredes would have moved over to first if they had gotten Arenado or re-signed Bregman," Feinsand said. "Now Christian Walker takes that first-base spot and you have to assume that means the end of any talks for Arenado or Bregman to come to Houston."

Dec. 20: Five teams in talks with Goldschmidt (report)

Christian Walker's deal with the Astros could rev up the market for free-agent first basemen. Pete Alonso, Carlso Santana and Paul Goldschmidt are among the best available players at the position, and one player in particular is receiving a lot of attention from teams.

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, there are five teams "engaged in talks" with the 37-year-old Goldschmidt: the Yankees, Mets, Mariners, Giants and Nationals. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand indicated that a reunion with the D-backs is possible for Goldschmidt. Feinsand adds that Goldschmidt is "probably" looking for a two-year contract.

The 2022 National League MVP, Goldschmidt has had a 14-year career that's worthy of Hall of Fame consideration up to this point, and he's not done yet. But entering last season, he had a career .293 average and a .907 OPS. In 2024, he batted just .245 with a .716 OPS. He set full-season career-lows in many categories, including a .302 on-base percentage. He still made a good amount of solid contact as evidenced by his 10.7% barrel rate and his 49.6% hard-hit rate, which ranked in the 92nd percentile. However, Goldschmidt's strikeout rate (26.5%) was a career-worst and increased five percentage points from two years ago. Similarly, his 29.5% chase rate was a career-high.

Still, the seven-time All-Star appears to have a robust market, and things should only heat up as the field of free-agent first basemen begins to slim.

Dec. 20: Yanks focused on Goldy, Santana in 1B search (report)

Although the Yankees have responded well to losing Juan Soto to the Mets -- signing starter Max Fried in free agency and trading for closer Devin Williams and outfielder Cody Bellinger -- the Bronx Bombers still have some glaring holes to address, with first base chief among them.

One potential option came off the board Friday, with Christian Walker agreeing to terms on a deal with the Astros (per a source). According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Yankees were interested in Walker, too, but they didn’t want to forfeit Draft picks to sign him -- a requirement after Walker rejected a qualifying offer. For that same reason, the Yanks might steer clear of Pete Alonso, who now stands alone in the elite tier of free-agent first basemen.

Per Nightengale, the Yankees are currently focused on Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana. More >

Dec. 20: Sasaki has started meeting with teams

The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes are progressing, as the Japanese phenom has started to meet in person with MLB teams in Los Angeles. Thus far, the following clubs have reportedly met with Sasaki or have a meeting scheduled:

• Yankees More >
• Mets More >
• Cubs More >

Dec. 20: Which first basemen are Mets interested in beyond Alonso?

As MLB.com Mets beat writer Anthony DiComo said Friday, there are many teams that could work as a landing spot for free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso. But no team fits him quite as well as the Mets.

"I think it makes too much sense to not happen," DiComo said about Alonso re-signing with the Mets.

But Alonso's market has been pretty quiet thus far, with clubs apparently uninterested in giving him the lucrative deal he wants. According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, industry sources have speculated that Alonso could sign a five-year deal worth between $125-140 million to return to the Mets, with an opt-out clause after the first and/or second year of the deal, giving him an opportunity to test free agency again if he believes there is a better market after 2025 or '26.

But what if a deal with Alonso doesn't come to fruition? Where will the Mets address their Polar Bear-sized hole at first? They are reportedly in talks with another All-Star at the position. More >

Dec. 20: Naylor, Goldy among 1B options Mariners are reportedly considering

First base is a position of priority for the Mariners this offseason. General manager Justin Hollander said Sunday on MLB Network Radio that the club would "love to add some type of first base impact" to go along with Luke Raley, who can handle first and a corner-outfield spot.

On Thursday, MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reported that the Mariners have inquired about first baseman Josh Naylor in trade discussions with the Guardians. Naylor is entering his final season before free agency and is coming off of a 31-homer campaign with Cleveland.

Free agent Paul Goldschmidt is another option Seattle is considering, according to a report from USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

The Mariners were also tied to Christian Walker before he reached an agreement on a three-year, $60 million deal with the rival Astros (per a source) on Friday. According to Ryan Divish and Adam Jude of The Seattle Times (subscription required), the Mariners had Walker "atop their wish list since the start of the offseason." However, Seattle only has about $15 million available in its 2025 budget, which put Walker outside the team's preferred price range.

The Mariners could free up some money if they find a trade partner for right-hander Luis Castillo, who is owed $68.25 million over the next three seasons and has a $25 million vesting option for 2028. The Red Sox and Cubs have been linked to Castillo in recent reports, although Seattle might prefer to deal with Chicago since it possesses another of the Mariners' "most coveted hitters," according to The Times: second baseman Nico Hoerner.

Dec. 19: Twins have listened to offers for RHP López (report)

Luis Castillo, Dylan Cease and Jesús Luzardo are among the top names that have been mentioned in recent starting pitcher trade rumors. There might soon be another standout starter who becomes a popular target: Twins right-hander Pablo López.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan (subscription required), Minnesota has listened to offers for the 2023 All-Star, "and if free-agent pitching prices remain stratospheric, perhaps [the Twins] will go beyond the listening stage."

López, 28, is entering the second year of a four-year contract extension that he signed in '23. He is owed about $65 million through 2027, but his contract's annual average value ($21.75 million) is much lower than Max Fried's new eight-year deal with the Yankees ($27.25 million) and will also likely be far less than the AAV of Corbin Burnes' free-agent deal.

Since being acquired from the Marlins prior to the 2023 season, López has produced a 3.87 ERA (110 ERA+) with 432 strikeouts and 89 walks over 379 1/3 innings. His 21.8% K-BB over the past two years is second-best among qualified starters, trailing only the Phillies' Zack Wheeler (21.9%).

Dec. 17: What's next for O's after signing Sugano?

Facing the prospect of losing ace right-hander Corbin Burnes in free agency, the Orioles have been exploring the market for starting pitching. They made a move to bolster their rotation by signing Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano to a one-year deal for a reported $13 million on Monday.

Sugano, 35, is one of Japan's most accomplished pitchers. In 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball, he posted a 2.45 ERA. Though his velocity and strikeout rate have declined as he's aged, he's coming off a season in which he had a 1.67 ERA over 156 2/3 innings.

As The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal noted on the Foul Territory podcast on Tuesday, Baltimore likely isn't done adding to its rotation.

"They entered the offseason looking for two starters. They wanted two," Rosenthal said. "The first one would be, ideally, a top-of-the-rotation guy, a front-of-the-rotation guy, a [No.] 1, 2 or 3 [starter]. The second one, the way it was explained to me, was more of an upside play, someone maybe off the radar a little bit. Well, that's Sugano. It seems to me that this can only be a prelude to a bigger move."

The remaining options, outside of Burnes, for the Orioles to further fortify the rotation include right-handers Jack Flaherty -- who pitched for Baltimore after he was acquired in a 2023 trade with the Cardinals -- and Dylan Cease.

Flaherty is a free agent, and a reunion with the O's is certainly possible after he posted a 3.17 ERA over 28 starts between the Tigers and Dodgers last season. Cease, meanwhile, is also coming off a strong season for San Diego -- he finished with a 3.47 ERA over 33 starts, including the second no-hitter in Padres history.

Both pitchers will be entering their age-29 seasons in 2025. Another possibility is a trade for Luis Castillo of the Mariners, though according to Rosenthal in an article for The Athletic (subscription required), that may be less likely. Rosenthal reported that the Orioles have "at least inquired" about Castillo.

Dec. 16: Giants viewed as possible favorite to sign Burnes

In the wake of 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. There are multiple clubs trying to woo the frontline starter, but MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said during Monday's edition of Hot Stove that the Giants are viewed as "perhaps the frontrunner" to sign Burnes. More >

Dec. 16: Cubs would reportedly "really like" to complete Luzardo trade soon

Bruce Levine of 670 AM The Score in Chicago reported on Saturday that the Cubs are in talks with the Marlins about a possible trade involving left-handed starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo. On Monday, Levine added that a deal for Luzardo is "something [the Cubs] would really like to get done here in the next few days. They've been working on it."

USA Today's Bob Nightengale has also reported on the Cubs' interest in the 27-year-old lefty. More >

Dec. 16: Multiple AL clubs reportedly considering Flaherty

The Orioles view right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty as a “fallback option” if they are unable to bring back Corbin Burnes, sources told The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required). Rosenthal adds that Flaherty could also join the Red Sox, who were interested in him last offseason before he signed on with the Tigers.

Flaherty enjoyed a successful few months with Detroit, logging a 2.95 ERA with 133 strikeouts over 106 2/3 before he was traded to the Dodgers and eventually won a World Series ring.

Unlike Burnes and a couple of other notable names on the free-agent pitching market, Flaherty is not tied to a qualifying offer. That means if a team other than the Dodgers signs him, it won’t have to forfeit a Draft pick as a result. That should make him even more appealing to clubs looking to strengthen their rotation. More >

Dec. 12: Mets remain 'engaged' with Alonso

On the day that the Mets introduced their $765 million man, Juan Soto, after landing the superstar on a record deal, owner Steve Cohen suggested that another slugger -- this one already beloved in Queens -- could return. According to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, Cohen said that the club is "still engaged" with free-agent first baseman Pete Alonso, and that "hopefully, we'll get there." 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.