As we work our means towards the MLB Winter Conferences – Main League Baseball’s flagship offseason occasion – rumors of free agent signings and blockbuster trades are in abundance. Wednesday isn’t any exception, so let’s dive in proper now to what’s buzzing across the sport.
Stop commerce talks intensifying
Commerce talks involving White Sox righty Dylan Stop are intensifying, a lot so {that a} commerce earlier than the Winter Conferences is feasible, according to MLB.com. The Braves and Dodgers have been related to Stop this offseason, and plenty of different golf equipment have undoubtedly checked in as nicely. Our R.J. Anderson not too long ago broke down why Stop is so interesting.
Stop, 28 subsequent month, is one 12 months faraway from being the runner-up for the AL Cy Younger. He took a step again this previous season, throwing 177 innings with a 4.58 ERA, although Chicago’s league-worse protection did not assist him, and Stop nonetheless affords premium stuff and two years of crew management. He is one of the crucial coveted starters on the commerce market and for good motive.
Yankees speaking specifics in potential Soto deal
The Yankees look like prioritizing enhancing a lineup that was sorely missing this previous season outdoors of Aaron Choose, and extra particularly GM Brian Cashman has indicated he desires so as to add a number of outfielders to the combination for 2024 and past. All of that’s prelude to the continuing and fairly credible rumors that the Yankees are concentrating on Padres batsman Juan Soto in commerce.
On that entrance, SNY’s Andy Martino has an update on where things stand:
“Talks between the Yankees and the San Diego Padres a few Juan Soto commerce have progressed to the purpose of exchanging names on gamers, league sources say. San Diego’s preliminary ask was very excessive — understandably so — and the groups will not be near an settlement.”
Attending to the kicking-around-specific-names stage actually signifies momentum, however the “not shut” half is essential, too, and duly famous.
As for match, Soto is a perfect one for the flagging Yankees offense. The 25-year-old lefty masher is without doubt one of the greatest pure hitters in baseball because of his elite mixture of energy and endurance/on-base abilities. In a super world, he’d be a DH, however the Yankees after all have Giancarlo Stanton as the first in that function. The Padres are believed to be trying to minimize payroll this offseason, and Soto might be in line for a wage in extra of $30 million in his closing journey by means of the arbitration course of. That wage dedication plus the truth that 2024 will likely be Soto’s stroll 12 months means the associated fee in commerce could be notable however seemingly not fully prohibitive.
In an offseason through which Shohei Ohtani is a free agent, nothing will problem his capability to attract headlines, however a possible Yankees commerce for the likes of Soto would come nearer than every other believable factor.
Jays GM bats down Bichette rumors
We not too long ago explored the hypotheticals of a Bo Bichette commerce whereas noting that such a factor was unlikely to return to cross. The 25-year-old Bichette is a succesful defensive shortstop who persistently places up glorious numbers on the plate, and he is below contract at modest charges by means of 2025. For sure, such a profile would precise an amazing return in commerce. The Blue Jays, nevertheless, are presumably in contending mode, and no contender ought to have any enterprise buying and selling a participant like Bichette. Positive sufficient, Jays GM Ross Atkins is saying there’s nothing to the hypothesis:
Within the offseason, conditions are at all times fluid, which suggests even the firmest of declarations could be undermined, however the Jays actually appear to have no intention of dealing their greatest participant. Given their current aspirations, that is accurately.
Reds ink Pagán
The Reds have agreed to a two-year contract with right-handed reliever Emilio Pagán, Mark Feinsand reports. Feinsand provides that the deal is pending a bodily. According to Ken Rosenthal, the deal will assure Pagán $16 million and embrace a participant possibility after the primary 12 months.
Pagán, 32, is coming off a 2023 season for the Twins through which he pitched to a 2.99 ERA and three.10 Ok/BB ratio in 69 1/3 innings. For his profession, he owns an ERA+ of 112 throughout components of seven MLB seasons. In 2019, he picked up 20 saves as a member of the Rays.
