The 2024-25 Major League Baseball offseason is underway, and that means there are almost daily rumors about free agency, trades, and the like. This week is no exception, even though we've just plunged into hot oven season. Speaking of which, Saturday’s supply of Scuttlebutt – Scuttlebutt! — can be found directly below.
The judge has no problem with Soto receiving a larger contract
New York Yankees bat Aaron Richter, During his speech at the American League MVP Award ceremony, he addressed the ongoing free agency of Juan Soto. Soto teamed with Judge last season to give the Yankees one of the strongest pairings anywhere Story. Suffice to say, Judge has high hopes that the Yankees re-sign Soto and keep the duo together for years to come. Specifically, Judge, the No. 3 hitter, mentioned how he benefits from Soto's top-notch plate discipline at No. 2. Via Bryan Hoch of MLB.comJudge said:
“If I have a chance for Juan to hit in front of me, I can see a lot of pitches. He will be a hard hitter in front of me. He'll wear the pitcher down right in the first inning. “I think having a guy like that in front of me made a big impact in the first 15 pitches. If I had eight Juan Sotos in the lineup, I would be happy.
Judge is two years into his nine-year, $360 million contract he signed two offseasons ago after reaching free agency. A 26-year-old outfielder with a historic combination of power and plate patience, Soto's upcoming contract could top $600 million. However, Judge felt strongly that he would have no problem no longer being the highest-paid Yankee should Soto return. Again from Hoch the judge said:
“Honestly, it’s not my money. I really don't care, as long as we have the best players we get the best we can. I'm happy with everything. I've never thought about that.” Who gets paid the most?
“Giancarlo Stanton was a guy who set this example. He was never really interested, even though he signed a mega-contract in Miami back then. When he came here, he didn't care about being the highest paid man. He only wanted to have good players around him.
The judge added that he had not spoken to Soto since the end of the World Series, preferring instead to give the parties involved room to make the best decision possible.
The Astros and Verlander have had discussions
Veteran right-hander Justin Verlander, coming off a disappointing season, has held talks with the Astros about a possible reunion. Astros general manager Dana Brown revealed this during an appearance on Buster Olney's Baseball Tonight podcast (Hat tip to MLB trade rumors).
“We have had discussions with his agent [ISE’s Mark Pieper] just to try and feel him,” Brown said. “I don’t know if there has been much progress, but we are having discussions.”
Verlander, 41, posted an ERA+ of 72 over 90 innings last season.
Yankees interested in Buehler
Speaking of the Yankees, they may have interest in the pitcher who closed the door on them in the deciding Game 5 of the World Series. that there is “some mutual interest” between the Yankees and the free-agent right-hander Walker BuhlerA Dodgers life so far. Buehler, now 30, struggled during the regular season as he returned from his second Tommy John surgery. However, he has had quality results in the past and made an impact with the Yankees in the World Series, pitching a total of six scoreless innings. In addition to the goal of bringing Soto back, the Yankees are also looking for rotation depth.