The 2024-25 Major League Baseball offseason has begun, and that means there are almost daily rumors about free agency, trades, and the like. With General Managers' Meetings still ongoing, this week is no exception, even though we're just entering hot oven season. Speaking of which, Saturday’s supply of Scuttlebutt – Scuttlebutt! – can be found directly below.
Slugger Juan Soto is, of course, the most sought-after free agent there is this winter, and the first favorite to sign him is the incumbent Yankees and the Crosstown Mets. When it comes to Soto, however, you'll hear from other teams, and this list already includes them Red Sox, . Now Jon Heyman reports that the Toronto Blue Jays are too He is believed to have already held a face-to-face meeting with Soto and brought the organization to his attention with a formal presentation. This was not unexpected, as the Jays were widely expected to be among the Soto bidders.
They have resources and significant budget flexibility for next season and beyond Shohei Ohtani Derby showed us last winter that the Jays are ready to swim in such world-class waters. Soto has said that winning will be important to him when choosing his next team, and Toronto, which suffered 88 losses and finished in last place in 2024, may have some convincing in that regard. However, the above clearly suggests that the Jays' interest in Soto is more than just skin deep.
This season for the Yankees, Soto slashed .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs and more walks than strikeouts. For his career, he owns an OPS+ of 160 and a WAR of 36.4. He is also extremely long-lived and is still only 26 years old. All of these considerations and his considerable star power mean Soto could end up getting a deal worth $600 million or more.
Orioles in the market to start pitching
The Baltimore Orioles have been hesitant to invest in payroll appropriate to a team with World Series aspirations in their current window. However, perhaps that will change under the new main owner David Rubenstein. Speaking of O's general manager Mike Elias recently told reporters, including Matt Weyrich, that the club will actively work to expand the rotation this offseason, possibly via free agency and potentially at the high end of the market:
Your ace last season Corbin Burneswho expects a high result in the AL Cy Young election is one of the free agents and a reunion with Baltimore is possible. However, the O's may prefer a different route that would allow them to add a compensatory draft pick if Burnes, who was given a qualifying offer, signs elsewhere. Other notable names on the free agent market include: Blake Snell, Max Fried, Jack FlahertyAnd Sean Manaea. As well as, Garrett Crochet des White Sox is a tempting trade target for the Orioles and other clubs looking for starting pitching.
Redness, Royals Discussion about the India-Singer swap
The Reds and Royals are discussing a trade that would send an infielder Jonathan India to the Royals with starting pitcher Brady Singer back to the Reds, reports The Athletic.
You don't often see a one-to-one exchange Player, so that would be fun. It makes sense for both sides.
India hit .248/.357/.392 (105 OPS+) with 28 doubles, 15 home runs, 58 RBI, 84 runs, 13 steals and 1.7 WAR last season. The Royals currently have lefties Michael Massey at second base while India hits lefties very well. This means that India could at least be a train partner there.
The Reds have depth in the infield but need better starting pitching.
The 28-year-old Singer was 9-13 last season with a 3.71 ERA (114 ERA+), a 1.28 WHIP and 170 strikeouts in 179⅔ innings. Given the presence of Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Kyle Wright And Alec MarshThe Royals could spare Singer in a trade if it helps their offense.