Major League Baseball's offseason is inching closer to the annual Winter Meetings, scheduled to begin Dec. 9 in Dallas, Texas. While the winter meetings typically bring a lot of activity, teams seem to be awakening from their offseason slumber. Namely, .
Who will sign next? See all of Monday's moves, news and notes below.
ranger agree to negotiate with Higashioka
The Rangers and free agent catcher Kyle Higashioka have agreed to a two-year contract, the team announced. There is a mutual option for a third year. Financial details were not disclosed. Higashioka, 34, had a career year with the Padres in 2024 after coming to the United States from the Yankees Juan Soto Trade. He hit 17 home runs and has an above-average pitch-framing track record (though not in 2024), and he took over as San Diego's starter midseason. Higashioka will mate with Jonah Heim behind the plate for Texas. He wasn't one of our top 50 free agents.
Holmes is drawing interest as a starter
Former Yankees closer Clay Holmes attracts the interest of free agents as a starting pitcher, reports the New York Post. Holmes, a free agent, came through the minors as a starter, although he has functioned exclusively as a reliever since 2019. In 2024 as a long-time reliever Jordan Hicks And Reynaldo Lopez initially signed free agent contracts. Former helper Seth Lugo finished second in Cy Young voting in his second year as a starter.
Holmes, March 32, led with 13 blown saves in 2024, but also had a 3.14 ERA with more strikeouts than innings pitched and the second-highest groundball rate in baseball. He struggles with control at times, which wouldn't work well as a starter, but Holmes throws two fastballs (sinker and four-seamer) and two different sliders (traditional slider and sweeper) and has shown he has the ability to move the ball Create new pitches, optimize existing pitches, and self-correct when things go wrong.
Mets interested in Buehler
Even with Montas in tow, the Mets still have interest in a free-agent right-hander Walker Buhler, according to the New York Post.
This shouldn't be a surprise as Buehler is considered an intriguing prospect given his track record and Arsenal quality. In fact, the Post characterizes the market for Bühler as “deep.”
The Mets, meanwhile, could lose their top three innings pitchers Sean Manaea, Luis SeverinoAnd Jose Quintana.
Boy Ink Boyd
The Cubs signed Lefty to a two-year contract worth $29 million Matthew Boyd, according to the New York Post.
Boyd, 33, spent last season with the Guardian. In eight starts, he posted a 2.72 ERA (151 ERA+) and a 3.54 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He also performed well in the postseason, holding his opponents to one run over 11 ⅔ frames.
Boyd has not exceeded the 100-inning threshold in a season since 2019. Obviously, the Cubs believe in his ability to either stay healthy or remain productive when he's available. Assuming he's strong and healthy, he should crack the opening day rotation.
Astros Monitoring the infield market
The Astros continue to try to re-sign the third baseman and franchise mainstay Alex Bregmanbut that doesn't mean general manager Dana Brown is ignoring contingency plans. the Astros have made contact with the free agent shortstop Willy Adames and have expressed interest Jorge Polanco.
Bregman and Adames are considered the two best infielders on the market. Polanco, meanwhile, is considered a buy-low candidate after a poor season in which he posted his worst OPS+ in four years.
