We are just over two weeks into the 2024-25 MLB offseason and so far angel they were were the most active team. They have landed Jorge Soler in a salary deficit trade with the Brave and signed Kyle Hendricks, Travis d'ArnaudAnd Kevin Newman as free agents. The rest of baseball has yet to really get going. Now here are the rumors about Sunday's hot oven.
Mets Meet with Soto
A Mets contingent led by owner Steve Cohen, POBO David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza met with Juan Soto and Scott Boras on Saturday in Southern California, reports the New York Post. The Mets made a “very detailed” presentation, although it is unknown if any offers were made or numbers were exchanged. Soto is, of course, our highest-ranked free agent.
The Blue Jays, Red Soxand now it's confirmed that the Mets have met with Soto and Boras, and the Yankees I have a meeting planned for Monday. Soto reportedly asked the Red Sox about their commitment to winning and player evaluation methodsamong other things. It's safe to assume he asked the Mets (and every other team he met with) the same questions.
Severino probably won't accept QO
Right-handed Luis Severino likely will not accept the $21.05 million qualifying offer. according to The Athletic. Instead, he is seeking a multi-year contract as a free agent. Rejection of the QO would not prevent Severino from returning to the Mets. It just means that this would happen under different contract terms. We ranked Severino as the 19th best free agent available this offseason.
The 30-year-old Severino threw 182 innings with a 3.91 ERA in 2024. It was his best and healthiest season in a long time – Severino threw a total of 209 ⅓ innings from 2019 to 2023 – and he made some tweaks to his arsenal to include more ground balls and slightly more efficient pitching. After years of injuries, this offseason appears to be Severino's best chance at a lucrative multi-year contract.
Redness will not reduce the wage bill
Although Major League Baseball will take over the team's broadcasts following the collapse of Bally Sports, the Reds will “maintain their salary levels at or above 2024.” Reds CFO and COO Doug Healy told MLB.com. The Reds entered 2024 with a payroll of $90.4 million, the third-highest in baseball. Estimates from Cot's Baseball Contracts her current salary commitments for 2025 are $71.9 million.
While that $71.9 million estimate seems to give Cincinnati some wiggle room to spend this offseason, true Nick Martínez appears to be a strong candidate to accept the $21.05 million qualifying offer before Tuesday's deadline, which would eat up most of that spending room. Jonathan India Trade rumors have recently surfaced and could be part of a salary deferral deal.