This time next week, the Winter Meetings will be in full swing, so the offseason for Major League Baseball should really be picking up steam here after a predictably slow start. We may even get the biggest news of the offseason before meetings begin Juan Soto Is It is rumored that he may sign his contract by the end of this week.
As for everything else, let's get started.
Two more teams at Crochet?
Nearly every competing team or those hoping to get involved have shown some level of interest White Sox All-Star starting pitcher Garrett Crochet. Add those Boy And Redness to the list, reports Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Crochet, a 25-year-old left-hander, is under the team's control through 2026. Last season he went 6-12 (remember, the White Sox were 41-121) with a 3.58 ERA (115 ERA+), a 1.07 WHIP and 209 strikeouts in 146 innings. He took a big step back in the second half and his workload was limited, but this was his first full year in one Rotation. He was 6-6 with a 3.02 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP in the first half.
The Cubs are already heavily left-handed Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga And Matthew Boydbut it wouldn't hurt to grab someone who has the benefits of crochet. Given the roster, the team is much more likely to move than sign a big free agent at this point because the front office is reluctant to risk big dollars.
The Reds appear to have a full rotation Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, Andrew Abbott And Nick Martínezbut there are a lot of questions, and these days having six starters is just good business.
Astros could open up trade in large pieces
Between what is a robust With payroll and a relatively barren farm system, the Astros are at a crossroads. Alex Bregman is a free agent while Kyle Tucker And Framber Valdez Both are still a year away from launch. It has been said that the Astros have already discussed trading back-end relievers Ryan PresslyBut The Athletic swims a far more irritating idea.
Making either Kyle Tucker or Framber Valdez available for trade talks could be the easiest way for Houston to balance the present and future. Both men are estimated to earn more than $15 million on their final journey through the arbitration process. Next winter, both will demand the kind of free-agent deals Crane is reluctant to make. A departure from Valdez or Tucker wouldn't be a sign of a rebuild, but it would bring back the kind of potential asset that helps stabilize a young farm system.
Tucker only played in 78 games last year due to injury, but he was incredibly productive on the field and was arguably the team's best position player. Valdez is their ace and just went 15-7 with a 2.91 ERA, placing him seventh in Cy Young voting.
Who the Astros chose as a trade partner – if anyone – would certainly be determined based on the returns offered. Obviously it's still in the speculative stage, but this is definitely an interesting thing.
Bohm to Seattle?
There was a lot of talk about it Phillies possibly trading the All-Star third baseman Alec Boehm this off-season, during the Sailors seem to be constantly looking for attacks. Could there be a match?
A Report in the Seattle Times says the Mariners' “biggest need” this offseason is a third baseman and discusses Bohm's potential fit in Seattle. In return, the Phillies reportedly wanted either Logan Gilbert or George Kirby.
The 28-year-old Bohm hit .280/.332/.448 (117 OPS+) with 44 doubles, 15 home runs, 97 RBI and 3.0 WAR last season. He will be under the team's control for two more years before hitting free agency. A poor second half and an even worse playoff performance, along with a roster that could handle its loss, have created a situation where it makes sense for the Phillies to deal Bohm. Maybe the Mariners can capitalize on this and improve their ballclub.
Currently, the Rangers would have a five-man rotation Jacob deGrom, Jon Grey, Cody Bradford, Tyler Mahle And Kumar Rocker with Dane Dunning as a sixth option. It could work, but if the 2023 World Series champions are trying to compete in 2025, they could certainly use even more. Mahle and deGrom recently underwent elbow surgery, Bradford only pitched 76 ⅓ innings last year, Gray established himself as mediocre, Dunning shouldn't be in a rotation and Rocker only logged 11 ⅔ innings as a rookie last year.
Re-signing Nathan Eovaldiwho is currently a free agent, is a “career priority” for the front office, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Eovaldi, 34, spent the last two years with the Rangers. He was an All-Star in 2023, going 24-13 with a 3.72 ERA (110 ERA+), a 1.12 WHIP and 298 strikeouts in 314 ⅔ innings in his two seasons. He also made many big pitches in the race for the World Series title in 2023, going more than 36 innings in six starts – the Rangers won all six.
It's a natural fit, but the Rangers aren't the only ones applying, as several teams like it Orioles, Red Soxyoung animals and Brave have also shown serious interest.
Muncy is open to relocation
With the Dodgers He is rumored to be with so many players and has someone in the house Max Muncy nothing ever hurts. He can play first, second or third and could also serve as a designated hitter. DH is imprisoned by Shohei Ohtani while Freddie Freeman has locked down first base, but Muncy could still switch between second and third base or even spell the other two if they need a break. Last season he played mostly as third, but with Nolan Arenado Since Muncy is clearly available via trade, he could go to second base (possibly kicking). Gavin Lux shortstop and Mookie Betts back to right field). Really pick a position.
“As long as you put me out there, I’ll play left field, right field, third field, first field,” Muncy told Foul Territory. “I will play wherever they want to use me. As long as it means I'm out there on the field wearing Dodger blue and playing in that stadium, it doesn't matter to me. When you talk about (Arenado), you're talking about arguably the best defensive third baseman of all time right now, when you look at his numbers, it doesn't matter to me. He's becoming more and more of a role player, I don't care, I just want the team help to victory.
It remains to be seen whether the Dodgers are interested in Arenado. They most likely won't bother discussing it until they find out they've been eliminated from the Juan Soto Sweepstakes. If they sign Soto, there is no reason to pursue Arenado.
The Reds are looking for offense
Reds general manager Nick Krall said MLB.com that the team is looking for help locally.
“We are looking for batsmen for our club,” said Krall. “Most likely it will be an outfielder instead of an infielder, but I wouldn’t rule anything out yet.”
Well, we could help by excluding Juan Soto. There are of course other outfielders in free agency, such as Anthony SantanderTeoscar Hernández, Jurickson Profar, Joc Pederson, Tyler O'Neill And Michael Confortoamong other things.