We’re conserving tune of the entire most up-to-date free agent and exchange rumors.
Jan. 25: Stanek garnering passion from Purple Sox, Cubs
The comfort pitcher market has picked up steam over the last few days, with Josh Hader and Robert Stephenson among folk that have inked recent contracts. Matt Moore and David Robertson have reportedly agreed to deals. Which bullpen arm would possibly perchance be the subsequent to stamp? One chance has emerged: Ryne Stanek.
The Purple Sox and Cubs are attracted to the seven-One year feeble, in accordance with USA As of late’s Bob Nightengale. The 32-One year-aged precise-hander changed into as soon as a critical member of the Astros’ World Series-winning bullpen in 2022; he compiled a 1.15 ERA and restricted hitters to a .556 OPS over 54 2/3 innings (59 appearances). He took a step lend a hand remaining One year, then yet again, finishing with a 4.09 ERA in 50 2/3 innings (55 appearances). Stanek’s stroll fee fell remaining One year from 13.8% to a extra manageable 9.9%. Alternatively, his strikeout and whiff rates additionally dipped by about four percentage facets, to 23.9% and 30.7% respectively.
Jan. 25: Yankees have talked with these 5 relievers (document)
The Yankees have made significant additions this offseason to tackle their lineup (Juan Soto), outfield depth (Alex Verdugo, Trent Grisham) and initiating rotation (Marcus Stroman). They have not, then yet again, added a relief pitcher on a Main League contract — yet.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, writing within the Contemporary York Put up, mentions the names of 5 relievers whom the Yankees have spoken with this winter. Extra >
Jan. 25: Angels reportedly exhibiting passion in Votto; Reds now not planning to pursue reunion
The Angels have yet to carry out a major addition to their lineup after losing Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers in free agency, nonetheless they’re continuing to stumble on offensive targets to transfer with the quartet of pitchers they’ve added (Robert Stephenson, Matt Moore, Zach Plesac and Adam Cimber). The most up-to-date title to emerge as a chance? First baseman Joey Votto.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman linked the Halos and Votto in an appearance on Bleacher Document on Wednesday, reporting that the Angels are one among the teams exhibiting passion within the free-agent first baseman.
The Angels currently have teen Nolan Schanuel penciled in as their initiating first baseman, nonetheless they’ve an opening on the DH space following Ohtani’s departure. The club changed into as soon as additionally recently linked to outfielder Adam Duvall, with Heyman reporting on Jan. 18 that Duvall changed into as soon as at risk of seize either the Angels or the incumbent Purple Sox.
At age 40, Votto is at risk of be the extra rate-effective option of the two. After 17 seasons with the Reds, the inclined MVP changed into a free agent when Cincinnati declined his $20 million club option for 2024, opting to pay him a $7 million buyout as a replacement.
The Reds are usually now not planning to pursue a reunion with Votto at this level, in accordance with president of baseball operations Slice Krall. As for who else would possibly well well presumably very smartly be within the mix for Votto’s services, Heyman is now not indubitably ruling out the slugger’s location of initiating team, the Blue Jays.
Jan. 25: O’s in on Lorenzen
The Orioles are restful having a request to add initiating pitching, and Michael Lorenzen is one title they’ve their leer on.
MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reported Thursday that the O’s have expressed passion within the free-agent precise-hander.
Lorenzen reportedly threw a bullpen session in California earlier this week (alongside with Noah Syndergaard) with about 16 MLB teams in attendance, per FanSided’s Robert Murray.
Baltimore has been looking out out a frontline starter, and Lorenzen is presumably extra of a mid-rotation form, nonetheless he would restful bolster the pitching workers of an Orioles team having a request to make on remaining One year’s 101-personal season.
The 32-One year-aged changed into as soon as one among the upper pitchers moved within the kill season’s Commerce Time restrict as the Phillies received him from the Tigers after he posted a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts. Lorenzen threw a no-hitter for the interval of his dwelling debut in Philly, nonetheless he struggled after that night and ended up posting a 5.51 ERA in his 11 outings for the Phillies. Lorenzen done the season in Philadelphia’s bullpen and made two scoreless relief appearances for the interval of the postseason.
Jan. 25: Royals having a request to add a higher (document)
The Royals had been one among basically the most active teams in baseball this offseason, already having added feeble starters Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha, among others. Per Ken Rosenthal and Levi Weaver of The Athletic (subscription required), Kansas Metropolis would possibly well well now not be executed bolstering its roster in a big-birth AL Central division. The document suggests that the Royals are “birth to including one extra share — a higher.”
While the free agent marketplace for closers is thin, Rosenthal notes that Kansas Metropolis is having a request to maintain one by map of exchange. The exchange market is now not indubitably very deep, either, though names like Devin Williams, Emmanuel Clase and Kenley Jansen had been floated in rumors this offseason.
Jan. 23: Syndergaard drawing passion
FanSided’s Robert Murray reports that “about 16 teams” watched free-agent starter Noah Syndergaard throw a bullpen session on Tuesday in California. (Michael Lorenzen additionally threw a bullpen session there.)
Murray specifically mentions the Padres and Pirates as two clubs which would possibly well well presumably be attracted to Syndergaard.
The 31-One year-aged Syndergaard is a lot eradicated from being the electrifying hurler known as Thor who overpowered hitters alongside with his flamethrowing precise arm from 2015-19. Final season, he had a 6.50 ERA, served up 22 homers and struck out handiest 56 batters in 88 2/3 innings slit up between the Dodgers and Guardians.
Alternatively, presumably he is regaining a shrimp little bit of that misplaced glide. Murray writes that Syndergaard repeatedly sat between 93-95 mph for the interval of the session. His four-seamer and two-seamer every averaged about 92 mph remaining One year.
Jan. 22: Which high relievers would possibly well well presumably finish up in NY?
The Mets and Yankees are both vying for a few of the tip relief pitchers left on the free-agent market. Here is who would possibly well well presumably land in Contemporary York.
Each and each teams have had discussions with precise-hander Hector Neris and left-hander Wandy Peralta, in accordance with a document Monday from SNY’s Andy Martino. Neris, 34, had a 1.71 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 71 relief appearances for the Astros remaining season. He is a extra seemingly match for the Yankees than the Mets, per Martino.
Peralta registered a 2.83 ERA across 63 appearances (54 innings) with the Yanks remaining One year. The 32-One year-aged has logged a 2.82 ERA in 153 innings since being received by map of a exchange with San Francisco in April 2021. MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reported remaining week on how the Yanks have maintained contact with Peralta.
The Mets would possibly well well have a reunion of their like as Martino reports that Adam Ottavino is a chance for them. The 38-One year-aged precise-hander, who has spent the past two seasons with the club, had a 3.21 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 66 appearances in 2023.
The Mets additionally expressed passion in Aroldis Chapman, nonetheless the lefty flamethrower agreed to a one-One year take care of the Pirates on Monday, a source advised MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Jan. 22: Would Paxton entire Dodgers’ initiating rotation?
The additions of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow have positively upgraded the Dodgers’ initiating workers. Yet the club restful has some request marks on the lend a hand of that duo in its rotation, so they would possibly well well presumably exhaust any other starter. And it appears to be like like they’ve chanced on one
The Dodgers have reached an settlement on a one-One year contract with free-agent left-hander James Paxton, in accordance with a document from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman on Monday. The club has now not confirmed the deal, which contains an $11 million wage, a $1 million Opening Day roster bonus and $1 million in performance incentives. Does he signify the the relaxation share within the team’s 2023 rotation? Extra >
Jan. 20: With Hader becoming a member of Astros and Stephenson to the Angels, where does the reliever market stand?
Hader’s contract is among the many richest for a relief pitcher in baseball historical past and devices the marketplace for the relievers who stay available within the market. There are a range of correct ones.
Feinsand reports that the Yankees have passion in Hector Neris, who had a occupation One year with the Astros in 2023. His season integrated a 1.71 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP over 71 appearances. The Yanks are additionally birth to a reunion with Wandy Peralta, who has been talked about as a probably purpose for the Mets.
Ryan Brasier changed into as soon as precise about untouchable as soon as the Dodgers received him in June of remaining season. He allowed handiest six runs (three earned) in 38 2/3 innings and posted a 0.72 WHIP with Los Angeles. The 36-One year-aged precise-hander has six teams vying for him, in accordance with MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
The Cubs are a form of clubs, and they were reportedly in on Hader as smartly. They would well presumably bulk up their bullpen by map of the exchange market as they’re attracted to procuring Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, in accordance with 670 The Safe’s Bruce Levine.
Jan. 20: ‘Frequent belief’ that Bellinger will re-stamp with Cubs
Several teams had been linked with Bellinger to this level this offseason, including the Blue Jays, Giants and Mariners. Nevertheless in accordance with MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, there is “frequent belief interior the industry” that Bellinger will re-stamp with the Cubs, though “handiest if/when his asking mark comes down.” Extra >
Jan. 18: Duvall ‘seemingly’ to come to a decision Purple Sox or Angels (document)
Aged outfielder Adam Duvall is coming off a solid, albeit pains-restricted season in 2023, and in accordance with MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the 35-One year-aged slugger will “seemingly” return to the Purple Sox or stamp with the Angels unless other clubs be a part of the mix slack.
Duvall posted an .834 OPS with 21 dwelling runs in 92 video games for Boston remaining One year, and he is handiest two seasons eradicated from a 38-homer campaign at some level of which he led the NL with 113 RBIs. The Purple Sox would exhaust to retain far from losing that form of manufacturing and the Angels are attempting to exchange a few of the vitality misplaced when Shohei Ohtani signed with the Dodgers.
Jan. 18: Front-runner rising for Soler?
Jorge Soler is one among the main hitters remaining on the free agent market, and in accordance with MLB Network insider Jon Heyman in an article for the Contemporary York Put up, his market is gaining steam. Heyman reports that the Blue Jays are rising as a front-runner for the slugger, who turns 32 subsequent month. He adds that the D-backs and Purple Sox are additionally exhibiting passion.
Jan. 18: Marlins willing to listen to affords on Luzardo, Cabrera (source)
Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber and Corbin Burnes. These three aces had been assuredly talked about within the exchange rumor mill this offseason, nonetheless with handiest a few weeks left till Spring Practising, the possibilities that any of these pitchers are moved quickly seem like falling. Club executives have advised MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that they construct now not now not sleep for Cease or Bieber being traded prior to the season begins.
Alternatively, that would now not mean the exchange cupboard is solely naked. A source advised Feinsand that the Marlins had been birth to discussing deals though-provoking initiating pitchers Jesús Luzardo and Edward Cabrera.
The Yankees have reportedly talked to the Marlins about a handful of their controllable initiating pitchers, including Luzardo and Cabrera, nonetheless MLB Network insider Jon Heyman recently wrote within the Contemporary York Put up that there would possibly be “no evidence of any precise traction there yet.” Miami additionally discussed a take care of the Royals for the interval of remaining month’s Chilly weather Conferences that can have despatched Luzardo to the Royals for first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, in accordance with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required).
Luzardo, 26, struck out 208 batters in 178 2/3 innings remaining season. The left-hander is below club retain a watch on for three extra seasons. The 25-One year-aged Cabrera has yet to high 100 innings in any of his three MLB seasons and has posted an extremely excessive 14.0% stroll fee for the interval of his occupation. Alternatively, opponents had an anticipated batting common of .199 against him remaining One year, and his 55.7% flooring-ball fee ranked within the 91st percentile. Cabrera has 5 years of club retain a watch on remaining.
Jan. 18: Team to stumble on? Cubs anticipated to carry out impact strikes quickly (document)
Cubs made a broad transfer remaining week, locking up initiating pitcher Shōta Imanaga on a four-One year contract. That would possibly well well had been precise the commence of what would possibly well well presumably restful be a gargantuan offseason for the Cubs.
One excessive-ranking evaluator advised ESPN’s Buster Olney that the Cubs are “the team to stumble on” over the the relaxation of the offseason, and that evaluator believes the Cubs will carry out basically the most impactful strikes of any team. Extra >
Jan. 17: Cubs attracted to Guardians closer Clase (document)
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer talked about Saturday that including to the team’s bullpen is an “dwelling of priority.” The team would possibly well well presumably carry out an equally seismic transfer to upgrade their bullpen by map of the exchange market. Per Bruce Levine of 670 The Safe in Chicago, Chicago is attracted to procuring Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase.
Clase, an All-Large title in every of the past two seasons, has posted a 1.97 ERA with 110 saves over 215 innings for the reason that commence of 2021. His ERA rose to a few.22 in 2023 whereas his strikeout fee dropped to a occupation-low 21.2%, nonetheless this will well presumably restful seize quite loads for any team to pry him far from Cleveland. Clase, 25, is owed handiest about $14 million over the subsequent three seasons, and he carries $10 million club alternatives in 2027 and ’28.
Jan. 17: Blue Jays conform to take care of Cuban RHP Rodríguez (source); is a Manoah exchange that it is probably you’ll well presumably presumably imagine?
The Blue Jays are in settlement on a multiyear contract with Cuban precise-handed pitcher Yariel Rodríguez, in accordance with MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi. He adds that there are restful some facts to work out prior to the deal is finalized.
It be a reasonably significant transfer for Toronto as Rodríguez changed into as soon as ranked by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand as a high-20 free agent on the outset of the offseason. Rodríguez changed into as soon as a initiating pitcher in Cuba from 2015-20, nonetheless he pitched in relief solely whereas with Nippon Expert Baseball’s Chunichi Dragons from 2020-22. He posted a 1.15 ERA and a 27.5% strikeout fee in 56 appearances for Chunichi in 2022, nonetheless after pitching for Team Cuba within the ’23 World Baseball Classic, he decided to accommodate a transfer to the Majors instead of return to Japan.
Since he hasn’t seemed in a sport for the reason that WBC, Rodríguez would possibly well well presumably originate his gargantuan league occupation as a swingman. Nevertheless, per Morosi, the Blue Jays seek for him as a starter over the very lengthy time interval. So where does that streak away Alek Manoah?
The first four spots of the Blue Jays’ rotation are taken up by Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi. While Toronto is hoping that Manoah can bounce lend a hand following a unpleasant 2023 season, high prospect Ricky Tiedemann is knocking on the door of the Majors, and Rodríguez affords the team extra rotation depth.
Early within the offseason, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required) reported that the Blue Jays were birth to dealing Manoah, who changed into as soon as an AL Cy Younger finalist in 2022. It be unclear if that stays the case, nonetheless Rodríguez would appear to provide Toronto extra leeway whether it is far restful attracted to this form of transfer.
Jan. 17: Purple Sox pondering reunion with a entire lot of hitters
While the Purple Sox stay in conversations with gamers and teams who would possibly well well presumably help them upgrade their pitching workers, president of baseball operations Craig Breslow advised Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe earlier this week that discovering a match has been “a mission.”
Perchance that is also a shrimp more straightforward for Breslow to tackle any other team need: a vitality bat from the precise aspect of the plate.
“Positive, we would cherish to add vitality,” he talked about. “We would cherish to have precise-handed vitality.”
The club would possibly well well presumably finish up signing a smartly-diagnosed face to help in that dwelling. Abraham reports that the team is in talks with outfielder Adam Duvall and infielder Justin Turner. Extra >
