We’re keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.
Nov. 24: Do Yanks ‘hold edge’ in Judge pursuit?
While the Giants recently met with Judge in San Francisco, and the Dodgers have the financial muscle to add him to their lineup, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman writes in an article for the New York Post that it’s the Yankees who “hold the edge” when it comes to signing the superstar slugger. More>
Nov. 24: Yanks pursuing variety of FA options in addition to Judge (report)
Aaron Judge remains the Yankees’ No. 1 free agent target, but MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports in an article for the New York Post that the Bronx Bombers “are simultaneously pursuing many top free-agent starting pitchers, shortstops, and other outfielders.” More>
Nov. 24: Why deGrom sweepstakes might be breaking Mets’ way
The Mets have viewed the Rangers as their top competition in the race to sign Jacob deGrom this offseason, but Texas’ reported interest in free agent Carlos Rodón could bode well for New York’s chances of bringing back its longtime ace.
If the Rangers pass on deGrom, it’s possible the Mets will be the only team willing to offer the two-time Cy Young Award winner a three-year deal, writes SNY’s Andy Martino. More>
Nov. 24: Twins have made multiple offers to Correa; Bogaerts a backup plan (report)
Nov. 24: Several teams ‘strongly in mix’ for Rodón
Carlos Rodón’s market appears to be heating up. MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi hears “a number of teams are strongly in the mix” for the left-hander.
The Rangers, Padres, Dodgers and Mets are currently pursuing Rodón, and the Yankees are believed to have interest as well. More>
Nov. 24: Did Swanson price himself out of Atlanta?
The Braves are interested in re-signing Dansby Swanson, but The Athletic’s David O’Brien doesn’t feel great about their chances.
“He probably priced himself out of Atlanta with the season he had,” O’Brien said Wednesday on MLB Network. More>
Nov. 23: Giants’ pitch to Judge included Steph Curry (report)
The Giants had an opportunity to give their free-agent pitch to Aaron Judge the past two days, and they reportedly looked to NBA superstar Stephen Curry for an assist. More>
Nov. 23: Rangers among ‘most serious suitors’ for Rodón
After trading for Jake Odorizzi and re-signing Martín Pérez via the qualifying offer, the Rangers are continuing their search for starting pitching help.
The club has been linked to free agents Jacob deGrom and Kodai Senga, and MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi hears Texas is “among the most serious suitors” for Carlos Rodón. More>
Nov. 23: Morosi expects Mets to land ace
With multiple rotation spots to fill, including one that was previously occupied by two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, the Mets are likely to remain engaged with the free-agent starting pitcher market in the coming weeks.
The three top names on the market — deGrom, Justin Verlander and Carlos Rodón — are all on the Mets’ radar, according to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, who expects New York to land one of them. More>
Nov. 23: Rockies reportedly interested in Bellinger
Cody Bellinger was non-tendered by the Dodgers last week, but he might end up staying in the NL West. Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports that the Rockies “are indeed interested in Bellinger, but only for a one-year deal.” Such a pact is Bellinger’s preferred option, according to his agent, Scott Boras.
He hit 47 homers and had a 1.037 OPS during his 2019 NL MVP year. But over the past two seasons, Bellinger has totaled 29 homers and a .611 OPS across 819 at-bats while dealing with a bothersome right shoulder.
The Rockies join a handful of clubs who are reportedly eyeing the outfielder. That group includes the Giants, Blue Jays and Cubs.
Nov. 23: Wong could be on trade block next for Brewers
The Brewers might not be done dealing after trading outfielder Hunter Renfroe to the Angels on Tuesday night. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, “the expectation among rival teams is that Kolten Wong is the next to go.”
Many of the Brewers’ recent decisions, from moving All-Star closer Josh Hader in a surprise deal at the Trade Deadline to declining Brad Boxberger’s $3 million club option to trading Renfroe, suggest the club is looking to shed payroll.
Wong is due to earn $10 million next season after the Brewers exercised his club option. The two-time Gold Glove Award winner hit .251 with 15 homers, 17 steals and a 118 OPS+ over 134 games in 2022. The second-base market isn’t exactly robust this offseason, so Wong could be a popular target for clubs in need of an upgrade at the position, such as the Mariners.
While Wong seems likely to be dealt at this point, it’s uncertain just how far the Brewers will go in moving some of their higher-priced players. Milwaukee has one of MLB’s largest groups of arbitration-eligible players, though that list got a bit smaller with the trade of Renfroe on Tuesday.
Ace right-hander Corbin Burnes and shortstop Willy Adames both have received significant interest but are “highly unlikely” to be traded, reports FanSided’s Robert Murray.
Nov. 23: What’s next for Angels after Renfroe trade?
The Angels have been one of MLB’s most active clubs early this offseason, signing Tyler Anderson and swinging trades for Gio Urshela and Hunter Renfroe. But there’s more work to be done for a club that hasn’t reached the postseason since 2014 despite employing two of the best players in the game in Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.
The most pressing need for the Halos? Shortstop.
The free-agent market is loaded at the position, but the Angels are unlikely to be a player for Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts or Dansby Swanson, writes Ken Rosenthal in an article for The Athletic (subscription required).
That could leave the trade market as the Angels’ best path to upgrade at short. Rosenthal floats White Sox star Tim Anderson, the Guardians’ Amed Rosario and the Yankees’ Isiah Kiner-Falefa as possible trade targets. All three are eligible for free agency next offseason.
Nov. 22: Morosi ‘will be very surprised’ if Cubs don’t land superstar shortstop
MLB Network insider Jon Morosi is expecting the Cubs to land one of the marquee free-agent shortstops this offseason: Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts or Dansby Swanson.
“I will be very surprised if the Cubs do not add one of the Big Four superstar shortstops who are available in free agency this winter,” Morosi said Tuesday. “This is now their time.”
Any of the four would help the Cubs replace the star power they lost at the position when they traded Javier Báez to the Mets at the 2021 Trade Deadline.
“Whether it’s Bogaerts or Turner or Correa or, yes, Dansby Swanson, I do expect the Cubs to find a way to bring in a top shortstop,” Morosi said.
Nov. 22: 3 teams to watch in Senga sweepstakes
Exactly how many teams are in on Japanese right-handed pitcher Kodai Senga? MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand said Tuesday that it “seems like a quarter of the league, if not more, has already been in touch.”
Senga, who is heading into his age-30 season, has already met with a handful of teams. Sources told MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi that the Red Sox and Yankees have been in contact with Senga’s representatives. He is a very popular name on the open market right now, and Feinsand said that there are three teams to watch in the Senga sweepstakes: the Giants, Rangers and Padres.
Senga has already met with those three teams, and Feinsand adds that the Giants “have a lot of interest among all these teams.” The Rangers are reportedly in the mix for ace starter Jacob deGrom and are seen across the league as the team “that’s going to spend on pitching,” per Feinsand. Senga has ties to Padres pitchers Nick Martinez and Robert Suarez, whom he played with in Japan. Senga is also friends with Yu Darvish.
Nov. 22: Turner ‘likely’ the Phillies’ top target
During Tuesday’s edition of Hot Stove, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand said shortstop Trea Turner is “likely” the Phillies’ top target. Signing with Philly would reunite Turner and Bryce Harper, who were teammates with the Nationals for four seasons. More>
Nov. 22: Giants interested in Nimmo, Bellinger
Aaron Judge isn’t the only outfielder the Giants are interested in. San Francisco has also checked in on free agents Brandon Nimmo and Cody Bellinger, according to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser (subscription required).
Though the Giants are meeting with Judge on Tuesday, as sources told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, they’d actually like to sign two outfielders this offseason, per Slusser’s report.
Nimmo is the top free-agent outfielder available after Judge, and Bellinger could be a less expensive signing with upside after the 2019 NL MVP was non-tendered by the Dodgers last week.
Nov. 22: Eovaldi a fit for Orioles?
Nathan Eovaldi has spent the past seven seasons of his career pitching for the Yankees, Rays or Red Sox. Might he be joining another AL East team this winter? During Tuesday’s edition of Hot Stove, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand identified Eovaldi as a possible fit to join the Orioles’ young pitching staff.
Feinsand recalled a discussion he had during the recent GM Meetings in which O’s general manger Mike Elias told him that Baltimore is looking to sign a “front-ish starter” in free agency. In other words, someone who is a step down from Justin Verlander and Jacob deGrom.
“Eovaldi fits that category right there,” Feinsand said. “… In his early 30s, he could certainly still look for a multiyear deal, and he would be the kind of veteran guy who’s been through a lot and could really help some of those young pitchers in Baltimore as they try to mature.”
The 32-year-old Eovaldi is coming off of an injury-marred 2022 season, one in which he recorded a 3.87 ERA over 109 1/3 innings. But he is just one season removed from leading the AL with a 2.79 FIP and finishing fourth in the Cy Young Award voting. Eovaldi would also bring postseason experience to the Orioles’ rotation. He was critical to the Red Sox’s run to a World Series title in 2018 and owns a 3.14 ERA across 43 innings in the playoffs.
Nov. 21: Will Yanks-Sox rivalry ignite over Senga?
The Yankees and Red Sox battle it out annually in the AL East, and they have gone head to head for some top free agents over the years, too. That just might be the case again this offseason, when it comes to Japanese right-hander Kodai Senga.
Both clubs have been in touch with the representatives for the 29-year-old, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. That’s not too surprising, given that New York and Boston both could stand to bolster their rotation depth. And while Senga does not necessarily profile as an ace in MLB, he has been highly successful with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Softbank Hawks, including a 1.94 ERA in 2022. Senga’s impressive fastball velocity and nasty splitter certainly give Major League suitors plenty on which to dream.
Add in the fact that Senga is an unrestricted free agent who isn’t attached to Draft pick compensation — unlike fellow free agents such as Carlos Rodón or Nathan Eovaldi, who received qualifying offers — and Senga only becomes more marketable.
Of course, those same things will appeal to other teams besides the Yankees and Red Sox. Indeed, the Giants, Mets and Padres also have been connected to Senga, who is sure to garner widespread interest this winter.
Nov. 21: Are Dodgers the best fit for JV?
While the Astros want Justin Verlander back, and the Mets and Yankees might both be after him, there is another large-market club that stands out as a fit for the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. More>
Nov. 21: Yankees have ‘checked in on’ deGrom (report)
As the market for deGrom continues to unfold, SNY’s Andy Martino reported Monday, citing a league source, that the Yankees “recently requested medical information on deGrom.” More>
Nov. 21: Will Haniger head to SoCal?
Free-agent outfielder Mitch Haniger has been with the Mariners since 2017, but Seattle’s recent trade for Teoscar Hernández might indicate that the club is ready to move in a different direction. However, there could be other West Coast teams in play for Haniger, who will turn 32 in December.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported Monday that both the Dodgers and Angels are interested in Haniger, along with the Rangers. The Dodgers are down an outfielder after non-tendering Cody Bellinger, and while Haniger can’t play center field at this point in his career, he could bring more thump than Bellinger has offered of late. The Angels, meanwhile, are in need of more bats to support Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, and while Ohtani’s presence means the club couldn’t use Haniger much at DH, he could fit there in either corner outfield spot.
A high ankle sprain helped limit Haniger to just 57 games in 2022, when he also slumped at the plate. But the oft-injured outfielder is just one season removed from launching 39 homers in ’21. He also will not cost his new team a Draft choice, after Seattle declined to make him a qualifying offer.
Nov. 20: Twins motivated to re-sign Correa
Carlos Correa is a free agent for the second straight offseason after opting out of his contract with the Twins, but he might not necessarily be one and done in Minnesota. According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the Twins are “definitely motivated to keep Correa.” More>
Nov. 20: After missing out on Rizzo, Astros turn focus to Abreu (report)
The Astros continue to look for an upgrade at first base after Anthony Rizzo re-signed with the Yankees, and Houston is showing interest in 2020 AL MVP José Abreu, according to a report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required).
With veteran Yuli Gurriel a free agent coming off a subpar season at the plate, the Astros are looking at Abreu to bolster an already strong lineup coming off a World Series championship. Abreu hit only 15 homers in 2022, but still managed to post an .824 OPS. He’s 35, however, so could be looking at a short-term contract offer.
Nov. 20: Heyman predicts Phils will come away with star FA shortstop
The Phillies are reportedly one of 11 clubs currently engaged with the free-agent shortstop market, and MLB Network insider Jon Heyman expects them to come away with one of the four top available names.
Philadelphia has been linked to Trea Turner this offseason, but Heyman considers Xander Bogaerts to be the most likely option. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has familiarity with Bogaerts from their time together with the Red Sox.
The Phillies made a surprising run to the World Series in 2022 before losing to the Astros in six games. The club doesn’t have a ton of needs, but shortstop is clearly one of them. Phils shortstops produced an 82 wRC+ last season, the 11th-lowest mark in MLB and the third lowest among teams that made the playoffs, behind the Yankees and Cardinals.
Philly also has a vacancy at second base after declining Jean Segura’s club option, but Bryson Stott could fill that role if the Phils sign a star shortstop.
Nov. 20: Assessing Dodgers’ shortstop options
When Corey Seager became a free agent last offseason and signed with the Rangers, the Dodgers’ list of shortstop options for 2022 started and ended with Trea Turner. But with Turner now a free agent, the Dodgers have a number of avenues they could consider heading into 2023.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman recently broke down the free-agent shortstop market in an appearance on “High Heat” and said he thinks the Dodgers will come away with one of the four available stars at the position.
However, their most likely option might not necessarily be Turner. According to Heyman in an article for the New York Post, the Dodgers believe Turner wants to play for an East Coast team. And while the Dodgers love Correa, Heyman gets the sense the team is reluctant to sign him due to his connection to the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal in 2017, when Houston defeated L.A. in the World Series.
That leaves Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts as the most likely fits for Los Angeles, with Gavin Lux representing an internal backup plan. If Lux is the choice, it would increase the likelihood of the Dodgers pursuing other high-priced free agents such as Aaron Judge and Justin Verlander.
Nov. 20: Mariners considering wide variety of middle-infield options
Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto reaffirmed the team’s commitment to J.P. Crawford as its starting shortstop during the General Managers Meetings, but the club has an opening at second base and is considering a wide variety of middle-infield options.
According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, the Mariners have checked in on free agent Trea Turner and “all the other free agent middle infielders.” Turner, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson are the four biggest names on the shortstop market, while former Mariners Jean Segura and Adam Frazier are the best second basemen available.
Seattle is also exploring the trade market and showing interest in the Yankees’ Gleyber Torres and the Brewers’ Kolten Wong.
MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi previously has linked Seattle to Turner, but it’s unclear how realistic a target the 29-year-old is for the M’s. The largest free-agent deal the Mariners have handed out during Dipoto’s tenure was Robbie Ray’s five-year, $115 million contract last offseason. Turner will surely go for more than that. It’s also believed that Turner, a Florida native whose wife is from New Jersey, prefers to play for an East Coast team.
Nov. 20: Bellinger drawing significant interest (report)
Cody Bellinger apparently has drawn significant interest on the free-agent market since the Dodgers non-tendered the outfielder on Friday. According to a report from The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, at least five teams called shortly after Bellinger became a free agent and several more have touched base since.
Bellinger has hit .193 with a .611 OPS (64 OPS+) in 239 games over the past two seasons, but he’s still only 27 years old and isn’t that far removed from winning the NL MVP Award in 2019.
At the very least, Bellinger can provide Gold Glove defense in center field and strong baserunning. And if he rediscovers his form at the plate, he could be one of the best additions any team makes this offseason. Given the low risk and potentially high reward, it’s not surprising that he’s receiving this much attention.
The Dodgers are expected to try to bring Bellinger back on a lower salary than he would have earned in his final year of arbitration eligibility, but that could be tough to pull off considering the number of teams showing interest in the Arizona native.
Nov. 19: Abreu a top priority for Padres
Free-agent first baseman José Abreu is a top priority for the Padres, according to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, who notes that Abreu spoke to Friars officials this month.
San Diego has openings at first base and DH with Josh Bell and Brandon Drury both reaching free agency.
Abreu, 35, has spent the past nine seasons with the White Sox. He won the 2020 AL MVP Award and is a career .292/.354/.506 hitter with 243 homers and 863 RBIs. Abreu hit a career-low 15 home runs in 2022 but still finished with a 133 OPS+, almost identical to his career mark (134).
Nov. 19: Mariners showing interest in Gleyber
According to MLB Network insider Joel Sherman in an article for the New York Post (subscription required), the Yankees let executives at the General Managers Meetings last week know that they are “open for business with their middle infielders.”
Sherman notes that he’d be shocked if either Gleyber Torres or Isiah Kiner-Falefa isn’t dealt. The Mariners could be a possible trade partner, as Sherman reports Seattle has shown interest in Torres to fill the second-base vacancy left by free agent Adam Frazier.
Sherman also mentions the Marlins and White Sox as two potential fits for Torres. More>
Nov. 19: Breaking down which teams need a shortstop the most
With Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts all available, the free-agent market is abundant with star shortstops for the second straight offseason.
Here’s a look at the teams that have the biggest need for one of these shortstops, from MLB.com’s Mike Petriello. More>
Nov. 19: Rays, Royals may have interest in Smith (report)
With the non-tender deadline having passed Friday, several intriguing players became free agents, one of whom is former Mets first baseman Dominic Smith. Smith posted a .993 OPS in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign before struggling at the plate in ’21 and ’22. According to a report by Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Rays and Royals may be among the clubs interested in Smith.
Tampa Bay has a vacancy to fill at first base after trading Ji-Man Choi to Pittsburgh. Kansas City has seen the rise of Vinnie Pasquantino at the position, but there’s always the designated hitter role that Smith could fill, occasionally getting a start in the field.