MLB free agency is upon us, with the league’s in Dallas this week. The name on everyone’s lips is Juan Soto, but he’s this winter.
Here’s a quick look at where things stand so far this offseason:
The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers were all reported to be in on Soto before he chose the New York Mets and their enormous pile of money. It didn’t take long for all four of those teams to get started with Plan B.
The Yankees made the loudest move, with the reported , taking off the board.
“From the Yankees standpoint, no retreat, no surrender, we get back after it and find a way to put together a roster that our fans are going to be excited about,” . “And we want to defend that American League title and get back in the World Series and try to win it.”
A day later, the Red Sox struck by from the Chicago White Sox. Boston is sending top prospect Kyle Teel to Chicago in the deal, along with outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez.
The Blue Jays made some noise Tuesday with . The Guardians received infielder Spencer Horwitz in return, though they promptly sent him to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In that swap, the Guardians received Josh Hartle, Luis Ortiz and Michael Kennedy. The Marlins also traded Jake Burger to the Rangers.
As for the Dodgers, they’ve made some smaller moves with the signings of outfielder Michael Conforto () and reliever Blake Treinen (). The Conforto deal was reached hours before Soto’s, but you’d figure Los Angeles already knew where it stood.
Meanwhile, Soto’s deal after he passed his physical.
Crochet and Giménez might not be the only notable names moving this winter.
Trade speculation is heating up for Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker, with the Yankees, Cubs, Giants and Phillies , per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The San Diego Padres are also Dylan Cease in an attempt to cut salary after carrying some of baseball’s largest payrolls.
Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki as the winter meetings got underway, . Sasaki’s posting opened a 45-day window, which began Tuesday and runs through 5 p.m. ET Jan. 23. Every MLB team is now allowed to attempt to sway the 23-year-old talent to sign with them when the international amateur signing period opens Jan. 15.
Required reading:
Follow along with Yahoo Sports as we track all the rumors, signings and more during MLB free agency:
Live41 updates
White Sox officially trade Garrett Crochet to Red Sox
One of the hottest names on the trade market has been dealt. The Red Sox acquired Garrett Crochet from the White Sox for four players. None of the players traded to Chicago has recorded a major-league at-bat, but at least two of them are top-10 prospects in the Red Sox’s system.
between MLB’s Sox of two different colors.
Thu, December 12, 2024 at 11:33 PM GMT+1Juan Soto says he ‘didn’t talk’ to Yankees players during free agency process
was officially introduced as a member of the during a press conference at Citi Field on Thursday after signing free-agent contract.
Many New York Yankees fans are still stunned that Soto didn’t re-sign with the team after winning 94 games alongside talent including Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole. However, relationships and communications became all business after the conclusion of the season, according to Soto.
Asked if he talked to his now-former Yankees teammates during the free-agent process and what may have been said during the competition for his services, Soto said there was no correspondence.
“I haven’t talked to any of those guys,” Soto said. “We talked to them through the playoffs, at the end of the playoffs. But after that, through this process, I haven’t talked to any of those guys.”
Read the full story .
Thu, December 12, 2024 at 7:49 PM GMT+1Where will SP Corbin Burnes end up?Thu, December 12, 2024 at 5:32 PM GMT+1These might be a little popular…Thu, December 12, 2024 at 4:31 PM GMT+1With Garrett Crochet trade, Red Sox add a frontline starter and White Sox infuse their rebuild with prospects
After their failed pursuit of Juan Soto, the baseball world was waiting for the Red Sox . And on the final day of the winter meetings, Boston took care of a significant need, , including catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez.
Crochet, 25, has been one of the biggest trade pieces on the market since July’s trade deadline, and it’s easy to understand why. The new Red Sox ace thrived in his first full season as a starter in 2024, quickly becoming one of the game’s elite power arms as he struck out 209 to the tune of a 3.58 ERA.
One look at Crochet’s underlying metrics shows just how much of an impact addition the southpaw is. He led MLB last season with a 35% strikeout rate in just 146 innings, and after the Sox missed out on the likes of , they can now cross frontline starter off their list of offseason needs.
Read the full story .
Thu, December 12, 2024 at 1:14 AM GMT+1Jonathan Loáisiga returns to Yankees on 1-year deal
The Yankees have made another move, bringing back free-agent reliever Jonathan Loáisiga after a year lost to elbow surgery, per ESPN’s Jorge Castillo.
Right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga and the Yankees have agreed on a one-year contract with a team option for 2026, a source tells ESPN. Loáisiga, 30, missed most of the 2024 season after undergoing elbow surgery. He is expected be ready to pitch in late April.
Thu, December 12, 2024 at 12:05 AM GMT+1Juan Soto contract goes official
The largest contract in the history of sports is official. Juan Soto has passed his physical and is officially a member of the New York Mets.
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 9:36 PM GMT+1Alex Bregman could be next off the board
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports that a deal for Alex Bregman could be close, with the Astros, Red Sox, Yankees and Tigers as potential destinations.
There’s a sense that Alex Bregman could be the next big free agent to sign. The Astros, Red Sox, Yankees and Tigers are among those in the mix, per sources.
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 5:55 PM GMT+1Boras gives pun-free answer on Mets’ future free-agent plans
You can tell Boras didn’t plan for this question because he didn’t have a pithy pun to deploy during the answer. So now Mets fans have two reasons to be thrilled.
Scott Boras says the Mets have made it very clear to him and his agency that they are not limited to signing only one great player, and will pursue multiple great players:
“They’re going to be a very steady and heavy commitment to acquiring the best talent”
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 5:49 PM GMT+1Scott Boras loves SP Corbin Burnes, Elvis and really bad puns
If free-agent starting pitcher Corbin Burnes wants to change agents after this, no one would blame him.
“For Corbin Burnes, it’s kind of like Elvis. He’s got that ‘Burnes-ing Love’ for a number 1 starter. You are really feeling it today, and very early this morning for me I might add.”
– Scott Boras
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 5:46 PM GMT+1Boras compares 3B Alex Bregman to the alphabet?
It’s starting to feel like Boras called in Bruce Vilanch to do punch up on his comments.
“We all know what comes after AB. That is the ‘C’ in Champions. In Bregman’s case, that is ‘C squared.'”
– Scott Boras on Alex Bregman
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 5:42 PM GMT+1Scott Boras on 1B Pete Alonso’s market
Scott Boras, the most well known MLB agent, is holding his annual Winter Meetings press conference. Boras loves to ham it up for the media with puns about his clients, and we’ll bring you the best (and probably the worst) right here.
Boras kicks off by talking about former Mets 1B Pete Alonso, whose nickname is Polar Bear.
“A lot of market locomotion on Pete. The Polar Bear Express is rolling.” — Scott Boras
Never change, Scott. Never change.
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 5:24 PM GMT+1Kyle Tucker trade sweepstakes down to 4 teams
four teams have engaged with the Astros about acquiring outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Yankees
Cubs
Giants
Phillies
Sherman describes the Yankees as a “serious pursuer” and the Cubs as a “strong player” and possibly the most determined team in pursuit of Tucker. The Giants “are also involved in talks,” while the Phillies are one of the teams that “at least inquired and tried to find a package that would work.”
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 4:46 PM GMT+1’No retreat, no surrender’ from Yankees
After but buoying their week by , the Yankees still have their eyes on getting back to the World Series.
“From the Yankees standpoint, no retreat, no surrender.” – Brian Cashman on Juan Soto signing with the New York Mets
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 2:29 PM GMT+1Marlins getting two prospects in return for Jake Burger
The Rangers reportedly acquired Marlins 1B/3B Jake Burger just after midnight on Wednesday. In return for Burger, the Marlins are getting two infield prospects, Echedry Vargas and Max Acosta, and minor-league pitcher Brayan Mendoza.
Source: The Marlins are getting two prospects, Echedry Vargas and Max Acosta, and a lefty starter, Brayan Mendoza, from the Rangers in exchange for 1B/3B Jake Burger.
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 6:16 AM GMT+1Could the Padres trade Dylan Cease?
The San Diego Padres are in an interesting spot, as both a clear contender and a team trying to cut payroll in the aftermath of owner Peter Seidler’s death. To the latter end, that the Padres have been engaged in trade talks about starting pitcher Dylan Cease.
The Padres acquired Cease from the Chicago White Sox last season and got a very good pitcher out of it, but also one reportedly due to make around $13 million or $14 million in 2025, his final year of arbitration eligibility. Cease, who posted a 3.47 ERA in 189 1/3 innings last year, would be a huge get for any team and figures to attract a heavy price if the Padres go the trade route.
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 6:12 AM GMT+1Jake Burger to the Rangers
The Texas Rangers are ordering one Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins. In four MLB seasons with the Marlins and Chicago White Sox, Burger has been an above-average hitter, leading Miami in home runs last year with 29, and now figures to provide Texas depth at the infield corners and DH.
Burger still has four years of team control left.
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 4:49 AM GMT+1Guardians dealing Spencer Horwitz right away
Spencer Horwitz lasted in Cleveland for just a matter of hours. The Guardians dealt Horwitz to the Pirates on Tuesday night after acquiring him from the Blue Jays.
Per sources, the Guardians are getting Hartle, Luis Ortiz and Michael Kennedy from the Pirates in the Horwitz deal.
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 2:05 AM GMT+1Nathan Eovaldi returning to Rangers
The Rangers are bringing back a key part of their 2023 World Series champion team. They reportedly struck a three-year, $75 million deal with right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on Tuesday.
Eovaldi, who spent the past two seasons with the Rangers, went 12-8 in 29 appearances and held a 3.80 ERA last season.
For .
Wed, December 11, 2024 at 1:42 AM GMT+1Nolan Arenado willing to switch from 3B to facilitate trade to a contender
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak that “it’s my intention to try” to trade eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado this winter.
Arenado, who has a full no-trade clause, is reportedly ready to facilitate a deal and even willing to change positions if that gets him where he wants to go. This is according to Arenado’s agent, Joel Wolfe, who spoke with reporters Tuesday at the winter meetings in Dallas.
“Nolan’s willing to strongly consider it, if it’s the right place to go, but he’s not going to go just anywhere,” . Wolfe added that Arenado “wants to win.”
Arenado is a 10-time Gold Glove winner at third base, but he apparently has no qualms about a move even to first base if he’s amenable to the destination.
“Nolan was like, ‘I’ll play shortstop. I’ll do whatever. but I’m not insulted to go play first, and I can win a Gold Glove over there,'” Wolfe said.
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.