With the solar making ready to set on January and Spring Training reporting dates inching nearer by the day, it looks like we’ve exhausted the conversations concerning the high free brokers nonetheless on the lookout for jobs.
Yes, these gamers — and lots of others — are nonetheless trying to settle their conditions for 2024 and past, however what concerning the groups that might/must be signing them?
(Insert your “Why don’t the Dodgers just sign all of them?” joke right here.)
The Dodgers have dominated the Hot Stove headlines, however they’re removed from the one crew to make important strikes this offseason. The Reds’ additions embody Jeimer Candelario, Nick Martinez, Frankie Montas and Emilio Pagán; whereas the Royals added Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Hunter Renfroe, Chris Stratton and Will Smith. The Cardinals remade their rotation with the signings of Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn. The D-backs adopted up their World Series look by re-signing Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and including each Eduardo Rodriguez and Joc Pederson. The Mets haven’t been big-game searching, however they introduced in Sean Manaea, Luis Severino and Harrison Bader amongst others.
Quite a few different golf equipment have signed no less than two free brokers together with the Giants (Jung Hoo Lee, Jordan Hicks), Astros (Josh Hader, Victor Caratini), Tigers (Jack Flaherty, Kenta Maeda) and Blue Jays (Yariel Rodriguez, Kevin Kiermaier). And let’s not neglect the Yankees, who traded for Juan Soto and signed Marcus Stroman.
So which groups have huge strikes left in them? We polled plenty of huge league executives to see who they consider would profit most from one other key addition or two, and whereas seven completely different groups have been talked about by the ten front-office people we talked to, the Orioles, Cubs, Yankees and Giants have been introduced up most frequently. The Angels, Padres and Blue Jays additionally acquired votes as golf equipment that also have work to do that winter.
“The Orioles still need a starting pitcher,” one American League government mentioned. “They had a great year [in 2023] and have a terrific young core, but adding a veteran starter would go a long way if they hope to repeat [as AL East champions].”
Baltimore’s huge transfer up to now was the one-year, $13 million deal given to nearer Craig Kimbrel, changing All-Star Félix Bautista, who underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in October. The Orioles’ rotation at present options Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, John Means, Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells, and whereas Baltimore isn’t anticipated to shell out the money to signal both Snell or Montgomery, a commerce — for White Sox righty Dylan Cease, maybe? — may nonetheless be within the playing cards.
“That would make sense for them,” a National League government mentioned. “But I don’t know that they have the same pressure on them to make a move as the bigger markets do. They could use it, but I don’t know if their fans would be as upset if they didn’t.”
“I think [Orioles GM Mike] Elias might just roll out every single prospect and win that way,” one other NL exec mentioned, pointing to Baltimore’s extremely ranked farm system.
The Cubs signed Shōta Imanaga to interchange Stroman within the rotation, however Chicago has but to deal with the potential gap within the lineup that may be created ought to Bellinger signal elsewhere. Of course, the Cubs may merely carry Bellinger again, which most execs consider would be the final consequence. Chapman can be in play for the Cubs, who would flip a comparatively quiet offseason right into a productive one in the event that they have been to signal each hitters.
An NL government predicted that the Giants — who not too long ago signed Hicks with the concept of changing him right into a starter — will signal Snell to pair with Logan Webb atop the rotation.
“Snell to San Francisco and Bellinger to the Cubs are very obvious fits,” an NL government mentioned. “I could see Toronto getting in there on Bellinger, as well.”
Another exec who predicted a Snell-Giants match additionally pegged the Yankees because the crew to signal Bellinger, who may see time at first base, heart discipline and DH in 2024, then doubtlessly take over at first base in 2025, if New York declines Anthony Rizzo’s membership possibility on the finish of this season.
“I don’t know if those are the exact moves,” the exec mentioned. “But I think both of those clubs have money to spend and need to do something to make a splash.”
Another NL exec additionally believes the Yankees will make one other notable transfer, although he didn’t specify whether or not that may be Bellinger, Snell or any individual else.
“[GM Brian Cashman] has one more move up his sleeve,” the manager mentioned.
Content Source: www.mlb.com