MLB Rumour Roundup: Blue Jays among teams ‘chasing’ Ohtani

With Sonny Gray and Jason Heyward signing Monday, the MLB low season seems to be choosing up steam heading in the direction of the winter conferences in early December.

Of course, this winter is all about Shohei Ohtani and the place the two-time AL MVP will take his two-way skills for the foreseeable future. Despite the colossal silence coming from Ohtani’s camp as groups jostle for the 29-year-old’s companies, it’s changing into almost unimaginable to disregard the Toronto Blue Jays‘ reported curiosity in including baseball’s largest star.

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Already having been described as a “sleeper” for Ohtani and out there to “do something big,” the Blue Jays popped up once more Monday in connection to the Japanese star.

Here’s a take a look at who else is seeking to steal headlines this low season and another rumours from round MLB.

Blue Jays, Dodgers and Rangers ‘chasing’ Ohtani

On Monday morning, ESPN‘s Jeff Passan wrote an article figuring out “Ten teams to watch as free agency picks up.” And whereas the Blue Jays didn’t make the minimize, he did greater than sufficient to seize the eye of baseball followers north of the border as a part of the piece’s introduction.

“There are plenty of teams whose off-seasons hinge on the right addition,” Passan wrote. “The Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays are chasing the biggest star in the sport, free agent two-way player Shohei Ohtani.”

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It had been rumoured that Toronto was going to be within the combine for Ohtani. Still, with Passan confirming its curiosity Monday, together with the bread crumbs being left round baseball, it’s truthful to say the membership is placing its greatest foot ahead in making as large of a splash as potential this low season.

Competing with the constantly nice Dodgers and reigning World Series champion Rangers goes to be no straightforward feat, nonetheless. Both groups have proven their willingness to spend — and spend large — lately, and have received baseball’s final prize over the previous 4 seasons.

But the Blue Jays may need a shocking benefit within the attraction of their house ballpark to Ohtani.

Alden Gonzalez reported in ESPN’s “Shohei Ohtani Tracker” Monday that “people throughout the industry believe that” geography will not be as essential to Ohtani as his consolation in his new ballpark.

“That’s why some executives believe a team such as the San Francisco Giants, who play in a very difficult hitters’ park, is unlikely to land him regardless of the desire to add superstar talent,” Gonzalez wrote. “And it might be why the Toronto Blue Jays, who play 2,500 miles away from Ohtani’s Southern California home, are seen as a strong suitor.”

There is little doubt Ohtani has thrived at Rogers Centre. In 13 profession video games on the dome, he owns a 1.139 OPS with 5 doubles and three house runs. He has additionally began one sport on the ballpark, throwing seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 win in August of 2022.

So, whereas there may be a lot that may go into a call with the magnitude of the one Ohtani is about to make, a win on the margins might make a big distinction.

Padres ‘entertaining the notion’ of dealing Soto

Passan not solely dropped Ohtani’s identify Monday, however he additionally introduced the San Diego Padres’ plans for 25-year-old star Juan Soto into the combination.

He wrote that the Padres “are entertaining the notion of trading star outfielder Juan Soto.”

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After being dealt to San Diego on the final commerce deadline, the three-time All-Star might doubtlessly be again available on the market heading into the ultimate 12 months of his contract. The Padres are reportedly seeking to minimize payroll for 2024 after taking out a $50 million mortgage to assist pay participant salaries in 2023.

According to MLB Trade Rumours, Soto is in line to make $33 million in arbitration this low season.

A group Passan did establish as one of many 10 to look at was the New York Yankees, itemizing a Soto commerce as “the perfect transaction for the team.”

Reds have been within the combine for Gray, are concerned with Glasnow

After AL Cy Young runner-up Gray inked a three-year pact with the St. Louis Cardinals, it was reported by MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon that the Cincinnati Reds “were pursuing and were close” to including the 34-year-old.

Sheldon added that the Reds “also have interest in Tyler Glasnow” and that the Tampa Bay Rays are looking for an “MLB-ready starter” in return.

With a bunch of burgeoning younger place gamers, Cincinnati is in want of rotation assist after its starters completed twenty eighth in baseball with a 5.43 ERA.

Earlier in November, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that a number of groups had inquired about Reds second baseman Jonathan India in a possible commerce so as to add on the pitching aspect.

Braves and White Sox have mentioned Cease commerce

USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale reported Monday morning that the Atlanta Braves have entered the combination of groups seeking to commerce for Chicago White Sox starter Dylan Cease.

The Dodgers had beforehand been reported as a group within the 27-year-old right-hander, however with Gray and Aaron Nola now off the market, the Braves could also be shifting to the commerce market to discover a starter.

The White Sox’s new basic supervisor, Chris Getz, has mentioned that his group is open for business this low season after a disappointing 61-101 2023 marketing campaign.

Cease nonetheless has two years of group management and is simply getting into arbitration for the primary time in his profession this winter. He is projected to make $8.8 million, so he affords a less expensive top-of-the-rotation choice than among the high free-agent pitchers remaining.

Astros listening on Bregman

Another main identify was thrown within the hearsay mill on Monday when former MLB basic supervisor Jim Duquette went on MLB Network Radio and mentioned he thinks the Houston Astros are listening and to “keep an eye on Alex Bregman.”

SNY‘s Andy Martino reported that he had been listening to the identical as Duquette.

Bregman, a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, is getting into the ultimate 12 months of his contract, and Duquette mentioned, “they’re not going to pay him” and “there’s no chance he’s going to stay there.”

The 29-year-old third baseman would turn into one of many high place gamers out there this low season if the Astros did look to maneuver him. He has acquired MVP votes in 4 of the final six seasons and has completed with an OPS over .800 in each MLB season wherein he has performed over 100 video games.

More from Sportsnet

Blue Jays Notebook: How might groups get inventive in recruiting Ohtani?

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