11 teams that should make noise at Winter Meetings
The Winter Meetings are again in San Diego this week, the primary time since 2019 that the occasion is being held in individual.
MLB.com seems to be at 11 groups which can be anticipated to maneuver the needle because the baseball world gathers for the Hot Stove season’s greatest week.
Yankees
As lengthy as Aaron Judge stays on the free-agent market, the Yankees would be the group to look at. New York made a suggestion within the eight-year, $300 million vary, although the AL MVP is anticipated to command at the very least $40 million per season when all is alleged and carried out. The Yankees stay the favorites to retain Judge, but when he indicators elsewhere, there will probably be immense stress for common supervisor Brian Cashman to reply. Could that imply signing Carlos Correa or Justin Verlander?
Giants
San Francisco had a ton of cash come off the books this winter, setting the Giants up as one of many offseason’s huge spenders. Aaron Judge stays the membership’s high goal, however there are many areas by which president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi can enhance his roster. Judge or no Judge, the Giants determine to be one of many busier groups this week.
Rangers
After making a pair of massive splashes final winter with the signings of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien for a mixed $500 million, the Rangers have been again at it with Friday’s acquisition of Jacob deGrom, who signed a five-year, $185 million contract. Last 12 months’s spending spree resulted in a 68-94 season, the dismissal of president of baseball operations Jon Daniels and the hiring of World Series-champion supervisor Bruce Bochy. With deGrom on board, don’t be shocked to see the Rangers comply with that up with one other pitching transfer.
Dodgers
The Dodgers stay on the periphery of the Aaron Judge sweepstakes, however Los Angeles figures to be within the combine for quite a few high-profile free brokers. The membership has already met with Justin Verlander and is alleged to be enthusiastic about Xander Bogaerts, who might fill the outlet left by free agent Trea Turner. More than $100 million got here off the Dodgers’ payroll for the reason that finish of the season, giving president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman loads of monetary flexibility to do just about no matter he needs.
Mets
As lengthy as Steve Cohen owns the Mets, they are going to be a menace for any free agent they select to pursue. Now that Jacob deGrom has left for Texas, count on the Mets to reply with a pitching signing of their very own. The membership has spoken with Justin Verlander, Kodai Senga and Carlos Rodón, getting ready for the likelihood that deGrom would signal elsewhere, so that they’re ready for the following step. They received’t be in on the shortstop market, however the Mets can have a say within the outfield and pitching markets as they start to shake out in San Diego.
Orioles
It’s been 4 years for the reason that Orioles have been an element on this dialog, having not signed a free agent to a multi-year deal since 2018. GM Mike Elias mentioned on the GM Meetings that he has quite a few areas he hopes to deal with this offseason, specifically one or two beginning pitchers and one or two bats to fortify the lineup. Baltimore won’t be able to spend on the higher echelon of free brokers — assume Trea Turner or Justin Verlander — however the Orioles will probably be within the combine for a lot of gamers on the following tier, setting them up for an eventful week.
Red Sox
Will Boston re-sign Xander Bogaerts? If not, will it pivot to a different shortstop or slide Trevor Story over and search for a substitute at second base? What about first base? The Red Sox had focused José Abreu earlier than he signed with the Astros, so what does Boston do at that place? Other areas the Red Sox might look to deal with embody catching, the beginning rotation and the bullpen.
Twins
Minnesota made a stunning transfer final winter with the signing of Carlos Correa, however the shortstop opted out of his contract to check free company once more this offseason. The Twins would like to carry Correa again — and can probably have handy out the most important contract in group historical past to take action — but when they’re unable to make that occur, Minnesota can have cash to spend to deal with different wants at catcher and within the beginning rotation.
Padres
GM A.J. Preller made the most important transfer on the Trade Deadline, buying Juan Soto and Josh Bell for a haul of prospects. Bell is a free agent, leaving a gap at first base, whereas the rotation misplaced free brokers Mike Clevinger and Sean Manaea. Preller is unpredictable, so count on the Padres to do one thing of word with the Winter Meetings of their yard.
Athletics
Wait, the Athletics? No, Oakland isn’t about to make any notable free-agent signings on the Winter Meetings, however GM David Forst has probably the most interesting commerce candidates in the marketplace: catcher Sean Murphy. Multiple groups are looking for assist behind the plate, making Murphy an enormous asset for the rebuilding Athletics. Expect that market to warmth up because the baseball world gathers in San Diego.
