It’s rumor mill and hot stove season in the baseball world.
Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings begin Dec. 8 in Orlando, Fla. The closed-quarters wheeling and dealing often picks up as a result of all 30 clubs converging to the same area, and it’s possible some of the biggest moves of the offseason will take place, or at least begin to formulate, at the Winter Meetings.
The Guardians are dealing with the question of whether or not to trade All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan and how to best support star third baseman Jose Ramirez, though their projected payroll remains much lower than their 2024-2025 levels.
Stay tuned here for the biggest rumors as they begin to swirl.
Former Cleveland reliever James Karinchak is reportedly in an agreement with the Atlanta Braves on a minor league deal.
Karinchak hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2023.
Slugger Kyle Schwarber, one of the top free agent hitters on the market this winter, is drawing interest from a number of a teams, a list that reportedly includes the Mets and Phillies in the NL East.
One of the leading decisions to be made around the league, rival teams are reportedly waiting to see how far the Phillies will go to keep him.
First baseman Pete Alonso, one of the best right-handed power hitters in the game, is expected to drive the market and is reportedly expected to meet with the Red Sox, Orioles and others soon.
Japanese star Tatsuya Imai will garner a great deal of interest of many teams, a list that that will reportedly include the Cubs.
The Nationals hold two of the bigger trade chips at this year’s Winter Meetings, and both — CJ Abrams and Mackenzie Gore — are reportedly drawing heavy interest with clubs understanding they could potentially be available.
The Royals are reportedly showing interest in Harrison Bader as a right-handed outfielder, something that could also fit what the Guardians are looking for if they were to re-tool some spots around the roster.
A couple of AL East teams — the Blue Jays and Red Sox — are both among the clubs reportedly interested in Ketel Marte.
Free agent pitcher Mike Soroka is reportedly in an agreement with sign a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks.