All of those players figure to find jobs, but maybe not quickly. The deadline for teams and players to exchange salary arbitration figures is Thursday. Many in the industry are preoccupied with those negotiations, further stalling the markets.<\/p>\n
Here is the latest information on a variety of clubs, according to sources briefed on their maneuverings:<\/p>\n
Milwaukee Brewers<\/p>\n
The Freddy Peralta talks are about to resume in earnest. Both New York clubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox are among the teams showing interest. Some low-revenue clubs that can absorb Peralta\u2019s $8 million salary are in play as well.<\/p>\n
The Brewers\u2019 price, even with Peralta under club control for one more season, remains high. A major-league-ready starting pitcher figures to be part of the desired return, so the team can remain a contender. And the calculus also includes this: Any team that acquires Peralta can recoup one prospect by making him a qualifying offer and receiving a likely Competitive Balance Round A pick in the low 30s in 2027.<\/p>\n
Chicago Cubs<\/p>\n
Their fan base is waiting. And waiting. And waiting.<\/p>\n
The Cubs have spent slightly more than $30 million on five free-agent relievers and brought first baseman Tyler Austin back from Japan for $1.25 million. But if they want to avoid a fan uprising at the Cubs Convention Jan. 16 to 18, at least one splash is necessary.<\/p>\n
Like most teams, the Cubs did not value free-agent right-hander Tatsuya Imai highly. Imai\u2019s three-year, $63 million guarantee from the Houston Astros was less than one-third of Tim Britton\u2019s initial eight-year $190 million projection.<\/p>\n
The industry-wide skepticism of Imai might very well be warranted. The Cubs, though, still need a starting pitcher (Zac Gallen?). And a top-flight bat to replace Tucker (Bregman?). Based on their recent history, it\u2019s probably best to bet the under.<\/p>\n
New York Yankees<\/p>\n
As reported Sunday by The Athletic<\/a>, the Yankees are in talks with the Miami Marlins on a trade for right-hander Edward Cabrera and are also in discussions with the Brewers on Peralta.<\/p>\n General manager Brian Cashman has said he would \u201clove\u201d to add another starting pitcher to address the uncertainty in his rotation to start the season. He also is bargain shopping for relievers and engaged in other pursuits.<\/p>\n The signing of free-agent infielder Paul DeJong to a minor-league contract on Sunday, first reported by Jon Heyman<\/a>, provides another option at shortstop besides Jos\u00e9 Caballero and Oswaldo Cabrera as Anthony Volpe recovers from left-shoulder surgery. The Yankees have checked in on Bichette, but likely would need to trade second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. or third baseman Ryan McMahon to accommodate him. They do not envision Bichette at shortstop.<\/p>\n Re-signing Cody Bellinger remains the team\u2019s top priority.<\/p>\n Toronto Blue Jays<\/p>\n The Jays\u2019 four-year, $60 million signing of Japanese free agent Kazuma Okamoto raised perhaps more questions than it answered.<\/p>\n If the Jays determine in spring training that Okamoto is their everyday third baseman, then Addison Barger will move to right field. If not, then Okamoto can play some at third, spell Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first and also see time in the outfield and at DH.<\/p>\n Under either scenario, Ernie Clement likely would move to second. But if the Jays re-sign Bichette to occupy that position, Clement might be reduced to more of a bench player. His OPS against right-handers during the regular season was only .622. In the postseason, it was .958.<\/p>\n With outfielders George Springer and Daulton Varsho both entering their free-agent years, Tucker still makes sense for the Jays as well. If there\u2019s one thing Toronto\u2019s lineup still requires, it\u2019s a left-handed slugger.<\/p>\n Baltimore Orioles<\/p>\n Even after the additions of right-handers Shane Baz and Zach Eflin, one team official said the team\u2019s rotation was not necessarily complete, describing it as only \u201cadequate.\u201d<\/p>\n The Orioles remain in pursuit of another starter, either in free agency or trade. They could sign either of the top remaining free-agent left-handers, Framber Valdez or Ranger Su\u00e1rez, or even the right-handed Gallen. And they are still deep enough in prospects to pursue the remaining starters available in trade, from Cabrera to Peralta to Washington Nationals lefty MacKenzie Gore.<\/p>\n The bullpen is another potential area to upgrade, though the Orioles already have landed Andrew Kittredge and Ryan Helsley, and most of the top free-agent relievers are off the board. Additional depth in center field also remains a possibility.<\/p>\n Boston Red Sox<\/p>\n A pitching addition should not be ruled out for Boston, but the Red Sox are more focused on position players.<\/p>\n Bregman and Bichette continue to stand out as potential fits. On the pitching side, the Sox have expressed some interest in Peralta.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Dodgers<\/p>\n Dodgers people like to say that Andrew Friedman\u2019s preferred method of operation is \u201changing around the backboard.\u201d If a player\u2019s price in trade or free agency drops, the Dodgers\u2019 president of baseball operations will attempt to grab him on the rebound and dunk on the industry yet again.<\/p>\n Tucker on, say, a four-year deal with opt-outs and a massive AAV would be a classic Friedman add. The idea also might appeal to Tucker\u2019s low-key personality. Rather than the center of attention, he would be perhaps the Dodgers\u2019 fifth- or sixth-biggest star.<\/p>\n The whole thing still sounds like a long shot \u2014 as does any chance of trading for Peralta or the Detroit Tigers\u2019 Tarik Skubal \u2014 but when Friedman is hanging around the backboard, it\u2019s best to stay attentive.<\/p>\n San Diego Padres<\/p>\n Speaking of basketball, no executive hoops like Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller<\/a>. And no exec runs the fast break as effectively during transactional periods.<\/p>\n As usual, Preller is talking to anyone and everyone. To this point, he has been relatively quiet, at least in terms of results.<\/p>\n Payroll limitations might be part of it. The Padres re-signed left-hander Kyle Hart for one year and $1.2 million and Korean infielder Sung Mun Song for four years and $15 million. Even free-agent right-hander Michael King\u2019s three-year, $75 million contract includes an opt-out that might leave the Padres with only a $22 million obligation for one year, including $8 million deferred.<\/p>\n Preller still needs starting pitching and at least one bat. He wants his team to contend, but his approach to addition and subtraction remains to be seen.<\/p>\n Arizona Diamondbacks<\/p>\n Barring a last-minute change, the Diamondbacks are expected to move on soon from their trade discussions involving All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte.<\/p>\n General manager Mike Hazen signaled as much<\/a> to MLB.com last week. Nothing has changed since then, and the team has always viewed a trade of Marte as a long shot.<\/p>\n What the return of Marte would mean for the DBacks\u2019 pursuit of Bregman is unclear. A scenario exists<\/a> in which the team could carry both, but Arizona might prefer to avoid a major expenditure and invest in bullpen help and a right-handed hitting first baseman\/DH instead.<\/p>\n Detroit Tigers<\/p>\n Dealing Skubal remains a possibility. Beyond that, the Tigers could look to make another bullpen addition.<\/p>\n Detroit has already invested in the unit, re-signing Kyle Finnegan to a two-year, $19 million deal and signing Kenley Jansen to a one-year, $9 million pact. The Tigers also feature Will Vest as a high-leverage option, but there\u2019s room for another right-hander.<\/p>\n Either free agent right-hander Seranthony Dom\u00ednguez or Tyler Kinley would help.<\/p>\n Los Angeles Angels<\/p>\n The best word to describe the Angels is \u201clurking.\u201d<\/p>\n After restructuring third baseman Anthony Rendon\u2019s contract<\/a> and settling the wrongful death lawsuit<\/a> brought against them by the family of Tyler Skaggs, the Angels appear capable of doing something big.<\/p>\n Rendon will receive the $38 million he is owed in his final season over the next three to five years. The Angels\u2019 payroll<\/a> already was down considerably from the end of last season.<\/p>\n While owner Arte Moreno opposes long-term deals for starting pitchers, his increased payroll flexibility might make Valdez, Su\u00e1rez or Gallen possible on a short, high-AAV deal (Valdez, the oldest of the group at 32, is the most likely to accept such an outcome). The Angels, after adding Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah, are less interested in middle-tier starters.<\/p>\n The outfield is another area the Angels want to improve. Like the free-agent starters, outfielder Harrison Bader will be attractive if his market falls to a certain level. And don\u2019t forget third base, where a replacement for Rendon was always going to be necessary.<\/p>\n Athletics<\/p>\n On the position-player side, a talented and young core is in place for the Athletics, but pitching remains a challenge.<\/p>\n Ideally, the Athletics want to add an experienced starting pitcher to buy time for their young hurlers and provide insurance against possible injuries. Cost (in terms of dollars in free agency and prospect capital for a trade) is an issue, meaning there\u2019s no guarantee they wind up adding to the rotation.<\/p>\n The Athletics\u2019 payroll is set to increase, but they are not going to reach the levels they project for 2028. Thus, the spring is an important time to assess how much help internal options such as J.T. Ginn, Gunnar Hoglund, Jack Perkins and Luis Morales can provide alongside starters Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez.<\/p>\n Seattle Mariners<\/p>\n The Mariners\u2019 goal since re-signing free-agent first baseman Josh Naylor to a five-year, $92.5 million deal has been obvious: Supplement their young infield talent by adding a veteran hitter.<\/p>\n Free agent Jorge Polanco could have been that player, but he signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Mets. Marte also might fit, but is restricted to second base. The St. Louis Cardinals\u2019 Brendan Donovan holds greater appeal because of his defensive versatility, but the talks between the clubs have yet to bear fruit. A reunion with free agent Eugenio Su\u00e1rez could be an option if all else fails.<\/p>\n The Mariners want to give Cole Young ample time at second<\/a>. Top prospect Colt Emerson might crack their Opening Day roster at third. Both players are promising. Neither is proven.<\/p>\n Houston Astros<\/p>\n
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