MLB free agency is upon us, with the league’s winter meetings underway in Dallas this week. The name on everyone’s lips is Juan Soto, but he’s not the only free agent who has a big decision to make this winter.
Here’s a quick look at where things stand so far this offseason:
Juan Soto’s rejected suitors start their Plan Bs
The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers were all reported to be in on Soto before he chose the New York Mets and their enormous pile of money. It didn’t take long for all four of those teams to get started with Plan B.
The Yankees made the loudest move, with the reported eight-year, $218 million contract for Max Fried, taking one of the top free-agent pitchers off the board.
“From the Yankees standpoint, no retreat, no surrender, we get back after it and find a way to put together a roster that our fans are going to be excited about,” Yankees general manager Cashman said. “And we want to defend that American League title and get back in the World Series and try to win it.”
A day later, the Red Sox struck by acquiring left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox. Boston is sending top prospect Kyle Teel to Chicago in the deal, along with outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez.
The Blue Jays made some noise Tuesday with a trade for Guardians second baseman Andrés Giménez and pitcher Nick Sandlin. The Guardians received infielder Spencer Horwitz in return, though they promptly sent him to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In that swap, the Guardians received Josh Hartle, Luis Ortiz and Michael Kennedy. The Marlins also traded Jake Burger to the Rangers.
As for the Dodgers, they’ve made some smaller moves with the signings of outfielder Michael Conforto (one year, $17 million) and reliever Blake Treinen (two years, $22 million). The Conforto deal was reached hours before Soto’s, but you’d figure Los Angeles already knew where it stood.
Meanwhile, Soto’s deal went official on Wednesday after he passed his physical.
Trade market still heating up
Crochet and Giménez might not be the only notable names moving this winter.
Trade speculation is heating up for Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker, with the Yankees, Cubs, Giants and Phillies reportedly vying for his services, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The San Diego Padres are also reportedly shopping standout starting pitcher Dylan Cease in an attempt to cut salary after carrying some of baseball’s largest payrolls.
The new York Yankees, meanwhile, had replaced Clay Holmes in their bullpen by acquiring Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin.
The addition of Williams, plus the return of Jonathan Loáisiga, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, will bolster the Yankees’ bullpen. The question remains whether manager Aaron Boone will use Williams or Luke Weaver as the team’s closer in 2025.
Waiting on Roki Sasaki
Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki was posted Monday morning as the winter meetings got underway, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. Sasaki’s posting opened a 45-day window, which began Tuesday and runs through 5 p.m. ET Jan. 23. Every MLB team is now allowed to attempt to sway the 23-year-old talent to sign with them when the international amateur signing period opens Jan. 15.
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Follow along with Yahoo Sports as we track all the rumors, signings and more during MLB free agency:
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Brewers sending RP Devin Williams to Yankees for SP Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin
The New York Yankees have reportedly acquired reliever Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Pitcher Nestor Cortes, second base prospect Caleb Durbin and some cash are heading to Milwaukee.
The 30-year-old Williams recorded 14 saves in 22 appearances last season with the Brewers. He missed the first three months of the season due to a stress fracture in his back. When he returned, Williams only allowed three earned runs over 21.2 innings during the regular season.
The addition of Williams, plus the return of Jonathan Loáisiga, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, will bolster the Yankees’ bullpen. The question remains whether manager Aaron Boone will use Williams or Luke Weaver as the team’s closer in 2025.
Cortes turned himself into a reliable starter since getting an increased workload beginning in 2021. He’s made 84 starts over the past four seasons ate innings for the Yankees (173 1/3 in 2024), but with the addition of Max Fried it was clear someone needed to be moved.
Read more here.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 03: Devin Williams #38 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in the ninth inning against the New York Mets during Game Three of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 03, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) -
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With Garrett Crochet trade, Red Sox add a frontline starter and White Sox infuse their rebuild with prospects
Garrett Crochet is headed to Boston after Wednesday’s trade. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) After their failed pursuit of Juan Soto, the baseball world was waiting for the Red Sox to finally make their first big move of the offseason. And on the final day of the winter meetings, Boston took care of a significant need, acquiring left-hander Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox for a huge prospect haul, including catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth and right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez.
Crochet, 25, has been one of the biggest trade pieces on the market since July’s trade deadline, and it’s easy to understand why. The new Red Sox ace thrived in his first full season as a starter in 2024, quickly becoming one of the game’s elite power arms as he struck out 209 to the tune of a 3.58 ERA.
One look at Crochet’s underlying metrics shows just how much of an impact addition the southpaw is. He led MLB last season with a 35% strikeout rate in just 146 innings, and after the Sox missed out on the likes of Max Fried, who agreed Tuesday on an eight-year, $218 million deal with the Yankees, they can now cross frontline starter off their list of offseason needs.
Read the full story here.
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