When Juan Soto signed his record-breaking deal in the course of the Winter Conferences, the expectations across the Majors have been that the free-agent dam was about to interrupt.
Soto’s deal would theoretically set the market in movement, permitting the remainder of the highest gamers to seek out properties earlier than MLB took a well-deserved break for the vacations.
That situation didn’t play out as anticipated. Sure, numerous prime free brokers have inked new offers since Soto landed with the Mets — Max Fried, Corbin Burnes, Nathan Eovaldi, Sean Manaea, Walker Buehler, Teoscar Hernández, Christian Walker, Gleyber Torres, Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana all got here off the board earlier than the calendar turned to 2025 — however some notable names stay obtainable with fewer than six weeks remaining till Spring Coaching camps open.
Coming into the offseason, the 2 groups that many anticipated to be major suitors for Bregman have been the Astros and Yankees, however as we enter 2025, the 2 American League contenders appear unlikely to be touchdown spots for the two-time All-Star.
The Tigers have been a possible touchdown spot for Bregman, who has a prolonged historical past with supervisor A.J. Hinch and would add a much-needed right-handed bat. However Detroit lately signed Torres to play second base, and whereas its third-base scenario stays fluid, the Tigers have had ample time to make a play for Bregman up to now.
It’s foolish to rely out the Mets in terms of any free agent, as Steve Cohen has proven a willingness to spend like no different proprietor within the recreation. Bregman may play third base for the Mets, transferring Mark Vientos to first base, although the potential for Pete Alonso to return (extra on him in a minute) will play a key position within the membership’s curiosity in Bregman.
One other membership linked to Bregman has been the Phillies, although any transfer at third base must be predicated on a commerce of Alec Bohm, who stays in Philadelphia regardless of weeks of commerce hypothesis.
Maybe probably the most logical workforce for Bregman at this level is the Pink Sox, who’ve addressed their rotation issues with the signing of Buehler and the commerce for Garrett Crochet, however Boston has come up quick in its pursuit of an influence bat. Triston Casas and Rafael Devers are firmly planted on the corners, so until Casas is traded and Devers is moved to first base, Bregman may play second base, offering the kind of right-handed hitter the Pink Sox need to add.
The perfect pure dwelling run hitter obtainable, Alonso’s market has been comparatively quiet this offseason. Numerous groups on the lookout for first-base assist addressed their wants earlier than the top of final yr, taking them out of play for the 30-year-old slugger.
These embody the Astros (Walker), Yankees (Goldschmidt), D-backs (Josh Naylor), Nationals (Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Bell), and Guardians (Santana), although not all of these golf equipment have been thought-about potential touchdown spots for Alonso.
The Mets stay engaged with Alonso, who has performed his whole six-year profession in New York. Trade sources consider the Mets will finally re-sign Alonso, although a deal may embody opt-out clauses after the primary and/or second yr, giving Alonso a chance to discover free company once more after the 2025 or ‘26 seasons.
Two different golf equipment to observe are the Giants and Blue Jays, every of whom has been linked to Alonso in some unspecified time in the future this offseason.
As for Toronto, the addition of Alonso would both shift Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to 3rd base or create a primary base/DH combo between the 2 sluggers. Alonso would additionally give Toronto some insurance coverage within the occasion that Guerrero leaves as a free agent subsequent offseason, although any opt-out clauses in Alonso’s contract would make that iffy at greatest.
With Burnes, Fried and Blake Snell all signed to offers with new golf equipment, Flaherty is the perfect remaining arm on the free-agent market — and in contrast to fellow free agent Nick Pivetta, the 29-year-old didn’t obtain a qualifying provide, so any workforce that indicators Flaherty gained’t have to surrender Draft picks.
The Orioles look like a logical candidate to signal Flaherty as Baltimore misplaced its ace to free company when Burnes agreed to a six-year, $210 million take care of Arizona. Flaherty pitched for the O’s in 2023 after being acquired on the Commerce Deadline, and whereas he went 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA in 9 outings, his rebound in 2024 has him in line to signal a profitable multi-year deal.
With few alternate options in free company, the Orioles may flip to the commerce market — San Diego’s Dylan Stop and Seattle’s Luis Castillo are amongst potential commerce candidates — to fill the outlet atop the rotation, however a reunion with Flaherty would make excellent sense.
Numerous different groups additionally stay within the combine for Flaherty together with the Giants, Blue Jays, Tigers and Cubs.
Following his 44-homer season, Santander figured to be a scorching commodity in free company, however his market by no means crystallized in December. One of many few true energy bats obtainable, the switch-hitting Santander could be a superb match with numerous groups, none extra so than the Blue Jays.
Toronto has swung and missed on numerous free brokers this offseason, none greater than Soto. The Blue Jays are getting into a vital season in 2025, as Guerrero, Bo Bichette and Chris Bassitt are all slated to develop into free brokers on the finish of the yr. That leaves a one-year window to deal with the present roster, although the Jays will definitely attempt to lock up Guerrero with a long-term deal.
Santander is believed to be searching for a five-year deal price not less than $100 million, and whereas his protection is below-average, his energy can be impactful on any lineup he joins.
The Pink Sox, Yankees, Angels and Tigers are among the many different golf equipment which have been linked to the 30-year-old Santander, who made his first All-Star workforce and gained a Silver Slugger Award in 2024.
Essentially the most intriguing free agent of the offseason, Sasaki is on a time clock to resolve the place he desires to play, as his 45-day window to signal expires on Jan. 23.
Cash is unlikely to be the deciding issue for Sasaki, who is taken into account a world novice free agent, limiting him to golf equipment’ worldwide bonus pool moderately than an all-out bidding struggle just like the one which resulted in a $325 million deal for Yoshinobu Yamamoto a yr in the past.
Joel Wolfe, who represents Sasaki, stated this week that 20 groups despatched in shows for the pitcher after he was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines final month. Sasaki has already held in-person conferences with not less than seven golf equipment — the Dodgers, Cubs, Padres, Yankees, Mets, Rangers and Giants — and is anticipated to carry a second spherical of conferences this month.
The Padres and Dodgers are thought-about by trade sources to be the favorites to signal the star pitcher, whose contract limitations make him a monetary match for any workforce within the Majors. Sasaki isn’t anticipated to signal earlier than Jan. 15, when the 2025 worldwide signing interval begins, permitting groups to make use of their whole bonus pool for the upcoming season.
