Free Brokers
• Some groups are contemplating utilizing Jeff Hoffman as a starter.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel reported inside his rating of the offseason’s high free brokers that some golf equipment have thought-about pursuing Hoffman as a beginning pitcher. The Athletic’s Matt Gelb backs that up in his personal report, additional mentioning that Hoffman is represented the identical company (CAA) that represented Reynaldo Lopez throughout his personal swap from the bullpen to the rotation final winter.
Notably, McDaniel opines that Hoffman continues to be likelier to signal as a reliever. It’s the position during which he’s dominated over the previous two seasons, and whereas he’s not the No. 1 reliever on this offseason’s free agent class — most publications, together with MLBTR, assigned that honor to lefty Tanner Scott — Hoffman has a case to be thought-about the No. 2 or No. 3 bullpen arm on the open market this winter.
As a reliever, Hoffman has three pitches which have nice grades and outcomes.
Pitch: SwStr%, BotOverall, Pitching+4-seamer: 15%, 67, 103Slider: 21%, 49, 104Splitter: 18%, 49, 107
• Roki Sasaki and his guardian crew will go away some huge cash on the desk if he’s posted this offseason.
If Sasaki have been to be posted this offseason, he’d be taking a look at a bonus just like what Shohei Ohtani acquired when he confronted the identical limitations. In 2017, Ohtani selected the Los Angeles Angels after a fierce recruiting battle, signing for $2.3 million, a fraction of his eventual manufacturing and the worth he generated for the West Coast franchise.
The variations between major- and minor-league contracts — and being 23 or 25 in these instances — are monumental.
By ready till after his twenty fifth birthday to undergo the posting course of final winter, Yoshinobu Yamamoto landed a record-setting $325 million take care of the Dodgers. The posting charge to Yamamoto’s earlier crew, the Orix Buffaloes, price the Dodgers an extra $50.6 million.
• Alex Bregman had elbow surgical procedure.
Free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman underwent a process to take away a bone chip from his proper elbow, his agent Scott Boras stated Wednesday.
Boras stated Bregman is on monitor to renew swinging a bat “in just a few weeks” and hinted he will probably be at full energy for spring coaching. Bregman underwent an analogous arthroscopic surgical procedure to take away bone chips from the identical elbow after the 2018 season.
After a mid-summer timeline from Ha-Seong Kim 김하성’s former GM, his agent says Kim will probably be prepared close to the beginning of the season.
Kim’s agent, Scott Boras, stated the 29-year-old is receiving “widespread” curiosity from groups regardless of the harm.
“He is aware of that every one the groups are privy to his return to play date, which goes to be, if not [at the] begin, very early within the season,” Boras stated on Wednesday. “They’re all conscious. They’ve seen the reviews and are very comfy along with his medical.”
American League
Athletics
• Mason Miller won’t be transferring to the rotation.
Final offseason, the Athletics moved Mason Miller from the rotation to the closing job. Normal supervisor David Forst stated on the time that the A’s have been open to constructing the right-hander again up as a starter after one season in aid. That doesn’t appear to be on the desk for now.
“We’re not speaking about transferring him again right into a beginning position,” Forst informed John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle this week. Whereas that doesn’t preclude having the dialog sooner or later in the course of the offseason, it seems the likelier final result is that Miller will stay within the ninth inning.
Guardians
• Andrés Giménez may play some shortstop subsequent season.
The rationale behind transferring him to shortstop previously was possibly there can be a greater bat (like Juan Brito) to take over at second base, whereas Giménez shifts to shortstop. Now, all eyes flip to Travis Bazzana, this yr’s No. 1 total Draft choose.
The second baseman from Australia could possibly be on the quick monitor to the Majors. If he’s capable of make his debut by the top of the ’25 season, the Guardians might want to have the pliability to maneuver Giménez to shortstop.
“It’s at all times useful to have versatility,” Antonetti stated. “So Gimé, all through the season on his personal, continued to take floor balls at shortstop, and we’ve inspired him this winter to proceed to get reps at brief in order that’s at all times an choice.”
Orioles
• Jackson Holliday shortened his toe faucet over the ultimate two common season video games. Here’s a comparability of his previous and new one.
Jackson Holliday was “hesitant” to ditch his leg kick for a toe faucet — an thought the Orioles first pitched shortly after drafting him.
However after imitating Shohei Ohtani throughout BP with coach Cody Asche, Holliday made the late-season swap and it labored.
📰: https://t.co/HgxI81P4lQ pic.twitter.com/DrIG3q1Xjb
— Jacob Calvin Meyer is on a byline strike (@jcalvinmeyer) October 24, 2024
Yankees
• Jasson Domínguez isn’t being assured an outfield spot subsequent season.
The Yankees aren’t guaranteeing high prospect Jasson Domínguez a spot of their beginning outfield simply but. Cashman talked about how the 21-year-old “missed a variety of time” this yr attributable to harm.
“He’s able to probably take a spot,” Cashman stated, “however then we’ve to check that to what else is out there to us, too, and make these choices. I’m not saying he’s assured a place at November no matter day it’s. We’ll wait and see how our winter performs out and what twists and turns come our manner.”
• The second base void could possibly be dealt with internally with Jazz Chisholm Jr. …
The Yankees additionally see second base as a place they might fill with any variety of inner candidates. Cashman stated the membership may transfer Jazz Chisholm Jr. from third base again to second base or use prospects Caleb Durbin or Oswald Peraza on the place.
… or Caleb Durbin.
Cashman talked about Caleb Durbin as a possible inner candidate to take over second base subsequent season in the event that they resolve to not re-sign Torres. Durbin, who’s on tempo to interrupt the Arizona Fall League document for stolen bases, may carry much-needed pace to the lineup.
• Ben Rice could possibly be an answer at first base.
Cashman additionally stated that he considers Ben Rice “a catcher first” fairly than a primary baseman, although Rice solely performed first base within the majors this season. However the GM referred to as Rice “a risk” as an answer at first base with Anthony Rizzo a free agent.
“He’s an amazing bat,” Cashman stated of Rice. “He’s acquired some severe slug and on-base share in there. We’re actually excited concerning the offensive profile.”
Nationwide League
Cardinals
• Willson Contreras will transfer to first base.
NL Gm’s are assembly the media. One factor to deal with with Cardinals brass: Willson Contreras is transferring to first base.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) November 6, 2024
• Willson Contreras and Sonny Grey won’t waive their no-trade clauses.
This time, Contreras’ openness to a place change speaks volumes about his need to stay with the Cardinals, regardless of the crew’s present trajectory. With payroll taking place and the group targeted on improvement, Mozeliak has held conversations with all gamers holding full no-trade clauses, gauging every participant’s curiosity in staying by way of the rebuild interval. Contreras expressed a need to stay with the group; the Cardinals won’t be buying and selling him this winter. At the least one different participant additionally has stated he’d favor to stick with the Cardinals, Mozeliak stated. Per league sources, that participant is Sonny Grey.
• The primary outfielders will probably be Lars Nootbaar, Jordan Walker, and Michael Siani.
Mozeliak stated Lars Nootbaar and Jordan Walker ought to see appreciable reps within the nook outfield. Michael Siani seems to be the frontrunner for the beginning middle area job come spring coaching, although Victor Scott II may have alternatives as he continues to develop.
Cubs
• The crew will get well being checkups from Ben Brown and Cade Horton later this month.
Hoyer famous that each Brown and high pitching prospect Cade Horton (Pipeline’s No. 3 Cubs prospect and No. 42 on the High 100 record) are scheduled for checkups later this month. If each are cleared following injury-marred campaigns final season, they need to have a traditional ramp-up resulting in Spring Coaching and be in line to assist in 2025.
Dodgers
• Shohei Ohtani is probably not able to pitch to begin the season …
Ohtani has been making regular progress along with his throwing over the previous a number of months, however he was not obtainable to pitch in the course of the postseason. Ohtani additionally underwent arthroscopic surgical procedure to restore a left labrum tear on Nov. 5, and the crew expects him to be prepared for Spring Coaching 2025. Whereas he ought to be prepared for Opening Day as a hitter, it’s unclear if Ohtani will probably be able to open the season within the Dodgers’ rotation.
… and delay could possibly be just like Walker Buehler’s Might sixth return from an analogous harm.
Even when Ohtani weren’t rehabbing from left shoulder surgical procedure, he was nonetheless coming off a second main elbow ligament reconstruction. The Dodgers determined to delay the begin to Walker Buehler’s season in an analogous scenario this yr — Buehler made his first begin Might 6. Is identical within the playing cards for Ohtani, even with the Dodgers opening the 2025 season on the Tokyo Dome in Ohtani’s native Japan?
• The crew expects Ohtani to not run as a lot.
Gomes was extra direct about one factor involving Ohtani: A yr after turning into the primary participant ever with greater than 50 residence runs (54) and 50 stolen bases (59) in the identical season, Ohtani in all probability gained’t be as aggressive on the bases once more in 2025.
“I’ve a hunch,” Gomes quipped. “I don’t wish to depend him out as a result of I don’t ever wager in opposition to Shohei.”
• Tony Gonsolin, Tyler Glasnow, and Dustin Might ought to be healed and rotation choices to begin subsequent season.
Gonsolin didn’t seem on any of the Dodgers’ postseason rosters, however he’s anticipated to be obtainable to open the 2025 season within the rotation, per basic supervisor Brandon Gomes. (Final up to date: Nov. 6)
…Normal supervisor Brandon Gomes stated that with relaxation and rehab within the offseason, Glasnow is anticipated to be able to open 2025 within the rotation.…Normal supervisor Brandon Gomes stated Might ought to be an choice to open the season within the rotation in 2025.
• Once more, the crew will probably be utilizing a six-man rotation subsequent season.
Whether or not they have Ohtani pitching initially of the season or not, Gomes reiterated that it’s a “secure wager” the Dodgers will open the season with a six-man rotation — solely additional emphasizing what will probably be a goal space for the group this winter.
• With Mookie Betts shifting to the infield, Dalton Speeding may begin within the outfield.
Shifting Betts to the infield would open up a corner-outfield spot, which may enable the Dodgers to take a shot at wooing high free agent Juan Soto. Maybe extra realistically, Dalton Speeding, the crew’s high prospect and No. 39 total in line with MLB Pipeline, started getting reps in left area halfway by way of 2024 and will have a clearer path to the large league membership.
• Nick Frasso (shoulder) began going through hitters.
… as did prospect Nick Frasso, who progressed to going through hitters this fall …
• Walker Buehler determined to lastly get amped up and pitch his finest for the reason that Dodgers have been within the postseason.
At his core, the Dodgers’ starter is a competitor fueled by adrenaline, stress and a bonafide problem. So his sterling begin in Recreation 3 of the World Collection on Monday evening at Yankee Stadium was not essentially a shock. And neither was his summation of his efforts, which featured a dose of refreshing honesty.
“I feel, as type of brutal as it’s to say, it takes that adrenaline and stuff to type of actually get me going mentally,” Buehler stated. “I want I’d have felt that every one yr. I may let you know I’m excited to pitch each single recreation I’ve ever gone on the market, however there’s something totally different within the playoffs.”
Giants
• Tyler Fitzgerald isn’t tabbed to play shortstop subsequent season.
“If we may discover a shortstop, that’d be nice,” Posey stated Tuesday on the Normal Managers Conferences on the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Nation. “I feel Tyler Fitzgerald did an amazing job at brief final yr. I feel he has worth in a number of spots on the sphere. I do suppose it’s arduous to play a number of spots on the similar time in the course of the season. Whether or not he’d be higher suited to play second base long run is a dialogue we’re having.”
Mets
• For now, Tyrone Taylor is the highest centerfield choice.
The Mets have a gap in middle area now that Harrison Bader is a free agent. Brandon Nimmo moved from middle area to left area in order that the Mets may enhance their protection, notably up the center. In 2024, Nimmo performed sparingly in middle area, however principally appeared in left area. That’s anticipated to proceed to be the case, Stearns stated.
Additionally, Stearns talked about Tyrone Taylor as worthy of consideration for taking part in time. Taylor supplanted Bader down the stretch in 2024 because the on a regular basis middle fielder, however has by no means been a lineup common.
• Ronny Mauricio’s knee restoration is progressing slowly.
Ronny Mauricio made progress along with his restoration from knee surgical procedure, Stearns stated, and is anticipated to be wholesome for spring coaching. Mauricio has not began baseball actions. He had surgical procedure final winter.
Stearns, when requested why Mauricio’s restoration has gone slower than anticipated, stated: “I don’t have an amazing reply to that; it simply has been. Type of at each step of this rehab course of, it’s simply gone slightly bit slower, taken slightly bit longer. We’ve had slightly bit extra irritation within the knee than we might have favored at numerous factors, which has induced us to again off, get the irritation below management, after which restart the method. So it’s very troublesome for me to say precisely why, aside from some folks’s our bodies simply get well otherwise from vital surgical procedures.”
• Brett Baty performed second base final season and will even transfer to the outfield.
Brett Baty impressed Stearns and different membership officers with how shortly he picked up second base whereas in Triple A. Stearns wouldn’t shut the door on Baty, principally a 3rd baseman, seeing motion within the outfield, an space he dabbled in throughout earlier minor-league seasons.
Rockies
• Kris Bryant may have a number of checkups with the crew over the offseason to watch if his again is therapeutic.
Making an attempt to get the previous MVP again on monitor, the Rockies are planning to carry Bryant into Denver and their Arizona coaching complicated for periodic check-ins all through the winter.
“To this point, all of the reviews I’ve gotten are very constructive,” Rockies basic supervisor Invoice Schmidt stated. “There was no surgical procedure or something. It’s nearly strengthening the again and rehabbing it and doing a little baseball actions, ramping up possibly slightly sooner than he usually would.”
