Because the offseason continues, listed here are three issues we’ll be keeping track of right this moment:
1. What’s subsequent for the Astros?
The Astros are one week faraway from a franchise-altering commerce that shipped star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs in trade for a package deal of three gamers, together with All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes. Even with Paredes within the fold, Houston not solely stays available in the market for Alex Bregman — in addition they reportedly made a push to amass Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals just for Arenado to dam the take care of his no-trade clause.
Had Houston efficiently introduced in Arenado, it appears possible they’d’ve moved Paredes over to first base. That is still a risk for the membership in the event that they re-sign Bregman or Arenado will be satisfied to waive his no-trade clause sooner or later down the road, but it surely additionally appears attainable that the membership might flip to Paredes at third and goal first base assist equivalent to longtime Diamondbacks slugger Christian Walker, to whom they’ve been linked in free company and within the lead-up to the 2024 commerce deadline.
2. Sasaki scheduling conferences with groups?
Yankees GM Brian Cashman revealed to reporters (together with Chris Kirschner of The Athletic) yesterday that his membership has been granted an in-person assembly with star NPB right-hander Roki Sasaki, who was posted for MLB golf equipment through the Winter Conferences and figures to signal with a group as a global newbie subsequent month. Till Sasaki makes his determination someday after the worldwide newbie free company window for 2025 opens on January 15, he’ll be closely courted by the vast majority of the league, given the distinctive circumstances of his free company.
3. Contreras decision imminent:
When the Rangers landed right-handers Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob Webb in free company final week, that left the membership in want of a 40-man roster spot. They selected to designate right-hander Roansy Contreras for project, which gave them a seven-day window wherein they might both work out a commerce involving Contreras or try and move him via waivers. That window is about to run out right this moment, which means an announcement relating to Contreras’s future needs to be imminent. (Since waivers take 48 hours, that are included in that weeklong window, it appears Contreras is already on waivers.)
The 25-year-old hurler was as soon as a consensus top-100 prospect with the Pirates and regarded like no less than a stable back-of-the-rotation arm as not too long ago as 2022, when he posted a 3.79 ERA in 95 innings. A disastrous 2023 season precipitated him to maneuver to the bullpen, nevertheless, and since then he’s profiled extra as a center reliever as he’s moved from Pittsburgh to Anaheim to Arlington. Now, Contreras might discover himself on the transfer once more if he’s claimed off waivers by one other membership. Ought to he clear waivers, the Rangers would have the chance to outright him to the minor leagues as non-roster depth for the 2025 season.
