MLB free-agent rumors tracker: Bryce Harper to be Phillies’ first baseman long term
MLB free agency is in full swing.
The five-day waiting period from the end of the World Series has passed, allowing players to sign with new teams beginning Nov. 6. However, many top free agents usually don’t sign until at least a few weeks into free agency.
There are many star players on the open market this offseason, including Shohei Ohtani. The two-way star is rumored to receive the biggest contract in MLB history, if not the biggest in the history of North American professional sports.
[Read more: 2024 MLB free-agent rankings: Shohei Ohtani leads top 30;top 30 pitchers; top 30 hitters;When and where will Shohei Ohtani sign and for how much? MLB staff predictions]
Where will Ohtani and other stars end up? Follow along here for the latest rumors on the top free agents.
NOV. 10
‘Belief around the industry’ is that Juan Soto will be dealt
Despite the fact that agent Scott Boras told reporters Wednesday that the San Diego Padres gave him the impression that they will keep Soto, the “belief throughout the industry” is that the three-time All-Star will be traded, per ESPN. Several executives and agents that spoke on the matter believe Padres general manager AJ Preller is open to a Soto trade due to apparent holes in San Diego’s roster coupled with little payroll space in which to operate.
Phillies not interested in trading Nick Castellanos
Contrary to previous notions, the Philadelphia Phillies are not interested in trading Nick Castellanos, as they consider the 31-year-old to be an integral component to their team, per ESPN.
Castellanos is entering the third year of a five-year, $100 million deal he signed with the Phillies ahead of the 2022 season, and has been part of the team’s deep playoff appearances the last two seasons.
NOV. 9
Yoshinobu Yamamoto‘s posting window set to open ‘soon’
The Orix Buffaloes, which Yamamoto pitched for over the past seven seasons, are likely to post Yamamoto for MLB teams within the next week, per MLB Network. Teams will have 45 days to negotiate and agree to a contract with Yamamoto, 25, once he’s posted. The Japanese pitcher is viewed by many as the top pitcher on the loaded free-agent market.
Aaron Nola a ‘primary’ target for teams
While Nola doesn’t figure to earn as much as Yamamoto and Blake Snell, “a number of other clubs” are prioritizing the right-handed veteran pitcher, MLB on FOX’s Ken Rosenthal reported. Nola, 30, went 12-9 with a 4.46 ERA last season but pitched 193 ⅔ innings, marking the fifth-straight season he’s pitched at least 180 innings (2020 season excluded).
Brewers ‘open to moving virtually any player’
Days after manager Craig Counsell departed Milwaukee, the Brewers are open to trading anyone to help “sacrifice its present for its future,” Rosenthal reported. If the Brewers opted to sell this offseason, Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Willy Adames and Christian Yelich could be among the players traded this offseason, according to Rosenthal.
Cody Bellinger at ‘top’ of Yankees‘ free-agent list
The Yankees are ready to make major moves this offseason, and Bellinger is their top target. The team has already touched base with his agent, Scott Boras, per the New York Post. Bellinger is considered to be the top non-Ohtani hitter on the free agent market this offseason after his resurgence with the Cubs in 2023. The 28-year-old hit .307/.356/.525 with 25 homers this past season.
Phillies moving on from Nick Castellanos?
Philadelphia is “open to the idea” of trading its right fielder as his “streaky ways and disappointing performance in the NLCS could result in an offseason change,” MLB.com reported. Castellanos only hit .042 in the Phillies’ seven-game loss in the NLCS, but he hit well in the regular season after struggling in his first year in Philadelphia. He hit .272/.311/.476 with 29 home runs and 106 RBIs in the regular season, earning an All-Star nod.
He’s entering the third year of a five-year, $100 million deal he signed with the Phillies ahead of the 2022 season, so trading him could potentially save the Phillies up to $20 million in payroll.
NOV. 8
Bryce Harper is the Phillies’ long-term first baseman
Phillies president Dave Dombrowski said that Harper will be the team’s first baseman moving forward and that free agent Rhys Hoskins — Philadelphia’s first baseman before he tore his ACL in spring training this past year — was informed of the decision. Harper served as the team’s first baseman for the bulk of 2023 after he returned from his offseason Tommy John surgery.
Phillies interested in Sonny Gray
The veteran right-hander is coming off his best campaign in years, and figures to be in high demand this offseason. Philadelphia is interested in the 34-year-old, particularly if it doesn’t retain Nola, per MLB Network. Gray went 8-8 with a 2.79 ERA and an MLB-best 2.83 FIP over 184 innings with the Twins this past season.
Eduardo Rodríguez has open mind about locale
The veteran lefty, who rejected a trade to the Dodgers at the deadline, has reportedly informed teams he has no geographic restrictions. Rodríguez went 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA over 152.2 innings this past season with the Tigers.
Cubs could be most aggressive team in Ohtani sweepstakes
The chase for teams to land Ohtani in free agency is still in its infant stages, but “several GMs” believe that the Cubs might be the most aggressive team to try and land him, USA Today reported. However, the Dodgers “remain heavy favorites” and the Rangers “are serious contenders,” while the Red Sox, Mets and Giants are reportedly also in the mix.
NOV. 7
Jordan Montgomery receiving interest from Red Sox
Officials for the Red Sox “have spoken” with Montgomery’s agent as the southpaw hits free agency following his strong World Series run with the Rangers, MLB Network reported. Montgomery, 30, went 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA in 11 starts with the Rangers, who acquired him from the Cardinals before the trade deadline in July. He also went 4-2 in the postseason, posting a 2.90 ERA over his six postseason outings (five starts).
The Red Sox desperately need starting pitching help after they ranked 25th in quality starts last season and Montgomery is just one of several high-end starters on the free-agent market.
Jonathan India emerging as a trade candidate?
The Reds second baseman has been a “popular name” among executives at the general managers meeting, though Cincinnati isn’t “motivated to move” India, according to MLB Network. India was speculated to be a possible trade candidate at the deadline this past summer due to the Reds’ influx of young infield talent.
After winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2021, India has dealt with injuries that have forced him to miss multiple months in each of the past two seasons. He hit .244/.338/.407 with 16 homers in 119 games last season.
Zack Greinke unsure if he’ll pitch in 2024
The 40-year-old hasn’t decided whether he’ll pitch next season, Royals GM JJ Picollo told reporters. Greinke pitched with the Royals in 2023, going 2-15 with a 5.06 ERA in his second season back in Kansas City after he spent the first seven seasons of his career there from 2004-10. Greinke, a six-time All-Star, won the AL Cy Young with the Royals in 2009.
NOV. 6
Many teams interested in Ohtani
As expected, several teams are rumored to have an interest in Ohtani at the onset of free agency, including the Dodgers, Red Sox, Cubs, Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays, Giants, Mariners, Padres and Rangers, USA Today reported.
White Sox ‘willing’ to listen to offers on Dylan Cease
The White Sox aren’t “shopping” Cease, but they’re willing to listen to trade offers for their right-handed ace, per USA Today. Cease could be the top available pitcher on the trade market this offseason. The 27-year-old’s stats took a bit of a dip in 2023. He was 7-9 with a 4.58 ERA after going 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA in 2022 to finish second in AL Cy Young voting.
Bellinger receiving interest from AL East contender
The Blue Jays might turn to the top bat on the free-agent market to fix their left-handed hitting woes, showing “strong” interest in Bellinger at the start of free agency, per USA Today. Bellinger had a resurgence with the Cubs after the Dodgers cut ties with him following 2022, hitting .307/.356/.525 with 26 homers last season. Toronto was among the teams interested in Bellinger when he was a free agent last year.
Check back for updates.
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