The Brewers have been reigning World Series champions for just under a week and will likely enjoy their success for some time. As the offseason progresses, a key upcoming date is November 17, when decisions regarding qualifying offers for the eight players who received them must be made.
Meanwhile, trade rumors are starting to slowly emerge, and we’ll keep track of them here.
Orioles Seeking Starting Pitching and Outfield Upgrades
According to The Baltimore Banner, the Orioles are open to trading any player except Pete Alonso as they aim to strengthen both their starting rotation and outfield. While they aren’t aggressively pushing players on the market, they acknowledge that acquiring improvements could come through trades. Gunnar Henderson is probably off-limits due to his tremendous potential, but the Orioles have a surplus of infielders behind Alonso at first base and Henderson at shortstop, including Jackson Holliday, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Jordan Westburg, and Coby Mayo—all of whom could be trade candidates given the crowded roster. Notably, Westburg and Encarnacion-Strand remain under team control through 2029, Holliday through 2030, and Mayo through 2031.
Rays Intent on Retaining Drew Rasmussen
The Rays recently exercised the $20 million club option on All-Star starter Drew Rasmussen, which would set a franchise record for a single-season salary. Although this might seem like a move preceding a trade, this approach makes Rasmussen a more valuable asset rather than risking losing him to free agency. The Rays often handle player departures by securing them on short-term deals before potentially moving them, as seen previously with players like Randy Arozarena, Isaac Paredes, Tyler Glasnow, and franchise legends such as David Price, Evan Longoria, and Ben Zobrist. Currently, the Rays insist they plan to keep Rasmussen for the 2027 season. Club president Erik Neander emphasized their commitment to having Rasmussen anchor the rotation as they look to improve the team next year.
With key free agents Nick Martinez and Freddy Peralta departing, the pitching rotation is somewhat uncertain beyond Rasmussen, Shane McClanahan, Griffin Jax, and Ryan Pepiot—all of whom carry varying degrees of risk.
Fan Take: This offseason activity highlights how teams are carefully strategizing to build competitive rosters while managing their top talent and contract situations. The moves made now will shape the balance of power in baseball for years to come, making it an exciting period for fans who appreciate the business side of the sport as much as the on-field action.
Source: www.cbssports.com
