During the MLB offseason, activity usually slows down around the holidays. Despite this, the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals have agreed on a trade involving veteran starter Sonny Gray, and teams continue to react and adjust to moves as of Tuesday afternoon. CBS Sports is tracking the key transactions and updates happening on Wednesday.
The Miami Marlins are likely to resume contract extension discussions with promising young pitcher Eury Perez, one of the top talents in the league. Last spring, efforts to extend Perez’s deal did not materialize, but talks are expected to continue this offseason. At 22 years old and yet to be eligible for arbitration until next winter, Perez has shown strong performance in his 39 major league starts, posting a 3.71 ERA and a 3.38 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His contributions are highly valued, with an estimated 3.9 wins above replacement. The Marlins are also looking to extend breakout outfielder Kyle Stowers.
In other Florida news, the Tampa Bay Rays have re-signed free agent outfielder Jake Fraley, agreeing to a $3 million contract for the upcoming season. Although Fraley was initially non-tendered, the Rays picked him up via waivers in early November. Fraley, 30, originally drafted by Tampa Bay, has yet to play a big league game against the Rays and brings a career batting average of .248 with over 16 home runs and 21 stolen bases per 162 games. He played in 76 games last season with the Reds and Braves.
Fan Take: This news highlights how teams are strategically securing young talent and shoring up their rosters even as the offseason quiets down, signaling the vital importance of stability and long-term planning in baseball. For fans, these moves could translate into exciting developments and competitive seasons ahead, showing a blend of nurturing prospects and adding experienced players.
