With spring training just under two weeks away, pitchers and catchers are set to begin workouts in Arizona and Florida. As teams prepare, 10 of the top 50 free agents still haven’t signed contracts, including the notable No. 4 free agent, Framber Valdez. There’s buzz about a busy Saturday on the hot stove as fans eagerly await the end of winter and the arrival of baseball’s spring.
Yankees Eyeing a Goldschmidt Comeback
The New York Post reports that the Yankees are interested in reuniting with first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Additionally, they are targeting right-handed pitchers Michael Kopech and Nick Martinez, along with outfielders Randal Grichuk and Austin Slater. Grichuk or Slater would provide a right-handed option to complement the Yankees’ prominent left-handed outfielders, while Kopech and Martinez would add pitching depth.
Goldschmidt, 38, played last season in New York, delivering a strong .889 OPS in the first two months. However, after June 1, his performance dipped to .226/.277/.333 with just four home runs, and first baseman Ben Rice increasingly took over playing time. Given the Yankees’ roster composition, it might be more advantageous to prioritize a right-handed outfielder over a right-handed first baseman like Goldschmidt.
Red Sox Considering Trades to Boost Infield
According to The Athletic, the Boston Red Sox have discussed trading pitchers Patrick Sandoval (lefty), Breian Bello (righty), and Jordan Hicks (righty). Having added starters Sonny Gray, Johan Oviedo, and Ranger Suarez in the offseason, Boston seems willing to move some current pitching assets. Their primary trade target is likely a right-handed second or third baseman.
Sandoval will miss the 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and is owed $12.75 million in 2026. Bello and Hicks carry even heftier contracts — Bello with $49.5 million owed between 2026-2029 plus a $21 million club option in 2030, and Hicks set to earn $12 million each in 2026 and 2027. Boston’s projected payroll for the competitive balance tax is around $265 million, about $20 million higher than the franchise’s previous record.
Diamondbacks Seek First Base and Pitching Help
The Arizona Diamondbacks remain on the hunt for a first baseman and pitching reinforcements, team president Derrick Hall told MLB.com. “We’re still trying to find another complementary first baseman and hope to improve both starting and relief pitching, but there’s still work ahead—we’re not finished yet,” he said.
There’s ongoing speculation about the possibility of a Paul Goldschmidt return, pairing him as a right-handed platoon partner alongside left-handed Pavin Smith. However, Arizona’s bullpen was ranked 27th in ERA and 28th in WAR last year. So far, the team has only added low-cost, lower-impact relievers like Taylor Clark and Jonathan Loaisiga, highlighting that bullpen improvement might be an even greater priority than a platoon first baseman.
David Robertson Retires
Veteran reliever David Robertson announced his retirement on Friday, stating, “I’ve decided it’s time to hang up my cleats and retire from baseball, a game I’ve loved for as long as I can remember. Baseball has given me more than I could have ever dreamed of over the past 19 seasons,” on social media. He wrapped up last season with the Philadelphia Phillies.
At 40, Robertson played 17 major league seasons across eight teams, including nine years with the Yankees. He retired with a 2.93 ERA and 1,176 strikeouts over 894⅓ innings pitched. Robertson was the last active member of New York’s 2009 World Series-winning squad and also contributed to the 2017 World Baseball Classic championship team.
White Sox Ink Hayes to One-Year Deal
The Chicago White Sox have signed veteran outfielder Austin Hayes to a one-year contract valued at $6 million, according to ESPN. Hayes, 30, appeared in 103 games for the Cincinnati Reds last season despite battling calf, foot, and hamstring injuries. He brings strong platoon value, boasting a .949 OPS against left-handed pitching. Chicago’s outfield now features Hayes alongside Luis Angel Acuña, Andrew Benintendi, Brooks Baldwin, and Everson Pereira, with Acuña and Baldwin also having infield experience.
Fan Take:
This offseason buzz highlights how teams are strategically addressing their roster needs, with major franchises like the Yankees and Red Sox balancing veteran talent with improving depth. Fans should watch closely, as these moves not only shape the upcoming season but also signal evolving approaches to lineup construction and payroll management in modern baseball.
