Orlando, Florida \u2014 The trade market is busy, but many of the top free agents this year have yet to receive offers or sign deals.<\/p>\n
Major League Baseball\u2019s annual Winter Meetings gather executives, agents, and managers, with plenty to observe. Here\u2019s an update on what\u2019s happening behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
Market Movement is Slow<\/strong><\/p>\n The Winter Meetings wrap up Wednesday in Orlando, but there hasn\u2019t been significant activity since Kyle Schwarber re-signed with the Phillies, and Edwin Diaz agreed to a modest three-year contract with the . Industry insiders believe Schwarber\u2019s five-year deal may reignite the market for position players, but changes will take time.<\/p>\n Yankees GM Brian Cashman voiced frustration Wednesday morning about the \u201cglacial speed\u201d of free agency and trades this offseason. As MLB\u2019s longest-tenured baseball operations head since 1998, Cashman even suggested discussing postseason contract and trade deadlines to force decisions and improve the stagnant situation.<\/p>\n That said, many private talks remain ongoing without finalized deals. Mets Director of Baseball Operations David Stearns noted that the trade market is usually active across all positions. He feels teams may be more open to creative deal structures this offseason than in recent years.<\/p>\n The next collective bargaining agreement will likely introduce an offseason trade deadline, but patience is necessary for now. \u2014 Tozar<\/p>\n Schwarber\u2019s Return Could Energize a Slow Market<\/strong><\/p>\n While top players at key spots remain unsigned, many believe the Phillies signing Kyle Schwarber might kickstart more activity in free agency and trades.<\/p>\n Agent Scott Boras compared the free agent market to the weather: \u201cOne event can trigger four or five others.\u201d<\/p>\n Boras hopes his clients\u2019 teams won\u2019t just settle for playoff contention but spend enough to compete with powerhouses like the , who strengthened their roster by adding Edwin Diaz. Although Boras doesn\u2019t represent Schwarber, the 33-year-old designated hitter\u2019s $150 million, five-year deal will benefit Boras\u2019 clients in their early 30s.<\/p>\n \u201cPowerful premium talent is in high demand, and teams are willing to give longer contracts,\u201d Boras said. Young players deserve the long-term deals now seen in the market.\u201d<\/p>\n Boras represents Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, and Cody Bellinger \u2014 all top position players still available along with Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette. These players signed shorter, opt-out-heavy contracts in past offseasons, hoping current conditions lead to longer-term offers. Bellinger turns 30 this season; Alonso just turned 31; Bregman turns 32 in March.<\/p>\n Some expected more trade activity than free agent signings this week, but free agency has been slower than anticipated.<\/p>\n president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged it\u2019s tough to get momentum before more free agents sign. The market\u2019s large supply may be slowing things down. \u2014 Kavner<\/p>\n Boras Brings Wit to Bellinger\u2019s Market Prospects<\/strong><\/p>\n MLB super agent Scott Boras entertained with puns at the Winter Meetings, joking about players like Zac Gallen, Ranger Suarez, Tatsuya Imai, and Alex Bregman.<\/p>\n For example:<\/p>\n Boras also commented on Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, who might be traded: \u201cSkubal is a SABR-resistant asset. Without him, the Tigers operate like a mystery machine.\u201d<\/p>\n Within the humor, Boras shared insights on Cody Bellinger\u2019s market: “Great players don\u2019t shy away when pulled from the lineup. A versatile outfielder who can cover all parts of the field is rare. Expect teams flocking to sign him.”<\/p>\n If guessing his destination, teams like the Yankees, Reds, Mets, , Phillies, Giants, Blue Jays, or Angels could be contenders. \u2014 Kavner<\/p>\n Padres Favor Mason Miller as Reliever<\/strong><\/p>\n The Padres plan to keep star reliever Mason Miller in the bullpen rather than move him to the starting rotation, along with relievers Adrian Morejon and David Morgan.<\/p>\n Manager Craig Stammen cautioned that changing a player\u2019s role is risky for health and performance. With Robert Suarez possibly leaving in free agency, Miller would become the primary closer. The Padres led MLB in bullpen ERA and WHIP last year, with Miller posting the highest strikeout rate among qualified relievers.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s best to use them strategically in the bullpen,\u201d said Stammen. \u2014 Kavner<\/p>\n Pete Alonso’s Winter Meetings Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n Free agent first baseman Pete Alonso is driving from Tampa to Orlando to meet teams in person this week. Mets exec David Stearns confirmed Alonso knows the Mets well, but he will explore other opportunities while staying in touch with New York.<\/p>\n Re-signing Alonso remains a priority for the Mets, but the team appears more measured than before. Last year Alonso expressed some disconnect with the Mets over his role. Stearns respects Alonso\u2019s right to explore the market.<\/p>\n Alonso wants a long-term deal beyond four years. Meeting teams face-to-face gives them a chance to better understand his character and drive, which may improve his market compared to last year when he clung to a qualifying offer. \u2014 Tozar<\/p>\n Brian Cashman on Yankees\u2019 Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n Cashman hinted the Yankees don\u2019t have extensive roster needs this offseason, focusing mainly on re-signing free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger, though the team is aware of its lineup\u2019s left-handed imbalance.<\/p>\n Bellinger\u2019s strong performance against left-handed pitching and his reverse splits are appealing. The Yankees also need to bolster their bullpen.<\/p>\n Cashman dismissed claims the Yankees must keep payroll under $300 million despite owner Steinbrenner\u2019s hopes for cuts. To improve, they may lean more on trades than free agency. \u2014 Tozar<\/p>\n Trade Discussions Gain Momentum<\/strong><\/p>\n Unlike last year\u2019s blockbuster signing of Juan Soto, this year has seen no major early moves. Teams are turning to trades to find impactful players since many top talents avoided the deadline.<\/p>\n Notable recent trades include Sonny Gray to the Red Sox and deals involving Marcus Semien, Brandon Nimmo, Taylor Ward, and Grayson Rodriguez. Upcoming names to watch are Nationals\u2019 Mackenzie Gore and CJ Abrams, Diamondbacks\u2019 Ketel Marte, and Marlins\u2019 Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera.<\/p>\n A key question is whether the Tigers will trade Tarik Skubal in his final contractual year. The decision likely hinges on developments before the deadline and any attractive offers. \u2014 Kavner<\/p>\n Top-Free Agent Market Quiet<\/strong><\/p>\n Only three major free agent deals were completed by Monday: Dylan Cease to Blue Jays, Devin Williams to Mets, and Josh Naylor back to Mariners. Most top free agents remain unsigned.<\/p>\n Kyle Schwarber\u2019s multi-year offer from the Phillies outmatches interest from the Pirates and Reds. Given his impact at the plate and leadership, Philadelphia remains the favorite suitor. His signing might energize the stalled market.<\/p>\n As Schwarber enters his age-33 season fresh off a career year, a DH role would enhance many lineups, potentially boosting free agency activity. \u2014 Kavner<\/p>\n Team Standings Before the Winter Meetings<\/strong><\/p>\n Top All-Stars like Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Kyle Schwarber, Bo Bichette, Pete Alonso, and Cody Bellinger are making decisions. As offseason rosters evolve, here\u2019s where all 30 teams stand currently. \u2014 Kavner<\/p>\n 10 Biggest Stories from the Winter Meetings<\/strong><\/p>\n Labor tensions, the \u2019 quest for a three-peat, and the next influx of Japanese stars are among the major topics shaping the MLB offseason and likely trade\/free agency dynamics. Here are the 10 biggest stories from the conference. \u2014 Tozar\/Kavner<\/p>\n Fan Take:<\/em> This latest Winter Meetings buzz highlights the delicate balance of patience and urgency in baseball\u2019s offseason. Fans should watch closely, as key signings like Schwarber\u2019s and moves in the trade market could reshape team dynamics and playoff hopes across the league.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Orlando, Florida \u2014 The trade market is busy, but many of the top free agents this year have yet to receive offers or sign deals. Major League Baseball\u2019s annual Winter Meetings gather executives, agents, and managers, with plenty to observe. Here\u2019s an update on what\u2019s happening behind the scenes. Market Movement is Slow The Winter […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32612,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[16],"class_list":{"0":"post-32611","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-baseball","8":"tag-baseball"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32611","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32611"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32611\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32612"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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