Major League Baseball off-season is up and running. We are now over a week from the end of the World Series, the General Managers’ meeting took place last week and free agency is officially underway. Now, it can still be pretty slow for a few weeks. First, players who were given qualifying offers have until Tuesday to accept or decline them. Things usually move slow anyway, but that’s the catch in the near future.
Be sure to check out Mike Axis’ handy list For more information on key off-season dates, Also, here are RJ Anderson’s Top 50 Free Agents,
As far as Monday rumors go, let’s take a look.
Verlander looks to fit in with the big spenders
Free agent and potential AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander could go elsewhere after winning his second ring with the Houston Astros. Ken Rosenthal reports That 39-year-old future Hall of Famer could be open to a big deal with a big-spending contender like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees or New York Mets. The Mets could be hit hard by free agency in the rotation, which explains their potential interest. For the Yankees, they could use an additional frontline starter, and the Dodgers have a rich recent history of adding superstar depth to a roster that has been a giant for some time. Yes, Verlander is pushing 40, but the skill remains very much intact. He’s a perfect fit for a win-now club with designs on the World Series.
Astro is targeting Rizzo
Rosenthal also reports that the world-champion Houston Astros rated Anthony Rizzo as “their No. 1 free-agent target at first base”. Incumbent first baseman Yuli Gurriel is also a free agent, and he showed signs of a huge decline at the plate last season. Rosenthal, however, notes that a re-up with Gurriel is a possibility, as is the pursuit of José Abreu.
As for Rizzo, 33, he is coming off a productive 2022 campaign with the New York Yankees. In 130 games, Rizzo hit .224/.338/.480 (131 OPS+) with 32 home runs. The Yankees may have some interest in bringing Rizzo back, and the interest may be mutual. If so, the Astros may need to bring in more from New York.
Perez likely to accept qualifying offer
Left-hander Martin Perez is coming off a career year. He made the All-Star team for the first time and went 12–8 with a 2.89 ERA (136 ERA+), 1.26 WHIP, and 169 strikeouts against 69 walks in 196 1/3 innings. rangers, He compiled 5.0 WAR and his previous career high in 2017 was 2.3. At 31, it looks like it’s the biggest pay day of his life.
rather than, MLB Network’s John Morosi reports Perez is likely to accept the qualifying offer from Texas. It’s a one-year deal for $19.65 million, so it’s money or nothing, but it sure looks like he can get a multi-year deal in free agency.
Multiple teams interested in Lugo as starter
Market for former Mets starter just to tell how much teams are willing to pay for starting pitching seth lugo “is strong according to athleticWith several teams looking at Lugo as a rotation option.
In 38 career starts, Lugo is 15–10 with a 4.35 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 174 strikeouts in 194 2/3 innings.
In 237 relief appearances, Lugo had a 2.91 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 334 strikeouts over 300 innings.
rays Continue to explore 40-man trades
Rays have already traded ji-man choi and declined the option Kevin Kiermaiercontract of. Let’s go back about a week…
Certainly, the Rays have been active in tweaking their roster since then and they will continue to do so. Morosi reported Sunday that the Rays are “engaged in advanced trade talks” and that we should expect to see a number of trades before Tuesday’s deadline to add players to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft . That is, they are looking to leave veterans off the 40-man to avoid losing young players to the Rule 5.
Certainly a lot of teams are eyeing it Tyler Glasnow And randy arozarenaBut in all likelihood here – with the deadline looming and the scramble looming – the roster will be marginalized rather than carved out.
Data Source www.cbssports.com
