Where the Cubs, Yankees, Blue Jays and more teams stand as MLB’s offseason moves into January
The new year is upon us. The baseball offseason is entering its third month. And unfinished business abounds.
As of Monday morning, the top three free agents on The Athletic’s Big Board — Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman — were unsigned. So were six of the top nine and 20 of the top 50.
All of those players figure to find jobs, but maybe not quickly. The deadline for teams and players to exchange salary arbitration figures is Thursday. Many in the industry are preoccupied with those negotiations, further stalling the markets.
Here is the latest information on a variety of clubs, according to sources briefed on their maneuverings:
Milwaukee Brewers
The Freddy Peralta talks are about to resume in earnest. Both New York clubs, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox are among the teams showing interest. Some low-revenue clubs that can absorb Peralta’s $8 million salary are in play as well.
The Brewers’ price, even with Peralta under club control for one more season, remains high. A major-league-ready starting pitcher figures to be part of the desired return, so the team can remain a contender. And the calculus also includes this: Any team that acquires Peralta can recoup one prospect by making him a qualifying offer and receiving a likely Competitive Balance Round A pick in the low 30s in 2027.
Chicago Cubs
Their fan base is waiting. And waiting. And waiting.
The Cubs have spent slightly more than $30 million on five free-agent relievers and brought first baseman Tyler Austin back from Japan for $1.25 million. But if they want to avoid a fan uprising at the Cubs Convention Jan. 16 to 18, at least one splash is necessary.
Like most teams, the Cubs did not value free-agent right-hander Tatsuya Imai highly. Imai’s three-year, $63 million guarantee from the Houston Astros was less than one-third of Tim Britton’s initial eight-year $190 million projection.
The industry-wide skepticism of Imai might very well be warranted. The Cubs, though, still need a starting pitcher (Zac Gallen?). And a top-flight bat to replace Tucker (Bregman?). Based on their recent history, it’s probably best to bet the under.
New York Yankees
As reported Sunday by The Athletic, the Yankees are in talks with the Miami Marlins on a trade for right-hander Edward Cabrera and are also in discussions with the Brewers on Peralta.
General manager Brian Cashman has said he would “love” to add another starting pitcher to address the uncertainty in his rotation to start the season. He also is bargain shopping for relievers and engaged in other pursuits.
The signing of free-agent infielder Paul DeJong to a minor-league contract on Sunday, first reported by Jon Heyman, provides another option at shortstop besides José Caballero and Oswaldo Cabrera as Anthony Volpe recovers from left-shoulder surgery. The Yankees have checked in on Bichette, but likely would need to trade second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. or third baseman Ryan McMahon to accommodate him. They do not envision Bichette at shortstop.
Re-signing Cody Bellinger remains the team’s top priority.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays’ four-year, $60 million signing of Japanese free agent Kazuma Okamoto raised perhaps more questions than it answered.
If the Jays determine in spring training that Okamoto is their everyday third baseman, then Addison Barger will move to right field. If not, then Okamoto can play some at third, spell Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first and also see time in the outfield and at DH.
Under either scenario, Ernie Clement likely would move to second. But if the Jays re-sign Bichette to occupy that position, Clement might be reduced to more of a bench player. His OPS against right-handers during the regular season was only .622. In the postseason, it was .958.
With outfielders George Springer and Daulton Varsho both entering their free-agent years, Tucker still makes sense for the Jays as well. If there’s one thing Toronto’s lineup still requires, it’s a left-handed slugger.
Baltimore Orioles
Even after the additions of right-handers Shane Baz and Zach Eflin, one team official said the team’s rotation was not necessarily complete, describing it as only “adequate.”
The Orioles remain in pursuit of another starter, either in free agency or trade. They could sign either of the top remaining free-agent left-handers, Framber Valdez or Ranger Suárez, or even the right-handed Gallen. And they are still deep enough in prospects to pursue the remaining starters available in trade, from Cabrera to Peralta to Washington Nationals lefty MacKenzie Gore.
The bullpen is another potential area to upgrade, though the Orioles already have landed Andrew Kittredge and Ryan Helsley, and most of the top free-agent relievers are off the board. Additional depth in center field also remains a possibility.
Boston Red Sox
A pitching addition should not be ruled out for Boston, but the Red Sox are more focused on position players.
Bregman and Bichette continue to stand out as potential fits. On the pitching side, the Sox have expressed some interest in Peralta.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodgers people like to say that Andrew Friedman’s preferred method of operation is “hanging around the backboard.” If a player’s price in trade or free agency drops, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations will attempt to grab him on the rebound and dunk on the industry yet again.
Tucker on, say, a four-year deal with opt-outs and a massive AAV would be a classic Friedman add. The idea also might appeal to Tucker’s low-key personality. Rather than the center of attention, he would be perhaps the Dodgers’ fifth- or sixth-biggest star.
The whole thing still sounds like a long shot — as does any chance of trading for Peralta or the Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal — but when Friedman is hanging around the backboard, it’s best to stay attentive.
San Diego Padres
Speaking of basketball, no executive hoops like Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller. And no exec runs the fast break as effectively during transactional periods.
As usual, Preller is talking to anyone and everyone. To this point, he has been relatively quiet, at least in terms of results.
Payroll limitations might be part of it. The Padres re-signed left-hander Kyle Hart for one year and $1.2 million and Korean infielder Sung Mun Song for four years and $15 million. Even free-agent right-hander Michael King’s three-year, $75 million contract includes an opt-out that might leave the Padres with only a $22 million obligation for one year, including $8 million deferred.
Preller still needs starting pitching and at least one bat. He wants his team to contend, but his approach to addition and subtraction remains to be seen.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Barring a last-minute change, the Diamondbacks are expected to move on soon from their trade discussions involving All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte.
General manager Mike Hazen signaled as much to MLB.com last week. Nothing has changed since then, and the team has always viewed a trade of Marte as a long shot.
What the return of Marte would mean for the DBacks’ pursuit of Bregman is unclear. A scenario exists in which the team could carry both, but Arizona might prefer to avoid a major expenditure and invest in bullpen help and a right-handed hitting first baseman/DH instead.
Detroit Tigers
Dealing Skubal remains a possibility. Beyond that, the Tigers could look to make another bullpen addition.
Detroit has already invested in the unit, re-signing Kyle Finnegan to a two-year, $19 million deal and signing Kenley Jansen to a one-year, $9 million pact. The Tigers also feature Will Vest as a high-leverage option, but there’s room for another right-hander.
Either free agent right-hander Seranthony Domínguez or Tyler Kinley would help.
Los Angeles Angels
The best word to describe the Angels is “lurking.”
After restructuring third baseman Anthony Rendon’s contract and settling the wrongful death lawsuit brought against them by the family of Tyler Skaggs, the Angels appear capable of doing something big.
Rendon will receive the $38 million he is owed in his final season over the next three to five years. The Angels’ payroll already was down considerably from the end of last season.
While owner Arte Moreno opposes long-term deals for starting pitchers, his increased payroll flexibility might make Valdez, Suárez or Gallen possible on a short, high-AAV deal (Valdez, the oldest of the group at 32, is the most likely to accept such an outcome). The Angels, after adding Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah, are less interested in middle-tier starters.
The outfield is another area the Angels want to improve. Like the free-agent starters, outfielder Harrison Bader will be attractive if his market falls to a certain level. And don’t forget third base, where a replacement for Rendon was always going to be necessary.
Athletics
On the position-player side, a talented and young core is in place for the Athletics, but pitching remains a challenge.
Ideally, the Athletics want to add an experienced starting pitcher to buy time for their young hurlers and provide insurance against possible injuries. Cost (in terms of dollars in free agency and prospect capital for a trade) is an issue, meaning there’s no guarantee they wind up adding to the rotation.
The Athletics’ payroll is set to increase, but they are not going to reach the levels they project for 2028. Thus, the spring is an important time to assess how much help internal options such as J.T. Ginn, Gunnar Hoglund, Jack Perkins and Luis Morales can provide alongside starters Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs and Jacob Lopez.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners’ goal since re-signing free-agent first baseman Josh Naylor to a five-year, $92.5 million deal has been obvious: Supplement their young infield talent by adding a veteran hitter.
Free agent Jorge Polanco could have been that player, but he signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Mets. Marte also might fit, but is restricted to second base. The St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan holds greater appeal because of his defensive versatility, but the talks between the clubs have yet to bear fruit. A reunion with free agent Eugenio Suárez could be an option if all else fails.
The Mariners want to give Cole Young ample time at second. Top prospect Colt Emerson might crack their Opening Day roster at third. Both players are promising. Neither is proven.
Houston Astros
As The Athletic’s Chandler Rome wrote Friday, a trade of Isaac Paredes, Christian Walker or Jesús Sánchez appears increasingly likely.
Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai greets fans in his new city during a break in the Indianapolis Colts- Houston Texans NFL game Sunday at NRG Stadium. (Troy Taormina / Imagn Images)
Moving Paredes or Walker would address the Astros’ infield surplus. Moving any of the three would create the payroll flexibility to fill the team’s remaining needs, a backup catcher and either a left-handed bat or a leverage reliever.
The heaviest lifting — the bolstering of the rotation with the trade for Mike Burrows and signings of Imai and Ryan Weiss — is complete.
Philadelphia Phillies
One of these days, the Phillies will get a resolution on free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto. A reunion still appears the most likely outcome, unless the Phillies want to trade for a catcher such as Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers or sign a free agent such as Victor Caratini.
Elsewhere, the Phillies could use a right-handed bat to platoon in left field with Brandon Marsh, and Randal Grichuk is among those in whom they are showing interest. Signing Bregman, Bichette or Tucker likely will be possible only if the market for one of those players collapses, which seems doubtful.
Atlanta Braves
Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos has made little secret of his desire to add a top-of-the-rotation starter. The question is how he will accomplish that goal.
A trade for Peralta or Gore would appear less likely than signing a free agent at a reduced price, if it comes to that with any of the remaining Valdez/Suárez/Gallen trio. The Braves are reluctant to move any of their better pitching prospects.
New York Mets
The Mets remain seriously interested in adding to their rotation.
A trade for a front-line starter like Peralta or Cabrera is possible. Another option is signing someone like Valdez to a shorter deal with a higher AAV. If those things do not happen and the Mets still feel like they need innings, they could look to the mid-tier free agent starting pitcher market.
Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati is eyeing additional bullpen help. A reliever like free agent Pierce Johnson would be a sensible fit. Executives from rival clubs say the Reds also are open to moving starters below Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott. Someone like Brady Singer, a free agent after the 2026 season and whom MLB Trade Rumors projects to make $11.9 million, fits that description.
If the Reds move a starter, they’d need to be able to backfill the innings while also improving their major-league club since they aim to build off last season’s playoff appearance.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates suddenly are in a quandary.
They made two trades to acquire three hitters — second baseman Brandon Lowe and outfielders Jake Mangum and Jhostynxon Garcia. Their lack of success in the free-agent market, outside of first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, means another trade for offensive help might be necessary. Such a deal will be difficult to pull off.
With so many clubs trying to win, few are willing to accept prospects in trades. That, however, is the kind of deal the Pirates want to make. As the free-agent market thins, any player they move off their major-league roster will be difficult to replace.
The Pirates entered the offseason seeking to add one or two regulars plus two to four less proven position players who would add depth. Lowe and O’Hearn will be regulars. Mangum and Garcia represent depth. The Pirates still need more.
-The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon, Sam Blum, Matt Gelb and Dennis Lin contributed to this story
