Last year’s Winter Meetings came and went without the news everyone was waiting for, as Shohei Ohtani didn’t choose the Dodgers until the following weekend. The headliner of the meetings was instead the Yankees‘ blockbuster acquisition of Juan Soto.
A year later, Soto has the stage all to himself, but chose to take himself off the board early. The outfielder signed the largest contract in the history of American team sports Sunday, beating Ohtani’s $700 million deal from last offseason.
Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets late Sunday night, per multiple reports.
Soto was the biggest name of the offseason, but he wasn’t the only impact player available. Even after Blake Snell and Willy Adames found new homes in the NL West, the free agent class still includes Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, and Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki.
With those names on the market and other players available via trade, it could be an especially active handful of days as MLB’s decision-makers meet in Dallas.
The Sporting News is tracking the latest news, rumors, and transactions from MLB’s Winter Meetings. Follow along with the action below.
MORE: Juan Soto signs the biggest deal in MLB history
MLB Winter Meetings 2024: Latest news, rumors on signings and trades
Rangers add power with deal for Jake Burger
The Rangers acquired first baseman and designated hitter Jake Burger from the Marlins late Tuesday night, sending prospects Max Acosta, Echedry Vargas and Brayan Mendoza to Miami. Burger has limited defensive value and doesn’t walk offen, but he hit 63 home runs over his last two seasons and comes with four years of team control.
Guardians flip Spencer Horwitz for Luis Ortiz
The Guardians are trading Spencer Horwitz, acquired from the Blue Jays earlier Tuesday, in exchange for pitcher Luis Ortiz and prospects Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy. Ortiz, 25, posted a 3.32 ERA over 135.2 innings in Pittsburgh last season, while Horwitz could be a first base option for the Pirates after a solid finish to the year in Toronto.
Red Sox preparing offer for Corbin Burnes
The Red Sox are preparing a contract offer for former Orioles starter Corbin Burnes, MassLive reports, after the team lost out on Max Fried. The Giants are also among teams reportedly in the mix for Burnes, who hasn’t been closely connected to a potential Baltimore return.
Rangers keep Nathan Eovaldi on 3-year deal
The Rangers have agreed to a three-year, $75 million deal with starter Nathan Eovaldi, according to Robert Murray. Eovaldi helped lead Texas to a World Series win in 2023 and posted a 3.80 ERA over 29 starts with the Rangers last season.
Red Sox divided over Alex Bregman pursuit
The Red Sox are among teams in pursuit of free agent Alex Bregman, but the team’s braintrust is divided on his value, according to MassLive. While manager Alex Cora, who spent a season in Houston with Bregman, is a fan along with team president Sam Kennedy, baseball operations chief Craig Breslow is “more circumspect when it comes to the player.”
The Yankees, Tigers and Astros are reportedly in on Bregman as well.
Blue Jays reportedly land Andres Gimenez from Guardians
The Blue Jays are acquiring second baseman from Andres Gimenez and reliever Nick Sandlin in a trade with the Guardians, according to Jeff Passan. Infielder Spencer Horwitz is part of Cleveland’s return, though the full return hasn’t yet been reported.
Gimenez is a three-time Gold Glove winner and signed a seven-year extension after a breakthrough 2022 season, but his bat has fallen behind his glove over the last two seasons. Toronto has Gimenez under team control through 2030.
Yankees sign Max Fried to 8-year deal
The Yankees have made their first splash of the offseason, signing former Braves starter Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract.
Using some of the money that would have went to Juan Soto, New York bolsters its rotation with the left-hander who helped Atlanta win the World Series in 2021. Fried has a 2.81 ERA over the last five seasons, posting a 3.25 ERA across 29 starts this past season.
Yankees willing to offer Max Fried seven years
New York’s interest in Fried is apparently well-known, as the Yankees could sign him as part of their pivot after losing Juan Soto. Fried is one of the best pitchers on the market, and he could command seven years as it seems like pitching is in hot demand this winter.
Rob Thomson: Phillies not shopping Alec Bohm
The Phillies manager shut down rumors regarding the team’s interest in trading the third baseman, who has been among trade speculation throughout the offseason. After a hot start in 2024, Bohm cooled off and ended the season in a slump, which made some believe the team could trade him.
Dodgers not considering trade for Nolan Arenado
The Cardinals are openly trying to trade Arenado, but it doesn’t seem like it will be to Los Angeles. The Dodgers seem committed to having Max Muncy play third base, which means there isn’t a fit on the roster for the 10-time gold glove third baseman.
Red Sox could pivot to Dylan Cease
Morosi reported earlier on Tuesday that the Padres could trade Cease due to the interest in the pitching market, and Boston is one team looking to improve their rotation. While the Red Sox have been linked to Max Fried and Corbin Burnes, they could instead trade for a top-of-the-rotation starter.
Angels, Blue Jays interested on Gleyber Torres
Torres has spent his entire career with the Yankees, but is coming off a down year for New York. However, he had a strong postseason and is reportedly not lacking interest, as Toronto and Los Angeles are two teams who could add him to upgrade their offense.
Blue Jays signing Yimi Garcia to two-year, $15 million deal
Garcia is reportedly returning to Toronto, where he spent three seasons before the Blue Jays traded him at the trade deadline in 2024. With Toronto, from 2022 to 24, Garcia pitched in 163 games and accumulated a 3.44 ERA.
Rockies to sign Thairo Estrada to one-year deal
Estrada spent the past four seasons with the Giants, but had his best seasons in 2022 and 2023. The infielder is coming off a down year last season, totaling just a .590 OPS, but will reportedly look to rebound in Colorado next year.
Max Fried expected to make decision by Thursday; Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays involved
Three of the four teams who lost out on Juan Soto appear to be now bidding on Fried, who’s free agency could conclude this week. The lefty starter has spent his entire career with the Braves, but it seems as if he’s headed to an AL East team next. The Giants and Rangers are also two teams that Rosenthal mentioned, although it doesn’t appear as if they are as aggressive as the other three.
Yankees “renewed” contract negotiations with Christian Walker
After losing Soto to the Mets, the Yankees continue to explore many possibilities, which includes checking in on the former Diamondbacks first baseman. New York is also losing Anthony Rizzo in free agency, and had some of the worst production at first base last year due to injuries or ineffectiveness.
Contending teams listening to offers on pitchers
Prices on free agent pitchers are reportedly high this year, which is making some teams consider putting their pitchers on the trade block. Morosi names Astros starter Framber Valdez and Padres starter Dylan Cease as two pitchers who could be traded for the right price.
Kyle Tucker drawing trade interest
Tucker is a year away from free agency, and the Astros may choose to trade him now instead of trying to sign him to an extension. Morosi mentions the Yankees and Cubs as two teams who could explore a trade if Houston is serious about entertaining offers.
Dodgers, Yankees interested in Brewers reliever Devin Williams
Williams has been one of the best relievers in baseball since his rookie year, but last season he spent most of the year on the injured list and pitched in just 22 games. Since Williams is a free agent after the 2025 season, Milwaukee may look to trade him now and get something in return before he leaves in free agency,
The Dodgers and Yankees are no strangers to trading for one-year rentals, so it’s no surprise that they are two of the teams interested.
Yankees, Mets pursuing Garrett Crochet
The Yankees and Mets are among teams pursuing White Sox starter Garrett Crochet in a trade, according to Ken Rosenthal.
Crochet was a trade candidate at the deadline during a breakthrough 2024 season, but Chicago held onto him knowing he still had multiple years of control remaining and could bring back serious value in the offseason.
Asked about the possibility of a Crochet trade, White Sox GM Chris Getz told reporters, “Weโre going to the best we can do for the White Sox and if that means we make a move, we make a move. But its ok if we donโt.”
Rangers meeting with Nathan Eovaldi
The Rangers held a meeting with starter Nathan Eovaldi on Monday night as they try to re-sign the veteran, Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant reported. Eovaldi helped Texas win the World Series in 2023 and posted a 3.80 ERA across 29 starts this past season.
Cardinals confirm they want to trade Nolan Arenado
- Date: Dec. 9
- Source: Cardinals president John Mozeliak
Cardinals president John Mozeliak told reporters in Dallas that the team will “try” to trade 3B Nolan Arenado, though a deal isn’t expected during the Winter Meetings.
At least three “mid-market” teams have inquired about Arenado, The Athletic’s Katie Woo reported, with the Yankees interested as well.
Mets ‘would love’ to re-sign Pete Alonso
Mets president David Stearns said Monday that the team “would love” to bring back free agent Pete Alonso even after adding Juan Soto.
“Pete’s been a great Met,” Stearns told reporters at the Winter Meetings. “He had some enormous hits for us, and we’ll see where that goes.”
The Mets still have a hole in their infield if Alonso isn’t brought back, as Mark Vientos can play either corner infield position but Brett Baty is currently the best in-house solution if Vientos has to move to first base. Alonso is one of the top power bats available on the open market.
Tigers interested in Paul Goldschmidt
The Tigers are expressing interest in former Cardinals 1B Paul Goldschmidt, according to Jon Morosi. Goldschmidt is just two years removed from an MVP season, but his production dropped off in both 2023 and 2024. The Tigers could use another power bat, however, and a change of scenery could give Goldschmidt at least a brief renaissance at the plate.
Red Sox “might immediately be prioritizing” Alex Bregman
Boston missed out on Soto, which means they may have turned their efforts towards Bregman instead. If the Red Sox do add Bregman, the veteran would likely move off third base to second base, as Rafael Devers currently holds the third base spot in Boston.
Tigers to sign Alex Cobb
The veteran Cobb was injured for most of 2024, he did make three starts for the Guardians in the regular season, which led to him getting playoff starts for Cleveland. Detroit adds him to a rotation that needs help after Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
Four teams interested in Jonathan Loasiga
The Yankees, Mets, Rangers and Mets are all reportedly interested in Loasiga, who missed most of 2024 after getting UCL surgery in April. The longtime Yankee has been one of New York’s best relievers, but he has struggled to stay on the field in recent years.
Cubs “making progress” with catcher Carson Kelly
Chicago appears on the verge of adding the veteran catcher to the team. Kelly split last year between the Tigers and Rangers, producing a .687 OPS in 91 games.
Yankees and Red Sox “heavy” on Max Fried
After Soto signed with the Mets, the Yankees and Red Sox must pivot, with Fried one of the biggest free agents on the market. Both New York and Boston have reportedly spoken with Fried, and one of the two may come away with the former Braves starter.
Padres manager expects San Diego to be “in the mix” for Sasaki
Padres manager Mike Shildt was very open about the team’s desire to sign Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki.
“We fully expect to be right there in the mix and at the end of the day have Sasaki a Padre,” he told MLB Network Radio.
Sasaki was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines on Monday, and can begin negotiating with MLB clubs on Tuesday.
Tigers interested in Walker Buehler
Detroit is reportedly looking for pitching help, and has Buehler on the team’s radar. Petzold reports that the Tigers are looking for pitching help to pair with AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, with Buehler an possibility.
Phillies to sign reliever Jordan Romano
Romano was a stalwart in the Blue Jays bullpen from 2020 to 2023, collecting 97 saves with an ERA under 3.00 in that span. However, last year, Romano struggled due to injuries pitching in just 15 games to a 6.59 ERA before Toronto non-tendered him this offseason. The reliever will help the Phillies fill in a bullpen that may lose Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez in free agency.
Brewers “still engaged” with White Sox about Garrett Crochet
Chicago is likely to trade their young ace this winter, with many teams showing interest in making a deal. Among those teams appears to be Milwaukee, who is coming off a second-straight seasons as the NL Central champions.
Trading for Crochet will be difficult, as it will take a large prospect haul to be able to land the left-handed starter. Still, the Brewers may be willing to put a competitive offer on the table to get a deal done.
Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox have “strong interest” in Anthony Santander
After missing out on Juan Soto, the three AL East teams now seem ready to pivot to Santander, the former Orioles outfielder. Last year, Santander hit a career-high 44 home runs while making his first all-star game.
Santander and Teoscar Hernandez are the two outfielders who should benefit from Soto being off the board, as it isn’t a surprise that the teams who didn’t sign Soto are now interested in both those players.
Roki Sasaki is officially posted
The Japanese pitcher is officially coming to the United States, as the Chiba Lotte Marines posted Sasaki. MLB teams will now have 45 days to negotiate a contract with him, a window begins on Tuesday and ends on January 23.
At 23 years-old, Sasaki becomes the youngest free agent on the market. In four seasons in Japan, Sasaki totaled a 2.02 ERA in 69 games.
Dodgers ink reliever Blake Treinen
The Dodgers made multiple moves Sunday night. After signing veteran outfielder Michael Conforto, the team also brought in reliever Blake Treinen on a two-year, $22 million deal.
Treinen, 36, spent his last four seasons with the Dodgers. He’s put up a 2.29 ERA over 149 2/3 innings since joining the club.
Juan Soto signs largest deal in team sports history
Soto, 26, started the Winter Meetings with a bang, signing a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets on Sunday night. It’s the richest deal in MLB history, topping the $10-year, $700 million contract signed by Shohei Ohtani last offseason.
The move gives the Mets arguably the best hitter in baseball, as Soto has put up an impeccable .288/.419/.569 slash line over his career. He’s a four-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger and already has one World Series championship under his belt.
Since Soto was the biggest prize on the free-agent market, it’s possible his signing gets things moving. Burnes, Fried and Bregman remain the biggest names on the market now that Soto signed. They should all draw plenty of interest from teams with Soto off the board.
Dodgers pick up Michael Conforto on one-year deal
The Dodgers signed an outfielder Sunday, just not the one everyone was waiting on. Los Angeles inked veteran Michael Conforto to a reported one-year, $17 million deal.
Conforto, 31, is coming off a season in which he hit .237/.309/.450 with the Giants. He’ll move to a better ballpark with the Dodgers, and a team known for getting the most out of its veterans.
Red Sox plan to pursue Teoscar Hernandez as backup plan
The Red Sox “intend to pursue” former Dodgers OF Teoscar Hernandez if they can’t land Juan Soto, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Hernandez, an All-Star and Home Run Derby winner in 2024, is also reportedly a target of the Yankees and Dodgers, pending Soto’s decision.
Tigers showing interest in Ha-Seong Kim
The Tigers have shown interest in former Padres SS Ha-Seong Kim, according to the Detroit Free Press’ Evan Petzold. Kim was a target of the Giants before Willy Adames agreed to a deal with San Francisco.
Kim is coming off a tough year ended by an injury, but his excellent glove was complemented by a breakthrough bat in 2023. The Tigers could signal that they’re ready to be aggressive after a surprise postseason run by adding Kim, though there is no indication a deal is in the works.
