Jacob deGrom has set the stage for MLB’s Winter Meetings to live up to the hype.
With the teams, players and agents set to gather starting Sunday, baseball fans can expect to see some of the bigger-name free agents continue to come off the board, as well as a trade or two to be made.
The 2022 Meetings will be the first time the event has been held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s lockout. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, "real movement" could — and did — start heading into this year’s Meetings.
DeGrom was the first big name to move, signing a five-year, $185-million deal with the Texas Rangers on Friday.
Here are some of the latest rumours in preparation for what could be a wild week at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego.
All eyes have been on AL MVP Aaron Judge and his free agency since the post-season ended.
Passan reported on Wednesday that the New York Yankees’ current offer stands "in the neighbourhood of eight years and $300 million and [that it] could increase, depending on how far the San Francisco Giants are willing to push the market."
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi added to that reporting on Thursday by saying that Judge’s decision could come "within the week" and that the Giants and Yankees are “very close to 50/50” to land the 30-year-old.
Judge was recently in San Francisco, where he reportedly met with Giants front office members in talks that Morosi called "very productive."
Whichever team wins the sweepstakes will likely have the most expensive position player of all time patrolling its outfield. The $300 million offer carries a $37.5 million AAV, which would surpass the highest in the sport -- the Angels’ Mike Trout at $35.5 million.
Momentum seems to be building for Justin Verlander and Carlos Rodon to follow in deGrom's footsteps and suit up for new teams in 2023.
In the New York Mets’ best-case scenario, deGrom would have remained atop their rotation, according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. But in doing their due diligence, they have been making the rounds with other top starters.
Sherman reported that the Mets held a Zoom meeting with Rodon on Tuesday, in addition to their previous meetings with Verlander and Kodai Senga. Sherman says New York is "keeping doors open."
On the other coast, the Los Angeles Dodgers seem to have emerged as the frontrunners to land Verlander. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the reigning AL Cy Young winner and the Dodgers met on Monday, adding that he would fit the team’s "preference for big talents on short-term deals."
Heyman also reported Thursday that Verlander and the Houston Astros remain “far apart” in negotiations.
After deGrom signed with the Rangers, SNY's Andy Martino reported that Verlander is now "front and centre" for the Mets as they work to fill two holes in their rotations.
In the aftermath of Friday night's signing, the New York Post's Mike Puma said that New York never got to its final offer in the bidding for the two-time NL Cy Young winner.
In a loaded market of shortstops, the Philadelphia Phillies have emerged as a potential landing spot for one of the big four. ESPN’s Buster Olney reported on Wednesday that a longtime agent told him, "the Phillies will wind up with one of the [elite] shortstops."
Jayson Stark of The Athletic reported on Friday that the Phillies have meetings scheduled with Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson before the Winter Meetings start.
Turner, however, seems to be the most likely of the four to sign with the reigning NL champs. Morosi reported on Wednesday that the 29-year-old is a "top priority" in Philadelphia and that the 29-year-old "is said by many to prefer to play for a team that trains in Florida and is good friends with Bryce Harper.”
Coming off their appearance in the Fall Classic, the Phillies declined second baseman Jean Segura’s team option and could slide Bryson Stott from short to second if they add a big name.
Another team reportedly interested in both Turner and Bogaerts is the San Diego Padres. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic said on Thursday that "the Padres are indeed in the shortstop market, possibly even for Turner, a player general manager A.J. Preller traded to the Nationals … in 2015, and has pretty much coveted ever since."
Rosenthal also connected Bogaerts to San Diego on Wednesday, following the Astros' signing of Jose Abreu.
It was suggested by Peter Gammons that front-office members from three teams heard that the 10-year Red Sox shortstop had "severed Boston ties and won’t be going back" in response to Rosenthal’s article.
That was later denied by both agent Scott Boras and Red Sox president/CEO Sam Kennedy, leaving Boston in the mix to retain the four-time all-star.
Passan added to the reporting around Bogaerts, saying that the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks and Dodgers are all interested in the 30-year-old.
In a generally weak position, there are many catchers reportedly available, either through trade or free agency.
At the top of the list for many teams is former Cubs catcher Willson Contreras. In Rosenthal's report, he said the reigning World Series champion Astros are planning to meet with the 30-year-old in San Diego.
Another team that has been connected to Contreras is the St. Louis Cardinals, who are trying to replace franchise icon Yadier Molina.
On the trade market, Sean Murphy has emerged as a prime candidate to be moved from Oakland. Morosi reported on Wednesday that the Cleveland Guardians have been "among the most active suitors" for the Athletics catcher.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Blue Jays are another potential seller. Passan said the team's "to-do list" includes moving one of Alejandro Kirk, Gabriel Moreno and Danny Jansen.
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