On the heels of final night time’s wild finale to the 2024 season, listed here are three issues we’ll be keeping track of across the baseball world all through the day in the present day:
1. The offseason has arrived!
Sport 5 of the World Sequence was a rollercoaster journey because the Yankees jumped out to a five-run lead within the early innings, just for the Dodgers to reply with 5 unearned runs off Gerrit Cole in a disastrous fifth inning filled with defensive miscues. The Yankees managed to take the lead again, however solely briefly because the Dodgers scored two runs within the eighth to place them forward 7 to six earlier than slamming the door on the Yankees offense for the ultimate six outs of the 2024 marketing campaign. Whereas the Dodgers plan a parade and the Yankees lick their wounds, the remainder of the baseball world will likely be turning their consideration to the offseason, which formally arrives in the present day. Whereas it’s possible that issues gained’t actually begin to choose up for a couple of extra days, in the present day kicks off what’s certain to be a busy winter filled with rumors, trades, and signings to debate right here at MLBTR.
2. Who’re the winter’s high commerce candidates?
Whereas transactions will not be choosing up simply but, it’s solely a matter of time earlier than commerce and free agent rumors start to fly. MLBTR’s annual High 50 MLB Free Brokers listing continues to be a couple of days away, however readers in search of an offseason primer can stay up for a take a look at the High 35 MLB Commerce Candidates for the approaching offseason later in the present day! With groups just like the White Sox and Marlins within the midst of rebuilds and much more aggressive golf equipment just like the Cardinals and Rangers seeking to lower payroll this winter, loads of intriguing names determine to be on the commerce block this winter. The listing doesn’t solely give attention to golf equipment that seem sure to be lively on the commerce market, nevertheless, and options gamers from 23 of the league’s 30 golf equipment. Which gamers may your favourite membership look to dangle this offseason? Tune in later in the present day to search out out!
3. What’s subsequent for Cole?
Whereas the overwhelming majority of the eye was rightfully centered on star Yankees outfielder (and pending free agent) Juan Soto’s future final night time, there’s one different star participant on the Yankees who’s dealing with a call this winter. That’s veteran right-hander Gerrit Cole, who has the power to choose out of the remaining 4 years and $144MM on his contract with the Yankees if he so chooses. Ought to he resolve to take action, the Yankees would then have the choice to tack on a further 12 months and $36MM to Cole’s contract to be able to cease him from hitting the open market.
A 12 months in the past, it regarded all however sure that issues would play out precisely that approach, with Cole opting-out and the Yankees voiding that call by exercising their possibility. Issues don’t seem fairly that sure anymore, nevertheless, as Cole is coming off an injury-shortened 2024 marketing campaign the place he was restricted to simply 17 begins. These begins noticed him pitch to a stable 3.41 ERA (121 ERA+), however that determine constitutes a step again from each his Cy Younger 2023 (163 ERA+) and his total determine (134 ERA+) as a Yankee. Will Cole try and beat that $144MM on the open market forward of his age-34 marketing campaign? And if he does, will the Yankees let him go?
