On the heels of a notable early-morning signing, listed below are three issues we’ll be maintaining a tally of across the baseball world at the moment:
1. Soto starting to take gives?
The early a part of the offseason has been suffering from reviews about groups assembly with or planning to satisfy with celebrity outfielder Juan Soto. The Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays, Purple Sox, and Dodgers are all recognized to have met with Soto at this level. The Phillies have been reportedly planning to satisfy with the slugger as nicely. Different groups, together with the Giants and Royals, are recognized to have at the least checked in on Soto, however the star’s free agent course of is seemingly shifting previous the introductory stage as a report yesterday indicated groups are anticipated to begin making gives this week. Provided that Soto’s contract is broadly anticipated to mark a brand new report by way of net-present worth, the approaching stage of the method might shortly weed out groups that have been remaining concerned in hopes that Soto’s market would show softer than among the sky-high numbers thrown round to date. Might issues start to progress shortly for Soto as soon as he begins receiving gives?
2. Non-tendered gamers enter the free agent pool:
Friday evening noticed a variety of fascinating gamers enter the free agent pool after being non-tendered by their golf equipment. These gamers typically occupy the decrease tiers of free company, as groups with substantial curiosity in them at their arbitration worth level might have simply traded for them within the days main as much as their non-tender. That stated, fascinating gamers corresponding to Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Woodruff, and Cody Bellinger have discovered themselves within the non-tender pile lately. This yr’s class lacks that type of massive title expertise, however longtime Blue Jays nearer Jordan Romano, Nationals nearer Kyle Finnegan, Angels starter Patrick Sandoval (recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure), and former Mariners infielder Josh Rojas are among the many intriguing potential choices that at the moment are out there to groups. Romano was an All-Star in 2022-23 earlier than accidents ruined his 2024 season. Finnegan was an All-Star this previous season however struggled via an terrible remaining two months of the yr.
3. What’s subsequent for the Royals following the India commerce?
Over the weekend, the Royals and Reds bought collectively on a previously-rumored commerce that despatched Brady Singer to Cincinnati in change for Jonathan India and Joey Wiemer. Wiemer’s slot in Kansas Metropolis as a short-side platoon accomplice for heart fielder Kyle Isbel is a reasonably easy one, however the acquisition of India is a little more sophisticated. India is seemingly poised to play on a regular basis as a possible leadoff choice for the membership forward of Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez, however it stays to be seen how the membership’s defensive alignment will shake out now that each India and incumbent second baseman Michael Massey are within the combine.
Each India and Massey have performed second base nearly completely within the majors, however India got here up as a 3rd baseman and each gamers might absolutely deal with both left subject. Is a place change within the playing cards for both participant headed into Spring Coaching, or are there extra offers on the horizon that might make clear the membership’s infield image? Maikel Garcia and Massey have been the membership’s main choices on the infield alongside Witt and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino final yr. Might Garcia or Massey be relegated to a utility function and even on the transfer in a future deal to improve the membership’s questionable outfield combine now that India is within the fold?
