Because the early days of the offseason proceed, listed below are three issues we’ll be keeping track of across the baseball world all through the day at the moment:
1. Is extra motion on the beginning pitching market on the best way?
Information broke of the winter’s first main signing yesterday when the Angels reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with veteran southpaw Yusei Kikuchi. Kikuchi, 33, ranked because the #12 free agent out there on MLBTR’s annual Prime 50 MLB free brokers record. The southpaw sports activities a 3.96 ERA (105 ERA+) and three.78 FIP over the previous two seasons, inserting him among the many many mid-rotation arms on this winter’s class. It will hardly be a shock if the Kikuchi deal represented the floodgates opening on important signings. Final yr, Aaron Nola re-signed with the Phillies to kick off the beginning pitching market and fellow top-tier righty Sonny Grey adopted by signing with the Cardinals only one week later.
One potential wrinkle with this yr’s class, nonetheless, is the comparatively small variety of pitchers who’re much like Kikuchi by way of general effectiveness whereas remaining unencumbered by a qualifying supply. Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Flaherty are maybe the closest comparisons general, although Eovaldi’s age might restrict his market whereas Flaherty’s youth and upside figures to develop his personal. Hurlers like Sean Manaea, Nick Pivetta, and Luis Severino evaluate moderately with Kikuchi however are hooked up to draft decide compensation, whereas Andrew Heaney and Matthew Boyd are unencumbered like Kikuchi however are usually thought of to be within the tier beneath him.
2. Will extra groups finalize their teaching staffs?
Yesterday noticed the Orioles finalize their teaching employees for 2025, together with the announcement of former large league catcher Robinson Chirinos as their new bench coach. The Pink Sox finalized their employees late final week, accompanied by the announcement of José Flores because the membership’s new first base coach. With December simply over the horizon and the free agent market beginning to warmth up, will extra golf equipment start to announce finalized teaching staffs for subsequent yr within the coming days? Some golf equipment nonetheless look like finalizing their teaching hires, because the Mariners are reportedly poised to rent Kevin Seltzer as their subsequent hitting coach whereas groups just like the Brewers, Cubs, and Marlins nonetheless have positions that have to be crammed.
3. MLBTR Chat at the moment:
With the non-tender deadline within the rearview mirror and the winter’s first main free agent signing within the books, the 2024-25 offseason has begun to ramp up. Whether or not you’ve questions on who your favourite crew might be focusing on this winter, or a commerce proposal at the back of your thoughts, MLBTR’s Steve Adams might be right here to reply your questions throughout a stay chat scheduled for midday CT. You possibly can click on right here to ask a query upfront, take part stay as soon as the chat begins, or learn the transcript as soon as the chat is full.
