Fresh off the heels of an overnight signing, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around baseball throughout the day:
1. When will the Correa market heat up?
Now that Xander Bogaerts is in San Diego and Trea Turner is in Philadelphia — both on 11-year contracts — Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson are the last two stars standing on the free agent shortstop market. With Swanson’s market potentially held up due to Correa’s lingering presence on the market, it begs the question of when Correa will sign. So far, the Giants, Cubs, and incumbent Twins appear to be Correa’s top suitors, while the Dodgers are known to be out of the Correa market. Correa’s market was likely being held up, to some extent, by San Francisco’s pursuit of Aaron Judge, but his market has remained fairly quiet since Judge agreed to a nine-year deal with the Yankees last week. It’s worth noting that in previous offseasons, agent Scott Boras has frequently been willing to allow negotiations for his top clients to stretch well into the new year in order to ensure they receive the best possible offer.
2. Rodon stands alone
With Kodai Senga set to pitch in Queens next season, the top pitcher on the market, Carlos Rodon, stands as not only the last remaining ace on the free agent market, but also the youngest option available, having just celebrated his 30th birthday over the weekend. The incumbent Giants could be moving on from Rodon, based on their late-night deal with Sean Manaea. Rodon, who is reportedly seeking a seven-year deal, still has plenty of rumored options available. The Yankees, Dodgers, Twins, Orioles, and Blue Jays have all been mentioned as having interest in Rodon, while the Cardinals may be entering the market for the ace as well. The Mets and Rangers were previously known to have interest in Rodon, as well. However, the Mets have agreed to deals with three starters (Justin Verlander, Jose Quintana, Senga), while the Rangers have since signed both Jacob deGrom and Andrew Heaney. It’s possible neither is aggressively pursuing Rodon at this point. With the rest of the top pitching market largely decided, Rodon may be the next domino to fall at the top of the free agent market this offseason. Chris Bassitt and Nathan Eovaldi are among the best alternative options available for teams in need of pitching who don’t land Rodon.
3. How long will the trade market stay dormant?
This year’s Winter Meetings saw a bonanza of activity on the free agent market, with over $2 billion in spending on free agents. That activity masked a trade market that’s been very quiet this offseason, and figures to heat up now that so many free agents have come off the board. The trade market is particularly flush with catchers, as Oakland has made Sean Murphy available while Toronto has fielded interest on their catching trio of Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk and Gabriel Moreno. There’s also a fair number of rumors on the outfield market, with Bryan Reynolds requesting a trade from the Pirates, the Twins drawing some interest in Max Kepler, and the Diamondbacks listening on their surplus of outfield talent. Elsewhere on the market, the Reds are reportedly interested in dealing some of their surplus of infield prospects for outfield prospects, while the Marlins are known to be entertaining offers on much of their pitching staff, including Pablo Lopez and Trevor Rogers. As teams begin to exhaust payroll space and as the supply of impact free agents continues to dwindle, trade talks figure to escalate.
Idosteroids
Have to imagine that Swanson will wait to sign until after Correa inks a deal
CaptainJudge99
Not necessarily, hearing Correa’s asking for $400 million.
2020Sucks 2
Nope, next off-season, Mets will sign Ohtani to a 8 year/$500M deal
CaptainJudge99
Big mistake for Ohtani to go anywhere near NY, he won’t thrive there. Maybe with the bat? He would be much better off signing with the Dodgers.
Idosteroids
Matsui and Tanaka worked out just fine in the Bronx.
M.C.Homer
With Eppler in the mix, I wouldn’t discount the Mets at all. Ohtani and many other Japanese players have a very close relationship and trust with him. That’s exactly how the Angels got him in the first place and how the Mets just got Senga….all Eppler.
That being said, I can’t see him leaving southern california. If he leaves the Angels i’d put my money on the Dodgers or the Padres.
ARC 2
You can’t rule out Giants or Mariners. He will stay on the west coast. Its going to be the richest contract ever.
DCartrow
Yeah!! Since Godzilla worked out so well there, they need to sign Rodon!!
Stevil
Yeah, you can pretty much rule out the Mariners.
Blue Dude
LA or Yankees the mets will only smell Otanis farts as he passes by due to them already locked up on some heavy contracts 🙂 Book it
myaccount2
Honestly, I don’t think you can. Mariners finished second to the Angels last time, Ohtani idolizes Ichiro who is still around the clubhouse and on the road for 2/3 of the season, ownership is said to be willing to open the vault for Ohtani and money isn’t supposedly his biggest factor anyway, he wants to play for a contender, etc.
I would definitely put their odds behind the Dodgers, Yankees, and Padres, maybe the Red Sox but they’ve been operating under similar restraints and maybe the Giants and Cubs, but that’s probably it.
jakec77
I fully expect that Ohtani to the Mets will be a theme all season. Assuming he is healthy and reasonably productive, Scherzer is going to be opting out. Makes perfect sense that Mets would want to replace Scherzer with Ohtani, and add the bat to boot.
Whether Ohtani wants any part of the Mets- well, who really knows.
Bk11235 2
What are you talking about? Mets are clearing cano 20 mill canha 11 mill escobar 9 mill carrasco 14 mill robertson 10 mill. Thats 65 mill cleared right there to chase ohtani. 8 years 400 mill will get it done. Aside from that verlander and scherzer quintana only signed for 2 years so after 2024 thats 100 mill
avenger65
And Ichiro and Murakami did alright on the west coast.
avenger65
And Ichiro and And Ichiro and Murakami did alright on the west coast.
aragon
he does not like to play for 2 ny teams or dodgers. unless, he signs on an extension, he will play for the giants.
Huck 3
Izzy has been ID’ed.
BaseballisLife
Where did you hear that? The voices in your head? Correa is not looking for remotely close to $400 million. If he was offered a 12 year deal max would be around $360-366 million.
Redwolves3
Does $400M include a trash can?
Deadguy
Actually for the low sum of a crack rock and a cool million Oscar the grouce services can be obtained, if your AJ Preller just make it a few lines of coke instead
Deadguy
1. When will the Correa market heat up?
I don’t believe it ever will… he’s spring training again, this time in the middle of no work stoppage?
Al Hirschen
Correa will sign with the Mets. The owner Steve “ Heisenberg” Cohen wants to win a World Series by any means necessary. Because uncle Steve is the one who knocks.
Deadguy
Lmao he’s gonna be up there holding the trophy going “say my name”
youtube.com/shorts/JBCW6ySXYdY?feature=share
king beas
Mets trade for tatis?
James Midway
I needed a laugh this morning thank you for that
Idosteroids
How much of that contract would you see that Mets eating?
Codeeg
They sending Lindor back
VonPurpleHayes
They can get Machado when he opts out. Reunite him with Buck. Sounds far fetched but the Mets are going to be an obnoxious power house.
CaptainJudge99
@VonPurpleHayes- Gotta disagree with you here. Machado probably ends up with his dream team in the Bronx next season, if he opts out.
VonPurpleHayes
It depends what Cohen wants. He gets what he wants.
ponytail01
Tatis has a no trade contract for like the first five or so years.
BaseballisLife
Tatis has a full NTC through 2028, 13 teams from 2029 to end of contract, and a poison pill that increases his salary $4 million per season if traded.
With his immense talent and after his issues with immaturity and PED, I don’t see any scenario where he is traded.
ralstar
Rodon 6/170 to the Mets
CaptainJudge99
Nope, Mets rotation is all set now with the signing of Kodai Senga. So Rodon is definitely going somewhere else now.
VonPurpleHayes
I think so too, but ridiculous FA signings aren’t ridiculous anymore. Cohen is spening over 100 million in taxes alone. He can sign anyone and everyone twice.
ralstar
It was a joke. Simply making light of the fact that you can’t rule anything out with the Mets. Similar to if I had said “Correa 10/380 to the Mets to play 3rd”
rememberthecoop
Way too light. He wants 7/245.
JoeBrady
You got that backwards. Rodon asked for $210M/7, and Cohen countered with $245M/7.
baseballpun
There’s no way the Cards are going to sign Rodon.
JockStrap
they have to look ahead eventually. They literally don’t have a rotation after this season.
baseballpun
I think (hope) they’ll make a trade.
aTouchOfSarcasm
Exactly right. They just gave out their largest free agent deal in the history of
the club, and no way they turn around and break it again.
Wagner>Cobb
Not likely, but possible. They have the money. The only question is whether they spend it on him or not.
CaptainJudge99
I don’t think Rodon will get any 7 year offers from anyone. If he does, he should sign with that team. Hearing he wants $30 million a pop.
rememberthecoop
My sources say 35M a pop.
BaseballisLife
Sources = voices in your head?
Mr_KLC
I’m a diehard Astros fan, but I wouldn’t mind them trading Luis Garcia in a potential trade for a catcher, just so I don’t have to watch his 30 second long wind-up every time he pitches. Don’t ask me why, but it drives me nuts watching his “cradle the baby” wind-up.
SAM’s
Has to be the worst delivery in MLB.
thickiedon
Nope, that’s Nestor
YankeesBleacherCreature
But he Nasty tho.
Sportsmutt
Nope. Clevinger.
Astros2017&22Champs
Clearly you are not a diehard. Luis garcia is a young controllable talent that has his best baseball in front him. The Astros starting pitching depth is the envy of baseball and you want to trade him because of ill perceived looks on the mound.
Mr_KLC
Some people are so sensitive. Can’t even try to be humorous around here, and yes, I am a diehard fan since August 7, 1977 when I went to my first game at the Astrodome.
Astros2017&22Champs
You may think you are but you probably know very little about them. 4/6 ths of the Astros starting rotation next year were signed internationally for pennies on the dollar. Framber Valdez, cristian javier, Jose Urquidy, and luis garcia. 2 dominicans, a mexican, and a Venezuelan. All high character studs. We own this league because we spend wisely and we only allow team first players. No “they dont pay me to run to first” scumbag Manny Machados. Luis Garcia is a stud. Put some respect on that man’s name
Mr_KLC
I’m sorry that I don’t meet your standards. I will go through the rest of my life now wondering where I went wrong and just wishing I hadn’t upset you the way I did. I’m not worthy! I’m not worthy!
Astros2017&22Champs
You may enter your safe space sensitive one
Mr_KLC
Have a good rest of the day, young man. Go Astros!!!!
coloredpaper
I dunno, @astros2017… you seem to be the sensitive one. You got offended when he called himself a diehard fan #facts
Back to the topic, DO the ‘stros need an upgrade at catcher though? Maldonado isn’t a bad catcher, and with offence in other positions, I think sticking with him is better considering they’ll need all the controllable pitching they can find with ace Verlander gone. I would think if Garcia was available, he’d be traded for an upgrade in their rotation.
Astros2017&22Champs
I am not offended by Internet keyboard warriors LOL. I’m just going to call out Bandwagon, fake fans who have so little direct knowledge of baseball that it makes me cringe. Finding starting pitching is the hardest endeavor in the sport. Trading it away for hitting is a fool’s errand. Maldy is in his final year with the Astros. They have Korey Lee and possibly Yainer Diaz waiting in AAA. And I’m hoping for a reunion with Christian Vaquez. He’s so underrated its sad
rememberthecoop
I know they live the way Maldonado handles the staff; but he’s an automatic out.
Astros2017&22Champs
You are not wrong. He’s also 36 next season. Love him but he’s near the end.
ralstar
The most cringe-worthy thing in this thread is you calling out who is and isn’t a “true fan”.
Astros2017&22Champs
And I’m sure you are exactly who I’m referring to playa.
ralstar
The irony is I actually agree with you that the Astros shouldn’t look to trade Garcia. But the whole “true fandom” guarding thing just isn’t the flex you think it is. I see a lot of fanbases do it, and it’s downright pathetic.
You obviously, by your username, are new here yet feel you have the right to determine who is and isn’t a true fan based on a trade idea posted in the comments section.?!?! Like I said, pathetic.
Astros2017&22Champs
I’ve been here for years and I absolutely do have that right. It’s called free speech. And you are absolutely who I was referring to. I will always be me and there’s nothing people like you can do about it. Now go watch your scrub team and kiss our rings!!!
Manfred Rob's Earth Band
This is definitely a keyboard warrior comment. Congrats.
OrangeCrushCity
After Korey lee’s audition last year it will take an awful lot for me to be convinced that he’s Madonado’s heir. I’d love to see Vasquez back myself, possibly with the understanding that he’ll split time this year and become the main guy next year. I don’t see Crane convincing him to sign otherwise.
adkuchan
Imagine the lack of self-awareness to call someone a “scumbag” for not running to first, while rooting for a team responsible for one of the biggest cheating scandals in recent baseball history…
thickiedon
‘17&’22 dude?!? You come off as such an ignorant homer. That’s why I can’t get on fan pages and groups. Luis Garcia is a worthy trade piece and expendable. The team would trade him yesterday if they figured it’d improve the club especially for an upgrade at catcher or centerfield. You really don’t seem educated on the team. Lee and Diaz didn’t impress in their debuts and Vazquez was rather vocal about his lack of playing time. And I’m not sure calling the fella a “keyboard warrior” fit. How were you offended or threatened? A shame someone has to be on the receiving end of your awful Monday morning
thickiedon
Vazquez was so displeased about his lack of playing time that he voiced it to the media heading into the playoffs. I thought he should’ve been used more maybe in LF. He had a hit streak going upon his arrival with the Astros but Maldy was starting to hit a bit better too and the pitching staff was lights out.
Justanotherstrosfan
All signed by Oz Ocampo who was the scout that found them. Now he works for the marlins. Your right about pennies on the dollar, but why would we NOT trade from an area of strength? We NEED another outfielder. And just so that we are all aware, how long havw you been an Astros fan? I grew up as an Astro buddy in the 70s going to the games as well. I don’t miss any games all season. Even if I’m at work, I’m recording and watching when I get home. Let me guess, you started around 2016? Didn’t want to state the obvious with your handle and all.
Mr_KLC
I was an Astro Buddy also. I still have a Polaroid from a promotion they had to have your picture taken with an Astro. The Astros player I had my picture taken with was a little known player named Ric Williams, but he had a friend hanging around sitting in the seat behind us. That guy’s name was Joaquin Andujar. It was a great day for a 9 year old fan.
User 2079935927
Envy? (Picture Grandpa Munster laughing)
phenomenalajs
I highly doubt he’s as slow as Steve Trachsel was. Will the pitch clock curb that or does the clock stop once the windup begins? If so, I couldn’t see that being beneficial at all with runners on base. Even Daniel Vogelbach could steal on that.
OrangeCrushCity
I don’t see the Astros trading any of their pitching, but if they traded Urquidi or Garcia I’d hope it’s for more than just “a catcher”. Murphy might move the needle. I can’t think of anyone else that would.
thickiedon
OCC, Reynolds would certainly move the needle
JockStrap
Once the FA market is dried up then i can see trades happening.
VonPurpleHayes
I think the trade market will be very slow and possibly dead.
This one belongs to the Reds
I am betting the trade market stays dead until after the first of the year when the big boys have spent their money.
I also think there will be some FA deals to be made with those who overestimated their value to those guys and have to settle for a one year deal with one of the 20 other teams.
rememberthecoop
And if so Von, that sucks. I love hearing about and pontificating (yes I get paid by the syllable ha) over trade scenarios. Why do you say that?
VonPurpleHayes
A variety of reasons. The main one being, with teams spending a bunch on analytics teams, a lot of them evaluate players on the same level, making them less likely to see something in a player that others do not. Another reason being, a lot of the competitors are spending big money on FAs, filling their holes, making trades this early less likely. I think the trade deadline will be exciting as always, but I don’t see many big surprises happening this offseason. I could be wrong. I hope I am.
Terry B
Swanson to Dodgers and a Freddie reunion, bank it!
rememberthecoop
I can definitely see that, although there is a strange kind of slow pullback from LA regarding payroll this offseason. Seems like they would love to reset this year for luxury tax purposes.
dshires4
They’re still so far below the threshold that they could sign Swanson, do some in-season trading, and still be well below it.
VonPurpleHayes
Marlins should get Rodon and Correa. NLE would explode.
dshires4
Their fan would go nuts if that happened!
Sunday Lasagna
…and JD Martinez as a DH
Terry B
No way Rodon gets seven year deal! I’m guessing more like 4-5, maybe a club option for one additional year! He’s not all that!
JohnJasoJingleHeimerSchmidt
Ask for seven, settle for six.
You can’t get what you don’t ask for.
balloonknots
But we have seen free agents overplay their hand and end with a 1 year deal late spring
rememberthecoop
But he IS all that when healthy and there’s the rub. Will his past injury history prevent teams from going beyond 5 years? I know there’s no way in hell that I’d give him a long-term deal.
Wagner>Cobb
If I owned a team in a 2-3 year Championship window, I’d give him the 7th year. What do I care? If he helps me win a title in the next 1-3 years, I’ll take the difficult final 4 years. He’s a legit ace right now. This is part of the same logic that’s applied to the extra years given to Turner, Bogaerts, and Judge.
Sunday Lasagna
5 year deal with vesting options on a 6th and 7th year with the Yankees.
ssfd209
He will get 7 years if the Blue Jays sign him,they have to pay a premium for free agents
bighiggy
Wonder if Lopez could be had for a package of gorman and liberatore? Odds and ends thrown in either way to make it work.
DefensiveIndifference
They gotta be looking for two bats that are major league ready at the very least. Probably have to include another top 15 organizational prospect also. That sounds about right.
Wagner>Cobb
I don’t think they’d be interested in any of our pitching prospects. They would likely hold out for a deal centered around Carlson or Nootbaar as either player could be plugged into CF…and this is probably why there is no deal to be had with Miami. The Cardinals are very high on Noot and Carlson and are very unlikely to trade either of them. If they want to add an arm to the rotation, signing Rodon is their best bet (which in and of itself, is unlikely).
thickiedon
Rodon should be a priority for Seattle
Astros2017&22Champs
If I were the Mariners I would go after Correa. Move crawford to 2nd. Correa would have every motivation imaginable going against Houston and he would lengthen their lineup. Seattle’s rotation is filthy. Everyone talks about logan gilbert but I actually believe George Kirby to be their 2nd best future pitcher.
Wagner>Cobb
I think they need to prioritize the lineup. Their rotation is stacked, but the lineup is still pretty thin, even after adding Teoscar.
Blue Dude
JAJAJAJAJAJAJA to Correa !!!Karma is a dawg 🙂 By the Dodgers announcing that Correa isn’t one of there targets, he loses out on the max that he can get…… Good Job Dodgers
CNichols
That’s not really true. We have no indication that he’s going to get less money from the Giants, Cubs, or Twins because LA isn’t bidding on him. He’s still going to get $300M+
jolink65
Everyone said last year that he was going to get over $300 million and that never happened. Setting aside the hatred for him for the connection to the cheating scandal, he had a solid season with the Twins, but nothing that would make me want to pay him $30+ million a year. I think he’s severely overpricing himself and that’s why his market is so slow. If someone really wanted him they would have made the move already.
Wagner>Cobb
It’s crazy to me how people drool over him when he’s a 20 homerun SS that doesn’t steal bases. And that’s when he’s healthy for a whole season. He’s good, but none of his tangible numbers are elite.
Astros2017&22Champs
Blah. Blah. Blah. Many players have come out and said the entire 2017 playoff field were stealing’s signs electronically. Like everything we were just better than the Dodgers. Bellinger just got dfaed because he couldn’t steal signs anymore MLB just scapegoated us and we still forced Manfraud to deliver us the piece of tin!
rememberthecoop
Yep you’re correct about the Dodgers and Bellinger. And the Cubs were not doing that in 2017; I know for a fact. I spoke offline to one Cubs player who told me there were many teams gaming the system that year and in other years too.
avenger65
Teams have been stealing signs, etc., since the beginning of time. The difference was, in 2017, it just became a little more obvious with some idiot banging on a garbage can lid. If it wasn’t for that Bond-like trickery the stealing of signs would have continued even with the advantage of electronics.
Rumors2godsears
Eovaldi is going to regret turning down the QO. No team is going to sign him and give up a draft pick. He is going to be this years Conforto.
YankeesBleacherCreature
You’re going to be surprised that he’ll get way more guaranteed money over the Q.O.
Rumors2godsears
I will be surprised
Wagner>Cobb
I agree. He will get a much better deal than the QO presented. He has a solid track record and there are plenty of teams in need of an arm like his.
Old York
Correa will be back with the Twins because no one else is taking on that big risk.
RunDMC
IF Correa does not take a big offer from MIN, I don’t think MIN would again beat out ATL for a nice, short-term/high AAV deal for Correa. I don’t think they’re upping their offer for Swanson to be competitive, but I could see ATL going over luxury tax threshold for first time with high-AAV offer that would allow him to opt-out after a year, etc. Correa would do more damage in ATL’s lineup playing in the premiere division against elite teams in warmer weather and a more offensive lineup and ballpark. Also a better chance of him getting to show off his presumed playoff prowess. Wouldn’t hurt that Georgia Pacific makes some pretty nice trash cans down the road.
Old York
I just don’t see teams rushing for Correa. Maybe Atlanta but I think they’re mostly done shopping right now. MIN’s offer is till on the table so I wouldn’t be surprised if he returns for 1 season again.
RunDMC
ATL is looking for a bargain. They’re not going to splurge, but if they could get Correa for a short-term deal (and Swanson talks don’t continue past an impasse), then they’ll pivot exactly like they did with Freeman/Olson. This time, they don’t have the prospects to make a huge trade and I doubt they’d do one for Amed Rosario, etc. I’d see a bridge signing of Andrus, since they drafted him and he’d be decent with some upside.
ohyeadam
Xander and Turner getting 11 years will make Correa think he’s getting 14
hyraxwithaflamethrower
I expected the White Sox to sit out FA, so I’m not too disappointed by that. But now I do get to be disappointed by them sitting out the trade market, too.
bryan c
Sean Murphy will remain an Athletic until the As realize he is not quite Juan Soto. That ask price is absurd. Owners that truly want to win are not afraid of a luxury tax. You have to pay to have nice things. While prospects are never a sure thing, if you don’t have any left you can darn sure bet the only way to improve is FA market. The trade market is a joke.
Osterraphin
Baltimore must have a plan to hit the trade market or they feel what they have coming up will take them further than the current squad made it.
sliderwithcheeze
Seems to me the hold up on Rodon is that Interested teams were waiting until after his birthday celebrations to present him with a urine test to determine his character. I think once those results come back his market moves in one direction or another