Mets Considering Whether To Pursue Justin Verlander

SNY's Andy Martino reported Tuesday that the New York Mets are "considering whether to pursue" veteran free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander. The Mets had several members of their starting rotation enter the free-agent market this offseason, so they will need to fill some gaps if they hope to make it to the playoffs once again.... Read More

Rays Release Brendan McKay Monday

The Tampa Bay Rays released former first-round pick starting pitcher/potential two-way player Brendan McKay Monday, per Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. The 26-year-old lefty was the fourth overall pick in the 2017 draft. McKay made his big-league debut in 2019, pitching 49 innings with a 5.14 ERA. However, he has dealt with several arm injuries... Read More

Astros Targeting Anthony Rizzo At First Base

Ken Rosenthal reported in the Athletic Monday that the Houston Astros are targeting Anthony Rizzo as their top first-base free agent. The New York Yankees extended a $19.65 million qualifying offer to the 33-year-old, who has until Tuesday afternoon to act on it. Rizzo provided a good deal of power for the Yankees in 2022,... Read More

Braves An Unlikely Landing Spot For Jacob deGrom

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal said that it is "highly unlikely" that the Atlanta Braves will sign free-agent starting pitcher Jacob deGrom. The Braves and Texas Rangers have been considered two of the New York Mets' top competitors, However, the asking price for the 34-year-old is reportedly high, and the Braves already have a strong starting... Read More

Twins Decline Miguel Sano's Club Option Monday

The Minnesota Twins declined first/third baseman Miguel Sano's $14.25 million club option Monday, per MLB's Do-Hyoung Park. The option included a $2.75 million buyout. Sano signed a three-year, $30 million extension with the Twins after hitting 34 homers in 2019, and while he did hit 30 HR in 2021, he hasn't hit above .223 since... Read More

Twins Decline Dylan Bundy's Club Option Monday

The Minnesota Twins declined starting pitcher Dylan Bundy's $11 million club option Monday, per MLB's Do-Hyoung Park. The option included a $1 million buyout. The 29-year-old turned in some strong starts in 2022 but ended the season with a disappointing 8-8 record, 4.89 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 15.8% strikeout rate in 29 starts and 140... Read More

Dodgers Decline Jimmy Nelson's Club Option Tuesday

The Los Angeles Dodgers declined relief pitcher Jimmy Nelson's $1.1 million club option Tuesday, per MLB's Thomas Harrigan. Nelson underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2021 and did not pitch in 2022, but recorded a solid 1.86 ERA and 37.9% strikeout rate in 29 innings pitched out of the bullpen prior to the surgery. The... Read More

Oscar Colas Could Start 2023 Season In Outfield With White Sox

Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Tuesday during Day 1 of MLB's General Managers Meetings that outfield prospect Oscar Colas could be an in-house option to start at right field, per the Athletic's James Fegan. AJ Pollock declined his $13 million player option Tuesday, opening an outfield spot for the team. Hahn said... Read More

Drew Smyly Declines Option, Considering Cubs Reunion

Starting pitcher Drew Smyly declined his $10 million mutual option with the Chicago Cubs Tuesday, but remains in contact with the club on a possible new deal, per NBC Sports' Gordon Wittenmyer. The 33-year-old had a nice bounce-back 2022 season, going 7-8 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 20.4% strikeout rate over 22 starts... Read More

Sean Murphy A Topic Of Trade Talks For A's

Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst said Tuesday that catcher Sean Murphy was mentioned numerous times during Day 1 of MLB's General Managers Meetings, per MLB's Martin Gallegos. Forst said, "He's obviously a popular topic of discussion when I talk to other clubs". The 28-year-old is under the team's control through the 2025 season and... Read More

Red Sox Decline Tommy Pham's Team Option Monday

The Boston Red Sox declined outfielder Tommy Pham's one-year, $12 million team option Monday, per the Athletic's Chad Jennings. The veteran was traded from the San Diego Padres during the 2022 season and ended up with a .236/.312/.374 slash line, 17 home runs, 63 RBI, and eight stolen bases in 622 total plate appearances. Pham... Read More

Eric Hosmer Reportedly Not Opting Out Of Contract

New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Monday that Boston Red Sox first baseman Eric Hosmer will not be opting out of the remaining three years of his eight-year, $144 million contract. Hosmer is owed $39 million over the final three years of his current contract, most of which will be paid by his former team,... Read More

White Sox Decline Josh Harrison's 2023 Club Option

The Chicago White Sox declined veteran second/third baseman Josh Harrison's $5.5 million club option for 2023 Monday, per MLB's Scott Merkin. The option includes a $1.5 million buyout. The 35-year-old put up decent numbers with the White Sox in 2022 while providing a clubhouse presence, slashing .256/.317/.370 with seven home runs and 27 RBI in... Read More

Jurickson Profar Opts Out Of Contract Monday

Outfielder Jurickson Profar opted out of the final year of his three-year, $21 million contract with the San Diego Padres Monday, per the MLB Player's Association Communication Department. Profar's three-year contract gave him the ability to opt out after each of the first two seasons. His 2022 season was a rebound from 2021, as he... Read More

Red Sox Decline James Paxton's Team Option

The Boston Red Sox declined their two-year, $26 million team option on starting pitcher James Paxton Monday, per the Athletic's Chad Jennings. The 34-year-old lefty spent the 2021 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and has only made a combined six starts since 2019 due to a host of injuries. However, Paxton does have an... Read More

Ronny Mauricio Stays Hot In LIDOM Game Wednesday

New York Mets shortstop prospect Ronny Mauricio continued to hit well in Wednesday's Professional Dominican Republic League game with the Tigres, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, a single, two RBI, and a stolen base. The 21-year-old is the Met's sixth-ranked prospect, per MLB.com, and is now slashing .350/.394/.567 with two home runs, 15 RBI, and... Read More

Yuli Gurriel Continues Strong Postseason Wednesday

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel had another nice offensive game in Wednesday's World Series Game 4 5-0 win over the Phillies. Gurriel went 2-for-4 with two singles, an RBI, and a stolen base. The 38-year-old has stepped up this postseason after a disappointing regular season, batting .348 with four RBI and two stolen bases... Read More

Andres Gimenez Earns Gold Glove Award Tuesday

Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez earned his first career Gold Glove Award Tuesday, one of four Guardians players to be recognized. The 24-year-old also contributed offensively in 2022, slashing .297/.371/.466 with 17 home runs, 69 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. His power potential is limited compared to other options at second base, but he... Read More

Dansby Swanson Wins First Gold Glove Tuesday

Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson earned his first career Gold Glove Award Tuesday, becoming the third Braves' shortstop to win the award. The 28-year-old had an excellent season overall, being selected to his first All-Star team while slashing .277/.329/.447 with 25 home runs, 96 RBI, and 18 stolen bases. Swanson provided a career-high in RBI... Read More

Angels Not Currently Listening To Shohei Ohtani Trade Offers

The Los Angeles Angels are not currently entertaining trade offers for their starting pitcher/designated hitter star Shohei Ohtani, per SNY's Andy Martino. The 28-year-old will be in the final year of his contract in 2023, so it is conceivable that the team could try to trade him if they do not reach a contract extension.... Read More

Zack Wheeler To Start World Series Game 6 Saturday

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler will start Saturday's potential World Series Game 6 against the Houston Astros despite Game 3 being postponed by a day, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Wheeler is experiencing arm fatigue, per the Phillies, which is why he will get a sixth day of rest before the potential Game 6, rather... Read More

Noah Syndergaard To Start World Series Game 5 Thursday

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard will toe the rubber in Thursday's World Series Game 5 against the Houston Astros, potentially to close out the series. The opposing pitcher has not yet been announced. Thor has only pitched 5 1/3 innings this postseason with one start but has posted a stellar 1.69 ERA in his... Read More

Aaron Nola To Start World Series Game 4 Wednesday

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola will get a chance to redeem himself with a 2-1 series lead in Wednesday's World Series Game 4 against Cristian Javier and the Houston Astros. Nola has not had a great postseason to the tune of a 4.57 ERA through four starts, including a five-run, 4 1/3-inning dud in... Read More

Jordan Walker Continues To Mash In AFL Monday

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman/outfield prospect Jordan Walker continued to hit for power in Monday's Arizona Fall League game with the Rafters, going 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run, and two strikeouts. He also stole third base. The 20-year-old is the team's top prospect, per MLB.com and is now batting .290 with five... Read More

Kumar Rocker Strikes Out Five Monday

Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Kumar Rocker turned in his best Arizona Fall League start in Monday's win with the Saguaros. Rocker pitched 3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and no walks with five strikeouts. This was an encouraging sign for Rocker, as he had allowed at least two walks in each of his first... Read More

Justin Turner Receives 2022 Roberto Clemente Award Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was named the winner of the 2022 Roberto Clemente Award on Monday. The award is given annually to the player who "best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field." This was the veteran's fifth nomination... Read More

Anthony Santander To Play For Venezuela In WBC

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander will play for Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, per Baltimore Sun's Andy Kostka. The 28-year-old should add some pop to their lineup as he did for the O's in 2022, slashing .240/.318/.455 with 33 home runs and 89 RBI. Santander logged career-highs in both HR and RBI hitting... Read More

Justyn-Henry Malloy Could Help Braves Outfield In 2023

Atlanta Braves outfield prospect Justyn-Henry Malloy could factor into the team's outfield, specifically left field in 2023, depending on how their offseason plays out, per The Athletic's David O'Brien. The Braves should have Michael Harris II in center field and Ronald Acuna Jr. in right field, but both Eddie Rosario and Marcell Ozuna struggled throughout... Read More

Mets To Extend Pitching Coach Jeremy Hefner

The New York Mets are finalizing a new contract with current pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, which will keep him as their pitching coach for at least the 2023 season, per New York Post's Mike Puma. Hefner has spent the last three seasons in the role and saw his staff finish seventh in baseball this season... Read More

Giants Ready To Spend For Aaron Judge

The San Francisco Giants have targeted New York Yankees impending free-agent outfielder Aaron Judge entering the 2023 season and "won't be outbid," per NJ Advance Media's Randy Miller. Judge will be one of the most intriguing free agents this offseason, but the Giants intend to sign several bigger-name free agents, per Miller's article. The 30-year-old... Read More