LATEST FREE AGENT & TRADE RUMORS
December 18th, 2022
We’re keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.
Dec. 18: What does Conforto’s market look like after Astros’ deal with Brantley?
With the Astros bringing back Michael Brantley on a one-year, $12 million deal (per a source), Houston can likely be crossed off the list of suitors for outfielder Michael Conforto, who has been a free agent since 2021.
Conforto was among the players the Astros were reportedly considering to fill their left-field vacancy.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required) reported Friday that Conforto has been on the radar of the Rangers, Mets and Cubs, too, though Chicago added another bat Saturday when it reached a seven-year, $177 million deal (per a source) with shortstop Dansby Swanson. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman also linked the Marlins to Conforto in a story for the New York Post on Thursday.
After sitting out all of 2022 while recovering from right shoulder surgery, Conforto is seeking a “short-term [deal], probably a couple of years with an opt-out,” according to his agent, Scott Boras.
Dec. 18: NL West battle brewing for Lugo
The race for free-agent righty Seth Lugo appears to be down to the Dodgers and Padres, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, who notes that the Nationals also have shown interest.
Lugo, 33, has started only 12 games since the beginning of 2018 (none in 2021-22), but a number of clubs, including Los Angeles and San Diego, have reportedly been considering Lugo for a starting role this offseason.
Lugo owns a career 4.35 ERA and a 3.28 K/BB ratio as a starter, compared to a 2.91 ERA and 3.98 K/BB ratio in relief.
The Dodgers’ rotation currently consists of Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías, Tony Gonsolin, Noah Syndergaard and Dustin May. Lugo would give the club some rotation insurance with Gonsolin coming off a career-high 130 1/3 innings and May entering his second season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2021. Syndergaard also has a litany of injuries in his past, and Kershaw hasn’t started more than 22 games in a season since 2019.
The Padres, meanwhile, lost two starters when Sean Manaea and Mike Clevinger signed elsewhere. The club did re-sign Nick Martinez with the intention of having him start, but they still need a No. 5 starter behind Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Blake Snell and Martinez.
Dec. 17: Kepler drawing trade interest after Gallo deal (report)
Twins outfielder Max Kepler is drawing significant trade interest following Minnesota’s reported one-year, $11 million deal with Joey Gallo, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
Kepler is under contract for $8.5 million in 2023 and has a $10 million club option for 2024.
The 29-year-old is an excellent defender in right field, and while he has been a below-average producer at the plate over the past two seasons (96 OPS+), some of his underlying metrics suggest he’s capable of more.
The 39-point “unlucky gap” between Kepler’s .304 wOBA and .343 xwOBA (based on quality of contact, plus strikeouts and walks) was MLB’s third largest (min. 500 plate appearances) over 2021-22.
Dec. 16: Will Machado opt out after 2023?
Would Manny Machado really opt out of his 10-year, $300 million contract at the end of next season?
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman suggests that the Padres think he might, writing in an article for the New York Post that, “They do anticipate superstar Manny Machado opting out after 2023.”
The 30-year-old third baseman will have five years and $150 million left on his deal after the 2023 season. If Machado opts out, he’d instantly become one of the headliners of the 2024 free-agent class, along with Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and fellow third baseman Rafael Devers, whom the Red Sox are currently trying to sign to a contract extension, per Heyman.
The megadeals landed by the star free-agent infielders this offseason — $350 million for Carlos Correa, $300 million for Trea Turner and $280 million for Xander Bogaerts, all for more than 10 years — could provide some sort of baseline for Machado if he wanted to opt out.
Dec. 15: Devers is Boston’s ‘No. 1 priority’ (report)
After losing star shortstop Xander Bogaerts to the Padres in free agency, the Red Sox’s “No. 1 priority” is signing star third baseman Rafael Devers to a contract extension, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman in an article for the New York Post.
“They have to give him whatever he wants,” one baseball executive told Heyman. “Can they really let him go too?”
Given that Bogaerts inked a deal worth $280 million with San Diego, and the fact that Devers is four years younger than Bogaerts, a Devers extension could cost Boston more than $300 million, which Heyman reports is Devers’ asking price.
Dec. 15: Devers, Torres, Hendriks among top trade candidates
Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers, Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres and White Sox closer Liam Hendriks headline the top trade candidates this offseason, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Feinsand ranks the top 10 trade candidates who could be on the move soon, and Devers, Torres and Hendriks are the biggest names on the list.
Devers and the Red Sox look like they’re far apart in talks for a multi-year extension, which could lead Boston to trade the 26-year-old before he becomes a free agent next year. The Yankees could move Torres with top prospects Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe ready to join the infield. And the White Sox have taken calls on Hendriks as they look to upgrade at second base, the corner outfield and the starting rotation.
The other players who are trade candidates right now: Red Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec, Mariners right-hander Chris Flexen, Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen, Marlins right-hander Pablo López, Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, Tigers reliever Gregory Soto and D-backs outfielder Daulton Varsho. More >
Dec. 14: Wacha’s market about to heat up? Orioles among teams interested
With Noah Syndergaard reportedly reaching a one-year agreement to join the Dodgers, another mid-tier free-agent pitcher could see his market heat up — Michael Wacha. According to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi, the veteran right-hander’s market “could move quickly now that Syndergaard and [Michael] Lorenzen reportedly have reached agreements elsewhere.”
Wacha, 31, pitched well for the Red Sox in 2022, posting a 3.32 ERA (127 OPS+) over 127 1/3 innings, though he was limited to 23 starts due to injury. It was his best season since his rookie campaign in 2013, when he had a 2.78 ERA in 15 appearances (nine starts) and was named MVP of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers.
With Wacha, health has always been a question mark — he’s only eclipsed 150 innings in a season twice during his 10-year career thus far. Nevertheless, Morosi reports the Orioles are “showing continued interest” in Wacha after a surprising 83-win season.
Dec. 13: Could Braves trade Fried this offseason?
The Braves snagged the headliner in the three-team trade on Monday, acquiring Sean Murphy from the A’s. However, their next trade might involve an even bigger name leaving Atlanta. MLB.com’s Jim Callis said near the end of his segment during Tuesday’s episode of Hot Stove that he’s hearing the Braves could trade ace pitcher Max Fried this winter.
“With the Braves’ payroll climbing, climbing — who knows if they will sign Murphy to an extension — I’m hearing some Max Fried rumors on the block,” Callis said. “They may not be able to sign him long-term. Don’t be shocked if we see a Max Fried trade this offseason.”
The left-hander, who is under team control through 2024, has recorded a 2.68 ERA over the past three seasons. In 2022, Fried tossed a career-high 185 1/3 innings, finished as the runner-up for the NL Cy Young Award and posted an outstanding 164 ERA+.
The Braves currently have a projected Competitive Balance Tax figure of about $229 million, according to FanGraphs. That is slightly under the CBT threshold for 2023 of $233 million. Fried, entering his second year of arbitration, is projected to make $12.2 million next season, per MLB Trade Rumors.
Dec. 13: Mets listening to offers for Carrasco (report)
The Mets have added a glut of talent this offseason, signing or re-signing Justin Verlander, José Quintana, Edwin Díaz, David Robertson, Brandon Nimmo and Kodai Senga (per a source). But it might be time for New York to trade away one of its own.
MLB Network insider Joel Sherman reported in the New York Post that the Mets are listening to offers for starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco. More >