Now Warming Up…MLB!

Let's start with the Opener.

***MLB will open Spring Training in just about a month and many free agents remain on the open market.  Once Juan Soto signed for a good portion of a billion dollars in early December, we saw some significant signings including some ace pitchers changing teams: Max Fried to the Yankees and Corbin Burnes to the Diamondbacks.  All this occurred while the first base market went quickly for everyone not named Peter Alonso, who remains unsigned.  Christian Walker signed with Houston, Paul Goldschmidt went to the Yankees and most teams needing a first baseman for 2025 have it settled.  Scott Boras is working overtime to manufacture a market for Pete.

Now to the Set-Up Man.

*** The trade market has been busy as well.  The Yankees’ execution of Plan B (not signing Soto) has been robust and effective.  They traded for a new closer in Devin Williams and got OF/1B Cody Bellinger from the Cubs to go with their free-agent additions. The Red Sox are looking to be a force in the AL East in 2025 and traded for Garrett Crochet to lead their pitching staff. I suspect that once Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman sign (perhaps also with the Red Sox), a flurry of trades will be made before spring training as teams look to round out their rosters.

Now the Closer.

***The reliever market has stalled this offseason, so far.  But, like their role in coming in later in games, this market is usually later in the offseason. Tanner Scott is probably the most effective reliever on the marker after pitching to a 1.75 ERA and 104 strikeouts in only 72 innings for the Marlins and Padres.  Kirby Yates, Carlos Estevez, and Jeff Hoffman are also reliable relievers available, with many more arms out there for teams to build their bullpens with for the 2025 season. Bottom line, MLB has seen players sign later than ever in recent seasons, with many joining clubs during Spring Training.  Expect more of the same this February and March. 

"People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” -Rogers Hornsby