On the heels of final evening’s wild finale to the 2024 season, listed here are three issues we’ll be keeping track of across the baseball world all through the day as we speak:
1. The offseason has arrived!
Sport 5 of the World Collection was a rollercoaster trip because the Yankees jumped out to a five-run lead within the early innings, just for the Dodgers to reply with 5 unearned runs off Gerrit Cole in a disastrous fifth inning stuffed with defensive miscues. The Yankees managed to take the lead again, however solely briefly because the Dodgers scored two runs within the eighth to place them forward 7 to six earlier than slamming the door on the Yankees offense for the ultimate six outs of the 2024 marketing campaign. Whereas the Dodgers plan a parade and the Yankees lick their wounds, the remainder of the baseball world shall be turning their consideration to the offseason, which formally arrives as we speak. Whereas it’s seemingly that issues gained’t actually begin to choose up for just a few extra days, as we speak kicks off what’s certain to be a busy winter stuffed with rumors, trades, and signings to debate right here at MLBTR.
2. Who’re the winter’s high commerce candidates?
Whereas transactions will not be choosing up simply but, it’s solely a matter of time earlier than commerce and free agent rumors start to fly. MLBTR’s annual Prime 50 MLB Free Brokers checklist continues to be just a few days away, however readers searching for an offseason primer can sit up for a have a look at the Prime 35 MLB Commerce Candidates for the approaching offseason later as we speak! With groups just like the White Sox and Marlins within the midst of rebuilds and much more aggressive golf equipment just like the Cardinals and Rangers seeking to minimize payroll this winter, loads of intriguing names determine to be on the commerce block this winter. The checklist doesn’t completely deal with golf equipment that seem sure to be lively on the commerce market, nevertheless, and options gamers from 23 of the league’s 30 golf equipment. Which gamers would possibly your favourite membership look to dangle this offseason? Tune in later as we speak to seek out out!
3. What’s subsequent for Cole?
Whereas the overwhelming majority of the eye was rightfully targeted on star Yankees outfielder (and pending free agent) Juan Soto’s future final evening, there’s one different star participant on the Yankees who’s dealing with a choice this winter. That’s veteran right-hander Gerrit Cole, who has the power to choose out of the remaining 4 years and $144MM on his contract with the Yankees if he so chooses. Ought to he resolve to take action, the Yankees would then have the choice to tack on a further yr and $36MM to Cole’s contract to be able to cease him from hitting the open market.
A yr in the past, it regarded all however sure that issues would play out precisely that means, with Cole opting-out and the Yankees voiding that call by exercising their possibility. Issues don’t seem fairly that sure anymore, nevertheless, as Cole is coming off an injury-shortened 2024 marketing campaign the place he was restricted to only 17 begins. These begins noticed him pitch to a strong 3.41 ERA (121 ERA+), however that determine constitutes a step again from each his Cy Younger 2023 (163 ERA+) and his general determine (134 ERA+) as a Yankee. Will Cole try to beat that $144MM on the open market forward of his age-34 marketing campaign? And if he does, will the Yankees let him go?
