Now that Santa has put away the sleigh for one more yr, listed here are three issues we’ll be keeping track of in the present day…
1. The Athletics lock up Soderstrom
In a uncommon little bit of main information breaking on Christmas Day, the A’s have agreed to a seven-year, $86MM extension with left fielder Tyler Soderstrom. Between his more and more sturdy numbers on the plate and the profitable transition to left area, Soderstrom cemented his place as a constructing block for an Athletics crew as they method their subsequent period in Las Vegas. The Soderstrom extension highlights a busy week for the A’s that has additionally included the Jeff McNeil commerce and the Mark Leiter Jr. signed. The following step may be including beginning pitching, because the A’s have but to do a lot to handle a rotation that was a weak hyperlink in 2025.
2. Imai’s posting deadline approaches
January 2 at 4pm CT marks the top of the 45-day posting window for Tatsuya Imai, because the right-hander will probably be spending the 2026 season with the Seibu Lions if he can’t finalize a take care of a Main League crew inside the subsequent week. Such groups because the Yankees, Phillies, Cubs, Orioles, Giants, and Mets have been linked to Imai’s market, although within the case of the latter two golf equipment particularly, it stays to be seen if the Giants or Mets are keen to make a long-term dedication to any beginning pitcher. MLB Commerce Rumors projected a six-year, $150MM for Imai as he makes the bounce from Japan to North American baseball, and given the variety of larger-market groups reportedly , it will look like Imai ought to have the ability to land a considerable payday. The Jan. 2 deadline creates a little bit of urgency for Imai’s suitors, and his state of affairs may be resolved earlier than different free agent starters (i.e. Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Zac Gallen) come off the board.
3. A busy finish to 2025?
The ultimate week of the yr tends to be comparatively quiet by way of transactions, as many entrance workplace executives take the week between Christmas and New Yr’s Day as one thing of an unofficial break. In fact, as we simply noticed with Soderstrom’s deal, the recent range can out of the blue warmth up at any given time, so that you by no means know when an enormous extension, commerce, or signing may be simply across the nook. An enormous free agent who spent the vacations weighing affords, for example, may be able to decide now that Christmas is over. In addition to Imai’s posting interval, Kazuma Okamoto’s posting deadline can also be developing on January 4, in order that’s one other Japanese star whose arrival in MLB could possibly be decided briefly order.
