The heavy lifting for the offseason seems to be over, until there’s a giant commerce coming down the pike. (Keep in mind, Dylan Stop wasn’t moved from the White Sox to the Padres till March 13 final yr.) However that doesn’t imply nothing has occurred within the final week; there have been nonetheless some stragglers on the free agent market who discovered groups as spring camps opened, and there’ll be extra but within the lead as much as Opening Day. Let’s go over the strikes, all of that are up to date within the Offseason Matrices doc.
Free Agent Signings
Cubs Signal Justin Turner for One Yr, $6 Million
• Esteban Rivera’s Write-Up of the Deal• Up to date Roster Projection• Up to date Payroll Projection
Impact on the Cubs
Turner’s days of getting vital motion at third base are over, so I don’t suppose his acquisition goes to offer Matt Shaw any much less of an opportunity of successful the job out of camp. Most of Turner’s plate appearances are more likely to come in opposition to lefties, spelling lefty-swinging first baseman Michael Busch. The Cubs might additionally theoretically do some rearranging (Ian Happ to heart, Seiya Suzuki to left) to offer Turner some DH run in opposition to lefties, however that’s a giant defensive downgrade from Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Pirates Signal Andrew Heaney for One Yr, $5.25 Million
• Up to date Roster Projection• Up to date Payroll Projection
Impact on the Pirates
Heaney hasn’t been something spectacular during the last couple of years, however he’s a reasonably good wager to take the ball for 25-plus begins for a 3rd straight season. He’ll comply with Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and Mitch Keller within the rotation. Bailey Falter is more likely to take the fifth spot, with Johan Oviedo, who’s coming off Tommy John surgical procedure, additionally within the combine. Heaney’s current dabbling in bouncing backwards and forwards between the rotation and bullpen might show helpful down the stretch, assuming at the least one in all Bubba Chandler, Mike Burrows, Braxton Ashcraft, and Anthony Solometo is able to contribute sooner or later this yr.
Nationals Signal Lucas Sims for One Yr, $3 Million
• Up to date Roster Projection• Up to date Payroll Projection
Impact on the Nationals
Sims signed a deal equivalent to the one Jorge López acquired final month, and each might be taken under consideration for the Nationals’ open nearer job after they non-tendered Kyle Finnegan. Sims ended the season with a tough 15 appearances for the Crimson Sox during which he walked extra batters than he struck out, however has a great monitor report of swing-and-miss stuff. Derek Regulation and Jose A. Ferrer might additionally get outs within the late innings for Washington.
Rockies Signal Scott Alexander for One Yr, $2 Million
• Up to date Roster Projection• Up to date Payroll Projection
Impact on the Rockies
Alexander is one in all simply two relievers who’s 100% assured of a spot within the Rockies bullpen, together with presumptive nearer Tyler Kinley. Seth Halvorsen and Luis Peralta had wonderful (small-sample) MLB debuts final yr, Victor Vodnik confirmed some flashes and picked up 9 saves, and former nearer Justin Lawrence is out of choices. Alexander’s means to get grounders with the perfect of them ought to work fairly effectively at Coors Area.
Rangers Signal Luke Jackson for One Yr, $1.5 Million
• Up to date Roster Projection• Up to date Payroll Projection
Impact on the Rangers
The highest six (!!!) relievers within the Rangers’ projected bullpen weren’t on the 2024 membership, although Texas is a lot aware of Jackson, who made his MLB debut with the workforce in 2015, the final yr of Mike Maddux’s first stint because the membership’s pitching coach. The Rangers are most likely all set with the bullpen now, with these prime six spots locked in and no fewer than 10 arms vying for the ultimate two.
Athletics Signal Luis Urías for One Yr, $1.1 Million
• Up to date Roster Projection• Up to date Payroll Projection
Impact on the Nationals
Urías figures to compete with fellow new Athletic Gio Urshela for the open third base spot, and he may also spell Zack Gelof at second base when he wants a break day. It’s attainable that the A’s have only one open roster spot remaining for a place participant, with the highest contenders being Esteury Ruiz, Max Schuemann, Darell Hernaiz, Brett Harris, and CJ Alexander. The Different Max Muncy might make his debut someday this yr.
Nationals Signal Paul DeJong for One Yr, $1 Million
• Up to date Roster Projection• Up to date Payroll Projection
Impact on the Nationals
DeJong is settling for a way more restricted position than he signed for final yr, when he agreed to a $1.5 million contract with the White Sox early within the offseason to be their beginning shortstop. Regardless of hitting 24 homers in his finest season 2019, DeJong needed to take a deal for two-thirds of his 2024 wage. With the Nationals, he’ll must struggle for plate appearances at third base with José Tena and Amed Rosario, whereas additionally sometimes spelling CJ Abrams at quick. Alas, the free agent market isn’t at all times rational, particularly this time of yr.
Guardians Signal John Means for One Yr, $1 Million
• Up to date Roster Projection• Up to date Payroll Projection
Impact on the Guardians
For the 2025 Guardians, Means doesn’t imply an excessive amount of. After present process his second Tommy John surgical procedure in three years final June, it’s exhausting to foresee the lefty pitching for Cleveland at any level this yr, since his first rehab took 16 months. If his restoration goes effectively, the Guardians have a $6 million membership choice for 2026, a discount for a pitcher of Means’ caliber as long as he’s wholesome.
Who’s Nonetheless a Free Agent?
Remaining free brokers who might plausibly earn a significant league deal embody:
• Catchers: Yasmani Grandal, James McCann
• Infielders: Jose Iglesias, Anthony Rizzo
• Outfielders: Mark Canha, Alex Verdugo, David Peralta, Manuel Margot
• Utilitymen: Whit Merrifield
• Designated hitters: J.D. Martinez
• Righty starters: Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, Spencer Turnbull, José Urquidy
• Lefty starters: Jose Quintana, Patrick Corbin
• Righty relievers: David Robertson, Kyle Finnegan, Dylan Floro, Hunter Strickland, Dillon Tate, Craig Kimbrel, Héctor Neris, Joe Kelly, José Ureña
• Lefty relievers: Jalen Beeks, Andrew Chafin, Brooks Raley, Ryan Yarbrough, Drew Smyly, Will Smith
