Listed below are three issues we’ll be keeping track of across the baseball world all through the day as we speak:
1. Marte talks nearing their conclusion?
Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte has been one of the talked about gamers on the commerce market this offseason. GM Mike Hazen made waves yesterday in that nook of the market, nonetheless, when he famous that he plans to place an finish to conversations relating to a Marte commerce within the close to future. Hazen’s suggestion was that the membership merely pulling Marte off the desk for negotiations was a extra seemingly final result than a commerce coming collectively at this level. That’s been Hazen’s stance all all through the offseason, as he has lengthy mentioned he didn’t foresee Arizona dealing a star participant this winter. Even so, a deal stays at the least attainable so long as Hazen and the Arizona entrance workplace proceed to be keen to entertain commerce talks on Marte.
Whether or not he’s traded or not, it figures to shake up the market in an enormous method when Marte in the end comes off the market. That would go away Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan because the clear prime commerce chip on the infield this offseason, barring a shock deal involving somebody like Isaac Paredes or Nico Hoerner. It might additionally take away an alternative choice to free agent infielders like Alex Bregman and Eugenio Suarez who’ve lingered are the market so far. If Marte is dealt, it will take away a attainable suitor for these gamers but additionally go away the Diamondbacks hungry for a middle-of-the-order bat to switch him.
2. Angels, Rendon parting methods:
The Angels and veteran infielder Anthony Rendon introduced Rendon’s fraught tenure with the group to an finish yesterday after they restructured the ultimate 12 months of his contract forward of his anticipated retirement. Rendon technically stays on the roster in the interim however doesn’t determine to renew his taking part in profession, whether or not for the Angels or one other membership. Whereas Rendon’s retirement doesn’t change a lot for the Angels on the sphere because of his harm historical past and lack of manufacturing, it may nonetheless have an effect. The restructured deal takes a big chunk of cash off the books for Anaheim headed into 2026, and membership officers have made clear their want to usher in assist at third base and in heart discipline this winter. This inflow of economic flexibility may enable the workforce to make a splash at a kind of positions, or on the very least add a dependable bat at one or each of these spots within the lineup.
3. Imai assembly with groups:
The sweepstakes for right-hander Tatsuya Imai is almost at its conclusion. The appropriate-hander has begun conducting in-person interviews with groups within the U.S. and figures to proceed speaking to groups over the approaching days. With simply over 48 hours remaining till his posting window closes at 4pm CT on January 2, the right-hander has restricted time to discover a deal. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Imai’s contract come collectively sooner relatively than later, with a view to enable Imai the time wanted to endure a bodily together with his new membership earlier than the upcoming deadline. The appropriate-hander’s youth and up to date monitor file in NPB have made him one of many extra intriguing arms accessible this offseason within the eyes of each followers and groups. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles have all been linked to the righty at one level or one other, however it’s definitely attainable extra groups exterior of that group of 5 might be concerned within the righty’s market.
