The Houston Astros have agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract with Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, a top free agent coming off a strong season in Japan, adding depth to their starting rotation amid some injury concerns among current starters.
The White Sox have agreed to a two-year, $34 million deal with Japanese star Munetaka Murakami, who is expected to play first base and could significantly boost their lineup. Murakami, known for his power-hitting, is transitioning from NPB to MLB amid some team hesitations about his contact rate but sees Chicago as a low-pressure environment to develop. This move is part of the White Sox's broader efforts to rebuild and become more competitive, with a focus on developing young talent and increasing payroll.
MLB GMs predict outfielder Kyle Tucker will sign with the Yankees, Dodgers, or Blue Jays this offseason, with Tucker expected to secure a multi-year deal exceeding $300 million after a strong 2025 season with the Cubs.
The Houston Astros are actively pursuing a deal to retain Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman, competing with teams like the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, and Tigers. The Astros have a 6-year, $156 million offer on the table, but Bregman's market is heating up, especially after Juan Soto's mega-deal with the Mets. Bregman is a top priority for several teams, and a decision is expected soon.
Juan Soto chose the Mets over the Yankees in a record-breaking $805 million deal, influenced by Mets owner Steve Cohen's personal touch and family-friendly approach. Despite the Yankees' higher initial offer, Soto was swayed by Cohen's gestures, including a permanent suite for his family and a personalized recruitment video. The Yankees' refusal to accommodate similar requests and their adherence to strict policies may have cost them the star player.
Mets owner Steve Cohen confirmed the team is still in talks with Pete Alonso about his free agency, following comments from baseball operations president David Stearns expressing a desire to retain him. While Alonso has shown interest in the Yankees if the Mets don't make a strong offer, there is no substantial indication of other teams' involvement. Alonso, who declined a qualifying offer, had a down year but remains a valuable player. The Mets, despite their high payroll, could financially accommodate Alonso while also needing to address other roster areas.
Juan Soto has signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, choosing them over the New York Yankees and other teams. Despite the Yankees' competitive offer, Soto was drawn to the Mets' vision for the future and their commitment to player and family well-being. Mets owner Steve Cohen emphasized the importance of Soto in achieving the team's championship goals. Soto's decision marks a significant shift in New York baseball dynamics, as the Mets aim to build a dynasty.
In a historic deal, Juan Soto has signed with the New York Mets, leaving the Yankees behind. Mets owner Steve Cohen, initially doubtful, secured Soto with a 15-year, $765 million contract, marking a significant shift for the franchise. The agreement, brokered by agent Scott Boras, represents a major victory for Cohen and a transformative moment for the Mets, who aim to redefine their legacy in Major League Baseball.
The San Francisco Giants are reportedly strong contenders to sign right-handed pitcher Corbin Burnes, despite initial doubts about their willingness to make such a significant investment. This comes after Max Fried's lucrative deal raised the market value for pitchers. Insider Alex Pavlovic suggests the Giants, alongside the Toronto Blue Jays, are favorites to land Burnes, who has shown interest in joining the team. The Giants' new regime appears ready to spend more this offseason, increasing the likelihood of signing Burnes.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman defended the decision not to offer Juan Soto a free suite at Yankee Stadium, a perk reportedly included in the Mets' offer that helped sway Soto to sign with them. Cashman emphasized that the Yankees have never provided such perks to high-priced players and believes the primary reason Soto chose the Mets was their higher financial offer. Despite reports of a family-related incident at Yankee Stadium, Cashman dismissed the notion that it influenced Soto's decision.
The New York Yankees successfully signed free agent pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract, making it the largest deal ever for a left-handed pitcher. Despite not being Fried's first choice, the Yankees used a combination of familiar faces, including special advisor Omar Minaya, and a competitive financial offer to secure the deal. The Yankees outbid the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers, adding Fried to an already strong pitching rotation.
Former NFL coach Rex Ryan speculated on ESPN's "First Take" that Juan Soto chose the New York Mets' 15-year, $765 million offer over the New York Yankees' 16-year, $760 million offer due to a specific reason, though the article does not detail what that reason is.
Nathan Eovaldi has signed a three-year, $75 million deal with the Texas Rangers, significantly exceeding industry projections for his contract. This trend of higher-than-expected deals in MLB free agency follows similar contracts for pitchers like Blake Snell and Max Fried. The Chicago Cubs, meanwhile, are exploring other options for acquiring an impact starting pitcher, as free agency prices rise. The market's inflation suggests that Corbin Burnes could secure a lucrative contract in the near future.
The Boston Red Sox lost out to the New York Yankees in signing top free agent pitcher Max Fried, who agreed to an eight-year, $218 million deal. With Fried off the market, the Red Sox are now focusing on making an offer to Corbin Burnes, the remaining top pitcher available. The team is also exploring other pitching options as they aim to strengthen their rotation during the offseason.
The Boston Red Sox are among several teams interested in signing free agent Alex Bregman, with plans to potentially move him to second base. However, there is internal disagreement within the organization, as some officials, including manager Alex Cora, are in favor of the move, while others, like chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, are more cautious due to Bregman's recent decline in offensive performance. Bregman has already rejected a significant offer from the Astros and is expected to seek a long-term deal worth around $200 million.