On the heels of a notable early-morning signing, listed below are three issues we’ll be maintaining a tally of across the baseball world right now:
1. Soto starting to take provides?
The early a part of the offseason has been affected by studies about groups assembly with or planning to fulfill with celebrity outfielder Juan Soto. The Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays, Pink Sox, and Dodgers are all identified to have met with Soto at this level. The Phillies had been reportedly planning to fulfill with the slugger as properly. Different groups, together with the Giants and Royals, are identified to have not less than checked in on Soto, however the star’s free agent course of is seemingly transferring previous the introductory stage as a report yesterday indicated groups are anticipated to start out making provides this week. On condition that Soto’s contract is broadly anticipated to mark a brand new document by way of net-present worth, the approaching stage of the method may shortly weed out groups that had been remaining concerned in hopes that Soto’s market would show softer than among the sky-high numbers thrown round to this point. May issues start to progress shortly for Soto as soon as he begins receiving provides?
2. Non-tendered gamers enter the free agent pool:
Friday night time noticed plenty of fascinating gamers enter the free agent pool after being non-tendered by their golf equipment. These gamers usually occupy the decrease tiers of free company, as groups with substantial curiosity in them at their arbitration value level may have simply traded for them within the days main as much as their non-tender. That stated, fascinating gamers similar to Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Woodruff, and Cody Bellinger have discovered themselves within the non-tender pile lately. This yr’s class lacks that form of large identify expertise, however longtime Blue Jays nearer Jordan Romano, Nationals nearer Kyle Finnegan, Angels starter Patrick Sandoval (recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure), and former Mariners infielder Josh Rojas are among the many intriguing potential choices that are actually accessible to groups. Romano was an All-Star in 2022-23 earlier than accidents ruined his 2024 season. Finnegan was an All-Star this previous season however struggled via an terrible closing two months of the yr.
3. What’s subsequent for the Royals following the India commerce?
Over the weekend, the Royals and Reds obtained collectively on a previously-rumored commerce that despatched Brady Singer to Cincinnati in alternate for Jonathan India and Joey Wiemer. Wiemer’s slot in Kansas Metropolis as a short-side platoon accomplice for middle fielder Kyle Isbel is a reasonably simple one, however the acquisition of India is a little more difficult. India is seemingly poised to play on a regular basis as a possible leadoff choice for the membership forward of Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez, but it surely stays to be seen how the membership’s defensive alignment will shake out now that each India and incumbent second baseman Michael Massey are within the combine.
Each India and Massey have performed second base virtually solely within the majors, however India got here up as a 3rd baseman and each gamers may certainly deal with both left subject. Is a place change within the playing cards for both participant headed into Spring Coaching, or are there extra offers on the horizon that would make clear the membership’s infield image? Maikel Garcia and Massey had been the membership’s main choices on the infield alongside Witt and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino final yr. May Garcia or Massey be relegated to a utility position and even on the transfer in a future deal to improve the membership’s questionable outfield combine now that India is within the fold?
