Listed below are three issues we’ll be keeping track of across the baseball world at this time:
1. Sasaki choice attracts nearer:
Roki Sasaki’s market is now down to a few suitors. The Dodgers and Padres, lengthy thought to be the heavy favorites to signal the 23-year-old Japanese star, are among the many last two groups standing — as most would’ve anticipated. That the Blue Jays stand because the third and last entrant within the bidding, nevertheless, registers as an surprising end result. Toronto ostensibly has a authentic probability at this level; Sasaki visited the town and noticed the Jays’ house services over the weekend. The best-hander’s camp started informing groups yesterday that they’d been eradicated from the working, with the Giants, Rangers, Yankees, Mets and Cubs all studying they’d not be Sasaki’s eventual vacation spot.
Touchdown Sasaki can be one thing of a coup for a Jays entrance workplace that has completed runner-up in so many notable free agent and commerce pursuits overt the previous two offseasons. He’d give the Jays rotation depth they badly want in the mean time, and accomplish that with front-of-the-rotation upside and a minimal wage, after all. That’d depart extra funds each for bringing in one other distinguished bat to pair with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — whose extension standing looms over the staff as he approaches his last 12 months earlier than free company.
2. What’s subsequent for the Mariners?
Seattle’s want so as to add infield assist this winter has lengthy been established, and yesterday they lastly took a step towards that objective by signing veteran Donovan Solano to a one-year deal. Solano, 37, has been one of many league’s most constant part-time bats since 2019. Although he’s by no means totaled greater than 450 plate appearances in a season, the veteran has posted a sturdy .294/.353/.413 (112 wRC+) over the previous six seasons. That features a wRC+ of 118 in 309 journeys to the plate with the Padres this previous season.
Because the roster is at present constructed, Solano can be in line for frequent at-bats towards right-handers at third base whereas spelling Luke Raley at first base towards southpaws. Nonetheless, the Mariners have been looking for a number of infielders this winter — ideally a pair of nook infielders to assist spherical out the offense. Including Solano at an inexpensive fee might permit the M’s to spend a bit extra closely on the scorching nook, be it by way of free company or the commerce market. A serious splash for Alex Bregman nearly actually isn’t occurring, however the Mariners reportedly had round $15-16MM to spend previous to including Solano at $3.5MM.
3. MLBTR Chat At the moment:
With arbitration figures exchanged and Spring Coaching lower than a month away, we’re nearing the purpose the place the baseball offseason begins to present technique to preseason pleasure whilst main free brokers stay unsigned and staff wants stay unfulfilled. Whether or not you have got questions on what’s left on your staff to do that winter or a commerce proposal at the back of your thoughts, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will probably be right here to reply your questions throughout a reside chat scheduled for 1pm CT. You’ll be able to click on right here to ask a query upfront, take part reside as soon as the chat begins, or learn the transcript as soon as the chat is full.
