Folks around the game are starting to whisper that next week’s winter meetings may feature some big deals, and maybe even the biggest deal of all.
From the start, insiders were speculating Shohei Ohtani had ideas where he wanted to go, so it’s no surprise now they are wondering now if he may quietly be moving closer to his monster deal, to be announced on baseball’s biggest stage.
Though trade talks are seemingly just getting started involving hitting star Juan Soto, some hope he could find a new home next week, too. That one-two quinella would make for a wild week in Tennessee.
Here’s a rundown of the biggest names (some of whom could go next week):
1. Shohei Ohtani
The Dodgers cleared payroll space and only have $160M-$170M committed next year, they coveted Ohtani for a year-plus and Ohtani is believed to love Southern California (what’s not to like?) so they’ll remain a tentative favorite. The Cubs and Giants are thought in big, and the Jays are in there, as well. The Yankees checked in but believe they are a long shot while the Mets obviously have the loot but would need to confront the 110 percent Steve Cohen tax. Others linked include the Rangers, Red Sox, Padres, Mariners and incumbent Angels.
2. Juan Soto
The Yankees are going hard for Soto, and executives now believe he’ll go somewhere. “They have to trade him,” one rival exec said. “They can’t make payroll.” (That may be wishful thinking.) The Mets and Giants have been linked to Soto, but a player a year from free agency (who presumably won’t be quickly extended) makes little sense for the Mets now, and it’s hard to see the Padres helping the Giants (beyond Bob Melvin). The Red Sox and a couple others could fit but few teams desire to trade good young players for a rental, raising the Yankees’ hopes.
3. Eduardo Rodriguez
It’s looked like he was close to signing a couple times but it seems new teams — perhaps finally realizing only one team gets super-popular Yoshinobu Yamamoto — are joining the fray, possibly including the Mets. He may look like a relative bargain with Aaron Nola getting $172M and Jordan Montgomery likely getting what one exec guessed would be “30 to 40 percent more” than he should.
4. Jordan Montgomery
The champion Rangers are the obvious fit after he thrived vs. rival Houston in the ALCS (1.29 ERA), helping them win. The Mets, Red Sox and previous employers Cardinals and Yankees all checked in.
5. Dylan Cease
The White Sox are in rebuild mode, he’s not free for two years and they won’t sign him long term. Many are in but the Orioles have the stash to make it happen.
6. Shane Bieber
He made it back to show he’s healthy enough, and while this isn’t the optimal time to trade him, he’s open to a long-term extension with an acquiring team, perhaps enhancing his value.
7. Blake Snell
Snell may need to wait for Yamamoto, who’s not touring teams until after the winter meetings. The Phillies are believed interested, and the Dodgers, while targeting Ohtani and Yamamoto first, like him. Why not? He has a 13-2 record and 2.59 ERA vs. LA.
8. Cody Bellinger
The Yankees have questions and it isn’t impossible they could sign both him and Soto. However, they are also looking at former Korea MVP Jung Hoo Lee or even Kevin Kiermaier for center. The Cubs are a possibility but are looking at Ohtani first and could go with defensive-minded Pete Crow-Armstrong in center. The Giants are eying Ohtani, too, but Bellinger is a natural fit.
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