The incumbent Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox are all known to still be involved in the bidding process.
Rays reach deal with veteran catcher The Rays have reached an agreement with free-agent catcher Danny Jansen for one year and $8.5 million, per Robert Murray.
Cubs shopping Bellinger, Suzuki The Cubs continue to shop outfielders Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki in attempt to clear some financial flexibility, according to the New York Post.
The Post notes that the Cubs have interest in free-agent catcher Carson Kelly, along with a few veteran relievers.
Mets taking calls on Baty The Mets have bigger fish to fry, obviously, but the New York Post reported on Friday that New York is receiving inquiries on third baseman Brett Baty.
The annual Winter Meetings of Major League Baseball will begin in Dallas in a few days. The hot stove is therefore beginning to warm up. All of the news, notes, and moves from the day are compiled below by CBS Sports.
The Soto watch goes on.
The best free agent on the market, Juan Soto, appears to be on the verge of joining his next team. It is known that the Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets, who are currently in the lead, are still participating in the bidding. Click here to read our in-depth coverage of Soto’s free agency, which includes all the most recent information on his circumstances.
The Rays have reached an agreement with the veteran catcher.
According to Robert Murray, the Rays and free-agent catcher Danny Jansen have reached a one-year, $8.5 million deal. Jansen, 29, alternated between the Red Sox and Blue Jays, two of Tampa Bay’s American League East rivals, last season. He posted an OPS+ of 87, his lowest since 2020, and had a disappointing season. Positively, Jansen did bat 324 times, which was the second-highest number of plate appearances in his career. Additionally, he became the first player to play for opposing teams in the same game, making some oddball MLB history.
In a timeshare with Ben Rortvedt, Jansen is expected to serve.
Bellinger and Suzuki are being purchased by the Cubs.
The New York Post claims that the Cubs are still trying to free up some cash by trading for outfielders Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki. The Cubs would use the savings to improve other areas of their roster if they were successful in moving either.
The 29-year-old Bellinger, a former NL MVP, hit for 111 OPS+ in 2024. His contract calls for him to make more than $27 million next season, with a player option for the 2026 season that puts him in firm control of his future.
Suzuki, 30, just finished a season with an OPS+ of 138. He has a contract worth $38 million total through the 2026 campaign.
The Cubs are interested in a few veteran relievers and free-agent catcher Carson Kelly, according to The Post.
Mets are taking Baty’s calls.
The New York Post said on Friday that New York is getting interest in third baseman Brett Baty, but of course, the Mets have more important things to worry about.
Baty, a 25-year-old former top prospect, has yet to secure a big-league position. He has scored 70 runs per game or more in 169 big league games, and Mark Vientos has surpassed him on the depth chart.
According to reports, the Mets are not in a rush to trade Baty.
Chapman is prepared to relocate in order to enable Kim to sign.
According to The Athletic, Giants third baseman Matt Chapman is open to temporarily switching to shortstop if it enables his team to sign free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim.
After having shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, Kim, the best defensive infielder available, is recuperating. He is definitely going to miss the first half of the season, if not the whole first half.
