As the offseason continues, here are three things we’ll be focusing on today:
1. What’s next for the Astros?
Astros move away from roster-altering trade in week that shipped star outfielder Kyle Tucker Package to Cubs in exchange for three players, including All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes. Even if Paredes joins, Houston not only remains on the market Alex Bregman – They are also reportedly pushing for acquisitions Nolan Arenado The Cardinals only had Arenado block the deal with his no-trade clause.
If Houston succeeds in bringing in Arenado, they will likely move Paredes to first base. That’s still a possibility for the club if the club re-signs Bregman or Arenado can be convinced to waive his no-trade clause, but it also seems likely the club will turn to Paredes at third base. And target first base help, such as the Diamondbacks’ long-time hitter Christian Walkerthey were linked to ahead of free agency and the 2024 trade deadline.
2. Sasaki schedules meetings with the team?
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman revealed to reporters yesterday, including The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner, that his club has been cleared to meet in person with NPB star right-hander Roki Sasaki , who was sent to the MLB club during the Winter Meetings and signed an agreement to play with an international amateur team next month. Given his unique situation as a free agent, he will be heavily pursued by most teams around the league before Sasaki makes his decision when the 2025 international amateur free agent window opens on January 15.
3. Opposition resolution is about to be issued:
When the Rangers right-hander lands Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob Weber In free agency last week, the club needed a 40-man roster spot. They chose to designate the right hand Rosie Contreras assignment, which gives them a seven-day window in which they can complete a trade involving Contreras or try to get him through waivers. That window expires today, which means an announcement regarding Contreras’ future should be imminent. (Since immunity requires 48 hours, which is also included in the one-week window, Contreras appears to be already on immunity.)
The 25-year-old pitcher was once a consensus top-100 prospect with the Pirates as recently as 2022, posting a 3.79 ERA in 95 innings and looking like at least a solid back-rounder. However, a disastrous 2023 season saw him transition to the bullpen, and since then, he’s been positioned more as a reliever in the middle of the year, moving from Pittsburgh to Anaheim to Arlington. Now, if Contreras is taken off waivers by another club, he could find himself on the move again. If he clears waivers, the Rangers will have the opportunity to move him straight to the minor leagues as non-roster depth for the 2025 season.
