Official Major League Baseball is running. We are now more than a week removed from the end of the World Series, the general manager meetings took place last week and free agency has officially begun. Now, it might be very slow for a few weeks. First, players whose qualifying offers have been extended still have until Tuesday to accept or decline them. Things generally go slow anyway, but that’s the catch here for the near future.
Be sure to check out Mike Axisa’s easy-to-use menu Key dates out of season for more information. Also, here RJ Anderson’s Top 50 Free Agents.
As for Monday’s rumors, let’s take a look.
Verlander finds fit with the big spenders
Free agent and potential AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander may be headed elsewhere after winning his second ring with the Houston Astros. Reporting by Ken Rosenthal That the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer might be open to a bigger deal with a big spending rival like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees or New York Mets. The Mets may be heavily influenced by free agency in the rotation, which explains their potential interest. As for the Yankees, they could use an extra starter on the front lines, and the Dodgers have a rich recent history of adding superstar depth to a roster that has been gargantuan for some time. Yes, Verlander is pushing 40, but the skills seem to be very much in order. He is a perfect fit for a club that is now winning designs from the World Series.
Astros targeting Rizzo
Rosenthal also reports that the world champion Houston Astros had tied Anthony Rizzo as “his first free agent target at first base”. And Yuli Guryel, the current first baseman, is also a free agent and showed signs of a steep decline at the plate last season. However, Rosenthal points out that re-leading with Gurriel is still a possibility, as is Jose Abreu.
As for Rizzo, 33, he’s coming off a productive 2022 campaign with the New York Yankees. In 130 games, Rizzo has slashed 0.224/.338/.480 (131 OPS+) with 32 points at home. It is likely that the Yankees have some interest in bringing Rizzo back, and that interest may be mutual. If that’s the case, the Astros may need to come a level higher than New York.
Perez will likely accept the qualified offer
Lefty Martin Perez is coming off his professional year. He made his All-Star team for the first time and was 12-8 with a 2.89 ERA (136 ERA+), a 1.26 WHIP, and 169 strikeouts for 69 walks in 196 1/3 innings pitched. notice. He compiled a 5.0 WAR and his previous career high was 2.3, in 2017. At 31, this looks like the chance for the biggest payday of his life.
While that, MLB Network’s John Morosi reports Perez will likely accept the qualifying offer from Texas. It’s a one-year deal for $19.65 million, so it’s not pennies or anything, but it sure looks like he could get a multi-year deal in free agency.
Multiple teams are interested in Lugo as a rookie
Just to state how much teams are willing to pay to start the promotion, the market for former Mets player Seth Lugo is “robust,” According to The Athleticwith multiple teams offering Lugo as a rotation option.
In 38 career starts, Lugo was 15-10 with a 4.35 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts in 194 2/3 innings pitched.
In 237 relief appearances, Lugo has a 2.91 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 334 strikeouts in 300 innings pitched.
rays Keep exploring 40-man deals
The Rays have already traded Ji-Man Choi and turned down the option on Kevin Kiermaier’s contract. Let’s go back about a week…
The Rays have certainly been active in adjusting their roster in the days since and will continue to do so. Morosi reported Sunday that the Rays are “engaged in advanced trade negotiations” and that we should expect to see multiple trades before Tuesday’s deadline to add players to the 40-man roster in order to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. 40 men in order to protect against losing younger base 5 players.
Sure, there are plenty of teams staring in the direction of Tyler Glasnow and Randy Arzarena, but more than likely here – with the deadline approaching and the scramble happening – the roster will be tweaked in the margins rather than split up.
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