The Hot Stove has begun to heat back up after slowing down over Thanksgiving. With more activity surely on the horizon, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today.
1. Snell introductory presser today:
The Dodgers are scheduled to hold a press conference at 2:30pm local time this afternoon where they’ll formally introduce left-hander Blake Snell after he signed a five-year deal with the club. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and GM Brandon Gomes will both be in attendance to field questions from the media. Even after signing Snell, the club may want to make further rotation additions (a reunion with Clayton Kershaw seems inevitable, at the very least) and plenty of work still remains for the reigning champs in the lineup and bullpen as well. L.A. remains on the periphery of the Juan Soto market. They’d like to re-sign Teoscar Hernandez, but if neither hitter lands with them, they could pivot to Anthony Santander as they look for corner outfield help. Meanwhile, the club’s relief corps lost Blake Treinen and Daniel Hudson to free agency and retirement, respectively, making veteran relief help a potential priority this winter.
2. Options dwindling on the catching market:
The Rangers signed catcher Kyle Higashioka to a two-year deal yesterday in a move that took another catcher off the board fairly early in the winter. This year’s crop of free agents behind the plate was sparse to begin with, and it’s only thinned further as Higashioka joins Travis d’Arnaud, Austin Hedges, and Jacob Stallings in having found new homes already. With teams like the Rays, Orioles, Cubs, Blue Jays, and Padres all potentially in the market to add behind the plate, Danny Jansen and Carson Kelly are the top names ahead of an assortment of mid-30s veterans such as Gary Sanchez, Elias Diaz, and James McCann. The lack of quality options behind the plate could create a seller-friendly trade market for catchers, but few obvious trade candidates at the position exist. Minnesota’s Christian Vazquez stands as the most logical name available, but the $10MM he’s owed in 2025 eclipses his market value by a few million. Could the upcoming Winter Meetings involve a mad dash to lock up the remaining catchers on the market?
3. MLBTR Chat Today:
With the Winter Meetings just days away, the 2024-25 offseason has begun to ramp up with a number of noteworthy signings in recent weeks that have already taken six of MLBTR’s Top 50 free agents off the board. Whether you have questions about who your favorite team will be targeting this winter, or a trade proposal in the back of your mind, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will be here to answer your questions during a live chat scheduled for 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.
why is Treinen “lost” and no mention of Ferris? ok
I don’t think Ferris will be ML ready next season
Former All-Star Wilson Contreras has been mistreated by the St. Louis Cardinals Top Brass — beginning with the season they signed him to a multi -Year, multimillion dollar contract.
Marmol and John Mozeliak removed Contreras from being his starting catcher in his first season but reinstated him within a week of his removal.
For 2025… it’s already been established that Marmol and Mozeliak don’t want him to catch and will move him to First Base —- where he will be far more of a disaster on defense than he will be be at his natural position!!!!
For a True World Series contending team needing a good hitting catcher….I’m convinced Contreras would wave his No-Trade contract —-
If not for anything else —- Just to get out of the Sinking Cardinals Organization and away from John Mozeliak and Oli Marmol!!!!
Rather surprised the Dodgers haven’t re-upped on Treinen yet. Hoping he comes back.. dude was a beast last year.
The guy, when healthy, has wipe-out stuff. The question is: when…not if, is his next extended stint on the IL going to occur.
I’m not sure if the catching market is dwindling. It was beyond salvageable before anyone signed.
Jenson and Kelly getting some attention here. Multi yr deals as a back up in play? Hurts Orioles. Need a on yr league level back up to bridge to Basallo (although I like Willems).
Maverick Handley getting long in the tooth down there in Norfolk. Throw him a bone?
This is the catching market every year. 32+ blah. If a catcher can actually hit they are locked up or moved to another position.
Jays should bring Jansen home.
What would be funnier is if the Jays signed Carson Kelly. He’s the guy who effectively was pushed out of Arizona by the Jays giving them Moreno.
Sure looks like the Jays really mismanaged their catching group from a few years ago.
The narrative I’m pushing for next season is for the Rays’ owner to pay Gary Sanchez to catch 140 games and hit 35 home runs (10 vs the Yankees)
They deferred that presser for a while.
Royals might have some catchers if anyone wants one. Felix Fermin has been great but I still think Salvador Perez can play a lot behind the plate. Fermin would be a great piece to trade for some OF power. Also, MJ Melendez could be a great option to trade or use as a backup to Perez.
Christian Vazquez has played ten years, has a lifetime BWAR of 6.6, and had made over $43M to date, with another $10M coming this year. If investment banking is not your thing…learn to catch?
Predictions for the Snell press conference
1.Snell will say it’s his life long dream to play for the Dodgers. Even though he grew up in Seattle
2.Dodgers will say he was their top free agent target this winter. Even though they made no effort to sign him last offseason or trade for him in the past. And they are still pursuing Juan Soto/Corbin Burnes
3. Snell will say it wasn’t about the money. It’s always about the money.
4. Friedman will be asked ( several times) about Juan Soto/Corbin Burnes. He will give a non committal response that they are exploring all avenues to improve their team whether free agents or traded. Reporters not taking the hint continue to ask the same question
5. MLB TradeRumors headline-“Dodgers still looking to add players “
Friedman drafted Snell and has always like him. The Dodgers tried to sign him late last off season, but he took the Giants offer. The Dodgers tried to trade for Snell in July 2024, so yes the Dodgers have always liked Snell.
“It’s always about the money”. To me, the deal is an underpay.
In this case; I say it was more about getting with a club that gives him the best chance at getting a ring. Suddenly, in his mind, he’s on the wrong side of 30. He signed early to beat Burnes and Fried to the punch.
@geotheo
Well…I guess I can pencil in mowing the lawn come 2:30 today. hehe
geotheo: Dead on!
The Padres need to sign Jansen, put him in a time share with Campusano, and go with the hot hand.
The Cardinals looked like a sure thing to trade a catcher before they moved Contreras to 1b. But even with that they still very well might trade a catcher if Crooks is performing in AAA come July.
Is Tomas Nido still complaining about what terrible Billy Eppler GAVE him?
Dear Tomas. Shut up you ingrate.
I don’t want to trade Caratini but he posted starter numbers as a backup. Trade Caratini and a prospect to Ray’s for Diaz. Fills both team needs while almost balancing out both rosters offense production so not robbing Peter for Paul. Don’t want to get rid of Caratini but Sally can be an effective replacement, albeit a lesser one
Wait what? Maldonado not mentioned in this catching report?!?
The current crop of catching prospects are interesting, a lot of nice players at the position, hitting with power, nice OBP, even swiping bases these days.
Thayron Liranzo is a nice player outside the top ten, had a nice month in Arizona. Has a good eye, some pop, little to be desired behind the dish but has a good body for the position and likely can improve.
Everybody in love with Basalo, Liranzo is Basalo light.