With the Winter Meetings nearly upon us, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Soto saga entering the final stretch?
The headlines this offseason have been dominated by Juan Soto, and the 26-year-old superstar nears a decision on his next team. Jeff Passan noted earlier this week on ESPN (h/t to Awful Announcing on X) that Soto is expected to make his decision before the Winter Meetings begin in Dallas on Monday. That would seemingly leave Soto’s suitors to make their final pushes for his services this weekend, and reporting yesterday indicated that at least one team (the Red Sox) is hoping to meet with Soto one more time before he makes his decision. Boston is joined by the Mets, Dodgers, Blue Jays, and incumbent Yankees in their pursuit of Soto’s services, and the Red Sox appear to have made a significant effort to land the superstar despite the general assumption around the industry that Soto will remain in New York as either a Met or a Yankee. Whoever lands Soto will pay a steep price tag, as the bidding for his services has already surpassed $600MM.
2. Chapman to undergo physical:
The Red Sox and lefty Aroldis Chapman reached a one-year deal worth $10.75MM earlier this week, and that deal could be finalized as soon as today according to a report from Francys Romero, who notes that Chapman is expected to undergo his physical in Boston today. The Red Sox currently have 39 players on their 40-man roster, meaning they won’t necessarily need to make a corresponding move to add Chapman to their roster. With that being said, however, the Rule 5 Draft is just days away and teams without 40-man roster space on the day of the draft next week cannot make a selection. The Red Sox haven’t made a Rule 5 pick themselves since they selected Garrett Whitlock from the Yankees in the 2020 draft, but they acquired right-hander Justin Slaten through last winter’s draft by way of the Mets drafting him and then immediately dealing him to Boston. If they want to make a selection this year and finalize their Chapman deal, they’ll need to open a 40-man spot.
3. Athletics open the wallet:
Ahead of their first season in West Sacramento, where they’re set to play for three seasons between departing Oakland and arriving in Las Vegas for Opening Day 2028, the nomadic A’s shocked plenty of onlookers when they landed right-hander Luis Severino on a three-year, $67MM deal that includes an opt-out after the second year. The deal landed above expectations for Severino, whom MLBTR predicted would sign a three-year, $51MM deal in our annual Top 50 MLB Free Agents list.
A’s brass indicated earlier this winter that they may be forced to focus on the trade market rather than free agency when upgrading the club due to hesitance from players about committing to a Triple-A ballpark as their next home, but the Severino signing demonstrated another avenue for adding talent: making an offer too tantalizing for a middle-tier free agent to refuse. Will the club try to go over the top for more free agents this winter, or will they pivot to the trade market from here on out?
Because of the A’s unique situation, the Severino contract should not be considered when benchmarking future contracts for similar players on other teams.
Translation
They overpaid for him and instead of acknowledging the overpay i want to make excuses for them instead.
Black pink your analysis is fairly often right. However, you are a constant source of negativity. Who hurt you? Absolutely insufferable.
I don’t like it when we make up false narratives to persecute or defend a teams decisions.
Giving Severino 67 million dollars is dumb. Why can’t we just say that instead of making excuses.
blackpink, it’s an overpay from the league overall, but a downtrodden team playing in a minor league park probably has to overpay to improve. So maybe it’s the market price for getting guys to Sacramento?
@blackpink they are eating the bonus money to get in the revenue sharing program. It’s essentially what the giants did with soler. They can trade him at the deadline because 19 million is reasonable for a contender. That team could get rid of him like the braves in the off-season. Soler bonus was 9 million. The only way it backfires is if severino gets Tommy john surgery.
If you can’t get guys to sign with you without overpaying think of a new strategy. Make trades. Wait until March when players will be cheaper. Don’t just jump out in the market and overpay.
I don’t think you’re understanding the entirety of the situation, Bita. The A’s *have to* spend a certain amount in order to receive the League Revenue Sharing. In addition, previous posters have mentioned that any signings for Sacramento would probably *have to* be an overpay. Both things are true, and this is what we see here. Nothing erroneous has happened, and maybe Sevy brings some winning ball with him. If he doesn’t enjoy his stay and he’s not traded, he’ll opt out. Imo, this is a great contract for both team and player.
There are other ways to spend. Lot of guys are going to be looking for opportunities. No need to jump out and sign a back end starter for front end money and cost yourself a draft pick while giving the guy an opt out
@blackpink. Unfortunately that strategy doesn’t work when it comes to the a’s, because of the owner. The only players that will sign with them have one foot in the door in the Mexican league or the kbo. Back to what I said they burned 10 million dollars to reach their goal they needed to spend. 18 million between the bonus and a prorated amount for the season, and he’s gone.
How about we wait a few months before declaring with such certainty that this deal is dumb. 40 year-old Justin Verlander got 2/66. 40 year-old Scherzer got $43 million for one season spent mostly on the injured list. Both objectively dumb deals. I think everyone knew that deGrom’s 5/185 deal was dumb the day it was signed. Similarly, the Strasburg extension was generally regarded as the dumbest deal of all time. More recently, the Dodgers, who apparently print money, just gave a guy with two good seasons on his resume 5/182 – probably dumb. But 3/67 for a guy in his early 30s who throws in the high 90s and has demonstrated himself capable of throwing 150+ innings and winning 10+ games might not be dumb at all. Slow your roll, Big Guy.
If they want top free agents, sometimes you can’t simply wait it out lol.
Comparing a dumb contract to other dumb contracts doesn’t make it any less dumb.
DeGrom got hurt.
Snell is coming off back to back Cy Young caliber seasons one of which he won the award. That’s not a dumb contract.
150 innings and 10 wins there are 15 or 20 more starters available that fit that bill. And they won’t cost what Severino costed.
Bita, the simple fact of the matter is that’s what you think. Sevy could be an All Star all 3 years of his contract. None of us know.
With regard to Revenue Sharing, let me put it this way for you- I have a guaranteed $50 Walmart gift card for you Blackpink, but first you must go to the grocery store TODAY and spend $23. I can 100% assure you that you will get the Walmart card. I guarantee that you would scramble out the door and frantically call me back when the task was complete.
Believe it or not, the A’s are making money on the Sevy deal.
They didn’t have to spend their money TODAY so your analogy doesn’t make sense. They had all offseason to make intelligent moves that help improve their record and they went out early and made this stupid decision.
Actually there are only seven current FA starters who had 10 wins and 150 IP last season and that list includes Burnes, Fried, Manaea, Flaherty and Eovaldi- none of whom would sign for 3/67. The other two are Colin Rea and Jose Quintana. But don’t let the facts get in the way of your narrative.
You think Colin Rea and Jose Quintana get this kind of contract?
I bet they dont………
Oh, Bita… Bita…
If it doesn’t make sense, then I can be no further assistance to you. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
He’s an announced methhead, Johnny. His brain doesn’t function properly, but we try to help him still!
What you said isn’t true. There was no rush to spend the money that’s you making up a false narrative and making excuses for their stupid decisions.
What the f are you talking about? Don’t joke about drug use like that. What kind of loser does that?
You have been muted loser. Peace.
@black. severino is also 30. Not saying your strategy doesn’t make sense for most teams, but not in the a’s case. will someone sign with the a’s or take 5 million less to not play in a triple a stadium. They need to sign players early or get another penalty.
Oh no, please don’t mute me! Now I’ll never see the silliest posts ever…
You announced to everybody here that you are a recovering user, Joel. Good riddance!
Once upon a time, Syd Thrift had only confederate money. It’s an overpay, but, you need a Major League roster, and if your team is that unattractive because of no shot at playoffs, minor league facility; etc, it costs you more than the rest of the league to sign a player.
@gwynning. Black muted you. Lucky you.
I’m doing the Trump dance in my kitchen right now! I feel like I sacked Tom Brady to win the Super Bowl on my birthday! Lol
@Gwynning: It’s ok Gwynning. You’ll still be able to see him vent his anger at those who dare to disagree w/his gobbledygook. He just won’t be able to see your attempts to explain issues in a reasonable manner. His posts don’t disappear for you. His loss.
Thanks gents, I’m done crying into my coffee now. Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, Happy Hannukah and all that to everybody here! Cheers to all baseball fans.
15 to 20 10 win starters available! Not only that but theyre cheaper than sevy! Wow, hard to believe no team has hired blackpink yet dudes clearly a baseball savant
Youre insufferable bita.
To get any quality MLB player to forgo the luxury and amenities of playing in a Major League stadium in favor of a minor league one for the next 3 years there will only be over pays as far as the A’s are concerned. That will create a market ripple for everyone else because this particular circumstance is not going to help teams not in the A’s position to low ball similar players after this
This. The A’s have to play the league’s game to keep the welfare checks coming until the move to the smallest market in the game and never have to worry about spending money they really don’t want to again
Soto is a left-handed Manny-a terrific hitter who will probably retain his bat for a long time. He’s ok in the outfield for now, but it’s hard to know how long that will be. The problem is he’s the really expensive sports car that you’d love to have, but. I think he’d be really interesting in Fenway. But I’m also a Yankees fan who wonders what that much tied up in so few players cripples the team’s ability to improve elsewhere. Soto makes everything more expensive for the Yankees because of the CBT tax.
I am a Yankee fan and I am praying we do not sign him for that crazy amount.
I hate to admit it, but I’m getting there too. The numbers are getting too big to where the contract itself will hang over everything both he and the team does for 15 yrs. Still absolutely want him back, but not at ALL costs
Who was it who said not a man in a million understands inflation
Considering the reported length of the contract offers, and Soto’s age I would assume there would be multiple opt outs. Signing a for a 15yrs/$750 mil might end up being for example a 3/$175 or 5/$250. I think teams/agents are weighing health and salary’s expanding. Bryce Harper’s deal looks like a steal every year but at the time there were criticisms.
Again, this is called inflation, you can thank your government for warping just about every market via money printing. Whatever he gets, in 5 years its likely to look way more reasonable
Ya’ll crazy. Soto is an MVP. You can’t get his production in multiple places because the dollars don’t go far enough with the available talent like Bergman and Burnes would cost more than simply signing Soto. And if you have Soto you can still improve at other places and be better than last year as opposed to scrapping some 30+ year olds in a pivot to try and get back where we are with him.
No move they make can make up for Soto on the free agent market. Don’t let Hal off the hook.
When did Soto win that MVP?
Top 3 in MVP voting, should have said MVP contender. My B.
lol
I’m of the belief that there’s a 90% chance Soto signs with one of the New York teams, and 10% chance Boston lands him.
@Acoss1331
Given the way the signings have been going, I wouldn’t be surprised if he signs with some random team outside of NY and LAD. And yes, I would have another failed prediction.
I give it 70% mets, 20 sox, 10 yankees personally
Soto should go to Toronto, only team able to offer him a billion dollars in the local currency.
And with Canadian taxes, Soto would take home $850 a week.
Plus he can quite easily apply for euthanasia after a year or two in last place
The Athletics’ splash on Luis Severino is desperate—a classic overpay to mask the reality of playing in a Triple-A park while dreaming of Las Vegas.
I think it’s a bit more than that. It says to Las Vegas “Look. We’re really not a cheap organization. See how much money we’re willing to spend on players.”
A’s have been reasonably savy over the years, whining about sevy and they arent even A’s fans, just jealous trolls maybe
Might be an overpay but the A’s looked solid at times last year. They said they plan to spend over $100mil this year, plus they need to have fans in Sacramento and new Las Vegas fans. Fisher cheaped out to get out of Oakland
Soto to decide today. And inform teams in March.
A deferral of the agreement to accept deferred payments?
Can’t confirm. Defer to his agent.
Severino price shows why Stearns had to pay Montas 17m Wouldn’t surprise if Those two had similar numbers in 2025.
Cookies. Exactly, and Stearns got a comp pick. A’s did it because they were forced to spend by the cba rules. It worked out for both teams, and even severino, because he signed it before the ink dried.
Sevy is a 2 WAR pitcher. Montas is 1. Mets need to make up 1 win somewhere. Hopefully there is a 7 WAR player available
How mature and intelligent! When you enter a crowded room I bet everyone stops talking and turns towards you demanding such incredible anal-ysis. Keep coping im enjoying still
@baseball. Do you say trash, because you pick it up for waste management. I’ll take numbers over a nonsensical opinion anytime.
I would have bothered to explain it to him like an adult but after his reaction to the summary stat of WAR i dont feel he has earned it
Youll never know because you are a thought stopper.
We are the last dog at the bowl. Do you know what happens to the runt of the litter? He dies!
Who’s Fabio?
Okay Nation.. be honest… % on how many of us hope Chapman somehow fails physical?? ….. we’ll start over/ under at 98%…
Soto is younger than Judge, but is he still more valuable than Judge? I don’t think so. Do you think he would defer some money?
Soto is the best hitter in baseball. Better than ohtani, acuna, freeman, betts, vlad, better than judge. Has been pretty much since he came up. Funny watching yankee fans in general try to cope before he even makes a decision.
Ok go get witt jr. The u wont have to cope so hard all over everyone
Keep coping
The day the yankees start bowing out because theyre afraid of matching the dodgers and mets has arrived I guess. We all knew it was coming
Lol. Enjoy the cope
Losing the best and your dang near only hitter
I smile because i know youll keep riding that bad ball masher (dead horse) into the playoffs where he will consitently face starting too challenging
For heavens sake judge is like 7 years older its not even really a question
Whatever it takes Hal! No excuses, Soto belongs with Yankees and you need to match the best offer. You can’t spend money to make up for his loss on the FA market. Santander and Bergman would cost more than he will.
No what? No you dont want the best hitter on the market? No you dont want to continue to see the best tandem the Yankees have had in decades? No you want to spend 50M on Santander and a few others who don’t produce as much value, especially concentrated into one spot on the roster?
Or no, you don’t want to go back to the world series?
Soto situation is becoming nauseating exhausting & unbearable
A total circus
I expct nothing less from a clown like boras
But this is pushing it to a new level
Just make a choice dammit
Stop dragging this out
Boras is a DH and I don’t mean designated hitter
Make a decision SOON!
You are holding up many other free agent players and teams
from making decisions, deals, and building their teams for ’24!
Don’t let other deserving free agents miss out on signing or sign too late to get the benefits of Spring Training and create new injury risks by starting Spring Training too late!
It’s actually pretty early in the off-season. Season ended barely a month ago. Pitchers and catchers report in two and a half months. I’m surprised this many guys have already signed….