As the 2024-25 offseason continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Could Santander’s market be heating up?
Over the weekend, reports surfaced that seemed to indicate the market for outfielder Anthony Santander could be heating up. The slugger has at least one offer on the table from the Blue Jays, and the Angels are also reportedly considered “frontrunners” for his services. He’s also been connected to each of the Tigers, Red Sox, and Yankees, though New York seems to be the least likely destination given that their reported interest stems from before Cody Bellinger was brought into the fold. The Dodgers’ recent move to re-sign Teoscar Hernandez may help to get Santander’s market moving further, seeing as it took a major alternative to the switch-hitter’s services off the board.
That’s not necessarily a guarantee, however. Santander is joined by first baseman Pete Alonso and third baseman Alex Bregman as the best remaining hitters on the market, and it’s fair to note that while Nolan Arenado’s availability on the trade market appears to be a factor holding up Bregman’s free agency, the market for Alonso did not heat up much following Christian Walker’s deal with the Astros. Santander’s reported asking price of $100MM over five years may serve as a sticking point in negotiations that drags things out a bit longer, particularly after Hernandez signed for just three years and $66MM.
2. Infielders coming off the board:
The hottest market in baseball right now is surely that for infielders—though not for top-tier options like Bregman or Arenado. Rather, recent days have seen a number of utility infielders come off the board. The Dodgers adding Hyeseong Kim on Friday stands out as the most notable transaction in this corner of the market, but Josh Rojas also inked a big league deal with the White Sox on Thursday while the Royals and Yankees both added players in this part of the market (Cavan Biggio and Andrew Velazquez, respectively) on minor league pacts. Could the next domino to fall be switch-hitting third baseman Yoán Moncada, who it was reported yesterday has received interest from the Cubs, Mariners, and Blue Jays? Jose Iglesias, Whit Merrifield, Amed Rosario, and Jorge Polanco are among the other hitters available in this tier of free agency.
3. Cartaya on the trade block:
The Dodgers made a somewhat surprising move on Friday when they opted to designate former top catching prospect Diego Cartaya for assignment. The 23-year-old was a consensus top-20 prospect in the sport as recently as the 2023 season but hit just .208/.293/.350 at Triple-A last year and is entering his final minor league option year. With Will Smith already in L.A. on a long-term deal and Dalton Rushing having leapfrogged Cartaya on the organization depth chart, it’s easy to see why that sort of performance made Cartaya expendable for the Dodgers. Even so, his status as a former top prospect and the ever-present need around baseball for upper-level catching depth could make Cartaya an attractive potential option on the trade market for rival clubs, to the point where it’s easy to imagine Cartaya not making it to the waiver wire. The Dodgers have only a few days to work out a trade before they’ll need to expose the catcher to waivers—could a deal come together today?
Why would any team trade much at all or anything for Cartaya when he’s not even close to major league ready and will be a free agent at the end of the season?
He still has one more year in the minors before he has to be added to the ML roster, so it buys another team a year to see if he still has it, No, i don’t think it will cost much for him, but he may get included in a larger deal that fixes LAD roster crunch. Too many guys are on the ML roster and someone has to be dealt.
I think they would want international signing money for him.
No team can trad international signing money until January 15th. Cartaya will have to be put through waivers before then, so signing money can’t legally be trade d for him.
Can they do future considerations to get the International money after the 15th?
Just stop the deferred dollar madness.
I’m thinking the Dodgers have a trade lined up already but put him in DFA limbo to see if a better offer would materialize.
He wouldn’t be a free agent, but only has one option remaining. A team like Tampa or Miami, with historically poor catchers, may take a shot on a reclamation project with top 100 prospect pedigree. The Rays starting catcher tandem of Rortvedt and Jansen doesn’t inspire much offensive confidence, and Miami has Fortes who still hasn’t hit much after a few years.
That being said, you’re not wrong that the Dodgers may not get much. Probably a low level reliever in a similar boat, not a major league ready arm
He will be a minor league free agent in two years.
He would be eligible for minor league free agency now if he was not on a 40 man roster.
that is if minor league free agency began today. since the offseason is in full swing and cartaya has zero career outrights and less than 7 years in the minors, he would be stashed in aaa for the dodgers for the next season
You are partly correct. He already reached 7 years in minors. But yes since he is controlled via options and has one remaining, MiLB FA is not a factor right now.
Some teams not near the top of waiver wire list priority would be interested since he’s at least come along well defensively (by far the most important attribute at that position). Maybe he can be a cheap young backup catcher even if the bat doesn’t improve much. He will be claimed quick if LAD can’t extract something of help.
I think the Twins would be a good landing spot. Let him spend the year in AAA St. Paul and figure out if he’s a reasonable backup to Jeffers once Vazquez leaves. It’s not like the Twins have any strong carchers at AAA anyway.
Appreciate the comment Brick House. I have been following Diego since the Dodgers signed him as a highly regarded international prospect. I have read a number of similar comments about potential interest from teams with similar depth problems at catcher.
Cartaya hit really in 2021 and 2022 as a 19/20 year-old at low and high A with OPS at or above .900. Longenhagen (Fangraphs) had him as the Dodgers’ #3 prospect a year ago before he struggled at AA and AAA as a 22-23 year-old. It appears he has continued to develop well as a receiver.
I hope he lands somewhere where he is supported with what he needs to make the corrections that will allow him to realize his potential. He has enormous power.
The key concept here is “much.” They could get a mid-level prospect or lottery ticket for him, but not a lot more. The Dodgers no doubt have a good feel for the market and chose this moment to DFA him for a reason.
The Dodgers have a preternatural feel for the market now, “market whisperers.” Every day it seems like the Dodgers attain a new magical power to seduce and stymie everybody else.
They seem to have mesmerized a lot of fans, at least the ones who frequent this site. From the talk you’d think they’d signed half of the KBO and NPB and snapped up every MLB free agent worth having.
I have a feeling the MLBTR servers will melt down if Sasaki chooses the Dodgers. That post will have 3000 or so comments. The word ‘apoplectic’ comes to mind. MLBTR readers will become apoplectic if Sasaki chooses LA. I might even to, because Seattle does have a smidgen of a chance with him. So I will have to quickly temper myself if that happens. Or I’ll go jump in the Puget Sound for a Polar Bear swim.
About Santander. Is a guy with, a career OBP of .307, limited positional flexibility, no speed, and who seems to be capped as a 3WAR player really worth 5/$20M? I don’t mean to dis him–he certainly has some value, but the market doesn’t seem to be saying there’s a huge demand.
I mean if one win is worth $9mm than yes he’s worth easily $27 mm per year in the very short term.
I always thought the “one win per X$” was situational. If you are a team that can afford $27M and are replacing a black hole with the expenditure, and that’s a difference-maker for playoffs, then maybe.
Home runs always have value.
Tony had struggles staying healthy here in Baltimore. That is until these last couple of years.
Word on the streets of Charm City was that he saw the value in taking care of his body including better eating habits. And always mentally a gamer with a joy to it. Can’t believe Elias would let that walk.
metsin4: As do RBIs.
I agree with you Mike, this is his best season and that slash line isn’t pretty. Three years at 20 million per would be what he’s being offered, is my guess.
Your description of him wasn’t very fair. He’s also a switch hitter with great splits, the rare power hitter with a plus k rate, and plays an average right field. If anything, he’s asking for below market rate annually to seek more years. I’d probably be gun shy on that contact term. 3/70 or even 4/90 would be preferable to me if I were a GM.
Fair comment–I’m focussing on his negatives and you his positives. I guess that the thing about a guy with an apparent mid-range ceiling is what you do with him and the impact he has on your budget when his ceiling gets a little lower.
He got a QO as well. Whoever signs him also gives up a draft pick.
As an Os fan I would start to think he’s not worth playing everyday then he would go on an insane run that would make me think they need to bring him back. His personality is infectious and he seems to be getting better with age as he’s gained experience and learned how to care for his body. My opinion is that whatever team that signs him will get great value for a year or two and terrible value for a year or two. The AAV is reasonable but no way I would sign him for 5 years unless it’s like 5/75. The Teoscar contract is a great comp. 3/66
Dollars, years, and stats aside…I’m going to miss Tony Taters. When he’s hitting and having fun he’s among the most enjoyable players in the game. Even my wife, who – lord help her – doesn’t like baseball, is happy to exclaim “Tony Taters!” after a homerun.
Your wife doesn’t like baseball ????? I will be praying for her. In the meantime, you should be teaching her Strat-O-Matic baseball or something.
Definitely not for an Angels team that is more than one or two bats away from contention.
And really, the $100 million or so of Arte’s money isn’t the issue. We pick 3rd in the second round this year (46th overall pick due to the comp picks) and would also lose international signing money.
Only Arte would want to forgo that draft position. And with somebody paying Roki 100% of their international money, there’s going to be some bonus talent available to buy.
If Santander could get 4 years at 88M and an op out he might sign He’s 30 years old and wants a contract that will take him into his 35/36 year. I don’t blame him for that.
Toronto made an offer but why would Santander ever sign in Toronto , , right now Vlad and Bo plan to leave at end of this year , why would he want to play with a bunch of pour minor leaguers that Shapiro and Atkins have brought to this organization. The ones that have to leave this team in order for Toronto to get better as an MLB organization from top to bottom including the crappy minor league players these two guys have assembled. Rogers has to wake up but it does not help when the fans flock to the Rogers centre to basically party and not care of product on the field and as long as Rogers keeps lining there pockets, they do care.
He would sign in Toronto if they offered the most years/money. I am a Jays fan and they are awful and should not be signing Santander (should be blowing it up), but sadly he will go to the Jays if they offer the most. This isnt an Ohtani situation where he can take significantly less money since he will be a billionaire anyways.
Agree. This is one big opportunity to cash in. He wont care where the guaranteed money comes from. I could see a team going 5 to get it done.
What other large market team still has need and budget for him? Met, Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, Phillies all seem to be done. Eventually someone will take Toronto’s money.
You don’t know what Vlad and Bo plan to do, only what others say. The players say they’;d like to stay. That’s all we have to go on.
Why go to Jays? Very rich owners. High-profile team in 3rd largest MLB city, plus whole country behind it. Great Florida recovery/training facilities (which affects taxes in a positive way, too). Team is not doing re-builds but re-stock on fly. Avoided tax on spending by making strong summer trades. Only a few players from being strong. Have one of best pitching line-ups (starters) and not afraid to spend…
Yes, I’m a Jays fan, and Spring Training guy… guilty!
Unfortunately the team is in such a pathetic state right now I think most FA treat them like they have funny money. They really are in a tough spot. They’re not contenders and don’t appear close. The immediate future of the franchise is – at best – in flux and potentially among the least attractive in the game. Some guys likely have no interest in Canada. Some have no interest in their weaker economy. And some want to enjoy certain considerations (lower taxes, better endorsements, family proximity, etc.) of particular states. When considering all these strikes against the Jays we probably shouldn’t be surprised that the Jays can’t seem to given their money away.
I think he’ll end up closer to 4/80. I know what he wants but we don’t always get what we want and I don’t think he’s going to get the extra year nor will he get more than that 20 aav for “giving up” the extra year. That said, if he went down to 3 years I could see him getting better than the Hernandez deal. Maybe 3/70
Just thinking….there’s a month before spring training and still teams with open holes and many unsigned free agents. Therefore, the players that are unsigned are really not that desirable.
Could it be there are too many teams at the mlb level? If there were four fewer teams, there would be fewer holes on each team, and the level of play would be higher.
What about dropping…the A’s, Rockies, WhiteSox and Marlins to triple A?
Thoughts?….
Not sure when, but eventually mlb likely adds couple new teams to get to 32 (Nashville and ?).
As a fan, no you don’t drop a handful of whatever teams are in a rebuild at the moment. Even bad teams have good players and promising prospects.
American sports don’t work like Euro soccer. Relegation like you’re proposing is impossible.
Of course it would never happen. Owners/fans always want expansion, regardless of having enough high level players.
Pretty sure the owners of those teams (and all of MLB) would shoot that down the moment it’s mentioned. If anything, they’re adding teams through expansion, not retracting them.
seamaholic: You’re right. Relegating the bottom three teams would be impossible in baseball. In European soccer there are no minor leagues, just an ungodly amount of levels. The equivalent for baseball would be sending the bottom three to AAA. In the White Sox’ case, they’re already there.
besrone: How about dropping Fisher, Reinsdorf and whoever owns the Rockies and Marlins?
Let’s start with getting rid of your favorite team and go from there.
Your economics are backward. Lack of demand can be helped by more teams, not fewer.
What is Diego’s Defense like? Arm?
Defense excellent. Arm below average.
Okay … thank you Seam!
I have to assume Teoscar took a discount to go to Dodgers (and deferrals) but I guess we dont know what the other offers were. But given what Teoscar got, 5 years for Santander would be silly. I know he is 2 years younger but Teoscar has more speed, defense and track record.
Can’t believe that Teo can be considered better defensively. He’s not that good.
And his strikeouts were always a problem. Santander is a switch hitter and good on-base stats.
Would not be shocked by Cartaya to the Red Sox. Their catching corps is abysmal right now beyond Wong and some decent Single A prospects.
Wouldn’t mind seeing the Twins attempt to land Cartaya. Vazquez will surely part ways with the team after this season (if not traded before then) and the Twins will need catching depth behind Jeffers.
If all you want is catching depth there are a million dudes floating around who can put on the gear, do a nice job defensively, but can’t hit. Cartaya is interesting because he’s so young and until 2023 really COULD hit.
Cartaya is a bum. The Cardinals will most likely have a catcher to trade at this year’s trade deadline. Ivan Herrera for Luke Keaschall seems fair.
Thanks for this scene setter for what will be a very busy news week worldwide. I’m told by a source in Toronto that there are offers and trades cooking there; it will be interesting to see what come of these “multiple” scenarios.
Why would anyone want to come here if Vlad and Bo sign no extensions to their contracts .If Atkin and Shapiro do not do that first why would they come here to play with a bunch of pour players these guys have put together at minor league levels and MLB roster. What have these Guys drafted in 10 Year .. Rogers wake up and get players not alway refurbishing the stadium to line your pockets with your overpriced ticket fees and vending prices.
Not extending Vlad Jr would actually be a selling point since they can later spend it on different/more quality players. They are not even good with him making much less now than he will on open market. Bichette is inconsistent, so him going elsewhere also wouldn’t be a significant turn off to future FAs. Players know business is business and Toronto likes to spend its way to relevance (just a matter of who they will overpay in lieu of Vlad/Bichette-who may privately prefer to go elsewhere anyhow).
You seem to be oblivious to the limited number of Major League job openings. There isn’t a single job in the majors that isn’t preferred to a minor league position.
Yeah Not just on the Baseball field.
I think TOR pitching just needs maybe 2 good additions
(1 SP, 1 RP)
BUT the offense needs 2 or 3 in order to compete with the rest of the AL East.
Some combination of Santander, Bregman, Verdugo, Bader, Profar, Madrigal, Amed Rosario, Drury, Kim, DeJong, Moncada, Solano, Pham
Maybe Pivetta, Junis, Heaney, Hoffman, Quintana, Lorenzen, Jansen, Leclerc, Finnegan, Turnbull, Means, Urquidy, Wood, Stripling, Robertson, M. Perez, Maton, Ottavino, Stanek, D. Smith, M.Moore, Raley, Will Smith, Smyly, Yarbrough
I disagree. I don’t think any four of those players would get them to the playoffs. Sure, I think they’d be good instead of awful if they signed Santander, Bregman, Pivetta, Hoffman. But I think they’re more than those 4 guys behind the Os & Yankees on paper. .
Kevin Parada for Diego Cartaya.
“and it’s fair to note that while Nolan Arenado’s availability on the trade market appears to be a factor holding up Bregman’s free agency…”
I think it’s the other way around.
Yeah once Bregman signs Arenado gets dealt shortly after but not sooner.
The Blue Jays had interest in your mother, but quote “couldn’t get things over the finish line”
Typical
LA should be able to get a decent single A prospect for him to restock and keep their pool churning out quality players.
Cartaya will be dealt for a borderline major league reliever with high spin rates and multiple option years remaining. The dodgers will fix him and then he’ll be the set-up man come July, pitching to a 2.40 ERA while some team will scream that they got fleeced as Cartaya hits .196 in AAA with middling power.
Yeah but he’ll only throw about 20 innings before he gets hurt and spends the next 4 years bouncing on and off the IL
I guess he’ll have to comfort himself with that World Series ring while doing rehab
I guess you didn’t read where this his last option year. He was already added to the Dodgers 40 man roster that started the clock.
mets will surprise everyone and sign flaherty
REDSOX GRAB THIS CATCHER SIGN BREGMAN AND SCOTT AND NO OTHER TRADES
If he doesn’t project to hit above .260,i wouldn’t him. I want a guy who has offensive skills.
I’m gonna miss ol’ Tony, but there’s simply too much OF talent on the O’s to allocate the money it would take to keep him around. That money is best spent on locking in the young talent they have.
I think anyone who signs santadar is going to regret it. his numbers aren’t great. Homer’s but doesn’t walk and his obp is low. he looks like a falling war player. 2.9 or so last year is going to go down over the life of a contract. I’ll pass on that guy.