Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today:
1. How would Bichette’s market change as a second baseman?
Reporting yesterday indicated that star infielder Bo Bichette is open to moving off shortstop and playing second base for interested clubs. That’s not necessarily a surprise, as free agents such as Willy Adames and Alex Bregman have suggested a similar level of positional flexibility in recent free agent classes, and Bichette of course played second base during the World Series after returning from a knee injury. Bichette’s defensive metrics at shortstop have ranged from slightly below average to well below average throughout his career, and a move to the keystone could make him a stronger defender overall.
The market for second base help has been rather hot this winter. Brendan Donovan and Ketel Marte have been two of the most talked-about names on the trade market, and other second basemen like Brandon Lowe and Jazz Chisholm Jr. have also drawn interest. Given the questions about Bichette’s glove at shortstop and the lack of big-spending teams looking for a new starting shortstop, voicing a willingness to play second base should open up Bichette’s market a bit more.
2. High-leverage relievers continue to dwindle:
The relief market has been bustling all winter, and yesterday was no exception. Right-handers Brad Keller and Luke Weaver signed identical two-year, $22MM contracts with NL East clubs as Weaver joined the Mets and Keller joined the Phillies. That leaves precious few high-end relievers available for teams like the Yankees, Cubs, and Marlins to pursue. Pete Fairbanks and Seranthony Dominguez are among the best options remaining on the market at this point, with hurlers like Shawn Armstrong and Pierce Johnson sitting a tier below those two.
3. Big Christmas in DFA limbo:
The Guardians parted ways with Jhonkensy Noel yesterday, designating the outfielder for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for southpaw Justin Bruihl. It’s not necessarily a shock to see Noel lose his roster spot given his brutal 2025 season; the 24-year-old slashed just .162/.183/.297 across 69 games with Cleveland last year. With that said, fans surely remember Noel’s far stronger 2024 campaign where he slugged 13 homers in 67 games with a wRC+ of 118 before going on to hit a game-tying home run against the Yankees in the ALDS. Will any clubs look past Noel’s strikeouts and approach and bet on his immense raw power with a small trade or waiver claim?
1.: Biggest contract for a 2b (or shortstop) of all time
He’s not coming close to World Series legend Corey Seager’s 325M contract.
or Lindor at $341
I think Big Christmas easily gets traded for/picked up. The raw power is there for someone to unlock.
Is it too much to ask to have the Yankees do something before the weekend? Trade? Relief signing? Anything? I have Fairbanks to them in the contest, I know cold weather was a problem in the past (not sure it still is), but the fit/need is there. Dominguez is fine as well…heck I’ll take lower!
Sal- definitely would be happy with Fairbanks for 4 years, or Dominguez for 3 years. We’ll see. 🙏
I’d take Seraanthony and Johnson tbh if it means more cash for elsewhere. Johnson has a bit of grit to his game that I like, but obviously as AL East peeps we know what Pete brings to the table.
Sal after everything I’ve seen, it looks to me like they’re trying to get Imai. That will be resolved in a few days one way or the other. If they get him, the heavy lifting is over for the FA side of things. If they don’t, they pivot to Bellinger.
Yeah I said below I think Cash is definitely focused on the Japanese FA right now. Once those are settled he’ll move on, but getting an arm in the meantime wouldn’t be so hard. His job is definitely to multitask.
DH – Like Trout – though there are reports the Angel’s might give him innings in CF this season.
Please Yankees no Bichette for 2nd!!! As far as the offense Belli or Tuck or bust! Not wanting to trade Jazz either, unless it’s for a haul. Casey Mize is definitely interesting though.
I don’t think we’re moving Jazz or going for Bo tbh. I’m betting Cash is focused on the Japanese stars right now since there’s a time sensitive deadline there. If others go while he’s working on this, he’s obviously willing to let that happen.
Idk that was a thing… Big Christmas. Grate nickname!
why would his nickname have anything to do with grates? seems more holiday themed to me
Listen, if someone teaches Noel to make contact we’re looking at one of history’s greatest bats. His innovative plate approach is intimidating and the results, when they come, are unforgettable. Sadly, pitchers don’t have much trouble getting past him because he’s gullible with his swing decisions. The right coaching and he has a spot among the infamous boppers of the modern game. I want to see him walk off a world series one day, give him a shot!
Bo Jackson, Gorman Thomas, Dave Kingman, Glenallen Hill and Chris Davis say hi
Bichette will sign before the weekend ends, 6yrs with a 7th year team option, $200m with the Red Sox
Source?
Source: trust me bro
Noel found out about the assignment and his hat fell off.
(Guardians fans know what I’m talking about)
Elf on the shelf says big Christmas is going to the Rockies on a waiver claim
Astros!!!
Cash in on Bryan Abreu’s value!
Elf on the shelf says Brandon Lowe is being shopped hard but nobody is buying, again, and that he will be released heading into the first week of the season.
Elf on the shelf says Brendan Donovan is receiving massive interest but the wishy washy Bloom can’t make up his mind on what to do and he opens the season with the Cardinals
Most trades happen after the majority of FAs have landed. Trade values go up when teams miss out on an FA they planned to plug in at a certain position.
Example: If Red Sox miss out on Bregman and Bichette. Ketel Marte’s price immediately goes up.
How would it change if he was a pitcher, a second baseman and a catcher?
I mostly enjoy this website. But I read a story on MLB.com last night about Bichette. Now I realize that certain stories and info is going to overlap. But whomever this site has writing has got to stop reading MLB.com and regurgitating their same story. Does this site talk to anyone in baseball or do they just read things online the night before and re-write them in their own words? I’m noticing this is the case for a lot of articles on this site.
I think they read what’s happening and write it. Only a few, like the official MLB writers, the Athletic, ESPN, and places like that. Anyone that went to the Winter Meetings talks to MLB.
I think they regurgitated Murakami’s best fits from MLB. I read the MLB one but not the MLBTR one so I don’t know what’s the difference.
TD
Only so many ways to say “Bichette is willing to move to 2B”
MLBTR is an aggregate site that passes along reports from usually decent sources. They add very good narratives and fill in the gaps with useful info/stats. You will likely come across the original articles from other sources, but MLBTR does a good job of adding good discussion points and framing in alternative perspectives.
They pass on the news. Not like Athletic who reports the news. Some aren’t subscribed to the Athletic and MLBTR gives us a lot of information, mostly for free.
Baseball Journalism Universe: Passan, Rosenthal, Heyman, Nightingale, Sherman, Robert Murray; Mark Feinsand, Olney, Tom Verducci. That’s about it.
You just used “journalism” and “Nightengale” in the same sentence.
All these bullpen spends – White Sox nailed two Rule 5 picks digging in the high A ball stash.
Alberto looks like Eury Perez. Paez looks like the next Pedro Martinez.
I hope they dont return either even if they are slow to develop.
I think many teams will take a shot on Noel who may just need a different coach/approach.
My only reluctance to give Bichette a big contract is his injury history. Great player but I worry as he ages.
He’s the youngest free agent on the market like at 27 !!!
Look at his games played the last 3 years. Young or not he destined to be a DH just to try and keep him in the lineup.
Roughed:
Agreed. Being young means nothing if you have a checkered injury past. A young player is going to warrant a longer contract making the risk even greater.
Big christmas dfa’d a wk before christmas. Unfortunate timing
Wonder which 2B needy team the Mets could trade Siemen to (and let either let Baty or Luisangel or another younger 2B play the keystone).
Yea I didn’t like the Nimmo trade for him.
Would he play third?
Not unless he always throws it to the pitcher who relays it to first. Not enough arm.
Loved Noel in 2024, but he was literally the worst hitter in baseball last year above a certain PA threshold. He was infuriating to watch take at bats