Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today:
1. Bichette meeting with the Phillies:
The Phillies are reportedly scheduled to meet with infielder Bo Bichette today. The fit between Bichette and Philadelphia is a complicated one, however. Reporting has indicated that the club would need to not only forgo their pursuit of a reunion with J.T. Realmuto in order to land Bichette, but also trade third baseman Alec Bohm. Perhaps that would all be worthwhile in order to land another impact player to join Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Trea Turner in the middle of the team’s lineup, but it’s not the most straightforward fit.
The meeting comes on the heels of Toronto’s recent signing of third baseman Kazuma Okamoto. The Blue Jays’ decision to bring in another infielder doesn’t explicitly rule out a reunion with Bichette, who has long expressed a desire to remain in Toronto, but it arguably made outfielder Kyle Tucker a cleaner fit for them at this point. The meeting between Bichette and the Phillies dovetails nicely into the next item here…
2. What’s next for the Red Sox after missing on Bregman?
The Cubs made a big splash this weekend by inking third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year deal worth $175MM. Deferred money brings that contract value down to the $150-155MM range, but that was still enough to outbid the Red Sox in their efforts to retain Bregman. Boston reportedly topped out at an offer of $165MM over five years — also with significant deferred money but lacking the no-trade provision the Cubs included.
With Bregman now ticketed for Chicago, the Red Sox will have to pivot. That could mean stepping up their pursuit of Bichette, with whom they reportedly met with over Zoom last month. Bichette was of interest to both the Cubs and Red Sox, so while it hurts him to lose one possible landing spot in Chicago, it also intensifies the need/urgency of another suitor up in Boston. The Red Sox could also look for a shorter-term addition like Eugenio Suarez, and a trade for an established infielder (e.g. Houston’s Isaac Paredes) can’t be ruled out either. One way or another, the Sox ought to have at least one more notable splash in store this winter.
3. Can Yankees, Bellinger bridge the gap?
Elsewhere in the AL East, the Yankees and Cody Bellinger have reportedly reached an impasse in contract negotiations. New York is said to be sticking to its guns with a five-year offer that guarantees Bellinger more than $150MM, while Bellinger’s camp remains steadfast in their desire for a longer-term contract — perhaps as many as seven years. In the meantime, Bellinger figures to draw interest from the Mets and Dodgers. He’s also been connected to the Cubs, though their recent addition of Bregman likely takes them out of that market. MLBTR’s Anthony Franco recently took a look at some other potential landing spots. As for the Yankees, the team has been loosely connected to other high-end players like Bichette and Tucker as potential backup plans to Bellinger, and the trade market could always present alternatives.
Give Bellinger 5 years with a team option for the 6th. Add in a 10 million buyout and get it done Cashman.
Supposedly the hangup is that Bellinger wants a 7th year, which I don’t think he’s getting from any team.
He wants more money
If a team offers him enough over 5 years, he’ll take it
5/$200 is the same as 7/$210
Dude stop saying it’s about money you’re so blatantly wrong. It’s years get over it.
WW
Why would it be years?
People work for money, not years
5/$200 is better than 7/$210. But $40mm/year for Bellinger is certifiably STUPID!!
Taxes pal….he wants it spread over more time…it is about years….
When Bregman signed he said he wanted to know where his family would be for several years. He didn’t like moving them year to year. Money isnt the only factor, especially when you’ll have plenty in any scenario.
So, then he can sign for 7/$150 or is it about the money?
@Juan
Don’t listen to these guys. 5/$200 mil is certainly better than 7/$210. I he intends on playing over the next 7 years then he’s better off signing the 5 year deal becaus, if he hasn’t completely fallen off a cliff performance wise, then he should be able to command more money the next 2 years vs the $10 difference between the two deals. It’s a matter of seeking your next contract for your age 36 season vs age 38. They are potential tax benefits in using the 7 year deal by that can me mitigated depending on what his market value would be at age 36 and where he signs his next deal. If he signs to play in a state like Texas or Florida he can save a ton too. If it were me off bet on myself and sign the 5 year deal.
You pay income taxes on how much is earned…even over time! You are both right. Time = money
Everyone knows that year six and seven will suck. That is why he wants to negotiate them now and the team does not want to pay for them.
Don’t be fooled. Bregman was obsessed with getting 200+ million. The family will go wherever.
Ofr
“5/$200 is better than 7/$210. But $40mm/year for Bellinger is certifiably STUPID!!”
Those two contracts have equal present value.
In this instance, the team would almost certainly prefer the longer contract and the player the shorter contract The team wants to spread out the payments The player wants to work less for the money and have to chance to earn another contract after this one ends.
Not for the Team nor the Luxury tax . I love how everyone can add 10 or 100 million spending of NOT THEIR MONEY. Bellinger wouldn’t cost 200 or 210 it’s closer to 300 with the luxury tac hit, team/state taxes and loss of 1st round pix.
These don’t affect the fan, it does affect the CEO ,Cashman and the Steinbrenner reserves – especially if they fail to win the AL East let alone the WS .
5/$200 is better for the player than 7/$210. If he’s healthy after five, he’ll get a lot more with seven years/two deals than with one.
lark
“Everyone knows that year six and seven will suck. That is why he wants to negotiate them now and the team does not want to pay for them.”
The team would rather pay 7/$210 than 5/$200. And 10/$22.5 over 7/$210.
Teams want to draw out the payments.
Years = money. Seven years at $25 m beats 5 at $50.
Frs
“Bellinger wouldn’t cost 200 or 210 it’s closer to 300”
Same difference.
If the team is paying the same present value, they would rather have a longer contract.
Trm
“Seven years at $25 m beats 5 at $50.”
No.
PV of 7/$25 = $145 million
PV of 5/$50 = $215 million
It’s not even close
Saying agree to play extra years for free doesn’t make the case that it is all about the money, it is just an unrealistic scenario.
Yes, it does affect the fans in ticket prices, concessions, etc. In the end, one way or another, all the money comes from us.
Ed
You got it backwards
Player salaries are affected by how much fans pay
Fans pay a lot, so their salaries are high.
If fans only paid a little, their salaries would be low
Hi Juan. I see your point, but if fans had true choice about how much they pay, wouldn’t they set ticket prices at $25 or $15 or $5? It is ultimately fans’ money that fuels the entire sport. And we are the only party in the baseball economy not to have a seat in the bargaining table. Yes, prices will be pushed as high as the market will bear, but it’s owners and players who push those limits as far as they can get away with.
Ed
You have a choice to pay, or not
If he was obsessed with $200M because it is all about money, why did he sign for $175M?
Yes, always.
I think the point is that money being the same, sure the team wants to stretch it out. This is what they did for DJLM. They gave him 6 years at 90 million instead of 4 years at $90 million. Then they DFA’d him and are eating the last two years anyway, but the money was the same. They are not committing $200 million to Bellinger over any amount of time. They could agree on a dollar amount and spread it over however many years, including the deferrals that are so popular now. First, they have to agree on the money. The years don’t really matter after that (obviously they won’t go $150 million for one year). You are assuming that they are both around $200 million trying to sort out years. I think the Yankees are at $150 million that Alonso and Schwarber and Bellinger wants $200 million plus. Hence, the impasse.
The Mets are foolish (and desperate) enough to give Bellinger the 7th year — thus blocking top prospects Carson Benge and Jett Williams, who (along with Mauricio and Acuna) instead go on the trade block.
Stearns is neither foolish nor desperate enough to give Bellinger more than 3-4 years and block their young players. More likely he’ll bring in Bader as a stopgap for 1 year to play CF while Benge gets at bats at AAA. My guess is that he’s waiting for Bader to come down from a 2 year demand. Stearns knows what he has on his doorstep and he’s neither going to block nor trade them. Besides, Bellinger’s bat will not play as well at CitiField as it does at YS.
agreed Stearns (and Cohen) are not foolish. they would give high AA. over three years (like 3/$120) before going long term. they have been clear about that
If thats the case he can settle for another 1 year prove it deal.
He wants seven years and already said no thanks to 5 year offer. Your plan would definitely fall short and already has. Need to offer at least 6 years at $30 million no deferrals if want him.
Who will give Bellinger six? Boras is not perfect and this is the one he could overplay his hand should the Yankees pivot. I don’t see another club giving five.
They may go five, but unlikely they top NYY offer.
Obviously Bellinger is trying to squeeze a 6th year out of the Yankees. If the current offer is 5/150 or 5/155, the 6yr offer should be like 6/160 or 6/165. Tell Boras if he wants the 6th yr for his client, its going to be less than $30M AAV
If iam the Yankees I stick with five at 150 and if another team offers more years than let him go. No other team will offer that. If than have he would have signed
Especially when you look at his home and away splits. He’s great at yankee stadium. About average outside of it.
No team is paying up the money he wants for that.
Spot on. Here are last year’s home/ road splits:
Home: .302/.365/.544 HR’s: 18
Road: .241/.301/.414 HR;s: 11
Agree….all of Schwarber, Alonso and Bregman got around 150-150M in present value. Don’t see how Bellinger is worth more than those guys.
Yankees would rather avoid the draft compensation & loss of international bonus, but Bichette or Tucker still are options.
Never: We all want a lot of things. I don’t see Bellinger getting 7 years ever so… I think he’s worth 5 with some form of option where he can be dumped at year 6 if need be. I’m sure he’ll keep looking for what he wants but when he’s ready to “settle” that’s the offer I’d present him.
He’s only worth what the market will pay him. He can want in one hand and crap in another and see which hand fills up faster.
A team option likely doesn’t add much. It wouldn’t feel like a 6 year deal to them, when their expectation would just be that the team would decline it. A mutual or player option would be more likely to get their interest, with a buyout for if the player opts in and team declines. Player would almost certainly want it to be as close to their choice as possible without just the team being able to decline, unless a significant buyout were attached.
A team option has negative value to a player
A mutual option as well
Don’t the NYY trust they have something in at least 1 of Dominguez and/or Spencer Jones to let those guys compete? They’ve both either had the untouchable label or only if it’s for an ace label on them past 2 to 3 years.
cws: Jones can’t make enough contact to be viable right now. If he magically fixes his approach everything else plays (power, speed, D). Dominguez is one of the least instinctual outfielders I’ve seen. He seems destined for a corner at best and he needs to learn to hit righty or drop the switch hitting. So neither are hopeless yet but you can’t count on them as starters if you’re trying to build a win now team.
@cws
I don’t think the Yanks are thinking of giving either Dominguez or Jones up if they sign Bellinger. Why? Grisham is only signed for more season and CF is the natural positions for both Dominguez and Spencer. Also, Stanton is only signed for 2 more years and is bound to get injured. All it takes is an injury for Rice (move Beli to 1B), Wells (move Rice to C and Beli to 1b), Stanton (opens up DH), Grisham or, God forbid, Judge and now you have a huge hole to fill. Keep them both and see what happens in 2026.
They’re keeping them unless needed in a trade. Dominguez looks like he can play MLB but he needs to improve. Jones is tantalizing but his whiff issue is crippling. Mlb will eat him alive even if he does run into 20 homers. Barring a massive improvement in his swing he seems to be 1 tool short of being a viable contributor.
KnicksCavs:
Your comment is pretty spot on, except the Dominguez CF natural position theory. His natural position should be DH
Tucker or Bust at this point in time. This is definitely some Bichette!!!
Hell no! Should reduce it to four years, take it or leave it
The only way Bichette, Suarez, or any other free agent goes to the Red Sox is if their market collapses and they need to accept a pillow deal.
I think this is the roster we take into ST, They might add a LH RP, but for the most part, I’d say the line up is set.
Breslow has let the market get away again and now they’ll have to pay top dollar (prospect) in any deal that will effectively improve the roster. He’s in over his head man. I get the feeling no team takes him serious… including his own bosses.
The worst part of all this is that Anthony, Mayer and even Crochet are going to HAVE TO exceed last years performances. Mayer, duh, but if Anthony doesn’t get to a 300/400/500 level, this lineup won’t be terribly difficult to pitch to. And Story has to stay on the field. And Romy has to hit RH pitching. And… And…
This roster is a mess.
Swan, Breslow is at fault? How? He’s given a mandate by ownership and actually has done quite well. I was not for firing Bloom nor DD before that but Breslow has done solid work getting trades done knowing free agents will use Sox offers to get larger ones elsewhere. Such is the system Henry wants.
Dewey – He’s set up to fail in the fans eyes. You’re not wrong in your assessment, but the team ultimately is not improving. The pitching staff look promising, but I’m not sure where the offense will come from.
And the hindsight of the Bregman-Devers saga makes them look totally inept and unprepared for 2026. Their two best hitters on opening day of 2025 are gone with barely anything to show for it and no replacements ready to go for 2026.
Maybe Theo can get in Henry’s ear and convince him to add Bichette to a young core that is primed to win for many years. Anything less than that, I’m not confident in their chances.
Swan — The Red Sox sign Bregman in ’25 when he was QO’ed. They give him a 3 year deal with player opt-outs each year.
He opts out (as all expected), then gets the deal he asked the Red Sox for in ’25 from the Cubs instead.
What did the Sox get in the end? Hosed??
The Red Sox FO seems entirely rudderless. It’s a shame, and as the Orioles have shown, relying on youth is massive roll of the dice (and arguably the Orioles have/had more young top tiered players/prospects than the Sox).
My point is just the Saux seem to be trying to do something that failed for both Blue Jays and Orioles in last 3 years…run a highly touted (but unproven) prospect lineup out in the AL East and hope for the best. (And Toronto and Baltimore had their guys stick in MLB (except Holliday) and not get sent back down like Sawx players last year).
“I dunno, Smalls, seems dicey” — The Sandlot
OsSayCanYouSee: “The Red Sox FO seems entirely rudderless.”
===============
It looks the opposite to me. They seem to have well-defined parameters for how they operate. They have a budget in mind. They don’t give out long, expensive deals to older players. They don’t give out no-trade clauses. They try to extend younger players before they hit free agency. They have a pitching philosophy. They seem to be very deliberate in what they are doing.
All in the suit — To be fair, they do give out No Trade clauses; Sale, Pedoria, a couple others. The budget they have in mind is well below previous levels of spending, acting like a mid-market team. Any Free Agent will see how Devers or Betts played out w/o no trade protection, and should seek some control. If Boston doesn’t wanna offer it, they’ll be loosing a lot of free agents, or at least, a competitive disadvantage in the market.
Locking up young players is not a Boston thing, that’s kinda a baseball thing.
Their deliberate philosophy seems to be deliberately trying to loose. No doubt the pitching is very good…but they play in the AL East, not the Central, so that lineup won’t cut it.
I’ve seen what a lineup of ‘projection’ Rookies in the AL East gets you, from here in Baltimore.
If either Mayer or Anthony miss a month of DL time…lot of eggs, small basket, something like that.
ZIPS indicates Anthony at 276 16 hr’s.obp 360. let’s hope they are wrong.
What happened to ‘The Red Sox should go no more than four years for Bregman’?
That quote was posted a few days ago on another MLBTR Bregman Thread and had well over 20 upvotes? Red Sox fans. want the biggest names on the market, yet want it done on the cheap. It makes no sense.
The team lost Bregman because the Cubs were fools. Boston’s “five year offer” was meaningless because with the ridiculous deferrals, they knew it would not be accepted.
This death and despair from Red Sox fans is so ridiculous. Top 5 fWAR rotation. A lineup with very few easy outs. Depth that is enviable. The idea that this team getting 2 great additions and 1 solid addition isn’t enough to be competitive is just silly. Yes, they could use 1 more bat in the lineup but that doesn’t mean sacrifice the ability to add during a long window to win by signing objectively stupid contracts in free agency.
No, Breslow is not going to do that and Henry has a budget and signs the checks.
A full year of Mayer and Anthony, Casas being stashed in Worcester, full seasons and more experience for Tolle and Early, etc. This team is really, really good.
FenwayFaithful — Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, Jordan Westberg, Samuel Basallo, Gunnar Henderson, Coby Mayo, Dylan Bevers, and Heston Kjerstad all would like to remind you that developing MLB players/All-Stars is not a straight line. Expect a learning curve.
I’d adjust your expectations, if I were you, since I’ve experienced similar rose-tinted glasses view the past couple years in Baltimore.
Add to the equation that Boston lost 2 130 OPS+ players in Devers and Bregman from last year and now have less protection for their young players to develop. Roman Anthony now has all of Bostons hopes on his shoulders… that’s ‘difficult’ to say the least. I’m sure Sawx fans will be forgiving and understanding when he doesn’t put up HOF numbers.
There’s time to add, and I’m sure they will, but they’ve taken a pretty big step back from last year’s offense…which wasn’t that great anyway.
As of this moment, I have Toronto as the top team, Baltimore second, and then NY, BOS, and TB battling out a distant 3rd/4th/5th places. (The Yankees 2 best SP come back 2 months into the season…and Baltimore was buried by then in ’25, so it’s hard to see NYY pulling away without a full season of Cole).
I dunno, as I see it anyway. At this moment in time.
Yeh…and everyone criticizes the Yankees for overhyping their prospects….Boston fans think every player on their team is a GG and Silver Bat finalist…..when in reality they hit well at home with the short right field porch and the Monster in left…..away…different story…..but don’t you know that they have the WS in the bag already……not
Anthony changes the lineup because he makes contact. The team needs both a true power hitter and considerably less strikeouts in total. If they look to fill the former, the latter likely increases. An out of the box move for second despite his glove shortcomings is to get Arraez and then trade Duran. A lot less total bases but Arraez won’t strikeout when the game is on the line in the bottom of the ninth.
I’m with you, the Sox are in a good place, could be better but it was never going to be smart to feel they had to make big moves just to make big moves. Rotation is strong at the top and lots of depth. If Tolle or Early shows up as legit, they are really set. Lineup may be a little light in power but will do plenty if pitching is top 10. You can always overpay in the summer if Mayer doesn’t take over 3rd well or 2B is dragging you down. Nobody seems to think Contreras will make a difference but he will.
I don’t know if I’d say they’ve taken a step back. Devers was gone early in the year, Bergman was great early, not great after coming back from injury. Anthony was gone for September. The futile offense at the end of the year needed to be improved…add Anthony back in, add Contreras, Casas returns. It isnt unreasonable to see how Mayer and Campbell grow from their first taste of the bigs and fix it at the trade deadline over panicking and giving out an unreasonable deal.
Rose tinted glasses are apparently too dark if you see the O’s second. I tend to wait to see what the roster is like in late March but other than Toronto, all other AL East teams in my view are a crapshoot at this point. Each has both good spots and remaining holes to fill.
Rocky you sound like the egotistical Yankee fan still living in the past. Look in the mirror pal just don’t stand next to Aaron Judge who can hit anywhere. Bellinger is example #1.
Rocky – Roman Anthony had a 0.807 OPS at Fenway. Away from Fenway? 0.910.
Their prospects do get more hyped up, just look at Campbell and even Mayer.
But Anthony’s the real deal.
The last thing the Red Sox need to do is panic. Bregman will not be worth the money… neither will Bichette or Suarez. The trade candidates I have read about (Donovan, Paredes) aren’t worth the prospects the Sox would have to give up. The bottom line is the Red Sox might not win the World Series this year, but over the next 3-5 years they have as good of a chance as anyone with the players they are developing. I am comfortable heading into ST with the lineup possibilities they have right now. Add another BP arm (J. Wilson?) or two and let’s see where the chips fall heading into OD.
swan – A full season of Roman’s .859 OPS would be fine with me, but I am certain he will exceed .900 if he can stay healthy.
Mayer has a low bar from last year, he will absolutely exceed it.
But Crochet? He came in 2nd for Cy, 6.3 WAR 2.59 ERA and 1.028 WHIP …. that’s his ceiling. He’s not Pedro …. nobody is.
There’s gonna be some injuries and regression (Chapman, Whitlock) but hopefully the improvement of other players will more than offset it.
I think the Red Sox improved the starting rotation. If Contreras’ bat roughly replaces Bregman’s bat, I think the offense is roughly where it was at the end of last season. So, they could use another bat. Hopefully, they get it.
If the starters truly improved, such should rest the relievers a bit more. Imagine if Chapman found the fountain of youth and has another amazing year. In hindsight, he and Crochet were co-team MVPs last year (yes Fever, last year now equals 2025 for all of us, LOL).
Crochet simply needs to keep being his awesome self. Tolle and Early will come to the rescue along with Sonny Gray. I like their rotation.
Bichette maybe, Suarez doesn’t have much of a market so far so getting him on a short term deal may not be that difficult
Rsox – I think after Bo signs some team will scoop up Suarez.
Probably. I don’t expect the Sox to sign either one
Not really … BoSox are competitive , have strengthened their roster and have a certain payroll flexibility which others don’t (as they have made their investments).
Are LAD in ? NYY ? Or Mets ? Because a quarter of the teams are rebuilding, another quarter already spent and a quarter or more don’t have the need. That’s the market – and do Suarez or Bo want to win now or when they’re retired . Breslow has built a competitor and that plays into the equation for pro players too.
Phillies sign Bichette. Then three team trade, Red Sox get Bohm, Twins get Jarren Duran and Phillies get Jeffers. Done
Stott and Bohm to Seattle for Montes
why would Boston ever trade away Duran for one year of Bohm? makes no sense at all
As a Mariners fan, I don’t Love either player but both would help and would lengthen the line-up and provide depth. I wonder if both would be available if the Phillies signed Bo. I can see BO playing 2nd base, but 3rd?? Phillies going to sign Eugenio as well?
Miller isn’t quite ready, but maybe Sosa takes 3rd until Miller is ready?
Got to agree with you there. Duran so much more valuable than Bohm.
Say no to drugs.
But not legal weed, correct?
bryce – Why on Earth would the Red Sox trade a 15.6 WAR player (since 2023) who has 3 years of team control remaining, for a 5 WAR player (over the same 3 years) who would be just a one-year rental?
Would have to be other pieces too obviously, just saying that’s a way to fill some holes for each team.
bryce – That’s fair, but the Red Sox have lost a huge amount of offense over the past 7 months and are looking for a bigtime hitter. Bohm doesn’t fit into that category.
Maybe the Sox will surprise us and sign Bichette in a panic move, similar to the Devers extension. Or maybe they sign Suarez.
Per Baseball Trade Values
Scott $7 million
Duran $46 million
Jeffers $13 million
Might want to go back to the drawing board on this one
Bohm was a serious non tender candidate. Red Sox aren’t taking Bohm in a deal that sends away Duran.
I like the idea of the Red Sox acquiring Bohm. Do you think the Sox would have to include Duran Duran in order to make it happen? I’m not familiar enough with Boston’s farm system.
rt
“Do you think the Sox would have to include Duran Duran”
BTV has Bohm’s trade value at $7 million
They have Duran’s at $46 million
No
Bohm doesn’t fit Fenway. At 10M he’s got zero excess value.
CG
“At 10M he’s got zero excess value.”
BTV has him at $7 million in excess value.
Why don’t you think he fits at Fenway?
Wow, and I thought I was smoking too much Kung Pao Chicken Kush Surprise!
If Davey D pulls that combo off, the Phils will get past the Dodgers.
Bohm has little to NO trade value… He was a borderline non-tender candidate. As a league average player, he is a bit overpaid.
Duran has high trade value.
Jeffers has much higher trade value than Bohm.
Great deal for the Phillies.
Horrendous deal for the Red Sox.
Very Good Deal for Twins.
What your missing is everyone wants controllable players that have cost control. The Red Sox would have to be getting something with Duran in that deal.
Sox aren’t trading Duran for Bohm. Ridiculous post.
The Batting Average Brigade is overrating Bohm because he hits for a good average. A lot of people are still hung up on that stat around these parts.
It is a rare ability that is under appreciated in the outmoded WAR.
Yanks & Belli are a matched set – they have to work something out. His value is higher to them than any other team because of that short porch in RF. Take a look at his numbers @ Yankees stadium vs road and you’ll see what I mean.
He was even better at Citi Field, but in only 11 at bats..
Right, smaller sample size.
I don’t see anyone offering him more than 5/$150M…
I don’t see getting more than 13 per year. Seems like only rays and pirates have any interest. Boom makes 10.2 i don’t see how play around contract structure because they have at last 80 million cleared next year.
If I were Suarez I’d take the pillow deal in AZ. He had a lot of success playing in the desert.
A pillow to what he’s getting up there
Id assume AZ is in on Suarez but with an offer that may be less rich than some of the others on the market, and in that way it is a pillow deal.
Boston should have to pay significantly more because the Red Sox are a mess of a team. Have to pay a premium to put up with all the BS that comes with playing in Boston.
I get what you’re saying but he’s about to be 35 and had a good year, he’s probably only interested in 2-3 year deals.
What mess of a team? They’re one of the better franchises in baseball and will be better than Arizona this year.
they are all jammed up for the second season in a row
Pillow deal? Just make it pillow and mattress he can be set up for the retirement village.
I think Bellinger is hurting his market or the Yankees have with that last gap rumor/leak. Now it’s either a matter of who blinks first or if their relationship has soured who moves elsewhere first.
With that and the Bregman signing, I think Bo’s market steps into focus more especially with today’s meeting. I have no doubt NYY and Boston may want a chat as well. Though I think the Sox are the better fit.
And Tucker? Good luck. I have zero idea how he scores a massive deal in this tepid market.
Tucker may be hoping the Jays have one last overpay in their back pocket with his name on it. If Bellinger doesn’t sign with New York, it creates a possible Yankee boogeyman that may prompt a bigger offer from Toronto.
Unless Bellinger were to actually sign with Toronto. At that point, Tucker’s market might actually collapse.
Ad a Jays fan i hope Bellinger doesn’t sign in TOR. He isn’t much away from Yankee stadium
As long as the Yankees have a standing offer or the ability to match one from another team, it’s in Belli’s favor. As shrewd as Boras is, he doesn’t burn bridges with ballclubs.
Salzilla: Tepid market? Bregman-$175 million; Cease-$210 million? Bichette-$200+?; Valdez and Suarez will both sign for well over $100 million each. It’s only the middle of January.
Bichette hasn’t signed yet, and Bellinger is having a hard time so far.
Cease was very early on and it took Bregman this long already.
The Japanese stars all going for undermarket value.
There’s still A LOT of FA’s on the market.
It’s a slow lukewarm offseason for sure IMO.
The Dodgers or Mets will pony up for Tucker. He’ll get more than these other guys, as he should.
The Mets aren’t going in on another massive contract. Shorter term? Sure. I could see the Dodgers doing it more, and had them in the contest.
Phillies need to just bite the bullet, sign Bo, resign JT. Figure out trading Bohm, Casty, and Walker later.
Red Sox might have some interest in Bohm, since they failed to retain Bregman.
They’re over 300M no? You’re talking 80M with the LT penalties. All 3 of those guys have huge negative values.
I think the Phillies need starting pitching more than Bichette.
It’s a sort of odd market really.
Jays, Orioles and Cubs sort of put a wrench into the way the market developed and so you have a set of FAs still thinking about long term deals when most of the clubs are thinking shorter term deals.
Valdez and Suarez are looking at Cease as a comp, which holds up the second tier.
Bregman getting an overvalued trade (even with deferred), has Tucker, Bellinger, Bichette looking at a few teams who have shifted their mindset to 3 year deals (Mets, Yankees, maybe Phillies after Schwarber, Dodgers perhaps, Boston, Giants). Padres, Mariners…Certainly Brewers, Tigers, Cleveland, KC, are likely out on the big names.
It’s been an interesting offseason, especially for my Mets, but should shake up a bit toward late January.
First off, Bregman wasn’t a trade. And his signing has absolutely no impact on those other guys you listed. They play a different position, plus Bo and Tucker are going to get long-term deals, it’s only a question of where they will sign.
I still think Tucker ends up in Toronto. As a Cubs fan, though, I have to say there is something off about King Tucker. When healthy he’s a good hitter but he seems like an odd bird. Very quiet, no leadership qualities at all. And when he came back from that injury he was so terrible it made no sense. I don’t like to start rumors, but something else was bothering him, maybe still hurt, something in his personal life or perhaps the pressure of trying to finish strong, who knows. But a hitter like him to be that bad just did not make sense.
Correct. It was an auto add or change word. Obviously it is a FA contract signing based on the context of the rest.
Position is not the essence of what I am saying. The trend was contract length and that ties them all together no matter the position. Alonso and Bregman getting 5, Cease 7 has created a bit of an impasse that may or may not result in longer contracts from the bigger budgets.
Bellinger is likely to be overpaid, regardless who signs him. It’s just a matter of by how much. I think the Yankees would rather have Bellinger at a fraction of the price of Tucker, but Cashman doesn’t seem set on a huge spend. The thing about both players is they both undeniably good, but neither one has a huge market at the price they ask.
I think that Paredes is going to have a good market, especially after Suarez signs.
Nico Hoerner, Ketel Marte, Brendan Donovan, Matt Shaw, Matt Chapman, Alex Bohm respectfully disagree with you. (Im not saying every one of these players are available, but any of them could be moved)
Once Bichette and Saurez finds homes, it doesnt leave too many contending teams in need of a 2nd or 3rd baseman.
Paredes may have a market, but Houston has a thin farm and many expensive veterans likely to decline. Houston may decide to keep him.
Astros would like to keep Paredes, but have an infield logjam.
What’s 7 years to the Mets when they just gave Soto 15? Could be the dark horse to nab yet another yankee
l_c
“What’s 7 years to the Mets when they just gave Soto 15?”
What does Soto have to do with Bellinger?
Precedence. That Cohen is not adverse to signing positional players to long-term contracts.
disagree. Soto is a generational talent signed at age 26.
And that was not in Stearns MO. Cohen had a large impact on that decision negotiating directly with Boras. It was apparently exhausting dealing with Boras back to back. He’s out this year. He’s leaving it to baseball people.
Also, that was brought on by the euphoria of ‘24. Stearns is not giving a 30 year old a 7 year, and maybe not a 5 year.
Jdawg
The years don’t matter!
The total contract value matters.
For the same value, the team would rather have the player for longer.
The years do matter JUJH. That’s why they swapped out Nimmo for Semien, went two with Polanco and Weaver and three with Devin Williams.
Stearns likes short term. For flexibility and value. Stearns is all about valuing future performance versus Boras advertising past value.
Jd
“Stearns is all about valuing future performance versus Boras advertising past value.”
Yes. Stearns and Boras have two competing objectives.
Boras wants as much money for the players as possible. Stearns wants the least money for the players as possible.
Shorter contracts doesn’t really mean more flexibility. Shorter contracts means higher AAV, which means you get to the CBT sooner and have less flexibility each season
Correct. But that doesn’t mean Stearns is signing long term contracts. He doesn’t do it except in very unique circumstances (Soto and Yelich).
The math you use is correct, but it doesn’t matter, because they aren’t going longer than three or four years. I will admit my wrong it if they do, but I think there is zero chance that they go five years with Bellinger.
If I was guessing, I’d say they avoid Boras clients this winter.
I think Suarez would hit well in Fenway. Right handed pull power with the Green Monster?
Lifetime Fenway stats…
.425/ .477/ .800 in only 10 games? 4 homers 14 RBI. Why so few games in Fenway? That’s weird for a guy with 12 years of major league experience.
With the price set at $35M/season with Bregman deal, that will be the demand from Bellinger and Bichette with Tucker at $38M or higher. I expect to see 7-10 years eventually for all 3. Jays??? Offer $300M to Bichette, 1st 5 years at $35M, 2nd 5 years at $25M, with $50M deferred. Last 5 years for Bichette will probably be DH/LF as his mobility declines
He wants more than Bregman. He is not worth more than Bregman. 5 for 160ish is about what he should be aiming for. hes’ not getting his 7/260 that he wants.
Duquette & Bowden made interesting points yesterday on potential Bellinger signing
Duquette – Bellinger had good seasons the 2 out of 3
Bowden – Bellinger had bad seasons 4 out of last 6 seasons. His 1st season with Cubs then they had to pay part of his salary when he was traded to the Yankees
Bowden – can’t see any team signing him for 7 years at $30-35M. Don’t believe any team will offer anymore than 5 years. If Bellinger has an offer on the table from the Yankees he better take it
Bellinger’s injury history, track record for past 6 years & ridiculous demands (Boras) causing concerns for teams
If Bellinger doesn’t sign soon he may have a long wait – even might have to settle for shorter deal with high vs AAV & opt-outs
BOSTON Breslow, offer 7/210 or a max 8/240 for Bichette not a nickle more! F Boras BS. 1 opt out in year 3 if 7yrs, year 4 if 8 years. No no trade clauses. If he says no, move on, grab somebody else on a much shorter deal 2 yrs max so as not to block our prospects coming soon. SAVE YOUR MONEY FOR SKUBAL and go all in there whenever or however possible!
Skubal wants a no trade. Sorry Boston.
If the Yankees are in the upper tier of the luxury tax, shouldn’t they prefer to stretch Bellinger to 7 years to lower the luxury tax hit? Like the LeMahieu contract. There must be a way to get the numbers on 7 years to the point where the actual money they have to pay to have him on the roster is about the same as the 5 year deal when you factor in the tax bill.
Depends if Hal would be open to cutting Belli if necessary in the last two years. He rostered DJL way too long and it costed them flexibility and games. Same for Aaron Hicks.
Yeah. That’s a factor I guess. When you’re signing players that deep into their careers, you have to think of the back end as just financing terms for the period that you really want the player and know full well they aren’t expected to be major contributors if they even contribute at all in those last couple of years. Just feels like these two sides should be able to figure something out.
If not the Yankees, I’m calling a surprise Giants overpay at 5-6 years. They love to make one big splash. But unless you see the Yankees actually replace him, they are still in the favorite.
Bohm is an about league average 104 OPS+ player…
He could be a decent bench player if he has versatility, but is overpaid for that role…
But he has a shiny batting average.
Red Sox acquire:
– Nick Castellanos RF (1/$20M)
– Alec Bohm 3B (1/$10M)
– Weston Wilson UTL
– Felix Reyes 3B/1B (#31)
– Alex McFarlane RHP (#18)
Phillies acquire:
– Jordan Hicks RHP (2/$25M)
– Wilyer Abreu RF (control thru ‘29)
Boston needs RH bats, especially a 3B to replace Bregman (Bohm). Philly sells Boston on the fact that Castellanos is a gamer, never injured and comes with a wealth of post season experience. Casty could handle RF at Fenway and slide into the 5 hole in between Durran & Yoshida. Phillies insert Wilyer in RF, Adolis Garcia becomes the RH corner OF’er to complement Abreu and lefty swinging Brandon Marsh. This allows Boston to balance their LH heavy lineup with 2 RH bats that should be plenty motivated in a contract year. Also gives them more financial flexibility heading into 2027 and beyond.
Another team the Phillies could potentially deal Castellanos to, is the Houston Astros. They have a big hole in LF and have used Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve out there, among others in recent years. Houston has the smallest LF dimensions in MLB, so even Casty can cover some ground down there. Houston also has the worst ranked farm system in MLB, so adding some prospects to the deal and taking back their worst contract (McCullers) – makes some sense. They are also reportedly looking to shed a few million in salary to potentially acquire a player prior to the trade deadline.
Astros acquire:
– Nick Castellanos RF (1/20M)
– Alec Bohm 3B (1/$10M)
– Jose Alvarado LHP (1/$9M)
– Andrew Baker RHP (#35)
– Aroon Escobar 2B (#5)
Phillies acquire:
– Lance McCullers RHP (1/$17M)
– Josh Hader LHP (3/$57M)
– Jake Meyers CF (1/$4M)
Astros shed a few million from the ledger for 2026 and open up about $40M beyond ‘26. They trade their worst contact for the Phillies worst contract, simultaneously filling needs for both teams. Cuban born Aroon Escobar becomes the Astros new #1 prospect, and future replacement at 2B for franchise icon Jose Altuve. They have an in house closer in Bryan Abreu. Phillies get a 5th starter to keep the rotation spot warm for Zach Wheeler, due to return sometime in May. They also add a high contact/low K rate GG caliber CF’er, to take some pressure off Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford. This hypothetical trade would form the deadliest R/L back of the pen duo, since Rob Dibble and Norm Charlton.
This is the type of blockbuster I think the Phillies need to make, to make all the pieces fit together nicely.
The Astros deal makes some sense. The Red Sox deal is way off. There is no way they are trading a very valuable Abreu without getting something of real substance back. Those years of control and gold glove defense are worth a lot more than rentals and support pieces.
Thanks for the feedback. Figured if the Phillies were willing to take back Jordan Hicks’ $25M, it could be a possibility. Hicks was thee worst pitcher in MLB last year.
If it were 2023 or 2024 they might do that Red Sox deal as Bohm is farther away from free agency. Yoshida may also have to go to the Phillies because it is an extra year or two of control of Abreu.
After coming off a playoff appearance in 2025 and shedding the Devers contract salary dumping isn’t as much a priority. The fans are already revolting because of a second off season or promise and no delivery of any FA or player of substance.
1. Bichette is not an ‘impact’ bat as the article suggests. He’s a good hitter, better than average with a good swing, but he is not an impact player.
2. Bichette is young to trend toward DH but that may be where he’s heading. He’s not an SS, He’s played 10 innings at 2b, or stood there more accurately. It’s doubtful he has the arm for third or the range/arm to play the outfield.
3.. His salary demands are totally out of line for what he brings, which suggests to me he heads back to Canada because that club is used to overpaying to get players to go there, and the timing will be perfect for Bo because they will have been embarrassed when Kyle Tucker takes far less of a guarantee in order to not have to play in Canada.
4. Even assuming Bo can play 2b, looking at existing 2b salaries he maxes out around 22.5 for 4 years, which would give him 90M. At most, 5 yrs. 112.5. The Toronto club might end up giving him $200M for 7 when Tucker turns them down.
Agreed man….Canada is not the magnet draw that the press and commenters have made it to be….so its plausible that the Blue Jays do have to make up the difference to attract talent…..after all, it is a foreign country even though the game is played there…..different lifestyle, taxes, etc…..
@rocky7
I missed where the press made Canada a magnet draw for MLB free agents. Please provide your source. I won’t hold my breath.
Breslow, wake up bud. Put on a fresh quarter zip and spend some of that money you saved by losing both of your 3Bs.
Breslow may be operating under a tight budget.
Still not sure I see or like the fit for Bichette but we cannot go into next season essentially running it back so…whatever.
I’m a Phils fan too and Bichette bat on ball approach is precisely what we need. Our lineup is way more dangerous with Bichette than JT.
We definitely need more bat to ball guys and guys who can have “professional” at bats, but I’m just not sure Bichette is the right guy for what it’ll cost.
As a Sox fan I have zero faith this ownership will get us the star this lineup needs.
As to Bellinger’s return to NYY it’s Boras & Company tactics as usual. Cashman can call Boras’ bluff by getting an offer out to Tucker or another FA outfield impact veteran player to stir things up and move this along but he’s willing to play some more cat and mouse with other fallback options eg: Dominguez, Jones early promotion… NYY can “get by” and make it to the post-season with the talent already on board, however this comes down to for the fans’ sake either making a reprisal outfielder FA splash or committing to doing what’s right by focusing on pitching prospects bottom line is this: NYY pitching staff still has the most unanswered questions.
If Belli isn’t worth more than $30 million a year (yikes they’re greedy) what makes you think that Tucker is worth $35-40 per year…..he’s a overhyped very good player but……sorry don’t see him as a difference maker in a lineup…..
Unless Tucker lost his luster somewhere along the way since his playing days in Houston, I have to say he was quite the nemesis whenever he came to bat in the Bronx or was making dazzling plays out in that vast outfield space. The guy can play for sure and while I don’t suggest the yanks outbid themselves to get him (they won’t) but if Belli/Boras insist on their hard- headedness then Cashman has leverage in presenting Tucker with a solid offer if it means getting a deal sealed with Cody AS offered. Tell me Judge would scoff at welcoming Tucker’s talents in that outfield. I think not. Come on Bellinger—Boras needs to get off the schneid! How many more times is the guy going to be happy about moving his family all the way across the country again?
No one is taking Bohm at $10.2 million
I disagree. Bohm has an excellent approach at the plate, doesn’t strike out much and dramatically improved his D at 3B. His all fields approach in the 5 hole has led to multiple 90+ RBI seasons, despite the lack of 25 HR power. There is a lack of high quality, everyday 3B around MLB. If you look at most team’s rosters, 3B is usually their biggest question mark. Bohm can also handle 1B and comes with a large sample size of post season experience as well.
It’s essentially a one year contract for Bohm. Every small market team would love Bohm on a one year deal. He also plays a decent first base.
The lesson from the off season is most teams won’t go beyond 5 years. They will add opt outs and other things to make it work but 5 seems to be the cap.
The Red Sox are dumpster diving. If they can get a deal they will get a guy like Suarez or make the trade. Odds are they have their team. They are going to sell Gray as a legit #2, Contreras as that big, middle of the order bat, go with Mayer at 3B and try Campbell, Gonzalez, Hamilton or bounce Rafaela between 2B and CF.
The fans aren’t going to buy it or that they improved the team. Then they will blame the fans like last year that they never made any promises and the uncertainty of the new labor deal.
The Sox offer to Bregman was apparently $165M, albeit with some deferral. Together with last year that would be a total of $205/6, which is a pretty pricey ‘dumpster’. Hyperbole much?
Cease is the only FA that got beyond 5 years. Bregman, Alonson, Schwarber and Naylor got 5. Everyone else got less than 5.
Last year’s contract was three running one year contracts with Bregman’s option to opt out. They had $80 million committed to 2026 and 2027 if he opted in. This mean all they had to do was add three years and $95 million to the back end and guarantee it and he resigns. That is market rate when you look at the other contracts. They passed.
They will not pay market rate for a big market team. This is why they are the only team that hasn’t signed a free agent this off season.
Well, the deal came with deferrals over decades which he was not interested in as well as it not coming with a no trade clause. Bregman wanted stability and no massive deferrals. And as a Sox fan I’m 100% certain that Breslow didn’t listen and followed “team policy”. That team policy has turned them into being cheap and dumpster diving. The only good thing Breslow and Henry have done over the past 6 years was get Crochet. Which how they run the team I’m honestly shocked we even got him
To me Bichette is the best free agent for this hot stove year. After the year he had last year, coming back to hit. 300 and driving the ball all over the field, in addition to his clutch World Series performance playing an unfamiliar position and the fact he is still 28, I feel that all teams should do whatever it takes to sign him. I used to think Tucker was that guy, but he isn’t. The injury concerns and the length of his healing time are red flags make me feel like that way. Tucker is a gamble that can reward a team for signing him. He has all the talent to be the best free agent this season and I love the fact he is Lefthanded and can do a good job against Lefties. The key to signing Tucker is to ensure he gets periodic days off and gets occasional starts at DH.
The knock on Bichette is that he’s bad at defense. Tucker is the better all-around talent with a skillset which ages better. Both have injury concerns.
You can’t play Bichette anymore at SS, unless there is an injury and you don’t have a halfway decent replacement for him. I would stick him at Second Base and just enjoy having a his bat in the everyday lineup.
Defense kind of doesnt really matter. At least not compared to offense. If its that bad shift him to 2B
Fantasy leaguer!
No. Real life. Ask yourself why Front Offices across the league shell out money for guys like Juan Soto and not guys like Brendan Ryan
There must be many Angels fans who silently wish the Halos would sign Kyle Tucker. He has been a total Angels killer throughout his career, not only at the dish, but also in in rightfield. He has made some great plays in Right against the Angels. He plays a steady consistent rightfield. His bat would fit in perfectly with the plethora of right-handed bats that make up the Angels roster.
After the Rendon Fiasco, besides the fact they don’t want fork out the money to sign him, but they have seen first hand the excessive amount of time it takes him to heal. They desparately need a quality Lefthanded bat in the outfield that play great defense, but isn’t that what everybody needs?
IF bellinger had any other Agent he would be a yankees right now at 5/150. My guess is he signs with someone else for 2 or 3 years with opt outs after each season something like 2/60-65 3/85-92. Boras is smart but not always right!
Hopefully the Yankees pivot soon and whichever team is negotiating with Bellinger will know that the Yankees are out. That will make it very hard to get seven years from a club bidding against nobody.
Bellinger should be happy to get 5yrs / $150 million.
Interesting in another article that Bregman, see what Boston did to Devers, wanted a full no trade, probably esp with Boston. Chicago said yes, Boston lost.
@The real
Bregmans contract is the no trade provision. If he plays poorly, and Cubs try to move his contract, they will find that out. When the Cubs have their FA exodus at the end of this year, and $100MM comes off the books, and they discover $100MM won’t come close to replacing what they lost, Bregman will find his trade request won’t get him out of finishing his career in a rebuild.
In a swap of contracts that no longer look as good as when they were signed, the Sox should trade Yoshida to the Angels for Soler. Soler’s defense is unplayable in the OF, but to get ABs he needs to play there with the Angels because Trout is the DH. While Yoshida’s defense isn’t good, it’s closer to adequate than Soler’s and, most important, he’s a lefty bat and the only other Angels regular who is a lefty is Schanuel. The Sox get a righty power hitting DH. Some dollars would have to change hands to make it equitable — Soler is signed for one more season at $16 million, while Yoshida is owed $18.6 million for each of the next two seasons. The Sox don’t really want Soler, but at equal dollars he’s better for them than Yoshida and the reverse is true of the Angels and Soler.
BL
BTV trade value
Yoshida $-26 million
Soler $-7 million
Yoshida expected to provide $10 million in field value over the next 2 seasons
Soler expected to provide $6 million in field value in the upcoming season
This is one of the most reasonable trade ideas to be posted here. Nice work.
Bichette to the Yanks as a stopgap SS until he changes to 2B or other. Volpe would then be OUT of a job.
With the Red Sox spring training starting in 29 days, we are very busy trying to find the right players for 2b and 3b. We are also still trying to sort out what we’re going to do with our four starting outfielders. And we are now into our second year of trying to find a role for Yoshida, since we’ve come to realize he is a platoon DH that offers little defense and no speed. And since we gave Kristen Campbell an 8 year $60 million dollar contract last year, we feel obligated to find him a role, although we realized too late that he can’t play second base defensively and we already have too many outfielders. Trust us, we’ll get it all sorted out before Opening Day.
We know the pitching will be better
don’t blink yankees
love belli but 5 years is plenty
Tucker is way better than Bellinger anyway.
The next week or so should be interesting of who goes where now that Bregman is off the board.
If the Jays can’t snag Tucker this week, a smart play might be going after Bellinger for something like 6yrs and 175-185mil. It’s a relatively comfortable mid ground on him seeking 7yrs and Yanks offering 5.
Call me crazy, I like what Breslow is doing.
Sign Ranger Suarez or Framer Valdez and we can add a hitter at trade deadline or trade for Paredes