Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:
1. Posting Windows closing for Okamoto, Takahashi:
The posting windows for infielder Kazuma Okamoto and right-hander Kona Takahashi are both set to reach their conclusion on Sunday at 4pm CT. That means both players will need to sign before then if they’re going to make the jump from NPB to MLB this year. Okamoto is the bigger name of the pair and is all but certain to sign a contract; he’s been connected to the Padres, Angels, Pirates, Cubs, Blue Jays, and Red Sox to this point in the offseason and could make sense for plenty of clubs as a corner infielder who has shown off an impressive blend of power and discipline throughout his NPB career. As for Takahashi, the righty reportedly has at least one MLB offer on the table but might still choose to return to NPB rather than play in the majors, which would be an understandable course of action if said MLB offer is for less than what he would make by remaining in Japan. Takahashi is viewed as more of a back-of-the-rotation arm in the majors, with less upside than countryman Tatsuya Imai.
2. Astros 40-man move incoming:
Speaking of Imai, the right-hander reportedly reached an agreement with the Astros yesterday on a three-year deal that guarantees $54MM and affords him the opportunity to opt out after the 2026 and ’27 seasons. That deal has yet to be made official, but is all but certain to go through later today given that Imai’s posting window closes at 4pm CT. Before the deal can be finalized, however, Houston will need to create room for Imai on the 40-man roster. This could be done by simply designated a player for assignment, and that’s the most likely course of action in order to do so. With that said, however, the Astros could theoretically also try to work out a minor trade that creates 40-man roster space, as the Dodgers did earlier this week when they traded outfielder Esteury Ruiz to the Marlins for a prospect not yet on the 40-man.
3. DFA limbo coming to a close:
The New Year has passed, and the baseball world figures to start kicking back into normal offseason form in the coming days. That means the waiver wire freeze that took place over the holidays should be coming to a close in the near future. As such, ten players who have been in DFA limbo will see their situations resolved in the coming days, whether that’s by way of an outright to the minors, the opportunity to elect free agency, or a waiver claim by another club. MLBTR’s Darragh McDonald took a look at all ten players in limbo last week, including former top prospect Marco Luciano and 2024 Guardians playoff hero Jhonkensy Noel. What’s next for this collection of players?
Trade Enyel De Los Santos!!!
To who and for what???
Any takers?
For cash considerations/international bonus pool/or lottery ticket
Or maybe JP France will have more takers.
The team that could really use both France and de los Santos is Houston. Solid rotation but 4 guys in their rotation have durability questions. They’re going to need to have quality pitching depth.
Which 4 do you say have durability questions?
Javier and McCullers are returning from injuries and should have inning limits (arm-imposed). Imai is undersized and adjusting to MLB. You’re probably looking at 100-120 innings out of all 3 being a good thing. Burrows could go 160-180 but has never gone over the 135 he threw last year. Gonna need 200-300 innings from guys who aren’t top 5 in the rotation even if they stay relatively healthy.
Mentioning McCullers Jr. in the rotation means that Astros are trash or everyone is injured and he some how is not. Javier is fine, Imai, just limit the innings in the first few starts to go. Also, there are other options that I like better. AJ Blubaugh, Jose Fleury, Ethan Pecko, Ryan Weiss, and more are guys that I would love to be on the mound before France.
De Los Santos production can be found within our system, we should’ve signed him to a split deal. Same with France, and he isn’t quality pitching depth now that he’s out of options. Prove me wrong.
Imai threw 167 innings last year. Why would they cut him down to 120 innings?
Prove you’re right.
Javier was healthy to finish the year. Imai has averaged 164 innings per year the past 3 seasons. Burrows will be limited to 160 innings, per Dana Brown. LMJ is not being counted upon for anything in 2026, same as the past 2 years.
Was he in a six man rotation? It might matter.
To the Red Sox straight up for Jordan hicks..))
That doesn’t clear a roster spot.
“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
Both Japanese players are probably holding out til the last minute hoping to get a better offer. No one is getting the real long term ones this off-season, especially those with no experience in MLB.
No one is handing out long-term contracts this offseason with the CBA looming. Dylan Cease has been the only one to get his long-term deal. Alonso and Schwarber got their bags but the years aren’t crazy.
so effectively, Imai’s contract allows him to go back into the market after each year if he has a good year and wants to see if he can grab a better contract with Houston or any other team? but if he is overmatched, they are stuck for 3 yrs? I bet that was the sticking point for other teams and why he signed for such much shorter a period and total dollar figure than expected.
Wise move by his camp.
Basically Tyler O’Neill’s contract plus like $5M. Sobering when you compare Imai to him. lol
The CBA in 2027 has to play a role in some agent/player/FO calculations. If you assume the layer is going to get locked out and not paid, the work stoppage/opt-out thing might be really interesting
After 40+ days I’d say they know their offers / options. I don’t see a mystery team jumping in on day 44 overwhelming with a great offer. These teams do too much due diligence to operate that way.
An offer could just as easily disappear because of a different MLB FA accepting a deal.
Obviously, until they sign anything can happen (good or bad) in theory.
Happy New Year. Only 38 days until spring training starts.
Anyone else remember when Esteury Ruiz stole 67 bases in a single season for Oakland?
Can’t steal 1B
Most teams associated with the foreign players are the big market teams that have not really been affected by the decline of newspapers/reporters. More media means more rumors. These players have pretty well kept their negotiations private. Probably a condition they gave their agents (even Boras). Pittsburgh has been the exception. Even big market teams, like NYY and NYM, were linked to Imai, though they never showed interest. Are these still considered rumors when there is absolutely nothing to support them? Face it. We will know when they sign, and all the speculation is random.
Miles Mikolas is waiting
GO SEAHAWKS!
Who Dey?
We Dey!
Go 49ers!
Hey, I respect the heck out of the 9ers and Shanahan, and I could live with a loss knowing it won’t eliminate us…but regardless of all that, winning is the name of the game. It will be an epic game whatever happens!!
Go Bears! It’s been so long since I can say that lol
@Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Seahawks look like they’re going to win the Super Bowl. Let’s hope Seattle has something to celebrate in February.
DFA Limbo gives new meaning to “how low can you go?”
The Cubs might have shown interest in either.
Roddery Muñuz is a good catch & release candidate after being selected in the rule five draft from Cincinnati. He has a career 4.76 ERA in the minors and an MLB career mark of 6.73.
Expendable
Kona to SF?