Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today:
1. Movement on Tucker’s market?
Outfielder Kyle Tucker’s market has moved more slowly than the top free agents of recent offseasons. Players like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge had all already signed by this point when they were on the open market. There’s been at least some smoke with regard to Tucker of late, however; the Blue Jays have seemingly stepped up their pursuit of the offseason’s top hitter. Adding Tucker would be a crown jewel on a banner offseason for Toronto, transforming the middle of their lineup with the addition of a lefty slugger who can complement Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and balance a lineup that leans heavily right-handed. Toronto isn’t the only known suitor for Tucker. He’s been at least loosely connected to teams like the Mets and Dodgers, although Los Angeles would primarily be interested in a shorter-term deal.
2. DFA resolutions continue:
As we move further from the holiday season, the players who were left in DFA limbo during the league’s holiday pause continue to find resolutions. Yesterday saw Justyn-Henry Malloy traded from the Tigers to the Rays, while the Cardinals scooped up Justin Bruihl from the Guardians. Today figures to see more players’ situations resolved. In particular, lefty Josh Walker, outfielder Wade Meckler, and former top prospect Marco Luciano all appear likely to either be claimed off waivers or outrighted by their current clubs today. They were all designated for assignment two days after Jhonkensy Noel and Joey Wiemer. Noel and Wiemer were both claimed off waivers Monday.
3. Will Bregman find a long-term offer?
After opting out of the final two years and $80MM remaining on his contract with the Red Sox, third baseman Alex Bregman re-entered free agency hoping to land more long-term security this winter. That path worked out for the other big bat from last winter’s class who settled for a short-term deal with an opt-out, as Pete Alonso landed in Baltimore on a healthy five-year guarantee. It’s been unclear if there was something similar in the cards for Bregman throughout the offseason. Bregman was receiving real interest from Toronto, but the team’s recent Kazuma Okamoto signing makes it more difficult to see a fit between the two sides. He’s also drawn varying levels of interest from the Cubs, Tigers and D-backs. Some recent rumors have suggested the Red Sox are getting more aggressive in their pursuit of Bregman. Will that be enough to net him the long-term offer he covets, or will another suitor like Chicago or Arizona need to step up its efforts in order to get him there?
I think Tucker is going to end up a Dodger or a Blue Jay.
Tucker to the Mets, Bregman to the Yankees.
Yankees are never going to offer to Bregman. (Cheater)
Yankees literally had Marwin Gonzalez who benefitted more from the trash cans than anyone else. Yankees front office doesn’t care.
Cashman typically pulls a surprise out of his hat and I just don’t see Boston giving the length Boras and Bregman want.
When was that? Also Jake Marsnick benefited the most.
Yep, nobody cares about the trash can stuff anymore except for a few idiot fans on the internet.
Nobody cares.
I won’t say a few, I would a LOT. A very much LOT.
Yankees ought to.just go.ahead and sign Bo, Tucker, Bregman and that other outfielder….
I mean…what the hello?
They are the Yankees…..
There is something seriously wrong going on in this country…..everybody seems.to be effing up… top to bottom!!
What is going on?????
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Yankees ought to.just go.ahead and sign Bo, Tucker, Bregman and that other outfielder….
I mean…what the hello?
They are the Yankees…..
There is something seriously wrong going on in this country…..everybody seems.to be effing up… top to bottom!!
What is going on?????
Yankees are after Bellinger. If for some reason thay don’t get him, I think they pivot to Bichette.
I know the narrative is that the Jays are after Tucker, but it would be an interesting pivot if they got Bellinger instead. He’s only 1 year older than Tucker, they’re both lefty hitting outfielders, and Cody has more positional versatility which Toronto seems to love these days. His year over year performance is a little more volatile than Tucker’s, but that’s why he’s expected to get lower money and fewer years.
Last season, Bellinger put up 5.1 bWAR to Tucker’s 4.6. His best can be just as good as Tucker.
I don’t expect it to happen, but it would sure be a monkey wrench in the Yankees plans, because if they don’t get Bellinger, Tucker doesn’t seem to be in their sites. I agree that Bichette would be the likely pivot for them and would leave the NY outfield weaker than last season.
Thinking if no Bellinger, they get Tucker on a 5 or 6 year deal with an opt out or two. Bregman or Bichette aren’t likely for the Yankees.
I actually see Bichette in a Sox uniform when the merry-go-round ends.
Does that mean Yankees don’t get Belli ?
@Ignorant- It’s certainly a possibility my man. I think Belli is most likely coming back to the Yankees. The problem right now is the Yankee are offering 5 years, and Boras is asking for 6 or 7 years. Boras is also asking for $30-35 million annually, and the Yankees right now are offering $25 million yearly. Thinking $150 million for 5 years get it done.
I’m thinking both Bellinger and Bregman end up in pinstripes on similar given year deals.
If Tucker ends up with the Dodgers, it’ll probably be like a three-year deal with opt outs each year at a high AAV.
@Acoss …and a lot of deferred cash, no doubt.
Tucker to Blue Jays feels right.
Why not? They’ve bought everyone else. Might as well get him and Bo at the same time.
If the Dodgers sign Tucker there’s no point to watching major league baseball anymore.
I disagree with that.
Wrian Washman
Did you watch baseball last year? Because last off-season many said the same thing. You would have missed an exciting season and postseason.
Stop watching it already.
I think offering Bregman a 5 or 6 year contract would be Ridiculous.I think paying him for his age 36 and 37 age years even age 35 is not good.
brinx – I totally agree! They build him up like he’s Pedroia … he’s not Pedey, not even close.
FPG…Alex is listed at 5-10 and Pedey 5-9…. So it’s very close!!! Hope you had a great Christmas and enormous New Year!!!
Pedroia was no taller than 5’ 7” max. I met him in person; he was very short, probably closer to 5’ 6”. Bregman is a legit 5’ 10”.
olm – Hope your holidays were great too! Sad news about Diane Crump though.
I stood right next to Pedey during a Winter Weekend, this article is accurate …. he’s 5’6″-5’7″ :O)
bleacherreport.com/articles/225096-dustin-pedroias…
FPG… your knowledge of The Kings sport is amazing! Thanks for filling my head with another piece of trivia that would possibly even impress the 50 year club of Derby goers that my rookie brother( 44) goes with… as for the laser show I love his remark at papi’s roast being to short behind podium!!!LOL… for what it worth. Charles Barkley was listed as 6,6-6-7 . He was within 10-15 feet of me early in his career. I’m a legit 6-4/6-5 depending on hair and I was like Andre the giant to him…
brinx:
“I think offering Bregman a 5 or 6 year contract would be Ridiculous.”
Youre basically saying you dont want the Red Sox to get him. Because, there is no way he signs for 4 years, unless the AAV is extremely high and has several opt-outs.
I just hope the Cubs don’t sign him, rather have Shaw. But the idiot will probably give Shaw away
Has anyone else offered him 5 years? We may be going to a Dallas Keuchel situation in which one, or both, of Tucker and Bregman, go into the regular season unsigned. I don’t think either of these guys are long-term $40M players. You’d think Bregman would have grasped this by now. Fried got a long-term deal at $31.5. Are either of these guys that much better than Fried?
I’d argue an mlb players peak batting years is when they are low to mid 30’s
No, it’s actually 25 to 29.
I agree on Bregman, hopefully Boston gives him 7yr. / 200M.
I think guys like Tucker and Bellinger are getting a rude awakening this off-season. Cody should know actually, he’s been here before.
I think the off-season is playing out exactly the way they hoped and they’ll get most of what they want.
It will be Tucker to the Blue Jays and Bregman to the Red Sox. Tucker isn’t going for a shorter deal like the Dodgers would offer with higher AAV. His time is now. Bregman is the best fit for the Red Sox. Boras is playing the Ref Sox against themselves again. The World Series will be a rematch. The Blue Jays will prevail, due in large part to the Tucker deal. The Yankees will miss out on another year of Judge”s prime. The Yankees are busy this offseason doing nothing. The Blue Jays will take out the Red Sox in the AL championship series. Once Tucker signs with Blue Jays, then all of us can take the time that we normally follow baseball during the regular season and clean out our garages instead. It’s crystal clear to me.
“Boras is playing the Ref Sox against themselves again.:
How? Red Sox are playing the waiting game, and as Bregman’s suitors disappear, Red Sox are gaining leverage by having several options still available them. They could sign Bichette, Saurez or make any of several trades.
lol.
Always a top notch response.
“lol”…is that supposed to be a reaction, a rebuttal, or just a snarky placeholder? Did you run out of time to write anything further?
Reaction. Not that I answer to you.
You’re a good sport kid.
How are the Blue Jays affording Tucker when their current payroll is already well above where they were last year? Remember at their current luxury tax threshold they are paying double what his annual salary is.
Perhaps the organization sees the taxes as a cost of doing business.
You have to spend money to make money, and I’m certain they made a boatload on last year’s playoff run, so maybe they’re wiling to spend more to further increase regular season fan interest as well as increase the odds of further playoff revenues.
@ Boodge – Toronto has over $80M coming off the books after 2026, so they can spend huge this year and pay the tax amount for being over the $300M CBT threshold. In 2027, they can get below the tax line altogether and reset it.
Yes they have money coming off the books, but most of it is for current important useful players on the roster. So they need to be replaced which will cost considerable money.
The Jays have made it clear they can go above payroll for special players. They had approval for Ohtani, Yamamoto and now Tucker.
Plus its only for a year. They have $80M coming off the books at the end of the year.
Moreover, they made somewhere in the range of $100M just in the playoffs last year.
Finally, Toronto/ Canada will go nuts if the Jays get Tucker and are seen as favourites. TV viewership and merchandise will increase during the regular season, people from across Canada will go to Toronto for games in the revamped stadium, etc. Rogers knows exactly what they are doing here.
Perhaps they see that $70M is coming off the books next year and they are likely to let all 4 of those guys walk. So its a big investment this year but works itself out next.
Crystal clear that Tucked aka Mr. Glass is going to be hurt at least half the year, probably sitting out 2 months with a hangnail. Swing and miss. I watched his last year at Houston and only one with Cubs. He’s good when on the field and not dealing with a nagging injury. Alas, for him those days are dwindling quickly.
Joel Sherman said he is seeing Jacoby Ellsbury vibes with Tucker. I think signing him long term would be a huge mistake for the Jays. Albatross City.
joe – If the Dodgers don’t acquire anyone else, I don’t see them making the WS. Too many older and declining players. Who could beat them in the NL? Depends on what shakes out the remainder of the offseason.
Fever
Friedman said in a winter meetings MLB Network interview they have a position player they want, but would require some waiting. No idea who it is, but they aren’t done.
@JoeRobbins Are you insane?! You must be living in some crazy world in that head of yours. Do you really think I’m going to clean out my garage?!!!!!
Too funny Expat. You must not be married sir.
Joe,
Being married won’t make you clean the garage. The before and after picture for my garage is identical.
But these days I’m happier not cleaning it, because the voice saying I should clean it is only coming from inside my head.
I think it will take a 4 year deal to get Bregman. Any deal longer than that will be rife with issues at the end. Seems like teams are shying away from the back loaded deals that will pay these guys at the end of their careers. Arenado is a perfect example of how poorly these will age.
I would juice up a 3-year deal for Breg and tell him to take it or leave it. (3/100) As far as Boston is concerned, it’s hard to decide who needs who more. They need a bat and he’s a good fit in the clubhouse. He needs long term security. Tough call.
Someone will come out of this looking less-than-great. I’m curious what Boston’s Plan B is if/when Bregman walks.
I totally agree with you at 3 years for 100 so you will only be paying him through his age 34
Plan B-Mayer plays 3B and they begrudgingly trade Tolle as headliner for Marte to be 2B?
AZ isn’t settling on a pitcher that won’t sting the buyer.
Bregman and Bichette don’t want to bet on themselves with their propensity for injury….clubs may only go 4yrs max security (no opt out games).
While I would be on board with Marte, I don’t want to see more arms being shipped out. It’s definitely a begrudging decision. If they went that way, I would rather it be Tolle than Early.
Or… they could just remember they print money at Fenway and sign the younger Bichette and plant him at 2B for the next 5-6 years. Mayer to 3B and they get to keep Tolle/Early/Harrison. LFG Breslow! There’s your plan.
He just walked away from a 2-$80 mil deal.
I doubt 3-$100 is what he’s hoping for. He could have just played out the 2 years in Boston then hit the market again. I’m sure he’d be offered more than 1-$20 mil. but maybe not.
Bregman walks away from 2-$80mil…. Astonishing amount of money for a cheater
Yeah, and he needs long term security – like 80 M over 2 years has no security for the poor guy. what a joke!
I think he already has financial security and is just trying for the most money he can get now.
Can you imagine if regular employers did that, “I’ll double your salary but I don’t want you here when your old”…
oppo – 50 years ago they made a movie about that called Logan’s Run.
This should just go to show you that no one cares about his “cheating.” Except for dumb fans who still talk about it in the comments
Ahhh your tender feels got all twisted up??
Tucker, DFA? What? Are the Pirates picking him up?
I read same thing at first.
My hold out hope is Bregman holds out for long term contract (like 5-6-7 yrs) and doesn’t get it. He goes unsigned into the start of the season and the Tigers come in with a 1 yr./$35 million with 2-1 yr. player options at $30 million.
He has a great year and gets the Tigers to the WS and he opts out again. Tigers lose Skubal at end of ’26 as well…then Detroit has money to spend on extending the rest of their crew.
Why would the Tigers want Bregman?? We have Wonder boy Zack and Wonder boy Matt Vierling. Tigers love their middling lineup options. Like Scott said, “the names will be the same, but the players will be different.”
Run it back with the same roster; lose Skubs.
Terrible management in Detroit.
Tucker should shake up ghe world n go to Tampa of Pittsburgh
Tampa is where he’d fit the best. Pittsburgh also but their other position players are worse than Caminero, Aranda and Diaz
Bregman did the Sox a favor, they need to find a shortstop and ride or die with Meyer at third.
What about 2B?
Story can play 2B.
Mayer is their future shortstop as that is his natural position. They also have Arias in the minors who should be ready when Story’s contract is up. They also have Soto who is very young (17) but a very talented SS too. They are covered at SS for quite some time unless Mayer gets hurt badly and Arias washes out.
They also have Mikey Romero, he’s the 6th ranked prospect in the organization. Lots of depth at shortstop in the farm system..
Matt Clapp got it right about Tucker: He has talent, but he just doesn’t come across as the proverbial straw that stirs the drink. He is more of a supporting player in a good lineup than a star. Everything has to be perfect for him to succeed: health, timing, even weather conditions or stadium factors (he has his favorites). With the Cubs last season, he seemed irked, annoyed with the high expectations. His body language and facial expressions revealed his discomfort.
Someone else called him “five tools lite.” That is exactly right.
I suspect he’ll wind up with the Dodgers, and be fine there–content to play second fiddle to others who are more comfortable carrying the load.
With each Tucker comment you make, you’re just showing how out of touch you are with baseball here in the 21st century. None of the stuff you mentioned will have any bearing at all on the decisions made by the baseball executives who are making offers to Tucker.
The Phillies outfield is a hot steaming pile of dung yet the so-called baseball “writers” make up a rumor about the Phillies being interested in Dante Bichette instead.
Dante is a bit old these days to be a factor.
I think Philly is the mystery team this year. I think they’re hanging around on Tucker and Bellinger. A stud OF is what they’ve been missing for years. I’d be confident that DD has told their agents to call him before they accept any offer. Seems like it makes too much sense.
Plus, I had Belli to PHI in the FA contest. I need some help there…lol
The Phillies certainly are not getting that push are they? Tucker and Bellinger are like “Captain Obvious” for the Phillies yet among baseball “writers” a non-existent thought.
Soon….
ALL OF THE FAT BOYS WILL SUFFER FROM THEIR OBESITY!
THEIR FANS WILL ALL DIE OF HEART FAILURE!
SIGN THOSE.BAZZILLION.DOLLAR.CONTRACTS! YOU.GO!
I don’t see John Henry going 6 years with Bregman. From Bregman’s point of view he already had 2/80 in the bag. If Boston goes 4/130 2 more years at 25m each), or at max 5/155 3 more years at 25m each, that maybe is the sweet spot but I’m guessing Henry won’t go there..
Bregman got greedy and now he’s not seeing the same market as last year, Tigers aren’t chasing him like they did. Without that crazy 6 year deal out there, he isn’t as valuable to every other team. He was crazy to opt out of the Red Sox deal, he’ll be lucky to find another team to offer him close to that.
What a hoot ! Is this going to be the eternal question ?
My guess is Tucker to the Jays and they will make another move of trading Varsho for a reliever.
I actually feel bad for Bregman….
I’m sure that will clear up once.he signs.for money than I’ve ever seen…..