A year later, Soto has the stage all to himself, but chose to take himself off the board early. The outfielder signed the largest contract in the history of American team sports Sunday, beating Ohtani’s $700 million deal from last offseason.
Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets late Sunday night, per multiple reports.
Soto was the biggest name of the offseason, but he wasn’t the only impact player available. Even after Blake Snell and Willy Adames found new homes in the NL West, the free agent class still includes Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, and Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki.With those names on the market and other players available via trade, it could be an especially active handful of days as MLB’s decision-makers meet in Dallas.
The Sporting News is tracking the latest news, rumors, and transactions from MLB’s Winter Meetings. Follow along with the action below.MORE: Juan Soto signs the biggest deal in MLB history
MLB Winter Meetings 2024: Latest news, rumors on signings and trades
Cardinals confirm they want to trade Nolan Arenado
- Date: Dec. 9
- Source: Cardinals president John Mozeliak
Cardinals president John Mozeliak told reporters in Dallas that the team will “try” to trade 3B Nolan Arenado, though a deal isn’t expected during the Winter Meetings.
At least three “mid-market” teams have inquired about Arenado, The Athletic’s Katie Woo reported, with the Yankees interested as well.
Mets ‘would love’ to re-sign Pete Alonso
Mets president David Stearns said Monday that the team “would love” to bring back free agent Pete Alonso even after adding Juan Soto.
“Pete’s been a great Met,” Stearns told reporters at the Winter Meetings. “He had some enormous hits for us, and we’ll see where that goes.”
The Mets still have a hole in their infield if Alonso isn’t brought back, as Mark Vientos can play either corner infield position but Brett Baty is currently the best in-house solution if Vientos has to move to first base. Alonso is one of the top power bats available on the open market.
Tigers interested in Paul Goldschmidt
The Tigers are expressing interest in former Cardinals 1B Paul Goldschmidt, according to Jon Morosi. Goldschmidt is just two years removed from an MVP season, but his production dropped off in both 2023 and 2024. The Tigers could use another power bat, however, and a change of scenery could give Goldschmidt at least a brief renaissance at the plate.
Red Sox “might immediately be prioritizing” Alex Bregman
Boston missed out on Soto, which means they may have turned their efforts towards Bregman instead. If the Red Sox do add Bregman, the veteran would likely move off third base to second base, as Rafael Devers currently holds the third base spot in Boston.
Tigers to sign Alex Cobb
The veteran Cobb was injured for most of 2024, he did make three starts for the Guardians in the regular season, which led to him getting playoff starts for Cleveland. Detroit adds him to a rotation that needs help after Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
Four teams interested in Jonathan Loasiga
The Yankees, Mets, Rangers and Mets are all reportedly interested in Loasiga, who missed most of 2024 after getting UCL surgery in April. The longtime Yankee has been one of New York’s best relievers, but he has struggled to stay on the field in recent years.
Cubs “making progress” with catcher Carson Kelly
Chicago appears on the verge of adding the veteran catcher to the team. Kelly split last year between the Tigers and Rangers, producing a .687 OPS in 91 games.
Yankees and Red Sox “heavy” on Max Fried
After Soto signed with the Mets, the Yankees and Red Sox must pivot, with Fried one of the biggest free agents on the market. Both New York and Boston have reportedly spoken with Fried, and one of the two may come away with the former Braves starter.
Padres manager expects San Diego to be “in the mix” for Sasaki
Padres manager Mike Shildt was very open about the team’s desire to sign Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki.
“We fully expect to be right there in the mix and at the end of the day have Sasaki a Padre,” he told MLB Network Radio.
Sasaki was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines on Monday, and can begin negotiating with MLB clubs on Tuesday.
Tigers interested in Walker Buehler
Detroit is reportedly looking for pitching help, and has Buehler on the team’s radar. Petzold reports that the Tigers are looking for pitching help to pair with AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, with Buehler an possibility.
Phillies to sign reliever Jordan Romano
Romano was a stalwart in the Blue Jays bullpen from 2020 to 2023, collecting 97 saves with an ERA under 3.00 in that span. However, last year, Romano struggled due to injuries pitching in just 15 games to a 6.59 ERA before Toronto non-tendered him this offseason. The reliever will help the Phillies fill in a bullpen that may lose Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez in free agency.
Brewers “still engaged” with White Sox about Garrett Crochet
Chicago is likely to trade their young ace this winter, with many teams showing interest in making a deal. Among those teams appears to be Milwaukee, who is coming off a second-straight seasons as the NL Central champions.
Trading for Crochet will be difficult, as it will take a large prospect haul to be able to land the left-handed starter. Still, the Brewers may be willing to put a competitive offer on the table to get a deal done.
Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox have “strong interest” in Anthony Santander
After missing out on Juan Soto, the three AL East teams now seem ready to pivot to Santander, the former Orioles outfielder. Last year, Santander hit a career-high 44 home runs while making his first all-star game.
Santander and Teoscar Hernandez are the two outfielders who should benefit from Soto being off the board, as it isn’t a surprise that the teams who didn’t sign Soto are now interested in both those players.
Roki Sasaki is officially posted
The Japanese pitcher is officially coming to the United States, as the Chiba Lotte Marines posted Sasaki. MLB teams will now have 45 days to negotiate a contract with him, a window begins on Tuesday and ends on January 23.
At 23 years-old, Sasaki becomes the youngest free agent on the market. In four seasons in Japan, Sasaki totaled a 2.02 ERA in 69 games.
Dodgers ink reliever Blake Treinen
The Dodgers made multiple moves Sunday night. After signing veteran outfielder Michael Conforto, the team also brought in reliever Blake Treinen on a two-year, $22 million deal.
Treinen, 36, spent his last four seasons with the Dodgers. He’s put up a 2.29 ERA over 149 2/3 innings since joining the club.
Juan Soto signs largest deal in team sports history
Soto, 26, started the Winter Meetings with a bang, signing a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets on Sunday night. It’s the richest deal in MLB history, topping the $10-year, $700 million contract signed by Shohei Ohtani last offseason.
The move gives the Mets arguably the best hitter in baseball, as Soto has put up an impeccable .288/.419/.569 slash line over his career. He’s a four-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger and already has one World Series championship under his belt.
Since Soto was the biggest prize on the free-agent market, it’s possible his signing gets things moving. Burnes, Fried and Bregman remain the biggest names on the market now that Soto signed. They should all draw plenty of interest from teams with Soto off the board.
Dodgers pick up Michael Conforto on one-year deal
The Dodgers signed an outfielder Sunday, just not the one everyone was waiting on. Los Angeles inked veteran Michael Conforto to a reported one-year, $17 million deal.
Conforto, 31, is coming off a season in which he hit .237/.309/.450 with the Giants. He’ll move to a better ballpark with the Dodgers, and a team known for getting the most out of its veterans.
Red Sox plan to pursue Teoscar Hernandez as backup plan
The Red Sox “intend to pursue” former Dodgers OF Teoscar Hernandez if they can’t land Juan Soto, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Hernandez, an All-Star and Home Run Derby winner in 2024, is also reportedly a target of the Yankees and Dodgers, pending Soto’s decision.
Tigers showing interest in Ha-Seong Kim
The Tigers have shown interest in former Padres SS Ha-Seong Kim, according to the Detroit Free Press’ Evan Petzold. Kim was a target of the Giants before Willy Adames agreed to a deal with San Francisco.
Kim is coming off a tough year ended by an injury, but his excellent glove was complemented by a breakthrough bat in 2023. The Tigers could signal that they’re ready to be aggressive after a surprise postseason run by adding Kim, though there is no indication a deal is in the works.
