Top News:
New York Times:
Juan Soto bidding reaches $600M, MLB sources say; process of eliminating teams underway — LOS ANGELES — The floor for Juan Soto is $600 million. — The bidding for the free-agent MLB outfielder has surpassed that amount, according to two people briefed on the negotiations who were not authorized to speak publicly.
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Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Source: Superstar Juan Soto nearing decision on free agency — LOS ANGELES — Juan Soto's much-hyped free agency is nearing its final stages, with a source familiar with the process opening the possibility that the star outfielder could pick his destination by the end of this week — before the start of the annual winter meetings.
Discussion:
Camden Chat, Dodgers Nation, Yahoo Sports, Battery Power, BVM Sports and NESN.com
MLB.com:
Soto favorites have emerged, and rumors are flying. Let's discuss — Mets? Yankees? Red Sox? Blue Jays? Mystery team? — While many free agents have yet to come off the board, nearly all of the attention is on 26-year-old outfielder Juan Soto, who by this time next week might have signed a new contract.
Discussion:
NESN.com, Amazin' Avenue, Sports Illustrated and BVM Sports
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
MLB teams interested in Clay Holmes as a starter — including the Mets — Add one more potential starting pitching arm to the free-agent market. — A few teams are inquiring about Clay Holmes transitioning from the bullpen to the rotation, including the Mets, a source told The Post.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, AZ Snake Pit, MLB Trade Rumors, Pinstripe Alley, Battery Power, New York Daily News and Yahoo Sports
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Jayson Stark / New York Times:
The Golden At-Bat rule could give MLB a new shine. But is it worth it? — When the commissioner of baseball speaks, we listen. — So we were listening a few weeks ago when Rob Manfred stopped by the podcast of Puck's John Ourand and dropped this giant breadcrumb about a rule change …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Purple Row, Climbing Tal's Hill, OnPattison, New York Post, Yahoo Sports, cubsinsider.com, Bleeding Yankee Blue, Chicago Tribune, Bluebird Banter, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Plain Dealer, Battery Power, Toronto Sun, NESN.com, New York Daily News, Pinstripe Alley and Royals Review
New York Times:
Farhan Zaidi talking to Dodgers about front office role: Sources — The Los Angeles Dodgers are talking to their former general manager and ex-San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi about returning to the organization, league sources told The Athletic on Tuesday.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, MLB Trade Rumors, NBC Sports Bay Area … and BVM Sports
Ken Rosenthal / New York Times:
What I'm hearing in MLB free agency about potential Juan Soto dominoes and more — Call them the Soto Dominoes, the free agents that will fall once free-agent outfielder Juan Soto picks his next team. The impact of the Soto signing will be profound and far-reaching not only for the bidding clubs …
Kiley McDaniel / ESPN:
The trades we want to see at MLB's 2024 winter meetings — Open Extended Reactions — Baseball's winter meetings start on Monday, and while there's plenty of buzz surrounding this year's free-agent class, led by Juan Soto, the trade market could prove to be just as exciting.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, OnPattison, Sporting News and NESN.com
Darragh McDonald / MLB Trade Rumors:
KBO's Kiwoom Heroes Post Hyeseong Kim — 10:41pm: The Heroes announced that the posting window will open at 8:00 am Eastern on Thursday. MLB is evidently waiting until tomorrow to formally notify teams about his availability. Kim will have until 5:00 pm Eastern on January 3 to sign (X link via Yoo).
Discussion:
WI Sports Heroics, Last Word On Baseball and Covering the Corner
Brady Farkas / Sports Illustrated:
Seattle Mariners Reportedly Taking Disappointing Stance on Second Base Heading into 2025 — The Mariners do have internal options at second base, and they appear primed to use them rather than making an aggressive move to better the position in 2025. — According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Lookout Landing
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox agree on 1-year deal — Veteran reliever Aroldis Chapman and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a one-year, $10.75 million contract, sources told ESPN, bolstering a Boston bullpen in need of a power left-handed arm. — The deal, which is pending …
ESPN:
Sources: Cubs add Matthew Boyd to rotation on 2-year, $29M deal — CHICAGO — The Cubs have added Matthew Boyd to their rotation in their first big offseason move, agreeing to a $29 million, two-year contract with the veteran left-hander, sources confirmed to ESPN amid multiple reports.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, New York Times, MLB.com, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bleacher Nation, Sporting News, Marquee Sports Network, Plain Dealer, cubsinsider.com, UPI, Last Word On Baseball, Yahoo Sports, Lone Star Ball, ClutchPoints, Chicago Sun Times, MLB Trade Rumors, baseballmusings.com, Reuters and BVM Sports
