MLB free agency is cruising right along, with many of the big names, including Juan Soto, off the board. But some impact players are still available, and the trade market has been active.
Here’s a quick look at where things stand so far this offseason:
Reports: Roki Sasaki down to 3 finalists, won’t sign with Yankees, Giants, Mets, Rangers, Cubs
Roki Sasaki, the No. 2 player on Yahoo Sports’ Top 50 free-agent rankings, reportedly won’t sign with the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs or Texas Rangers, according to multiple reports on Monday.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Sasaki’s three finalists are the L.A. Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays. According to The Athletic, the Blue Jays hosted Sasaki for a visit last week.
The international signing period opened Wednesday, and now Sasaki is free to sign with an MLB team. He has until Jan. 23 to make his decision.
Dodgers stay active with Gavin Lux trade, Hyeseong Kim signing
The Dodgers traded second baseman Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for outfield prospect Mike Sirota and a Competitive Balance Round A pick (around No. 37). The move came a few days after Los Angeles signed former KBO infielder Hyeseong Kim to a three-year deal with $12.5 million guaranteed. The contract has a two-year option for the 2028 and 2029 seasons that could allow the deal to be worth as much as $22 million.
The 25-year-old Kim, who played the past six seasons with the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes, was the first player from South Korea and Japan to be posted this offseason and has been training in Los Angeles for the past month.
Corbin Burnes signing with Diamondbacks
Corbin Burnes is headed to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and it wasn’t cheap.
The 2021 Cy Young Award winner agreed to a six-year, $210 million deal with the Diamondbacks, which includes an opt-out for Burnes after two seasons.
Because Burnes, Yahoo Sports’ No. 3-ranked free agent, turned down a qualifying offer from Baltimore, the Orioles will receive draft pick compensation from his new team.
The contract is the largest in Diamondbacks history. Burnes, who lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, will pitch for the local team after reportedly turning down offers from the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays.
Required reading:
Follow along with Yahoo Sports as we track all the rumors, signings and more during MLB free agency:
Live118 updates
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Yankees make a trade
The New York Yankees today announced that they have acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Michael Arias from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 15, 2025
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Roki Sasaki’s decision imminent as international signing period opens
One of the most highly anticipated and unique free agencies in Major League Baseball history is nearing its conclusion in the next week or so. Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old, right-handed pitcher whose generational talent has been revered in his native Japan since he was a teenager, will soon decide where he will begin his big-league career.
A process that began in earnest when his NPB team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, posted him on Dec. 10 has gradually unfolded over the past month, with the entire baseball industry eagerly awaiting his decision and the potential fallout. With his window to sign officially opening Wednesday and extending through Jan. 23, Sasaki has reportedly narrowed the field to three finalists: the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays.
If you haven’t been tracking each and every plot point of Sasaki’s free agency along the way, don’t fret — it’s not too late to get caught up and prepare for his entrance into the MLB universe as one of the most intriguing characters of the upcoming season.
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Sasaki meeting with Dodgers again
The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes are down to just three teams: the Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays. According to The Athletic, the Dodgers are getting one more meeting with Sasaki on Tuesday, which will reportedly involve “several of their star” players.
The international signing period opens on Wednesday, at which point Sasaki will have eight days to sign with a team.
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No Sasaki for Cubs
Source says Cubs have been informed they are out on Roki Sasaki
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) January 13, 2025
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Sasaki sweepstakes down to three teams
The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes is down to just three teams. The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays are the three finalists to land the Japanese star once the international signing period opens on Wednesday. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, we should have his decision shortly.
The finalists for Japanese star right-hander Roki Sasaki are the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays, sources tell ESPN. Sasaki will decide on his team by the closing of his posting window Jan. 23.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2025
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Mariners sign Donovan Solano to 1-year deal
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Mets, Rangers also out on Sasaki
With the international signing period opening Wednesday, Roki Sasaki is narrowing down his options. His camp has reportedly informed the Mets and Rangers that he will not be signing with them.
The Mets have been told they are out on Roki Sasaki.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 13, 2025
Roki Sasaki has informed Rangers he will be signing elsewhere, per person familiar with process.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) January 13, 2025
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Yankees also not getting Roki Sasaki
Source: The Yankees have been told Sasaki will not be signing with them.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) January 13, 2025
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Giants out on Roki Sasaki
Giants have been told Sasaki is not coming to SF.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) January 13, 2025
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Roki Sasaki meets with Toronto Blue Jays: Report
According to a report from The Athletic, the Blue Jays hosted prized free agent Roki Sasaki for a meeting in Toronto ahead of his impending signing deadline.
The international signing period opens Wednesday, at which point Sasaki is free to sign with an MLB team. He has until Jan. 23 to make his decision. The Dodgers, Rangers, Cubs, Mets, Padres and Mariners are also believed to be in the running for Sasaki’s services.
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Reliever Jorge López joins Nationals
López had an eventful 2024 season, as he was DFA’d by the New York Mets after he was ejected from a game and threw his glove into the crowd.
He moved on to the Chicago Cubs and had a solid finish to the 2024 season, recording a 2.03 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 26 2/3 innings pitched with the Cubs.
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Jeff Hoffman gets 3-year, $33 million deal from Blue Jays
The molasses-slow reliever market got some movement Friday, as former Philadelphia Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman signed a three-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. The deal is reportedly worth $33 million, with $6 million in incentives.
Hoffman was drafted by the Blue Jays and then traded as one of the prospects in the Troy Tulowitzki deal in 2015. He has moved around since then, finding success in the Phillies’ bullpen, with a 2.28 ERA in 118 1/3 innings across two seasons.
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Orioles agree to one-year, $10 million deal with reliever Andrew Kittredge
Reliever Andrew Kittredge has agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Kittredge’s contract reportedly includes $9 million guaranteed and a $9 million club option with a $1 million buyout.
Free-agent reliever Andrew Kittredge in agreement with Orioles on one-year, $10M contract, source tells @TheAthletic. Kittredge’s guarantee includes $9M in salary and a $1M buyout on a $9M club option.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 10, 2025
Kittredge spent seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals ahead of last season. The 34-year-old reliever finished 2024 with an ERA of 2.80 across 70 2/3 innings for the Cardinals.
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Why are the A’s finally spending in free agency?
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Tigers, SP Tarik Skubal work out 1-year, $10.15M deal
Skubal, the 2024 AL Cy Young Award and Triple Crown winner, avoids arbitration. The 28-year-old left hander went 18-4 for the Tigers last season with a 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 228 strikeouts.
AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year, $10.15 million contract to avoid arbitration, sources tell ESPN. Skubal gets a big raise in his second time through the system. He’ll get one more try before reaching free agency after 2026.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 9, 2025
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Dodgers trade Diego Cartaya to Twins
The Los Angeles Dodgers traded catcher Diego Cartaya to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jose Vasquez, the teams announced.
Cartaya, 23, is a former top catching prospect who spent the 2024 season between Double-A and Triple-A, posting a .221/.323/.363 slash line in 95 total games. Vasquez has spent the past two seasons in the Dominican Summer League.
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Could Nolan Arenado finally be on the move?
After he reportedly blocked a trade to the Houston Astros a few weeks ago, Nolan Arenado is reportedly more “open-minded” to waiving his no-trade clause to more teams, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. The Boston Red Sox seem to be a top destination.
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A’s All-Star Brent Rooker agrees to $60M extension
A’s designated hitter Brent Rooker has agreed to a five-year, $60 million contract extension, according to multiple reports. Rooker, 30, slashed .293/.365/.562 with 39 home runs, 11 stolen bases and 112 RBI in 2024, all career bests. He was an All-Star in 2023.
Brent Rooker
A’s$60M/5+opt 2030
Bonus – $10M
$2M – 2025
$6M – 2026
$12M – 2027
$13M – 2028
$17M – 2029Club option 2030 — $22M
Option vests if: 900pa 2028-2029, 500pa 2029 OR (1st-10th MVP) twice 2027-2029
2030 BASE INCREASES BY: $2M each 1st-5th MVP, $1M 6-10 2025-2029
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 9, 2025
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Justin Verlander to spend 20th MLB season with Giants
Justin Verlander, who will be 42 during the 2025 season, reportedly agreed with the San Francisco Giants on a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The deal is worth $15 million, per multiple reports.
BREAKING: Right-hander Justin Verlander and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a one-year contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. The future Hall of Famer, who turns 42 next month, will spend his 20th season with the Giants.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 7, 2025
Verlander is not the pitcher he once was. He was borderline unusable in his 90⅓ innings in 2024, scuffling to a 5.48 ERA and a career-low strikeout rate. While the three-time Cy Young has been vocal about his desire to pitch until he turns 45, it’s hard to ignore a fastball that continues to lose velocity.
The Giants are surely hoping Verlander can find some return to form in San Francisco next season. He joins a staff that features 2024 All-Star Logan Webb but lost two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell to the rival Dodgers in free agency.
Read more here.
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Scott Boras has shown so far this offseason that he still has his fastball
Agent Scott Boras has had a much better offseason this year, including Juan Soto’s megadeal with the New York Mets. (Photo by DAVID DEE DELGADO/AFP via Getty Images) For the first time in years, Scott Boras entered the MLB offseason under a thundercloud of skepticism and scrutiny.
Last winter, the game’s most notorious and most successful agent had himself an absolute stinker — that is, at least, by his supersonic standards. Boras’ four major free agents in 2023-24 — Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery — all emerged with deals well below expectations. The timing of their signings, too, was far from ideal. At the outset of spring training in mid-February, the entire so-called “Boras Four” remained free agents. That timeline seemed to negatively impact both Snell and Montgomery in the early going of the 2024 season.
It was, unequivocally, the worst free agency of the super-agent’s accomplished career. Equally revered and reviled around the game, Boras seemed to be losing his fastball. Whispers percolated around the industry about whether the 72-year-old could still hack it. Montgomery ditched Boras as his representation, publicly criticizing the agent for his handling of the starter’s disastrous experience on the open market.
One glance at Boras’ imposing, star-studded client list for free agency 2024-25 — Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, Pete Alonso, Blake Snell, Alex Bregman — and the pressure was squarely on the agent to prove that he was still the game’s most influential powerbroker.
Well, so far this winter, Boras has proven that he’s still a force to be reckoned with. January is less than a week old, and thus far this offseason, Boras Corp. has earned its 12 already-signed clients a whopping $1.45 billion in combined guaranteed contract money. That, according to Jon Becker of FanGraphs, accounts for 57% of the total league spending so far this winter.
Read the full story here.
