2025 MLB free-agent rumors: Cubs want to trade Cody Bellinger?

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MLB free agency is here!

Similar to how last winter was defined by the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes, this offseason will revolve around another generational superstar: Juan Soto. The 26-year-old slugger is coming off a career year with the New York Yankees, having also helped the Bronx Bombers get back to the World Series for the first time in 15 years. Now, he's likely to sign a huge deal that figures to span the next decade-plus.

But where? The chatter has already begun during this week's GM meetings. Soto is not the only big fish on the open market, of course. There are plenty of other top-tier free agents, including ace pitchers Corbin Burnes of the Baltimore Orioles and Max Fried of the Atlanta Braves as well as New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.

And as Soto himself knows, after being dealt to New York from the San Diego Padres last offseason, there could always be landscape-shifting trades made this offseason.

Follow along below for the latest news and rumors!

Juan Soto

Hal Steinbrenner dishes on Yankees' first Soto meeting

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner discussed the team's prospects of keeping Soto on Wednesday, shortly after a delegation including Steinbrenner, general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone traveled to Southern California to meet with him. Steinbrenner expressed confidence that his franchise has "the ability to sign any player" they "wanna sign," according to FOX Sports MLB Writer Deesha Thosar.

He did, however, refrain from answeringe a question about his confidence level in the Soto sweepstakes.

Steinbrenner also said Soto asked about the team's player development process in their meeting earlier this week, similar to questions he reportedly asked the Red Sox in his meeting with them.

"I just think he didn’t really spend any time at our player development complex," Steinbrenner said. "He’s asking this about all the clubs, I’m sure. He just wants to know about the different systems, the different players, the pipeline, and all of that."

Phillies in on Soto as Dodgers meet with star OF

The Soto sweepstakes are officially on. The Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Yankees Mets are among the teams who have already held their first meetings with Soto, with the Los Angeles Dodgers next up to meet with the superstar on Tuesday. The Philadelphia Phillies will also reportedly meet with Soto this week, and at least one other unnamed team has met with him as well.

Toronto and Boston each made "impressive in-person presentations" to Soto, the New York Post reported. The Mets, meanwhile, had a "very detailed" meeting with Soto that was considered to be a "big production," while Soto's meeting with the Yankees also went "very well" according to the New York Post. Soto reportedly asked the Red Sox about "the team’s commitment to winning, player evaluation methods, and Fenway Park and its facilities" according to MassLive.com.

All of Soto's meetings with teams thus far have taken place at agent Scott Boras's headquarters in Newport Beach, California. The San Francisco Giants have also been linked to Soto, but there haven't been reports of either team meeting with Soto to this point. Both the Giants and their rivals in Los Angeles have been viewed as long shots to land Soto. ESPN reported that while the Dodgers are interested in the 26-year-old superstar, they "won't chase after Soto" if a bidding war for his services emerges as expected.

The Blue Jays were a dark horse to land Shohei Ohtani last offseason before he signed with the Dodgers last winter. It was previously reported that they're "highly motivated" to add a superstar, but their struggles over the past two seasons and inability thus far to sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a long-term extension may give Soto pause, per The Athletic.

The Phillies have shown an ability to get a deal done with superstar Boras clients in recent years, most notably with the 13-year, $330 million deal they signed Bryce Harper to in 2019.

But Yankees and Mets have long been viewed as the favorites to land the 26-year-old superstar. In fact, they're the two clear betting favorites to sign Soto.

Corbin Burnes

Pair of favorites emerge for Burnes

Baltimore is interested in retaining its ace, but it faces some pretty steep competition in order to retain him. The Dodgers, along with the Orioles, are viewed as the two teams that "stand above the others" to sign Burnes this offseason, MLB Network reported. Burnes has received "broad interest" around the league as pitching-needy teams like the Red Sox and others have also reportedly expressed interest in the righty.

Burnes had another All-Star season in his first year with Baltimore. He went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA, 181 strikeouts and a 1.10 WHIP, making him a finalist for the AL Cy Young and earning a spot on the All-MLB first team.

The Orioles, who finished second in the AL East in 2024 after winning the division in 2023, would obviously like Burnes back as they traded for him to get a top-of-the-line pitcher. The Dodgers already have a few arms they've heavily invested in, but they dealt with numerous injuries later in the year that caused them to start relievers in playoff games.

Blake Snell

Pair of high-profile clubs meet with left-hander

The Red Sox and Dodgers recently met with Snell, according to The Athletic. Snell is coming off a 2024 season that saw him make just 20 starts due to injury — following not signing with the Giants until March — but also finish the year strong with a 3.12 ERA and throwing a no-hitter in August. The Dodgers reportedly made a late push for the 2023 NL Cy Young winner before he ultimately signed with San Francisco.

AL East team among early potential suitors for two-time Cy Young winner

As Snell is in free agency for a second straight offseason, some teams are already lining up to potentially sign him to a longer deal than the one he received from the Giants. The Red Sox are among that group as they're already "talking with" Snell, ESPN reported. It was previously reported that some big market teams, like the Mets and Giants, have been interested in Snell.

Snell was arguably the best pitcher in baseball in the second half of the season. The lefty had a 1.23 ERA over his last 80.2 innings pitched, recording 114 strikeouts over the last three-plus months in the regular season. Snell's strong performances down the stretch led him to opt out of his two-year, $62 million deal with San Francisco.

Alex Bregman

Bregman and agent Scott Boras seeking massive deal

As some projections have Boras' top client (Soto) set to receive over $600 million on his deal this offseason, the star agent is potentially seeking a deal worth at least half of that for Bregman. Boras is using the 11-year, $350 million extension Manny Machado signed in 2023 as the potential structure for a deal involving Bregman, FOX Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal wrote for The Athletic.

Bregman, 30, is around the same age Machado was when he signed that extension, but his numbers took a dip at the plate in 2024. His .768 OPS was the lowest of his career and his 118 OPS+ was just two points higher than the career-low he recorded as a rookie.

Still, Bregman is among one of the top right-handed hitting infielders in the league, and he's expected to land a nine-figure deal. Boras has also said that Bregman is willing to play second base, which could lead to more potential suitors. The two-time All-Star hit .260 with 26 homers and 75 RBIs last season.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said earlier in November that of the team's top free agents (which includes Yusei Kikuchi and Justin Verlander), they're working the hardest to bring back Bregman.

"We'd love to have Alex Bregman back," Brown told reporters at the GM meetings. "It's our biggest priority."

The Astros, of course, have allowed a handful of homegrown stars walk in free agency in recent years. And even though Brown admitted the team is exploring backup options, he seemed bullish about the club's chances to retain Bregman.

"Our mindset right now is that he's not going elsewhere and we want to sign him," Brown said at the time. "If he ends up going elsewhere, we'll cross that bridge when we get there, but I'm going into this offseason with the thought that we're going to get Bregman back. Hopefully we can do it."

Willy Adames

A handful of teams are expressing interest in All-Star middle infielder

Adames seems to have a pretty robust market in the first few weeks of free agency. He's drawing "very broad" interest across the league, with the Astros, Blue Jays, Braves, and Red Sox among the teams who have already looked at potentially signing Adames, according to MLB Network.

The Braves are the only team on that list that has a clear need for a shortstop entering the offseason, but it's been previously reported that Adames would be OK with moving off shortstop. The Astros are potentially looking at playing Adames at third base if they were to sign him, MLB Network reported. Of course, Houston could lose long-time starting third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency this offseason.

Adames, 29, is one of the top hitters on the open market this offseason. He hit .251 with 32 homers, 112 RBIs and a .794 OPS last season.

Roki Sasaki

Nov. 21: Sasaki's agent dispels rumors that he's a lock to sign with Dodgers

When news broke that Sasaki would be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines this offseason, reports emerged that the Dodgers were the favorites to land the Japanese pitcher. That was also apparently shared by many front-office executives, according to The Athletic.

However, Sasaki's agent, Joel Wolfe, insists that his client does not have any sort of agreement already in place with the Dodgers.

"While a bunch of executives who should know me better and do a lot of business with me insult my integrity by insinuating that I would be a part of some type of nefarious agreement, in reality, this is just poor sportsmanship," Wolfe told The Athletic.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said on Nov. 20 that Sasaki is most likely to sign as part of the 2025 international class and not the 2024 international class. If that's the case, the Dodgers' advantage over the field would be hampered. Los Angeles has $2.5 million left in its international signing pool money for 2024, which is the most in MLB. That number resets on Jan. 15, 2025, but some teams will be able to offer more than others. Most teams will have $7.5 million at their disposal, while the Dodgers will have only $5.1 million to potentially spend on Sasaki because they were a tax-paying team.

In addition, there have been conflicting reports about the Dodgers' chances to land Sasaki. In a report by The Athletic on Nov. 14, the Padres, Rays, Mets and Braves were viewed as teams "more likely" to sign Sasaki than the Dodgers.

Pete Alonso

Nov. 6: Yankees check in

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman figures to be busy in the coming weeks, as first baseman Anthony Rizzo and second baseman Gleyber Torres are also free agents. With that, Cashman confirmed the Yankees have interest in Pete Alonso, who's available after starring for the Mets the past six seasons.

"There are a lot of high-quality players in this marketplace, and certainly Pete did an amazing job with the Mets," Cashman said. "I had a brief conversation with Scott about a lot of his — he has a lot of free agents, which is normal, and Pete's one of them, so yes."

As for Torres, the Yankees did not extend him a qualifying offer, and Cashman offered a tepid response on whether the former All-Star could return.

"I'm not gonna dissect what he's good at and not as good at," Cashman said. "Obviously, he'll have a lot of conversations with a lot of teams that have a need in that area and that might include us, who knows. But appreciate his efforts while he was here."

Cody Bellinger

Chicago wants to move Bellinger?

The Cubs want to trade Bellinger but such a deal is considered unlikely, according to The Athletic. Bellinger opted into the second season of a three-year, $80 million deal earlier this fall. After posting a .307 batting average and .525 slugging percentage and driving in 97 runs in 2023, Bellinger's numbers dipped this past season.

Garrett Crochet

Nov. 13: Red Sox, Orioles, Dodgers viewed as most likely landing spots for White Sox ace

Crochet, who is viewed as the top player most likely to be moved via trade this offseason, is drawing interest from contending teams and playoff hopefuls who need pitching help. Executives around baseball believe the Red Sox, Orioles and Dodgers are the top three possible landing spots for Crochet, according to The Athletic. The White Sox are reportedly seeking young position players in return for Crochet and each of those teams either rank among the best farm systems in baseball or recently graduated highly touted prospects.

The 25-year-old lefty was also made available ahead of the trade deadline in July. However, Crochet threw a wrench in trade talks when he demanded that whichever team traded for him sign him to an extension, or he wouldn't pitch in the postseason. Crochet has two more seasons left of team control.

Crochet went 6-12 with a 3.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 209 strikeouts in 146 innings over 32 starts last season in his first year as a starter.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Nov. 12: Guerrero unlikely to be traded entering contract year

The Blue Jays have "given no indication" that they're set to trade Guerrero this offseason as he enters his final season of team control, The Athletic reported. The All-Star first baseman had his best season in a few years in 2024, hitting .323 with 30 home runs, 103 RBIs and a .940 OPS.

Toronto is reportedly making a chase for Soto, so moving Guerrero might be counterintuitive to that pursuit. However, a National League general manager told The Athletic that he could see the Blue Jays making Guerrero available later in the offseason if they fail to sign Soto and struggle to come to terms on an extension with their All-Star first baseman, believing the team could receive massive offers after free-agent first basemen Pete Alonso and Christian Walker sign.

Alec Bohm

Nov. 12: Phillies making Bohm available

The standout third baseman is on the trade market as the Phillies are "looking to shake up their team" after their earlier-than-expected playoff exit, ESPN reported. Bohm, 28, had a career year at the plate. He hit .280 with 15 home runs, a .779 OPS and 97 RBIs to earn his first All-Star nod.

Bohm has struggled in the postseason, though. He only had one hit in the NLDS and is a lifetime .214 hitter with just two homers in 34 games in the postseason. Despite his All-Star status, Bohm might be one of the more expendable hitters in the Phillies' lineup as he doesn't have a major contract. He's also under team control for two more seasons.

Teoscar Hernández

Nov. 7: A pair of early suitors emerge for Hernández

The Red Sox and Orioles are among the teams that have shown interest in the All-Star outfielder at this week's General Manager Meetings, MLB Network reported.

Hernández is one of the top right-handed hitters on the open market this offseason after having a strong season with the Dodgers. He hit .272 with 33 homers and a .870 OPS, before adding three more homers in the postseason to help the Dodgers win the World Series. He also became a fan favorite in Los Angeles — "re-sign Teo" chants could be heard at the Dodgers' trophy celebration, and both Mookie Betts and Dave Roberts have spoken publicly about Hernández's value to the team last season.

Both the Red Sox and Orioles are in need of right-handed hitting help for 2025. Boston's lineup was lefty dominant in 2023 and its best right-handed hitter from last season, Tyler O'Neill, is a free agent. The Red Sox also expressed interest in Hernández last offseason before he signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers. The Orioles, meanwhile, might lose outfielder Anthony Santander in free agency as Baltimore attempts to maximize its core of young players and reach a third straight postseason.

Mookie Betts

Nov. 6: Betts to play in the infield in 2025

The Dodgers plan to return to the experiment of playing Betts in the infield. Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes told reporters at the General Manager Meetings that Betts will play either second base or shortstop in 2025.

"For Mookie, winning is always No. 1," Gomes said. "So I wouldn't be surprised if he's like, ‘Hey, this is the best thing. I'll play wherever.' I think catching is probably out of the realm of possibility, although I'm sure he would be good at that as well.

"But yeah, I think it's a lot of conversations with him as well. I know the toll on the body is less in the infield for him. So you can make arguments on both sides of it. But the beauty of Mookie is [he's] the most selfless superstar we've ever been around. And that permeates through the team."

Betts played shortstop at the start of the 2024 season before suffering a hand injury in June. When he returned from the injured list, Betts moved back to playing right field on a full-time basis.

With Betts moving to the infield, the Dodgers have some flexibility to make moves in the outfield this offseason. Left fielder Teoscar Hernández became a free agent following his All-Star season. The Dodgers have also been rumored to be one of the top suitors for right fielder Juan Soto.

As for the middle infield, the Dodgers will have a surplus with Betts back in the mix, as Tommy Edman, Miguel Rojas and Gavin Lux are all under contract for the 2025 season.

Bo Bichette

Nov. 6: Bichette not available for trade

With Bo Bichette set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins made it clear that the team isn't willing to move on from the shortstop sooner than it has to. He told MLB Network that any trade calls involving Bichette are "an easy no."

Bichette is coming off an underwhelming 2024 campaign, slashing .225/.277/.322 with just four homers in 81 games.

Brent Rooker

Nov. 5: A's keeping All-Star Brent Rooker

Athletics general manager David Frost insisted the A's, who are temporarily relocating to Sacramento beginning next season, will not part with star designated hitter Brent Rooker.

"We're going to keep [Rooker]," Frost told the New York Post.

Rooker was one of the most sought-after players ahead of the trade deadline in 2024. He finished the season with 39 homers and a 165 OPS+.

Devin Williams

Nov.3: Brewers could trade closer Devin Williams

One of the more surprising developments of the opening days of the MLB offseason was when the Milwaukee Brewers declined closer Devin Williams' $10.5 million team option. Williams is a two-time All-Star who also won National League Rookie of the Year in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but did not make his 2024 season debut until late July due to stress fractures in his back. It's part of the reason the defending NL Central champion Brewers declined his option, believing the 30-year-old closer will make less in arbitration anyway.

That not only helps the small-budget Brewers but also makes Williams a more attractive trade candidate, and he's reportedly expected to be just that. Milwaukee has been aggressive in moving star players in the past. Williams, of course, only ascended to the closer role after the Brewers stunningly dealt Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres at the 2022 trade deadline.

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