MLB Rumors, Stats & Predictions
As compelling as the MLB postseason can be, there’s nothing as exciting for fans of all 30 MLB teams as the hot stove in the offseason. For months, there have been rumors, speculation, trades, and signings with many of the top players in the league changing teams. In fact, few things make fans more excited for spring training and the chance to buy MLB tickets than seeing their team make bold moves. With plenty of desirable free agents on the market and the rumor mill for trades churning at full speed, let’s look at some of the latest rumors while making predictions for the biggest and most important moves of the MLB offseason.
Aaron Judge Stays with the Yankees
Judge is undoubtedly the biggest fish in the free-agent ocean this winter. But in the end, his free agency journey will be a little anti-climactic, as he’ll just re-sign with the Yankees. Obviously, a lot of teams want Judge, but there are only a few teams that can afford the type of contract he’s going to sign. Most of those teams also have other needs to address, leaving Judge with somewhat limited options. Ultimately, the Yankees know that they need to retain their biggest superstar, so they’ll pay him whatever amount is necessary to get the job done. The only question is how much money Judge will get, how many years the Yankees will give him, and whether or not there is a clause in his contract that will allow him to opt out of the deal and return to the free-agent market at any point in the next few years.
Jacob deGrom Stays with the Mets
The Mets need to keep deGrom about as much as the Yankees need to keep Judge. The tricky part is that deGrom is going to explore his options, and despite being plagued by injuries in recent years, his price tag is going to be massive. Also, the Mets have already pledged a nine-figure contract to closer Edwin Diaz and have to rebuild most of their bullpen this winter, so giving deGrom a massive deal comes with some risk. However, deGrom has meant so much to the Mets for so long that they can’t possibly allow him to sign elsewhere, especially with owner Steve Cohen promising that the Mets have a virtually endless budget.
Justin Verlander Stays with the Astros
While Verlander is on the open market and will have plenty of suitors, there’s no reason for him to leave Houston at this point in his career. He just won a World Series with the Astros and might only have one or two more years left in his career. He’s not short on money after his brilliant career and knows that he’ll have a chance to win another World Series if he stays with the Astros, making this a relatively easy decision for Verlander.
Shohei Ohtani is Traded
The biggest shock of the offseason will come when the Angels trade Ohtani. While they’ve publicly stated they won’t trade him, they must know that this is the best choice. He’s one year away from free agency and is set to make $30 million in 2023 for a team that needs serious work in order to become a playoff contender. It doesn’t make sense to keep Ohtani for one more year and then allow him to leave in free agency when they can trade him for prospects who can help them rebuild. Of course, it won’t be easy to let him go, but this is the best move for the Angels, as there should be several teams lining up to trade for Ohtani.
Shortstop Musical Chairs
There are four big-time shortstops on the free-agent market this winter, with Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, and Dansby Swanson all available. Naturally, there are more than four teams in the market for an all-star caliber shortstop, creating a ton of mystery over where each one will end up. Even if it makes a lot of sense for a couple of these shortstops to re-sign with their current teams, that’s not how things are going to unfold.
First, the Giants will take the money they have available and sign Correa, who many believe is the best of the four because of his age, defense, and postseason experience. Next, the Phillies will be aggressive and sign Turner, knowing what he can do after facing him during his time with the Nationals while also keeping in mind that they might be one piece away from a championship after losing the 2022 World Series. With Turner off the market, the Dodgers will act quickly and sign Bogaerts as his replacement, a move that will reunite him with former Red Sox teammate Mookie Betts. Finally, Swanson will be the last shortstop available, and with Cubs ready to spend money, they will outbid every other team in the market for a shortstop in order to sign Swanson.
Dodgers Trade for Rafael Devers
Even after they sign Bogaerts, the Dodgers will be aggressive this off-season. With Los Angeles finally ready to move on from aging third baseman Justin Turner, they’ll make a bold move and work out a trade with the Red Sox for Devers. Boston will risk losing Devers in free agency next winter if they don’t trade him now, and so the Dodgers will make an offer the Red Sox can’t refuse. Of course, this means the Dodgers will enter the 2023 season with Betts, Bogaerts, and Devers on their roster, giving them three former Red Sox players who helped Boston win the 2018 World Series.