MLB Rumour Roundup: All eyes on Juan Soto as free agency opens

With MLB's quiet period lifting Monday afternoon, it is officially hot stove season.

While the baseball off-season generally takes a few weeks before some real action starts flowing, there is already speculation about some of the top stars available on the market this winter.

Of course, all eyes will be focused on Juan Soto and where the recently turned 26-year-old will end up after guiding the New York Yankees back to the World Series. Soto clearly left the conversation open for all 30 teams in the aftermath of New York's Fall Classic defeat, so a bidding war could very well develop over the coming months.

On Monday, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand listed the Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays as some of the early potential suitors for Soto's services.

"His age and power at the plate alone will garner him a contract worth at least $500 million, likely the second-highest-paid player, behind Ohtani," an executive told Feinsand.

So, as the Soto sweepstakes unfold, the baseball world will surely be waiting in anticipation to see where he lands and how much he signs for. But in the meantime, here are some of the rumours from around MLB as teams jockey for positioning in a crowded free-agent market.

Adames open to Brewers reunion

If you're looking for a shortstop in this year's free-agent pool, the conversation starts and stops with Willy Adames.

The 29-year-old is coming off a career-best season in Milwaukee, where he helped the Brewers back to the top of the NL Central, despite losing Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles via trade and Brandon Woodruff to shoulder surgery. Adames stepped up in the middle of Milwaukee's order, swatting 32 home runs, driving in 112 and stealing 21 bases.

But now the Brewers are faced with the reality that they will lose Adames for nothing.

According to The Athletic's Will Sammon and Katie Woo, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio addressed the value of the right-handed hitting Adames, saying that the team would "do what we can do to stretch, but others have bigger pocketbooks."

With a contract projected to fall in the $150-million to $160-million range over five or six years, the Brewers — who will have their games produced by MLB next season, breaking away from the bankrupt Diamond Sports Group — could very well be priced out of any bidding war for Adames' services.

However, when asked about Attanasio's comments, Adames said he would take a pay cut to stay in Milwaukee, but only to a certain extent.

“I’m willing to stay here for less money, let’s say, but I just want to be fair for what I deserve in my career and whatever I’ve done,” Adames said, per Sammon and Woo. “We just have to wait and see where we’re at. You never know what’s going to happen, and you never know who is going to be willing to make that commitment with me for a long time.”

Alonso a 'prime backup plan' for Yankees

If the Yankees do end up losing Soto, it appears that first base could be the spot they target to make a significant upgrade.

The New York Post's Jon Heyman reported on Saturday that New York "could play" for Mets first baseman Pete Alonso after declining the $17-million option on Anthony Rizzo's contract.

Heyman added that Alonso is "believed to be a prime backup plan" and that the Bronx Bombers could also pursue first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and Christian Walker.

First base was a black hole for the Yankees in 2024, as four players suited up at the position for the American League champs, combining to slash .206/.282/.312 while accumulating -1.2 fWAR.

Alonso would represent a significant upgrade at the position, even after a down season at the plate. The soon-to-be 30-year-old slashed .240/.329/.439 in 162 for the cross-town rival Mets, hitting a full-season career-low 34 home runs. The "Polar Bear" did, however, step up in the Mets' run to the ALCS, boosting his numbers across the board and providing his most iconic swing with a series-winning three-run shot in the ALDS against Milwaukee.

MLB Trade Rumors projected Alonso to get a five-year, $125-million contract.

Champs want to stay in L.A.

After securing the World Series title, some of the Dodgers' free agents made it clear that they would like to run it back.

Both Teoscar Hernández and Jack Flaherty discussed their upcoming foray into the open market during Los Angeles' World Series parade on Friday.

Hernández, who is a fan favourite everywhere he goes, proved to be instrumental in the Dodgers' run to the eighth championship in franchise history. He hit a career-high 33 homers wearing Dodgers blue while slashing .272/.339/.501 and provided the equalizing swing during Los Angeles' five-run fifth inning in Game 5 of the World Series.

“My hopes are really high,” Hernández said, per MLB.com's Juan Toribio. “Like I’ve said before, the Dodgers are the priority, obviously. I’m going to do everything in my power to come back.

“I want us to be here. I want us to be part of this. I have so many good memories here. I’ve learned a lot as a player, as a person. It feels great to be part of this.”

Flaherty, meanwhile, was acquired from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline and was solid down the stretch for the Dodgers, but had an up-and-down post-season.

His season-long paint the picture of a pitcher who returned to his ace-like form from his time in St. Louis. Over 162 regular-season innings this season, Flaherty pitched to a 3.17 ERA while striking out 194 hitters.

An L.A. native, Flaherty told SportsNet LA, "I love this city. I never want to leave,” during the Dodgers' parade.

Quick hits

• Sammon and Woo added in their report Monday that left-handed starter Blake Snell "should garner interest from the usual heavy spenders." They mentioned a return to the San Francisco Giants as a possibility, that the Dodgers are expected to have interest and that an industry source floated the Blue Jays and Texas Rangers as potential suitors.

• After declining Devin Williams' $10.5-million team option on Sunday, but still retaining control of the right-hander through arbitration, the Brewers could end up trading their star closer. ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote Monday that executives have told him Williams and St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsely are both on the market.