Spring training is in full swing and the MLB transaction freeze continues to thaw with each passing day.
Monday saw two blockbuster trades with Atlanta acquiring Matt Olson from Oakland — to replace Freddie Freeman? — followed shortly by the Reds sending Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez to the Mariners.
Both the Reds and Athletics are expected to continue cutting salary with trades in the lead up to Opening Day. That gives teams assessing the still-crowded free agent market other options if the player they like lands somewhere else.
So, let’s take a trip around the majors to see what the latest rumours are saying:
Athletics continue to shop pitchers
The Oakland Athletics have already swung two cost-saving trades by sending pitcher Chris Bassist to the Mets and Olson to the Braves. So, who is next?
According to multiple reports, starters Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas are available. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports that the A’s and Twins “have discussed trade proposals in recent days” that would see one of the two right-handers go to Minnesota. Jon Heyman of MLB Network also connected the A’s and Twins, while adding the White Sox as a potential suitor for the pitchers.
Beyond pitchers, centre fielder Ramon Laureano is also on the block, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, who wrote on the weekend — before the Olson deal — that Laureano “is drawing perhaps the most attention” of Oakland’s players. Laureano was suspended 80 games in August for violating MLB’s PED policy. He has 28 games remaining in that suspension.
Reds ‘not trying to rebuild’ despite recent trades
Cincinnati Reds general manager Nick Krall says his team is “not trying to rebuild” following trades that saw stars Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez go to Seattle, and Sonny Gray move on to Minnesota.
“This wasn’t just a payroll move,” Krall told reporters after the trade with the Mariners Monday, adding he has reached out to agents representing current free agents. “This was a move that we looked at from a future standpoint and we also looked at it as a move to bring back some talent right now.”
However, the trades follow a trend that began before the lockout, when the Reds lost starter Wade Miley on waivers to the Cubs and traded catcher Tucker Barnhart to the Tigers. All of those moves, complied with the fact that free agent outfielder Nick Castellanos is seemingly moving on, and the Reds will have a much lower payroll in 2022.
So, like with the A’s, we’re left to wonder: Who goes next?
Team MVP Joey Votto was asked, in an interview with MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon Monday, if he would want to move on. The 38-year-old said he wouldn’t be requesting a trade — “I have never once in my career asked or even whispered anything like that” — but said he is disappointed the team hasn’t won more.
“That’s without question concerning to me,” Votto said of possibly entering another rebuild. “I’ve been in the same uniform my entire career. We haven’t done enough winning.”
Rockies pushing for Kris Bryant
After three years of bottoming out — headlined by trading franchise icon Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals — the Colorado Rockies have been buyers since the market reopened after the lockout. So far, they’ve added shortstop Jose Iglesias and right-handers Alex Colome and Chad Kuhl, but they reportedly have their eyes on a bigger fish: Kris Bryant.
The 2016 NL MVP isn’t putting up the same offensive numbers he was earlier in his career when he was helping the Cubs win a World Series, but he still hit a serviceable 18 home runs with a .265 batting average in 2021. In the light air of Coors Field, it’s easy to imagine the pop in his bat returning.
Also pushing for Bryant is reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper. Speaking at Phillies camp Monday, Harper listed Bryant, Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber as three players he’d like his team to chase.
“I think all three are winners,” Harper said. “KB can play everywhere, third base, first base, DH, left field. He’s a winner as well, and he’s done that. He’s come up in big spots, big situations.”
Red Sox, Rays join AL East rivals and Dodgers in Freeman pursuit
The Braves seemingly took themselves out of the Freddie Freeman sweepstakes by acquiring Olson from Oakland, meaning the free agent first baseman will need a new home. The Dodgers, Yankees and Blue Jays have been connected to him since before the lockout, but now the Red Sox and Rays have reportedly joined the fray.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the Rays “are serious” about signing Freeman and that “they believe they can make it work financially.” Jon Heyman of MLB Network connected the Red Sox to Freeman in a report Tuesday morning.
The 34-year-old is expected to command big money (possibly $30 million or more per season) on a contract with term, so whichever team wins the bidding war will have to pay a significant price. With the Yankees absorbing Josh Donaldson’s $50 million remaining salary in a trade earlier this week, Freeman might be too rich for them and someone more affordable — like Anthony Rizzo — could be the solution at first base.
