We’re just a few days from the Winter Conferences and we have began to see a trickle of strikes right here within the MLB offseason, which suggests it is doable issues begin to decide up a bit. As such, the rumor mill is churning and we’ll spherical up the very best nuggets of stories and rumors right here for the day, which is Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Let’s get to it.
Dodgers deliver again Rojas
The world-champion Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to phrases with infielder Miguel Rojas on a one-year, $5.5 million pact, El Extrabase stories. After the 2026 season, Rojas plans to retire and work in a player-development position for the Dodgers.
Earlier within the offseason, CBS Sports activities ranked Rojas as the No. 42 out there free agent within the present class. Here is a part of RJ Anderson’s write-up:
Rojas will have a good time his thirty sixth birthday within the spring and he hasn’t began greater than 100 video games in both of the previous two seasons. In a super world, he would proceed to function a staff’s third center infielder; on this one, he may land a beginning position. Rojas stays a plus defender with expertise at every of the “expert” infield spots. His offensive recreation continues to tilt towards contact, however his total output has improved since he arrived in Los Angeles and realized to tug the ball extra regularly. It could be a mistake to imagine his topline outcomes will keep with extra publicity. On the similar time, it is not as if this class gives a lot in the way in which of dependable options.
Rojas is coming off a 2025 marketing campaign during which he slashed .262/.318/.397 with seven residence runs and a WAR of two.1 in 114 video games for the Dodgers whereas spending time at each infield place. He additionally famously hit a game-tying residence run within the backside of the ninth inning of Recreation 7 of the World Sequence and made a game-ending double play to clinch the title.
Reds re-up with Pagán
The Reds have re-signed right-hander Emilio Pagán to a two-year, $20 million contract that can cowl the 2026 and 2027 seasons, the Athletic stories. Pagán ranks thirty seventh on CBS Sports activities’ listing of the highest 50 free brokers of the present offseason. Here is a part of our write-up:
All relievers are risky, however Pagán is an excessive case. He is extremely depending on fly-ball contact, to the purpose the place final season represented the fourth time in his profession that his batted-ball profile has included greater than 70% fly balls and line drives. Pagán however managed the second finest ERA+ of his profession by producing an excessive quantity of swing and misses on his three-pitch arsenal: each up on his fastball and beneath on his splitter and cutter. There are groups in sure ballparks who simply should not hassle; a staff with a spacious subject, although, may slot him proper into the ninth.
Pagán, 34, labored 68 ⅔ innings for Cincy final season, and over that span he pitched to a 2.88 ERA with 81 strikeouts.
Rays signal Mullins
The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to phrases with veteran outfielder and free agent Cedric Mullins on a one-year contract pending the outcomes of a bodily, the Tampa Bays Occasions stories. The deal is price a reported $7 million.
Earlier within the offseason, CBS Sports activities ranked Mullins as the No. 41 out there free agent within the class of 2025-26. Here is half off RJ Anderson’s write-up:
Mullins’ play went into the tank after a deadline commerce to the Mets. The considerations listed here are greater than 40-odd video games, although, and need to do with an offensive profile that works finest in solely a handful of parks. He was in a position to carve out a profession as a league-average hitter (for essentially the most half) behind a lift-and-pull method that noticed him slug greater than anticipated. In flip, Mullins has steadily run a excessive pop-up fee. When his strikeout fee spiked final season, all the way in which as much as a career-worst 24.1%, he discovered himself making too many computerized outs to counterbalance. Mullins may be capable to make the mathematics work once more if he indicators with a membership with beneficiant right-field dimensions.
In a mixed 133 video games for the Orioles and Mets in 2025, Mullins had an OPS+ of 94, and he confirmed declining protection in middle subject. He is going into his age-31 season in 2026.
Brewers drawing ‘important curiosity’ in Peralta
Earlier this offseason, stories surfaced that the Brewers weren’t all for buying and selling ace Freddy Peralta. In reality, as not too long ago as yesterday the reporting was that the Brewers have been going to maintain him.
Currently, although, in line with The Athletic, issues is likely to be leaning within the different path.
Maybe this was inevitable, however the curiosity in right-hander Freddy Peralta is so important, the Milwaukee Brewers are actually contemplating “cracking the door open” for commerce discussions, in line with an individual briefed on their scenario.
Peralta is 30 years outdated subsequent season and is coming off arguably the very best yr of his profession. He was 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA (154 ERA+), 1.08 WHIP, 204 strikeouts in 176 ⅔ innings. He posted a career-high 5.5 WAR. He is set to make $8 million in 2026 earlier than hitting free company. If the Brewers suppose 2025 was the height for Peralta and that he’ll undoubtedly stroll in free company, you may see the road of pondering to simply accept big commerce gives right here. They beforehand dealt Corbin Burnes a season earlier than free company.
Given the conflicting stories of late, it is secure to imagine the scenario is fluid with the Brewers listening to commerce gives and possibly even contemplating them whereas leaning towards maintaining Peralta till they’re blown away.
Mariners weighing infield choices
The Mariners are searching for some infield assist as they head to the Winter Conferences. From the staff that made all of it the way in which to Recreation 7 of the ALCS this previous season, second baseman Jorge Polanco and third baseman Eugenio Suárez are each free brokers. They already introduced again first baseman Josh Naylor on a five-year, $92.5 million deal.
Polanco is the “prime goal” for the Mariners, in line with the Seattle Occasions. Whereas the curiosity is mutual, the 2 sides, at this level, are reportedly not “near a deal.” The Pink Sox, Yankees and Pirates are talked about as different doable suitors for Polanco.
The Mariners have “stored the door open” concerning a reunion with Suárez, too, in line with the Occasions.
So far as any curiosity the Mariners have in gamers outdoors the group, they’ve repotedly “expressed curiosity” in Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan. He is below management by the Cardinals, so this could be a commerce for Donovan to take over at second base within the occasion the Mariners cannot come to a take care of Polanco.
Astros pitching depth
The Astros have been crushed below the burden of pitching accidents during the last two years, together with prolonged absences from the likes of Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti. What’s extra, ace workhorse Framber Valdez is now a free agent.
Figuring out all this, it is not stunning that the Astros are focusing on depth on the Winter Conferences. They do not “have the monetary sources” to a prime free agent, per MLB.com, however they’ve a “want” to land pitchers who’re nonetheless below staff management through trades. Middle fielder Jake Meyers is talked about as a chance for the Astros to commerce for stated pitching.
Marlins not inclined to deal Alcantara or Cabrera?
Folks love speaking about buying and selling prospects to the Marlins so as to seize controllable gamers as a result of, effectively, have a look at their historical past. This time round, the Marlins are apparently making an attempt to carry and possibly even lengthen a few of their very own gamers, in line with MLB.com.
Particularly, high-upside Edward Cabrera and former Cy Younger winner Sandy Alcantara have seen their names bandied about in commerce rumors since early final common season, however the Marlins are repotedly not “actively making an attempt to commerce” both, although if that have been to alter, Christina De Nicola speculated that Cabrera is the extra possible of the 2 to be dealt.
Blue Jays prepared to deal Berríos
The Blue Jays have signed beginning pitchers Dylan Stop and Cody Ponce to date this offseason. Provided that they’ve Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber coming again along with rookie sensation Trey Yesavage, that is a full, five-man rotation with out attending to veteran and former All-Star José Berríos. Certain sufficient, they’re prepared to half with Berríos in a commerce, in line with The Athletic.
Berríos, 31, was 9-5 with a 4.17 ERA (102 ERA+), 1.30 WHIP and 138 strikeouts in 166 innings together with 1.3 WAR final season. Remember that he is due over $18 million this season earlier than roughly $24 million in every 2027 and 2028. In gentle of their latest signings and making an attempt to deliver again Bo Bichette, it is doable the Jays are attempting to shed wage in dealing Berríos.
Clearly, groups nowadays want greater than 5 beginning pitchers, however the Jays have already got depth past their beginning 5 with Eric Lauer and Bowden Francis.
Former GM Byrnes takes Rockies’ GM place
Former Diamondbacks and Padres common supervisor Josh Byrnes has been employed as the final supervisor of the Rockies, the staff introduced Wednesday. Remember that there’s been a shift in titles over the course of the previous decade-plus and that GM is not essentially at all times the large boss within the entrance workplace. Right here, Byrnes is second in command below new president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta.
