Opening Day is lower than 4 weeks away and six of our prime 50 free brokers stay unsigned, together with two of the highest 10: Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell. If they do not signal within the subsequent week or so, it’s going to be honest to surprise how prepared they are going to be for Opening Day. Right here now are Sunday’s scorching range rumors.

Giants targeted on younger pitchers

After signing Matt Chapman, the Giants are targeted on their younger pitchers reasonably than including an arm from exterior the group, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi mentioned Sunday. He didn’t utterly shut the door on bringing in additional pitching, nevertheless. Here is what Zaidi informed reporters, together with the San Francisco Chronicle and NBC Sports Bay Area:

“We’ve talked all offseason and been very constant that our plan was to proceed to graduate a few of our younger pitchers we’re actually excessive on, significantly within the rotation. The plan all alongside has been to present our younger pitchers alternatives … The offseason’s actually over so far as we’re involved. We’re extra in in-season mode, which does not imply you’ll be able to’t make additions. Nevertheless it’s a special dynamic as a result of we’re actually targeted on the gamers we have now and the way they will match collectively.”

San Francisco is brief on starters in the intervening time. Tristan Beck (aneurysm), Alex Cobb (hip surgical procedure), and Robbie Ray (Tommy John surgical procedure) will all miss the beginning of 2024, which means ace Logan Webb might be adopted by transformed reliever Jordan Hicks and prospects Kyle Harrison and Keaton Winn within the rotation. The No. 5 spot is up for grabs with Snell and Montgomery nonetheless unsigned. 

D-backs signal Andrus

The defending NL champion Diamondbacks have signed veteran infielder Elvis Andrus to a minor league contract, the group introduced. High prospect Jordan Lawlar is predicted to start the season in Triple-A, giving Andrus an opportunity to make the Opening Day roster as a bench participant. In the meanwhile, Jace Peterson is penciled in because the backup shortstop behind Geraldo Perdomo. Andrus, 35, had a .662 OPS in 112 video games with the White Sox final 12 months.

Phillies interested by Snell

The Phillies have curiosity in Blake Snell on a short-term contract. They’ve 5 starters for 5 rotation spots — Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez, Taijuan Walker, Cristopher Sánchez — although Sánchez may transfer to the bullpen to make room for Snell. The bigger challenge is cash. Philadelphia’s payroll is already within the $260 million vary, which might be a franchise document, and signing Snell would push them near $300 million. That might set off a big aggressive stability tax cost.