Main League Baseball’s offseason continues to attract near the annual Winter Conferences, scheduled to start on Dec. 9 in Dallas, Texas. Whereas the Winter Conferences are inclined to generate a whole lot of exercise, groups look like waking up from their offseason slumber. To wit, the Mets added veteran right-hander Frankie Montas on a two-year contract on Sunday night time.
Who’ll be subsequent to signal? Under, you’ll find all of Monday’s strikes, information, and notes.
Rangers comply with cope with Higashioka
The Rangers and free agent catcher Kyle Higashioka have agreed to a two-year deal, the staff introduced. There is a mutual choice for a 3rd yr. Monetary phrases weren’t disclosed. Higashioka, 34, had a profession yr with the Padres in 2024 after coming over from the Yankees within the Juan Soto commerce. He slugged 17 house runs and has a historical past of above-average pitch-framing (although not in 2024), and he took over as San Diego’s starter at midseason. Higashioka will pair with Jonah Heim behind the plate for Texas. He didn’t rank amongst our high 50 free brokers.
Holmes drawing curiosity as a starter
Former Yankees nearer Clay Holmes is drawing free agent curiosity as a beginning pitcher, stories the New York Publish. Holmes, a free agent, got here up by the minors as a starter, although he has been a reliever solely since 2019. In 2024, longtime relievers Jordan Hicks and Reynaldo López signed free-agent contracts to begin. Former reliever Seth Lugo completed second within the Cy Younger voting in his second yr as a starter.
Holmes, 32 in March, led MLB with 13 blown saves in 2024, but additionally had a 3.14 ERA with extra strikeouts than innings pitched, and the second-highest floor ball price in baseball. He runs into management issues at occasions, one thing that will not work nicely as a starter, however Holmes throws two fastballs (sinker and four-seamer) and two totally different sliders (conventional slider and sweeper), and has proven the aptitude to select up new pitches, tweak present pitches, and self-correct when issues go awry.
Mets occupied with Buehler
Even with Montas in tow, the Mets proceed to have curiosity in free-agent right-hander Walker Buehler, based on the New York Publish.
That should not come as a shock since Buehler is seen as an intriguing upside play due to his monitor document and arsenal high quality. Certainly, the Publish characterizes the marketplace for Buehler as being “deep.”
The Mets, in the meantime, may lose their high three innings throwers in Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana.
Cubs ink Boyd
The Cubs have agreed to a two-year pact value $29 million with lefty Matthew Boyd, based on the New York Publish.
Boyd, 33, spent final season with the Guardians. In eight begins, he amassed a 2.72 ERA (151 ERA+) and a 3.54 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He additionally carried out nicely within the postseason, holding opponents to 1 run throughout 11 ⅔ frames.
Boyd hasn’t cleared the 100-inning threshold in a season since 2019. Clearly the Cubs imagine in his capacity to both keep wholesome or to stay productive when he’s accessible. Offered he is hearty and hale, he should crack their Opening Day rotation.
Astros monitoring infield market
The Astros proceed to try to re-sign third baseman and franchise mainstay Alex Bregman, however that does not imply normal supervisor Dana Brown is ignoring contingency plans. In keeping with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Astros have been in contact with free-agent shortstop Willy Adames and have expressed curiosity in Jorge Polanco.
Bregman and Adames are thought-about to be the 2 greatest infielders in the marketplace. Polanco, in the meantime, is seen as a buy-low candidate following a down season that noticed him put up his worst OPS+ in 4 years.
