It has been seven weeks for the reason that World Sequence ended and to date solely three of our prime 10 free brokers have signed and two of our prime 25 commerce candidates have been moved. A gradual offseason, this has been, although we did get a three-team commerce Friday. Maybe that is an indication the new range is about to warmth up. Right here now are Saturday’s rumors.
Pirates hope so as to add one other bat
Even after selecting up Brandon Lowe, the Pirates hope so as to add what GM Ben Cherington known as a “confirmed bat,” in line with the Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette. Third base and DH might use an improve, presumably left subject as nicely. Actually, every part needs to be on the desk after the Pirates scored the fewest runs and hit the fewest dwelling runs in baseball in 2025.
FanGraphs estimates the membership’s 2026 payroll at $82 million, together with arbitration projections. It was $87 million in 2025. In the event that they maintain regular on the similar payroll stage subsequent yr, there’s not a lot room to spend. The Pirates have signaled a willingness to spend massive this offseason (their Kyle Schwarber pursuit, and so forth.), so maybe Cherington & Co. nonetheless have loads of monetary wiggle room.
Phillies pursuing catcher trades
As talks with free agent J.T. Realmuto have didn’t progress, the Phillies have begun to discover the commerce marketplace for a catcher, experiences The Athletic. Philadelphia is claimed to have a suggestion on the desk for Realmuto. In the end, a reunion is smart for either side, however a deal hasn’t come collectively but, so the Phillies are exploring their choices.
The very best free agent catcher behind Realmuto is Victor Caratini, who performs first base and DH as a lot as he catches nowadays. As for the commerce market, Twins backstop Ryan Jeffers is an apparent candidate to be moved. He is a yr away from free company and the Twins bought onerous at this summer time’s commerce deadline. We ranked Realmuto because the thirteenth greatest free agent accessible this offseason.
Orioles concerned with Romero
The Orioles are among the many groups with curiosity in Cardinals lefty reliever JoJo Romero, in line with the St. Louis Submit-Dispatch. Romero is a yr away from free company and thus an apparent commerce candidate with the Cardinals not prioritizing competition in 2026. The O’s have already added righties Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge to their bullpen this offseason.
Romero, 29, is a sinker specialist with a knack for limiting homers. Baltimore has two lefties, Keegan Akin and Dietrich Enns, of their bullpen, although neither is a late-inning matchup specialist. A high quality lefty reliever is a necessity within the AL East, which homes high quality lefty bats Roman Anthony, Jonathan Aranda, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jarren Duran, Ben Rice, Daulton Varsho, and others.
