HOUSTON – Winter conferences are nearly right here and Main League Baseball’s free company is about to warmth up.
It is a working weblog of the whole lot occurring within the league and with the Astros throughout free company from me and my reporting. On the backside are the Astros free company wants, which might be up to date as soon as/in the event that they fill them. Additionally on the backside are Houston’s present free brokers and the place they’ll ultimately signal.
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NOV. 29
On the Astros entrance: Fairly quiet. All I’ve gotten up to now is that they’re NOT in on RHP Seth Lugo. I’d additionally say primarily based on many individuals I’ve talked to within the business, some nearer to the scenario than others – the Alex Bregman commerce rumor stuff is overblown. Extra smoke than fireplace. Additionally, he has a 10-team no-trade clause, making a commerce barely tougher. However once more, most individuals I’m speaking to only don’t see it taking place.
Across the league: The Dodgers are severely going after Shohei Ohtani and Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Their curiosity in these guys is actual and severe, per sources. They’re additionally within the above-mentioned Seth Lugo, a number of sources inform me. Lugo’s market has no less than 20 of the 30 MLB groups concerned, a league supply tells me.
These guys are additionally a giant cause why the market is so sluggish. Many groups have an interest and ready for these two guys to return off the board earlier than they pivot to different gamers.
DEC. 4
On the Astros entrance: Houston continues to be taking a look at backup catchers and is fascinated with former Reds/Tigers/Cubs catcher Tucker Barnhart. Barnhart is kind of just like Maldonado – protection first with a lightweight bat. He has received two Gold Gloves and must be inexpensive. The Diamondbacks are additionally fascinated with Barnhart, a league supply tells KPRC 2.
Across the league: The Brewers introduced an attention-grabbing contract with prospect Jackson Chourio, who will get greater than $80 million assured with out enjoying a single sport within the majors but. The contract has choices that would take up within the $140 million vary. The framework of the deal was largely completed a couple of days in the past however simply bought introduced at Winter Conferences.
Shohei Ohtani has no less than one supply of $500 million+ on the desk, a league supply tells KPRC 2. It’s been reported broadly that he might have multiple supply like that. I wouldn’t be shocked if he finally ends up signing for an astronomical quantity by no means beforehand seen in baseball.
Joe Espada will converse with the media this afternoon in Nashville, and Dana Brown will probably reply some questions on the Astros’ offseason plans over the subsequent couple of days.
DEC. 4 UPDATE – DANA BROWN & JOE ESPADA MEDIA SESSIONS
Related notes:
– “We’re not fascinated with buying and selling Alex Bregman.” – Dana Brown. There, that’s over.
– Forrest Whitley will transfer into the bullpen, and can get a 4th yr choice, Brown says.
– There might be competitors within the outfield for taking part in time, no less than at heart and left discipline. Yordan Alvarez will play some left discipline, and a good quantity of DH per each Brown and supervisor Joe Espada.
– The Astros’ targets are backup catchers and bullpen relievers.
– The Astros may have a look at beginning pitching, which Brown says would resolve a bullpen drawback by shifting a distinct starter into the pen, nevertheless it’s much less of a precedence than the above talked about positions.
– Joe Espada largely believes the crew is powerful as is, however clearly would welcome extra assist as Dana Brown works on these strikes.
– Brown informed me he wouldn’t categorize the market as “sluggish,” saying he’s been busy and concerned all offseason.
– Brown says the aid pitching market is presently costly and the Astros are usually not fascinated with overpaying for a reliever.
DEC. 5
On the Astros entrance: The Astros are displaying continued curiosity in flamethrowing reliever Jordan Hicks, per league sources. Hicks is from the Houston space, graduating from Cypress Creek highschool. There are a couple of half-dozen groups in on Hicks, together with the Orioles, Rangers, Angels, and Purple Sox.
The Astros proceed to prioritize backup catching and aid pitching.
Across the league: The Cleveland Guardians are open to buying and selling beginning pitcher Shane Bieber, with the Reds, Cubs and Padres making calls on the right-hander.
The whole lot continues to be on maintain till Shohei Ohtani decides.
Groups are engaged on determining what they wish to do within the Rule 5 draft. Astros GM Dana Brown talked about he thinks, if any participant will get taken from Houston, it is likely to be RHP Misael Tamarez. Different league sources have projected IF Shay Whitcomb to have an opportunity to be drafted inside Rule 5 primarily based on his energy output.
DEC 5. DANA BROWN MEDIA AVAILABILITY NOTES
– The Astros are “making progress” on offers on each the backup catcher market and aid pitcher market
– They’re nearer on free agent offers than they’d be on commerce talks
– Houston has acquired commerce calls on Jake Meyers, however Brown says the Astros are planning to present him nearly all of enjoying time in heart discipline in 2024.
– The place does that go away Chas McCormick? Chas is an every single day participant in response to Dana Brown, however will play most of his time in left discipline. That might put Yordan Alvarez principally at DH, with Chas mixing in, in heart discipline when Yordan performs left discipline.
DEC. 6
The Astros are displaying curiosity in bringing again RHP reliever Phil Maton, who’s coming off a powerful yr in Houston. Maton has a powerful market, with the St. Louis Cardinals displaying curiosity, in addition to 8 different groups, sources inform me.
Houston signed backup catcher Victor Caratini from the Brewers late Tuesday night time, in response to AP. Caratini signifies that Martin Maldonado is not going to return to the Astros in 2024, however has some suitors out there.
Houston continues to be engaged with relievers, and have checked in on Hector Neris (as Dana Brown has talked about a number of instances), plus the above talked about conversations with representatives for Maton and Jordan Hicks. I’m additionally listening to they’ve checked in on one other veteran reliever – one who received’t value all that a lot.
DEC. 14
The Mets are displaying curiosity within the reliever market, checking in with Phil Maton. As many as 10 groups have roughly comparable targets in the case of multi-year relievers. The prevailing thought inside the business is that multi-year reliever offers will begin to choose up as soon as Josh Hader indicators with a crew. Pitchers like Hector Neris, Jordan Hicks and Maton are basically ready. The Astros have checked in on all three, nevertheless it’s unlikely at this level they’ll meet their costs, I’m informed.
ASTROS NEEDS
– Backup catcher – CHECK
– Bullpen (as much as three relievers)
– Beginning pitching depth
– A bat, ideally left-handed
ASTROS FREE AGENTS
OF Michael Brantley
C Martin Maldonado
RHP RP Ryne Stanek
RHP RP Hector Neris
RHP RP Phil Maton
