2025 MLB free-agent rumors: Rōki Sasaki could visit 1 or 2 teams

December 30, 2024 2

MLB free agency is here!

Similar to how last winter was defined by the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes, this offseason so far has revolved around another generational superstar: Juan Soto. The 26-year-old slugger is coming off a career year with the New York Yankees, having also helped the Bronx Bombers get back to the World Series for the first time in 15 years.

On Dec. 8, one night before the Winter Meetings officially began in Dallas, Soto decided on his newest destination: the crosstown rival New York Mets. He agreed to a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal.

Even with Soto no longer available, there are plenty of other top-tier free agents, including Japanese pitcher Rōki Sasaki and slugging first baseman Pete Alonso.

And as Soto himself knows, after being dealt to New York from the San Diego Padres last offseason, there could always be landscape-shifting trades made this offseason.

Follow along below for the latest news and rumors!

Dec. 30: Sasaki could visit one or two teams before deciding

The Japanese pitching phenom could visit with one or two teams before he makes a final decision on where he wants to sign, according to Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe. On Monday, Wolfe told reporters that his client is back in Japan to mull over his next steps.

Sasaki has reportedly met with the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants so far. The San Diego Padres are also considered a contender for his services. Twenty teams submitted information to Sasaki, per Wolfe.

Dec. 18: Yankees land meeting with Sasaki

The Yankees are the first known team to secure a meeting with the prized free agent. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters at Max Fried‘s introductory press conference that he and the Yankees will meet with Sasaki’s team in California.

Sasaki is arguably the top pitcher available this offseason. The 23-year-old was posted earlier in December, allowing him to sign with a team sometime between Jan. 15 and Jan. 23.

Wolfe offered details of the righty’s free agency process at the winter meetings. According to FOX Sports writer Rowan Kavner, Wolfe said Sasaki would start meeting with teams soon in a central location.

That same day, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said signing Sasaki was “a major priority,” though Wolfe refuted claims that Sasaki was a lock to them or any other team.

Despite Wolfe’s claim, MLB executives view a pair of teams as strong favorites to land his client. Eleven of 20 MLB executives polled by MLB.com believe he’ll sign with the Dodgers while seven more think he’ll end up signing with the Padres. The Rangers and Giants each received a vote in the poll, which was conducted during the winter meetings.

Dec. 18: Arenado uses no-trade clause to deny Astros trade

The Houston Astros were a strong candidate to land the St. Louis Cardinals star third baseman, but Arenado has nixed that possibility. Arenado used his no-trade clause to block a possible move to Houston, MLB.com reported Wednesday. Arenado’s reasoning for turning down the deal was that he didn’t want a decision to be made on his future this early in the offseason, according to The Athletic.

It’s unclear what the exact deal involving Arenado would’ve entailed. However, the Cardinals would’ve sent the Astros somewhere between $15 million and $20 million to help pay off the remainder of Arenado’s contract, according to MLB.com. Arenado is set to earn $74 million over the next three seasons, but previous owed money and deferments bring that number to roughly $60 million. It was previously reported that Arenado would likely be moved this offseason as the Cardinals look to get off his salary while they enter a rebuilding phase.

The Red Sox and Yankees remain possible options for Arenado, though it’s believed that both teams have higher priorities at the moment, The Athletic reported. The Phillies and Mets are also viewed as contenders for Arenado, but the Dodgers aren’t, according to MLB.com.

Houston became a contender for Arenado amid uncertainty over the future of its long-time third baseman, Alex Bregman. Bregman is a free agent and arguably the top hitter remaining on the open market as there seems to be a hot pursuit for the multi-time All-Star.

Dec. 9: Dodgers plan to play Betts at shortstop

At the Winter Meetings, Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes confirmed the team is still committed to moving Betts back to the infield. This time, he said the plan is specifically to play Betts at shortstop, according to FOX Sports writer Rowan Kavner. Superutility man Tommy Edman is expected to play mostly in center field.

Nov. 6: Betts to play in the infield in 2025

The Dodgers plan to return to the experiment of playing Betts in the infield. Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes told reporters at the General Manager Meetings that Betts will play either second base or shortstop in 2025.

“For Mookie, winning is always No. 1,” Gomes said. “So I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s like, ‘Hey, this is the best thing. I’ll play wherever.’ I think catching is probably out of the realm of possibility, although I’m sure he would be good at that as well.

“But yeah, I think it’s a lot of conversations with him as well. I know the toll on the body is less in the infield for him. So you can make arguments on both sides of it. But the beauty of Mookie is [he’s] the most selfless superstar we’ve ever been around. And that permeates through the team.”

Betts played shortstop at the start of the 2024 season before suffering a hand injury in June. When he returned from the injured list, Betts moved back to playing right field on a full-time basis.

With Betts moving to the infield, the Dodgers have some flexibility to make moves in the outfield this offseason. Left fielder Teoscar Hernández became a free agent following his All-Star season. The Dodgers have also been rumored to be one of the top suitors for right fielder Juan Soto.

As for the middle infield, the Dodgers will have a surplus with Betts back in the mix, as Tommy Edman, Miguel Rojas and Gavin Lux are all under contract for the 2025 season.

Astros have six-year deal on the table

Houston has offered Bregman a six-year deal worth roughly $156 million, according to MLB.com. That said, the career-long Astro Bregman seeks a deal closer to $200 million, which could reportedly be out of Houston’s price range.

Bregman and agent Scott Boras seeking massive deal

As some projections have Boras’ top client (Soto) set to receive over $600 million on his deal this offseason, the star agent is potentially seeking a deal worth at least half of that for Bregman. Boras is using the 11-year, $350 million extension Manny Machado signed in 2023 as the potential structure for a deal involving Bregman, FOX Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal wrote for The Athletic.

Bregman, 30, is around the same age Machado was when he signed that extension, but his numbers took a dip at the plate in 2024. His .768 OPS was the lowest of his career and his 118 OPS+ was just two points higher than the career-low he recorded as a rookie.

Still, Bregman is among one of the top right-handed hitting infielders in the league, and he’s expected to land a nine-figure deal. Boras has also said that Bregman is willing to play second base, which could lead to more potential suitors. The two-time All-Star hit .260 with 26 homers and 75 RBIs last season.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said earlier in November that of the team’s top free agents (which includes Yusei Kikuchi and Justin Verlander), they’re working the hardest to bring back Bregman.

“We’d love to have Alex Bregman back,” Brown told reporters at the GM meetings. “It’s our biggest priority.”

The Astros, of course, have allowed a handful of homegrown stars walk in free agency in recent years. And even though Brown admitted the team is exploring backup options, he seemed bullish about the club’s chances to retain Bregman.

“Our mindset right now is that he’s not going elsewhere and we want to sign him,” Brown said at the time. “If he ends up going elsewhere, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there, but I’m going into this offseason with the thought that we’re going to get Bregman back. Hopefully we can do it.”

Alonso, Yankees marriage on the horizon?

Alonso and the Yankees are believed to have “mutual” interest, according to the New York Post. Such a pairing would come in the wake of Alonso’s Mets signing Soto away from the Yankees, while first baseman Anthony Rizzo is a free agent.

Nov. 6: Yankees check in

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman figures to be busy in the coming weeks, as first baseman Anthony Rizzo and second baseman Gleyber Torres are also free agents. With that, Cashman confirmed the Yankees have interest in Pete Alonso, who’s available after starring for the Mets the past six seasons.

“There are a lot of high-quality players in this marketplace, and certainly Pete did an amazing job with the Mets,” Cashman said. “I had a brief conversation with Scott about a lot of his — he has a lot of free agents, which is normal, and Pete’s one of them, so yes.”

As for Torres, the Yankees did not extend him a qualifying offer, and Cashman offered a tepid response on whether the former All-Star could return.

“I’m not gonna dissect what he’s good at and not as good at,” Cashman said. “Obviously, he’ll have a lot of conversations with a lot of teams that have a need in that area and that might include us, who knows. But appreciate his efforts while he was here.”

Nov. 12: Guerrero unlikely to be traded entering contract year

The Blue Jays have “given no indication” that they’re set to trade Guerrero this offseason as he enters his final season of team control, The Athletic reported. The All-Star first baseman had his best season in a few years in 2024, hitting .323 with 30 home runs, 103 RBIs and a .940 OPS.

Toronto is reportedly making a chase for Soto, so moving Guerrero might be counterintuitive to that pursuit. However, a National League general manager told The Athletic that he could see the Blue Jays making Guerrero available later in the offseason if they fail to sign Soto and struggle to come to terms on an extension with their All-Star first baseman, believing the team could receive massive offers after free-agent first basemen Pete Alonso and Christian Walker sign.

Nov. 12: Phillies making Bohm available

The standout third baseman is on the trade market as the Phillies are “looking to shake up their team” after their earlier-than-expected playoff exit, ESPN reported. Bohm, 28, had a career year at the plate. He hit .280 with 15 home runs, a .779 OPS and 97 RBIs to earn his first All-Star nod.

Bohm has struggled in the postseason, though. He only had one hit in the NLDS and is a lifetime .214 hitter with just two homers in 34 games in the postseason. Despite his All-Star status, Bohm might be one of the more expendable hitters in the Phillies’ lineup as he doesn’t have a major contract. He’s also under team control for two more seasons.

Nov. 6: Bichette not available for trade

With Bo Bichette set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins made it clear that the team isn’t willing to move on from the shortstop sooner than it has to. He told MLB Network that any trade calls involving Bichette are “an easy no.”

Bichette is coming off an underwhelming 2024 campaign, slashing .225/.277/.322 with just four homers in 81 games.

Nov. 5: A’s keeping All-Star Brent Rooker

Athletics general manager David Frost insisted the A’s, who are temporarily relocating to Sacramento beginning next season, will not part with star designated hitter Brent Rooker.

“We’re going to keep [Rooker],” Frost told the New York Post.

Rooker was one of the most sought-after players ahead of the trade deadline in 2024. He finished the season with 39 homers and a 165 OPS+.

Cardinals keeping All-Star closer?

MLB teams expect St. Louis to keep Helsley, according to The Athletic. Hesley led MLB with 49 saves last season, while posting a 2.04 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 79 strikeouts across 66.1 innings (65 games). He’s a free agent following the 2025 season.

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