2/2 Butler’s monster 2024 finish (.302/.346/.597, 20 HRs, 14 SB in 73 G) has A’s eyeing him as a cornerstone. ‘It’d mean everything to stay,’ he says, aiming for 2025 ASG in his hometown ATL and eventual jersey retirement. Inspired by Rooker’s extension blueprint. 🌟 #RootedInOakland
1/2 At his contract extension presser, #Athletics manager Mark Kotsay got a playful Q from OF Lawrence Butler (posing as media 😂). Kotsay hinted at long-term talks: ‘We’ve been engaged in conversations.’ Source confirms discussions to lock up Butler, 24, amid team’s move to Sac/Vegas. ⚾️
2/2 Jansen, who transitioned from CATCHER to pitcher early in his career, had 27 saves, a 3.29 ERA, & a career-low 10.21 K/9 in 2023. Relies on his cutter (84.9% usage!). Ex-Dodger/Red Sox vet now leads MLB in appearances (871) & games finished (653). #Angels bet on short-term stability. 🎯
1/2 🚨 Kenley Jansen returns to LA, signing a 1-year, $10M deal with the #Angels! The 4x All-Star (447 career saves, MLB’s active leader) fills a closer role for a team lacking a 40-save season since 2015. At 37, he’s a bridge to future flamethrower Ben Joyce (105 mph 🔥)
2/2 The Cubs may push for a short-term deal (à la Cody Bellinger), but Bregman reportedly wants long-term security (via Feinsand/Nightengale). If Chicago misses out, they could target Justin Turner. Where will Bregman land? Decision imminent! 👀 #HotStove #MLBUpdates
1/2 📰 Alex Bregman is “likely” to sign soon, per @Buster_ESPN. The free-agent 3B has multiyear offers from the #Cubs, #RedSox, and #Tigers, per reports. Morosi confirms all 3 clubs recently sent offers. The #Astros are not in the mix to re-sign their longtime star. #MLB
🚨 #Yankees sign LHP Tyler Matzek to minors deal. Ex-@Braves 2021 WS star (2.57 ERA, 77 Ks in 63 IP) has battled injuries (Tommy John surgery ‘22), velocity dip, & rough ‘23 (9.90 ERA). Comes days after reuniting with Tim Hill. Low-risk move for bullpen depth. ⚾️
2/2 If Bregman returns, Houston's infield could shift: Isaac Paredes to 2B, Bregman at 3B, and Altuve as DH/OF. Manager Joe Espada is confident they can make it work. Bregman, a key piece of Houston's success, remains linked to Tigers & Red Sox. 🧢 #MLBFreeAgency #Astros
1/2 Jose Altuve is open to switching positions to help the Astros re-sign Alex Bregman. "For Alex, I'd do whatever," Altuve said at Astros FanFest. "We have a better chance to win a championship with him." 🏆⚾ #Astros #MLB
🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵
There's no confirmation the Blue Jays actively pursued Pete Alonso, only speculation linking them to him
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Anthony Santander to a five-year, $92.5M deal, with the option for a sixth year. The 30-year-old, who hit 44 HRs and 102 RBIs for the Orioles in 2024, adds power to Toronto’s lineup. This move comes after failed pursuits of Ohtani, Soto, Burnes, and Sasaki. #MLB
Ichiro Suzuki is set to make history as the first Japan-born Hall of Famer and possibly the second unanimous MLB inductee. Meanwhile, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner, and Carlos Beltran await close votes for the Class of 2025. Results drop Tuesday on MLB Network. #HallOfFame #MLB
The Dodgers are making big moves this offseason! After landing Roki Sasaki, they’ve signed All-Star reliever Tanner Scott to a 4-year, $72M deal. Scott, dominant in 2024 with a 1.75 ERA, bolsters an already elite bullpen. L.A. is all-in on a 2025 repeat. #Dodgers #MLB
Sasaki to the Los Angeles Dodgers #MLB
On the first day of the 2024-25 international signings, a total of 381 players officially signed.
Players from 15 countries signed. #MLB
172 DR 🇩🇴
159 VEN 🇻🇪
15 CUB 🇨🇺
8 COL 🇨🇴
8 MEX 🇲🇽
4 PAN 🇵🇦
2 NIC 🇳🇮
1 BAH 🇧🇸
1 AUS 🇦🇺
1 HAI 🇭🇹
1 JPN 🇯🇵
1 UGA 🇺🇬
1 ITA 🇮🇹
1 STH
#MLB bans Austin Capobianco and John P. Hansen, the fans who "interfered" with Mookie during the World Series, from its stadiums for life.
Priorities 🍺 ⚾ 👶
Teams that have committed and/or guaranteed MOST MONEY in 2024-25 free agency (Minor League Contracts do not count)
1. New York Mets $917 million for 8 players
2. Los Angeles Dodgers $287.25 | 4
3. New York Yankees $235.5 | 3
4. Arizona Diamondbacks $210 | 1
5. San Francisco Giants $182 | 1
#MLB
2/2 Arenado is open to position changes and specific teams (e.g., Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, Dodgers), but overlaps with Alex Bregman's market are a factor. If Arenado stays in St. Louis, the Cards may shift focus to trading pitchers like Mikolas or Matz to cut payroll.
📝MLB Trade Rumors
1/2 Trade buzz: Nolan Arenado's veto of a trade to the Astros has stalled momentum for a deal. The Cardinals face challenges moving the All-Star 3B, with $60M (present value) left on his contract and his no-trade clause giving him control. Limited suitors complicate matters.
The Chicago Cubs have signed veteran catcher Carlos Pérez to a minor league deal. The 34-year-old, known for his strong defense, posted solid Triple-A numbers in 2023 and could provide depth behind the plate. #Cubs #MLB
Veteran 3B Gio Urshela is reportedly heading to the A’s, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Urshela, 33, hit .250 with 9 HR & 52 RBIs in 2024 with Detroit & Atlanta. He's played for CLE, TOR, NYY, MIN & LAA since debuting in 2015. Deal details not yet confirmed. #MLB
The Mets have met with Japanese star pitcher Roki Sasaki, per SNY. The 23-year-old posted a 2.02 ERA with a 32% K rate in NPB (2021-24). After signing Juan Soto, the Mets aim to bolster their rotation with Sasaki alongside Kodai Senga. #Mets #MLB
The Phillies are adding Max Kepler on a 1-year, $10M deal (pending physical), per reports. The 31-year-old OF brings strong discipline at the plate (25.2% chase rate since 2019) and solid production when healthy. Kepler hit .260/.332/.484 with 24 HR in 2023. #Phillies
According to Japanese media, Raidel Martinez's 🇨🇺contract with Yomiuri is for 4 years and 5,000 million yen. That is, 1,250 million yen per year (8 million dollars). That is the MOST EXPENSIVE contract in the history of the #npb. Will we see him one day in the #MLB?
The Atlanta Braves signed outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to a one-year deal worth $860K in MLB and $180K in the minors. De La Cruz, 28, hit .233 with 21 HRs in 2023 and adds depth as Ronald Acuña Jr. recovers from ACL surgery. #Braves #MLB
2/2 Scaling back has helped catchers like Salvador Perez stay productive offensively. Realmuto, a career 110 wRC+ hitter, could benefit similarly. Phillies haven’t discussed the plan—or a possible extension—with him yet, but talks could happen during Spring Training. #MLB
1/2 #Phillies are planning to scale back J.T. Realmuto's catching workload in 2025, giving him an extra day off weekly. Manager Rob Thomson believes the reduced workload could improve the soon-to-be 34-year-old's performance. Realmuto might play ~115 games behind the plate, similar to MLB leaders.
The #Pirates traded minor league pitcher Joe Vogatsky to the Red Sox for versatile infielder/outfielder Enmanuel Valdez. Valdez, 25, hit .214 with 6 HRs and 28 RBIs in 76 games for Boston in 2023. Vogatsky, 22, was a 2024 draft pick. #MLB
