The MLB Winter Meetings have concluded, and there are still a lot of really good players available on the market who will now garner a lot of attention in the coming weeks.
Today’s MLB rumors: Dansby Swanson to the Boston Red Sox and more
Let’s take a look at five of the top remaining free agents following the MLB Winter Meetings and identify potential landing spots for them as the market heats up.
- Dansby Swanson to the Boston Red Sox?
The Boston Red Sox just lost their longtime shortstop, Xander Bogaerts, to the San Diego Padres during the MLB Winter Meetings, and they would be wise to try to find a replacement on the free agent market right away.
Swanson’s addition would help compensate for Bogaerts’ devastating departure, making this deal even more important for Boston.
Swanson has been largely overlooked by many teams this offseason, but that’s to be expected when you enter the market alongside Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, and Trea Turner.
Swanson is arguably as good as all of them (.277 BA, 25 HR, 96 RBI, 18 SB,.776 OPS) and will be a year younger when the season begins.
- Have the New York Yankees signed Carlos Correa?
Related: Rumor from Boston provide the Cubs’ plans for Carlos Correa
The Yankees just blew a bag on Aaron Judge, and they could be about to blow another bag on Correa soon as well.
Speaking of star shortstops, Correa is without a doubt the best remaining hitter on the market at this point in the game. He’s the model of consistency in this star shortstop market (.291 BA, 22 HR, 64 RBI,.834 OPS), and he doesn’t have a single flaw.
More: To sign Carlos Correa, the Cubs must offer him a record-breaking contract
- Kodai Senga was signed by the New York Mets?
The New York Mets have already made significant moves this offseason, re-signing Edwin Diaz and Brandon Nimmo to long-term contracts and adding Justin Verlander and David Robertson to their pitching staff.
Even with the addition of Verlander, it appears that they may still be looking to add pitching help in the form of Kodai Senga.
Senga is considering a move to the MLB from Japan, and while he hasn’t been confirmed to do so, his interest in a move has piqued the Mets’ interest.
- Chris Bassitt has been assigned to the Minnesota Twins?
The Mets could also re-sign Chris Bassitt, but it appears that they are focusing their attention on Senga for the time being.
Even with Verlander and Jacob deGrom off the market, Bassitt hasn’t gotten much attention, making his market a bit of a mystery. However, he appears to be a perfect fit for the Minnesota Twins starting rotation.
While Bassitt isn’t necessarily a front-of-the-rotation guy (15-9, 3.42 ERA, 167 K, 1.15 WHIP), he’s extremely consistent and could slot in seamlessly behind Joe Ryan and Sonny Gray for the Twins. Minnesota has money to spend, and Bassitt could be the ideal candidate.
- Carlos Rodon to the Baltimore Orioles?
Related: What Yankees talk about Carlos Rodon among big-money chase
With Verlander and deGrom off the market, Carlos Rodon is the top starting pitcher available, and while many big-name clubs are interested in him, the Baltimore Orioles will shockingly outbid everyone.
Rodon had his best season of his career in 2022 with the San Francisco Giants (14-8, 2.88 ERA, 237 K, 1.03 WHIP) and demonstrated his ability to be the ace of a starting rotation.
The Orioles desperately need pitching and were pursuing Rodon before Verlander and deGrom were even available. Where there is a will, there is a way, and that will lead Baltimore to make the most surprising offseason addition.
