Major League Baseball’s annual Winter Meetings mark an unofficial beginning of hot stove season.
While the prize jewel of the off-season came off the board Sunday, with Juan Soto’s record-breaking contract with the New York Mets, the baseball world gathering in Dallas this week can only mean the action is only starting to get underway.
As clubs look to make a splash this winter, rumours and speculation will continue to fly, and you can follow along at Sportsnet.ca. Here is our running tracker of what MLB insiders across the industry are hearing.
Monday, Dec. 9
8:20 p.m. ET — Twins ‘open to listening’ on Correa trade ideas
One player who could receive some more interest on the trade market with Juan Soto off the board is Twins shortstop Carlos Correa, and Minnesota’s president of baseball operations Derek Falvey “is open to listening to those ideas,” according to The Athletic‘s Dan Hayes, but he “isn’t looking to simply shed” the 30-year-old’s salary. Even though they are operating from a difficult financial position this off-season, the Twins would demand a large price for Correa’s services. “Obviously, you expect teams to call on players like that, especially with where we are and some of the conversations we’re having with other clubs,” Falvey said. “But we want to win, so a high bar is set.”
7:15 p.m. ET — Blue Jays ‘absolutely’ interested in reunion with Teoscar Hernandez
In search of some power for their lineup, the Blue Jays could pursue a familiar face to fill that void. While speaking with reporters, Toronto GM Ross Atkins said the team is “absolutely” interested in trying to sign the slugging outfielder, per Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith. Hernandez played with the Blue Jays from 2017 to 2022 and hit 33 home runs for the World Series-champion Dodgers in 2024.
6:45 p.m. ET — Cardinals intend to trade Arenado
As St. Louis looks to shed payroll and prioritize youth this off-season, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak confirmed that third baseman Nolan Arenado is available via trade. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Mozeliak told reporters, “It is my intention to try” when asked about dealing the 33-year-old.
6:15 p.m. ET — Astros will ‘listen on anybody,’ including Tucker and Valdez
With Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez one season from free agency, Houston general manager Dana Brown didn’t rule out a possible trade for either while speaking to reporters. Per The Athletic‘s Chandler Rome, Brown replied, in part, that the Astros will “listen on anybody” when asked about fielding trade offers for the All-Star duo.
5:45 p.m. ET — Alex Bregman is Astros’ ‘No. 1 priority’
After nine years, two World Series titles and eight straight trips to the post-season, Houston manager Joe Espada wants to make sure Alex Bregman never wears an MLB jersey other than the Astros’. While speaking to MLB Network, Espada said that “(general manager) Dana Brown is doing everything in his power to get this guy across the finish line. This is our No. 1 priority.”
4:45 p.m. ET — Shildt says Padres ‘expect to be right in the mix’ for Sasaki
With star Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki’s posting becoming official on Monday, the chase to add his services is officially on. While appearing on MLB Network Radio, Padres manager Mike Shildt was asked about Sasaki specifically. “We should be very legitimate contenders,” he said. “We fully expect to be right in the mix and, at the end of the day, have Sasaki a Padre.”
3:15 p.m. ET — Cubs trying to improve bullpen, have spoken to Finnegan
The Cubs have already traded for reliever Eli Morgan and signed starter Matthew Boyd this off-season, but their hunt for pitching help continues. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported that Chicago is “still trying to improve” its bullpen and listed former Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan as an arm the team has spoken to.
3 p.m. ET — Dodgers still active in reliever market after bringing back Treinen
According to The Athletic‘s Fabian Ardaya, the Dodgers “seek at least one more reliever” after re-signing Blake Treinen on Sunday night. Ardaya writes that L.A. is looking at the top of the market, which includes interest in experienced closers Tanner Scott and Devin Williams.
2:45 p.m. ET — Yankees ‘will consider’ top-of-market starters
After falling short in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, the Yankees could pivot to “building a formidable rotation,” ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote. Olney said that the Bronx Bombers “will consider” the likes of Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and Walker Buehler for their rotation.
12:30 p.m. ET — Nathan Eovaldi a ‘strong candidate’ to sign at Winter Meetings
During an episode of The Baseball Insiders show on YouTube, Fansided’s Robert Murray identified starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi as a ‘strong candidate’ to sign at this week’s Winter Meetings, adding that the right-hander is drawing “pretty significant interest.”
11 a.m. ET — Rosenthal expects Blue Jays ‘to put together monster offer’ for Corbin Burnes‘
While appearing on the Fair Territory podcast Monday morning, The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal discussed the teams that missed out on Juan Soto and what could come next for the Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox and Dodgers. In his discussion of Toronto, Rosenthal said that he expects the Blue Jays “to put together a monster offer for Corbin Burnes. Burnes, the top starting pitcher available on the free-agent market, is coming off an All-Star season with the Baltimore Orioles, in which he posted a 2.92 ERA over 194.1 innings.
8 a.m. ET — Tigers have ‘kicked the tires’ on Christian Walker
After a second-half surge saw them find a way into the post-season, the Tigers have interest in multiple notable free agents, including first baseman Christian Walker. The Detroit Free Press‘ Evan Petzold reported that the team has interest in starting pitchers Walker Buehler, Andrew Heaney and Kyle Gibson and has “kicked the tires” on Walker, who has won three straight Gold Gloves and hit 95 homers since 2022.
