MLB Rumors: Rafael Devers recruits Martin Maldonado to Red Sox on Instagram
The Boston Red Sox are expected to be major players in free agency under Craig Breslow. While the Shohei Ohtani pursuit appears to have fizzled out, a number of impactful free agents remain. Third baseman Rafael Devers, fresh off his second Silver Slugger award, appears to have one in mind.
Devers took to Instagram to subtly hint at the potential signing of veteran catcher Martin Maldonado.
Maldonado is known to have multiple suitors, including the incumbent Houston Astros. Maldy spent the last 4.5 seasons in Houston, winning the 2022 World Series and becoming a beloved member of the clubhouse. He's a favorite of Astros pitchers and coaches alike. Dusty Baker won't return in 2024, but Maldonado still has supporters in the organization.
That said, the Astros plan to elevate Yainer Diaz to full-time starter, which opens the door for Maldonado to seek a bigger opportunity elsewhere. The 37-year-old could be drawn to the historic allure of the Red Sox franchise.
It's also fair to question whether or not the Red Sox should target Maldonado, whose reputation far exceeds his output at this stage of his career. Maldonado's ability to connect with pitchers and call a game has undeniable value, but he's mostly ineffective at the plate. He slashed .191/.258/.348 with 15 home runs and 33 RBIs in 362 AB last season. There's still some pop behind his swing, but Maldonado's inability to consistently make contact and get on base in a sizable strike against him.
The Red Sox could be persuaded by Maldonado's defensive acumen and affordability, however. Not to mention obvious support for Maldonado in the locker room, starting with one of the team's best players in Devers.
MLB Rumors: Cubs look eager to keep Christopher Morel, not trade him
Christopher Morel has been mentioned as a major trade chip for the Chicago Cubs all offseason. He was at the center of initial Juan Soto rumors. He was copiously cited as the key to replacing Cody Bellinger via trade. But now, the tune is changing. The Cubs might keep the 24-year-old, who has five years of team control left on his contract.
"The Cubs aren’t going to give up Morel for a one-year rental player when he’s not positioned to become a free agent until after the 2028 season" writes Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. "That doesn’t mean Morel is untouchable, but his future in Chicago could be different with [Craig] Counsell."
Chicago already made one of the offseason's biggest splashes when Craig Counsell signed the largest managerial contract in MLB history to leave the Milwaukee Brewers for their NL Central rival. Counsell has a remarkable track record when it comes to the development of young players. Morel spent a lot of time as DH last season, but Mooney argues it's too soon to typecast such a young, athletic player in that role.
Morel has the potential to oscillate between several positions, most notably in the outfield. The Cubs could soon lose Bellinger, whose bat and glove were essential to the team's success in 2023. Jed Hoyer compared Morel to Kris Bryant and Bellinger; Counsell drew the line from Morel to Mookie Betts. The Cubs just have to peg where Morel can most successfully and sustainably operate in the field.
"He’s put himself in a position where he needs to be in the lineup,” Counsell told The Athletic. “He needs to be on the field. That’s a good thing. Now where? That’s what we have to figure out. To sit here [in December] and say we’ve got to have it figured out? Or that he might be a versatile piece? Like, yeah, I mean, Mookie Betts was a versatile piece for a pretty good team."
It's probably a slight exaggeration to proclaim MVP upside for Morel, but he slashed .247/.313/.508 with 26 home runs and 70 RBIs in 388 ABs last season — his third MLB campaign. He's extremely young with a hard-hit percentage (50.0) in the MLB's 92nd percentile, per Baseball Savant. The dude gets the barrel on the ball, and he's probably part of the Cubs' future, not their past.
MLB Rumors: Yoshinobu Yamamoto narrows field to seven potential landing spots
Yoshinobu Yamamoto appears to be getting closer to deciding where he will start in MLB career. The New York Mets took the initiative of flying to Japan to meet with the 25-year-old hurler, but according to Will Sammon of The Athletic, seven teams have emerged as "serious suitors." Only five are known at this point.
"The New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and the Mets, plus two more unidentified clubs," writes Sammon, "in no particular order." Not exactly the most shocking list, as virtually every team has been involved in the offseason's biggest free agent pursuits. All five expressed interest in Shohei Ohtani. Some are still in hot pursuit. The Blue Jays and Yankees were titanic on the Juan Soto front, but New York won out.
Yamamoto's age is such a unique factor here, as he's virtually the same age as most American pitching prospects when they crack MLB rotations. A three-time Triple Crown winner in Japan, Yamamoto's résumé is beyond reproach. He went 16-6 in 23 starts last season, posting a 1.21 ERA and 0.884 WHIP with 169 strikeouts in 164.0 innings pitched for the NPB's Orix Buffaloes.
The expectation is that Yamamoto's contract will surpass $200 million guaranteed, with the potential to elevate above a quarter million. Whoever signs Yamamoto will also owe a considerable posting fee to the Buffaloes, potentially in excess of $30 million.
Yamamoto could come to a decision within the week, so keep your eyes and ears peeled.