The Winning ExchangeLos Angeles Dodgers are bringing Clayton Kershaw back to Chavez Ravine for another season. All is right with the world. Well, that's not entirely true. Top MLB free agents are still wandering about without a team. Big names such as reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, 2023 Silver Slugger Cody Bellinger, and 2023 Gold Glove recipient Matt Chapman are all still looking for their next team.
Each of these players will cost their future teams a hefty price. However, their talents are undeniable, so it stands to reason that they will find someone to play for this season, even if we have to wait through spring training.
Hopefully, the Dodgers decision to re-sign Kershaw will kickstart the free agent rumor mill once again. It's been a rather slow and uneventful free agency this year, but you can bet that the news we've been looking for will eventually be dropped. Here are the latest rumors surrounding the top remaining free agents.
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Latest MLB rumors
Giants are in talks with Matt Chapman
Despite signing Jung Hoo Lee earlier this offseason, this free agency period has been a disappointment for the Giants, who lost out on nearly every big name in free agency. Even worse, they lost a few of them to their division rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Still, with so many big names left to sign and so much money to spend, the Giants may have a big signing or two left in the tank. Most recently, it's been revealed that the Giants are in talks with former Toronto and Oakland third baseman Matt Chapman.
MLB Insider Jon Heyman does not seem very confident that the Giants will sign Chapman, pointing out the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners as potential suitors who still make sense for Chapman. That said, Heyman acknowledged that the Giants have the money, the market, and the need to sign someone with Chapman's talents before the season starts.
The Giants are also reportedly in talks with slugger Jorge Soler. The Giants have the money to sign both, but should the Giants only sign Soler, this offseason would be labeled a massive disappointment for the franchise.
Blake Snell is nowhere closer to signing a deal
Heyman also talked about the market for Blake Snell during his appearance with Bleacher Report today. However, Heyman made no mention of any teams drawing interest from Snell or vice versa.
Heyman only mentioned that Snell is "waiting patiently." That indicates that Snell is happy with where he is currently in contract negotiations, which implies that Snell believes he will earn a big contract before the start of the 2024 season. Of course, with each passing day, there is a chance that teams get cold feet and back out of talks, but Snell's status as a two-time Cy Young winner should ensure Snell a solid deal eventually.
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Phillies could land a star free agent
Bob Nightengale reports that several executives believe the Philadelphia Phillies are a sleeper to land one of either pitcher Jordan Montgomery or outfielder Cody Bellinger.
The Phillies have been quiet this offseason with their only major move being the re-signing of Aaron Nola. Philadelphia has a desire to either balance their lineup with Bellinger or strengthen the middle of their rotation with Montgomery. But given the fact that neither player is currently wearing a Phillies uniform, it appears the Phillies will wait until either player's price tag drops.
GM's believe Guardians should be in the mix for J.D. Martinez, but might not be
Nightengale reports that a recent poll of MLB general managers claimed the best fit for designated hitter J.D. Martinez in free agency is the Cleveland Guardians. The Guardians have only spent $1.1 million this winter but have the tools necessary to make a run at an AL Central title, especially if they keep pitcher Shane Bieber amid rumors that he is on the trade block.
Despite this, there have been no reports that the Guardians are interested in signing Martinez this offseason. Teams that have been linked to Martinez include the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Francisco Giants. That said, no new news of interested teams or players has emerged since early January. If the Guardians want to reach a deal with the 2023 All-Star, they'd better start soon. Martinez's age, 36, could be a reason why more teams have not reached out.
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