NEWSLETTER
In case you missed it earlier, we wrapped up all the latest rumors on the four free agent shortstops, because HOOOO boy there were a lot.
Among the topics: (1) How the Yankees could become involved, (2) how much Carlos Correa and Trea Turner are expected to make, (3) who will sign first, (4) the market for Xander Bogaerts market and his connection to the Cubs, (5) the Padres asking for a positional change, (6) the length of Dansby Swanson’s deal, (7) whether the Cardinals are actually involved, (8) where Turner is projected to end up, and more.
Yeah, it was A LOT. So if you’re looking for info on that market, for which the Cubs are heavily involved, check out that post right here. We’re going to go over all the non-shortstop stuff below.
Yankees Offer for Judge
We’ve already been warned a few times now that the Winter Meetings could get a little crazy next week — as in, the dam breaking and transactions pouring out. And it seems that all depends on Aaron Judge — at least, according to Jeff Passan: “Once Judge’s decision is made — or, better put, once the Yankees’ intentions are set — the rest of the high-end market could move, perhaps quickly, sources said.”
Specifically, Passan’s sources believe a whiff on Judge could make the Yankees pivot quickly to the free agent shortstop class, but we covered that earlier. Let’s stick with Judge, who’s got some mighty specific details trickling out about his new offer from New York:
“The New York Yankees, whose chief desire this offseason is to retain Judge, have an offer on the table in the neighborhood of eight years and $300 million…” Expectation is that he re-signs, but Giants are “willing to push the market.”
I tend to think that 8 years and $300 million (if that were the offer) could wind up a doable offer for Judge, as it would make him the highest paid position player on an average annual value basis ($37.5M). And I wonder how much higher the Giants would really be willing to go. I guess we’ll see if he wants to play for one team his entire career or move a little closer to home on the West Coast.
But let me underscore, again, what Passan’s sources are saying: Yankees or otherwise, Judge is “primed” to agree to a deal next week, at the meetings. Please.
What Else Will Happen at the Winter Meetings?
On the pitching front, Passan has heard that each of Carlos Rodon, Jacob deGrom, and Chris Bassitt are expected to sign next week. Meanwhile, Taijuan Walker, Jameson Taillon, and Ross Stripling are “possibilities to come off the board” before the end of the Winter Meetings. By contrast, Noah Syndergaard’s market has been cold and quiet (I wonder if that leads to an interesting value play at the end of the offseason…).
The Cubs, of course, should be very aware of those trends, as they’ve been connected to each of Taijuan Walker, Jameson Taillon, and Chris Bassitt over the offseason. Passan didn’t have an update on the expected timeline of Kodai Senga, unfortunately.
On the positional front, Passan sees conclusions for Michael Conforto and Mitch Haniger in the near-future. But it’s the trade market that might get really nuts.
That’s not even all the players Passan lists as available! Mayhem is coming! I kinda love it.
Michael Conforto’s Market
Since Michael Conforto is one of the players expected to sign as soon as next week, let’s take a quick look at his market.
According to Jon Morosi, Conforto is heading towards a one-year/pillow contract (no surprise there). And there are at least three teams in, most notably the Seattle Mariners:
However, given that the Yankees are one of the other teams in on Conforto, Morosi believes he’ll wait to see what happens with Judge. If the Yankees can’t get Judge, Conforto might be more of a priority. Obviously, Conforto is not Judge, but you can see the general logic there, positionally speaking.
