Updated Post – Nov. 17 at 10:53 AM
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that the Milwaukee Brewers are discussing starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff with multiple teams. Morosi notes that the right-hander will miss at least the first half of the 2024 season following surgery to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder last month.
Woodruff will be a free agent after the 2024 season. The 30-year-old has a 3.10 career ERA in 130 games (115 starts) with the Brewers. He’s projected to make $11.6 million through arbitration for the 2024 season.
Updated Post – Nov. 16 at 10:35 AM
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the New York Yankees and New York Mets have interest in trading for veteran outfielder Manuel Margot from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Margot, 29, hit .264/.310/.376 with 21 doubles, four home runs, and nine stolen bases in 99 games this season with the Rays. The typically strong defensive outfielder had a 1-run value overall in 2023 between center and right field. That is a fall from the 12-run value that he had in 2021 and 2019.
Margot will make $10 million in 2024 and then has a $12 million team option with a $2 million buyout.
The Mets currently only have Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte, DJ Stewart, Zack Short, and Jeff McNeil on their 40-man roster, who played in the outfield this year in the majors.
Original Post – Nov. 15 at 2:30 PM
There is no question that outside of seeing where superstar Shohei Ohtani lands, the baseball world will be focused on what team can lure Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto to pitch for them. The New York Mets and New York Yankees are certainly going to be two of the more interested teams, according to multiple reports. The 25-year-old has won three straight Golden Glove Awards and three straight Eiji Sawamura Awards (Japanese Cy Young-equivalent) on the way to being one of the most sought-after Japanese pitchers in history.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers are among one of the most interested teams in Yamamoto. Morosi also notes that Yamamoto hasn’t been posted yet, though multiple reports say that will likely happen this week.
Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philly reports that the Mets will have competition within the NL EAST in the form of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns made it clear that pitching is a priority this offseason, and the Mets starting depth outside of Kodai Senga and José Quintana is limited. Senga reportedly “made it vocal to Mets management that he wants Yamamoto to be a Met,” according to The Athletic.
Once Yamamoto is officially posted, teams will have 45 days to sign the starter. Make sure to check out our free agent profile on Yamamoto. Joel Wolfe, the same agent that represents Senga and Mets closer Edwin Díaz, is negotiating Yamamoto’s first major league contract.
