MLB rumors: Yankees not done yet; Mets up Tucker offer; Jays still in on Bichette; where Red Sox may pivot
Here are Wednesday's biggest MLB transactions and rumors
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2 min read
With roughly a month to spare until pitchers and catchers report to camp across sites in Florida and Arizona, Major League Baseball's offseason keeps chugging along. On Tuesday, the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired former All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. The New York Yankees, meanwhile, added left-hander Ryan Weathers as part of a five-player swap with the Miami Marlins. What will Wednesday bring? Below, CBS Sports has compiled all of the day's most notable moves and murmurs in one spot for your consuming pleasure.
Mets improve offer to Tucker
The Mets have "likely" added a fourth year to their offer to free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, per MLB Network Radio. Earlier this week, it was reported that the Mets had offered Tucker a three-year pact worth $50 million annually.
A short-term, high-AAV deal would give Tucker a chance at maximizing his earning potential while also protecting the Mets against potential age-related decay that comes with a longer term.
Tucker, the top free agent in the class, has also been tied to the Blue Jays, Dodgers, and a few other clubs throughout the winter. Toronto has been considered the favorite throughout the process, though it's unclear if that remains the case.
Yankees continue to pursue high-end starter
Although the Yankees added Weathers in that aforementioned trade, they remain on the hunt for a more certain quantity to plug into their rotation, per The Athletic.
As it stands, the Yankees would enter the season with a rotation that includes Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Luis Gil, and Weathers. Gil and Weathers, however talented, threw fewer than 60 innings apiece last season and Schlittler will be entering his first full big-league campaign. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are expected to rejoin the fold at some point over the spring into the summer as both work their way back from injury, but it's fair to note the Yankees could use some additional help.
In recent weeks, New York has been connected to a number of veteran starters on the trade market, including Brewers righty Freddy Peralta and Nationals lefty MacKenzie Gore.
Blue Jays still open to Bichette reunion
The Blue Jays "haven't closed the door" on re-signing free-agent infielder Bo Bichette, per ESPN. The reigning American League champions have been one of the most active teams of the winter, signing right-handers Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce and infielder Kazuma Okamoto, among others. Yet Toronto recently came up short in its pursuit of new Cubs infielder Alex Bregman, leaving the door ajar for Bichette to re-up with the only franchise he's known as a professional.
To be fair, ESPN's report notes that the Blue Jays might find themselves priced out on Bichette. He's recently been connected to the Phillies, Red Sox, and other clubs seeking help at shortstop or second base.
Red Sox open to adding more pitching
The Red Sox also whiffed in their efforts to keep Bregman in town and in response they may pivot to adding more starting pitching to their collection.
According to The Athletic, the Red Sox have been linked to Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta, and are believed to like left-handers Ranger Suárez and Framber Valdez enough to potentially give pursuit. Neither Suárez nor Valdez have been the subject of a ton of rumors thus far this winter.
The Red Sox have already added right-handers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo to a potential rotation that also includes lefty Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, and Patrick Sandoval, among other options.
