Each passing day brings us deeper and deeper into Major League Baseball's offseason. The hot stove seems certain to pick up beginning this week, with a number of important deadlines (including the Rule 5 protection and contract tenders) forcing activity. Below, CBS Sports has collected all of Tuesday's news, notes, and moves.
Steinbrenner, Yankees 'gung-ho' about Soto
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and an organizational contingent that included general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone met with free-agent outfielder Juan Soto on Monday afternoon in an attempt to woo him back into the fold for the foreseeable future. Steinbrenner and company are reportedly "gung-ho" about Soto, according to the New York Post.
Soto, 26, is the top free agent available this winter thanks to his combination of youth and production. In fact, only one other player in MLB history has accumulated more Wins Above Replacement thru their age-25 season than Soto has while reaching free agency in their mid-20s. That individual? Alex Rodriguez, who established a new record for the richest contract in the league's history when he signed a 10-year pact worth $252 million with the Texas Rangers back during the 2000-01 offseason.
Where, precisely, the bidding for Soto will lead is up to everyone's imagination, but it's fair to assume that he's going to sign a massive contract between now and the start of spring training.
The Yankees are considered to be one of the favorites to sign Soto. They're also the fourth known team to have met with Soto this winter, joining the Mets, Red Sox, and Blue Jays. The Dodgers, the defending World Series champions, are expected to hold their own meeting with him this week.
Phillies hope to meet with Soto, too
Speaking of Soto, the Post reports that the Phillies also hope to meet with Soto. Philadelphia will free up some budget space come next winter, when the contracts of catcher J.T. Realmuto and outfielder/DH Kyle Schwarber expire. The Phillies have reliably fielded a top-five payroll dating back to the start of the 2021 season, and it doesn't seem like Dave Dombrowski and crew are going to stop poring resources into a team that remains one of the best in the National League.
Astros have money to spend
Astros owner Jim Crane told reporters that the club can spend up to last season's franchise record $244 million payroll if they so desire this offseason. That leaves Houston with around $30 million of wiggle room, depending on the accuracy of public projections.
Crane added that "it just depends on what players are available. It's pretty evident what needs we have. We want to try and field the best team we can without going crazy....We run it like a business and we make good decisions," according to The Athletic.
The Astros' biggest need appears to be third base, with franchise mainstay Alex Bregman reaching free agency for the first time in his career. Houston general manager Dana Brown has expressed his desire to retain Bregman publicly, though Crane said there's "nothing to report" on any talks.
Royals seeking bats
The Royals, fresh off a surprising postseason run, are looking for offensive help. That includes checking in on the statuses of Angels outfielder Taylor Ward and Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, according to MLB.com. The Royals have also already been tied to Reds infielder Jonathan India this winter.
Mets acquire OF help from Rays
Center fielder Jose Siri has been traded from the Rays to the Mets in exchange for reliever Eric Orze, the teams announced Tuesday.
Siri, 29, is an excellent defender in center who hit .187/.255/.366 with 18 homers and 14 stolen bases last season, good for 1.9 WAR. If we assume the Mets proceed this winter as they're expected to, the best bet is he'll be a bench player used for his power, speed and defense.
Orze appeared in two games last season as a rookie, allowed four runs on three hits in 1 ⅔ innings. In 43 appearances in Triple-A, however, he pitched to a 2.92 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 61 ⅔ innings.
