Jan. 11 marks arbitration day in the MLB offseason, but a decent number of quality free agents remain on the block while several oft-discussed trade candidates haven't been moved yet. That is to say that while this is usually a point in the offseason where the news nuggets are few and far between, there's still plenty to be decided in the next month before spring training begins.
For now, let's run through the rumors of the day.
Yankees have made offer to Snell
The Yankees have made an "opening offer" to free agent and reigning NL Cy Young award winner Blake Snell, reports the New York Post. The two sides remain far apart, though. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, the reigning AL Cy Young award winner, is said to support a Snell signing. If it happens, the Yankees would be the first team to roster both reigning Cy Young winners since the 1990 Royals (Mark Davis and Bret Saberhagen).
After missing out on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Yankees have been connected to just about every worthwhile starting pitcher available via trade and free agency. Snell and Jordan Montgomery are, pretty clearly, the top two free agent starters available, and both are Scott Boras clients.
Votto getting some interest
Free-agent first baseman Joey Votto has not retired and is getting interest from three different teams, reports USA Today's Bob Nightengale. The Reds are unlikely to be a suitor, meaning Votto will be signing with a different team after 17 seasons with the Reds.
In 65 games last year, Votto hit .202/.314/.433 (99 OPS+) with 14 homers and 38 RBI in 208 at-bats. His last relatively full season was 2021 (129 games), during which he homered 36 times with 99 RBI. He's shown that he'll still hit for plenty of power while taking walks, but with his age-related decline he's lost the ability to hit for average.
Votto would still be a nice option for a team looking for a part-time first baseman/DH, even in a bench or platoon role.
Yankees sign Weaver
The Yankees have signed free agent right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver to a one-year, $2 million deal, reports Robert Murray.
Weaver, 30, spent time with the Reds, Mariners and Yankees last season. In his 123 2/3 innings, he had a 6.40 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 109 strikeouts. His last three outings were with the Yankees and he had a 3.38 ERA (4.46 FIP) there with 16 strikeouts against three walks in 13 1/3 innings.
The Yankees are known to be still in the market for a bigger-name free agent starter, as they've been connected in rumors to Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery and Marcus Stroman. For now, though, Weaver would have a shot at the fifth starter after Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt.
Yankees, Astros among teams checking on high-velocity reliever
Fireballer Jordan Hicks is a free agent and has gotten some interest from the Yankees, Astros and "other teams," according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi. In 65 appearances last season between the Cardinals and Blue Jays, Hicks pitched to a 3.29 ERA (132 ERA+) and 1.36 WHIP with 81 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings. He still had issues with walks, but overall had his best and most complete season since his rookie year in 2018.
Dodgers, Cubs agree to trade
The Dodgers and Cubs have agreed on a trade that sends right-handed reliever Yency Almonte and infield prospect Michael Busch to the Cubs in exchange for a pair of teenage, projectable prospects (Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope).
