2025 MLB Off-season talk

[Axeman33]

Will start a thread to talk about off-season moves and signings.

Kicking it off with a former Jay.

https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1865097891246702675

Catcher Danny Jansen and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a one-year, $8.5 million contract that includes a mutual option for a second season, sources tell ESPN. Jansen, who has played in Toronto and Boston, remains in the AL East. On it: @ByRobertMurray and @TBTimes_Rays.

[Axeman33]

https://x.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1...R7To419Og&s=19

Source confirms: Juan Soto in agreement with Mets on 15-year, $765M contract. Deal includes $75M signing bonus. First: @JonHeyman

As a Jays fan, I couldn't be happier this wasn't the Jays signing him to this ridiculous contract. It allows them to spend money in multiple places to improve this roster. I suppose I should thank the Mets and Soto for getting this deal done quickly before all the good FAs are already signed, like what seemed to happen last year with Ohtani.

It's too bad we still have Shatkins still pulling the strings on this roster.

[PenguinHunter]

Welcome the the National League East....

Why didn't the Yankees sign him for that much and keep him out of the NL - haha.

Great point about it being good that its done earlier and not dragged out!

[LawMan]

This deal is wild to me! Agreed, so glad the Jays avoided this deal.
Every aspect is insane: total of $765 million, annual salary of $51-million, length of 15 years and $75 million signing bonus

I have heard other bits and pieces including:
- Soto has an opt-out clause after 5 years where he can opt-out or force an increase to $56million
- Soto apparently has his own Luxury Suite at Citi Field (something the Yankees refused to offer?).

Soto's deal is not only NOT deferred, it is slightly front-loaded. Thus, from a true cost perspective he is making more per season than Ohtani (whose value is around $43 million when you take into consideration the massive deferral amounts). Soto is a great player but my view is that this deal is going to look very ugly starting about half-way through.

[2014olympicgold]

Everything I think about the Soto deal has been said, but wow. There's a point to be made tho that Cohen wanted to take a player from the Yankees via a money transaction. A way to throw the hammer down on the Yankees to say, "we're the NY Captains now" and honestly, for Cohen, the extra money to get him is peanuts. But for every other team in the race, it's going to be a better move that they didn't get him.

There's also a fair amount of talk around Freid and Burnes decision coming soon. Some unverified talks about Burnes likely going to the Jays, but nothing of substance really. Can't wait for a "Another wasted start by the Jays starter as they fall 2-0"

[Axeman33]

https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1866...LKV_amv0w&s=19

BREAKING: The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a trade to acquire three-time Gold Glove-winning second baseman Andrés Giménez from the Cleveland Guardians, sources tell ESPN.

Ross Atkins special. All star defense, limited offense.

https://x.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1...UugLCxB9A&s=19

Let’s try this again: Andres Giménez and reliever Nick Sandlin going to Blue Jays. 1B/2B Spencer Horwitz part of return for Guardians. Apologies.

[hockeyrobot]

Classic Atkins deal. It's over folks. No way Vlad is signing. Why would he?

Although I'm pretty happy they didn't end up with that Fried deal. Yikes.

[2014olympicgold]

I honestly don't mind the Gimenez deal, but if that's their big move then I am fed up. He is younger than Horwitz. And he's under (a bad) contract for a few years so they have some control.

His road splits give a glimmer of hope for his offense.

Home:
74GP, 0.231avg/0.318slg/0.586OPS

Away:
78GP, 0.271avg/0.360slg/0.685OPS

I also think he was a top 5 in WAR for 2B over the last 2yrs? Something like that.

[Axeman33]

I honestly don't mind the Gimenez deal, but if that's their big move then I am fed up. He is younger than Horwitz. And he's under (a bad) contract for a few years so they have some control.

His road splits give a glimmer of hope for his offense.

Home:
74GP, 0.231avg/0.318slg/0.586OPS

Away:
78GP, 0.271avg/0.360slg/0.685OPS

I also think he was a top 5 in WAR for 2B over the last 2yrs? Something like that.

Im fine with it as well. He adds some protection if Bo doesn't come back, as he's a natural SS who switched to 2B. To be fair, there's not a lot of power out there from 2B anyway so if you cant get hitting, at least get the D, which he clearly offers.

I cant imagine this is there "big play" this off-season. They need offense and that was clearly evident last season. I "expect" to see a big bat for the OF and hopefully something for 3B.

[2014olympicgold]

Im fine with it as well. He adds some protection if Bo doesn't come back, as he's a natural SS who switched to 2B. To be fair, there's not a lot of power out there from 2B anyway so if you cant get hitting, at least get the D, which he clearly offers.

I cant imagine this is there "big play" this off-season. They need offense and that was clearly evident last season. I "expect" to see a big bat for the OF and hopefully something for 3B.

I hope that this Gimenez acquisition means they won't take on Arenado lol. I feel like maybeeee if you get St Louis to pay a HUGE portion of his deal, then ya whatever, but his bat speed has dropped off a cliff which typically doesn't translate well. However, it's not like there's much out there besides Bregman. Moncada, Nicky Lopez, Josh Rojas, Urshela? Or do you push Vlad to 3B and sign an Alonso, Walker, Josh Bell?

[Axeman33]

I hope that this Gimenez acquisition means they won't take on Arenado lol. I feel like maybeeee if you get St Louis to pay a HUGE portion of his deal, then ya whatever, but his bat speed has dropped off a cliff which typically doesn't translate well. However, it's not like there's much out there besides Bregman. Moncada, Nicky Lopez, Josh Rojas, Urshela? Or do you push Vlad to 3B and sign an Alonso, Walker, Josh Bell?

I dont think thats what they want to do, but as far as power for the lineup goes, I think it would be the right idea. It's hard to move a gold glove 1B to 3B, even though that was his original position coming up.

I dont want Bregman. That just screams Springer all over again. Buying him on the downslope of his career, all the while paying him like he's a long term option.

[2014olympicgold]

I dont think thats what they want to do, but as far as power for the lineup goes, I think it would be the right idea. It's hard to move a gold glove 1B to 3B, even though that was his original position coming up.

I dont want Bregman. That just screams Springer all over again. Buying him on the downslope of his career, all the while paying him like he's a long term option.

At $200m I don't want him at all either.

[PenguinHunter]

Tucker is being traded to the Cubs.

[Axeman33]

https://x.com/Feinsand/status/1870166885825974743

Christian Walker and the Astros have agreed to terms, per source.

[Axeman33]

https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/1872654101114462237

Breaking: Gleyber Torres to Tigers