Spring training is just around the corner, and while Major League Baseball pitchers and catchers are dusting off their gear, the hot stove is still cooking. With notable MLB free agents and trade targets still on the board, the rumor mill refuses to slow down.
Let’s dive into Saturday’s batch of buzzworthy moves, where the Padres make a calculated outfield play, the Angels shake up their infield, and the Rockies look to lock down a key defensive asset.
Padres Patch Up Left Field with a Platoon Approach
San Diego is gearing up for another postseason push, but let’s be real—the spending hasn’t exactly been free-flowing.
That likely has to do with the behind-the-scenes drama among late owner Peter Seidler’s heirs, which has kept the checkbook tighter than usual. Still, the team is making moves, and their latest involves a strategic outfield fix.
To replace All-Star Jurickson Profar, who took his talents to Atlanta, the Padres have reportedly signed Jason Heyward and Connor Joe to one-year deals, per Kevin Acee.
The plan? A left-field platoon, with the lefty-swinging Heyward getting the bulk of the at-bats and Joe stepping in against left-handed pitching.
Heyward, now 35, split time between the Dodgers and Astros last year, hitting .211/.288/.412 (98 OPS+) with 10 homers in 87 games. It’s not exactly prime Heyward, but it’s serviceable.
Meanwhile, Joe, 32, has shown he can hold his own against southpaws, posting a career .254/.350/.415 slash line in those matchups. The move isn’t flashy, but it’s practical—something the Padres seem to be prioritizing.
Moncada Gets the Nod at Third for the Angels
The Angels’ infield just got a shake-up, and it spells bad news for Anthony Rendon. The team has reportedly signed Yoán Moncada to a one-year, $5 million deal, per MLB.com.
Once one of baseball’s most hyped prospects, Moncada has had a rollercoaster of a career, with injuries limiting his impact. That said, the Angels seem confident in his ability to handle third base full-time.
Jon Heyman reports that Moncada will be the starting third baseman for the Halos in 2025, which sends Rendon—yes, the same Anthony Rendon who inked a $245 million deal back in 2020—to the bench.
Injuries have taken a massive toll on Rendon’s production, and while the 2020 season was solid, he’s struggled to stay on the field or contribute consistently since. Now, he’s looking at a bench role with two years and a whopping $77.1 million still owed to him.
Rockies Mulling Over an Extension for Doyle
In Colorado, the Rockies are reportedly weighing a long-term deal for their defensive star in center field. Patrick Saunders notes that the team has been having “internal discussions” about a contract extension for Brenton Doyle, with a potential agreement in the works this spring.
Doyle, 26, has been a defensive wizard, snagging Gold Gloves in both of his MLB seasons. But last year, he showed significant offensive improvements, putting up a 104 OPS+ with 23 home runs over 149 games. Add in his speed—30 steals in 35 attempts—and you’ve got a player fresh off a 4.0 WAR campaign.
The Rockies have flexibility since Doyle isn’t set to hit free agency until after 2029. They could aim for a short-term extension covering his arbitration years or go bigger and lock him down for a few free-agent seasons as well. Either way, it’s clear they view him as a key piece of their future.
And there you have it—another day, another set of MLB roster shake-ups as spring training looms. With a few big names still waiting for their next contract, expect more moves to drop soon.
