Spring training is only five weeks away and the anticipation is real. Major League Baseball (MLB) fans everywhere can feel it creeping closer, yet somehow, it still feels just out of reach.
Of course, this is also the time of year when front offices are working overtime, scrambling to make those last-minute deals before camp officially opens.
Over the next few weeks, the hot stove will be buzzing with trades and signings. Here’s the latest:
Orioles Eyeing More Upgrades
Even after locking in veteran pitcher Charlie Morton, the Orioles aren’t done shopping. According to The Athletic, Baltimore is still exploring free agency and trade opportunities, likely in search of a true frontline starter. Those, however, are in scarce supply.
Morton’s addition was likely Plan B or C after other pursuits didn’t pan out. Beyond that, the Orioles wouldn’t mind beefing up their bullpen or snagging a versatile bench player to round things out.
Baltimore has certainly opened their wallet this offseason. Their projected payroll for 2025 sits at $136 million, a notable jump from last year’s $93 million on Opening Day.
They’re still well below their 2016 payroll peak of $148 million. With billionaire owner David Rubenstein now steering the ship, GM Mike Elias likely has more financial wiggle room to push this team closer to contention.
Red Sox Left Out of Sasaki Sweepstakes
Bad news for Red Sox fans: Boston didn’t even score an in-person meeting with Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, as per the Boston Globe.
Sasaki reportedly met face-to-face with several top-tier MLB teams, including the Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees, but the Sox weren’t on that exclusive guest list.
At just 23 years old, Sasaki’s immense talent makes him one of the most coveted free agents, ranked seventh overall this offseason. However, due to international bonus pool restrictions, his signing bonus won’t exceed $10 million, and he can only sign a minor-league contract.
With his posting window closing on Jan. 23, Sasaki has less than two weeks to finalize a deal. Stay tuned—this one’s moving fast.
Cardinals Hunting for Bullpen Muscle
The Cardinals may be in a “reset” phase, but that doesn’t mean they’re sitting idle. Not only are they still trying to deal Nolan Arenado, they are looking to acquire new talent.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, they’re in the market for a late-inning reliever to support closer Ryan Helsley in high-pressure situations.
The free-agent reliever market has been quiet so far, but names like Kenley Jansen, David Robertson, and Kirby Yates are still up for grabs. Once the first domino falls, expect a chain reaction.
The Cardinals could jump into the mix quickly as they look to strengthen their bullpen and try to stay competitive in the NL Central.
Five weeks isn’t much time, and MLB teams are clearly feeling the heat to finalize their rosters. The countdown to spring training is on, and the next few weeks promise plenty of action. Stay locked in—it’s about to get exciting.
