MLB spring training is right around the corner, and the Major League Baseball hot stove is still burning strong.
With just weeks to go before pitchers and catchers report, there’s no shortage of free agents looking for a home and teams scrambling to make those final roster tweaks.
Let’s dive into the latest buzz from around the league.
Dodgers Still Eyeing Kershaw
Even after locking in Roki Sasaki and Blake Snell, the Dodgers aren’t quite ready to close the book on franchise legend Clayton Kershaw.
GM Brandon Gomes made it clear that the door is open for a reunion once Kershaw is back to full health (via Orange County Register).
After undergoing toe and knee surgeries in November, the veteran lefty isn’t quite ready to hit the mound just yet, but when he is, expect the Dodgers to be waiting with open arms.
You might be thinking, “Do the Dodgers even need more pitching?” Let’s not forget that Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have had their share of injury woes, and Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Shohei Ohtani didn’t pitch a single inning in 2024.
In a league where you can never have too much pitching—especially if you’re chasing another ring—bringing Kershaw back makes a whole lot of sense.
Reds Making a Move For Estévez
According to USA Today, Cincinnati is in talks with free-agent reliever Carlos Estévez, and they’re not alone. The Blue Jays and Cubs have also been sniffing around, but the Reds are eager to bolster their bullpen.
After watching José Leclerc, A.J. Minter, Tanner Scott, and Paul Sewald sign elsewhere, the relief market is heating up fast.
Even with Alexis DÃaz locked in as their closer, the Reds know all too well that a strong bullpen is the backbone of any serious playoff contender. And with the expanded wild-card format, all it takes is a hot streak to find yourself playing October baseball.
Adding Estévez could be the difference-maker Cincinnati needs to turn their 2024 bullpen struggles into a distant memory.
Padres, Twins Discussing a Christian Vázquez Deal
The Padres and Twins have been talking shop about catcher Christian Vázquez, according to The Athletic, but it’s all coming down to dollars and cents.
The Twins are looking to shed his $10 million salary for 2025, and the Padres, tight on payroll, need a reliable veteran to back up Luis Campusano after Kyle Higashioka hit free agency.
Vázquez, who lost his starting spot to Ryan Jeffers in Minnesota, could be a solid fit in San Diego, but the big question is: how much of his salary will the Twins be willing to cover?
If the numbers work out, this deal could make a lot of sense for both sides.
Tyler Matzek Showcase on Deck
Remember Tyler Matzek? The lefty reliever who dazzled for the Braves during their 2021 postseason run?
After a rough road back from Tommy John surgery and a setback last season, he’s ready to show teams what he’s got. According to MLB.com, Matzek will be throwing a showcase in California, and teams in need of bullpen depth will be watching closely.
Expect a contender to scoop him up on a minor-league deal if he looks good. With hopes that he can regain the form that made him a postseason hero not too long ago, he could definitely still bring value.
So, there you have it— MLB spring training might be just around the corner, but plenty of wheeling and dealing is left to be done.
