The MLB offseason is sizzling, and the Hot Stove is serving up rumors that have baseball fans glued to their screens. While all eyes are on the Juan Soto sweepstakes, the buzz around other potential game-changing moves is just as electric. From trades to free-agent signings, the dominoes are poised to fall in a way that could reshape the 2025 season.
Garrett Crochet: A Bargain Southpaw in High Demand
The Chicago White Sox are dangling a trade chip in Garrett Crochet, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. He’s a southpaw with a fastball that sizzles and a contract that’s a steal. At an arbitration estimate of $3 million and team control through 2026, Crochet is a dream acquisition for teams looking to bolster their rotation. The 2023 season erased any doubts about his durability, with 32 starts, a 3.58 ERA, and a 1.07 WHIP across 146 innings.
Yet, White Sox GM Chris Getz is playing the long game. If last year’s Dylan Cease trade taught us anything, it’s that Chicago isn’t rushing into any deals. Crochet’s value will likely peak once the big-name free-agent pitchers are signed, making him the crown jewel of the pitching trade market. Teams looking for an affordable ace better bring their best offers—or risk losing out.
Max Fried: Giants Eye a California Homecoming
Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants are emerging as a sleeper on the West Coast in the Max Fried sweepstakes. While the Mets, Yankees, and Braves dominate the headlines, the Giants quietly position themselves as a contender for the left-handed ace. Fried, a California native, might find the allure of home too strong to resist, especially with the Giants’ need to replace Blake Snell after his departure to the Dodgers.
With the Dodgers setting the standard for star power and financial muscle, the Giants know they need a bold move to stay competitive. Fried fits the bill, but his price tag—expected to exceed Snell’s $182 million contract—will test just how serious San Francisco is about reclaiming NL West supremacy.
Juan Soto: An MLB Contract for the Ages?
Then there’s Juan Soto, the offseason’s headliner, playing his cards like a seasoned poker pro. Rumor has it the bidding for Soto has entered its third round, and Scott Boras is orchestrating a masterpiece.
Speculation suggests Soto’s next deal could dwarf Shohei Ohtani’s record-setting $700 million contract. Numbers in the ballpark of $750 million over 15 years are being tossed around—figures that sound more like a tech startup valuation than a baseball salary.
Where Soto lands remains a mystery, but one thing is clear: his next team will be making a historic investment. A four-time All-Star and World Series champ at just 25 years old, Soto has the resume and talent to justify it.
The MLB Waiting Game
As teams maneuver for position, the offseason drama is far from over. Whether it’s the right trade, a marquee signing, or an unprecedented contract, these moves will set the tone for 2025 and beyond. Fans can only sit back, refresh their feeds, and enjoy the rollercoaster ride of MLB’s hottest offseason in years.
