Here we are, staring down the final two days of January, and somehow, some serious names in MLB are still floating around in free agency.
We’re talking about Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso—two guys expected to lock in nine-figure deals—still sitting on the open market. And they’re not alone.
A quick glance at the CBS Sports free-agent tracker shows that four of the top 12 available players are still waiting for the right deal, along with a solid group of useful pieces that could help any contender.
Let’s not forget spring training is not some distant, hazy mirage—it’s practically here. We’re shifting into gear for the 2025 season, yet major dominos have yet to fall. So, what’s the latest? Let’s break it down.
Cubs in on Dylan Cease?
If you’ve been paying attention this offseason, you know the Padres have been looking to move some payroll, and one of the biggest potential trade chips in that effort is none other than Dylan Cease.
According to MLB Network, the Cubs are firmly in the mix for the 29-year-old right-hander.
Cease, who’s entering his final year before free agency, is locked in at an $8 million salary for 2025—a price that looks like an absolute steal for a guy who just posted a 3.47 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and 224 strikeouts in 189 1/3 innings while finishing fourth in the Cy Young voting.
That’s an ace-level arm, and if the Cubs manage to land him, he will slide right into the top of a rotation that already includes Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, and Matthew Boyd.
If they can’t pull the trigger on a deal, the Cubs still have depth options like Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks, Ben Brown, and Colin Rea, but let’s be real—adding Cease would be a game-changer for a team looking to contend in 2025.
Luis Robert to the Reds?
Here’s a trade that got close to happening but ultimately didn’t: the White Sox and Reds were deep in talks on a deal that would have sent All-Star center fielder Luis Robert Jr. to Cincinnati.
According to The Athletic, the negotiations fell apart due to the financial aspect of the trade.
Essentially, the two sides couldn’t agree on how much of Robert’s remaining salary the Reds would take on. Instead, Cincinnati pivoted and signed Austin Hays in free agency.
But this isn’t just a case of a trade that didn’t happen—the real takeaway here is that the White Sox were far enough down the road in discussions that this wasn’t just exploratory.
They’re clearly open to dealing with Robert, and while they’re not in a rush, he may be moved at some point this year—whether before spring training, during it, or even later in the season.
Robert, 27, is set to make $15 million in 2025, with a pair of $20 million team options after that. For a player with his talent, that’s not an unmovable contract by any means.
Yes, there are concerns about his durability and consistency, but the upside is undeniable—just look at his 2023 season: a .264/.315/.542 slash line, 38 homers, 36 doubles, 80 RBIs, 90 runs, 20 steals, and a 5.0 WAR. That’s superstar-level production when he’s healthy.
Tigers Aren’t Done Yet
Fresh off a surprising playoff push, the Tigers aren’t sitting back and admiring their work—they’re looking for more.
“We’re not done,” said president of baseball operations Scott Harris via MLB.com. “We’re going to try to find new ways to make this team better. There are a number of ways we can do it, such as free agency, trade, or waiver claim. I think bullpen and our lineup are two areas that we are going to look to upgrade if we can.”
One name that continues to make sense for Detroit? Alex Bregman. The Tigers’ lineup leans heavily on left-handed hitters, and Bregman would bring a much-needed right-handed bat with championship pedigree.
As for the bullpen, free-agent relievers Kenley Jansen and David Robertson remain available and could be solid short-term options.
And as Harris pointed out, a trade is always on the table. With spring training around the corner, Detroit might just have another move up its sleeve.
MLB Update: Final Thoughts
Here we are on the cusp of February, with impact players still waiting to find homes, trade talks brewing, and teams looking to put the final touches on their rosters.
The next few weeks should bring some serious movement. If history has taught us anything, it’s that the final days before MLB spring training can get wild. Stay tuned.
