The MLB offseason was cruising along at full speed—Roki Sasaki to the Dodgers, a flurry of trades, and some big free-agent signings—but now?
It feels like we’re all waiting for the next domino to fall. The problem? The teams still looking to make a splash are dealing with some tricky situations.
Whether it’s Scott Boras clients holding out for mega deals or star players with complicated trade values, only those types of situations seem to be left on the market.
That said, things are starting to heat up again. The Mets and Reds got the ball rolling with bullpen moves—New York signing Ryne Stanek and Cincinnati trading for Taylor Rogers.
And let’s be honest: when teams start tinkering with their bullpens, it usually means bigger moves are on their radar.
The Reds almost pulled off a blockbuster for Luis Robert Jr., and the Mets discussed adding Kenley Jansen to their bullpen.
Oh, and don’t look now, but the Giants are lurking, possibly gearing up for one last major move.
The Reds’ Luis Robert Jr. Trade That Almost Happened
Cincinnati has been one of the busiest teams this offseason.
They brought in Terry Francona to manage, swung trades for Brady Singer and Gavin Lux, and now they’re shoring up their bullpen with Rogers.
But the real headline? They were deep in talks to acquire Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox before pivoting to outfielder Austin Hays.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Reds and White Sox just couldn’t agree on the right package—whether it was the money, the players, or a combination of both.
And that’s a theme we’ve seen a lot this offseason. Robert Jr. is a dynamic player, no doubt about it, but he’s also been inconsistent and struggled with injuries.
The White Sox want a king’s ransom for him, while teams like the Reds are hesitant to pay top-tier prices for a guy who’s had only one fully healthy, high-impact season.
For now, it looks like Robert Jr. is staying put in Chicago.
But come trade deadline time? If the White Sox are floundering, those talks might pick up again.
The Mets’ Kenley Jansen Talks Stalled Over Saves
Another interesting note from Rosenthal: Before they landed Stanek, the Mets were considering bringing in Kenley Jansen.
But talks hit a roadblock—Jansen wants to reach 500 career saves (he’s 53 away), and the Mets couldn’t guarantee him that opportunity with Edwin Díaz locked in as their closer.
Money was another factor. Jansen was likely looking at a contract double the value of Stanek’s $4-5 million deal. At 37, Jansen is still effective, but his stuff isn’t quite as dominant as it once was.
If you’re the Mets, would you rather take a cheaper flier on Stanek or overpay for Jansen just to chase a milestone? They made their choice, and it might end up being the right one.
The Giants Are Still Hunting for a Big Move
San Francisco has already made some serious noise this MLB offseason, adding Willy Adames and Justin Verlander, but they’re not done.
They freed up some cash by trading Rogers to the Reds, and now they might be lining up another major acquisition.
Rosenthal reports that the Giants also had conversations with the White Sox about Robert Jr., but those talks didn’t go anywhere, just like the Reds.
The Giants still need another outfielder and a power bat. If Robert Jr. is off the table, could they turn their attention to Pete Alonso?
Think about it: Their DH spot is wide open, and Alonso’s power bat would fit perfectly alongside Adames and Matt Chapman in the middle of the order.
If the Mets keep playing hardball in trade discussions, don’t be surprised if the Giants swoop in and make something happen.
What’s Next in the MLB?
We’re in that awkward late-offseason phase where MLB teams are still making moves, but the splashy headlines aren’t coming as fast and furious. Still, the next few weeks could be interesting.
The Mets, Reds, and Giants all seem to have one more move in them, and players like Alonso and Robert Jr. are still being talked about.
So, while the market may have slowed down, don’t take your eyes off it just yet—things could get wild again at any moment.
