Look, we get it.

You’re at the point in the winter where the inner machinations of your mind aren’t an enigma, but rather that you’re thinking about actual baseball games instead of simply playing GM from the comfort of your couch.

On the Just Baseball Show, we have transitioned from our “Playing GM” episodes we have done for every team to our positional rankings for every position in the league, which will surely elicit plenty of conversation.

But while starting to think about the upcoming season is exciting and fun and joyous and fulfilling and oh-so beautiful, we still have some more offseason coverage to comb through!

Because despite the focus shifting in the baseball community, seven of our initial Top 20 Free Agents are still available on the market in addition to the top international player, who happens to have ace upside. Busy times, indeed.

Remaining Offseason Storylines

This winter isn’t over just yet with players yet to sign, teams that still need to improve, and trade candidates still very much available.

Let’s dive into the key things to watch prior to the start of the spring.

Top Free Agents

There are still clear ways for teams to improve through free agency but a lot of players seem to be at a standstill lately with negotiations.

• Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso represent the clear top tier of remaining hitters on the market. Alonso still feels like a Met given the lack of teams willing to pay big money for his profile and the Mets need for another big masher. Meanwhile, Bregman’s days in Houston appear to be over with the Tigers, Red Sox, and Phillies seeming like potential destinations.

• The third and fourth best players without a team are Anthony Santander and Jack Flaherty; they both make sense as players struggling in negotiations at this point in the winter, though. They’re coming off excellent seasons, but have some underlying concerns and track records that could lead to many teams being a little weary of handing them a big contract.

• A pair of Padres remain unsigned as San Diego has been quiet. Jurickson Profar is coming off a huge season but has been nowhere near that level during the first decade of his career. Meanwhile, Ha-Seong Kim is an elite defensive middle infielder, but the level of consistency he produce at the dish is a tougher question.

• Plenty of quality relievers can still be found lurking in the wild, led by top closer Tanner Scott. Every contender could use another piece in the bullpen and the market for the rest of the late-inning arms could take off once Scott signs.

Roki Sweepstakes

This has been a fascinating story with such a talented pitcher being available in a manner that cannot be swayed financially. The 23-year-old Japanese superstar has officially narrowed his decision to three teams: Dodgers, Padres, and Blue Jays.

People around the baseball world have been assuming he’s heading to Los Angeles all winter, but there is still no concrete sign of it. It feels like his decision should be coming soon.

Sasaki has the ability to choose wherever he would like to play and this decision can become official at any point now with the international signing period starting on January 15th (Although negotiations have obviously been going on for months).

Trade Candidates

For some teams, trading for talent is more viable than dishing out big contracts. This creates a trade market that can linger into the spring and throughout the season.

• It seems like the Cardinals are ready to trade veteran Nolan Arenado but what destination and suitor even make sense?

• The White Sox are already in rebuild mode, but finally trading Luis Robert could further improve their already-impressive farm system. Could an outfield-starved team trying to take a take step forward swing a trade for a him?

• Two pitchers, one former and one current Marlin, could be hot commodities on the market if they are indeed available for trade. It may seem illogical, but the Twins have to consider trading Pablo Lopez and the Marlins could shift their future outlook by parting with ace Sandy Alcantara soon.

Just Baseball Trivia of the Week

Our newsletter will have a trivia question every week to test and expand the baseball knowledge of our subscribers! The answer to the weekly trivia question will be at the bottom of the newsletter each week.

How many batters did Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shohei Ohtani strike out in their combined 24.2 innings in the 2023 World Baseball Classic?

A) 27 strikeouts

B) 36 strikeouts

C) 31 strikeouts

D) 34 strikeouts

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Spring Training on the Horizon

We’re just a month away from pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training in Arizona and Florida! Furthermore, the 2025 season will kick off in just over two months with the Japan Series between the Dodgers and Cubs getting the ball rolling.

It’s time to start projecting how all 30 teams across MLB will perform this summer and our friends at BetMGM recently released every team’s projected win total. Check out all of the over/under numbers from around the league here:

Who do you think will overperform or underperform expectations this season? The future is often a cloudy mistress, and these numbers could shift noticeably with moves made prior to the season kicking off in March.

The new season also brings a chance for players to leave 2024 in the past and focus on performing at the best of their abilities in the present. These star pitchers will look to bounce back in a big way in 2025.

Keep an eye out for our top players by position lists which started yesterday and will be coming out over the following weeks leading up to Spring Training!

Other Headlines

• Veteran pitcher Jeff Hoffman signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Blue Jays after reportedly having a deal done with both Baltimore and Atlanta before failing physicals with them. Read more on this signing!

• The Reds traded for Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux as they look to further improve their roster after a disappointing 2024 season. While it does further complicate some positioning, the move is worth it for Cincinnati.

• Numerous one-year deals were inked this week as Donovan Solano signed with the Mariners, Andrew Kittredge signed with the Orioles, Jorge Lopez signed with the Nationals, and Colin Rea signed with the Cubs.

Not Gambling Advice

Make sure you’re following along with Peter Appel during the NFL Postseason; he’s been absolutely positively ON FIRE to start! Keep an eye out for his MLB season-long plays which will be coming soon enough with baseball season nearing.

Trivia Answer: D) 34 strikeouts

The trio of Japanese superstars led the way to a championship for Japan with 34 strikeouts between the three of them.

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