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MLB free agency: Nolan Arenado spikes trade to Astros, Yankees find Juan Soto replacement

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MLB free agency: Nolan Arenado spikes trade to Astros, Yankees find Juan Soto replacement

MLB free agency is cruising right along, with the league’s winter meetings held last week in Dallas. The name on everyone’s lips is Juan Soto, but he’s not the only free agent who has a big decision to make this winter.

Here’s a quick look at where things stand so far this offseason:

Nolan Arenado is one of the biggest names on the trade market, though not necessarily the most valuable, and we now know he probably won’t be going to the Houston Astros. The St. Louis Cardinals third baseman has informed his club that he will not waive his no-trade clause for a move to Houston, according to MLB.com.

The Cardinals were reportedly willing to send $15-20 million to the Astros to cover the $64 million in salary that Houston would have to take on (the Colorado Rockies are on the hook for $10 million of the $74 million remaining on Arenado’s deal), but they also needed Arenado’s approval.

A player invoking his no-trade clause doesn’t always mean a trade is dead — often, the move is a ploy to shake some extra dollars out of his new team — but the Astros are reportedly not hopeful about a change. The team also already has a likely starting third baseman in Isaac Paredes, acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade.

Losing a 26-year-old future Hall of Famer is a blow for any team, but the New York Yankees have been active since their former right fielder put pen to paper with the New York Mets.

Their loudest move was an eight-year, $218 million contract for Max Fried, taking one of the top free-agent pitchers off the board. Their starting rotation of Gerrit Cole, Fried, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt and Carlos Rodón now projects to be one of the strongest in the majors.

They also had to replace Clay Holmes in the bullpen after losing him to the Mets and did so by acquiring Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for starting pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. and infield prospect Caleb Durbin.

As for the specific Soto replacement, they traded for Cody Bellinger, a former MVP who has struggled with injuries and swing issues over the past few years. Bellinger is undeniably talented and was one of the best players on the Cubs last year, but he represents a risk, though that might be preferable to accepting mediocrity.

Beyond Williams and Bellinger, there has been no shortage of major trades this offseason, the most recent being the Chicago Cubs’ big move for former Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker. In exchange for an All-Star outfielder a year away from free agency, Houston received infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith.

Before that, there was the Boston Red Sox acquiring left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox for a boatload of minor-league talent headlined by catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Braden Montgomery, and the Toronto Blue Jays brought in second baseman Andrés Giménez and pitcher Nick Sandlin from the Cleveland Guardians.

Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki was posted Dec. 9 as the winter meetings got underway, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. Sasaki’s posting opened a 45-day window, which began Dec. 10 and runs through 5 p.m. ET Jan. 23. Every MLB team is now allowed to attempt to sway the 23-year-old talent to sign with them when the international amateur signing period opens Jan. 15.

Required reading:

Follow along with Yahoo Sports as we track all the rumors, signings and more during MLB free agency:

Live61 updates

  • The Mets pick up another starting pitcher

    With Luis Severino, Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana all free agents after throwing at least 170 innings for the Mets this year, New York entered this offseason with some major work to do, even in the non-Juan Soto department.

    They’ve responded with an “Island of Misfit Toys” approach to the rotation. They’ve already signed Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million deal after a down season with the Reds and Brewers and former Yankees closer Clay Holmes a three-year, $38 million deal, with the plan to convert him from reliever to starter.

    Their latest addition: Angels starter Griffin Canning, a former top prospect, on a one-year, $4.25 million deal, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Canning holds a 4.78 career ERA and should slide into the back of the rotatio

  • Cody Bellinger could play multiple positions with Yankees

    There were reports after the New York Yankees’ trade for Cody Bellinger that the former MVP was told he would play center field on his new team, but Yankees manager Aaron Boone poured cold water on that idea Wednesday.

    Center field, left field and first base are all in play for Bellinger, who is a solid defender at each position. That makes sense for the Yankees, who have spots open in both outfielder corners and at first. Aaron Judge played center field in 2024, but would likely move to right if Bellinger is available to take center.

  • Nolan Arenado reportedly spikes trade to Astros

    Nolan Arenado is one of the biggest names on the trade market, though not necessarily the most valuable, and we now know he probably won’t be going to the Houston Astros. The St. Louis Cardinals third baseman has informed his club he will not waive his no-trade clause for a move to Houston, according to MLB.com.

    The Cardinals were reportedly willing to spend $15-20 million to the Astros to cover the $64 million in salary that Houston would have to take on (the Colorado Rockies are already on the hook for $10 million of the $74 million remaining on Arenado’s deal), but they also needed Arenado’s approval.

    A player invoking his no-trade clause doesn’t always mean a trade is dead — often, the move is a ploy to shake some extra dollars out of his new team — but the Astros are reportedly not hopeful about a change. The team also already has a likely starting third baseman in Isaac Paredes, acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade.

  • New York Yankees trade for Cubs OF Cody Bellinger as former MVP’s career takes another turn

    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Cody Bellinger #24 of the Chicago Cubs reacts to his two run home run, to take a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on September 09, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Cody Bellinger #24 of the Chicago Cubs reacts to his two run home run, to take a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on September 09, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Cody Bellinger is on his way to New York. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    The New York Yankees have their Juan Soto replacement — or at least a guy who can take Juan Soto’s place on the field.

    The team swung a trade with the Chicago Cubs for former MVP Cody Bellinger on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, betting on a talented player to bounce back from a rough couple of years. The Cubs are also sending cash to the Yankees and will receive right-handed reliever Cody Poteet in return.

    Soto’s record-setting pact with the New York Mets left the Yankees in dire need of a corner outfielder with enough pop to slide into the middle of the order. Bellinger could fit that bill and was available via trade due to his contract with the Cubs, which gives him player options for 2025 and 2026 that pay him a total of $52.5 million.

    It was clear a trade was coming after the Cubs acquired Houston Astros star Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster move, but there were rumors of the team shopping Bellinger even before they succeeded in acquiring Tucker.

    Read the full story here.

  • Yankees, Cubs stalled on Cody Bellinger trade talks

  • Max Fried is officially a Yankee

  • Orioles land Sugano

    The Baltimore Orioles have struck a one-year, $13 million deal with right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano. The 35-year-old had a 1.67 ERA and 111 strikeouts in Japan this past season.

  • What are the Astros trying to accomplish by trading Kyle Tucker?

  • Will Jesús Luzardo be a Cub?

    After trading for Kyle Tucker late last week, the Cubs could be putting together another deal this week, per 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine. The Cubs and Marlins have reportedly been discussing a trade involving lefty Jesús Luzardo.

  • A look at the reliever market

  • Cubs and Marlins talking Jesús Luzardo

    Jesús Luzardo had a 2024 to forget with a 5.00 ERA and a season-ending back injury, but he could still attract a high price for the Marlins.

    One of the top arms on the trade market, Luzardo is reportedly seeing interest from the Chicago Cubs. With Luzardo under team control for two more seasons, the Marlins will want a significant return for a talented arm who was great in 2023 but has struggled with injuries.

  • Astros a ‘serious suitor’ for Nolan Arenado trade

    The Houston Astros have already acquired one third baseman with Isaac Paredes via the return of the Kyle Tucker, but they might not stop there. Per The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, Houston has emerged as a serious suitor in a trade for St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado.

    Arenado is one of the biggest names on the market but not necessarily one of the most valuable players. He is still owed $74 million across the next three seasons, $10 million to be paid by the Colorado Rockies, and any team that takes him is going to want the Cardinals to take another bite out of that if they expect any sort of meaningful prospect return.

    Acquiring both Parades and Arenado would likely mean a move to first base or a utility role for Paredes, given Arenado’s Gold Glove defense. And it almost certainly means Alex Bregman will be playing in a new uniform next season.

  • A’s continue being active with acquisition of LHP Jeffrey Springs from Rays

    The Rays are sending Jeffrey Springs to the A’s in exchange for RHP’s Joe Boyle and Jacob Watters, as well as OF Will Simpson. A compensatory draft pick will also be heading Tampa’s way, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

    The 32-year-old Springs appeared in only 10 games over the past two seasons as he dealt with ulnar neuritis, as well as Tommy John surgery. He is owed $10.5 million each of the next two seasons, and his contract features a club option worth $15 million for 2027.

  • Yankees remain interested in Alex Bregman

  • Cubs pick up catcher Carson Kelly in second acquisition of the day

    Hours after acquiring outfielder Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster trade, the Chicago Cubs made another acquisition. The team signed catcher Carson Kelly to a two-year, $11.5 million contract, per multiple reports.

    Kelly, who was a free agent, spent the second half of last season with the Texas Rangers after being traded from the Detroit Tigers. The 30-year-old catcher had a .235 batting average in 102 at-bats in 2024.

  • Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman reacts to Cubs winning Kyle Tucker trade sweepstakes

  • Astros trade All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to Cubs in three-for-one exchange

    HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 21: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Houston Astros runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park on September 21, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin M. Cox/Getty Images)HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 21: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Houston Astros runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park on September 21, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin M. Cox/Getty Images)

    Kyle Tucker is reportedly on his way to Chicago. (Photo by Kevin M. Cox/Getty Images)

    The Chicago Cubs are bringing in a new offensive weapon, acquiring All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros on Friday, per multiple reports.

    In return, the Astros will reportedly receive three players: infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and third-base prospect Cam Smith.

    Tucker has played his entire career with the Astros, starting in 2018. He won a World Series with the team in 2022 and has picked up a number of awards the past few seasons, including three All-Star selections, a Gold Glove (2022) and a Silver Slugger (2023). Tucker missed time this season due to a right shin injury but still received his third consecutive All-Star selection.

    Read the full story here.

  • Juan Soto changed his cell phone number during free agency

    On Thursday during his introductory news conference with the Mets, Juan Soto revealed that he hadn’t talked to any of his Yankees teammates throughout the free agency process.

    “I haven’t talked to any of those guys,” he said. “We talked to them through the playoffs, at the end of the playoffs. But after that, through this process, I haven’t talked to any of those guys.”

    Some interpreted this as a slight against the team or evidence that his relationships with the Yankees clubhouse had broken down. But the real reason might be a little more mundane, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

    Nightengale reported Friday that Soto changed his cell phone number during free agency, as he had been receiving a lot of outside calls and wanted some privacy.

    Now that the dust has settled, Soto is reportedly reaching out to his former Yankees teammates.

  • Brewers sending RP Devin Williams to Yankees for SP Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin

    The New York Yankees have reportedly acquired reliever Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr., second-base prospect Caleb Durbin and some cash are heading to Milwaukee.

    The 30-year-old Williams recorded 14 saves in 22 appearances last season with the Brewers. He missed the first three months of the season due to a stress fracture in his back. When he returned, Williams allowed only three earned runs over 21 2/1 innings in the regular season.

    The addition of Williams, plus the return of Jonathan Loáisiga, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, will bolster the Yankees’ bullpen. The question remains whether manager Aaron Boone will use Williams or Luke Weaver as the team’s closer in 2025.

    Cortes has turned himself into a reliable starter since seeing an increased workload beginning in 2021. He made 84 starts over the past four seasons and ate innings for the Yankees (173 1/3 in 2024), but with the addition of Max Fried, it was clear someone in the New York rotation needed to be moved.

    Read more here.

    Devin Williams is headed to the Bronx. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)Devin Williams is headed to the Bronx. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

    Devin Williams is headed to the Bronx. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

  • The latest on Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki

    The baseball world is captivated by Roki Sasaki and where he’ll play in 2024. But Sasaki, it seems, is just as unsure as everyone else.

    Until Sasaki’s official posting on Tuesday, very little information had emerged about the talented youngster, his preferences, his thought process and his path forward. But at the winter meetings, atop a makeshift podium in a comically enormous ballroom at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, offered the public a cornucopia of clarity.

    The impromptu Q&A session was a sight to behold, as chaotic an information gathering as you’ll see. Reporters sardined themselves together in a crescent eight rows deep, their recording devices extended toward the soft-spoken agent. Wolfe swayed uncomfortably in the center of the madness, towering over the media in a navy jacket, charcoal slacks and a pair of Nike Dunks. He spoke slowly, with an almost solemn seriousness. Over the course of 20 minutes, Wolfe fielded a barrage of inquiries about his client.

    The biggest takeaway? Even Wolfe isn’t sure yet what Sasaki wants.

    Asked what’s important to Sasaki in selecting a team, Wolfe was either purposefully vague or refreshingly honest. “I’m not entirely sure yet,” he said. “I’ve known Roki for a little over two years now, and as I’ve gotten to know him, it’s been a little bit difficult to really ascertain what his decision-making process would be for choosing a team because his focus has predominantly been on whether or not he’s going to be able to post.”

    Here’s what else we learned from Wolfe about this winter’s most sought-after pitcher.

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