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 rejects 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 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 help 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.
Later in the week, the Astros pivoted with a reported three-year, $60 million deal to acquire free-agent first baseman Christian Walker.
Yankees executing Plan B after losing Juan Soto
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.
More big trades
Beyond…