Winter is coming. But first, winter meetings.
Business will be conducted, news will be broken, players will be signed when MLB front offices, players and agents all meet in sunny San Diego for this year’s baseball Winter Meetings, from Sunday, Dec. 4, to Wednesday, Dec. 7.
This offseason, the majority of eyes are set on MLB’s literal and figurative biggest free agent, outfielder Aaron Judge. Recent reports indicate that Judge could make a decision this week that will set the stage for the remainder of his career. Which coast Judge will be playing on remains to be seen; Rumors indicate that the Giants or Yankees could sign the MVP slugger.
Other stars, such as Justin Verlander, Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Carlos Rodon and Xander Bogaerts, figure to contribute to what could be a wild week of signings, trade, rumors and more.
MORE: MLB free agency tracker — Latest news, updates for 2022 class
The Sporting News will be tracking the latest out of San Diego below.
MLB Winter Meetings rumors, news, signings
Mets are eyeing Japanese starter Senga
dates: Monday, Dec 5
sources: Jon Morosi, MLB Network
The Mets aren’t done trying to upgrade their rotation, according to Jon Morosi. With the Metropolitans signing Justin Verlander, they’re looking at Japanese starter Kodai Senga. Senga has posted a 2.59 ERA in 11 seasons in NPB. The Red Sox, Angels and Blue Jays are also expected to be in on Senga.
#mets among teams showing continued interest in Kodai Senga, sources say. They aren’t close to done with rotation upgrades. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 5, 2022
Yankees sign GM Brian Cashman to new deal
dates: Monday, Dec 5
Some had thought, or hoped, that the Yankees might make a change atop their front office structure after yet another playoff disappointment, but it appears that won’t happen anytime soon. The team announced on the first full day of the Winter Meetings that GM Brian Cashman has signed a new deal through the 2026 season.
Cashman, 55, began working for the franchise as an intern in 1986 and has been in charge of baseball operations since February 1998. He’s the longest-serving GM in MLB.
The New York Yankees announced today that the club has re-signed Brian Cashman to a four-year contract through the 2026 season to continue serving as Senior Vice President and General Manager. pic.twitter.com/IPLP31HwVc
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 5, 2022
Trea Turner heads to Phillies on monster deal
dates: Monday, Dec 5
sources: Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel, ESPN
The Trea Turner to the Phillies buzz that has pervaded for weeks turned out to have merit. The free agent shortstop has agreed to a deal with Philadelphia that will pay him $300 million over 11 years and includes a full no-trade clause, ESPN reports.
Source: Turner is getting 11 years, $300 million with a full no trade clause https://t.co/mvpDfFLrHb
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) December 5, 2022
Turner, 29, will return to the NL East and be reunited with former Nationals teammate Bryce Harper to terrorize Washington for years to come. He broke into the majors with the Nats in 2015 and played there until being traded to the Dodgers along with Max Scherzer in a July 2021 deadline deal. Turner was an All-Star in both seasons in LA and won the NL batting title in 2021.
Twins open to trading Luis Arraez
dates: Monday, Dec 5
sources: Dan Hayes, The Athletic
Reigning American League batting champ Luis Arraez could be on the move this offseason. Dan Hayes reports the Twins are open to trading Arraez “in the right deal” as they look to bolster their starting rotation.
Hayes reports that the Rangers’ five-year, $185 million deal with Jacob deGrom has the Twins’ front office thinking they’ll have better luck landing a top-end starting pitcher via trade than the open market, and the 25-year-old Arraez could be their most valuable chip.
Sources: In their constant search for top-tier pitching, the #MNTwins have discussed trading batting champ Luis Arraez.https://t.co/JOR6xn9grY
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) December 5, 2022
Justin Verlander signing with Mets
dates: Monday, Dec 5
sources: Andy Martino, SNY
Justin Verlander is headed to Queens. The reigning AL Cy Young winner, who will turn 40 during spring training, has a two-year deal with the Mets that includes a vesting option for a third season, Andy Martino of SNY first reported.
The deal is worth at least $86 million and includes a full no-trade clause, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Verlander details #mets
$43.3M per year
Full no trade
3rd year option: at $35M— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 5, 2022
Dodgers make Clayton Kershaw return official
dates: Monday, Dec 5
The Dodgers officially announced Clayton Kershaw will be back next season. Robert Murray of FanSided reported the veteran lefty will make $20 million in 2023, including a $5 million signing bonus.
22’s here to stay. Welcome back, @ClaytonKersh22! pic.twitter.com/FGaKuBO15b
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 5, 2022
Yankees are in on Bryan Reynolds
dates: sunday, december 4
sources: Jason Mackey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Yankees are looking to bolster the outfield, and Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds could be an option for them, according to Jason Mackey.
Reynolds recently requested a trade despite signing a two-year deal with Pittsburgh around the trade deadline this year, but he has two years of arbitration eligibility beyond 2023, making him for a very intriguing, controllable and productive player on the market.
First tidbit from the lobby, per an industry source, is that the Yankees are “very much” in on Bryan Reynolds. “They’re on it.” … Not exactly breaking news that there’s significant interest in the Pirates outfielder.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) December 5, 2022
Athletics could be close to dealing Sean Murphy
dates: sunday, december 4
sources: Mark Feinsand, MLB.com
The Athletics appear ready to resume their roster blowup, this time shipping off their No. 1 catcher. Feinsand reports that mulitple teams are in the hunt for the 28-year-old Murphy but the Braves are not one of them, updating an earlier report.
Update on Sean Murphy: it still appears Oakland is close to a trade, but the Braves are NOT going to be the acquiring team, per source. The Cardinals, Rays, Guardians and Red Sox are among the teams that have been connected to Murphy in recent weeks.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 4, 2022
Murphy hit a career-high 18 home runs for Oakland in 2022, a key component in his 122 wRC+. He won a Gold Glove in 2021.