ESPN
Dec 9, 2024, 07:00 AM ET
The MLB winter meetings begin Monday in Dallas and it figures be an action-packed week of rumors, signings and trades.
We've got it all covered right here, from our predictions heading into the meetings to the latest updates, analysis and daily takeaways as the moves go down.
Now that Juan Soto has made his decision, what big free agency moves will follow? Who will be the big names mentioned in trade talks? And what rumors will dominate the week? Check out our predictions now and refresh often for the latest as the week unfolds.
Winter meetings predictions
Now that Soto is off the board, who will be the biggest name to sign (or get traded) in Dallas?
Jorge Castillo: Corbin Burnes will sign with one of the teams that missed out on Soto -- but while he's arguably the best player left in free agency, is he a bigger name than Alex Bregman, who also could sign in a flurry of moves this week? I say no. So, Bregman is my answer.
Alden Gonzalez: Max Fried. The Yankees and Red Sox have been heavy on him for weeks now, and their pursuits aren't necessarily tied to signing Soto. Now that the Dodgers, fresh off guaranteeing $182 million to Blake Snell, aren't necessarily a factor, the path is cleared for one of those two teams to close things up with Fried.
Jesse Rogers: Soto signing with the Mets will trigger Cody Bellinger getting dealt. Teams that lost out on the best lefty hitter available this offseason will turn their attention to the Cubs, who have signaled they are open to trading the former National League MVP. The Cubs are keeping close track of their spending these days and will want to move some salary in order to fulfill their needs for the rest of the winter.
What is one move fans might not be expecting that you predict will go down this week?
Castillo: Garrett Crochet will get traded to the Yankees or Red Sox.
Gonzalez: My prediction -- and that's all it is at this point -- is that Alec Bohm goes to the Mariners. Jerry Dipoto and Dave Dombrowski are two of the industry's most aggressive executives, and this pairing makes too much sense.
Rogers: Christian Walker will sign with the Yankees after New York missed out on Soto.
What is the one rumor that will dominate the week?
Castillo: It's not just one rumor, but the musical chairs played between the remaining available frontline starters and the clubs seeking frontline pitching will dominate the week.
Gonzalez: The winter meetings are the perfect environment to stoke intrigue, and one name I expect to be bandied about in Dallas, whether he's truly available or not, is Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who's still without an extension that would keep him in Toronto beyond 2025.
Rogers: Corbin Burnes will be linked to a bunch of the big market teams with San Francisco at the top of the heap. Will they give him a Stephen Strasburg type deal? Buster Posey has already spent big this offseason. Why stop now?
Winter meetings news and rumors
Dec. 9 buzz
Buehler drawing interest
Walker Buehler is drawing varying amounts of interest from about 10 teams. The end to his postseason opened some eyes after he threw 10 scoreless innings split between the NLCS and World Series -- including the final inning of the 2024 Fall Classic to close out the New York Yankees in Game 5. A deal for Buehler could look like a shorter-term bet on himself after he returned from his second Tommy John surgery in 2024 though some teams still see him as the guy who finished fourth in Cy Young voting as recently as 2021. That could mean a long term deal of 3-4 years is still in the cards as he puts his injuries in the rearview mirror. -- Jesse Rogers
Estevez a name to watch
Closer Carlos Estevez's market is heating up as the veteran reliever could come off the board by the end of the meetings. Now that the Yankees have cleared up some money, Estevez is a fit in New York, especially after the team lost Clay Holmes via free agency to the Mets. Toronto and Philadelphia - where he ended the season -- remain possibilities as well. -- Rogers
