LATEST FREE AGENT & TRADE RUMORS
We’re keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.
Feb. 3: Could Bregman follow Flaherty to Detroit?
The Tigers pulled off the biggest move of the weekend on Sunday, agreeing to terms on a two-year contract with starting pitcher Jack Flaherty, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Flaherty’s $35 million contract is the Tigers’ most expensive purchase of the offseason, far surpassing the $15 million deals that Detroit struck for infielder Gleyber Torres and starting pitcher Alex Cobb. But the club still has its sights set on an even bigger free-agent target.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Tigers remain one of the teams in pursuit of third baseman Alex Bregman, even after the Flaherty deal. Before the Flaherty news broke, Olney wrote that Bregman could be Detroit’s “primary choice” among the remaining free agents.
Bregman is receiving interest from five teams, according to Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required). MLB Network insider Jon Heyman recently mentioned the Tigers — along with the Astros, Cubs and Red Sox — as being among the clubs in the running for the two-time All-Star.
Bregman would fill a need for the Tigers, who finished 22nd in fWAR at third base last season (0.9) and are projected to be below average at third this season. Joining Detroit would also reunite Bregman with A.J. Hinch, who was his manager for four seasons with Houston. However, Detroit may have to top the six-year, $156 million offer that the Astros made to Bregman early in the offseason — an offer which has remained on the table.
Jack Flaherty, Tigers agree to two-year deal
Jan. 30: Cubs a ‘team to watch’ in Cease trade market
According to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, the Cubs have emerged as a “team to watch” in the trade market for Padres right-hander Dylan Cease, who has been involved in trade rumblings for much of the offseason and remains a candidate to be dealt.
Per Morosi, the Padres are continuing to gauge interest in Cease and fellow pitcher Michael King, with the idea of adding younger, less expensive talent and also creating more payroll flexibility to perhaps add via free agency. The Cubs are one of the clubs that have spoken to San Diego about Cease. More >
Jan 30, 2025
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Cease and King markets, the Caribbean Series and more
Jan. 30: Bregman’s future team still uncertain
While it initially appeared that the Astros trading reliever Ryan Pressly to the Cubs could clear the way for Alex Bregman to return to Houston, that may not be the case after all.
There was a belief that Houston could enhance its chances of re-signing Bregman if it was able to unload Pressly’s $14 million salary for 2025, per MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. And with Pressly’s contract about to come off the books, the door is wide open for a Bregman reunion, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
But it might not be that easy. Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required) reported that Bregman is still receiving interest from five teams and he’s “no closer to a decision now than before Pressly’s departure.”
On Saturday, Astros general manager Dana Brown said that they have had conversations with Bregman recently and that “the door is cracked” for the All-Star third baseman to return to the only franchise he has known through 10 years in pro ball.
With Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker currently penciled in to play third and first base, respectively, for the Astros, signing Bregman would force them to shuffle their infield. The team has talked about moving second baseman Jose Altuve to left field, a source told MLB.com. Altuve said Saturday that he’d be on board with a position switch to make room for Bregman.
If Bregman signs elsewhere, there are several teams with potential interest. Heyman reported that the Tigers, Red Sox and Cubs are among the teams involved for Bregman. Heyman also reported that Bregman has a “lucrative six-year offer with an opt-out after the first year” from a team that is not perceived to be high on his list.
Jan. 30: Mets ‘in talks’ with Padres about potential Cease deal (report)
While it was reported earlier in the day that the Cubs were trying to land star right-hander Dylan Cease in a trade with the Padres, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman wrote in an article for the New York Post that the Mets are also eyeing the 29-year-old.
Cease enjoyed a bounce-back season with San Diego last year after he posted a 4.58 ERA over 33 starts for the White Sox the prior season. In 2024, he pitched to a 3.47 ERA and finished fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting. More >
Jan. 30: Could Reds be a dark horse contender for Alonso?
The Reds aren’t a team that has been connected to Alonso so far this offseason, but as the slugging first baseman’s free agency continues into the end of January, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports in an article for the New York Post that Cincinnati “may consider” making a play for him.
