The 2024-25 Major League Baseball offseason continues and notable free agent names are being ruled out, including the biggest name of them all. Juan Soto. With the Winter Meetings freshly behind us and many major free agents and trade targets still available, we’re still faced with an almost daily stream of rumors on the subject. Speaking of which, Friday’s burst of rumors is right below.
Cubs and Yankees make trades and continue to talk Bellinger
The Cubs and Yankees both made notable trades on Friday. New York has brought Devin Williams closer to the Brewers (you can read our full analysis here) and Chicago added outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Astros (you can read our takes here). That doesn’t mean the Cubs and Yankees are done with business, however.
With the Cubs acquiring Tucker, they will likely look even harder to move their own outfielder in Cody Bellinger – someone who would have been of interest to the Yankees.
Bellinger, 29, is coming off a season in which he had a 111 OPS+. The former NL MVP Award winner has at least one year (worth $27.5 million) left on his contract, which also includes a player option for next season.
Cubs add receiver
In addition to acquiring Tucker, the Cubs also reportedly signed catcher Carson Kelly to a two-year pact worth $11.5 million with a mutual option for a third season. according to ESPN. Kelly, 30, posted a 96 OPS+ last season while splitting time between the Tigers and Rangers.
The sailors listen on Castillo
The Mariners have an abundance of starting pitchers, most of them young and controllable, and have been expected to make a deal for some time, perhaps in an effort to improve a lackluster lineup . This winter’s hot market for free agent starting pitchers now comes into play, and that’s why, according to MLB.comthe M’s have received numerous inquiries about the trade status of veteran right-hander Luis Castillo. Among those calls, MLB.com reports:
“‘They’re not hanging up,’ a source with knowledge of the situation told MLB.com.”
Castillo, who turned 32 on Thursday, is coming off a 2024 season in which he pitched to a 3.64 ERA/3.91 FIP in 175 1/3 innings for Seattle. For his career, he has an ERA+ of 120 and a WAR of 24.0 through eight games. MLB seasons. The three-time All-Star has just over $72 million remaining on his contract through the 2027 season. His pact also includes a $25 million vesting option for the 2028 season.
