The Opener: Relief Market, Signings, Red Sox
Here are three things worth keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today.
Will recent activity on the relief market continue?
The market for relief pitching saw significant activity over the weekend with the Astros signing lefty relief ace Josh Hader and the Angels reaching a deal with top right-hander Robert Stephenson. These deals took two of the best bullpen arms off the market, but there are still quality options available like Hector Neris and Aroldis Chapman. Several teams, including the Cardinals, Rangers, Yankees, and Cubs, are looking to upgrade their bullpen and could make moves soon.
The Cardinals are particularly interested in adding another reliever to pair with Andrew Kittredge. The Rangers, Yankees, and Cubs have also shown interest in the relief market this winter.
Overall, the relief market is still active, and more signings are expected as teams aim to strengthen their bullpens.
Signings to be made official
While deals for Josh Hader and Robert Stephenson have been agreed upon, they still need to be officially announced. The Blue Jays also have an agreement with right-hander Yariel Rodriguez that is pending official announcement.
When these signings are made official, corresponding moves will be necessary as all three teams currently have full 40-man rosters. Typically, this involves designating a player for assignment, but trades can also be explored to acquire talent that doesn't require a 40-man spot.
The Dodgers have already made such trades this offseason, acquiring Trey Sweeney from the Yankees in exchange for Victor Gonzalez and Jorbit Vivas, and making a significant deal with the Cubs that involved top prospect Michael Busch and Yency Almonte.
What's the plan in Boston?
The Red Sox recently held their annual Winter Weekend fan event where team officials made headlines by suggesting that the club is unlikely to match last year's payroll in 2024. They also mentioned that the team doesn't necessarily need to add another starting pitcher despite focusing on starting pitching during the offseason.
Despite these statements, reports indicate that the Red Sox are still in contact with free agent starters, including Jordan Montgomery. The team's rotation had a 4.68 ERA last year and could benefit from a top-of-the-market addition, especially after losing Chris Sale. However, it remains to be seen if the Red Sox will make such a move.
The Red Sox's plans for their pitching staff will be closely watched as the offseason progresses.
