The Winter Meetings have finally begun to heat up, showcasing significant moves as teams look to bolster their rosters ahead of the upcoming season. Tuesday marked a pivotal day, highlighted by star outfielder Kyle Schwarber’s decision to re-sign with the Philadelphia Phillies on a lucrative five-year deal worth $150 million. This deal eclipsed a competitive offer from the Baltimore Orioles and slightly less enticing bids from several other teams including the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In a surprising twist, closer Edwin Díaz made headlines by signing a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking the first major transaction of the offseason for the reigning two-time champions. This move raised eyebrows given that Díaz had also received an offer from the New York Mets, his former team.
While other teams are actively making roster changes, the New York Yankees have yet to make a significant splash during the meetings. Rumors circulated regarding their interest in the Milwaukee Brewers’ Trevor Megill, but they have not moved forward decisively on any major signings. Fans are eagerly anticipating if the Yankees will make a notable announcement before the conclusion of the meetings.
Rumors stirred regarding the Yankees’ potential interest in Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle, although it’s uncertain how significant this would be given he is not the ideal candidate for a starting role. The situation is compounded by the presence of Trent Grisham, who is back on a qualifying offer, raising questions about positional assignments.
In other notable news from Baltimore, the Orioles have made headlines by finally engaging in high-stakes spending. They have secured slugger Pete Alonso, the New York Mets’ career home run leader, to a five-year contract reportedly valued at $155 million – a deal that is marginally higher than Schwarber’s with the Phillies. This acquisition means Alonso will now be a division rival, intensifying competition in the AL East.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman commented that the team was not involved in the bidding for Díaz, hinting at a cautious approach towards high-cost relief pitchers. Historically, the Yankees have been reluctant to overcommit financially to relief pitchers following previous expenditures on Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton.
As the Winter Meetings progress, fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring whether the Yankees will make significant moves to enhance their roster. With the dynamics of the league shifting and notable players on the move, the potential for an exciting offseason remains high.