The 2024 MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas were full of excitement, and they kept baseball fans hooked with nonstop updates.
If you’re a baseball fan, you probably couldn’t stop checking the news because there was so much happening all the time.
The energy in Dallas was high as teams worked hard to reshape their rosters and make moves to improve for next season.
There were historic contracts, trade talks about big players, and constant speculation about which teams would make the next big move.
Who would be traded next? Which teams are going all-in for a championship, and which ones are starting fresh for the future?
Let’s find out.
- The Yankees signed pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract, the biggest deal ever for a left-handed pitcher.
- Kyle Tucker from the Astros and Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals are two big names in trade talks. Teams like the Yankees and Cubs are interested in adding these star players.
- Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki is the top free agent this offseason. The Dodgers and Padres are in the lead to sign him, but nearly every team wants the 23-year-old star.
Max Fried Joins the Yankees with a Record Deal
The Yankees made a massive splash by signing left-handed ace Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract.
And that’s the largest deal ever for a left-handed pitcher.
For context, Fried has been one of the most reliable arms in baseball, posting a 2.81 ERA since 2019, second only to Gerrit Cole in dominance.
Fried’s addition makes the Yankees’ rotation one of the scariest in the league, with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, and Nestor Cortes rounding out the group.
But the deal didn’t come cheap.
The Yankees forfeited draft picks and $1 million in international bonus pool money to secure him.
And it’s already clear that Corbin Burnes, another top free-agent pitcher, will use this deal as leverage to command something closer to $300 million.
This move also allows the Yankees to trade one or two of their existing starters.
Names like Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes could be on the move to clear room.
Kyle Tucker and Nolan Arenado Trade Talks
Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker is generating serious buzz in trade talks.
Tucker has been nothing short of phenomenal in his career, with a career OPS of .882 and 125 home runs since 2019.
Although he missed part of the 2024 season with a fractured shin, he still managed 23 homers in just 78 games.
And as it stands, the Yankees and Cubs are among the top teams interested in Tucker.
For the Yankees, he could fill the gap left by missing out on Juan Soto.
The Cubs, on the other hand, have a crowded outfield but seem eager to shake things up.
Tucker’s affordable $15.8 million salary for 2025 makes him even more attractive.
Additionally, Nolan Arenado is another big name in trade talks.
The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly open to moving their star third baseman as they look to shed payroll and rebuild.
Arenado, with three years and $74 million left on his contract, could be the perfect fit for the Yankees after their failed Soto pursuit.
But there’s a catch: Arenado has a no-trade clause.
While the Yankees are interested, they’ll need his approval to make the deal happen.
Arenado’s defensive skills and power at the plate (.272 average, 16 home runs in 2024) would make him a game-changer for New York.
Roki Sasaki: The Hottest Free Agent from Japan
The race to sign Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki has teams scrambling.
The Dodgers and Padres are leading the pack, but nearly every team with a competitive edge is interested.
Sasaki is only 23 years old and already has an electric arsenal that wowed fans in the World Baseball Classic.
The Dodgers, who already have Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, are going all-in.
Dodgers President Andrew Friedman confirmed Sasaki is a “major priority.”
Conversely, the Padres are banking on Yu Darvish’s relationship with Sasaki to sway him to San Diego.
But what makes Sasaki so special?
Well, his fastball touches triple digits, and his precision pitching is unmatched.
He’s expected to decide after the international signing period opens on January 15.
Garrett Crochet Heads to Boston
The Boston Red Sox grabbed attention by trading for Garrett Crochet, a talented left-handed pitcher from the Chicago White Sox.
And the team gave up four of their best young players to make the deal happen.
Crochet is a pitcher with top-level potential and has two years left before he becomes a free agent.
So, that makes him a great pick for a team trying to strengthen its starting rotation.
First Base Market: Christian Walker, Cody Bellinger, and More
This offseason, the first base market is full of well-known players, and one move could cause a series of others.
Christian Walker is at the center of it all.
The Yankees are said to be very interested in signing him, and if that happens, it could affect where other players go.
If Walker signs with the Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks might try to bring back Paul Goldschmidt, who used to be a star for their team.
Anthony Rizzo, now fully healthy, could also look for new opportunities.
If Walker joins the Yankees, Rizzo would need to find another team.
Cody Bellinger is another player to keep an eye on.
He can play both first base and outfield, which makes him a valuable option for teams.
The Cubs are open to trading him, and the Houston Astros are one team that might make a move for him.
However, Bellinger’s contract lets him opt out after one year, so teams may hesitate to trade too much for him.
It’s worth noting that Pete Alonso’s situation is also worth watching.
He might stay with the Mets, but there’s also a chance he could look for a long-term deal in free agency.
And his power at the plate makes him a big target for teams needing a strong hitter at first base.
All these players are connected, and when one signs or is traded, it could affect the others.
The first base market is shaping up to be one of the most interesting parts of the offseason, and it’s only a matter of time before things start happening.
What the 2024 Winter Meetings Mean for MLB’s Future
The 2024 MLB Winter Meetings gave fans much to think about, with major signings, trade rumors, and predictions shaping the offseason.
Max Fried’s record-breaking deal sets a new standard for pitchers. Kyle Tucker and Nolan Arenado’s possible trades could shake up team lineups, and Roki Sasaki’s decision will likely impact the league for years.
As teams finalize trades and signings, these moves will define the upcoming season and beyond.
And if one thing’s for sure: the MLB offseason is just starting, and there’s much more to look forward to.
