MLB Rumors: Top Trade Rumors Ahead of 2023 Winter Meetings
The MLB rumor mill is buzzing ahead of the Winter Meetings, with new reports on the sport's top stars.
Who is at the forefront of the most intriguing rumors and innuendo, from the game's most respected insiders?
The answer, at least in one case, may surprise you.
Blue Jays Receiving Calls on Surprising Names
The Toronto Blue Jays are receiving calls on shortstop Bo Bichette and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported.
Receiving calls is one thing and should be expected, especially with teams looking for quality hitters that simply are not there in this free agent pool. That any team realistically thinks they could lure either away from a Blue Jays organization that is determined to win and win now.
Guerrero has seen his numbers decline since a brilliant 2021, but he is still an All-Star who blasted 26 homers, drove in 94 RBIs, stole five bases, and accumulated a .264/.345/.444 slash line this past season.
Bichette recorded 20 homers, 73 RBIs, and a .306/.339/.475 line. He also tallied 175 total hits and an on-base percentage of .339.
The likelihood that the Blue Jays would receive enough in return to justify giving up players of that quality and still be able to realistically compete is seemingly nonexistent. Toronto had both of them in 2023 and just narrowly made the postseason as the sixth seed in the American League.
The team may be receiving calls, but a deal makes little sense based on the organization's own philosophy and would only serve to set them back years.
Latest on Juan Soto Trade Talks
Andy Martino of SNY reported that, "Talks between the Yankees and the San Diego Padres about a Juan Soto trade have progressed to the point of exchanging names on players, league sources say. San Diego's initial ask was very high -- understandably so -- and the teams are not close to an agreement."
The teams may not be close to a deal but the fact that they are exchanging names only serves as evidence that the Bronx Bombers are serious about acquiring a player that would instantly enhance both their offensive and defensive efforts.
Martino added, "While the exact names are not known, the Padres are said to be looking at top prospects/rookies like Jasson Dominguez and Anthony Volpe, young major league pitchers in the Michael King/Clarke Schmidt category, and more. That is standard behavior at the beginning of trade talks for a superstar player. It was also standard behavior for the Yankees to say no, but want to keep talking."
It certainly makes sense that the Padres would aim big with the prospects they want in return for a player of Soto's stature, just as it makes sense that the Yankees would reject the first offer.
The Padres badly need pitching and freeing up the $27 million due Soto this season will certainly help create space to do that, especially amid reports that the team took out a $50 million loan to help meet payroll in September.
If the team can receive a few promising prospects that it can help grow and evolve into quality contributors, and fill the voids in a rotation that is about to be obliterated by free agency (including Cy Young winner Blake Snell), it will be a worthwhile deal.
Even if it means giving up Soto's 156 hits, 109 RBIs, 35 home runs, and 12 stolen bases.
Dylan Cease to Be Dealt Before Winter Meetings?
The Atlanta Braves followed up a regular season in which they were indisputably the best team in baseball at 104-58 by being swept in the divisional round of the playoffs by the Philadelphia Phillies, thanks in part to poor pitching.
In fact, the Braves did not allow fewer than three runs in any game after September 13.
As explosive as they were offensively, their rotation and bullpen became a liability, so it makes sense the organization would look to both free agency and the trade market for a legitimate starter it can pair with Spencer Strider and Max Fried.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported. "Dylan Cease trade talks have intensified in the last 48 hours, and some people close to the negotiations believe a deal *before* the winter meetings is increasingly possible. Cease's hometown Braves are among the finalists."
Cease had a disappointing season on the heels of a 2022 campaign that saw him place second in the AL Cy Young race. He finished this season with a 7-9 record, an ERA of 4.58, and a WHIP of 1.418.
None of that is particularly good, but Cease played for a bad White Sox team that was in the headlines more for potential trades of star players than wins.
A fresh start in Atlanta, for a winning team capable of capturing a World Series title, is exactly what the young ace needs to return to form. In return, Chicago can acquire some prospects from the Braves and replenish a farm system that is devoid of obvious future stars.
It is a win-win for both sides, if the Braves can fend off the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are also interested and face the same needs.