Latest MLB rumors on Yankees and Cubs plans, Jorge Soler, More

Another major MLB free agent is off the board after Josh Hader agreed to a five-year, $95 million deal with the Houston Astros on Friday, but there is still a lot of talent looking for a new home in what has been a slow-moving offseason.

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The Chicago Cubs seem poised to make a splash on the hitter market, the New York Yankees have shifted their focus to shoring up the bullpen, and second-tier pieces like Jorge Soler, Adam Duvall and Robert Stephenson are starting to generate more buzz.

Ahead we’ve put together a quick roundup of some of the latest rumblings across the baseball world while giving our “buy” or “sell” take on whether the rumors will come to fruition.

It is now less than a month before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, so more dominos will inevitably start falling soon.

Yankees ‘Focused on Improving the Bullpen’
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Jonathan LoaisigaTodd Kirkland/Getty Images

For New York Yankees fans expecting the team to make another major addition to the starting rotation, prepare to be disappointed.

“An argument could be made that despite the addition of [Marcus] Stroman, the Yankees would benefit from a better No. 2 option behind ace Gerrit Cole. But, according to a league source, the club is all but finished with its quest for high-level arms. … Now, the majority of its attention has focused on improving the bullpen, the source said,” wrote Brendan Kuty of The Athletic.

The current projected Yankees bullpen is as follows:

RHP Luke Weaver
RHP Ron Marinaccio

Healthy seasons from Loaisiga and Effross could provide a massive in-house boost, but there is no question adding someone like Robert Stephenson, Héctor Neris or even a reunion with Keynan Middleton or Wandy Peralta would help solidify the relief corps.

Buy or Sell: Buy

Cubs Poised to Make a Splash on Hitter Market
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Cody BellingerNuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images

Even after signing Shota Imanaga earlier this month, the Chicago Cubs still look like a team poised to make a major splash before the offseason winds to a close.

MLB insider Jon Heyman speculated shortly after the Imanaga signing that the Cubs are logical landing spots for Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman and Rhys Hoskins, who represent three of the best bats still available in free agency.

He even took it one step further on the Mully & Haugh Show, saying that they could wind up with multiple players from that list.

“Certainly they’re in on all three, I wouldn’t be shocked if they got two of them, I would be shocked if they didn’t get at least one of them,” Heyman said.

With some combination of Michael Busch, Nick Madrigal, Patrick Wisdom and Matt Mervis currently slated to handle the corner infield spots, and Mike Tauchman penciled in as the starting center fielder if Pete Crow-Armstrong needs more seasoning in the minors, it’s easy to see how all three players would be considered an upgrade.

Will the North Siders walk away with multiple top-tier bats before the winter is over?

Buy or Sell: Buy the Cubs signing Bellinger and Hoskins

Adam Duvall ‘Likely to Pick Between’ Angels and Red Sox
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Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Fun fact: Adam Duvall has never signed a multiyear contract.

The 35-year-old slugger most recently inked a one-year, $7 million deal with the Boston Red Sox for the 2023 season, and despite missing some time with a fractured wrist, he still posted a 119 OPS+ with 24 doubles, 21 home runs and 1.6 WAR in 92 games.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the bidding for his services is down to the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels, unless another team makes a late push.

However, his low price point in a market that is thin on impact bats, coupled with the fact that he is capable of playing all three outfield spots defensively, makes it difficult to believe there are not more teams in the running for his services.

Both the Angels and Red Sox are potential fits, but don’t sleep on the always lurking “mystery team” to make a late move to sign Duvall.

Buy or Sell: Sell

Marlins ‘Dangling’ Jesús Luzardo, Edward Cabrera
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Jesús LuzardoRich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In a recent article from Jon Heyman of the New York Post focusing on the Yankees’ starting pitching and the current state of the starting pitching market as a whole, a sentence stood out as one of potential interest to teams across baseball.

“With little traction in talks with the Marlins (who are dangling Jesús Luzardo and Edward Cabrera), the Yankees may need to count on Luis Gil plus kids Clayton Beeter, Will Warren and Chase Hampton,” Heyman wrote.

As the free-agent pitching market continues to dwindle, the availability of controllable starters like Luzardo and Cabrera could become a focal point for teams still looking to make a rotation splash.

Luzardo, 26, posted a 3.58 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 208 strikeouts in 178.2 innings during a breakout season where he emerged as the de facto ace of the Miami staff. He is controllable through the 2026 season.

Cabrera, 25, is still working to rein in his electric stuff, evidenced by his 66 walks in 99.2 innings in 2023. Despite those struggles, he still logged a 4.24 ERA and 10.9 K/9, and he is controllable all the way through the 2028 campaign.

WIth the Marlins continuing to search for offensive help, dealing from a position of strength makes sense, but with Sandy Alcantara recovering from Tommy John surgery it might be difficult to justify flipping Luzardo.

Buy or Sell: Buy that they are dangling Cabrera, but sell that they are dangling Luzardo

Blue Jays Favorites to Sign Jorge Soler
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Megan Briggs/Getty Images

One of the best hitters still looking for a new home in free agency is slugger Jorge Soler, who opted out of the final year of his contract with the Miami Marlins following a 36-homer season and All-Star selection in 2023.

A wide variety of teams have been linked to Soler throughout the offseason, and the Toronto Blue Jays were recently identified as the favorites to land him by Jon Heyman of the New York Post on a live stream with Bleacher Report.

B/R MLB writer Zach Rymer recently ranked the top 10 landing spots for Soler, putting the Blue Jays in the No. 1 spot, ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets and Boston Red Sox who have all been linked to Soler this offseason. The San Francisco Giants are another compelling speculative fit.

The Blue Jays are known to be looking for another offensive-minded player, but a reunion with Brandon Belt or fellow left-handed hitter Joc Pederson look like a better fit for the club’s righty-heavy lineup.

Buy or Sell: Sell

Emmanuel Clase on the Move?
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ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported all the way back in early December that the Cleveland Guardians were open to offers for All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase, but things have been quiet surrounding the flame-thrower in the weeks since.

However, his name has resurfaced in recent days, specifically tied to the Chicago Cubs as they look to bolster a bullpen led by 2023 breakout closer Adbert Alzolay, Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter Jr.

It stands to reason that if the Guardians were to get serious about trading Clase, the Cubs would be far from the only team with serious interest, especially considering his team-friendly contract.

The Guardians inked Clase to a five-year, $20 million extension at the start of the 2022 season that includes a pair of club options. All told, he can be controlled for the next five seasons for a combined $34.2 million, giving him one of the most attractive contracts in the sport.

While the Guardians generally work on a tight budget, they don’t accomplish much by shedding his $2.9 million salary for the 2024 season, so chances are they would have to be blown away to move him this offseason.

A trade becomes more likely as his salary climbs to $4.9 million in 2025, $6.4 million in 2026 and then closes out with a pair of $10 million club options.