Major League Baseball’s offseason continues to attract near the annual Winter Meetings, scheduled to start on Dec. 9 in Dallas, Texas. While the Winter Meetings are inclined to generate a whole lot of exercise, groups seem like waking up from their offseason slumber. To wit, the Mets added veteran right-hander Frankie Montas on a two-year contract on Sunday night time.
Who’ll be subsequent to signal? Below, you will discover all of Monday’s strikes, information, and notes.
Holmes drawing curiosity as a starter
Former Yankees nearer Clay Holmes is drawing free agent curiosity as a beginning pitcher, experiences the New York Post. Holmes, a free agent, got here up by means of the minors as a starter, although he has been a reliever solely since 2019. In 2024, longtime relievers Jordan Hicks and Reynaldo López signed free-agent contracts to start out. Former reliever Seth Lugo completed second within the Cy Young voting in his second yr as a starter.
Holmes, 32 in March, led MLB with 13 blown saves in 2024, but in addition had a 3.14 ERA with extra strikeouts than innings pitched, and the second-highest floor ball price in baseball. He runs into management issues at occasions, one thing that will not work effectively as a starter, however Holmes throws two fastballs (sinker and four-seamer) and two totally different sliders (conventional slider and sweeper), and has proven the aptitude to choose up new pitches, tweak current pitches, and self-correct when issues go awry.
Mets all in favour of Buehler
Even with Montas in tow, the Mets proceed to have curiosity in free-agent right-hander Walker Buehler, in accordance with the New York Post.
That should not come as a shock since Buehler is seen as an intriguing upside play because of his monitor report and arsenal high quality. Indeed, the Post characterizes the marketplace for Buehler as being “deep.”
The Mets, in the meantime, might lose their high three innings throwers in Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana.
Cubs ink Boyd
The Cubs have agreed to a two-year pact price $29 million with lefty Matthew Boyd, in accordance with the New York Post.
Boyd, 33, spent final season with the Guardians. In eight begins, he amassed a 2.72 ERA (151 ERA+) and a 3.54 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He additionally carried out effectively within the postseason, holding opponents to at least one run throughout 11 ⅔ frames.
Boyd hasn’t cleared the 100-inning threshold in a season since 2019. Clearly the Cubs consider in his capacity to both keep wholesome or to stay productive when he’s accessible. Provided he is hearty and hale, he should crack their Opening Day rotation.
Astros monitoring infield market
The Astros proceed to aim to re-sign third baseman and franchise mainstay Alex Bregman, however that does not imply common supervisor Dana Brown is ignoring contingency plans. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Astros have been in contact with free-agent shortstop Willy Adames and have expressed curiosity in Jorge Polanco.
Bregman and Adames are thought-about to be the 2 finest infielders in the marketplace. Polanco, in the meantime, is seen as a buy-low candidate following a down season that noticed him submit his worst OPS+ in 4 years.
