Several noteworthy free agents and possible trade targets are still available, despite the fact that pitchers and catchers will not be reporting to spring training venues for another three weeks or so. Thus, there will always be a constant flow of rumors every day. Regarding that, the supply on Tuesday is slightly below.
The Dodgers, who lead the NL West, are the team with the most activity this offseason. They have recruited players like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Teoscar Hernández, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani to their already star-studded roster. They might not be completed.
To strengthen the back half of the rotation, the Dodgers are close to adding veteran lefty starter James Paxton, as first reported by Chad Dey and verified by Fabian Ardaya. Paxton, 35, just finished a strong 2023 campaign with the Red Sox that included 19 starts. Paxton was rated by CBS Sports as the 38th best free agent available heading
into the summer. This is a portion of our article:
“With Paxton, you are aware of what to expect. Or, at the very least, you are aware of what you will not receive: a fresh start. In 2023, he threw 96 innings, which was a record high since 2019. Between those two seasons, he scored a total of 21 2/3 frames in three years. Despite this, Paxton pitched well when he could chip in. His fastball has a deep release point and is still in the mid-90s, but it plays faster. He could certainly stand to throw his cutter and curve more frequently. He also has two secondary options. Because various teams have varying risk appetites, it is challenging to rate Paxton. He’s here because we believe his upside will enable him to clear some hurdles with more floors”.
More depth is probably needed, since Ohtani is not expected to pitch this season, Yamamoto will be playing in his Major League Baseball debut, Glasnow has a significant history of injuries, and Walker Buehler is expected to be returning from Tommy John surgery. That’s especially true considering that Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan, two relatively inexperienced kids, are now holding down the back end. Paxton would allay some of those worries.
Astros looking for an outfield lefty bat
After adding Victor Caratini as depth behind the plate and Josh Hader as a reliever, Houston is now searching for a left-handed hitter to join their lineup. Dana Brown, general manager, recently stated to reporters as much:
This could be seen as a reaction in part to veteran batsman Michael Brantley’s recent retirement. Looking through the roster, it appears like the Astros’ biggest question right now would be in center field, where a left-handed bat would be a great platoon partner for Jake Meyers, who bats right. While it seems evident that top remaining free agent Cody Bellinger would be a fantastic fit, it is quite doubtful that Houston will be willing to pay the asking amount for him.
