1. Bellinger, Yankees negotiations continue:
The Yankees and outfielder Cody Bellinger It was recently reported that they were at an impasse in contract negotiations. Both sides are interested in a reunion, but Bellinger has interest from other clubs, including the Mets and Dodgers. (At least the Angels, Phillies and Giants also signed earlier in the offseason.) The Yankees have reportedly explored alternatives for Bellinger, ranging from free agents like Bo Bichette And Kyle Tucker to trade candidates such as Luis Robert Jr. And Nico Hoerner.
While contract length appears to be a sticking point, with Bellinger seeking a longer deal than the Yankees’ five-year offer, New York is reportedly open to bridging the gap by including opt-outs. If structured favorably, Bellinger could put significant money in the bank over the next few years before returning to free agency at a later date. That’s the tactic he ultimately used during his last journey through free agency, when he was looking for a huge contract but ultimately settled for three years and $80 million from the Cubs.
2. What remains on the aid market?
The Reds’ weekend deal with right-hander Pierce Johnson has once again taken a name off the board in a dwindling aid market. For other teams looking to strengthen their bullpen, the options are dwindling. Seranthony Dominguez is among the top names still on the market, and he has recently received interest from the Twins. Michael Kopech, Jorge Lopez, José Leclerc, Paul SewaldAnd Tommy Kahnle all remain available as well, but all come with warts due to a combination of recent injury history and poor results. Left-handers Taylor Rogers And Danny Coulombe remain available as interesting options and could be particularly valuable to a team without a quality left-hander for the late innings. Nearly every team could improve its bullpen, but the Twins are joined by the Nationals, Diamondbacks and Rangers as teams that appear to be in particularly dire need of their relief corps right now.
3. MLBTR Chat Today:
Pitchers and catchers will begin reporting in mid-February, but many questions remain about this offseason. Kyle Tucker, Bo BichetteAnd Framber Valdez are among the top free agents still available, while the trade market is home to intriguing talents such as Freddy Peralta And Brendan Donovan that could still be moved. If you’re wondering what else your favorite team has to do before the pitchers and catchers report, or are just looking for the latest on hot stoves, MLBTR’s Steve Adams has your back with a live chat scheduled for 1:00 PM CT today. Readers can use this link to ask a question in advance, follow along when the chat starts, and read the transcript after the chat ends.
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