1. Marte talks nearing their end?
Diamondbacks star Kettle Marte has been one of the most talked about players on the trade market this season. However, General Mike Hazen made waves in that corner of the market yesterday when he noted that he plans to end talks on a Marte transaction in the near future. Hazen’s suggestion was that the club simply taking Marte off the table before negotiations was a more likely outcome than a trade happening at this point. That has been Hazen’s position all season, as he has long said he didn’t expect Arizona to get a star player this winter. Still, a deal remains at least possible as long as Hazen and the Arizona front office remain willing to engage in trade talks for Marte.
Whether he is traded or not, it will shake up the market if Marte eventually disappears from the market. That would leave Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan as the clear top infield trader this offseason, barring a surprise deal involving someone like Isaac Paredes or Nico Hoerner. It would also take away an alternative for free agent infielders Alex Bregman And Eugene Suarez those that have stuck around are the market so far. Dealing Marte removes a potential suitor for those players, but also leaves the Diamondbacks hungry for a mediocre bat to replace him.
2. Angels, Rendon Breaks Up:
The Angels and veteran infielder Anthony Rendon ended Rendon’s fraught tenure with the organization yesterday when they restructured the final year of his contract ahead of his expected retirement. Rendon technically remains on the roster for now, but has no plans to resume his playing career, whether it be for the Angels or another club. While Rendon’s retirement won’t change much for the Angels on the field due to his injury history and lack of production, it could still have an impact. The restructured deal takes a lot of money off the books for Anaheim heading into 2026, and club officials have made clear their desire to bring in help at third base and center field this winter. This influx of financial flexibility could allow the team to make a big splash at one of those positions, or at least add a reliable bat at one or both of those spots in the lineup.
3. Imai meeting with teams:
The right-handed lottery Tatsuya Imai is almost over. The right-hander has started conducting in-person interviews with teams in the US and plans to continue talking to teams in the coming days. With just over 48 hours to go before his posting window closes on January 2 at 4:00 PM CT, the right-hander has limited time to find a deal. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Imai’s contract were to be finalized sooner or later, giving Imai the time needed to undergo physical training with his new club before the looming deadline. The right-hander’s youth and recent track record in NPB have made him one of the most intriguing weapons available this season in the eyes of fans and teams alike. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies and Orioles have all been linked to the Righty at one time or another, but it’s certainly possible that more teams outside of that group of five could be involved in the Righty’s market.
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