MLB Trade Rumors and Signings

We’re keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.

As they search for rotation help, the Yankees are continuing to negotiate with free agents Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. They also remain involved in trade talks with the White Sox regarding ace righty Dylan Cease.

While there’s no indication the Bronx Bombers are close to adding any of those pitchers yet, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports in an article for the New York Post that there’s a belief the Yankees will ultimately add a significant starting pitcher before the offseason is over, with managing partner Hal Steinbrenner “said to be on board with the concept of a serious addition to a rotation.” More

Although the White Sox are continuing to discuss trades for Dylan Cease, the team’s lofty asking price has some wondering whether they’ll end up moving the ace this offseason.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the White Sox are holding out for two “premium prospects” and two additional players in exchange for Cease. If they don’t get what they want, they aren’t expected to trade him.

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman has heard something similar, reporting in an article for the New York Post that some within the Yankees organization have expressed doubt that Cease will be traded before Opening Day due to Chicago’s asking price.

Of course, there are enough teams in the mix that a trade can’t be ruled out.

On Thursday, Ken Rosenthal wrote in The Athletic (subscription required) that the Yankees and Orioles are among the teams that are expressing “sincere” interest in Cease, while Nightengale hears the Dodgers have also been discussing Cease with the White Sox. The Cardinals and Red Sox are two other teams “possibly in the mix,” per Rosenthal.

Cease is an attractive option for clubs looking to add to their starting rotation because he has two years of team control remaining before he hits free agency, so he will be much more economical than the top free agents remaining on this offseason’s market, including Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. But the amount of years Cease has left before free agency also means the White Sox don’t have to rush to move him.

The clock is ticking on Shōta Imanaga’s free agency. The Japanese left-hander has until 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 11 to sign with an MLB team. With a decision possibly coming soon, it sounds like the left-hander has narrowed his list of landing spots.

On Wednesday, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand included the Yankees and Mets as two other clubs vying for Imanaga. He recorded a 2.96 ERA in more than 1,100 innings over eight years in Nippon Professional Baseball. Per Feinsand, some scouts project Imanaga as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter in the big leagues.

The Mets and left-hander Sean Manaea have reached a two-year, $28 million deal that gives Manaea the ability to opt out after 2024, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The club hasn’t confirmed the deal.

In addition to Manaea, New York’s rotation options now include Kodai Senga, José Quintana, Luis Severino, Tylor Megill and Joey Lucchesi (plus David Peterson when he returns from injury).

While that group isn’t exactly brimming with premier arms behind Senga, it could be good enough for the Mets to contend in 2024 before making a bigger push to improve their rotation next offseason, when aces such as Zack Wheeler, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and Walker Buehler are set to reach free agency. More

While the Red Sox continue to explore several options to add to their roster — they are reportedly one of four finalists for lefty Shōta Imanaga, and MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand hears they are interested in right-handed slugger Jorge Soler as well as righty Marcus Stroman — they could also look to trade away multiple players to keep their payroll in check.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Boston is telling teams that All-Star closer Kenley Jansen — owed $16 million in the final year of a two-year contract — is available. The team is also willing to listen on outfielder Masataka Yoshida, who signed a five-year, $90 million deal with the Red Sox last offseason. More

While MLB fans wait to see where the top free-agent pitchers — Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Shōta Imanaga, etc. — will end up, other players on the open market are doing just the same. If not for an injury-marred second half of last season, Marcus Stroman might have been included in that lead tier. But now, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand,…