A few minor moves. What is yet to be done this winter. A visit to Cooperstown and other news from around MLB.
Good morning.
- The Dodgers have signed infielder Hyeseong Kim on a three-year, 12.5 million deal. Kim had been posted by the Kiwoom Heroes of KBO.
- The Orioles have signed right-hander Charlie Morton to a one-year, $15 million deal. First off, congratulations to Charlie and all power to him. Second, didn’t he plan to retire like five years ago? And every year since? The man was a teammate of John Smoltz. Still, good for him that teams are still willing to pay him $15 million.
- Leo Morgenstern evaluates the Nationals reunion with first baseman Josh Bell.
- Ben Clemens breaks down a pair of Yankees acquisitions, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and reliever Fernando Cruz.
- The Royals have signed utilityman Cavan Biggio to a minor league deal.
- Brent Maguire has the eight teams with the most work left to do this winter.
- The Giants are one of those teams. Andrew Baggarly writes that after a strong start, the Giants offseason is stuck in a rut. (The Athletic sub. req.) Baggarly has insight into what the Giants are working on and why they haven’t gotten much done recently.
- Andy Lindquist looks at where the Giants stand with three top free agents.
- Gabe Lacques has one player that each team should sign. How would you feel about Max Scherzer in Cubbie blue?
- Jordan Schusterman examines which starting pitchers are left on the free agent and trade markets and who needs one.
- Mark Feinsand predicts where the five best remaining free agents will sign.
- Mike Lupica thinks it would be sad for both the Mets and the player if Pete Alonso signed with a different team.
- Chris Cotillo reports that the Red Sox are a “preferred destination” for Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. Maybe “the preferred destination,” he adds.
- R.J. Anderson looks at what the Dodgers have yet to do this offseason.
- Jake Rill has some predictions for the Orioles this year.
- Ken Rosenthal criticizes the Orioles surprisingly passive offseason so far. (The Athletic sub. req.)
- Jonathan Mayo polled MLB executives on their predictions for 2025 Rookie of the Year. He’s not the favorite, but a Cubs prospect finished second in NL balloting.
- Twenty-five years after MLB revealed their “All-Century” team, Manny Randhawa has those who have been the best players of the 21st Century so far.
- Manny Randhawa also argues why Dustin Pedroia belongs in the Hall of Fame.
- Theo DeRosa makes the Cooperstown case for Félix Hernández.
- Brian Murphy makes the Hall of Fame case for CC Sabathia.
- Murphy also has the top ten “What if” seasons in MLB history. This is inspired by Kyle Tucker’s 2024 season, which could have been an MVP season if he hadn’t gotten hurt.
- Michael Clair remembers Charlie Hough and his knuckleball.
- Neil Steinberg takes a surprisingly emotional visit to Cooperstown.
- And finally, Michael Clair examines some of the candidates for the first ever baseball card.