Offseason Week 7 Recap | Dec. 17 - Dec. 23
From Free Agency to Trades to League Rumors, Recapping Week 7
Week 7 of the 2024 MLB Offseason has come to a close & many moves were made during the week— some big and some small. Today, we are going to be looking at everything that has happened during this week of the 2024 MLB offseason.
Free Agent Signings
O’s Sign Sugano Out of Japan
The Orioles added to their starting rotation, which is without Corbin Burnes, as he is a free agent and which has had many injuries in the past. Rather than going with a starter like Burnes or Jack Flaherty, the Orioles went to the international free agent market, signing RHP Tomoyuki Sugano to a 1-year, $13 million deal. Sugano, a 12 year veteran in the NPB, has a career ERA of 2.45 in 281 games for the Yomiuri Giants. In 2024, Sugano went 15-3 with a 1.67 ERA, earning himself his 3rd Central League MVP Award. In addition to 3 MVPs, one of the most decorated pitchers in the NPB’s history has won 2 Sawamura Awards (Japanese Cy Young) & is an 8x All-Star. Sugano is joining a rotation in Birdland that has Zack Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, Tyler Wells, Kyle Bradish, & Trevor Rodgers.
Mets Add To Pitching Staff
Griffin Canning, the veteran pitcher who was sent to the Atlanta Braves earlier this offseason for Jorge Soler, but was later non-tendered, making him a free agent has joined his third team in the last 2 months. Almost a month after becoming a free agent, Griffin Canning has signed a one-year, $4.25 million deal with the New York Mets. Canning had a 5.19 ERA in 2024, going 6-13 with 130 strikeouts in 171.2 innings and 31 starts. Canning is joining Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, Frankie Montas, David Peterson, & Paul Blackburn in the Mets rotation.
Nats Add Veteran Pitcher
In 2024, the Washington Nationals were one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball, helping them recently secure the 1st overall pick in the 2025 pick. However, the Nationals added to their rotation in an attempt to have a better season by signing veteran RHP Mike Soroka to a one-year, $9 million deal this week. In 2024, Soroka had a record of 0-10 with a 4.74 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 79/2 innings that were mostly spent out of the bullpen. The former reliever will return to starting and joins Washington’s rotation that features many young players such as Jake Irvin, MacKenzie Gore, DJ Herz, & Mitchell Parker.
Yankees Add MVP 1st Baseman
Thought the Yankees’s pennant-winning 2024 season, one of their weakest positions was first base. However, this week the Yankees added one of the top first basemen on the market, former-MVP Paul Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt signed a one-year, $12.5 million deal which would set him to be 38 years old when he is a free agent next offseason. Goldschmidt hit .245/.302/.414 with 22 homeruns and 65 RBIs in 2024.
Rangers Add DH
After winning the 2023 World Series, Texas had high hopes for the 2024 season, however, injuries and poor performance wrecked the Rangers’ season. Trying to get back to the postseason in 2025, Texas recently signed 2-time World Series Champion DH Joc Pederson to a 2-year, $37 million deal that includes an opt out after the 2025 season. Pederson hit .275/.393/.515 in 2024 with 23 homeruns and 64 RBIs for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Manaea Back to the Mets
Sean Manaea, one of the Mets’s best pitchers during the 2024 season is returning to Queens on a 3-year, $75 million deal. Manaea, who had a record of 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA and 184 strikeouts in 181.2 innings for the Mets in 2024, will join Kodia Senga, Clay Holmes, Frankie Montas, & David Peterson in New York’s rotation.
Cutch Stays in Pittsburgh
Andrew McCutchen, one of the best players for the Pittsburgh Pirates this century is staying with the Pirates for a 13th season by signing a one-year, $5 million deal with the Bucs. McCutchen, 38, has moved to a majority DH role due to his age but can still play some games in the outfield. “Cutch” hit .232/.328/.411 with 20 HRs & 50 RBIs for the Pirates in 2024.
Astros Find First Baseman
Like the New York Yankees, first base was one of the Astros’ weakest positions in 2024. However, it certainly could be one of their strongest positions over the next few years as they have signed Gold Glove first baseman. Christian Walker recently signed a 3-year, $60 million deal with the Houston Astros. Walker hit .251/.335/.468 with 26 homeruns & 84 RBIs in 2024 for the Diamondbacks.
Philly Adds Veteran Outfielder
The Phillies recently improved their corner outfield, a position they were looking to improve by signing veteran OF Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million contract. Kepler hit .253/.302/.380 with 8 homeruns and 42 RBIs in a season full of injuries for the Twins. Although Kepler can play both corner outfield positions, he is expected to become the Phillies’ everyday left fielder.
A’s Sign Third Baseman
Throughout this offseason, the Athletics have been trying to acquire a third baseman, talking to the Phillies about Alec Bohm and talking with other teams as well. However, the A’s don’t need to look anymore as they have found a player who will start the hot corner for their first season in Sacramento. 3B Gio Urshela has signed a 1-year, $2.15 million with the Athletics. Urshela hit .250/.286/.361 with 9 homers & 52 RBIs in 2024 between the Detroit Tigers & the Atlanta Braves.
Santana Returns to Cleveland
Shortly after making a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks (recapped later in this post), the Cleveland Guardians signed former Indian, Carlos Santana. Santana spent the first 8 seasons of his career in Cleveland before returning for another two years after a one year stint in Philadelphia and will return for another year. This time as a Guardian, Santana has returned to Cleveland with a one-year, $12 million contract. Santana hit .238/.328/.420 with 23 homeruns & 71 RBIs for the Twins in 2024.
Boston Adds Valuable Arm
The Boston Red Sox have been quite active this offseason, being contenders in the Soto sweepstakes and adding multiple pitchers, including Garrett Crochet. This time, the Red Sox signed Walker Buehler, a long-time Los Angeles Dodger who closed out the 2024 World Series— against Boston’s biggest rival, the New York Yankees. Buehler signed a one-year, $21.05 million contract with the Red Sox this week, officially leaving the Dodgers for the first time in his career. Throughout 2024, Buehler struggled with injuries, which helped cause him to have a record of 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA in only 16 games. However, he was a lot better in the postseason, going 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA and getting 1 save in 4 games. Buehler is joining a rotation that features Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, & newly-signed Patrick Sandoval.
Trades
Yankees Add Superstar | CHC - NYY Trade
The Yankees recently added yet another MVP to their roster in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. In the trade, the Yankees received 1B/OF Cody Bellinger and cash considerations in exchange for RHP Cody Poteet.
Nats Get Local First Baseman | WSH - TEX Trade
The Nationals have been trying to upgrade their first base position for a while now, with veterans such as Joey Gallo filling in. However, the Nationals recently acquired World Series Champion Nathaniel Lowe in a trade with the Rangers. In the trade, the Nationals received 1B Nathaniel Lowe in exchange for LHP Robert Garcia. Lowe, who hit .265/.361/.401 with 16 HRs & 69 RBIs for the Rangers in 2024 will become the Nationals starting first baseman and will move into a veteran role, even though he is only 29 years old. On the other hand, Garcia had a record of 3-6 with a 4.22 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 59.2 innings throughout his 72 games out of the bullpen.
Phillies Get Young Ace For Prospects | PHI - MIA Trade
The 2024 NL East Champion Philadelphia Phillies have finally made a big move after a quiet offseason. Finding another starter for their rotation, the Phillies acquired LHP Jesus Luzardo & prospect C/OF Paul McIntosh from the Miami Marlins in exchange for prospects SS Starlyn Caba (PHI #4) & OF Emaarion Boyd (PHI #23). Luzardo, who always had a lot of upside went 3-6 in 2024 with a 5.00 ERA & 58 SO in 12 games. On the other hand, Caba is a highly ranked prospect (MIA #3) that switch hits and has an ETA of 2028. Boyd, is a good prospect as well, with an ETA of 2026.
D-Backs Get First Baseman While CLE Upgrades Pitching | ARI - CLE Trade
Soon after former D-Back first baseman Christian Walker departed in free agency by signing with the Houston Astros, Arizona received a new first baseman via trade. In this trade with the Cleveland Guardians, the Diamondbacks acquired 1B Josh Naylor in exchange for RHP Slade Cecconi & a 2025 Competitive Balance Round B pick. Naylor, who hit .243/.320/.456 with 31 homeruns and had 108 RBIs in 2024, helped lead the Guardians to an AL Central Title & to the ALCS. Cecconi, had a record of 2-7 with a 6.66 ERA in 20 games (13 starting, 7 out of the bullpen).
