Imagine the thrill and frustration of an MLB offseason where teams are scrambling to reshape their rosters, chasing stars and making bold moves that could define the next season—but here's the kicker: budgets are tight, and every decision feels like a high-stakes gamble. That's the pulse of baseball's winter right now, and it's got fans on the edge of their seats. Let's dive into the latest buzz, from Arizona's intriguing pursuit of a hometown hero to other teams navigating trades and free-agent flops, all while keeping things straightforward for even the newest fans tuning in.
Starting with the Arizona Diamondbacks, whispers from a rival executive captured their offseason vibe perfectly: 'No cash, no cash, no cash... oh, but Ken went all-in.' That 'Ken' is owner Ken Kendrick, and it looks like he's gearing up for another surprise splash. On Tuesday, USA Today's Bob Nightengale broke the news that the D-Backs are eyeing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. Remember, the collective bargaining agreement keeps team brass from openly chatting about free agents, but an insider close to the D-Backs' strategy confirmed that 'nothing is ruled out' for their winter plans.
Landing Bregman would probably hinge on them first dealing second baseman Ketel Marte, mirroring their unexpected grab of right-hander Corbin Burnes last year. Bregman thrived with the Boston Red Sox last season, and they're keen on bringing him back. Yet, just like Burnes, Bregman calls Phoenix home, is handled by agent Scott Boras, and has little kids to consider. For beginners wondering why location matters, the D-Backs are unique—they hold spring training in the same metro area as their games, letting players stay put all year instead of uprooting families. Burnes, for example, took deferrals on his six-year, $210 million pact, dropping the real value below $194 million, and added an opt-out after 2026 (which became less tempting post-Tommy John surgery in June). And this is the part most people miss: It shows how creative contracts can make big deals happen even for 'frugal' teams.
Bregman hits 32 in March, a tad older than Burnes was during his signing, and the D-Backs might hesitate on a lengthy commitment for a hitter that age. But Burnes proved they're open to innovation. Would Bregman settle for something akin to his Red Sox deal—three years at $120 million with two opt-outs? As he enters his 30s, shorter terms might not excite him as much. To make room, trading Marte first is almost essential; doing it backward weakens their negotiating edge. Fun fact: Marte's contract deferrals cut his average annual value for luxury tax to $14.6 million, and Bregman could command double that. The D-Backs' payroll is about $17 million lighter than last year, per Fangraphs, so these moves could be math-defying magic.
Bregman would anchor third base, shuffling prospects like Jordan Lawlar, Blaze Alexander, and Tim Tawa to second. The trade-then-sign sequence sounds wild, but so did Burnes last year. But here's where it gets controversial: Is it smart for a team to prioritize homegrown perks over pure talent? Some argue it builds loyalty and stability, while others say it limits star power—where do you stand?
Shifting gears to the Oakland Athletics, they pitched shortstop free agent Ha-Seong Kim a four-year, $48 million offer with upside potential, as per a source involved. The 30-year-old Kim, however, chose a one-year, $20 million gig with the Atlanta Braves, keeping his options open for next year's market. This echoes a common theme for Boras-repped players: skip long deals in a sluggish market to cash in later. Kim battled right labrum surgery and back issues last year, limiting him to just 48 games, so flexibility made sense. The A's wanted him mostly at second, with shortstop fill-in duties if Jacob Wilson got hurt. With Kim gone, they'll likely hunt for second and third base help via trades. Remaining infield free agents like Bo Bichette, Munetaka Murakami, and Kazuma Okamoto? Too pricey for their budget.
Trade targets include Tampa Bay's Brandon Lowe and New York's Jeff McNeil at second (Seattle and San Francisco are leading for St. Louis' Brendan Donovan, reports Katie Woo). The Rays often deal expiring contracts, making Lowe a prime candidate, but insiders say they won't settle for peanuts—they believe a healthy Lowe could be a deadline star. And this is the part most people miss: How teams value 'potential' versus 'proven' talent can make or break an offseason.
Over in Seattle, the Mariners, reeling from losing infielder Jorge Polanco to the Mets, are still chasing the D-Backs' Marte and the Cardinals' Donovan. Donovan's versatility—second base, left field, and even other spots—fits Seattle well, especially with prospects knocking on the door. Marte, at 32, is older than Donovan's 29, but he's locked in for six years versus Donovan's two under team control. Plus, Marte's .887 OPS over the last three seasons puts him in the top 10 hitters league-wide. The M's know Marte from his youth—he signed with them from the Dominican at 16 before the 2016 swap for Mitch Haniger, Jean Segura, and Zac Curtis. Jerry Dipoto, then GM and now president of ops, isn't scared of Marte's past clubhouse drama in Arizona.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies are holding onto center fielder Brenton Doyle, much like the Nationals are with CJ Abrams. After 119 losses, they're open to deals, but sources say they're focusing inward to assess their assets properly. Doyle's glove work shines, but his bat dipped—OPS-plus from 102 in 2024 to 72 in 2025. At 28, he's controllable for four more years. Trading him now might mean selling low. They could pivot to relievers, having added Brennan Bernardino via trade and RJ Petit in the Rule 5 draft. Names like Victor Vodnik and Seth Halvorsen attracted deadline buzz.
Wrapping up the 'Around the horn' updates: As of Tuesday, only 21 of The Athletic's top 50 free agents have deals, including four who took qualifying offers. Free agency crawls, with trades heating up too. And trades are tougher now because everyone's upgrading—except maybe the Cardinals, Rockies, and White Sox. As one exec noted, 'Nobody wants prospects; taking them gets you more bang for your buck than established players.'
On the catching front, Andrew Knizner, backup to Yadier Molina in St. Louis, inked a one-year, $1 million deal with the Mariners behind starter Cal Raleigh. Raleigh's been a steady presence, starting more games than all but J.T. Realmuto and Will Smith lately. The M's liked Danny Jansen, who got two years and $14.5 million from Texas, but couldn't promise him enough starts. Knizner's a solid defender with a .598 OPS in 88 plate appearances last year, but Seattle sees improvement in his approach.
Finally, the hot trend? American pitchers coming back from Japan or Korea. Left-hander Foster Griffin just signed one year, $5.5 million with the Nationals. Before him: Cody Ponce (three years, $30 million to Toronto), Anthony Kay (two years, $12 million to the White Sox), Drew Anderson (one year, $7 million to Detroit), and Ryan Weiss (one year, $2.6 million to Houston). Next up might be righty Kyle Keller, whose 28.8% strikeout rate since 2022 is top-five in NPB. Keller, 32, added a splitter overseas after stints with Miami, Angels, and Pirates.
Will Sammon contributed to this report.
So, what do you think? Is Kendrick's aggressive style the right path for the D-Backs, or should they stick to financial caution? And on a broader scale, does the emphasis on local players create a fairer game, or does it just complicate the market? Share your thoughts in the comments—agree, disagree, or offer a fresh take!
