Major League Baseball's offseason remains active with key rumors emerging on Wednesday. The New York Mets have reportedly enhanced their offer to free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, while the Yankees continue seeking a top starter. The Boston Red Sox signed pitcher Ranger Suárez, and the Toronto Blue Jays have not ruled out re-signing infielder Bo Bichette.
With pitchers and catchers set to report to spring training sites in Florida and Arizona in about a month, MLB teams are finalizing rosters. On Tuesday, the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired former All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals, and the New York Yankees added left-hander Ryan Weathers in a five-player trade with the Miami Marlins.
The Mets have likely added a fourth year to their contract offer for top free agent Kyle Tucker, following an initial three-year deal at $50 million annually, according to MLB Network Radio. This short-term, high-average-annual-value approach allows Tucker to boost his earnings while mitigating risks for the Mets. Tucker has drawn interest from the Blue Jays, Dodgers, and others, with Toronto previously viewed as the frontrunner.
Despite acquiring Weathers, the Yankees are pursuing a more established starter for their rotation, per The Athletic. Their current projected group includes Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Luis Gil, and Weathers, though Gil and Weathers each threw under 60 innings last season, and Schlittler faces his first full big-league year. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are slated to return from injuries later in the spring or summer. New York has been linked to trade targets like Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta and Washington Nationals lefty MacKenzie Gore.
The Blue Jays, fresh off signing right-handers Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce plus infielder Kazuma Okamoto, remain open to re-signing free-agent infielder Bo Bichette, ESPN reports. After missing out on Alex Bregman, now with the Cubs, Toronto has not closed the door on Bichette, though they may be priced out. Bichette has connections to the Phillies, Red Sox, and teams needing shortstop or second-base help.
The Red Sox, also unsuccessful in signing Bregman, turned to pitching by agreeing to a five-year, $130 million contract with Ranger Suárez. Boston had previously added right-handers Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo to a rotation featuring lefty Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, and Patrick Sandoval. They may trade surplus arms for an infielder before Opening Day and were earlier tied to Peralta.
