MLB rumors: Corey Seager drawing curiosity from Rangers; Shohei Ohtani ‘extraordinarily glad’ with Angels

The Atlanta Braves won the World Series one week in the past Tuesday and already we have seen our first notable commerce (Tucker Barnhart to the Tigers), free agent signing (Andrew Heaney to the Dodgers), and waiver declare (Wade Miley to the Cubs) of the offseason. The MLB sizzling range is now open for enterprise, although the looming expiration of the collective bargaining agreement threatens to halt exercise. 

Right here, then, are Wednesday’s sizzling range rumors because the GM Conferences proceed in California.

Ohtani ‘extraordinarily glad’ with Angels

He is a two-way star, you already know, so Shohei Ohtani will get the double profile therapy: 

Ohtani is the AL MVP favourite this season with good trigger, because the numbers above exhibit. He is additionally, like fellow Halos celebrity Mike Trout, usually a stranger to successful baseball with the Angels. That has led to some hints of dissatisfaction on Ohtani’s half and speculation that he may be eyeing greener, more successful pastures. Nonetheless, Ohtani’s agent is right here to push again towards that considerably tantalizing narrative: 

Ohtani is not eligible free of charge company till after the 2023 season, so that is hardly an pressing scenario. That stated, putting optimistic tones is a promising signal, even when it is pretty normal for a participant to say such issues in these circumstances. It stays fairly important for the Angels to contend whereas Ohtani continues to be underneath staff management, and these remarks do not change that. 

Energy-hitting shortstop Corey Seager is likely one of the most coveted of free brokers within the present class, and he will be of curiosity to quite a lot of groups, together with the incumbent Dodgers. Now you possibly can add the Texas Rangers to the checklist: 

Seager, with a profession OPS+ of 131 and a mark of 145 in 2021, is a real difference-maker on the plate, particularly by the requirements of the shortstop place. What may dampen his market a bit is his slightly substantial damage historical past. Simply twice in his seven-year profession has he performed 145 or extra video games in a season (though he was principally wholesome within the abbreviated 2020 season). That stated, groups will wager on the talents successful out, and Seager will wind up signing one of many largest contracts of the winter. 

White Sox prepared to contemplate Kimbrel commerce

The White Sox not too long ago picked up their $16 million possibility on high-leverage reliever Craig Kimbrel for the 2022 season, however that does not essentially imply he’ll be suiting up for the South Siders subsequent yr. Sox GM Rick Hahn not too long ago advised reporters as a lot (via ESPN’s Jesse Rogers): 

“What now we have to determine is that if it makes essentially the most sense to have Craig in a White Sox uniform going ahead or is there a greater use of that spot and him maybe by way of commerce.”

Kimbrel, 33, joined the White Sox in a deadline commerce that despatched righty reliever Codi Heuer and second baseman Nick Madrigal to the crosstown to the Cubs. Kimbrel was dominant with the Cubs, saving 23 video games and pitching to a 0.49 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings, however he struggled badly after the commerce, permitting 13 runs in 23 innings earlier than persevering with to pitch poorly within the postseason. The Sox are little doubt pondering that some staff on the market will wager on Kimbrel’s regaining his kind, and that is a definite risk. 

The Reds transferring into 2022 are selecting to be non-competitive within the title of payroll discount, and that possible means trades of a few of their frontliner veterans. Proper-hander Luis Castillo is actually one risk, as he is second-year arbitration eligible this offseason and has been a top-tier beginning pitcher over the past three years. Evidently, Castillo can be a preferred goal amongst aspiring contenders, and Jon Morosi of MLB Network names the Mariners as one staff that has curiosity. 

As Morosi notes, they’ve a deep farm system from which to deal, and so they might use an improve within the rotation. As nicely, Seattle is coming off a 90-win season and lugging across the longest present playoff drought in main North American staff sports activities. These are robust incentives to fortify the roster going into 2022. Including the likes of Castillo would definitely qualify as fortifying the roster. 

Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez’s market appears to be selecting up. The free agent not too long ago acquired a qualifying provide from the incumbent Crimson Sox, and already the Tigers appear to be closely : 

Boston, although, is not content material to let the market pry him away: 

Rodriguez, 28, is coming off a considerably disappointing season when it comes to run prevention (4.74 ERA), however he posted the very best Ok/BB ratio of his profession. Over the course of that six-year profession with the Crimson Sox, Rodriguez has posted an ERA+ of 110 and made one All-Star staff. He profiles as a mid-rotation asset with some upside to be greater than that.