Main League Baseball’s offseason continues to attract near the annual Winter Conferences, scheduled to start on Dec. 9 in Dallas, Texas. Whereas the Winter Conferences are inclined to generate loads of exercise, groups seem like waking up from their offseason slumber. To wit, the Mets added veteran right-hander Frankie Montas on a two-year contract on Sunday night time.
Who’ll be subsequent to signal? Beneath, you’ll find all of Monday’s strikes, information, and notes.
Holmes drawing curiosity as a starter
Former Yankees nearer Clay Holmes is drawing free agent curiosity as a beginning pitcher, reports the New York Post. Holmes, a free agent, got here up by the minors as a starter, although he has been a reliever completely since 2019. In 2024, longtime relievers Jordan Hicks and Reynaldo López signed free-agent contracts to start out. Former reliever Seth Lugo completed second within the Cy Younger voting in his second 12 months as a starter.
Holmes, 32 in March, led MLB with 13 blown saves in 2024, but in addition had a 3.14 ERA with extra strikeouts than innings pitched, and the second-highest floor ball price in baseball. He runs into management issues at occasions, one thing that will not work properly as a starter, however Holmes throws two fastballs (sinker and four-seamer) and two totally different sliders (conventional slider and sweeper), and has proven the aptitude to select up new pitches, tweak present pitches, and self-correct when issues go awry.
Mets serious about Buehler
Even with Montas in tow, the Mets proceed to have curiosity in free-agent right-hander Walker Buehler, according to the New York Post.
That should not come as a shock since Buehler is seen as an intriguing upside play because of his monitor document and arsenal high quality. Certainly, the Submit characterizes the marketplace for Buehler as being “deep.”
The Mets, in the meantime, may lose their high three innings throwers in Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and Jose Quintana.
Cubs ink Boyd
The Cubs have agreed to a two-year pact price $29 million with lefty Matthew Boyd, according to the New York Post.
Boyd, 33, spent final season with the Guardians. In eight begins, he amassed a 2.72 ERA (151 ERA+) and a 3.54 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He additionally carried out properly within the postseason, holding opponents to at least one run throughout 11 ⅔ frames.
Boyd hasn’t cleared the 100-inning threshold in a season since 2019. Clearly the Cubs imagine in his skill to both keep wholesome or to stay productive when he’s obtainable. Offered he is hearty and hale, he should crack their Opening Day rotation.
Astros monitoring infield market
The Astros proceed to try to re-sign third baseman and franchise mainstay Alex Bregman, however that does not imply basic supervisor Dana Brown is ignoring contingency plans. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Astros have been in contact with free-agent shortstop Willy Adames and have expressed curiosity in Jorge Polanco.
Bregman and Adames are thought of to be the 2 finest infielders available on the market. Polanco, in the meantime, is seen as a buy-low candidate following a down season that noticed him submit his worst OPS+ in 4 years.
