The Major League Baseball offseason is in full swing after the General Manager Meetings, and it provided some clues as to what potentially is ahead.
The talk of baseball, of course, is Shohei Ohtani. He is the best free agent in baseball history and is in line to receive the biggest contract in American sports history, with his eventual deal expected to land in the $500-600 million range.
But the free-agent market also includes Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, Jordan Montgomery, Matt Chapman, Lucas Giolito, and many more players. The trade market is another intriguing aspect to monitor – the 40-man roster deadline is on Tuesday afternoon – and there is expected to be a flurry of moves as teams trim their rosters.
MLB insider: 3 stars who could be traded this offseason
There will also be bigger trades, and here are three names to keep an eye on this offseason, according to major-league sources.
Cal Quantrill, Cleveland Guardians
It would not be a surprise to see the Guardians move Quantrill, perhaps sooner than later. The 28-year-old is coming off a down season in 2023, posting a 5.24 ERA in 19 starts. So the Guardians would potentially be selling low.
But Quantrill, who earned $5.55 million in 2023, is arbitration eligible for the next two seasons and is scheduled to earn around $7 million in 2024. It makes him a prime non-tender or trade candidate and considering his history – he has a 3.83 ERA in five career seasons, including 94 starts – it makes him a logical trade candidate.
It could lead to some team absorbing that salary in 2024 in hopes that he performs closer to what he did from 2020-2023. It would not be shocking at all to see him playing elsewhere in 2024.
Potential fit: Los Angeles Dodgers
Alek Manoah, Toronto Blue Jays
The 2023 season was a disaster for Alek Manoah. He was an All-Star in 2022 and appeared on the verge of becoming one of the best right-handed pitchers in baseball.
Then he bottomed out in 2023, getting optioned to the minors, and having to work his way back up to the majors. What ultimately went into his disastrous season remains a mystery, but it put Manoah squarely on the map to be traded this offseason as he seems like a prime change-of-scenery candidate.
It's unclear what the price to acquire Manoah would be, but after the season he had, it surely wouldn't be much. Which could give the Blue Jays some pause about potentially moving the right-hander, especially since he's less than a year removed from being a dominant starting pitcher.
But I would not rule out a trade.
Potential fit: St. Louis Cardinals.
Tyler Glasnow, Tampa Bay Rays
Glasnow is very likely to be traded this offseason, and his $25 million salary is a primary reason for that.
The Rays are not in a position where they can 1) pay that salary and 2) do not seem likely to extend him before he becomes a free agent after the 2024 season. So it would behoove the front office to get ahead of it and listen on any potential Glasnow inquiry.
From everything I heard at the GM Meetings, the Rays are expected to listen to Glasnow inquiries and a trade seems increasingly likely. Where he may end up is unclear, but given his talent and past performance, there should be a long list of teams after the 30-year-old.
I fully expect Glasnow to be traded and playing elsewhere besides Tampa Bay in 2024.
Potential fits: Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals.