MLB Rumors: Astros may prioritize extending Jose Altuve over Alex Bregman
The New York Post's Jon Heyman recently wrote that the Astros may look to extend Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman. That's good news, right?
Well, not quite. Heyman added that the Astros believe they "have a somewhat better chance with Altuve," which would make Bregman the crippling and unfortunate loss of the offseason.
Both Altuve and Bregman are managed by agent Scott Boras and both are a year away from free agency; Bregman will be a free agent at age 30 and should theoretically command a more lucrative deal than Altuve, who is four years older.
Bregman signed a five-year, $100 million contract prior to 2020. If what Heyman reports is true, the fan-favorite slugger may take a backseat to Altuve's negotiations, and he may in turn search for greener grass elsewhere.
The lifetime .274 hitter would boost any MLB team's rotation, even if his All-Star seasons are behind him.
As of this week, Boras said that the Astros have not yet discussed extensions with either player.
MLB Rumors: Braves could make a move for an outfielder
How will the Braves address their left field this offseason?
Sports Illustrated's Lindsay Crosby believes Atlanta has three divergent paths: sign a free agent, move Vaughn Grissom, or seek a trade.
With the outfielder free agent class not looking so great and with the Braves perhaps wary of moving Grissom to a new position, the team could consider a deal for any of several rumored outfielders on the trade market.
Crosby names Max Kepler and Randy Arozarena as potential targets, as well as "virtually every single member of the Milwaukee Brewers" who could be made available for the right price.
Plus, the Braves boast a talented pitching farm system (and could even trade Grissom) to facilitate a potential trade for a starting-caliber veteran outfielder.
Alex Anthopoulos and the front office have proven in the past that they can strike excellent deals -- let's see what they come up with this winter.
MLB Rumors: Cardinals are connected to Cubs' Marcus Stroman
This winter, Marcus Stroman declined the Cubs' $21 million contract option, a move that put him on the radar of a handful of pitcher-needy teams.
One team interested in Stroman's services could be the St. Louis Cardinals, per Jon Heyman.
Heyman said he thought Stroman made "the right call" to not return to Chicago and that the veteran could get a "multi-year deal maybe with an opt-out... The Cardinals are one team I've heard connected to Stroman."
The Cubs starter has managed to avoid serious arm injuries throughout his career but did have to miss time this past season due to a rib cartilage fracture. Most would agree Stroman has played his way into a nice payday, recording a 3.95 ERA in 2023 and a 3.50 ERA in 2022.
It's no secret that the Cardinals are in dire need of quality starting pitchers for next season, and if other aces like Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Aaron Nola get gobbled up by other teams, Stroman would give St. Louis arguably cheaper but solid value in the franchise's ongoing efforts to build a contending team.