2023 MLB Free Agents: Latest Rumors, Predictions for Shohei Ohtani, Yamamoto, Chapman

The 2023 version of the hot stove is off to a slow burn, as MLB awaits a massive domino to drop.

Well, a few big dominoes, actually.

From a reigning MVP to an international ace, let's dig into the players generating the latest buzz on baseball's rumor mill.

While the New York Yankees can almost never be ruled out of a star pursuit, it sounds like they're unlikely to reel in this offseason's biggest fish.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Yankees "are not believed to be in the mix" for two-way superstar—and two-time AL MVP—Shohei Ohtani.

The holdup, per Passan, "speaks to their reticence to add the biggest contract in North American sports history to the quartet of [Aaron] Judge, [Gerrit] Cole, [Carlos] Rodon and Giancarlo Stanton, who are owed more than $513 million over the next four seasons."

That's a huge chunk of change for anyone—even the Yankees. While New York will feature prominently in some of this offseason's top pursuits, this sweepstakes won't be the one it wins.

Prediction: Yankees add a high-end starter and an impact hitter, but they don't get Ohtani.

Remember last offseason when it seemed like the San Francisco Giants were getting Aaron Judge and later looked like Carlos Correa was coming, but they didn't wind up with either? Well, so do the Giants, and they're apparently determined not to let history repeat itself.

They "are set on trying to acquire" either Ohtani or star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto this time around, per MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

"They're pursuing both very aggressively," Morosi said. "... The Giants are set. They are devoting their full heart and finances to landing one of Shohei Ohtani or Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the coming weeks."

After a surprisingly successful 107-win season in 2021, San Francisco has gone a combined 160-164 over the two years since. This roster needs an impact addition in the worst kind of way, and Ohtani and Yamamoto would certainly scratch that itch. Ohtani is already a certified MLB superstar, and Yamamoto just pitched to a a 1.21 ERA with 169 strikeouts in 164 innings of work for the Orix Buffaloes in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan last season.

Both will command mega-money, but the Giants should have the flexibility to land one.

Prediction: Giants sign Yamamoto; Ohtani joins the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After heading north of the border in a March 2022 trade, Matt Chapman spent the past two seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.

It's possible his Toronto tenure will extend beyond them.

The free agent third baseman and the Blue Jays have kept dialogue open in free agency, and the team "remains genuinely open to a reunion," MLB.com's Keegan Matheson reported. As with most free-agent moves, though, this could come down to price, as Matheson noted any agreement would have "to come at a number that works for both sides."

Chapman's market is a bit tricky to gauge. The four-time Gold Glove winner is an elite defender, but he's been streaky with the bat in recent seasons. He has pop (71 homers over the past three seasons), but his average rarely impresses (.226 for the same stretch, .240 for his career).

Prediction: Chapman signs with the New York Mets.