MLB Free Agency 2023: Latest Rumors, Predictions for Yamamoto, Bellinger and Soler
On the heels of Shohei Ohtani's mammoth deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the free agent market in Major League Baseball appears poised to pick up steam, with top players likely to see more action from interested teams.
Such players include the reigning NL Comeback Player of the Year in Cody Bellinger, 25-year-old Japanese phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and the deceptively good Jorge Soler.
Find out the latest on those three players, as well as where they may end up, with these latest rumors and predictions.
The Los Angeles Dodgers may have shocked the baseball world by signing Shohei Ohtani to a historic 10-year, $700 million deal Saturday but that does not mean they are finished acquiring free agents.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported "Yes, the Dodgers are still interested in and can still afford Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Uncertain though, how the Ohtani signing may affect their chances, pro or con. The three perceived favorites: 1. Mets 2. Yankees 3. Dodgers."
The Dodgers can still contend for Yamamoto because, as Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported, "Ohtani's deal includes what one source called "unprecedented deferrals," including the majority of his salary -- which was Ohtani's idea. He wanted to mitigate the CBT and cash-flow burdens to let the Dodgers have the flexibility to be competitive."
As Heyman stated, however, Yamamoto appears more likely to take his talents to Gotham City than star in any Hollywood blockbuster.
The Mets have always felt like the favorite to land the 25-year-old phenom with the 1.16 ERA, 176 strikeouts, and 0.86 WHIP for the Orix Buffaloes in 2023.
Not only are they a big market team with lots of money at their disposal, but Yamamoto played in the World Baseball Classic with his friend, Kodai Senga, who has been open about his willingness to help recruit the young pitcher to the Big Apple.
The Yankees, apparently hellbent on not missing out on the playoffs for a second year after finishing fourth in the AL East a season ago, have a "strong desire" to sign Yamamoto, per Andy Martino of SNY.
That is not surprising, either, as the Yankees could be linked to any free agents every offseason.
Despite the allure of the pinstripes and the aura of Yankee Stadium, there is something to be said about the consistent link between Yamamoto and the across-city Mets.
Like Ohtani and the Dodgers, they have been mentioned in the same breath since the end of the season and with the Amazins still at the forefront of the discussion and in dire need of starting pitching after a team ERA of 4.30 a year ago, it feels like a match that is destined at this point.
Prediction: Mets sign Yamamoto to big-money deal
The Chicago Cubs have been relatively quiet in free agency this offseason but now that the Ohtani dominoes have fallen, their name has been linked to several top players, including one who saw a career renaissance in the Windy City a season ago.
Heyman reported, "The Cubs are looking at Matt Chapman and their own Cody Bellinger, but waiting on Ohtani first. The Cubs also have interest in Rhys Hoskins since Pete Alonso probably isn't going anywhere."
It is apparent that the Cubs are looking for bats and it makes total sense that a team on the brink of a playoff appearance in the National League would start with Bellinger, who was instrumental in putting them in that position in the first place.
The former NL MVP and 2023 Silver Slugger hit 26 home runs, drove in 97 runs, and had a slash line of .267/.352/.581 en route to winning the Comeback Player of the Year award.
MLB @MLBCody Bellinger is the National League Comeback Player of the Year! pic.twitter.com/z7UhWC8sNq
Bellinger has been linked to the Yankees since the end of the season, but the team's recent trade for Juan Soto would seem to suggest the need for him is no longer what it once was.
The Cubs do appear to have contingencies in place, with Heyman reporting their interest in Chapman and Hoskins, too. The latter missed all of 2023 with a torn ACL while Chapman had the fourth Gold Glove season of his career.
It still feels as though the Cubs can get something done with Bellinger, especially if the team is willing to pay up. He was such an integral part of what the organization accomplished last season and could be the difference between making the playoffs and not, something that Chapman and Hoskins just are not at this point in their careers.
Without Ohtani to pursue, expect the team to work overtime to get something done with their star.
Prediction: Cubs re-sign Bellinger to a long-term deal
Jorge Soler hit 36 home runs, delivered 75 RBI, and had a slash line of .292/.330/.573 in 2023 for a Miami Marlins team that exceeded all expectations en route to a playoff appearance.
Now, the All-Star right fielder and designated hitter is a free agent and attracting attention from two teams in particular.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported, "At least two teams interested in free-agent designated hitter Jorge Soler, the Diamondbacks, and Mariners, are canvassing both the trade and free-agent markets, and ultimately might prefer to spread their money among several hitters rather than one expensive addition."
It makes sense that those two teams may be more inclined to spend on several cheaper options but the Mariners have a link to Soler that Rosenthal expanded upon.
"Brant Brown, the Mariners' new bench coach and offensive coordinator, grew fond of Soler as the Marlins' hitting coach last season," he wrote.
Given that the team also allowed Eugenio Suárez and Teoscar Hernández to walk this offseason, the team could use bats behind young All-Star and face of the franchise, Julio Rodriguez.
Signing Soler would limit the team's payroll flexibility, as it would Arizona's on the heels of the defending NL champs' signing of Eduardo Rodriguez, but the potential spark it would bring to a Mariners offense that also lost Jarred Kelenic in a trade to the Braves is undeniable.
The hesitation would suggest both teams are already looking elsewhere to acquire bats so it would not appear as though Soler will be in the cards for them. At least at this time.
Do not be surprised if a candidate who missed out on Ohtani, like the Toronto Blue Jays or San Francisco Giants, ponies up the cash and brings Soler on board in an attempt to solidify their chances at a deep playoff push.
Prediction: Soler ultimately signs with San Francisco
