Winter is coming. But first, winter meetings.
Business will be conducted, news will be broken, players will be signed when MLB front offices, players and agents all meet in sunny San Diego for this year’s baseball Winter Meetings, from Sunday, Dec. 4, to Wednesday, Dec. 7.
This offseason, the majority of eyes are set on MLB’s literal and figurative biggest free agent, outfielder Aaron Judge. Recent reports indicate that Judge could make a decision this week that will set the stage for the remainder of his career. Which coast Judge will be playing on remains to be seen; rumors indicate that the Giants or Yankees could sign the MVP slugger.
Other stars, such as Justin Verlander, Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Carlos Rodon and Xander Bogaerts, figure to contribute to what could be a wild week of signings, trade, rumors and more.
MORE: MLB free agency tracker — Latest news, updates for 2022 class
The Sporting News will be tracking the latest out of San Diego below.
MLB Winter Meetings rumors, news, signings
Twins open to trading Luis Arraez
Date: Monday, Dec. 5
Source: Dan Hayes, The Athletic
Reigning American League batting champ Luis Arraez could be on the move this offseason. Dan Hayes reports the Twins are open to trading Arraez “in the right deal” as they look to bolster their starting rotation.
Hayes reports that the Rangers’ five-year, $185 million deal with Jacob deGrom has the Twins’ front office thinking they’ll have better luck landing a top-end starting pitcher via trade than the open market, and the 25-year-old Arraez could be their most valuable chip.
Sources: In their constant search for top-tier pitching, the #MNTwins have discussed trading batting champ Luis Arraez.https://t.co/JOR6xn9grY
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) December 5, 2022
Justin Verlander signing with Mets
Date: Monday, Dec. 5
Source: Andy Martino, SNY
Justin Verlander is headed to Queens. The reigning AL Cy Young winner, who will turn 40 during spring training, has a two-year deal with the Mets that includes a vesting option for a third season, Andy Martino of SNY first reported.
The deal is worth at least $86 million and includes a full no-trade clause, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Verlander details #mets
$43.3M per year
Full no trade
3rd year option: at $35M— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 5, 2022
Dodgers make Clayton Kershaw return official
Date: Monday, Dec. 5
The Dodgers officially announced Clayton Kershaw will be back next season. Robert Murray of FanSided reported the veteran lefty will make $20 million in 2023, including a $5 million signing bonus.
22’s here to stay. Welcome back, @ClaytonKersh22! pic.twitter.com/FGaKuBO15b
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 5, 2022
Yankees are in on Bryan Reynolds
Date: Sunday, Dec. 4
Source: Jason Mackey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Yankees are looking to bolster the outfield, and Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds could be an option for them, according to Jason Mackey.
Reynolds recently requested a trade despite signing a two-year deal with Pittsburgh around the trade deadline this year, but he has two years of arbitration eligibility beyond 2023, making him for a very intriguing, controllable and productive player on the market.
First tidbit from the lobby, per an industry source, is that the Yankees are “very much” in on Bryan Reynolds. “They’re on it.” … Not exactly breaking news that there’s significant interest in the Pirates outfielder.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) December 5, 2022
Athletics could be close to dealing Sean Murphy
Date: Sunday, Dec. 4
Source: Mark Feinsand, MLB.com
The Athletics appear ready to resume their roster blowup, this time shipping off their No. 1 catcher. Feinsand reports that mulitple teams are in the hunt for the 28-year-old Murphy but the Braves are not one of them, updating an earlier report.
Update on Sean Murphy: it still appears Oakland is close to a trade, but the Braves are NOT going to be the acquiring team, per source. The Cardinals, Rays, Guardians and Red Sox are among the teams that have been connected to Murphy in recent weeks.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 4, 2022
Murphy hit a career-high 18 home runs for Oakland in 2022, a key component in his 122 wRC+. He won a Gold Glove in 2021.