No moves for the D-backs, but plenty of links including Jack’s article about Monty, Michael writes about a Josh Naylor acquisition, and I pose a question about some position changes.
First, make sure to nominate your favorite Performance of the Year! Now, on with the news…
Diamondbacks News
Is Jordan Montgomery’s Trade Value Going Up? by Jack Sommers [SI]
Recent free agent signings of Frankie Montas and Matthew Boyd may help the Diamondbacks in their quest to offload a large portion of Jordan Montgomery’s contract
D-backs Top 40 Prospects in 2024: No. 7 Druw Jones by Jake Oliver [SI]
The star prospect outfielder had a successful year as he stayed healthy, made the Future’s Game, and performed well
Josh Naylor could be a one-year stopgap at first base by Michael McDermott [Mike’s Hardball Talk]
Naylor makes sense as a rental for first base should they be unable to land a controllable player in the trade market.
How D-backs could leverage depth at Winter Meetings by Steve Gilbert [DBacks.com]
I checked in with Hazen over the weekend to get a feel for where things were at right now.
“Not a lot has happened on the trade market, but there’s enough out there that I think something could happen around the Winter Meetings or leading up to them.”
Diamondbacks Interested in Re-Signing Joc Pederson by Darragh McDonald [MLB Trade Rumors]
Free agent Joc Pederson is one of the better left-handed bats available and the Diamondbacks are interested in bringing him back, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal also mentions the Rays and Rangers as possible landing spots, though those seem more speculative, so it’s unclear to what degree those clubs are interested.
Around the League
Clay Holmes Drawing Interest As Starting Pitcher by Anthony Franco [MLB Trade Rumors]
Clay Holmes is one of the top bullpen arms in free agency. While Holmes is surely drawing interest in his typical relief role, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that a few clubs are considering the right-hander as a candidate for a move to the rotation. According to Sherman, the Mets are among the teams looking into Holmes as a potential starter.
Dodgers Make Edman the $72 Million Utilityman by Michael Baumann [FanGraphs]
That guy’s getting $72 million? That’s starting pitcher money, slugger money, not utility infielder money! The Dodgers are out of control, they must be stopped!
Well, it’s not quite that simple. First of all, this is a Dodgers contract, so the sticker value is lower because of (holds hands out for audience call-and-response like a preacher or a game-show host)… deferred money! Our man Jon Becker, whom I trust on these issues because he’s comfortable using phrases like “depreciation rate,” says the real-world value of Edman’s contract is actually a hair under $13.1 million per year, rather than the $14.4 million that you get when you divide 72 by five.
Japan’s single-season HR king eyeing move to MLB in 2026 by Thomas Harrigan [MLB]
According to a report from Yahoo Sports Japan, corner infielder Munetaka Murakami announced that 2025 will be his final season in Nippon Professional Baseball, after which he will look to sign with an MLB team.
Why Willy Adames is going to get paid big money this winter — and which teams could give it to him by Jesse Rogers [ESPN]
When Willy Adames plays, his teams win. That, plus a dream walk year, has made him a highly sought-after free agent, one who’s preparing to cash in after years of flying under the radar in smaller markets, first with the Tampa Bay Rays and then with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Question of the Day
If you haven’t read the article referenced in the poll question, give it a read and see what you think.