As the Major League Baseball offseason progresses, teams are still actively pursuing player acquisitions before the upcoming spring training. Here’s a roundup of the latest rumors, news, and notes from Monday:
Yankees and Marcus Stroman: The New York Yankees are showing continued interest in free-agent right-hander Marcus Stroman. Stroman, ranked as the No. 8 free agent by CBS Sports, opted out of his contract with the Cubs to seek a multi-year deal. Despite some concerns, including a career-worst walk rate and injury history, Stroman remains an attractive option. The Yankees are actively exploring both free-agent signings and potential trades to bolster their starting pitching.
The Yankees and free-agent starter Marcus Stroman continue to have mutual interest, which began in November at the GM meetings, with the Yankees still searching for another front-line starter on the free agent and trade markets.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 8, 2024
Giants Leading for Shota Imanaga: Japanese left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga appears to be leaning towards signing with the San Francisco Giants. Imanaga has until Thursday night to finalize a deal and is expected to command a nine-figure contract. The Giants view him as a valuable addition to their pitching rotation, likely as a mid-rotation starter.
Rays Shopping Harold Ramirez: The Tampa Bay Rays, who have already made outfielder trades this offseason, are actively looking to make more moves. They are currently shopping Harold Ramirez, a right-handed hitter coming off a productive season with a 125 OPS+. Ramirez has been a reliable presence in Tampa Bay, batting .306 with a .348 on-base percentage and a .432 slugging percentage over two seasons. His combination of contact hitting and overall offensive performance could make him an attractive option for teams seeking outfield depth.
The MLB offseason remains in full swing as teams continue to explore options and make moves to strengthen their rosters before the start of the new season.