MLB

MLB Offseason Round-Up: Mariners, Braves Make Trade; Ohtani Nearing Decision?

Published

5 months ago

December 4, 2023

This is one in a series of daily articles highlighting the latest news and notes from the MLB offseason.

Get ready for the craziness that is the Winter Meetings. Sometimes, moves seemingly come out of nowhere. That was the case late Sunday night.

The Atlanta Braves are acquiring outfielder Jarred Kelenic, left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales and first baseman Evan White from the Seattle Mariners for right-handers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips. Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times was the first to report the deal.

It’s another salary-dump trade for the Mariners, who could be eying a big-ticket player through free agency or the trade market. Last month, Seattle sent Eugenio Suárez to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Braves add a starting pitcher and a former top prospect in Kelenic, who was off to his best start as a big leaguer last season before suffering a left foot fracture.

Ohtani Sweepstakes Almost Over?

The prize of the MLB offseason appears to be getting closer to a decision.

Shohei Ohtani is the type of player rarely seen — no, never seen on the free agent market. All indications point towards the two-time American League MVP receiving the largest contract in MLB history. According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, that contact could be coming soon.

Morosi reported that Ohtani is likely to decide on a team within the next week. Among the rumored possible landing spots are the incumbent Los Angeles Angels, the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays.

Giants Eyeing Japanese Pitching Star

While the Giants are still in the mix for Ohtani, they’re right in the thick of things for another top free agent.

Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto was recently posted and is eligible to sign with an MLB team. The Giants could be the frontrunner to land the 25-year old sensation, as Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports other teams feel the Giants “might have an edge.”

Due to his age, arsenal and dominant performance in NPB, Yamamoto is arguably the second-best free agent available behind Ohtani.

HOFer Jim Leyland

In non-hot stove news, former major league manager Jim Leyland was voted into the Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Era Committee.

Leyland served as manager to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies and Detroit Tigers. Leyland won the 1997 World Series as manager of the Marlins and led Team USA to the 2017 World Baseball Classic title.

Other News and Notes

The Milwaukee Brewers are getting closer to re-signing left-handed pitcher Wade Miley, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
If the Tampa Bay Rays trade Isaac Paredes, the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays are two teams with interest, according to Morosi.