LAS VEGAS – The feeling at general managers’ meetings is that there will be a flurry of activity leading up to the Dec. 1 lockout. Now is not the time for this agitation, however.
Teams meet with other teams to see which players might be available. Some names are exchanged. Teams meet with agents to see what certain players are looking for in free agency. For the most part, this is preliminaries, and it’s possible that one or two deals will cross the finish line before the end of the weekend.
“Teams will want to accomplish certain things before the lockout,” one general manager said.
“It’s business as usual,” another general manager said. “It went like any other general manager meeting.”
Yet with the offseason still waiting to kick off, there are plenty of rumors currently swirling around Vegas, and all it takes is one move for all hell to break loose. Here’s what I heard on my first day in Vegas.
Atlanta Braves deny Ronald Acuña Jr rumors.
The Braves will not trade Ronald Acuña Jr.
Atlanta is looking to address its offense, including right-handed bats, and is committed to gaining – and building around – Acuña Jr. for at least the next two seasons while he is under contract. Acuña Jr., 28, is coming off a season in which he hit .255/.345/.451 with a .796 OPS, 20 homers and 55 RBIs.
San Diego Padres interested in Nick Pivetta reunion amid rotation overhaul
Even after declining Nick Pivetta’s option for the 2027 season, the San Diego Padres remain interested in bringing back the right-hander, general manager AJ Preller said.
Pivetta, 33, is fully healthy and ready to start next season, a source said. He is ranked in the top 15 in opponents’ ERA, WHIP and OPS over the past two seasons.
The rotation is the Padres’ top priority this winter and are expected to add several starting pitchers. Tarik Skubal is a player San Diego likes (spoiler: who doesn’t?), but the Padres have a history of exploring every possibility — especially with star players — to see how feasible it is. Skubal believes it’s no different. But one thing is abundantly clear: The Padres will have a strong presence in the starting pitching market.
San Francisco Giants considering all kinds of pitching help
The Giants are looking for rotation and bullpen help this winter, president of baseball operations Buster Posey said.
San Francisco’s bullpen has struggled a lot this season, especially in the ninth inning, and the team is ready to fix it. One player that makes sense is Brewers closer Trevor Megill, who overlapped with Giants general manager Zack Minasian in Milwaukee.
Philadelphia Phillies might not make a big splash in free agency
The Phillies have begun searching for a new farm manager and are expected to interview six to eight candidates — some internal and external, with hopes of having a hire in place by Thanksgiving.
In free agency, Dave Dombrowski isn’t sure if he’ll be involved in the high-end free agent market. The team has been in these spaces recently, most recently closing in on a Bo Bichette deal last winter before signing with the Mets. But Dombrowski said: “We have a lot of high-end players. They’re not young – they’re not old – but they’re at the age where you have to make a decision: Maybe we have enough high-end players and maybe we need to complement them with other players. That’s a decision we have to make.”
New York Yankees uncertain about coaching role
One thing to watch with the Yankees: Hitting coach James Rowson is a free agent, Brian Cashman said, and is free to talk to other teams. Rowson is said to be attracting a lot of interest.
Washington Nationals eager to lock up young core
The Washington Nationals have signed Cade Cavalli and Jacob Young to contract extensions, and president of baseball operations Paul Toboni has not ruled out further extensions. Toboni said “it’s in our thoughts” but declined to say whether anything was in the works.
Update on the Franmil Reyes agreement in Japan
Regarding Franmil Reyes’ contract with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters: While one report suggested it was a four-year, $40 million deal, it’s more like $5 million per season over four years, according to Nikkan Sports.
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