The Major League Baseball offseason continues to wind down, with only a few weeks remaining before pitchers and catchers report to camps in Florida and Arizona. It is therefore the ideal time for clubs to put the finishing touches on their squad. Below, CBS Sports has compiled all of Tuesday’s most notable news, moves and rumors in one place for your convenience. Let’s go.
Dodgers close to Yates deal
The Dodgers, who just signed left-handed reliever Tanner Scott over the weekend, are working on a deal with right-hander Kirby Yates, according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.
CBS Sports ranked Yates as the 36th best free agent on the market heading into winter. Here’s what we wrote back then:
We believe Yates’ market will be limited by its durability and control. He pitched 60 innings in consecutive seasons, but he had previously missed the better part of three seasons due to injuries. Additionally, he has walked almost five out of nine batters over the past two years. Mind you, Yates succeeded despite the free passes by excelling in contact management, both in terms of quality and frequency. He has a two-pitch approach: 93 mph fastballs up and to the glove side, and low trap splitters. Every pitch has generated a whiff rate above 30% and a batting average below .115 in 2024. It’s possible that Yates’ body breaks down again or he loses just enough stuff to make him less effective . This risk, however, should limit its market to short-term trades that could make it one of the best relief deals of the winter.
Yates, 37, posted a 1.17 ERA (340 ERA+) in 61 innings last season. If a deal is reached, he will join a bullpen that includes Blake Treinen, Scott and Michael Kopech, among others.
Blue Jays and Astros interested in Profar
Count the Blue Jays, Astros and Padres among the teams interested in free agent outfielder Jurickson Profar, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Feinsand adds that the Padres, while in love with Profar, may not have the financial means to arrange a reunion.
Profar, 31, has just had an exceptional season. CBS Sports ranked him as the No. 25 free agent entering winter. Here’s what we wrote back then:
How much do you believe? You can run the numbers. You can watch the tape. You can consult the projection systems. You can chat with an oracle. Ultimately, player evaluation is a test of faith. Regardless of how you arrived at your conclusion, it all comes down to this: How strongly do you believe in it? Are you ready to be wrong? Otherwise, you are already lost. All of this is relevant to Profar, a fascinating case study. The former No. 1 prospect was finally able to achieve that goal, landing his first star-caliber season at the plate at age 31. The underlying metrics were all in the right direction: he hit the ball with greater authority; he walked more; he hit less. If he were five years younger, he would be entitled to a nice salary. That’s not the case, however, so its reception in the market depends on how teams answer the first question in this capsule.
The Blue Jays have already added an outfielder this week, signing Anthony Santander to a long-term deal. The Astros, meanwhile, could use an outfielder to make up for the loss of Kyle Tucker, traded to the Cubs earlier this winter.
