MLB rumors: Alex Bregman at a ‘standstill’ with Tigers, Dodgers keep spending, Jurickson Profar draws interest
The Major League Baseball offseason continues to wind down, with only a few weeks left until pitchers and catchers arrive at camps in Florida and Arizona. This is then the perfect time for clubs to finalize their roster. Below, CBS Sports has compiled Tuesday’s top stories, moves and rumors in one place for your convenience. Let’s get to it.
Tigers, Alex Bregman remains in holding pattern
The Detroit Tigers are widely reported to have high interest in free agent Alex Bregman, but the two sides do not appear to be moving toward an agreement at the moment. Here’s this report from Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press:
“The Detroit Tigers are still interested, but negotiations are stalled with less than one month until the team’s first full workout in spring training, according to a source familiar with the situation. Detroit needs a right-handed hitting third baseman who has payroll flexibility to lock up the franchise-altering free agent “
Bregman, 30, is coming off a 2024 season in Houston in which he slashed .260/.315/.453 (118 OPS+) with 26 home runs and 30 doubles in 145 games. He also won his first Gold Glove. For his career, Bregman has an OPS+ of 132 and a WAR of 39.6 across parts of nine MLB seasons, all with the Astros. He has twice been named an All-Star and twice also finished in the top 10 in American League MVP voting.
The Tigers are coming off a surprise playoff run in 2024 and look to capitalize on that momentum next season. Bregman will no doubt help the cause in the near to medium term in Detroit. The Red Sox and Blue Jays were also previously reported to be interested in Bregman.
Dodgers He comes close to agreeing with Yeats
The Dodgers, have recently signed a left-handed reliever Tanner Scott Over the weekend, we are working to reach an agreement with the right-hander Kirby Yates, According to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.
CBS Sports ranked Yates as the No. 36 free agent on the market heading into the winter. This is what we wrote at the time:
We believe the market for Yates will be limited by his durability and leadership. He has pitched 60 innings in back-to-back seasons, but previously missed most of three seasons due to injury issues. Additionally, he has walked nearly five batters per nine over the past two years. That being said, Yeats has succeeded despite 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 side of the glove, and trapdoor splitters low. Each pitch produced a whiff rate over 30% and a batting average against under .115 in 2024. It’s possible that Yates’ body will break down again, or he’ll miss enough stuff to make him less effective. However, this risk should limit his market to short-term trades that could make him one of the best relief trades this winter.
Yates, 37, posted a 1.17 ERA (340 ERA+) in 61 innings last season. If an agreement is reached, he will join the group that will include it Blake TreninScott, and Michael Cupichamong other things.
The Blue Jays and Astros are interested in Profar
Count the Blue Jays, Astros and Padres among the teams interested in free agent Jorrickson Profar, According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Feinsand adds that the Padres, despite their infatuation with Profar, may not have the financial means to pull off a reunion.
Profar, 31, is coming off a breakout season. CBS Sports has him ranked as the No. 25 free agent entering the winter. This is what we wrote at the time:
How much do you believe? You can run the numbers. You can watch the tape. You can consult with projection systems. You can chat with the oracle. Ultimately, player evaluation is a test of faith. No matter how you arrive at your conclusion, it all boils down to this: How convinced are you of it? Are you willing to be wrong? If not, you are already lost. All of this is relevant to Profar, which is a fascinating case study. The former No. 1 prospect finally achieved that goal, having his first all-star season at the age of 31. All the basic measures were pointing in the right direction: he hit the ball with more authority; walked more; He hit less. If he were five years younger, he would be in line for a good payday. However, it is not, so its reception on the market depends on how teams answer the first question of this capsule.
The Blue Jays have already added one player this week, signing Anthony Santander to a long-term deal. Meanwhile, the Astros could use an outfielder to help offset the loss of Kyle Tucker, who was traded to the Cubs earlier this winter.
