Rickey Henderson, who is widely regarded as the best leadoff hitter of all time, passed away at the age of 65. The “Man of Steal” was undoubtedly the most dynamic baserunner in MLB history, would routinely have a major impact on the game with his ability to get on base and advance on the basepaths on his own.
In a career that spanned 25 seasons and nine teams, there was only one Rickey Henderson. The longtime Oakland Athletic tallied 10 All-Star appearances, three Silver Slugger awards, two World Series titles, an MVP, a Gold Glove and, eventually, a ticket to Cooperstown.
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So, just how dominant was Henderson? Here are some of the best numbers from his Hall of Fame career:
0: In one of the most unbelievable box score performances in MLB history, Henderson posted five steals and four runs, all while not registering a single at-bat and finishing 0-0. (He walked in all four plate appearances).
1: One of one, Henderson is the only player in MLB history to collect 3,000 hits and have 2,000 walks in his career.
2: One of only two players in the Modern Era to steal 100 or more bases in three different seasons, joining Vince Coleman.
5: He is one of just five players to have scored 100 or more runs in more than 12 MLB seasons, joining Hank Aaron (15), Álex Rodríguez (13), Derek Jeter (13) and Lou Gehrig (13).
10: Nicknamed the “Man of Steal” he lived up to the billing. He is the only player in MLB history to have 10 or more games in a season with three steals or more. Stealing three or more bases in 12 games in 1983 and 10 games in 1988.
12: A dynamo, Henderson led the American League in steals 12 different times, an MLB-record
13: Henderson compiled 13 different seasons in his career with 75 or more runs and 50 or more stolen bases, more than any other play in MLB history.
81: Known as the best leadoff hitter in MLB history, Rickey delivered the boom, connecting on 81 leadoff homers in his career, most in the game’s history.
755: As dynamic as any player ever to take the field, Henderson routinely created offense for his teams. His 755 games with at least one run scored AND one stolen base are by far the most in MLB history, 235 more than Ty Cobb (520) who has the second-most games.
1,337: From 1980-2000, Rickey Henderson swiped 1,337 bags, more than 500 more than any other player during that span. It was also more than the Red Sox had as a team in those 20 years (1,276).
1,406: Henderson stole a preposterous 1,406 stolen bases in his career, almost 500 more than any other player in MLB history. No other player has even reached 950 career steals in their careers. To put this in perspective, the top four active leaders in stolen bases who played last year (Starling Marte (354), Jose Altuve (315), Trea Turner (279) and José Ramírez (243) have just 1,191 stolen bases combined in their careers, more than 200 fewer than Henderson.
2,129: An underplayed aspect of his career, Henderson was a maestro in the batter’s box, working walks better than anyone in the game’s history. Nobody in MLB history has drawn more unintentional walks, including the walks king Barry Bonds, than Henderson (2,129).
2,295: One of the most productive players, Rickey still to this day has the MLB record with 2,295 runs scored in his career. Again to put that in perspective, that is more than Mookie Betts (1,071) and Jose Altuve (1,156) have combined.
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Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, MLB’s all-time leader in stolen bases and runs scored, has died at 65, per multiple reports.
The New York Post, San Jose Mercury News, Newsweek and TMZ were among those to confirm the news.
Henderson, a 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, stole 1,406 bases in his 24-year career — a record that remains intact to this day. In fact, that’s 468 more steals than Lou Brock, who is second all-time with 938.
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He is also MLB’s all-time leader in runs scored, having touched home plate 2,295 times in his career. And he ranks second all-time in walks to Barry Bonds.
Henderson led the league in steals 12 times, in runs five times and in walks four times.
The 1990 American League MVP, Henderson also holds the MLB single-season record for stolen bases (130 in 1982). He’s the only player in AL history to steal 100 bases in a season, having done so three times.
Henderson, a Gold Glove Award recipient (1981) and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, was part of nine different clubs, but was most widely known for his time spent with the Oakland Athletics (1979-84, 1989-93, 1994-95, 1998).
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Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, MLB’s all-time leader in stolen bases and runs scored, has died at 65, per multiple reports.
Henderson, a 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, stole 1,406 bases in his 24-year career — a record that remains intact to this day.
He is also MLB’s all-time leader in runs scored, having touched home plate 2,295 times in his career.
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Henderson led the league in steals 12 times, and in runs five times.
The 1990 American League MVP, Henderson also holds the MLB single-season record for stolen bases (130 in 1982). He’s the only player in AL history to steal 100 bases in a season, having done so three times.
Henderson, a Gold Glove Award recipient (1981) and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, was part of nine different clubs, but was most widely known for his time spent with the Oakland Athletics (1979-84, 1989-93, 1994-95, 1998).
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It took just one year for Juan Soto to set a new record for the largest contract in sports history. It’s anyone’s guess how long it will take before his deal with the Mets is surpassed.
Soto’s 15-year, $765 million pact didn’t even include any deferred money, making it worth about $300 million more than Shohei Ohtani‘s $700 million agreement with the Dodgers.
Over the years, athletes’ salaries have skyrocketed amid billion-dollar television deals. In 1979, Nolan Ryan became the first pro athlete to earn $1 million per season upon signing with the Astros. Now, dozens of NFL players make more than $1 million per game, while the highest-paid NBA players are approaching that figure for a day’s work.
But the largest overall contract values primarily belong to baseball players. Soto became the 17th player across the four North American professional sports leagues to have a deal worth at least $300 million; 15 of those are in MLB. Interestingly, every player who’s signed a $300 million deal is still active.
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Here’s the complete list.
(Note: these values are based on data from Spotrac.com)
His $70 million average annual value is the largest among the four major sports leagues.
$680 million of the contract is deferred, with annual payments of $68 million beginning in 2034, which lowers the present-day value of the deal to $460,814,760.
Mahomes has restructured his contract on multiple occasions. He restructured in 2023 to receive $208.1 million between the 2023 and 2026 seasons. He restructured again during the 2024 offseason to help the team create cap space.
Tatis agreed to the extension ahead of the 2021 season following his second year in the league, making it the third-largest contract in MLB history at the time.
His $24.3 million average annual value is the 40th-highest in MLB.
Stanton signed the extension when he was with the Miami Marlins following his 37-home run season in 2014, making him the highest-paid player in baseball at the time.
His $25 million average annual value is tied for the 33rd-highest in baseball.
The Yankees were interested in trading for Kyle Tucker. They instead landed Cody Bellinger. It came at a much different cost and should yield a different type of return. The Cubs, of course, were involved in both transactions featuring the multi-time All-Stars.
That prompted the following debate between our MLB writers:
Deesha Thosar: There are a few different ways of looking at this, but my answer is Bellinger to the Yankees — particularly because they essentially got him for free. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sent only 30-year-old right-hander Cody Poteet to Chicago in exchange for Bellinger. The veteran righty has a 3.80 ERA in 24 games (13 starts) across three years in the major leagues between the Marlins and the Yankees, and he’ll simply serve as another depth arm on the Cubs’ pitching staff. Sure, Poteet’s 2.22 ERA in 24.1 innings last year — which included four solid starts while Gerrit Cole began the year on the injured list — was valuable for the Yankees’ rotation.
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But the trade agreement to part ways with Poteet, versus a top prospect in the Yankees’ farm system, was as easy of a decision for Cashman as whether to wear a coat in New York during the winter.
Bellinger’s versatility in the field is a focal point of this trade. Last season, the former MVP award winner appeared defensively at all three outfield positions (49 games in right field, 48 games in center and one game in left) and played a good chunk at first base (22 games). Depending on the flurry of activity in the Yankees’ front office the rest of this offseason, manager Aaron Boone can play Bellinger in center, right or first base to fill whichever roster deficit is left by the time Opening Day rolls around. As of right now, Bellinger makes the most sense at first base or center field, because Aaron Judge can move back to right and Jasson Domínguez can continue to increase his reps in left. But if the Yankees sign either Christian Walker or Teoscar Hernández, for example, Bellinger can take over at the remaining positional hole.
So, we know the deal made sense for the Yankees from a roster standpoint, but it was fair from a financial scope, too. New York will pay Bellinger $25 million in 2025, with the Cubs handling the remaining $5 million of his previous pact, and the Yankees will pay him $22.5 million in 2026 if he doesn’t opt out. If he does, the teams will split his $5 million buyout.
All of which is to say, the risk here primarily lies in the financials. It seems impossible to predict which version of Bellinger the Yankees will get in 2025, especially after his offensive numbers dipped in 2024. But since Bellinger is only one year removed from his comeback campaign with the Cubs (4.4 fWAR, 136 wRC+ in 2023), the Yankees are betting they can help him get back to that form. If Bellinger hits anywhere close to his All-Star potential, then he’s a steal for the Yankees.
Tucker is, of course, a huge get for the Cubs, but since they had to give up three players, including top third base prospect Cam Smith, to the Astros for a one-year rental, the Bellinger trade was a layup for the Yankees and a sensible payroll-shedding move for Chicago that should let it address other areas of need.
Rowan Kavner: I like both trades, but I’d favor the Cubs given that they got the better player and the star they desperately needed. Tucker, who buttresses the Cubs’ collection of above-average talents, is very likely going to be the best player not named Juan Soto wearing a different uniform in 2025. Tucker might have been overshadowed by other standouts in Houston, but he slots in right behind Aaron Judge, Soto and Mookie Betts for the most wins above replacement accumulated by an outfielder over the past five seasons.
Tucker is also one of just seven big-leaguers who has been worth more than 4.0 WAR each of the past four years, which speaks to his consistency. That he managed to do so again in 2024, despite playing in just 78 games, speaks to his ceiling. At 28 next year, the Cubs are getting one of the best players in the sport still in his prime. His salary, which will likely be somewhere between $15-16 million in his final year of arbitration, should represent a considerable bargain.
Of course, getting the better player in question required surrendering more. The Cubs could afford to part with Isaac Paredes to open the path for top prospect Matt Shaw, but losing 2024 first-rounder Cam Smith — who immediately becomes the Astros’ best prospect — was significant. So, if you’re strictly judging these two trades by who came and went, I can understand favoring the Bellinger deal. No disrespect to Cody Poteet, but he was not going to factor significantly into the Yankees’ plans in 2025.
The Yankees needed help in the outfield and at first base and an injection of talent into a lineup now missing Soto, and Bellinger checks each of those boxes, even if he didn’t produce to the level of his $27.5 million salary last season (which is why he didn’t opt out).
After an unceremonious ending to his L.A. tenure, the 2017 Rookie of the Year and 2019 NL MVP bounced back in his first season in Chicago in 2023 by sacrificing power for contact. He cut his strikeout rate nearly in half while finishing 10th in MVP voting, though he considerably outproduced his expected numbers. In 2024, he came back down to earth. Still, he should help in the Bronx, where his left-handed bat figures to produce more home runs than it did at Wrigley Field. In a barren center field market, the Yankees found a solid player to roam the position without losing any significant pieces.
But neither team should be done yet. The Yankees need more offensive help, and the Bellinger addition will look better if they can also add one of the top corner infielders on the market. The Cubs, meanwhile, need to use the money they saved in the Bellinger salary dump to add more pitching. So, we should have a better answer to this question in a couple of months!
Deesha Thosar is an MLB reporter for FOX Sports. She previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.
Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced. Chicago will send the Yankees $5 million as part of the trade, the person said.
The 29-year-old Bellinger, whose father Clay helped the Yankees win World Series titles in 1999 and 2000, is owed $27.5 million in 2025 under the first of two player options as part of an $80 million, three-year contract. The two-time All-Star also has a $25 million player option for 2026 with a $5 million buyout that would be payable in equal installments on Jan. 15, 2026, and Jan. 15, 2027.
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Bellinger batted .266 with 18 homers and 78 RBIs in 130 games this year. He was on the injured list from April 24 to May 7 with a broken right rib.
He drove in 33 runs in his last 39 games of the season, but Chicago finished with an 83-79 record.
Bellinger, who plays first base and center field, made his major league debut in 2017 and spent his first six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was the NL MVP in 2019, batting .305 with 47 homers and 115 RBIs in 156 games. He also helped LA win the World Series in 2020.
He was cut by the Dodgers in November 2022 and signed a $17.5 million, one-year deal with Chicago a month later. He regained his form with the Cubs, hitting a career-best .307 with 26 homers, 97 RBIs and 20 steals in 130 games last season.
Bellinger is a .259 hitter with 196 homers and 597 RBIs in 1,005 games. He turns 30 in July.
Poteet, 30, made his major league debut with Miami in 2021, had Tommy John surgery on Aug. 17, 2022, returned to the mound with Kansas City’s Triple-A Omaha farm team on Sept. 23, 2023, was released by the Royals and signed with the Yankees last January. He went 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA in four starts and one relief appearance during a season in which he was sidelined between June 12 and Sept. 25 by a strained right triceps.
For two consecutive offseasons, an MLB player has received the biggest contract in sports history.
Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million pact with the Dodgers obliterated Mike Trout’s previous record ($426.5 million). Juan Soto‘s $765 million agreement with the Mets represents an even bigger jump when you factor in present-day value and the fact Ohtani deferred $680 million over the span of two decades.
So, who’s next?
Well, it is unlikely that Soto’s deal will be eclipsed anytime soon, or at any point by a current MLB player. But there are future free agents who could challenge other contract records and join the $300 million club by the end of the decade.
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Here’s an early look at some of the top free agents in each of the coming years.
The Blue Jays star first baseman headlines next offseason’s free-agent class. The 25-year-old returned to MVP-caliber form in 2024, slashing .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs, 103 RBIs and a 166 OPS+.
Guerrero will be only six months older than Soto is now when he hits the open market, putting him in line to earn a rich, long-term deal. It likely won’t match the record length of Soto’s deal (15), given Vlad’s fluctuations in performance, but he could become just the fourth MLB player to receive a $400 million deal.
Some could argue that Tucker is the better player between him and Guerrero, as his baseline of hitting has been higher and he’s a plus defender and baserunner. The former Astro slashed .289/.408/.585 with 23 homers, 49 RBIs and 181 OPS+ in just 78 games last season, putting him on a near-MVP trajectory. Should he produce at that level in his new Cubs uniform over a full season, he could be primed for a bigger payday than Vlad. It’s also interesting to consider that nearly all of Excel Sports Management’s top clients (Dansby Swanson, George Springer, Trevor Story) have switched teams in free agency in recent years, with Clayton Kershaw being an exception.
Somewhat working against Tucker: He’ll be 29 by the start of the 2026 season.
The two NL West aces figure to be the best pitchers on the market next offseason. Only two pitchers have ever received a contract north of $300 million, though that could change once Corbin Burnes signs this winter.
Cease, who’ll be 30 by the start of the 2026 season, has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the past three seasons, posting two top-four Cy Young finishes. Gallen, who will also be 30 by the start of the 2026 season, has a pair of recent top-five Cy Young finishes.
Both pitchers are represented by Scott Boras, making it likely they hit the open market next winter. If both have strong seasons in 2025, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Boras is able to negotiate two more $300 million deals.
Skubal is coming off a pitching triple crown season and is the consensus choice for the best pitcher in baseball. While he won’t hit free agency for another two years upon turning 30, he could still be in line to command the largest pitching contract in MLB history, given the lack of miles on his arm. He’ll just need to maintain his 2024 level of performance.
A pitcher, no matter how good, won’t pose a threat to Soto’s record. But it seems possible for Skubal to earn more on an annual basis than anyone in baseball outside of two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani. He’s also a Boras client, which means they’ll likely be fighting for that mark.
Crochet will be 27 in the 2026-27 offseason, a relatively young age for an All-Star ace to become a free agent. However, Crochet has expressed a desire to get an extension done. When he was a rumored trade candidate ahead of the deadline in July, he expressed that he would only pitch in the postseason if he had an extension in place.
Initial reports following his trade suggested that the Red Sox and Crochet could work out an extension in the near future. It would certainly be for nine figures, but could come in lower than he’d get on the open market two winters from now.
If the countdown wasn’t already on for the Orioles’ young core to produce, they have a few seasons before one of their top homegrown players hits free agency. Rutschman will hit free agency in the 2027-28 offseason, shortly before his 30th birthday. The two-time All-Star has regressed a bit at the plate but his positional value will make his negotiations interesting. Whether he extends with the Orioles or reaches free agency, expect Rutschman to exceed Joe Mauer’s record eight-year, $184 million extension for a catcher.
Something to note, Rutschman’s agency (Beverly Hill Sports Council) helped negotiate the extension Jackson Chourio received before he even played an MLB game.
Similar to Rutschman, Contreras could also threaten Mauer’s contract record for catchers. The two-time All-Star will also be turning 30 that offseason and has been a slightly better hitter than Rutschman, if not quite as good on defense. Just don’t expect him to fetch that megadeal from the Brewers.
It’s possible that the player who receives the largest contract in the 2027-28 offseason is a pitcher. Gilbert, who’ll be 30 when he’s eligible for free agency that year, has been among the AL’s best pitchers since 2022. When you consider his effectiveness (league-leading 0.887 WHIP in 2024) and durability (league-leading 208.2 innings pitched in 2024), he might have a strong chance at joining the list of $300 million pitchers.
A year after Rutschman is due to hit free agency, Henderson is also scheduled to hit the open market. Henderson stands as the best candidate to threaten Soto’s record in the foreseeable future. The 23-year-old is arguably the best shortstop in the game already, slashing .281/.364/.529 with 37 homers and a 159 OPS+ this past season. Those numbers are better than what Soto put up at the plate in his age-23 season. Henderson will be 27 when he finally hits free agency, putting a lengthy and lucrative extension in play. His agent? Boras.
Star shortstops have long been paid at the very top of the market, putting Henderson in line for a fascinating negotiation should he continue at his current pace.
Alvarez would be a free agent next winter had he not signed a six-year, $115 million extension with the Astros midway through the 2022 season. Alvarez will be 31 when he hits the open market, but he could still cash in given his consistent and prolific production. Only Aaron Judge has a higher career OPS+.
Soto can opt out of his current deal after five seasons upon turning 31 years old. He’ll have already earned $255 million from the Mets, who could void the opt-out by committing to another $550 million over the ensuing 10 years, which equates to a $4 million annual raise.
Barring another extension, Acuna can get his first taste of free agency in the 2029-30 offseason. He’ll be turning 32 that winter, at which point he’s unlikely to set any records on the open market. Had the former MVP and Rookie of the Year not extended one year into his career (and not torn his ACL twice), he might have been the best candidate to negotiate a deal in Soto’s range.
Strider, who has a team option for the 2029 season, could also join his teammate Acuna in free agency in the 2029-30 offseason. He’ll be 31 then, still allowing fort a long-term payday. Of course, the more immediate concern for Strider, whose career got off to a blazing start, is making a full return from Tommy John surgery.
The 21-year-old Merrill was a standout in his 2024 rookie campaign, producing a 127 OPS+ with plus defense in center field. That earned him an All-Star selection. Five years from now, such all-around excellence could earn him hundreds of millions.
With rocket arm strength, speed and power, EDLC has quickly emerged into one of the game’s most electrifying players. His rare ability to hit for power and lead the league in steals could certainly earn him a rich contract. He’d only be 28 when first eligible for free agency. The key for the Boras client will be eliminating the high variance in his play and growing into a more consistent, dependable hitter.
The 2029-30 offseason marks the first player option in the massive extension Rodríguez signed near the end of his magnificent 2022 rookie season. He’ll be 29 by then, but still young enough to net another long-term payday.
2030-31 offseason and beyond
Pirates ace Paul Skenes can be a free agent in the 2030-31 offseason at 28 years old. He might already be the most talented pitcher in baseball, and his historic rookie campaign puts him on a path to potentially setting numerous records on the open market.
Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. joined the trend of young stars to sign long-term deals in recent years last offseason. His 11-year, $288.7 million extension allows him to become a free agent in the 2030-31 offseason, when he has a player option.
Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll signed an extension just prior to his 2023 Rookie of the Year campaign. He won’t become a free agent until the 2031-32 offseason, when he’s 31.
Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio became the first star prospect to sign a long-term extension before making his MLB debut last spring. That’s already proving to be a great gamble for the Brewers, as Chourio excelled in his rookie season. His eight-year $82 million deal includes two team options, but Chourio won’t hit free agency until at least the 2031-32 offseason, following his age-27 season.
Padres outfielder Fernando Tatís Jr. was at the forefront of the early extension trend. Prior to Soto’s deal, Tatís’ 14-year pact was the longest in history and keeps him from free agency until the 2034-35 offseason, when he’ll turn 36.
Mets owner Steve Cohen ignited the action early at the winter meetings. The hot stove has been burning since.
The teams who whiffed on Juan Soto have gotten busy. Both the free-agent and trade markets are hot, pitchers are getting paid and salaries are well-exceeding initial projections.
The Yankees (Max Fried) and Red Sox (Garrett Crochet) found their new aces, but Corbin Burnes remains available, while Roki Sasaki has a big decision ahead that isn’t expected to be announced until the week of Jan. 15. Willy Adames has found his new home in San Francisco, but Alex Bregman is still out there. The Cubs found their much-needed star in Kyle Tucker, but the top outfielders behind Soto are still there for the taking, and none of the big first basemen have moved yet.
After a busy winter meetings in Dallas, here are eight lingering questions and some guesses at what could happen next.
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1. Beyond going for Sasaki, are other big moves ahead for Dodgers?
The Dodgers have made it clear that Sasaki will be a major priority, but whether it’s the NPB star, a top relief arm, another corner outfielder or all three, the reigning champs likely have more to come this winter after signing Blake Snell, Michael Conforto and Blake Treinen.
“My goal is to not buy in July,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has repeated multiple times this offseason. “I am setting that out there right now. My goal is to do everything we can right now to not buy in July. It is terrible.”
The Dodgers had to do that at the 2024 trade deadline after watching their seemingly deep pitching staff crumble. The additions of Jack Flaherty and Michael Kopech were vital pieces in their road to a championship, but the former is a free agent. Postseason standout Walker Buehler is, too.
They expect Tyler Glasnow, who missed the postseason run with an elbow sprain, to be healthy for the start of next season. He has already started throwing again, and Snell, Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto should make for a formidable top three. But most of the rotation, which is likely to feature six pitchers, brings health concerns.
Shohei Ohtani should be back on the mound next season, but it likely won’t be when the Dodgers open their season March 18 in Japan. Ohtani is expected to be ready to hit then, but it is “very unlikely” he’ll be pitching then, according to manager Dave Roberts. Ohtani is throwing out to 60 feet as he starts to ramp back up, but he’s coming off labrum surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder, and the Dodgers will want to control his innings as he works his way back from his second elbow reconstruction.
“Obviously, we don’t want him to throw 225 innings,” general manager Brandon Gomes said. “So, we’ve just got to kind of see where this throwing program goes, how he continues to feel, have these conversations like we do with most of our guys. What we feel like is most important is that he is ready to pitch at his highest level when the games matter the most. Early-season games are very important, but we feel like if we can get him to a position where he is peaking towards the end of the season, that is the ideal scenario.”
Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin should be good to go this spring, but they both missed the 2024 season. The Dodgers still intend to bring Clayton Kershaw back, but he underwent knee and foot surgeries in November.
If all goes to plan, they should be able to field one of the best rotations in the sport. But as they found out last year, it rarely does. So, whether it’s Sasaki or someone else, they could look to add starting pitching. Another addition could also happen in the bullpen.
The Dodgers brought back Treinen and could use him as their closer, as they did in the postseason, but they’re still interested in adding one of the top available relief arms on the market. Devin Williams‘ trade to the Yankees removes one intriguing option, but there are plenty left in free agency, including Tanner Scott.
“If we can add an additional reliever, that helps increase the chances of us not going to market in July,” Friedman said. “So, yeah, I could see us looking to do that. Now, it doesn’t mean we’ll be able to, but I could see us looking.”
And then there’s the outfield vacancy left by outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who remains a candidate to return but will draw plenty of interest from the teams who missed out on Soto.
The addition of Conforto on a one-year deal provides the Dodgers some insurance, but it won’t preclude them from looking to add more help. The Dodgers had reached out about Conforto last trade deadline. Now, after securing him this week, they see him as someone who can play either left or right.
“I think, again, there’s different ways we can get at this,” Friedman said. “We can have a team that has a little bit more power. We can have a team that makes a little bit more contact. We can have a team that plays a little bit better defense. There’s just a lot of different ways to get at value and production and winning baseball games. So, with that, it opens some things up, and there’s interesting guys on the market — either trade or free-agent market — and a number of different things that we’re kind of looking at.”
Prediction: Dodgers sign Tanner Scott or find another way to further bolster the bullpen
2. Will there be an L.A. reunion with Teoscar Hernández?
Hernández has expressed a desire to return to Los Angeles and called the Dodgers “the priority” after serving as a key cog in the middle of their championship lineup.
That remains the likeliest conclusion as the two sides remain engaged about a potential return, but his market should heat up after outfield-needy teams missed out on Juan Soto.
“He had a really good year,” Friedman said. “He put himself in a great position, and I know that he has talked about wanting to [come back], I know that we have talked about wanting him to. So again, that’s helpful, but it’s not everything. He and his family get to go through the interest and figure out what makes the most sense for them. So, while we’re hopeful, at the same time, if he ends up signing somewhere else, we have no choice but to wish him well, and on a personal level we’ll be really happy for him. And professionally, not so much.”
Boston was interested in Hernández last winter before he signed with the Dodgers. The Red Sox, Blue Jays and Yankees would all make sense for Hernández after their failed pursuits of Soto. The Phillies could be another potential landing spot given their need for more outfield pop.
But Hernández played a major role in the Dodgers’ success last season and was a perfect fit both on the field, where he was an All-Star, and in the clubhouse, where he struck an immediate relationship with Ohtani and was a seed-throwing joy. Roberts said it would be tough to have to replace his presence in both regards.
“There’s not a whole lot of guys that can start 157, 158 ball games and post, and then to be that productive,” Roberts said. “Then you layer on being in a big market, helping us win a championship. So, those players don’t come around very often. But obviously Teo has put himself in a very good position as a free agent and had a very productive year. So, he’s got some decisions to make as well. He’s going to kind of suss those out. Yeah, I just … it would be hard for me not to see him coming back.”
Hernández took a one-year contract in Los Angeles last season hoping to play for a winner and re-establish his value. He went from posting a .741 OPS in 2023 in Seattle to an .840 OPS in 2024 in a bounce-back year in Los Angeles.
More multi-year offers should await this time.
“We’ll continue to look for ways to improve our team,” Gomes said, “and I’m sure have additional conversations there.”
Prediction: Hernández returns to Dodgers on three-year deal
3. How much further does the Yankees’ “Plan B” go?
Max Fried was a nice start after missing out on Soto, even if eight years is a long time for a 31-year-old pitcher with forearm issues. It also gave them a glut of starting pitching options, which they’ve already used to swing a deal for Devin Williams.
Getting a new ace and a shutdown closer helps erase the bitter taste of losing the Soto sweepstakes, but I’d expect more ahead. For them to fully salvage their offseason, they need a more impactful force (or two) in the lineup.
They’ve been linked to Cody Bellinger, and now that Tucker went to the Cubs, that fit seems to make more and more sense given his left-handed bat — he hit 18 homers last year, but it would’ve been 24 if he played all his games at Yankee Stadium last year — and ability to play both center field and first base. If they could get him and sign Bregman or Christian Walker — they need a corner infield upgrade, and I like the fit better with Walker than Pete Alonso — that would go a long way toward easing their fans’ pain.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Tucker trade — which netted the Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, who should have a field day with the Crawford Boxes — impacts Houston’s willingness to get a deal done with Bregman. The Astros could theoretically still sign Bregman and move Paredes to first base, but it looks like a move to protect themselves if Bregman gets an offer they’re unwilling to match. Owner Jim Crane has never committed more than $151 million to a player, so if he were to bring Bregman back, he’d have to go where he hasn’t before.
If the Yankees don’t get Bregman, perhaps they get into the Nolan Arenado mix.
Prediction: Trade for Cody Bellinger and sign Alex Bregman or Christian Walker
4. Speaking of … does Nolan Arenado get dealt?
The Cardinals have already made it clear their intention is to trade Arenado. Now, it’s about finding a fit.
Arenado has a full no-trade clause, and his agent Joel Wolfe said the ideal destination is a place “that’s going to win now and consistently for the remainder of his career.” However, the Southern California native reportedly has the Angels among his initial six-team wish list, so maybe a winning culture isn’t the only requirement. Still, the Angels have been among the more active teams in free agency this winter, and the fit would make sense considering their lack of infield stability.
Wolfe said Arenado is willing to move around and play first base, but that wouldn’t seem to make much sense considering his power has fallen precipitously in recent years and his reliable glove at the hot corner is what still makes him an attractive commodity. This could be a fit for a team that misses out on Bregman.
Prediction: Traded to Red Sox, Yankees, Astros, Tigers or Angels
Getting Tyler O’Neill is a start, but with Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander becoming free agents, this doesn’t look like a team that’s better than it was a year ago barring another leap forward from their young guys.
They need an ace, but how much is the new ownership group willing to pay? We don’t know the answer yet. It’ll probably cost around $250 million to keep Burnes, who stands alone as the only member of the top tier of starting pitching free agents still available (apart from Roki Sasaki).
They could shop in the next tier and look at Jack Flaherty, Sean Manaea or Walker Buehler, but the bigger swings would come on the trade front. With all the young talent still in place, maybe they get their next Burnes, well, the same way they got Burnes.
The Giants needed more power in the middle of the lineup and help up the middle defensively, so the Willy Adames fit made sense. But to really contend, they can’t be done yet. Adding an ace or another imposing force in the lineup feels like a necessity.
Which puts them in a difficult spot.
They don’t have a particularly robust farm system, so is dealing someone like top prospect Bryce Eldridge or a package involving Camilo Doval, LaMonte Wade Jr. and Kyle Harrison the right move? Of course, if they’re willing to spend, that’s not a question they have to answer. Even with Adames, their payroll is almost $40 million under what it was last year, with Conforto, Snell and Mark Canha off the books. That’s enough for one more big splash.
My guess is that they move forward in their attempt to start the Buster Posey era with a bang.
Prediction: Sign Corbin Burnes or trade for Cody Bellinger
The Mariners don’t want to deal someone from their loaded big-league rotation. But at some point, that’s probably what it will take to land the kind of substantial offensive addition they need. They can’t just add on the margins if they want to seriously contend, and it’s a tough place to convince a free-agent hitter to play.
If they’re not willing to considerably up the payroll, it might require an uncomfortable decision on Luis Castillo or possibly Emerson Hancock. They’re in a winnable division, and after last year’s disappointment, they need to find a way to add more infield pop.
8. Which potential contenders take a needed big swing?
No prediction here; just an observation. As much action as there is going on in New York and Los Angeles, there are a lot of teams on the playoff fringes with work to do. The Mariners are certainly one of them, but that list goes far beyond Seattle.
Garrett Crochet is a great start in the Boston retool, but are Red Sox owners willing to spend what it takes to be relevant again? Andrés Giménez is a terrific defender, but will the Blue Jays address their offensive shortcomings and/or land the superstar that has eluded them?
The Reds addressed their rotation but could use an impact outfield bat to leap forward in the NL Central. The D-backs could use pitching help and a Walker replacement if they’re going to compete with the Dodgers, Padres and Giants. The Tigers need more right-handed pop in the infield to build on their surprise playoff run. And are the Twins going to do anything?
The winter meetings laid the groundwork, but plenty still lies ahead.
Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.
Freddie Freeman’s historic walk-off grand slam ball from Game 1 of the World Series has sold for $1.56 million at auction.
The bidding at SCP Auctions went into the late hours of Saturday night, according to a statement from the auction house on Sunday. It didn’t say who bought the ball.
Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman, came to the plate on a sprained right ankle with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning against the New York Yankees. He hit the first pitch from Nestor Cortes 413 feet for the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history.
The Dodgers won the game 6-3 and went on to claim the franchise’s eighth World Series championship in five games. Freeman was named World Series MVP.
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The ball landed in the right-field pavilion, where it was corralled by 10-year-old Zachary Ruderman, who lives in Los Angeles. The ball rolled from the seat in front of him to his feet and he batted it to his father, Nico, who jumped on it.
The fifth-grader had been told he was leaving school early that day to get his braces removed. Instead, his parents took him to Dodger Stadium.
It’s the second ball connected to the Dodgers to be auctioned this season. The ball hit by Shohei Ohtani that made him the first player in major league history with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season sold for nearly $4.4 million. It set a record for the sale of any sports ball.
Experience the excitement of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ unforgettable 2024 postseason journey. From their intense showdown with the San Diego Padres in the NLDS, to their clash with the New York Mets in the NLCS, and culminating in their epic World Series battle against the New York Yankees, the Dodgers’ run is etched in history as one of the most legendary in MLB playoff lore.
