MLB Offseason Transactions We Need to See Happen This Winter

While free agency officially began last Thursday at midnight, minutes after the Los Angeles Dodgers shut out the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series, Hot Stove’s season didn’t really begin until Monday. It’s where baseball’s general managers gather for their annual meetings in San Antonio—and, starting at 5 PM EST, when free agents can officially begin signing with teams other than their 2024 employers.

The big dominoes won’t start falling for weeks, if not months (thank you very much, Scott Boras). But with the general managers all in one place and the world becoming increasingly clear of free agents, there should be a move sooner rather than later. Here are three deals we’d like to see happen, in reverse order of their impact on baseball’s offseason.

1. The New York Mets re-signed Pete Alonso

This feels like one of those teenage relationships where both parties know how great they are together but still find themselves wondering what life would be like with someone else. In the parlance of the times, Alonso and the Mets are now “seeing” other people but not yet officially divorced. (Wait, you’re going to listen to early ’90s hits for no apparent reason.)

Alonso, whose 226 homers for the season left him just 26 behind Darryl Strawberry for the franchise lead, came off a season-high 34 homers and 88 RBIs. But he changed the narrative in the playoffs by hitting four homers—including a season-saving ninth-inning blast against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the wild-card series—while posting a .999 OPS. And even before his big hit in October, Alonso—blessedly lacking something like a poker face—made no secret of how much he loves New York and playing for the Mets.

David Stearns is a modern no-nonsense executive who brought his money-conscious ways from Milwaukee to New York. The wild card might be owner Steve Cohen, who has been dealt a hand but is also a Mets fan who knows what Alonso and the franchise mean to each other and has the money to pay a guy who may one day have his number retired by the team.

Don’t make this the end of the road guys. Pete, you will never beat the Mets who are on top of you and vice versa. None of you really want to listen to “Set Me Free” on an endless loop. Meet again and stay together forever (wrong decade, not a ballad, but the right sentiment).

2. The Yankees acquired Devin Williams from the Brewers

You can’t ruin the season by trading close if you trade your close before the season! The Brewers, who improved the morale of the first-place team by dealing Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres in August 2022, essentially telegraphed their intentions with Williams on Sunday when they declined his $10.5 million option for next season.

The two sides can still negotiate a 2025 salary—perhaps through arbitration—but there’s no need to go through that process when he could get a good return in a trade. The Yankees’ bullpen is thin after last season’s revelation in Luke Weaver, who can team up with Williams to make one of the worst 1-2 inning punches in the game. Williams will also provide some insurance in case Weaver turns into Clay Holmes, whose success story from the outside has soured this season.

The Brewers won’t get Jason Dominguez or Spencer Jones for Williams, but shortstop/first baseman Ben Rice will relieve Rhys Hoskins of designated duties while serving as William Contreras’ backup. Five of the Yankees’ top 10 prospects, per MLB.com, are pitchers, including Will Warren, whose stock may have dipped slightly after posting a 5.91 ERA in Triple-A and a 10.32 ERA in the games. six with a major league club. .

3. The Dodgers sign Juan Soto

Now we are having fun.

As we noted last week, the newly crowned champion Dodgers don’t need Soto. And Soto seemed more comfortable on the east coast with the Yankees and Washington Nationals than he did with the Padres.

But Soto goes to the highest bidder, even if that party is on Mars. And Soto is sure to woo a Dodgers ownership group that has designs on royalty—what better way to solidify itself as a team for the 2020s than to add another Hall of Fame-caliber bat—and flush with cash as it is. it’s a celebrity. Think press conference photo ops with Soto, Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King.

Of course, technically there doesn’t seem to be a spot for Soto, especially if the Dodgers re-sign the legendary Teoscar Hernandez in left field. But Mookie Betts, who is good at either center field position, could head to second or shortstop to make room for Soto for a few years. Boras may have pulled this one out, even by his standards. But don’t be surprised if the Dodgers leave everyone gnashing their teeth in frustration on Valentine’s Day.