First pitch: 3 bold predictions before the MLB Winter Meetings begin

2023-11-23 11:19

With the MLB Winter Meetings just days away, let's look into the crystal ball to see what could happen that could shake up the baseball landscape.

Sure, there have already been some signings and trades this offseason, but as the MLB Winter Meetings approach, expect the hot stove to get even hotter.

With the MLB Winter Meetings set to begin on Dec. 4 in Nashville, you can expect MLB's general managers and other executives to head to Music City ready to listen to offers as they try to shape their lineups for the 2024 season and beyond. However, there should be plenty of moves made before the lights go on in Nashville. With that in mind, here are three bold predictions for what could happen between Thanksgiving and the start of Winter Meetings.

MLB Winter Meetings prediction 1: The San Diego Padres will sign Juan Soto to an extension

Sure, there are lots of reasons to believe why the Padres would trade off Soto this offseason, with most of them centered around the rumored cuts to the San Diego payroll that many believe to be coming. However, with the death of owner Peter Seidler, there seems to be a different vibe coming out of the Padres as his desire to win a World Series seems even more reinforced after his passing.

With the announcement of Mike Shildt as the new manager, the belief that the Padres will keep things in house and move the organization forward seems even more pronounced.

If the Padres are going to win, they're going to have to keep one of their main offensive stars in Soto. It's that simple. Look for the Padres to sign him to an extension before the Winter Meetings to put a stake in the ground and prove that they're not ready to throw in the towel on winning in 2024.

If anyone can work the math to keep Soto and Seidler's dreams of winning alive, it's A.J. Preller.

MLB Winter Meetings prediction 2: The New York Yankees sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Much like the folks in San Diego, the Yankees need to find a way to reinvigorate a fan base after a disappointing 2024 season. Landing one of the top free agents available this offseason will certainly do that.

If Brian Cashman is going to live up to the words in his recent rant and the Yankees are really going to be better in 2024 than in 2023, then the checkbook is going to have to be opened and New York will need to add to the rotation that will be centered around reigning Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole. Yamamoto can come into the Bronx and not have to be the ace, but merely be the pitcher the Yankees thought they were getting in Carlos Rodon and Frankie Montas.

Neither of those worked, and New York can't rely on "what could be" in 2024. They have to spend to get better, and that will start with Yamamoto.

At the age of 25, Yamamoto has the chance to be a fixture for the Yankees for years to come. New York will likely miss out on the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes, but landing another Japanese superstar will certainly ease the pain of that.

MLB Winter Meetings prediction 3: Jordan Montgomery will return to the Texas Rangers

Once Yamamoto signs, expect the floodgates to open when it comes to quality pitchers. Sure, the St. Louis Cardinals have already signed Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, but there's a whole other level of hurler out there where Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery and others live.

Montgomery was wanted by the Rangers at last year's MLB trade deadline and he showed why with his performance in the second half of the season and postseason as well. That connection in the Lone Star State will continue to flourish in 2024 and beyond as Bruce Bochy and Chris Young find a way to outbid the competition and bring Montgomery back on a long-term deal.

And sure, it's rumored that there's another free agent out there the Rangers are really, really hoping to land. And if Texas wants to show Shohei Ohtani they are serious about last year's World Series run not just being a one-and-done deal, bringing back one of the key components of that run on the mound is a good way to flex those muscles.

If you're looking for me to say Ohtani will sign somewhere before the MLB Winter Meetings, I'm not going to go that crazy. I think we'll all be guessing for a few more days after that where the reigning AL MVP will land. However, I believe we will know by Christmas which team will win the Ohtani sweepstakes.