Rangers, Phillies are 'strong candidates' to sign Josh Hader

The talk on the San Diego Padres is whether or not the team will move on from star outfielder Juan Soto, considering he is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2024 season. But they do have a pretty high-profile player hitting free agency this winter, and that is closer Josh Hader. The team acquired Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers last season as they pushed for a postseason berth. Now, he is set to command a contract that could make him one of the top-paid closers in the game.

So, who would be interested in Hader's services.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi appeared on Hot Stove and discussed teams that are interested in signing Hader this winter. Morosi names the reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers and the Philadelphia Phillies as strong candidates for Hader.

Morosi mentions that the Rangers had bullpen questions this past season but managed to win it all. Still, he believes signing Hader would make sense if they plan on going back to World Series.

As for the Phillies, Morosi notes that they need a closer, as Craig Kimbrel struggled during the playoffs while mentioning the team didn't have "reliable" bullpen pitching during the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

This past season, Hader recorded a 1.28 ERA, a 1.101 WHIP, 33 saves, 85 strikeouts, and 30 walks in 56.1 innings (61 games).

Hader would immediately improve any team's bullpen. But with teams that were in the final four this past season, he could very well help them win a World Series title. Let's see who can make the offer that Hader can't refuse.

Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar off table for Cardinals in trade talks

The St. Louis Cardinals sold at the trade deadline and plan to contend during the 2024 season. The thing is, they need three starting pitchers to the rotation, as they dealt Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty back in August, while Adam Wainwright announced his retirement at the end of the season. So, free agency is an obvious way to add to the rotation. But with so many teams looking at starting pitchers, the trade block will be another way for the Cardinals to add an arm.

But there are reportedly two names that are off-limits in trade talks.

ESPN's Jeff Passan noted in his column previewing free agency (subscription required) that the Cardinals have told teams they don't plan on trading either Jordan Walker or Lars Nootbaar. As for who could get dealt, Tyler O'Neill, Dylan Carlson, and Tommy Edman can get moved.

"St. Louis has told other teams it doesn't plan on moving outfielders Jordan Walker or Lars Nootbaar but others will be in play," writes Passan. "The likeliest candidate, teams believe, is O'Neill, who's a year from free agency and clashed with manager Oli Marmol this year. Another option: Carlson, a good buy-low candidate. And Edman, a super utilityman who can play shortstop, would have the most value of the three."

Walker was the Cardinals' top prospect heading into spring training earlier this year and was named to the Opening Day roster. The outfielder recorded a hit in each of his first 12 games, tying Eddie Murphy for the longest hitting streak for a rookie to begin their career. Walker was demoted back to the minors but was called up later.

In 117 games, Walker recorded a .276 batting average, a .342 on-base percentage, a .445 slugging percentage, 16 home runs, 51 RBI, 51 runs, 116 hits, 104 strikeouts, and 37 walks in 420 at-bats.

Nootbaar, meanwhile, is one of St. Louis' bright young outfielders alongside Walker. So, it makes sense that the team is apprehensive about moving him to another team. In 117 games, Nootbaar slashed .261/.367/.418 while recording 14 home runs, 46 RBI, 74 runs, 111 hits, 99 strikeouts, and 72 walks in 426 at-bats.

Cardinals fans, it sounds as though it will be more likely that the team will trade O'Neill, Edman, or Carlson instead of Nootbaar and Walker.

Shohei Ohtani willing to accept short-term contract this offseason?

This winter, all eyes will be on Los Angeles Angels star slugger and pitcher Shohei Ohtani. It's been a long time since we've seen a player like Ohtani be dominant in both aspects of the game. Now, he's set to become a free agent after likely winning his second American League MVP Award, and is slated to command one of the richest contracts in MLB history.

Or, could Ohtani have other plans?

According to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez"people familiar with Ohtani's thinking" believe he could be open to a short-term deal, but with an "exceedingly high average annual value."

Gonzalez says that this would open the doors for more teams to try and sign him.

Gonzalez says that if this were the route Ohtani were to go, he would break the record for average annual salary set by Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, who each earned $43.3 million per year on their contracts with the New York Mets.

There has been a lot of talk as to where Ohtani might sign this offseason. ESPN's Jeff Passan mentioned that the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers are expected to be in the running for Ohtani. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that some league executives believe that Ohtani will sign with either the Rangers of Chicago Cubs if he doesn't sign with the Angels or Dodgers.

Ohtani will be the most in-demand free agent this offseason, and the ball is in his court. He could very well command over $500 million in total on a long-term contract. But it sounds like the two-way superstar appears open to accepting a short-term deal.