The MLB Winter Meetings are officially underway, as the executives of all 30 baseball clubs meet in San Diego from Dec. 4 to Dec. 7. While free agency has already started, the winter meetings always seem to be the time when most of the action happens.
The Blue Jays have already been active this offseason, trading away All-Star outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to the Mariners. While it is not expected to be the only move for Toronto, GM Ross Atkins is anticipated to be as busy as he was last year.
There are not many key free agents for the Blue Jays. Starter Ross Stripling and outfielder Raimel Tapia are the two notable names from Toronto that are now free agents. A starting pitcher should be the main priority for Atkins, and bringing back Stripling is one of those choices.
Nevertheless, the MLB offseason always has action and we could see the Blue Jays get involved potentially with another trade rather than building through free agency.
MORE: What to know about the Mariners’ trade for Teoscar Hernandez
Here are the latest rumors and news on the Blue Jays and the rest of the MLB’s free agency.
Blue Jays free agency
Blue Jays traded Teoscar Hernandez to the Mariners
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 16
The Blue Jays’ lone significant move this offseason was trading outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to the Mariners in exchange for pitchers Erik Swanson and Adam Macko.
Hernandez hit .267 with 25 home runs and an .807 OPS in 2022. He was expected to get roughly $14 million this winter in arbitration, and then be in line to hit free agency in 2023. The Blue Jays felt as though they could not give them the contract he wanted, electing to trade him away for two prospect pitchers.
🚨 Trade Alert 🚨
The @Mariners acquire OF Teoscar Hernández from the Blue Jays for RHP Erik Swanson and LHP Adam Macko. pic.twitter.com/x5vlD0lLFR
— MLB (@MLB) November 16, 2022
MLB free agency
Mets signed Justin Verlander
Date: Monday, Dec. 4
After missing out on deGrom, the Mets went to Plan B and signed Verlander to a two-year deal worth $86 million. The 2022 AL Cy Young winner has a full no-trade clause and an option for a third year.
The New York Mets and Justin Verlander are in agreement on a 2-year, $86M deal, via @Joelsherman1 pic.twitter.com/SIpm1b5cF2
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 5, 2022
Where will Aaron Judge sign — Yankees or Giants?
Date: Monday, Dec. 4
The first major domino that needs to fall is Aaron Judge. The 2022 AL MVP is coming off a career year, breaking the previous AL record for most home runs in a season with 62 and hitting for a .311 average with the Yankees.
Ahead of the Winter Meetings, it was reported that Judge would sign with either his hometown Giants or return to the Yankees. Judge is in San Francisco in preparation for a meeting with the Giants on Thursday, the day after the Winter Meetings conclude.
Rangers win the Jacob deGrom sweepstakes
Date: Friday, Dec. 2
The star right-handed hurler is taking his talents to Texas, as the Rangers signed deGrom to a five-year, $185 million deal. The deal marked the end of deGrom’s time with the Mets, as he spent the previous nine seasons in New York.
It makes deGrom the second-highest-paid pitcher in terms of AAV. Only his former teammate Max Scherzer has a higher AAV.
OFFICIAL: We’ve signed RHP Jacob deGrom to a 5-year contract. pic.twitter.com/GXHFaOa6m9
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) December 3, 2022
Astros add Jose Abreu
Date: Monday, Nov. 28
The Astros, fresh off winning the 2022 World Series, addressed their gap at first base, signing Abreu to a three-year, $58.5 million contract. With Yuli Gurriel and Trey Mancini both set to be free agents, it left a vacancy at the position for Houston.
After winning AL MVP in 2020, Abreu batted .304 with 15 home runs, 75 RBIs and a .824 OPS in 2022. It ends his run with the White Sox, who he spent the first nine seasons in the MLB with.
Welcome to Houston, José! 🤘 pic.twitter.com/OsfpOqZvwo
— Houston Astros (@astros) November 29, 2022