The Month That Was in Baseball: December 2024

Sunday, December 1

The New York Mets, in need of a starter with the majority of this past season’s rotation assets threatening to leave via free agency, have signed Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million contract. Because Montas’ agent is Scott Boras, the deal includes an opt-out after the first year. The 31-year-old right-hander has experienced an up-and-down career; he finished with a 7-11 record and 4.84 earned run average split between Cincinnati and Milwaukee this past season after essentially missing the year before recovering from shoulder surgery. 

Monday, December 2

There’s another crazy rule idea being floated about by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. This one involves what’s being called a “Golden At-Bat,” something so special that it’s referred to in initial caps by Jayson Stark, writing an extensive article about the idea in The Athletic. The Golden At-Bat goes something like this: At some point in the game, a team can take advantage of one plate appearance, likely in a clutch moment, where they can send to the plate whoever they want—even if it’s a star slugger batting out of turn. Those leaning in favor of the Golden At-Bat say it’s something akin to giving the basketball to a top NBA star for a chance to shoot the winning basket, which happens often—though hoops isn’t like baseball, where players have to await their turn to shoot. Tradition-wise, the Golden At-Bat can play havoc with the fairness of history—more top stars getting more at-bats in big moments, meaning more chances for home runs, RBIs, etc.—and less opportunity for common players struggling for career advancement, or depriving them of star moments—like Atlanta’s Francisco Cabrera in the 1992 NLCS. The Golden At-Bat may become reality, but not for some time—as Manfred admits that the idea remains in the “conversation-only stage.” 

Players and execs interviewed by Stark suggest that there’s still hesitation about the idea; fans are more clearly against it. The very first comment after the end of The Athletic article says, bluntly, “Thanks. I hate it.” As of posting time, over 1,200 people agree. Only 39 do not. 

Manfred says he got the idea of the Golden At-Bat from Fox Sports, saying, “They’re always thinking. They’re never short of ideas.” Gee, who knew they had a seat at the rules committee meetings? 

After hearing much response to the idea—much of it negative—Manfred will tell the YES Network a few days later, “You don’t like the idea? I wouldn’t be too concerned about it right now.” 

Pitcher Matthew Boyd, who’s still trying to prove correct the pundits who think he’s the Next Big Thing, signs a two-year, $29 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. The 33-year-old lefty has struggled with injury and inconsistency throughout his 10 years in the bigs; he only appeared eight times this past season for Cleveland, posting a 2-2 record and 2.72 ERA while making an additional three playoff starts—allowing just one run over 11.2 innings, but failing to get a decision. 

Tuesday, December 3

Veteran flamethrower Aroldis Chapman is headed to his fifth team in four seasons, signing a one-year, $10.75 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. It was an uneven season for the 36-year-old lefty in Pittsburgh, as walks were a problem (39 allowed over 61.2 innings), but he still wields remarkable gas for a pitcher his age—topping 105 MPH in one game. Chapman’s 14.8 strikeouts per nine innings are the most by any pitcher with a career minimum of 100 innings; he’s thrown 760 to date. 

Wednesday, December 4

Hyeseong Kim is leaving the Korean Baseball Organization after eight seasons, making himself available to MLB teams. The infielder is short on power but strong on hitting tenacity, wielding a career .304 batting average and 211 steals; he struck out just 62 times over 567 plate appearances this past season for the Kiwoom Heroes. Korean hitters emigrating to America have had a decent track record of late, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get more than a few offers. 

Al Fitzmorris, a major league veteran of 10 years whose career peaked from 1974-76 with the Kansas City Royals, passes away at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. Originally a switch-hitting outfielder when the White Sox signed him in 1965, Fitzmorris transformed into a pitcher and was chosen by the Royals in the expansion draft; he debuted late in the team’s inaugural 1969 season, adding spice at the plate by becoming the first player in franchise history to record a hit from both sides of the plate in the same game. Moving from the bullpen to the rotation in 1973, Fitzmorris won 17 games combined between the Royals and their Triple-A affiliate—then went 13-6, 16-12 and 15-11 with solid ERAs over the next three seasons at Kansas City as the Royals began their rise toward the top of the AL’s totem pole. After 1976, he was taken by the Blue Jays in another expansion draft, bouncing around with three teams over the next three seasons as his career hit a brick wall. 

Thursday, December 5

There’s good news for the two MLB teams that badly need new ballparks. 

In St. Petersburg, the city council votes to approve funds toward a new venue for the Rays. The Pinellas County Commission still needs to give their nod of approval, with a vote upcoming on December 17. The Rays, publicly upset over the last month by what they perceived as slow progress from local officials, have nothing to say in response to the council’s vote. 

Meanwhile in Las Vegas, the A’s clear the final hurdles toward approval of their new ballpark on the Strip. The team will need to kick in another $250 million above the original cost due to inflation and design changes, but expectations are for the first shovels to be plunged into the grounds of the recently demolished Tropicana Hotel next Spring to begin construction on the 30,000-seat facility. 

Feeling frisky with the positive Vegas momentum, the A’s pick the day to make their largest-ever signing in terms of guaranteed payout, inking pitcher Luis Severino to a three-year, $67 million deal which includes an opt-out after the second season. The 30-year-old right-hander had his fullest and most satisfying campaign since 2019, throwing 182 innings and finishing with an 11-7 record and 3.91 ERA for the New York Mets. 

The previous high contract given by the A’s came in 2004 when they blessed $66 million upon third baseman Eric Chavez; along with the Chicago White Sox, the Sacramento-bound A’s remain one of two teams never to have given a player a nine-figure deal. 

Bill Melton, third baseman and slugger for the White Sox during the early 1970s, passes away at the age of 79. At his peak, Melton belted 33 home runs in back-to-back seasons (1970-71), leading the AL in the latter year to earn his lone All-Star appearance. Of Melton’s 160 career homers, 154 came as a member of the White Sox—a team record until Harold Baines surpassed it. (He’s currently ninth on the all-time franchise list.) Melton stayed connected with the White Sox after his playing days, providing hitting tips to basketball legend Michael Jordan in 1994 and serving as part of the Sox’ broadcast team from 1998-2020. 

Friday, December 6

Stripped of a potential big free-agent payday after undergoing Tommy John surgery this past season, former Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber is returning to the Cleveland Guardians on a one-year deal worth $10 million; a player option for 2025 will add either add $16 million to Bieber’s pockets, or a $4 million buyout should he decline it. Going under the knife after just two starts in 2024, the 29-year-old Bieber is expected to return midway through next season. If he quickly regains stellar form, he’ll likely consider bolting back into free agency, leaving the low-budget Guardians to dig deep and gift him a pricey extension beforehand. 

Clay Holmes is staying in New York—but not for the Yankees. The seven-year reliever signs a three-year, $38 million deal with the crosstown Mets—who intend to make the 31-year-old a starter. As a rookie for Pittsburgh in 2018, Holmes made four starts but produced a horrid 7.80 ERA—prompting a move to the bullpen, where he has stayed ever since with 300 appearances, including 67 this past season from which he registered a career-high 30 saves (but also an MLB-high 13 blown saves). 

Saturday, December 7

Former Milwaukee shortstop Willy Adames signs a seven-year, $182 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. The deal is the highest total payout in Giants history, eclipsing the $167 million previously given to Buster Posey—who helped orchestrate the Adames deal as the team’s new president of baseball operations. The 29-year-old Adames had a strong three-plus-year run with the Brewers, saving his best for this past season as he clubbed 32 home runs with 112 RBIs, 93 runs scored, 33 doubles, 74 walks and 21 steals—all career highs. He does hold a substandard .248 lifetime batting average and strikes out a lot, but he’ll fill a big void left at short after the departure of Brandon Crawford. 

Outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who smashed 31 homers for Boston over just 113 games this past season, signs a three-year deal worth $49.5 million with the Baltimore Orioles; he can opt out after just one year. Like Adames above, O’Neill is 29 and holds some of the same negative susceptibilities, plus he’s been more prone to injury. His presence in the Baltimore lineup could offset the likely loss of free-agent slugger Anthony Santander. 

Sunday, December 8

A year after doubling the largest previous pro sports contract, Shohei Ohtani suddenly isn’t the most expensive ballplayer in history. That honor now belongs to Juan Soto, who signs a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. The dollar figure is $5 million more than the Yankees, Soto’s incumbent, reportedly offered over 16 years. Soto’s signing is a kick in the teeth to the local rival Yankees, who earlier this week also lost reliever Clay Holmes to the crosstown Mets. It will also hurt Aaron Judge, who clearly benefitted from the presence of Soto batting in front of him this past season. While there are notable free-agent hitters still left on the market, none are at the level of Soto, who in seven years has already put together career numbers worthy of a Hall of Famer. The 26-year-old outfielder will finally be able to remove his moving company contact off speed dial after playing for three teams (Washington, San Diego and the Yankees) over the past three seasons. 

Someone did the math and determined that Soto will be paid $318,000 per game over the life of his contract. 

The Hall of Fame announces new members in Dave Parker and Dick Allen, chosen by a mix of 16 ex-players, executives, media members and historians. Parker gets the most votes with 14, three more than needed for inclusion; Allen gets 13. Of the other six candidates, 288-game winner Tommy John receives the most with seven, with the others netting less than five each. For Allen, who passed away four years earlier to this day, he finally receives enshrinement after falling short on 21 previous ballots—15 by the general vote (with his max ballot approval at only 18.9%), the other six via various veterans committees. Meanwhile, Parker gets through after never earning more than 24.5% in the general vote; he failed to get 75% in three previous veterans votes. Both players reach Cooperstown despite impressive but controversial careers. Drug issues derailed Parker’s peak years at Pittsburgh after winning the 1978 NL MVP, reviving back to star form in the late 1980s with Cincinnati and Oakland. Allen, the 1972 AL MVP for the White Sox, consistently found himself in confrontation with the front office and teammates—most notably in a 1965 pregame scuffle with the Phillies’ Frank Thomas that hastened his exit out of Philadelphia. 

After two underwhelming years in San Francisco, Michael Conforto is headed to the Southland as he inks a one-year, $17 million deal with the Dodgers. The 31-year-old outfielder batted in the .230s with modest power during his time with the Giants. 

Returning to Los Angeles, meanwhile, is reliever Blake Treinen on a two-year, $22 million contract. After missing most of the previous two seasons, the 36-year-old Treinen was excellent for the Dodgers this past year, producing a 7-3 record and 1.90 ERA; in the playoffs, he posted two wins, three saves and a 2.19 ERA as Los Angeles took the World Series. 

Merv Rettenmund, a part-time outfielder and successful hitting coach who put up reliable career batting numbers, passes away at the age of 83. Debuting in 1968 with Baltimore, Rettenmund homered in his only start of the 1970 World Series, the deciding Game Five. A year later, in what would essentially be the only full-time campaign of his 13-year career, Rettenmund batted .318 with 11 homers, 75 RBIs and 15 steals—good enough to make the #6 spot in our Leaders and Honors page listing that season’s top 10 AL batters. Turning to a career as hitting coach starting in 1983, Rettenmund seemed to spark the teams he oversaw—starting with the Texas Rangers of the mid-1980s, the Bash Brothers-led A’s from 1989-90, the San Diego Padres from 1991-99 (during which Tony Gwynn won eight batting titles), and Atlanta from 2001-02. 

Monday, December 9

Jordan Romano, the one-time stellar Toronto closer who fell on hard times due to injury and was made a free agent after the Blue Jays declined an arbitration offer for 2025, locks on with Philadelphia for one year and $8.5 million. If the 31-year-old right-hander can rebound from his recent troubles, he could become the Phillies’ ninth-inning guy as they currently deal with a void at the closer spot. 

Tuesday, December 10

Two days after losing Juan Soto to the Mets, the Yankees do some making up by inking former Atlanta pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract. It’s the largest-ever payout to a left-hander, barely edging the $217 million David Price received from the Red Sox in 2015. The 30-year-old southpaw joins a rich New York rotation that features Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil. In eight previous years with Atlanta, Fried produced a 73-36 record and 3.07 ERA, going the distance six times with four shutouts; his .670 winning percentage ranks second behind Greg Maddux on the list of modern-day Braves pitchers who’ve amassed at least 500 innings.

After declining a $20 million option for 2025, veteran pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is returning to the Texas Rangers for a few more years and a few more bucks—$75 million over three years, to be exact. Eovaldi led the Rangers this past season with 12 wins—no other starter had more than six—and is 24-13 with a 3.72 ERA in two years at Arlington; additionally, he was 5-0 in six postseason starts during the Rangers’ 2023 run to their first-ever world title. 

The Rangers also order up slugger Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins for three minor leaguers, none of whom have played higher than the Double-A level. The 28-year-old third baseman was the Marlins’ only legit power hitter this past season, smashing 29 homers with 76 RBIs. He will likely be the Rangers’ primary DH in 2025. 

The Guardians agree to trade three-time Gold Glove second baseman Andres Gimenez to Toronto in exchange for infielder Spencer Horwitz. Gimenez is in the middle of a seven-year, $106 million deal; this past season, the 26-year-old Venezuelan native batted .252 and saw a drop in his power, clubbing only nine homers. Horwitz, meanwhile, swatted 12 homers and 19 doubles over 97 games in his rookie campaign for the Blue Jays. 

Hours later, Horwitz will be flipped to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for pitcher Luis Ortiz and two minor leaguers. 

The Washington Nationals luck out with the lottery and win the top draft pick for the 2025 amateur draft to be held next summer. Already blessed with some fine young talent but also seeking to record their first winning record since triumphing at the 2019 World Series, the Nationals had the fourth-best odds to land the #1 selection. The Angels, who had the third-best chance, get the #2 pick. Colorado and Miami, which both lost 100 games this past year and had the best odds at 22.5% each, get the fourth and seventh picks, respectively. 

What about the Chicago White Sox, who lost a modern-record 121 games in 2024? They were ineligible for the lottery because the rules stipulate that a team that pays into the league’s revenue-sharing plan two years in a row loses its right to participate; the White Sox received the fifth pick a year ago. 

Wednesday, December 11

The Boston Red Sox acquire pitcher Garrett Crochet from the White Sox for four minor leaguers—including two (catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Braden Montgomery) ranked in MLB’s top 60. Crochet emerged last year after recovery from Tommy John surgery and a past life as a reliever, two reasons why the White Sox pained to limit his pitches and innings; as it was, the 25-year-old southpaw threw 146 frames and struck out 209 batters for an impressive 12.9 Ks per nine innings. His 6-12 record for the 41-121 White Sox easily hid a respectable 3.58 ERA. 

Rocky Colavito, one of the most popular players in Cleveland baseball history and slugger of 374 home runs, passes away at the age of 91. Born in New York City, Colavito emerged into a fearsome presence with the Indians in the late 1950s, hitting 40 homers in back-to-back seasons (1958-59), including four in one game, all while earning his first two of nine All-Star Game appearances and matinee idol status in Cleveland. Then, suddenly, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers for Harvey Kuenn—with Indians GM Frank Lane bragging that he traded “hamburger for steak.” The fan base was enraged, as Colavito continued to pound away at Detroit while Kuenn fizzled out; the outrage only intensified when Colavito returned to Cleveland Stadium in 1962 wearing a Tigers jersey and belted three homers against the Indians. The unpopular trade would become Cleveland’s curse, almost on a par with the Red Sox’ Curse of the Babe (Ruth) and the Cubs’ Curse of the Billy Goat. The Indians would dive into a deep funk after Colavito’s departure, unable to return to prominence until the 1990s; not even Colavito’s return to Cleveland (from 1965-67), producing reduced yet still effective sock relative to his early days, couldn’t turn things around. (Cleveland has the longest active World Series drought among non-expansion teams, at 76 years.) 

On a side note of sorts, Colavito made a pair of pitching appearances in the majors and did quite well—allowing no runs on just one hit over 5.2 innings. In the latter of those two appearances, during his last season in 1968 with the Yankees, he became the last position player to pick up a win in a major league game until Colorado’s Brett Mayne in 2000. 

The Hall of Fame names Cleveland play-by-play man Tom Hamilton as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting. The 70-year-old Hamilton has been calling games for the Indians/Guardians since 1990, when he first paired with Herb Score. 

Tuesday, December 12

Tampa Bay second baseman Wander Franco will have to wait a little bit longer before he can return to America—and to the Rays, if MLB allows it. A judge in the Dominican Republic delays Franco’s trial for sexual exploitation of a minor and human trafficking by nearly six months, until June. Reason: Of the 36 witnesses scheduled to testify, only three of them show up in court; the rest have not been located, according to sources. Franco’s lawyer says the absence of witnesses means that Franco must be freed, that “there is no case now”—and that he should be allowed to head to Spring Training in February. There’s a good chance that even if the judge allows that—and he likely won’t—MLB will not allow him to step into the clubhouse, as it would prefer to await legal closure before making its own determination on whether Franco can play now, later after a suspension, or never again. 

Sunday, December 13

Two top players, both one year away from free agency, are sent by their teams to new homes in a pair of major trades. 

The Houston Astros send outfielder Kyle Tucker, one of the game’s more underrated offensive forces, to the Chicago Cubs for third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski and minor league third baseman Cam Smith, the team’s top draft choice from this past year. The 27-year-old Tucker wields both excellent power and efficient basestealing skills; he belted 23 homers in an injury-truncated 78 games in 2024, and he’s swiped 94 career bases while only being caught 13 times. 

Milwaukee closer Devin Williams, like Tucker a free agent after 2025, is traded to the Yankees, who need a closer—and in return receive starting pitcher Nestor Cortes, minor league infielder Caleb Durbin and cash considerations. Williams, the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year who holds a career 1.83 ERA over 241 appearances, was due to make roughly $8 million this coming season in arbitration—but the small-budget Brewers were not inclined to pay it. Cortes, too, has one more year left of arbitration eligibility, but isn’t expected to fetch as much money—and the Brewers need starters more than relievers at this moment. 

Saturday, December 14

The A’s continue to act like a team more serious about contending, trading for Jeffrey Springs and reliever Jacob Lopez from the Rays for four players—only one of them (pitcher Joe Boyle) with major league experience. Springs has a career 23-12 record and 3.39 ERA, but has been dogged by injury; he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 and missed most of the past two seasons. 

Sunday, December 15

The fan who caught the ball hit by Freddie Freeman for the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history, winning Game One for the Dodgers, is $1.56 million richer—before taxes and auction fees, that is. Still, it’s the third highest priced baseball auctioned off, surpassed only by the 50-50 home run hit by Shohei Ohtani on September 24, and the 70th belted by Mark McGwire in 1998. Freeman’s ball is even more expensive than the ball smoked by Aaron Judge to break the all-time AL season record two years ago. 

A day before his 28th birthday, Bryan De La Cruz is signed by the Atlanta Braves to a one-year non-guaranteed contract—which means that the outfielder will have to prove his way onto the Braves’ Opening Day roster. De La Cruz set a career high with 21 home runs split between Miami and Pittsburgh this past season, but after a trade to the Pirates struggled with a .200 batting average, .514 OPS and just four walks compared to 52 strikeouts over 160 at-bats. 

Monday, December 16

Veteran Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, who made himself available to MLB teams after a terrific season in which he won 15 of 18 decisions with a 1.67 ERA, signs a one-year, $13 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles. The 35-year-old Sugano has a career 136-74 record and 2.43 ERA; he appeared to be going through a fade-out before reviving himself with a comeback campaign for the Yomiuri Giants. 

Tuesday, December 17

The Yankees continue to retool in the wake of losing Juan Soto to the crosstown Mets, trading for Cubs first baseman and former MVP Cody Bellinger and some $5 million to help pay his salary. Headed to Chicago is pitcher Cody Poteet, who looked promising in five appearances (four starts) for the Yankees last season with a 3-0 record and 2.22 ERA. Bellinger’s career arc has been more of a roller-coaster track. After a sensational first few seasons with the Dodgers, he completely fell apart from 2020-22, struggling just to bat over the Mendoza Line (.200 batting average). He stabilized in two years at Chicago; the Yankees are hoping that he can further improve his power numbers at Yankee Stadium, which is inviting for left-handed sluggers. 

MLB releases a report on the state of pitching in the game—and there’s more woe than surprises to be found. Filed under the category of duh, the report puts the blame of the Tommy John surgery epidemic on pitchers’ obsession with speed and spin, throwing so hard and beyond human endurance that it’s a small wonder that there weren’t much more than 281 professional pitchers undergoing major surgery to repair their breakdowns this past season. (That’s nearly three times the figure from 2010.) Also not surprising is the quest of pitchers as young as 13 attempting to push their limits to the extreme. As a result, pitching has become a profession not for the faint of heart; you either go heavy on velocity and movement—regardless of what pitch you throw—and risk massive rework on your elbow or shoulder, or your career fades early as “playing it safe” just isn’t an option for competitive analytics-driven teachers, agents and front-office personnel. Which is why MLB’s suggestion in the report to conserve the speed and spin for the sake of going deeper into games will be ignored. To possibly combat that, MLB can force the issue by limiting roster spots for pitchers, putting teams at risk should they ram full speed and spin ahead, leading to a dearth of healthy arms—and a rethinking of their philosophies. 

The Rays’ new ballpark is back on, for now. The Pinellas County Commission approves $312 million in public funding for a new venue in St. Petersburg to replace the hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field; this follows a similar yes vote from the St. Petersburg City Council earlier this month. Because the vote was delayed by two hurricanes that smacked the area, the Rays are still insisting that they’ll have to pay more to build the new ballpark—and thus would like to reopen negotiations to have the city and county pitch in more bucks. 

Wednesday, December 18

Name change alert: The Chicago White Sox announce that their home yard, Guaranteed Rate Field, is having its name shortened to Rate Field. This, after the mortgage company the venue is named after rebranded itself this past summer to, simply, Rate. It’s the fourth official name given to the ballpark since its opening in 1991; it first went by New Comiskey Park, then U.S. Cellular Field before switching to Guaranteed Rate Field in 2016. The existing naming-rights deal between the White Sox and Rate hasn’t changed; it’s set to expire after the 2029 season. 

One wonders if the Sox should have kept “Guaranteed” and dumped the downward arrow that’s part of the ballpark logo—an unintentional but quite apt analogy to the team’s plummeting performance over the past several years, culminating in its beyond-awful 41-121 record this past season. 

Thursday, December 19

All is forgiven between the Chicago Cubs and Sammy Sosa. The slugger with 609 career home runs, frustratingly evasive about whether he crushed any or all of them while on steroids, makes a roundabout confession of sorts by releasing a statement in which he says, “I never broke any laws, but in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize.” Sosa’s statement is apparently good enough for the Cubs to welcome him back into their orbit, later announcing that he will be invited to the upcoming Cubs Convention. The 545 homers hit by Sosa as a Cub is a franchise record, with at least 60 collected in three different seasons. Though he was never suspended for any PED use via MLB’s then-infant steroid testing process, his name did appear on a confidential list of players who tested positive in 2003—a list that was later leaked to the media. In retirement, Sosa has refused to answer whether he took steroids—once claiming that he would only answer the question if elected to the Hall of Fame. That has yet to happen, as he never received more than 18% on any ballot; his next shot comes a year from now, with his name likely to appear on a Veterans Committee list. 

The Phillies fill in a glaring hole in the outfield by inking Max Kepler for a year and $10 million. The Berlin-born Kepler has had an up-and-down tenure with Minnesota lasting 10 years—the entirety of his MLB career—peaking in 2019 when he belted 36 home runs with 90 RBIs in 134 games. Injuries curtailed his output this past season, as he batted .253 with eight homers and 42 RBIs in 105 games. 

Pitcher Mike Soroka won no games for the White Sox over 25 appearances (nine starts) this past season, so he’ll try his luck with the Washington Nationals—who sign him to a one-year deal for $9 million. The former Atlanta Brave, whose early career numbers looked promising before experiencing a number of bizarre injuries that cost him two whole seasons (2021-22), relocated to Chicago in 2024 and finished the year with a 0-10 record and 4.74 ERA for the 121-loss White Sox. 

Friday, December 20

The Dodgers and Mets spent far more on payroll than any other MLB team this past season—some $350 million each—and now they’ll have to fork out roughly another $100 million in luxury taxes. Those two teams take up nearly two-thirds of the $311 million in luxury taxes docked to nine teams; the Yankees will pay the third highest amount of tax (at $62 million), followed by the Phillies and Braves (over $14 million each), Rangers ($10.8 million), Astros ($6.48 million), Giants ($2.4 million) and Cubs ($570,000). 

Where will the tax money go? $3.5 million will fund player benefits, while the remainder will be sliced in two halves—with one half going toward player retirement funds and the other going to fund teams eligible to receive revenue sharing. 

First baseman Christian Walker is in agreement with the Astros on a three-year, $60 million contract. Houston hopes that the 33-year-old Walker can continue to produce at the plate, as he’s averaged 32 home runs and 94 RBIs over the last three years—while winning Gold Gloves at first base in each of those campaigns. 

The Red Sox continue to build up their rotation, signing former Los Angeles Angel Patrick Sandoval for two years and $18.25 million. The 28-year-old Sandoval won’t be available until the second half of the coming season, as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Before the procedure, he won two of 16 starts with a 5.08 ERA for the Angels in 2024. 

Saturday, December 21

The greatest leadoff hitter in the history of this great game has passed. Rickey Henderson, the all-time leader in stolen bases, runs scored, and leadoff home runs, dies just five days before his 66th birthday in Oakland. News of Henderson’s death, which occurred Friday, is slow to spread. Early word of the news comes via social media from former players Ozzie Guillen and Dave Winfield; for the most part, major media outlets—including MLB.com—do not report on Henderson’s passing until his family releases a statement through the A’s, the team he principally played for and retained close ties with. Though the statement does not mention the cause of death. TMZ claims that Henderson died of pneumonia. 

Born in Chicago and raised in Oakland, Henderson as a high schooler caught the attention of the A’s, then under the rule of acerbic owner Charles Finley. He was drafted by Oakland in 1976, debuting three years later at age 20—promptly stealing his first base in his first game. A year later, he became the first American Leaguer to steal 100 bags; just two years after that, he set the all-time season mark with 130, stealing third base on a pitchout. Traded to the Yankees after the 1984 campaign, Henderson added a muscular side to his speedy game, notching a career-high 28 homers in 1986. He also continued to pilfer; in four-plus years at New York, Henderson stole 326 bases, a figure that topped the all-time Yankee chart until Derek Jeter—who needed 20 years to do it—barely surpassed him. 

When happy, Henderson played at his very best. This was evident when he began the 1989 season clashing with Yankee manager Dallas Green; traded back in midseason to the A’s, Henderson flourished as never before. In 94 games for Oakland—including nine in the playoffs—he batted .309 with 12 homers, 43 RBIs, 84 runs, and 63 steals as he helped the A’s to a World Series triumph over San Francisco. A year later, he won his sole AL MVP with a .325 average, 28 homers, 119 runs and 65 steals. 

Over his last 10 years in the majors, Henderson bounced about, ultimately playing for nine teams—including four separate stays in Oakland, where he led the majors for the last time in steals with 66 in 1998 at the age of 39. He ended his MLB career at age 44 with 1,406 steals—no one else has more than 1,000—and is the only ballplayer with 3,000 hits and 2,000 walks; only Pete Rose, Ty Cobb and Barry Bonds reached base safely more than Henderson. 

Unsigned and restless after the 2003 season, Henderson played two more years (at age 45 and 46) in independent ball, stealing 53 more bases while being caught only four times. 

Embraced by the A’s in retirement, Henderson in 2017 was honored by the team, subtitling the Oakland Coliseum as Rickey Henderson Field. 

Fun fact, per The Athletic’s Tyler Kepner: Henderson’s last MLB steal came against Colorado pitcher Cody Vance—who was born four days before Henderson’s first swipe. 

The first base market continues to be active as several more moves are made after Christian Walker’s signing with Houston. The Yankees bring in 37-year-old Paul Goldschmidt, two years removed from his MVP performance with the St. Louis Cardinals, on a one-year, $12.5 million deal. Goldschmidt has leveled off in the last couple of seasons, but figures to be a nice plug-in around Aaron Judge in the lineup. 

The Cleveland Guardians, meanwhile, trade their first baseman, Josh Naylor, to Arizona for pitcher Slade Cecconi and a draft pick. The 27-year-old Naylor evolved into a big-time threat in 2024, bashing 31 homers with 108 RBIs—but as he is due for free agency after the 2025 season, the cash-conscious Guardians figured they were likely unable to retain him. 

Replacing Naylor at first for the Guardians is Carlos Santana, who’s coming back to Cleveland on a one-year pact worth $12 million. It will be the third go-around in Cleveland for the veteran who turns 39 next April and continues to defy the doubts that he’s on his last legs. Santana this past year batted .238 with a team-leading 23 homers and 71 RBIs for Minnesota; he also won a Gold Glove at first base. Though Santana holds a subpar .242 career batting average, no active big leaguer has more walks than his 1,278. 

Sunday, December 22

The first base market stays active with the Texas Rangers trading Nathaniel Lowe to Washington in exchange for southpaw reliever Robert Garcia. The left-handed-hitting Lowe was a reliable (if not overpowering) resource for the Rangers, averaging 20 home runs and 75 RBIs in four seasons while also winning a Gold Glove at first in 2023. Garcia appeared in 72 games for the Nationals last season, producing a 3-6 record and 4.22 ERA. 

The Miami Marlins trade pitcher Jesus Luzardo to Philadelphia in a deal also involving three minor leaguers, two of whom are headed Miami’s way. The 27-year-old Peruvian native looked to fulfill expectations in 2023 with a 10-10 record and 3.58 ERA for the Marlins, but elbow and back injuries curtailed his 2024 output to a 3-6 mark and rough 5.00 ERA over 12 starts. The Phillies are hoping he can become a dependable asset in their rotation’s back end. 

Monday, December 23

MLB and major league umpires agree on a new five-year collective bargaining agreement, extending labor peace between the two sides that began after a tumultuous 1999 confrontation led to a mass resignation of arbiters. The new agreement will likely lead the way for MLB to test out the automated strike zone in certain games during the upcoming Spring Training schedule. 

The Mets are bringing back Sean Manaea, who had a terrific bounce-back year in 2024, on a three-year deal worth $75 million. The 32-year-old left-hander led New York with 12 wins (against six losses) and posted a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts, after being featured rather poorly as a hybrid starter/long reliever for San Francisco the previous season. 

One win and a 5.43 ERA in 16 starts is apparently good enough for Walker Buehler to be granted a one-year deal worth $21.05 million from the Red Sox. Buehler has historically put up much better numbers, but he struggled this past season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. Trending is everything, however, and Buehler looked promising in the Dodgers’ successful run to the world title, winning World Series Game Three over the Yankees as a starter—and earning the save in the Game Five finale in a rare performance as a reliever. 

Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to give it one more year together, agreeing to a 2025 contract worth $5 million. Though not at the MVP level he showed back in the mid-2010s with the Pirates, the 37-year-old McCutchen was still effective enough to warrant everyday play in 2024—hammering 20 home runs and 50 RBIs on a substandard ,232 batting average. This will be McCutchen’s third year back in Pittsburgh after starring for the team from 2009-17. 

It’s another year, another ballclub for Joc Pederson, who inks a two-year, $37 million contract with Texas. This will be Pederson’s sixth team in as many seasons, having previously played for the Dodgers, Cubs, Braves, Giants and Diamondbacks. Last year with Arizona, the 32-year-old Pederson batted .275 with 23 homers and 64 RBIs. 

Eloy Jimenez, whose output has gradually dissipated since belting 31 homers as a rookie for the White Sox in 2019, signs a minor league deal with Tampa Bay. In 98 games split between Chicago and Baltimore this past season, Jimenez batted .238 with just six homers and 23 RBIs over 98 games—a far cry from his more dangerous output five years earlier. 

Shohei Ohtani grabs another honor as the Associated Press names the Dodgers’ star slugger as their Male Athlete of the Year. It’s the third time Ohtani has been honored by the AP; only Lance Armstrong, LeBron James and Tiger Woods have won the award more, each of them receiving it four times. 

Friday, December 27

In a late-night move, the Arizona Diamondbacks swoop in and sign All-Star pitcher Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million deal; there is an opt-out after two years. The deal is the largest in Arizona franchise history, barely topping the six-year, $205 million contract given to Zack Greinke in 2016. Burnes is coming off a career-high 15 wins for the Baltimore Orioles, and made his first career All-Star Game start; overall, he’s made four All-Star rosters, all in succession. Though he’s reportedly offered more money by San Francisco (considered the front runner to land him) and Toronto, Burnes opts for the Diamondbacks as Phoenix is his offseason home—and Arizona’s income tax rate is 2.5%, compared to California’s 13.3%. 

Teoscar Hernandez is returning to the Dodgers, receiving $66 million over three years along with a $23 million signing bonus. Of the total haul, $23 million will be deferred, as the Dodgers continue to add to their back-end debt in the years to come. This past year, the 32-year-old outfielder batted .272, slammed 33 home runs and knocked in 99 runs—numbers that pretty much track with his average over the past four seasons. 

Gleyber Torres inks a one-year, $15 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, hoping for a career restart as his star has dimmed since bashing 38 home runs for the Yankees in 2019. This past season, the 28-year-old second baseman wielded average power numbers including 15 homers, rallied in the second half to pump his batting average to a still-ho-hum .257 mark, and easily produced the worst fielding numbers among MLB second basemen. 

Dave Kaval, who served as the president, public face and therefore punching bag for thousands of A’s fans furious about the team’s move out of Oakland, announces he’s stepping down from the team. In his eight years working for the A’s, Kaval oversaw the process of working with the city to develop a new waterfront ballpark; when that “stalled,” the A’s pivoted toward a move to Las Vegas, which MLB granted in November 2023. As the new ballpark is planned to open on the Las Vegas Strip in 2028, the team will call Sacramento its temporary home over the next three seasons. 

Saturday, December 28

Charlie Maxwell, who bounced around baseball until finding success and a home at Detroit in the late 1950s, passes away. At age 97, “Paw Paw,” as Maxwell was known after the town he built a home in during his prime years, was the oldest living ex-Tiger. Brought up in the Red Sox’ organization, Maxwell had trouble breaking into a bludgeoning Boston lineup that included Ted Williams, Dom DiMaggio and Bobby Doerr; in fact, it took him five years to break through as an everyday player. A pair of trades eventually landed him in Detroit, where the left-handed-hitting outfielder instantly thrived—earning All-Star status in his first full two seasons (1956-57). He largely remained a force with the Tigers through 1960, belting a career-high 31 homers in 1959, before being reduced to a reserve role through to the end of his career in 1964. Maxwell held a lifetime .264 batting average with 856 hits, 148 of them home runs. 

Monday, December 30

Josh Bell is returning to the Washington Nationals—and is hoping to stay there for the entire season. The switch-hitting power hitter, who hasn’t quite evolved as some anticipated after his early, promising days with Pittsburgh in the late 2010s, has been traded midway through each of his past three seasons—an odyssey that began when he was dealt along with Juan Soto to San Diego in 2022. Since then, Bell has suited up for the Padres, Guardians, Marlins and Diamondbacks. This past season, the 32-year-old Bell produced a .249 batting average, 19 home runs and 71 RBIs in 145 games. The deal with the Nationals is for one year and $6 million. 

Also returning to the Nationals is pitcher Trevor Williams, re-upping with his team of the last two seasons for two years and $14 million. When healthy—which he was for only half of 2024—Williams posted an impressive 6-1 record and 2.03 ERA over 13 games. 

Tuesday, December 31

Lenny Randle, who accumulated 1,016 hits and 156 stolen bases in a 12-year career but is most remembered for a number of violent on-field confrontations, passes away at the age of 75 in California. A rookie during the Washington Senators’ last season before moving to Texas, it took Randle four years to become an everyday regular, playing second, third and the outfield. It was during that season that, incensed after earlier being thrown at by Detroit pitcher Milt Wilcox, he laid down a bunt to the right side and Wilcox; rather than race toward first base, Randle charged at Wilcox, knocking him flat and instigating a nasty brawl. In 1977, Randle took it out on his own manager, the Rangers’ Frank Lucchesi, who suffered three broken cheekbones; Randle was suspended a month and ultimately settled a lawsuit filed by Lucchesi against him out of court. On the lighter side, Randle was known as the guy who once tried to blow a slow roller foul on the Seattle Kingdome’s artificial surface.