By Will Sammon, Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo<\/p>\n
All options are open for the New York Mets after acquiring second baseman Marcus Semien from the Texas Rangers for left fielder Brandon Nimmo. But in trading Nimmo, a homegrown veteran, the Mets untangled themselves from a long-term contract without saving money in the short term.<\/p>\n
Would they really want to jump right into another lengthy deal?<\/p>\n
Team officials acknowledge the question is fair. While nothing should be ruled out with Steve Cohen as owner and the Mets always wanting to be opportunistic, the trade of Nimmo won\u2019t necessarily lead to landing a top free-agent outfielder such as Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger.<\/p>\n
The Mets value keeping potential paths for playing time open for prospects like outfielder Carson Benge. Also, they have plenty left to do.<\/p>\n
If the Mets don\u2019t splurge in free agency for outfield help, they could explore trades or target lower level free agents. By following such a path, they then could put more resources toward re-signing Pete Alonso and adding to a pitching staff that needs a top-of-the-rotation starter, closer and several other relievers.<\/p>\n
The problem with that idea is the lack of depth in the outfield market. In trading away Nimmo for Semien, the Mets created a hole in left field. They already needed to address center field. Without signing Tucker or Bellinger or making a significant trade, the Mets would be relegated to taking a shot or two on placeholder types with potential upside.<\/p>\n
How Brewers could create payroll flexibility<\/p>\n
In what has become an annual rite of autumn, the Milwaukee Brewers are fretting over their payroll, according to people briefed on their plans. The possibility exists that the team might need to subtract from their roster in order to add.<\/p>\n
Which again raises the question: Will the Brewers trade right-hander Freddy Peralta?<\/p>\n
After right-hander Brandon Woodruff accepted the team\u2019s one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, both owner Mark Attanasio and general manager Matt Arnold said they were excited about the rotation, indicating they did not view Woodruff\u2019s decision as a prelude to moving Peralta<\/a>.<\/p>\n At a salary of $8 million, Peralta is attractive not just to interested clubs, but also to the Brewers. A trade of closer Trevor Megill would save Milwaukee a projected $4.2 million in arbitration,<\/a> according to MLB Trade Rumors, while a trade of righty reliever Nick Mears would save $1.6 million. The Brewers likely would not trade both. And neither salary is particularly significant.<\/p>\n The best way to create payroll flexibility, then, might be for the Brewers to re-sign Woodruff to a multi-year contract at a lower average annual value. Such a deal also would protect the team against the expected loss of Peralta as a free agent at the end of the season.<\/p>\n Reds versatility keeps them engaged on numerous fronts<\/p>\n The Cincinnati Reds\u2019 host of multi-position players gives them the flexibility to pursue almost any kind of addition to their lineup. Thus, they are actively considering multiple ways to improve their club.<\/p>\n Among the several possible configurations the Reds are mulling, according to people familiar with their thinking:<\/p>\n *They could add a first baseman and put Spencer Steer in left field.<\/p>\n *They could add a center fielder and shift TJ Friedl to left field.<\/p>\n *They could add a right-handed batting outfielder to a platoon with Will Benson, a left-handed batter.<\/p>\n Indeed, the Reds contain few spots that appear locked down. Ke\u2019Bryan Hayes won the Gold Glove Award at third base. Elly De La Cruz plays shortstop. And Noelvi Marte, asked just last season to learn a new position, isn\u2019t likely to move off of right field.<\/p>\n Among the other Reds who can play multiple spots: Matt McLain and Sal Stewart. McLain has played only second base and shortstop so far in the major leagues, but the Reds experimented with him in the Arizona Fall League last offseason at center field. Stewart, who played the corner infield spots upon his promotion last season, can also play second base.<\/p>\n For the Reds, who carried a $119 million payroll last season, per FanGraphs, determining the best path to take likely comes down to assessing the market for the best deals. It remains too early in the offseason to rule them out on anything, especially considering their versatile roster.<\/p>\n For the Cardinals, backloading worked<\/p>\n Say this for the St. Louis Cardinals, who, on Tuesday, traded right-hander Sonny Gray to the Boston Red Sox for right-hander Richard Fitts, left-handed prospect Brandon Clarke and a player to be named later or cash:<\/p>\n By backloading the three-year, $75 million free-agent contract they awarded Gray in Nov. 2023, the Cardinals drew the benefits of carrying him at lower salaries the first two seasons, then escaped more than half his remaining obligation while acquiring talent in return.<\/p>\n The Cardinals ended up sending the Red Sox $20 million to cover Gray\u2019s restructured $41 million guarantee. But the way the deal was structured, Gray effectively loaned them money the first two years and got paid back in the third.<\/p>\n