While Tarik Skubal's market is starting to pick up steam, he's far from the only big name generating buzz in the offseason rumor mill.
Here’s a look at some of the latest Hot Stove topics around the league.
Although his flashy persona and inconsistent production make him one of the more polarizing players in this year’s free-agent class, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is drawing widespread interest in the early stages of the offseason.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, 11 teams have engaged in discussions with Chisholm’s representatives, with in-person meetings scheduled to begin next week. The Blue Jays are one of the clubs with reported interest in Chisholm (see below). It's unclear who else is in the mix, but the Yankees are unlikely to be one of them after declining to extend a qualifying offer to Chisholm.
There are a number of quality options available this offseason for teams looking to upgrade at second base, from Brandon Lowe and Luis Arraez in free agency to Ketel Marte on the trade market. But it’s easy to understand why some teams might consider Chisholm to be the most attractive option of the bunch. He's four years younger than Lowe and offers a much more well-rounded skill set than Arraez, whose value is largely tied to his ability to hit for average. Per Morosi, teams are also intrigued by Chisholm's positional versatility.
As for Marte, there are several obstacles that could make a trade difficult. The 33-year-old has a full no-trade clause as a 10-and-5 player, and it will likely take a significant return to get the D-backs to move the three-time All-Star. Clubs may also have concerns about Marte’s clubhouse fit after he failed to show up at Fenway Park for a game last August. It was not the first time that Marte had an unexcused absence from the D-backs.
Catcher market intrigue: Goodman, Jeffers, more
With free agency short on star power behind the plate, the catcher trade market bears watching this offseason.
It starts with the Rockies’ Hunter Goodman, who was the subject of persistent trade rumors over the summer. He ultimately stayed put, but MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi has heard from rival teams who believe Colorado is more open to dealing him now than it was before the Trade Deadline. Goodman, who is controllable through 2029, has hit 72 home runs over the past two seasons.
The Athletics’ Shea Langeliers (controllable through 2028) is another trade possibility. Like Goodman, Langeliers drew significant trade interest during the summer. A torn meniscus in his right knee ended any chance he had of being moved before the Deadline, but the Athletics could consider dangling him this winter as they look for ways to improve their pitching staff.
Reigning World Series MVP William Contreras is also generating some trade chatter, mainly because he is entering his final year before free agency. But while the Brewers have shown a willingness in the past to deal players in that contractual position, Contreras may be viewed similarly to shortstop Willy Adames. The Brewers opted to keep Adames before he became a free agent in 2024, given his importance to the club on and off the field.
Ryan Jeffers is the best catcher available in free agency, but it’s possible he’ll end up returning to the Twins, even if he rejects the team's one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer. General manager Jeremy Zoll said the Twins are “engaged and definitely have real genuine interest in a reunion.”
Surprisingly, the Red Sox are one of the teams that has been linked to Jeffers. Boston acquired All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the Orioles prior to the Trade Deadline, but the club has been pursuing Jeffers anyway, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman (subscription required).
Phillies eyeing outfielders
It’s no secret the Phillies need to upgrade their outfield, which currently includes Justin Crawford and Derek Hill in center field and Brandon Marsh and Bryan De La Cruz in left. Phillies outfielders had a combined .686 OPS in 2026, which ranked 26th in baseball.
Philadelphia did add Max Kepler (one year, $10 million) prior to the 2025 season and Adolis García (one year, $10 million) last offseason. But after neither of those lower-risk moves paid off, the Phillies could be setting their sights higher this winter.
Sources told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki that the Phillies have interest in Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato.
Sato primarily has been a third baseman during his career in Japan, but The Athletic's Matt Gelb reported Wednesday that the Phillies are “quite intrigued by Sato as a solution for one of their corner outfield spots.”
Per Gelb, Philadelphia also has shown interest in free-agent outfielders Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena. But Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski admitted earlier this week that he's "not necessarily looking for our club to continue to get older," perhaps making Sato a more likely target than either Suzuki or Arozarena.
While those two are both entering their age-32 season, Sato’s 28th birthday is next March.
Blue Jays shopping for offense
The Blue Jays went from American League champions in 2025 to 79-83 one year later, and their offensive downturn was a big reason why. Toronto finished last in the Majors in homers and runs scored while ranking 29th in OPS.
Getting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. back on track will be key for 2027, but the Blue Jays aren’t pinning all of their hopes on the first baseman.
According to SportsNet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, “the Blue Jays are working hard to find offense and willing to spend to make it happen.” They’re reportedly showing interest in free agents Seiya Suzuki, Brandon Lowe, Teruaki Sato and Jazz Chisholm Jr., as well as trade candidate Ketel Marte.
The Blue Jays have been linked to free-agent starter Tarik Skubal, too, but as MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson explains, the team is more likely to spend big on bats than a starting pitcher.
Mariners could trade starter to upgrade offense
Like the Blue Jays, the Mariners entered 2026 with legitimate World Series aspirations, only to finish below .500 as their offense cratered. Seattle’s lineup needs became even more acute when outfielder Randy Arozarena and shortstop J.P. Crawford hit free agency after the Fall Classic.
With shortstop Colt Emerson signed to a long-term deal and third baseman Brendan Donovan under team control for one more year, the Mariners have reportedly informed Crawford that they plan to move on from him. Meanwhile, the Seattle Times reports that the Mariners are not planning to pursue a long-term deal with Arozarena.
Interestingly, though, the Mariners do have reported interest in two other free-agent outfielders: former Cubs Seiya Suzuki (per the Seattle Times) and Ian Happ (per MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi).
Another potential option for the Mariners? Trading from their deep crop of homegrown starting pitchers to land a bat.
The Mariners considered trading Emerson Hancock and George Kirby prior to the 2026 Trade Deadline, even after shipping Luis Castillo to the White Sox. While they ultimately decided against it, general manager Jerry Dipoto hasn’t ruled out trading a starter this winter.
“It'll take a lot for us to move one,” Dipoto said, “and I think, in general, our preference would be to keep all your pitchers. You need them. But if they can make us or allow us access to a hitter we otherwise wouldn't be able to access through prospect packages, position-player deals or free agency, then we have to be open.”
Rangers in on Japanese slugger
Teruaki Sato has quickly become a popular name on the open market after the Hanshin Tigers approved the posting of their MVP and Triple Crown winner. You can add the Rangers to the list of teams interested in the NPB star, according to The Athletic (subscription required). The club has reportedly done “extensive background work” on Sato. The Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Phillies and Padres are also among the teams believed to be interested in Sato, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
The Rangers are expecting their payroll to be roughly the same in 2027 as it was in 2026, around $190 million. If Texas is to enter the fray on Sato, it may need to clear space in that payroll. That might come in the form of a trade for one of their higher-paid stars: Corey Seager, Jacob deGrom or Nathan Eovaldi.
Seager, in particular, has been a buzzworthy name during this week’s GM Meetings. The Rangers were expected to explore trading Seager this week, per The Athletic. President of baseball operations Chris Young confirmed they are willing to listen after rebuffing overtures last winter.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman has since reported in the New York Post (subscription required) that the Rangers have indeed “gotten trade hits” on Seager, deGrom and Eovaldi. Notably, deGrom declined to waive his no-trade clause at the 2026 Trade Deadline.
Heyman reported the Yankees as one team that has talked about a Seager trade, though their exact level of interest is unknown. The 32-year-old, a five-time All-Star and two-time World Series MVP, is owed about $155 million over the final five seasons on the 10-year deal that he signed with Texas in 2021. Seager has been on the injured list nine times since the start of 2023 and set career lows with a .227 average and a .736 OPS in 2026.
Nationals not looking to trade Abrams
The Nationals have entertained trade offers for CJ Abrams for the better part of the last calendar year, whether at the 2025 Winter Meetings or the 2026 Trade Deadline. But the two-time All-Star was not a big topic of conservation at this week’s GM Meetings.
That’s because Washington wants to hold onto Abrams, according to The Athletic’s Spencer Nusbaum. Although the Nationals could still be blown away by an offer, Nusbaum noted that they’re bullish on their current group of players, and they believe that retaining Abrams gives them a shot to contend for a postseason spot in 2027.
Abrams, 26, is coming off a career-best season in which he posted an .834 OPS (127 OPS+) with 33 home runs, 106 RBIs and 34 stolen bases. He totaled 3.7 WAR, according to FanGraphs, which ranked second best on the team behind James Wood (4.1).
Should Washington hold onto Abrams, the club will then have to figure out where to play him. According to Statcast’s Outs Above Average metric, Abrams ranked as one of baseball’s worst fielders last season. The Nationals shifted him from shortstop to second base in August, and it’s notable that the club’s No. 3 prospect – and MLB No. 51 — Seaver King, a shortstop, should debut at some point in 2027.
Abrams is under club control for two more seasons, with two years of arbitration remaining before free agency. That’s part of the reason why he drew a bounty of interest at this year’s Deadline, with the Yankees, Red Sox and Brewers among the reported suitors at the time. It also explains Washington’s high bar for a possible trade.