Here are three things MLBTR readers can keep an eye on as the week progresses…
1. Murakami’s press conference:
The White Sox will hold a press conference to introduce the slugger Munetaka Murakami this morning at 11am CT. The two teams looked at odds at the start of the season, when the industry expectation was that the 25-year-old Murakami would sign a long-term deal and when White Sox manager Chris Getz spoke openly about his reluctance to commit to free agents outside of next season. However, when Murakami’s market did not develop as we expected, the South Siders took a chance and offered him a two-year contract. Murakami has 80-grade raw power but worries scouts about his struggles against speed, penchant for breathing and limited defensive flexibility. Even with those red flags, he could add 30 or 40 home runs to Chicago’s lineup if all goes well. Sox brass will be on hand to discuss where Murakami fits into the puzzle and what’s next on the checklist.
2. Where are the Red Sox from?
The Red Sox have only worked on the trade market so far, he added Sonny Gray again Wilson Contreras (in different roles) for the Cardinals and Johan Oviedo to the Pirates. They are the only team in the American League that did not sign a free agent to a major league contract this winter and just one of two teams in any major league that fit that description (joining the Rockies as the other).
The acquisition of Contreras yesterday seems to set the Sox up for a start and pressure the rookies. Places to stay in Triston Casas at the bottom of the depth chart. Casas, recovering from knee surgery last May, may meet some people when he’s ready to go, but the Sox Masataka Yoshida thinking in that area. They would like to spend the remaining two years and $36MM on Yoshida’s contract, but cutting even a decent portion of that amount off the books would be a tall order. Casas has a minor league option remaining, so it’s possible he’ll head to Triple-A, but there will be other clubs looking to buy him down.
The Red Sox are still getting interest from outfielders Jarren Duran again Wilyer Abreu. They still have plenty of minor league rotations to sell. Casas now feel more usable. Garrett Crochet again Roman Anthony they are the only major earnings in the long term literature. The Sox appear to be well-placed to replace big free-agent spending or other big trades, with third base and the rotation standings as natural areas of focus. Where will they go from here?
3. Last minute holiday shopping:
The holidays are upon us, and while there’s usually a big drop-off in terms of hot-stove activity during the last week of December, there’s often a rush to snag some last-minute deals before that quiet period. Last year, we saw each other Walker Buehler, Joc Pederson, Sean Manaea again Andrew McCutchen in the final days before Christmas (as can be seen on MLBTR’s Contract Tracker). Last year, it was Kevin Kiermaier, Mitch Garver, Yuki Matsui again Martin Maldonado (Link to Contract Tracker). In 2022, the names are the same Michael Conforto, Craig Kimbrel, Taylor Rogers, Tucker Barnhart, Drew Smyly again Wil Myers everything is signed. It’s unknown who will be out this week, but expect a handful of free agent deals to wrap up before front offices and players alike pump the brakes in the closing days of the year.
