MLB winter meetings preview: Olney, Passan on Soto’s decision, top free agents and blockbuster trades

  • Buster Olney

    Close

    MLB winter meetings preview: Olney, Passan on Soto's decision, top free agents and blockbuster trades

    Buster Olney

    ESPN Senior Writer

    • Senior writer ESPN Magazine/ESPN.com
    • Analyst/reporter ESPN television
    • Author of “The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty”
  • Jeff Passan

    Close

    MLB winter meetings preview: Olney, Passan on Soto's decision, top free agents and blockbuster trades

    Jeff Passan

    ESPN

      • ESPN MLB insider
      • Author of “The Arm: Inside the Billion-Dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports”

Dec 5, 2024, 07:00 AM ET

MLB’s winter meetings begin Monday in Dallas, signaling when baseball’s offseason activity is likely to take off after a relatively slow first month.

All eyes will be on the free agency of superstar outfielder Juan Soto, who is likely to sign by the end of the meetings — if not before they even begin. But Soto is far from the only player who could be in for a huge payday as the baseball world gathers in Texas with Pete Alonso, Willy Adames, Corbin Burnes and Max Fried among the other in-demand free agents looking for their next homes. The trade market also figures to ratchet up in the coming days with Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet highlighting the stars who could be dealt.

When and where will Soto sign? Which teams could land the other players in line for a nine-figure payday and who is looking to make a blockbuster trade?

Here is the latest intel we’re hearing on the players, teams and themes that will rock the meetings — starting with the one name everyone is watching.


When will Juan Soto sign and how will his free agency shape the meetings?

Related Posts

🚨 MLB INSIDE RESET: The White Sox’s newly assembled coaching staff is raising quiet but serious questions across the league, as subtle hires, shifted responsibilities, and a clear change in philosophy hint at a deeper organizational reset. What looks like routine restructuring on the surface may actually signal a long term plan that hasn’t been fully explained yet — and insiders believe the real impact will only become clear once the season pressure hits.

The Chicago White Sox have finalized their coaching staff for the 2026 season following sweeping changes made at the end of September.

🚨 MLB INSIDE TRADE RUMBLINGS: The Braves are suddenly being linked to a bold trade for a $6 million NL rival left hander, a move insiders say could quietly solve multiple problems at once and even position him as a long term heir to Chris Sale. What looks like a low risk deal on paper may actually hide a far bigger plan, with Atlanta reportedly intrigued by a dynamic arsenal that hasn’t fully been unlocked yet — and the timing of this rumor is raising serious eyebrows across the league.

The Braves could go after a young star.

🚨 MLB INSIDE STORM BREWING: As hopes of an Alex Bregman return quietly fade, a new projection suggests the Red Sox may be preparing a jaw dropping $186 million swing for Bo Bichette, a move insiders believe could redefine Boston’s future in one bold stroke. What once seemed unrealistic is now gaining traction behind the scenes, and if this prediction turns real, the ripple effect could shock the AL East and completely change how this offseason is remembered.

A former MLB executive now believes that the Boston Red Sox will land coveted free agent infielder Bo Bichette from Toronto.

🚨 MLB INSIDE WHISPERS: Something big is quietly brewing behind closed doors in New York, as new projections hint the Yankees may be lining up an elite shortstop signing that goes far beyond a normal free-agency move. What started as a low-key prediction is now being viewed as a potential power shift, with insiders suggesting this decision could redefine the Yankees’ identity and force the entire American League to adjust sooner than expected.

The New York Yankees haven’t done much during the offseason, but MLB rumors continue to swirl. New York has been […]

Cubs Predicted To Land Marquee Free Agent Starting Pitcher On Six-Year Contract

The Cubs are in the market for a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, and David Schoenfield of ESPN predicted them to land Framber Valdez, previously of the Houston Astros.

🚨 INSIDE NFL REVELATION: The Packers reportedly had a stunning opportunity to sign an all time great for just $5 million, yet chose to walk away without even making a free agent offer — a quiet decision that is now raising serious questions inside the fanbase and league circles alike. What seemed insignificant at the time is suddenly being revisited as a potential turning point, with insiders suggesting this missed move could have changed far more than anyone realized.

Green Bay missed an opportunity.