With winter gatherings around the corner and the furnaces fired up, it’s time to think about crafts too. Here are five deals I want to see this winter.
Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox
The Red Sox appear to be looking to make big swings in the free agent market again, and while they wait for Juan Soto to decide if he wants to play at Fenway Park for another decade, their search for top talent should continue. Don’t stop at free agency.
Boston needs an ace in the rotation who, while promising, has taken steps back in the second half of 2024. And with Craig Breslow taking over as the team’s head of baseball operations, pitching has been a priority. While there’s been a lot of buzz surrounding Max Fried being a perfect fit for Boston, there’s a southpaw on Chicago’s South Side that makes a lot of sense.
Garrett Crochet was one of the most sought-after trade targets at the July trade deadline and remains one of the hottest names on the market. The White Sox All-Star lefty went 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA and 209 strikeouts in his first full season as a starter, which ranked seventh in MLB.
Hooking is exactly the type of front-line starter Boston needs, and the Red Sox could land him in the prime of his career. Boston has developed one of the best farm systems in baseball and has the prospect firepower to bring Chicago’s next ace to the Beantown. The Red Sox could also extend Crochet after the trade, which has been the southpaw’s preference throughout the season.
If Boston is going all-in on talent, there’s no need to stop at Soto. Acquiring Crochet would give Red Sox fans something to get excited about.
Devin Williams to the Phillies
The Phillies are right in their window as World Series contenders and have loaded their roster with plenty of star power on offense, with the likes of Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, JT Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber. Meanwhile, their starting pitching has held up its end, featuring Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez and 2024 All-Star Cristopher Sánchez in an elite rotation.
But the Phillies’ biggest area of need during this era of contention was easily their bullpen, specifically the back end of the bullpen. After unsuccessful experiments with Craig Kimbrel, Jose Alvarado, Hector Neris and Seranthony Domínguez, there was never a time when Philadelphia needed a closer.
Enter Devin Williams.
The Brewers’ closer has been electric since entering the league in 2019. The 2020 NL Rookie of the Year was easily converted from setup man to closer following the Brewers’ Josh Hader trade in 2021, and he thrived in that role. Williams, 30, is 27-10 with a 1.83 ERA in 241 career games in Milwaukee. He missed much of 2024 with a back injury, but is expected to be healthy by next season.
Milwaukee has made no secret of its desire to move its All-Star closer with him a year away from free agency. The Phillies are in win-now mode, and if they want to continue to give themselves a chance to win their first World Series since 2008, adding a high-leverage arm in Williams could be the key to getting them over the hump.
Cody Bellinger to the Mariners
The Mariners are disappointed because they finally made the postseason in 2022, and at a time when Seattle, led by young star center fielder Julio Rodríguez, should have been on the rise, the Mariners instead took a step back, leading to the firing of manager Scott. Servais and hit coaches Jared DeHart and Brant Brown during the previous season. The offense’s biggest problem is its tendency to swing and miss. The Mariners had one of the worst pitches in MLB history last season and were unable to produce a consistent offense.
Since joining the Cubs in 2023, Cody Bellinger has found a new version of himself. And while this version of Bellinger doesn’t strike out 40 a year like the younger version, he has figured out how to use his power consistently while controlling the strike zone. The Cubs first baseman and center fielder has hit less than 90 times in each of the last two seasons, with 44 homers in that span.
Bellinger’s offensive profile and production would be welcome in Seattle, and his left-handed bat would help balance out a heavily right-handed lineup. One of the former NL MVP’s other strengths is his positional flexibility, as he has the ability to play first base, an area of need for the Mariners, as well as the corner or center field if Rodríguez needs an off day. With a surplus of outfielders, the Cubs are reportedly interested in trading Bellinger, and they could find an ideal match in Seattle.
Yandy Díaz to the Mets
Like the Red Sox, the Mets are targeting Juan Soto, and that will be their sole focus until he makes his decision. If the Mets sign Soto, they will likely have to part ways with longtime first baseman Pete Alonso, who is also currently a free agent. In that case, they’ll need to get a replacement at first base, where solid production might not be that hard to find.
Yandy Díaz isn’t your typical first baseman, but the former All-Star has been extremely productive for the Rays in recent seasons. As of 2022, Díaz has the sixth-highest batting average in MLB and has elite ball skills. In a lineup with as much flair as the Mets have, a player like Díaz can keep the lineup moving while driving in runs.
The best thing about Díaz is that he’s on a very reasonable deal, owed just $10 million in 2025 with a $12 million club option for 2026.
The Rays have been willing to move Díaz once they turn around their roster, and the Mets could be the perfect trade partner to make that happen.
Nolan Arenado Yankees
The Mets aren’t the only team in need of a contingency plan if their pursuit of Juan Soto falls through. While Soto is a huge part of the Yankees’ offseason goals, there are other areas the Yankees need to improve on, whether they retain the valuable free agent or not. One of them is the hot corner.
The Yankees had little production from third base last season, with longtime veteran DJ LeMahieu’s struggles leading the team to acquire Jazz Chisholm from the Marlins and move him to third. But with the Yankees likely moving on free agent second baseman Gleyber Torres, New York could move Chisholm to second, leaving a hole at third.
Nolan Arenado was one of baseball’s biggest stars when he got to St. Louis. But between St. Louis entering a rebuilding period and Father Time seemingly catching up to Arenado, the 10-time Gold Glove Award winner has taken a step back offensively, with a .719 OPS and 16 homers this year, his fewest since 2014. Arenado still has some production and a new club with less pressure to be the guy could unlock it. He’s just two years shy of an .891 OPS and finished third in 2022 NL MVP voting. And according to reports, he would be willing to move across the diamond, which could address another area of need in the Bronx.
The Cardinals want to move Arenado, but it won’t be easy since he’s owed $52 million over the next three years. Still, if the Yankees are willing to take a chance, Arenado could be the right fit.