Feel free to correct my mistakes or assumptions via specific links. Teams might have changed their plans, as most of these links are assumptions or old news.
Big Spenders
Boston is primed to spend big this off-season.
Trade targets: They're going to have at least one extra OF, perhaps a 1B as well. Yoshida may well be available very cheaply, especially if they sign Soto. If they move Devers to 1B to suit Bregman, they might consider dealing Casas as well. Perhaps Abreu too? (Both of the latter would cost a lot, obviously.)
Toronto has said little, but their actions-- chasing Soto and other high-profile stars-- would suggest a rather big bump. $40-$50M this winter.
Trade targets: Little chance Guerrero gets to the open market-- until next off-season. (Or perhaps the Trading Deadline?) There's just not much beyond he and Bichette.
The Detroit Tigers are in an enviable situation similar to that of the Reds last off-season. Small payroll, young players, and lots of possibilities. Let's hope they spend more wisely.
Trade targets: Not many. Javier Baez is among the worst contracts in baseball history. Their young guys are similar to the Reds' young guys.
Texas is going to try to avoid paying into the CBA as a three time loser. Fortunately for them, they have several million before they get to that point. Unfortunately, they really want to re-sign Nathan Eovaldi, who's going to take up a bit of that extra space, and need to add several pieces-- including a closer and set-up man-- to their bullpen.
Trade targets: Might be willing to get rid of a relatively expensive extra piece, like Leody Taveras. Perhaps they're willing to bite on Alexis Diaz, as a cost-controlled closer? (Not for Taveras, obviously.) Rangers have a couple of extra OF and want to limit their payroll. There could well be a deal here.
The Angels are obviously opening back up Arte Moreno's spigot.
Trade targets: Almost assuredly none. That means no Taylor Ward, for those who are dreaming in that direction. Maybe Jo Adell or Mickey Moniack on a bounceback chance?
The A's are looking to add about $40M to their payroll in order to become more competitive.
Trade targets: Brandon Rooker is out. So is all the other would-be expensive talent they normally deal. That won't stop the insistences here on RedsZone in acquiring Rooker, but it's apparently they're now building up rather than tearing down.
The Mets might have the biggest budget of anyone. Lots and lots of flexibility and an owner who's totally fine with spending big.
Trade targets: Brent Baty might be an under-the-radar guy, if you're into failed prospects. Maybe Ronny Mauricio as a utility guy?
With light at the end of their developmental tunnel, The Nationals have a tiny OD payrol as currently constructed. Expect them to spend relatively big-- perhaps as much as $115M this offseason.
Trade targets: Depends on who they acquire. Right now, not much of anyone. They just don't have the depth of talent at the major league level.
What do you get the team that has everything? For the LA Dodgers, it's apparently another ace and perhaps a Japanese League ace as well. Why not? They already have seven pitchers. What are two more? They spend and spend and spend, but they can afford it.
Trade targets: James Outman makes some sense. He was very, very good, then dreadful. The Dodgers can afford to replace him fairly easily with a surer bet.
Little Bumps From Now
Baltimore is aiming for a slight bump in payroll.
Trade targets: Still work-- nor now. Kjerstad/ Mullins/ Westberg/ Mayo for a cheap SP makes sense if they re-sign Santander and fail on Burnes.
Seattle's Jerry DiPoto has said that they'll increase payroll, largely to afford their own arbitration raises. He's not going to break the bank, but might look to add at 3B and 2B.
Trade targets: You want Mitch Garver? Me neither. (Actually... Nah. Nevermind.)
Philadelphia is already paying a rather substantial penalty in the CBA, as they have for several seasons. They're also looking into Willy Adames and Alex Bregman as 3B options over Alex Bohm. To pay less, they'll need to get rid of some salary.
Trade targets: Already discussed Castellanos, who's likely to be cheap in terms of prospects. Others have suggested Bohm, who was league average-ish as a 3B until busting out with a fantastic first half last year.
Atlanta is willing to see a bump, though we have no clue how much of a bump it might be. They paid substantially last season and were a payer the year before too.
Trade targets: Just the kids they won't want to part with. They've already dealt Soler to ease that tax penalty.
Miami is still doing the cheap thing. It's what they do. Perpetually. That said, they only have $63M in payroll right now. They might spend more than that this season.
Trade targets: Sandy Alcantara has been hurt, but his salary is a relative bargain. They'll likely wait until the Trading Deadline and deal him then, but I'd for sure ask.
Pittsburgh Pirate GM Ben Cherington has said that payroll will increase, though not by how much. As a small market team, don't expect too big a bump. They do need a 1B and likely an OF.
Trade targets: They're set up similarly to Cincinnati-- pitching excess but OF needs. As a result, none.
Maybe-- Who knows?
The Yankees began making noise about cutting salary early last season, but Juan Soto is a whole different kettle of fish. If they re-sign him (and they want to, obviously), the Yanks' payroll will go up. If they fail to resign him, I think they'll be more careful this off-season. That said, almost winning the World Series might change some plans.
Trade targets: If they re-sign Soto, is Dominguez available? Probably not. Pereira should be though.
The Rays were going to be able to spend a little to address their catching issues, but hurricanes left those plans on hold. This puts them in no-man's land. We'll see later on, I suspect.
Trade targets: Lowe is expensive. If they have to pare payroll-- and they're likely gong to struggle to draw anyone so that makes sense-- he's probably first of a short list.
If they match last season's payroll, expect them to spend $20-$25M more. They might be in the market to bump that up slightly, as they enjoyed a good season with young players and a relatively cheap starting rotation.
Trade targets: None, after Singer.
Houston had to pay a few million in taxes for exceeding the first apron last year. They'll exceed it again if they can re-sign Alex Bregman. If not, they won't.
Trade targets: None, really.
The Chicago Cubs always have money to spend, if they want to. Big-market clubs can basically print money. Lately, however, they'd been loathe to do that. Last year, they cut to around $180M, and this year, they seem desperate to cut Cody Bellinger's salary. Too, they seem to be chasing mid-market free agents, not big names. Not sure if they're buyers or sellers, but they don't seem to be planning a massive spending spree either way.
Trade targets: Bellinger, obviously. He'd go a long way to fixing the Red OF.
The Pads cut almost $100M last off-season and have new owners who seem reluctant to spend like they did under Peter Seidler. I'm guessing they spend a little, but won't go crazy, but that's just a guess. They have holes. They might spend to fill them. They might not.
Trade targets: Because of the uncertainty, few if any. Arraez would be an ideal guy to have in the middle of the Reds' lineup, and he's due a hefty raise in arbitration. If they want to stay at around the same payroll, dealing prospects for him makes sense.
Cutting Payroll
Minnesota Twins need to lop off $10M or so in order to stay at last season's payroll and the $140M they now owe players.
Trade targets: Trevor Larnach, maybe? Solid get, IMO, along the lines of Hays, Conforto. Oddly, he was really good defensively in 2022, then really bad in 2023. DHed all season last year. They have holes the Reds can plug too. These teams seem to match up quite well.
Chicago White Sox have only $33M on the books and plan to lop off several million after "substantial losses" last year due to having among the worst teams in baseball history and fan apathy. They'll have no issues signing Crochet after a massive arbitration hearing, but that's about it.
Trade targets: Crochet, Robert might be available if you squint really hard and are willing to pay exhorbitant prices.
St. Louis Cardinals, as has been announced multiple times, plan to reduce their payroll. Gray and Contreras have full no-trade clauses and seem to want to stay.
Trade targets: Nolan Arenado, obviously, though his offensive numbers indicate a guy who's fading into the sunset of a HoF career while his salary indicates a guy who's producing like a HoF guy right now. The aforementioned Gray and Contreras if they waive their no-trades. Ryan Helsey, though he'd probably cost an arm and a leg.
Arizona has been vague about their intentions, but it's clear they're looking to move on from Jordan Montgomery, a late in the off-season gamble that didn't work out. They're kept Eugenio Suarez and Merrill Kelly, but are doubtful to spend much beyond what they outlaid in 2024. They also have a couple big bats to pay in free agency (Pederson and Walker).
Trade targets: Eugenio Suarez would look good back in red. Montgomery is a worthy gamble if he can be had cheaply.
Colorado Rockies are cutting payroll and rebuilding. That typically means bargains can be had, but Colorado is so bereft of talent, it'll be hard to find it.
Trade targets: Brenton Doyle, obviously. If Colorado paid down all but $5M of Kris Bryant's salary per season, would you do it? Yeah, me neither. (I think.)
Supposedly, the Giants are looking to get low in payroll. Part of that has to do with some questionable personnel moves they've made which are biting them in the butt right now. Part of it is the strength of the division-- LA is going to be the odds-on favorite to win it all again most likely, Arizona has tons of young talent, and San Diego seems good too. A mini-rebuild makes some sense.
Trade targets: Maybe Camilo Doval, whose stuff is superior but results have been so-so? Tom Murphy, as a $4.5M backup catcher, would be a pretty solid guy to have. Or perhaps Blake Sabol?
Radio Silence
Cleveland Guardians are likely in the same boat as they have been.
Trade targets: Josh Naylor, maybe? The teams need the same thing-- and have the same thing to deal.
Milwaukee is at $105-113M in payroll now, give or take. They don't project to spend more than that. They don't project to spend less.
Trade targets: Devin Williams would look really good, but he's going to make serious bank and might not be worth it. Still, I could see the Reds move Diaz and Arroyo for he and another small piece.
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Originally Posted by Redsfan6272
