MLB GMs Meet Before Lockout
Executives gather in Las Vegas for final roster moves before the December 1 contract expiration halts baseball transactions.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
Major League Baseball general managers convene in Las Vegas Monday.
The gathering at the ARIA Resort and Casino serves as the final opportunity for teams to restructure rosters before the collective bargaining agreement expires.
The current contract ends at 11:59 p.m. on December 1. A lockout is expected to follow, freezing all player transactions until a new deal is reached.
Owners are pushing for a salary cap, a measure players have resisted for decades. The timing of any new agreement remains uncertain, leaving teams to decide whether to act now or wait for a potentially condensed window after the new contract is signed.
History suggests aggressive movement before a shutdown. During the 2021-22 lockout, players agreed to deals worth at least $71 million in the final two weeks. Corey Seager signed a 10-year, $325 million contract with the Rangers. The Red Sox signed three rotation arms for a combined $22 million, announcing two deals just 44 minutes before the lockout began.
The Red Sox face a different challenge this year. They ranked 23rd in scoring, 26th in home runs, and 20th in slugging percentage last season. Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow seeks to address the team's lack of power.
The free agent market offers limited impact hitters outside of Randy Arozarena and Jake Bauers. Seiya Suzuki possesses the right-handed power that fits Boston's needs. Alternatively, Breslow could pursue a trade. The Dodgers are looking to get younger, making Teoscar Hernandez a potential target. Hernandez is 34 and carries a $22.2 million salary for next season with $8 million deferred, plus a team option for 2028.
Hernandez's profile aligns more with a designated hitter role than a corner outfield position. However, Shohei Ohtani currently occupies that spot in Los Angeles. With the Winter Meetings in December likely canceled, this week provides the Sox a chance to position themselves before the shutdown.
The primary free agent target is left-hander Tarik Skubal. He turns 30 later this month and boasts a 43-17 record with a 2.42 ERA over the last three seasons. Skubal was acquired by the Dodgers from the Tigers and integrated well into the clubhouse. A return to Los Angeles may be complicated by the Mets or Cubs, who also need frontline pitching.
The San Diego Padres represent another potential buyer. New owners Jose E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones took over in August. With Michael King and Nick Pivetta available, the Padres could sign Skubal to fill a need and weaken a rival. Skubal is represented by Scott Boras, who typically waits out the market. However, Boras moved quickly in 2021, finalizing Seager's deal on the last day. Skubal could surpass the 12-year, $325 million contract Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed with the Dodgers before the 2024 season on a yearly average basis.
