Here are three things we’re looking at in baseball today:
1. Ogasawara’s posting window:
The Chinese and Japanese Dragons use their left hand Shinnosuke Ogasawara On December 10, he signed with the MLB club and had until January 24 to sign the agreement. That deadline is coming soon. If he and his representatives at WME don’t come to an agreement with the MLB team by tomorrow, the southpaw will return to the Dragons for the 2025 campaign.
The 27-year-old Ogasawara, who was named an NPB All-Star for the first time in 2023, had arguably an even better year last year, lowering his ERA from 3.59 to 3.12 and improving his strikeout-to-walk ratio from 3.27 to 3.73. He also lowered his home run rate from 0.8 HR/9 to 0.6 HR/9. However, it’s important to remember that NPB runs are harder to hit than MLB, and Ogasawara’s numbers aren’t exactly dominant by NPB standards. His ERA, strikeout rate and home run rate are all below 2024 Central League averages. %this past season. That said, this year’s walk rate of 3.7% is staggering. His command could help him carve out a spot in the team’s rotation, although he might be better suited in an MLB bullpen role. Readers interested in learning more about the southpaw can check out this detailed scouting report on Ogasawara from Brandon Tew of Sports Info Solutions.
Little has been heard about Ogasawara since he took over, making it difficult to gauge his market and even harder to predict the size of the contract he might sign. When we ranked Ogasawara at No. 48 on our list of the top 50 free agents earlier this offseason, MLBTR expected to sign Ogasawara to a two-year, $12MM contract based largely on his youth and commanding ability.
2. Waiting for the next noteworthy deal:
Despite the relatively slow trade market so far in January, rumors remain active. Dodgers reportedly gauging interest in right-handed reliever Ryan Brassierwhile the Twins and Padres are said to have discussed a trade involving the catcher Christian Vazquez. Minnesota also has interest in Padres ace Dylan Seth. Meanwhile, Cubs bullpen search prompts them to consider trading veteran Astros reliever Ryan Pressleythough his non-trade rights may make that difficult.
Still the biggest name on the trade market is third baseman Nolan Arenado. Despite reports that Arenado is less likely to be traded now than he was earlier in the offseason, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said he’s still trying to find a deal. However, team president Bill DeWitt Jr. recently stated that the Arenado trade was not necessary and that his club was in no rush to cut payroll in 2025. will end up staying in St. Louis, or the comments could be designed to give the Cardinals some extra leverage — either in negotiations for Arenado or in potential trade talks with other veterans on the roster.
3. Roansy Contreras DFA Resolution:
Orioles designate right-handed reliever Rosie Contreras Assigned assignments after claiming infielders last week Jacob Amaya. That kicks off a seven-day countdown for the O’s to trade Contreras or waive him. Today marks the end of a week. The waiver process can take up to 48 hours, so it’s safe to assume the right-hander was cleared on Tuesday. At some point today, we should find out if another team will claim him or if the Orioles can send him straight to the minor leagues. He had never been turned down outright before in his career and did not have enough service time to deny outright assignments.
Contreras, 25, began his career as a rookie with the Yankees before the team traded him to the Pirates as part of a trade Jameson Taillon Back to New York. He spent parts of four seasons with Pittsburgh from 2021-24 before the Pirates traded him to the Angels in May. Since finishing the 2024 season in Los Angeles, he has bounced between several teams, from the Angels to the Rangers and the Reds to the Orioles. With a 4.72 ERA and 4.66 SIERA in 90 career games (33 starts), he clearly has enough upside to have several teams interested in releasing him. Maybe that upside will convince another team to take a chance on him today. If not, the O’s could stash the former top prospect at Triple-A Norfolk as a depth unit.
