MLB Rumors: Could the Braves target middle infielder Kolten Wong?
Kolten Wong had a miserable season in Seattle. Not only was Wong below the Mendoza line — he was a solid forty points short of qualifying. It's unclear what Seattle tried to turn Wong's season around, but his putrid slash line was just one of many reasons to designate him for assignment.
So, would the Braves take a shot on someone with the pedigree of Wong? Wong is a two-time gold glove winner, and can play second base and shortstop. Had they not just traded for Nicky Lopez, there's definitely an argument to be made for picking a player like Wong up. Atlanta has one of the best lineups in baseball. Clearly, hitting coach Kevin Seitzer is doing something right, and perhaps some of that would rub off on Wong.
Per MLB Trade Rumors, there are major concerns with Wong's defensive metrics, as well.
"Wong's defense has also dropped over the past couple seasons. A two-time Gold Glove winner, he was one of the sport's top keystone defenders at his peak. Public defensive metrics rated him well below-average last season, however. Wong said late in the year he'd been playing through a leg issue that sapped some of his mobility. That offered some hope for a defensive rebound that hasn't really materialized. Wong logged 513 1/3 innings at second base for Seattle. Defensive Runs Saved pegged him five runs below par, while Statcast estimated him one run worse than average."
This sounds like an "avoid at all costs" player on waivers, if you ask me. But I am not Alex Anthopoulos.
MLB Rumors: Red Sox end Christian Arroyo disaster
At 28 years old, Christian Arroyo's had plenty of time to make an impression on Boston Red Sox fans, and it hasn't gone according to plan. Arroyo is batting .241 with a .638 OPS. On Friday, Boston placed Arroyo on waivers. All 29 other teams will have a chance to claim Arroyo, but should they fail to, he'll have the opportunity to accept a minor-league assignment or opt out of his deal to become a free agent.
Arroyo has received playing time at shortstop primarily because of the injury to Trevor Story. With Story nearing a return, along with Boston's trade for Luis Urias, the Sox don't have much need for another struggling middle infielder. MLB Trade Rumors outlined Arroyo's fall from grace:
"From 2020-22, the former top prospect turned in a combined .273/.320/.427 batting line (102 wRC+), walking at a well below-average 4.7% clip but also putting the ball in play at a better-than-average rate (19.4% strikeout rate). His production has taken a major nosedive in 2023, however, as he's produced just a .241/.268/.369 slash with a career-low 3.4% walk rate. This year's 21.8% strikeout rate is also a notable step back from last year's career-low 16.8% mark."
It's unclear if Arroyo will receive much interest outside of Boston, though it could be wise for a rebuilding team to take a chance on him, hoping to repair his swing in the process.
MLB Rumors: What was the Mets asking price for Pete Alonso?
Any trade for Pete Alonso prior to the MLB trade deadline was always unlikely, as the polar bear has several years left on his current contract and is one of the best power hitters in baseball. Yet, as Max Scherzer made crystal clear in his interview with Ken Rosenthal after his trade to the Texas Rangers, New York appears to be pushing back their timeline to the 2025-26 seasons. That doesn't necessarily line up with Alonso's current contract, which ends in 2024.
Per Jon Heyman, though, any trade for Alonso would've included an immense return.
"Pete Alonso's name was out on the market, but sources say the price was extremely high, as their heart probably wasn't in it. The Mets understood it wasn't happening by midday," Heyman wrote, per the New York Post.
Alonso trade talks are sure to heat up in the offseason, perhaps at the winter meetings, as the Mets direction for next season and beyond becomes more clear. Here is what FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray noted about possible Alonso trade rumors:
"While I cannot independently confirm those reports, team owner Steve Cohen and general manager Billy Eppler made it clear that the team was building for 2025-2026. Alonso is under contract for only one more season and extension talks have gone nowhere. So, listening to inquiries makes sense.
"Listen, we love Pete as a Met. He's an integral part of the Mets. He's still with us for another year. We hope we work things out. Even with (Brandon Nimmo), we worked things out in free agency. Hopefully, we get a few shots at the apple and try to figure it out."
A trade for Alonso is likely unless the Mets radically pivot to extension talks. If not, expect the pressure to increase in Queens.
