With the MLB hot stove heating up, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger visits the Jack Vita Show to break down the latest roster news, including Juan Soto's mammoth contract, the New York Yankees' attempt to replace Soto's production, and trades from both of Chicago's baseball teams. Rhett and Jack bring you analysis that you won't be able to find anywhere else!
Major League Baseball is seeing a far more active offseason than it did a year ago, up to this point. On the Sunday night of the MLB Winter Meetings, Juan Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. In response to Soto's record-setting deal, the Yankees made a flurry of moves, signing Max Fried and Paul Goldschmidt, and trading for Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams. What do Jack and Rhett think of Soto's contract, and how the Yankees have retooled their roster?
Days before shipping Bellinger away to the Yankees, the Chicago Cubs acquired outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros, in exchange for pitcher Hayden Wesneski, third baseman Isaac Paredes, and third base prospect Cam Smith. Tucker has just one year remaining on his contract, entering 2025. Will the Cubs be able to extend or re-sign him? Or will he just be a one-year rental for the club? Do the Cubs have the pieces to contend in 2025? How does Tucker transform their lineup?
On the other side of the city, the White Sox dealt Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox for a haul of four prospects, which included 2023 and 2024 first round draft picks Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery. Rhett and Jack assess the trade package, and discuss what they think the White Sox will do next.
Rhett and Jack touch on other offseason news from around the league, and Rhett analyzes the offseason that the Los Angeles Angels have had. Jack likes the Angels' addition of World Series champion and longtime Cub Kyle Hendricks. Later, Rhett and Jack share some thoughts heading into the first ever 12-team College Football Playoff.
Rhett is about to enter his seventh season as MLB.com's Los Angeles Angels beat reporter. Prior to starting on the Angels beat, he covered the Minnesota Twins for the same publication for eight seasons. You can follow him on Twitter, @RhettBollinger.
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