MLB rumors: Red Sox make Kenley Jansen available in trade talks, Yankees still open to adding to rotation

We’ve now dipped our toes into 2024, and even though the countdown to pitchers and catchers reporting is on, it’s still the offseason. Despite the relatively late hour, a number of notable free agents and trade targets remain available, and that means a steady supply of daily rumors. You can find Sunday’s allotment just below. 

Red Sox make Jansen available

Four-time All-Star closer Kenley Jansen is available in trades, the Red Sox are telling teams, per USA Today. Boston is said to have told at least one free agent they must clear salary before they can make an offer. Jansen, 36, will earn $16 million in 2024, the second year of his two-year contract. He represents a more affordable — and shorter term — closer option to free agent Josh Hader.

According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the Red Sox have $173 million on the books for 2024, including arbitration projections. That is already south of last year’s $183 million Opening Day payroll, and far below the team’s $207 million Opening Day payroll in 2022. The Red Sox have ranked outside MLB’s top five each of the last three years and they’re 10th in 2024 projected payroll. 

Steinbrenner willing to add to Yankee rotation

The New York Yankees‘ big offseason move to date has been the blockbuster trade for outfielder Juan Soto, one of the most productive hitters in all of baseball. That still leaves the matter of an uncertain rotation behind ace and reigning AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole. 

The Yankees were heavily involved in the Yoshinobu Yamamoto bidding before he inked with the Dodgers, which suggests a willingness to spend big to improve that particular deficit. Indeed, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that owner Hal Steinbrenner is willing to greenlight a notable addition to the rotation. The Yankees have at least cursory interest in the top two remaining free-agent starters, Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. As well, they’re among the teams engaged with the White Sox on Dylan Cease, the ace whom Chicago is likely looking to deal. Heyman also adds that trade conversations with the Marlins about one of their rotation arms is on the radar. All signs point to the Yankees making a needle-moving addition to their corps of starters, and there are names still available who fit that particular bill.

Mets probably done addressing rotation

Speaking of New York rotations, the Mets going into 2024 under new lead exec David Stearns were tasked with addressing a rotation that saw Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer depart via deadline trades in 2023. Like the crosstown Yankees, the Mets were a heavy presence in the chase for Yamamoto, and indeed they reportedly matched the $325 million price tag on Yamamoto’s Dodgers contract. Now, though, a less ambitious approach seems to be in place. 

After signing reclamation project Luis Severino and trading for Adrian Houser earlier this offseason, the Mets on Sunday reportedly agreed to terms with veteran lefty Sean Manaea and his newfound upside. When it comes to the remaining noteworthy rotation arms out there, however, the Mets may be taking a pass. Will Sammon of the Athletic reports: 

“At this point, the Mets seem unlikely to add another starting pitcher this offseason, according to people familiar with the club’s thinking, however, it’s possible they add depth via a minor-league signing or something similar.”

This tracks with the general notion that the Mets, while realistically hoping for a bounceback 2024 in the tough NL East, are mostly focused on 2025 and beyond. 

Brewers not expected to trade Burnes

The Milwaukee Brewers are not expected to trade ace Corbin Burnes this offseason, reports USA Today. Burnes is a year away from free agency and the Brewers have a recent history of trading core players when they’re approaching free agency. That said, Milwaukee won the NL Central in 2023 and could win it again in 2024. Keeping Burnes and trying to make a run is understandable.

And, of course, the Brewers could always put Burnes on the trade block at the deadline should things not work out. They would assume risk by doing so — look what happened with Brandon Woodruff — but keeping Burnes is their best chance to contend this season. As long as he’s healthy, he would be very in demand at the deadline, and he would also help the Brewers stay in the race.