Despite being a cash cow in one of the largest markets in baseball, the Chicago Cubs are focusing on mid-market players this offseason and are probably out on outfielder Juan Soto and starting pitchers Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and Blake Snell. However, their plans could change if they are able to unload the bloated contract of first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger. They've been offering Bellinger to everyone, but so far, nobody has expressed much interest. Bellinger hit .266 with 18 home runs, 78 RBI and a .751 OPS in 2024 and is owed $27.5 million in 2025, $1.5 million more than Bryce Harper. He's guaranteed a minimum of $32.5 million through 2025 and $52.5 million if he stays through 2026. "Come on," one general manager said, "who's going to touch that contract? The risk is just too great for the production."

The Philadelphia Phillies have spoken about third baseman Alec Bohm and outfield prospect Justin Crawford in extensive trade talks with the Chicago White Sox for left-handed starter Garrett Crochet, but the White Sox are worried about Bohm's second-half struggles in 2024 (.681 OPS with only four homers). If Philly is able to unload Bohm, they are expected to go after free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, who is considered a good fit. Another option would be to sign shortstop Willy Adames and move him to the hot corner. Adding Crochet to a starting rotation that already includes Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez and Cristopher Sanchez would give the Phillies one of the best rotations in all of baseball. The Phillies are intent on shaking up their lineup as well while also looking to get younger, with their best and highest-paid players in their 30s.

USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reports that the Toronto Blue Jays badly covet free-agent outfielder Anthony Santander and could overpay to get him. Toronto has been the American League's most underachieving team in recent years and haven't won a playoff game since 2016. They are heading into a critical 2025 season with president Mark Shapiro in the final year of his contract and with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette in their final seasons before reaching free agency. They would have to dramatically outbid the New York Mets for outfielder Juan Soto, and the same can probably be said for free-agent pitchers Corbin Burnes and Max Fried. Santander, who had a career year in 2024 with the Baltimore Orioles with 44 long balls and 102 RBI, would remain highly coveted in fantasy with a move to Toronto to stay in the AL East.

The Milwaukee Brewers plan to keep closer Devin Williams until at least the All-Star break in the summer of 2025 before re-evaluating whether to keep him or trade him. The Brewers declined Williams' $10 million club option for next season but remains with Milwaukee as he heads into his final year of arbitration eligibility. A back injury kept the 30-year-old right-handed reliever out for the entire first half of 2024, but when he returned in late July, he was one of the best ninth-inning men in the league. Williams had a 1.25 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 14 saves, 38 strikeouts and 11 walks in 21 2/3 innings pitched during the regular season. As long as he stays with the Brew Crew, he should be considered an elite closing option for fantasy managers. Whether Milwaukee trades him next summer will depend on where they stand record-wise and Williams' trade market.

USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks are shopping left-handed starter Jordan Montgomery and are also listening to offers on outfielders Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas this offseason. It was a rough season for Montgomery in 2024 after not making his debut with the Snakes until April 19 due to injury. Coming off a World Series title with the Texas Rangers the previous fall, the 31-year-old southpaw finished with an 8-7 record, bloated 6.23 ERA (4.48 FIP), 1.65 WHIP, 83 strikeouts and 44 walks in 117 innings over his 25 appearances (21 starts). Montgomery exercised his $22.5 million player option to stick around in the desert in 2025, but the D-backs are looking for ways to get out of that. McCarthy, meanwhile, hit a career-best .285 with eight homers, a career-high 56 RBI and 25 steals in a career-high 142 games in his fourth MLB season.