The Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox appear to be the front-runners to sign free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, a two-time Silver Slugger winner. Some are speculating that Hernandez will wait for Cody Bellinger to sign before inking his own deal, but the Angels, Dodgers and Red Sox aren't in on Bellinger, which could open the door for them to make an aggressive move on him. The 31-year-old was an All-Star in 2021 but disappointed in 2023 with the M's, hitting 26 home runs with a .740 OPS and a career-high 211 strikeouts in 160 games in spacious T-Mobile Park. He was ranked near the bottom of the league in chase percentage (13th percentile), walk rate (13th percentile), strikeout rate (ninth percentile) and whiff percentage (third percentile), so Hernandez will be hoping a change of scenery does him well.

Free-agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez won't be returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers after they signed two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, but he still has plenty of suitors. The Los Angeles Angels are a logical fit, but it remains to be seen if Martinez has interest in playing for them. The New York Mets, Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays are believed to have interest in the veteran slugger, while a reunion with the Arizona Diamondbacks would also make sense. The 36-year-old was great in 2023 with the Dodgers, hitting 33 home runs with an .893 OPS. He's not looking for a long-term deal, so his market figures to include contenders with a need at DH. Martinez is especially attractive to contenders, considering his .294/.386/.588 slash line with a .974 OPS, 10 home runs and 31 RBI in 33 career postseason games.

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired infielder Jose Caballero from the Seattle Mariners on Friday in exchange for outfielder Luke Raley, according to a source. Caballero will now be in play to start at shortstop for the Rays in 2024, given Wander Franco's off-the-field situation in the Dominican Republic and the possibility that he'll face a lengthy suspension this season. Taylor Walls (hip) may not be ready for Opening Day. The 27-year-old Caballero can play both middle-infield spots. He hit just .221 (51-for-231) with four home runs in his first MLB season in 2023 with the Mariners, but he also chipped in 26 RBI, 26 stolen bases and 37 runs scored in 104 games. Depending on whether he opens the year in a regular role at shortstop for Tampa, Caballero could have some deep-league appeal for his speed.

Free-agent outfielder Jorge Soler is drawing interest from the Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox, according to sources. He had some trouble staying healthy early in his career, playing more than 100 games just once from 2015-18. But since 2019, he's played at least 137 games in three of four full seasons and has averaged more than 30 home runs a season in that span, excluding 2020. Soler hit 36 long balls for the Miami Marlins in 2023 and led the American League in bombs with 48 in 2019. The 31-year-old is the best pure power bat on the open market this winter and he's also had a double-digit walk rate in each of his last eight seasons. The veteran right-handed slugger is more appealing to teams looking to sign a power bat for multiple years.

The Texas Rangers are making progress on a local TV deal this offseason and now seem likely to be back in play to re-sign left-hander Jordan Montgomery and make a run at free-agent lefty closer Josh Hader. The Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Angels are possibilities for Montgomery if he doesn't return to the World Series champions. Hader, meanwhile, has been connected more to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Montgomery has also been linked to the New York Yankees, where he spent the first six years of his career. The 31-year-old was a huge midseason acquisition for Texas in 2023, as he had a strong 2.79 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 11 regular season starts for the Rangers late in the year. Hader would immediately become Texas' primary closer as one of the most dominant left-handed arms in all of baseball.