The Major League Baseball offseason is entering a quiet phase as front office personnel take a break to celebrate the holiday season. However, there’s still enough time for teams to finalize some crucial last-minute deals. Just yesterday, the White Sox signed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, and the Red Sox acquired first baseman Willson Contreras in a four-player trade. What further moves can we expect in the coming days? CBS Sports has gathered all the latest news and updates for you.
Mariners Sign Refsnyder
The Mariners have secured the services of outfielder Rob Refsnyder on a one-year contract worth $6.25 million, as confirmed by the team. Refsnyder, 34, has established himself as a reliable lefty hitter in the last four seasons with the Red Sox, showcasing a .923 OPS against left-handers from 2022 to 2025, although his performance dipped to a .670 OPS against righties.
With three right-handed hitting outfielders already on the roster (Randy Arozarena, Victor Robles, Julio Rodríguez), it appears Dominic Canzone will be the primary designated hitter. Refsnyder will likely split his time between DH and the two corner outfield positions as the season unfolds.
We ranked Refsnyder as the 43rd-best free agent available this offseason.
Red Sox Eyes Bregman Return
Despite acquiring Contreras, the Red Sox are still looking to bolster their offense, and third baseman Alex Bregman remains a top target, according to The Athletic.
Bregman, 31, had a productive season with a 128 OPS+ and 3.5 Wins Above Replacement over 114 games last year. Although he opted out of a technically three-year deal, he is anticipated to return for another shot at the hot corner with the Red Sox evaluation of their young infield talent to find a second baseman.
Multiple teams, including the Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Cubs, and Tigers, are also in the mix for Bregman’s services.
Pirates Seek Additional Bat Power
Following their acquisition of second baseman Brandon Lowe, the Pirates are on the hunt for more offensive firepower. They have engaged in several virtual meetings about Japanese infielder Kazuma Okamoto, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
CBS Sports ranks Okamoto as the 22nd-best free agent available this winter. Here’s what we wrote:
Okamoto may not have the recognition of his compatriot Munetaka Murakami, but he possesses a superior hitting ability. His stats include a .327/.416/.598 line with 15 home runs and an equal number of walks and strikeouts across 69 games. There are ongoing concerns about how players from Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) will face MLB-level pitching. Okamoto is no exception. The perception is that he might only fit at first base as a right-handed hitter, which could limit his potential market. Nevertheless, some projections, like the model developed by former Marlins analyst Bradley Woodrum, evaluate Okamoto as the most promising NPB player ready to excel in MLB.
Okamoto’s posting period concludes on January 4.
