MLB Clubs Chase Pitchers at GM Meetings Ahead of December Deadline
Pitchers took center stage on Wednesday at the Aria hotel during the annual general managers meetings in Las Vegas, where front offices weighed major roster needs against the threat of a transaction freeze.
The Mets, Cubs, and Padres are targeting multiple starting arms to shore up depleted rotations while monitoring the looming December 1 labor deadline.
With Tarik Skubal headlining a thin free-agent market, clubs face mounting pressure to accelerate negotiations before a potential work stoppage. Beyond the top tier, veteran right-hander Freddy Peralta enters the market after an ALCS MVP honor with the Rays, though teams must weigh his strong October against an abbreviated and difficult stint with the Mets earlier in the year.
The Cubs lost all five starters from their 2026 rotation to free agency, including Kevin Gausman, Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Clay Holmes, and David Peterson. Chicago president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is working to rebuild pitching depth through savvy winter acquisitions.
“There’s not a specific number that you can say ‘Alright, we have that many starters, we’ll be good,’” Cubs GM Carter Hawkins said, according to foxsports.com. “I’ve seen teams, us included last year, say alright we’ve got 13 starters coming into spring training. We’ll be fine. Sure as heck, it’s like, alright, we need more.”
Boras Highlights Skubal Market Amid Labor Uncertainty
Super agent Scott Boras commanded attention during a nearly hour-long address to reporters, fielding a phone call mid-session that prompted a characteristic quip. “Just another owner begging to meet with Skubal,” Boras quipped, as reported by foxsports.com.
The left-hander is expected to meet with the Dodgers, Mets, Padres, and Blue Jays. While Boras did not guarantee a deal before the anticipated December 1 lockout, he pointed to history, noting that major signings occurred in the final hours before the sport temporarily shut down in 2021.
“In the deep water is a talent treasure,” Boras said, as cited by foxsports.com. “There’s no time to come up for air. So, teams have filled their tanks, and they’re all clearly ready for the Skubal dive.”
Uncertainty surrounding the next labor agreement adds friction to the market. While teams fear missing out on key talent before a freeze, potential payroll parameters under a proposed salary cap leave clubs cautious about committing to long-term deals.
Padres and Defensively-Focused Clubs Plan Winter Moves
In San Diego, the Padres lost all but one starter to free agency and are looking to move quickly. President of baseball operations A.J. Preller noted the necessity of building a fuller roster ahead of a potential work stoppage.
“We’re going to need multiple pitchers,” Preller said, according to foxsports.com and healthandlegacy.org. “So we understand that if we can line up I think we’ll be happy going into any, if there is a work stoppage type deal, we’ll be happy knowing we’ve got a fuller, complete roster than we have at this time.”
Other clubs are pivoting to address glaring defensive deficiencies. The Phillies finished last in Major League Baseball with -51 Defensive Runs Saved, while the Mariners ranked 26th with -23 DRS. Philadelphia president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski emphasized the challenge of upgrading a 22nd-ranked offense with an OPS of .707 without compromising run prevention.
In Seattle, president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto acknowledged defense as the team’s single biggest disappointment during a difficult season. The Mariners hired former Yankees coach Tanner Swanson as bench coach to improve catching instruction and game-planning.
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