MLB GM Meetings: Plenty of Talk, Little Action, and Deadspin’s Offseason Questions
Modest movement for pitchers
No trades were made during the meetings. Three pitchers signed free-agent deals, with the contracts modest in both number and financial size. Emilio Pagan, a 35-year-old right-hander, agreed to a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers. The move may point to a broader pattern of relievers in their 30s accepting short-term contracts, amid uncertainty about the 2027 season. The limited signings do not establish what teams will do next, but they may indicate little appetite for major bullpen spending.
Astros choose Ausmus
Houston hired Brad Ausmus as its new manager after interviewing Albert Pujols and others. Ausmus has managed in the majors before, with mixed results. He reached the playoffs with Detroit in 2014, but the team began a steep decline soon afterward. The account of his record underscores how much a manager’s results can depend on players and front offices.
Skubal looms over offseason
The biggest questions ahead include the future of left-hander Tarik Skubal and the anticipated movement among free agents and trade candidates. The Collective Bargaining Agreement is also a major issue for the offseason. The meetings produced little action, leaving those broader questions unresolved.
Key points
- No trades were made at the MLB GM meetings.
- Three pitchers signed modest free-agent deals.
- Emilio Pagan joined the Detroit Tigers on a one-year contract.
- Houston hired Brad Ausmus, while Tarik Skubal’s future remains a key offseason question.