It’s the heart of the offseason, and front offices across the league are juggling free agent pursuits, trade negotiations, and salary cap math like a plate-spinning act on a windy rooftop. Here’s the latest from around the league.
Cubs Eyeing a Big Bat at First Base
The Chicago Cubs were quietly circling Juan Gonzalez as their ideal free agent splash this offseason, but with signs pointing toward Gonzalez staying put, they’ve recalibrated their plans. Word is that Rafael Palmeiro, Bobby Bonilla, and John Olerud are all on their radar—and with a serious need for middle-of-the-order production, the Cubs are likely to land one of the three before free agency wraps up.
Don’t expect Chicago to sit on their hands—they’ve got cap room and motivation.
Dodgers Listening on Green? The Delgado Deal Sets the Market
Multiple teams have reached out to Los Angeles about 22-year-old slugger Shawn Green, but it remains unclear whether the Dodgers’ new ownership group is open to moving him—or even aligned internally on what direction to take.
If they do move him, rival executives believe the Carlos Delgado deal has already set the framework for a return: two first-round picks and a pair of younger controllable pieces.
Think that sounds steep? Take a look at the comparison:
| Player | Age | G | HR | RBI | OPS | OPS+ | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Delgado | 22 | 473 | 114 | 291 | .814 | 123 | 9.7 |
| Shawn Green | 22 | 469 | 112 | 326 | .817 | 132 | 10.2 |
Green has the slight edge in overall offensive value and WAR, with significantly fewer strikeouts (406 to Delgado’s 542) and far more speed on the basepaths (34 SB to 2). He’s also a more versatile defender and plays a premium outfield position, compared to Delgado’s first base.
Put simply: Green might be worth more than Delgado. If L.A. decides to shop him, it won’t be a quiet process.
Pittsburgh Testing the Waters on Blankenship
Lance Blankenship has been a fixture in Pittsburgh’s lineup for what feels like a decade, but the whispers are growing louder: at least one team has spoken with the Pirates about acquiring him.
The Pirates have signaled openness to retooling their offense, ideally adding more pop either in the outfield or at DH. Blankenship, who brings some of the best on-base ability in the league, still holds value—but a move like this would mark a major shift in how Pittsburgh constructs its lineup. This writer remains skeptical a deal gets done, but it’s clearly under consideration.
Rockies Getting Calls on Hamelin—But It’s Not Enough
Bob Hamelin is the name most often brought up in trade discussions with Colorado as teams try to “help” the Rockies navigate their cap mess. Hamelin’s value is at a career low, but some execs believe there’s bounce-back potential.
Still, just moving Hamelin won’t solve Colorado’s larger problem—they need multiple creative moves to field a competitive and cap-compliant roster. Hamelin might be part of the solution, but he’s not the answer on his own.
Alou Watch: Giants Cap Squeeze Could Invite Calls
The San Francisco Giants are under pressure. With three restricted free agents to re-sign and a roster to fill, there’s little room for error—and even less cap flexibility. While the front office appears done moving veterans, some rival teams are eyeing Moises Alou.
Alou isn’t expensive now, but he’s due for a major extension next year. That future financial burden could make the Giants more open to moving him than they’d like to admit. As one rival GM put it: “If they’re picking up the phone, we’re dialing.”