Hot Stove rumors: Cubs, King, Duran, RP market, Rays

Although there weren't a ton of moves made during this week's GM Meetings, it was believed that the many discussions held between teams would lay the groundwork for what could be a "crazy couple of weeks."

Business certainly picked up on Friday with the news that the Red Sox have agreed to a four-year deal with first baseman Jake Bauers, one of the top bats on the open market this offseason.

Will that move spark a flurry of signings? Here’s a look at some of the latest Hot Stove topics around the league.

Latest on Cubs’ rotation pursuits

While the Cubs appear unlikely to be major players in the Tarik Skubal derby, that doesn’t mean they won’t be heavily involved in the free-agent starting pitching market.

All five pitchers in Chicago’s end-of-season 2026 rotation are free agents ( Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, David Peterson, Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes). Swingman Colin Rea is a free agent, too, and the Cubs moved on from Jameson Taillon in August. Those seven pitchers combined to make 121 starts for Chicago this past season.

Internally, Javier Assad represents the lone returning arm coming off a healthy season for the Cubs. Edward Cabrera dealt with multiple injury setbacks. Justin Steele did not pitch in the Majors while working his way back from arm issues. Cade Horton underwent right elbow surgery in April. Braxton Garrett spent 2026 building back up after elbow surgery the previous year. And Ben Brown recently underwent cervical spine surgery to stabilize the stress fracture in his neck.

Given all the turnover and uncertainty, the Cubs figure to be in the market for multiple starting pitchers this offseason and have been linked to a wide range of options in recent days. Here’s a look at their possible targets:

• Michael King: MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi mentioned King as a fit for the Cubs on Friday, saying it’s a “pairing that many of us have forecasted.”

• Kaima Taira: According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, the Cubs have “strong interest” in the Japanese right-hander, who led Nippon Professional Baseball with a 1.36 ERA over 146 innings in 2026.

• Freddy Peralta: The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal considers Peralta to be an “obvious fit” for the Cubs, in part due to the past history between the righty and current Chicago manager Craig Counsell, who managed Peralta for years with the Brewers.

• Trevor Rogers: The Cubs have shown early interest in Rogers, The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma (subscription required) reports.

• Dustin May: The Cubs are one of a broad group of teams showing interest in May, according to Morosi.

In terms of their own free-agent starters, Holmes and Peterson may be most likely to return. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that the Cubs “would love to bring back” those two pitchers. Levine also said he expects Chicago to engage with Holmes and Peterson about coming back.

What's next for Boston after Bauers deal?

Adding a middle-of-the-order bat was expected to be a priority for the Red Sox this offseason, and they accomplished that goal on Friday, reaching a four-year, $58 million deal with Jake Bauers (per a source).

Bauers' arrival could be another indication that Boston plans to trade from its returning position-player group. He's expected to slot in as the Red Sox's starting DH, and with Roman Anthony in left, Ceddanne Rafaela in center and Wilyer Abreu in right, the club doesn't currently have a spot for Jarren Duran or Masataka Yoshida. The move could also spell the end of first baseman Triston Casas' time in Boston since Bauers and Willson Contreras will occupy his most frequent positions.

Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe (subscription required) reported earlier this week that Duran was an oft-discussed player during the GM Meetings, with one National League evaluator telling Abraham that Duran -- the subject of frequent trade rumors for multiple years -- is "clearly available."

The biggest question is whether the Red Sox will receive an offer compelling enough to pull the trigger. Duran's production cratered in 2026, and his salary is continuing to climb through arbitration, potentially making him a less attractive trade target. Boston also knows it could have landed a significantly stronger return for the outfielder in previous years, when his value was considerably higher. That missed opportunity could make it difficult for the Red Sox to accept what might now be a disappointing return, even if they're inclined to move Duran.

What's the next move in the reliever market?

Relief pitching is the one area where there were a few deals done during the GM Meetings in Las Vegas.

Evan Phillips signed a three-year deal with the Braves, Ryan Weiss inked a one-year deal with a club option with the Padres, and Emilio Pagán agreed to a one-year deal with the Tigers (per a source).

There are still plenty of marquee relievers on the board, including David Bednar (who is attached to a qualifying offer), Raisel Iglesias, Kenley Jansen and left-hander Adrian Morejon. Morejon is also attached to a qualifying offer and would prefer to remain in relief. The Yankees, for one, are interested in having Morejon in their 'pen if they can't bring Bednar back, per ESPN's Jorge Castillo. Yet Morejon is also drawing interest from teams that view him as a starter.

Which reliever will be next to sign? It sounds like it could very well be a lefty. MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi mentioned five teams earlier this week that are engaged in that market. He didn't mention the Mets, but New York has been linked to a handful of southpaws. That includes Tim Hill and Alex Vesia, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon (subscription required). Vesia is generating interest from "more than half the league," per Sammon.

The Mets have reportedly checked in on Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter as well. Those two lefties were teammates with New York in 2025 and '26.

Rays rotation possibly in flux

Without saying "no" outright, Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander essentially confirmed last week that Drew Rasmussen will be back with the club in 2027. Rasmussen's $20 million club option for next season was picked up last month. That would be the highest single-season salary in Tampa Bay’s franchise history, and with Rasmussen one year away from free agency, that led to some outside thought that the Rays may look to trade their ace this winter.

Neander, however, said the team has "every intention right now" of hanging on to Rasmussen. The Rays are also reportedly interested in extending their 2026 ace. But the team could explore trades with some of its other starting pitchers.

According to The Athletic's Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal (subscription required), a trade involving left-hander Shane McClanahan or right-hander Ryan Pepiot is a possibility. McClanahan will be eligible for free agency at the end of next season while Pepiot has two seasons of club control remaining.

Both hurlers have dealt with significant injuries of late. McClanahan, a two-time All-Star, didn't pitch in 2024 or '25 because of multiple left arm injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2023. He was solid in his 2026 return, pitching to a 3.36 ERA over 118 innings (24 starts). However, he missed the final month of the regular season and the Rays' run to the World Series due to left forearm tightness. He will turn 30 years old in April.

Pepiot, 29, posted a 3.86 ERA and 167 strikeouts over 167 2/3 innings in 2025. But he was sidelined for all of this past season due to a right hip injury that required surgery in May.

Any deal would create some payroll flexibility for Rays and possibly increase their chances of re-signing Peralta or fellow free-agent starter Nick Martinez.

At least 5 teams eyeing RHP May

Outside of Tarik Skubal, the starting pitcher who received the most interest from teams during the GM Meetings was right-hander Dustin May, according to Morosi. He added that the Cubs, White Sox, Padres and Astros are among the clubs involved. The Marlins are also in the mix for May, per the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson (subscription required).

May recorded a 4.70 ERA across 145 2/3 innings and 31 starts split between the Cardinals and the Brewers in 2026, his seventh season in the league. Although the results weren't spectacular, May's velocity ticked up closer to his early-career norms after a couple of injury-marred years, and his 15.1% strikeout-minus walk rate was a five-year high. Also, at just 29 years old, May is one of the youngest starters in free agency this offseason.