LAS VEGAS -- As executives and agents began to filter into the Aria Resort and Casino over the past 24 hours, it finally felt like the Hot Stove season had officially gotten underway.
Free agency only got started a few days ago, but with the Collective Bargaining Agreement set to expire on Dec. 1, the expectation around the league is that November will have more free-agent activity than most years. The trade market could also be busy, and with all 30 teams here in Las Vegas, those conversations will certainly start taking place this week.
Here’s a look at five teams that should be active in the coming weeks and what their offseason priorities might look like.
METS
The Mets could look to add players at first base, second base and designated hitter this offseason, but the area that needs the most attention is the starting rotation. One name stands out above all the rest on the free-agent market: Tarik Skubal.
While Skubal’s free agency will be the prevalent story in the coming days and weeks, many people around the industry believe the Mets are the overwhelming favorites to sign him.
“If the Mets want him, he’s going to be a Met,” one American League executive said. “There are only so many teams that can even get involved in the bidding for a player like him, and the Mets have more of a need for him than anyone else.”
The most pressing question related to the Mets’ pursuit of Skubal is how many years David Stearns, the club’s president of baseball operations, will be comfortable giving to a pitcher with a history of arm trouble. There is no question that, when healthy, Skubal is among the top two or three arms in the league, but making a long-term commitment to a pitcher with Skubal’s elbow history can be scary.
Stearns has shied away from making such commitments to pitchers during his career, preferring starting pitchers on shorter-term deals. But after missing the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, owner Steve Cohen could look to address the rotation by adding the best available arm -- no matter what the cost.
DODGERS
The Dodgers’ offseason will be dominated by one question: Will they re-sign Skubal?
The Dodgers parted with three prospects, including two in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, to acquire the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner this summer, and while he enjoyed his experience in Los Angeles, he’s expected to command the largest pitching contract in history this offseason.
Clearly the Dodgers have not shied away from spending big for star players -- they have four players on the roster with contracts worth at least $240 million, including Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s $325 million deal, the latter of which is the current record for the largest guaranteed deal for a pitcher.
But with rotation options on the roster including Yamamoto, Ohtani, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone and Justin Wrobleski, spending big on Skubal, who turns 30 on Nov. 20, might not be the best use of whatever dollars they have allocated for offseason acquisitions.
“The Dodgers need bats, not another arm,” one rival executive said. “They still have a lot of great players, but some of them are getting up there in age.”
Indeed, a number of the team’s regulars are in their thirties -- Freddie Freeman (37), Max Muncy (36), Mookie Betts (34), Teoscar Hernández (34), Ohtani (32) and Will Smith (31) -- and age catches up to everybody at some point. Getting younger could be a priority for the Dodgers rather than spending more than $300 million on Skubal, who could be viewed as a luxury rather than a need.
BREWERS
While Brewers fans are still riding high following the club’s first World Series title, president of baseball operations Matt Arnold and his lieutenants arrived in Las Vegas ready to dive into the offseason.
While the front office considers its options for the winter, the biggest decision to be made doesn’t actually belong to them. Having extended a qualifying offer to Jake Bauers, Milwaukee will have to wait another week to find out if he’s going to accept it -- a decision that will have a major impact on its ability to spend this winter. If Bauers rejects the one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer, first base will be a spot for the Brewers to address.
The Brewers will have to decide how to address their needs this winter, and while trading players rapidly approaching free agency -- think Corbin Burnes -- has been part of the team’s playbook in recent years, the player that fits that bill is William Contreras, the World Series MVP and heart of the club.
Contreras is entering his final year prior to free agency, so unless the Brewers believe they can re-sign him, they will likely at least listen to clubs if they call about the catcher.
YANKEES
The Yankees are typically believed to be in the mix for every top free agent, but this year should be different on that front. As nice as Skubal would look in a pinstriped rotation with Cam Schlittler, Max Fried and Gerrit Cole, the Yankees have other pressing holes to address rather than adding to what is already a strong rotation.
“I would be shocked if the Yankees made a real play for Skubal,” a rival executive said. “They have too many other holes to fill.”
Owner Hal Steinbrenner pointed a finger at his team’s offense when discussing the disappointing end to the season, which makes sense given that the Yankees ranked ninth in runs scored and 11th in OPS in the Majors.
Aaron Judge’s injury surely played a part in the offensive struggles, but a lack of production at second base, third base and catcher were a big part of the lineup issues.
The Yankees could look to add a right-handed catcher to pair with Austin Wells, while Anthony Volpe could be an option at second base. Still, with some second-base free-agent options such as Brandon Lowe and Luis Arraez available, the Yankees could look to add a bat at that spot.
Third base would appear to be the most obvious position to address this winter, with Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato a candidate to land in the Bronx. The Yankees have had great success with players from Japan -- Hideki Matsui and Masahiro Tanaka were big hits in New York -- and seem like a strong fit for Sato, the 2025 Central League MVP and 2026 Triple Crown winner.
With closer David Bednar and setup man Paul Blackburn also on the free-agent market, the Yankees need to address the bullpen this offseason, too.
BLUE JAYS
The Mets and Dodgers are considered to be the two front-runners for Skubal, but don’t count out the Blue Jays, who have shown a willingness in recent years to throw their hat in the ring for top free agents.
Toronto took its shot with Juan Soto, Ohtani and Yamamoto, respectively, so it won’t be a shock if the Blue Jays have discussions with Skubal this winter. General manager Ross Atkins has paid a premium for pitching in recent years, handing out nine-figure contracts to Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman and José Berríos. Skubal will certainly cost more than any of those pitchers did, but the Blue Jays did sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a $500 million extension, so they’re not afraid to write big checks.
Free-agent outfielder Seiya Suzuki appears to be the perfect fit for Toronto’s lineup, but adding an arm such as Skubal to the top of the rotation with Cease and Trey Yesavage would go a long way in the club’s quest to return to the postseason after a disappointing 2026 season.
If Skubal doesn’t land in Toronto -- which is the likely scenario -- the Blue Jays could pursue arms such as Freddy Peralta, Michael King, Sonny Gray or Tyler Mahle in an effort to upgrade their rotation.
Second base will also be a potential target area this offseason, as Ernie Clement could be used as a super-utility player. Along with Lowe and Arraez, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is also available as a free agent.