Mets, Red Sox among MLB teams eyeing January deals

Teams historically spend less at this stage of the offseason. What’s interesting, though, is that some of the richest teams (Mets and Red Sox) and a handful of less profitable teams (Marlins, Pirates, Brewers) saved money for his January trade.

After signing Tommy Pham as the fourth outfielder for $6 million, the Mets are looking for a left-handed reliever and are interested in Zach Britton. So far, the Mets aren’t sure if they’ll be able to seal Britton’s contract, which he threw at the team last week.

Andrew Chafin, whose market is overheating, is another possibility for the Mets.

The Red Sox work late. After agreeing a $7 million deal with Adam Duvall and minor-league deals with Jorge Alfaro and Lymer Tapia, they’re considering Elvis Andrus, Josh Harrison, and possibly Jurrickson Plofer.

The Red Sox seem to believe Quique Hernandez can handle shortstops, and they like Harrison as someone who can play full-body (including shortstop at times).

South Florida resident Yuri Gurriel could be a good fit for the Marlins, who just acquired Johnny Cueto for $8.5 million.

Another South Florida resident, Aroldis Chapman, who seemed to want to be a Marlin, agreed to a $3.75 million deal with the Royals.

One person said Marlins general manager Kim Nggu would be reluctant to sign a player who has been banned for domestic violence in the past. It is not known whether it was the decisive factor.

The Marlins seem to be signing many Miami-area residents (as are Avi Garcia and Jorge Soler). The Braves were interested in getting 2022 World Series MVP Sorrell back by the deadline last year when Duvall went down, but they wanted Miami to pay him a contract. They ended up dealing with Robbie Grossman.

The Pirates successfully signed Andrew McCutchen and Rich Hill, and the Brewers signed Wade Miley and Brian Anderson (former Marlins third baseman and Milwaukee TV announcer also known as Brian Anderson).

The Cardinals, Twins and Rockies are among the teams associated with Miami’s Pablo Lopez, who seems most likely to be traded.

The Marlins want Luis Araez back in Lopez’s place, while the Twins want two pitchers for the AL batting champions.