Getty Images Much of the baseball world this Sunday heads to Dallas for the annual winter meetings. The biggest splash is the expected signing of 26-year-old superstar Juan Soto, which is hopefully coming very soon. In the meantime, there are plenty of other free agents out there and we'll also see plenty of trade rumors. Let's gather everything here. Dodgers land ConfortoThe Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms with veteran outfielder Michael Conforto on a free-agent contract, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reports. ESPN's Alden González pegs Conforto's Dodgers contract at one year and $17 million. Conforto, who turns 32 in early March, is coming off a 2024 season for the Giants in which he slashed .237/.309/.450 (116 OPS+) with 20 home runs and 27 doubles in 130 games. That slash line, however, hides far better road splits: .253/.323/.530 away from Oracle Park, good for a 122 OPS+. For his career, the lefty batsman owns an OPS+ of 120 across parts of nine major-league seasons. Despite, it would seem, the addition of Conforto, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that the Dodgers remain interested in bringing back power-hitting outfielder Teoscar Hernández. The Red Sox are known to be one of the top suitors for Soto (as well they should be), but every team pursuing Soto should have several irons in the proverbial fire. On the Red Sox, they've had discussions with frontline starters Max Fried and Corbin Burnes, according to the Boston Globe. Fried, a 30-year-old lefty, was 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA last season. He finished second in Cy Young voting in 2022, has three Gold Gloves and was the ace of the 2021 World Series champion Braves. Burnes, a 30-year-old righty, was 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA last season, finishing fifth in AL Cy Young voting. He won the NL Cy Young in 2021 and led the league in strikeouts in 2022. As things stand, the Red Sox's rotation features Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello, Richard Fitts and Cooper Criswell. Teo likes Boston?Free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernández would prefer to stick with the Dodgers, but "has long been intrigued" by playing in Fenway Park for the Red Sox, according to the Boston Globe.The Red Sox "intend to pursue" Hernández if they lose out on the Soto bidding, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, who indicates they'd rather have Hernández than fellow free-agent slugger Anthony Santander. Feinsand further reports that the Blue Jays are also looking at Hernández, though they prefer Santander. Hernández, 32, hit .272/.339/.501 (137 OPS+) with 33 homers and 99 RBI last season for the World Series champion Dodgers. He'll likely wait to sign until after Soto is off the board. D-backs asked Cubs about Montgomery-Bellinger swapThe Diamondbacks "tried to get the Cubs interested" in a trade that would send Jordan Montgomery to Chicago in exchange for Cody Bellinger, according to USA Today. It sounds like it didn't work, at least not yet, but it's notable due to the names involved. Montgomery is due $22.5 million in 2025 after posting -1.4 WAR in 2024. He had a 6.23 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 117 innings. Bellinger is making $27.5 million next season. Last year, he hit .266/.325/.426 (111 OPS+) with 2.2 WAR in 130 games. Orioles considered Grichuk as Plan BThe Orioles have reportedly agreed to sign right-handed slugger Tyler O'Neill to a three-year deal. They were looking at Randal Grichuk before the signing, reports MLB.com. This is notable in that is illustrates that Grichuk is a bit of a fallback option for any teams that were discussing O'Neill.Grichuk, 33, hit .291/.348/.528 (140 OPS+) with 12 homers in 279 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks last season. Like O'Neill, he destroys lefties. Last season, Grichuk hit .319/.386/.528 against southpaws.

Getty Images This Sunday, a significant portion of the baseball community is converging in Dallas for the yearly winter meetings. The most attention is anticipated for the imminent signing of 26-year-old star Juan Soto, which should happen shortly. Meanwhile, numerous other free agents are available, and a variety of trade rumors will also be discussed. […]

Getty Images

This Sunday, a significant portion of the baseball community is converging in Dallas for the yearly winter meetings. The most attention is anticipated for the imminent signing of 26-year-old star Juan Soto, which should happen shortly. Meanwhile, numerous other free agents are available, and a variety of trade rumors will also be discussed. Let’s compile all the information here.

Dodgers acquire Conforto

The Los Angeles Dodgers have come to an agreement with veteran outfielder Michael Conforto on a free-agent deal, as reported by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. According to ESPN’s Alden González, Conforto’s contract with the Dodgers is for one year at $17 million. Conforto, who will turn 32 in early March, just finished a 2024 season with the Giants where he had a slash line of .237/.309/.450 (116 OPS+) with 20 home runs and 27 doubles over 130 games. However, these numbers obscure better performance on the road: .253/.323/.530 when away from Oracle Park, resulting in a 122 OPS+. Over his career, the left-handed hitter boasts an OPS+ of 120 after nine seasons in the major leagues.

Even with the signing of Conforto, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal indicates that the Dodgers are still keen on re-signing power-hitting outfielder Teoscar Hernández.

The Red Sox are recognized as leading contenders for Soto (and rightly so), but every team chasing Soto needs to explore multiple options. As for the Red Sox, they have been in talks regarding frontline pitchers Max Fried and Corbin Burnes, according to the Boston Globe.

Fried, a 30-year-old southpaw, posted an 11-10 record with a 3.25 ERA last season. He finished as the runner-up in the Cy Young voting for 2022, has earned three Gold Gloves, and was the ace of the 2021 World Series champion Braves.

Burnes, a 30-year-old right-hander, logged a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA last season, ending up fifth in AL Cy Young voting. He secured the NL Cy Young award in 2021 and led the league in strikeouts in 2022.

Currently, the Red Sox’s rotation includes Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello, Richard Fitts, and Cooper Criswell.

Teo has eyes on Boston?

Free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernández prefers to remain with the Dodgers, but “has always been fascinated” by the prospect of playing at Fenway Park for the Red Sox, the Boston Globe notes.

The Red Sox “plan to chase” Hernández if they lose out on Soto, as per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, who suggests that they would prefer Hernández over fellow free-agent power hitter Anthony Santander. Feinsand also mentions that the Blue Jays are also assessing Hernández, but they favor Santander.

At 32, Hernández hit .272/.339/.501 (137 OPS+) with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs last season for the World Series champion Dodgers. He is likely to hold off on signing until Soto’s situation is resolved.

D-backs reached out to Cubs regarding Montgomery-Bellinger deal

The Diamondbacks “attempted to engage the Cubs” in discussions to trade Jordan Montgomery for Cody Bellinger, as per USA Today. It appears the trade did not materialize, at least not at this point, but the players involved are noteworthy.

Montgomery is set to make $22.5 million in 2025 after finishing 2024 with a -1.4 WAR. He had a 6.23 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP over 117 innings.

Bellinger is slated to earn $27.5 million next season. Last year, he recorded a slash line of .266/.325/.426 (111 OPS+) with 2.2 WAR in 130 games.

Orioles viewed Grichuk as a backup option

The Orioles are reportedly finalizing a deal to acquire right-handed hitter Tyler O’Neill on a three-year contract. Prior to this agreement, they were considering Randal Grichuk, MLB.com reports. This is significant as it shows Grichuk is regarded as a secondary choice for teams that were looking at O’Neill.

Grichuk, 33, posted a .291/.348/.528 (140 OPS+) line with 12 home runs in 279 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks last season. Similar to O’Neill, he thrives against left-handed pitching. He boasted a .319/.386/.528 performance versus southpaws last season.