MLB rumors roundup: Mets, Red Sox, Dansby Swanson, and more

With Carlos Rodón signing a deal with the New York Yankees, another big name in the free agent market is off the board. However, there are still plenty of MLB rumors swirling about which teams are still to make franchise-altering decisions this offseason.

MLB rumors: Boston Red Sox in the running for Dansby Swanson?

It appears the Red Sox may be hunting a big-name free agent shortstop this season … and that decision comes after losing Xander Bogaerts to the San Diego Padres.

The decision would be an interesting one and likely be looked at with a raised eyebrow at Fenway Park after the Red Sox reportedly massively underbid in their efforts to keep Bogaerts. It would also show that the Red Sox are not confident in Trevor Story moving back to shortstop, the position he manned for six seasons with the Colorado Rockies before signing last offseason with Boston. Rumors about his arm strength continue, and the Red Sox investing in another shortstop would only add to those.

Swanson reportedly has plenty of interested parties from coast to coast, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and more.

MLB rumors: Rafael Devers is “No. 1 priority” for Red Sox

Losing Bogaerts not only put a focus on the shortstop position in Boston, but also at third base where Rafael Devers could be the next Red Sox to vacate the infield when he is eligible to become a free agent this offseason.

Heyman is reporting that not only is Devers the Red Sox see the 26-year-old third baseman as the franchise’s “No. 1 priority,” but also that he could be looking for more than $300 million in his next contract. While the Red Sox weren’t willing to pay for Bogaerts, Heyman believes Boston might open the checkbook for Devers since he is four years younger than the former Red Sox shortstop.

Could Boston really afford Swanson and Devers? It seems unlikely they would put that much on the books, so the franchise may have to choose between the two.

MLB rumors: New York Mets preparing for a catcher trade?

After reaching an agreement with 30-year-old catcher Omar Narváez on a one-year contract with a player option for 2024, the New York Mets could be looking to trade another catcher in James McCann or Tomás Nido. It could also mean the Mets could, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, carry all three catchers into the regular season and send baseball’s top prospect, catcher/designated hitter Francisco Álvarez, back to the minors “for additional defensive seasoning given his importance to their future.”

The Atlanta Braves added to their catching corps with a Sean Murphy trade, then shipped out other catchers from their surplus. Could the Mets be following a similar path with Narváez?