It's Sunday, marking the end of a busy weekend in Major League Baseball. With roster decisions reaching a crescendo on Friday, now MLB teams are planning their next moves, and those moves include rumors surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Texas Rangers.
Philadelphia Phillies rumors: Aaron Nola returning to Philly?
In his weekly column for USA Today, MLB insider Bob Nightengale writes there is a strong chance that Philadelphia and Nola can find a middle ground in their contract discussions and the right-hander could indeed return to the Phillies rotation for 2024 and beyond.
Nightengale writes that the contract talks between Philadelphia and Nola, "have gained significant momentum in the past few days and there’s strong optimism that they’ll reach an agreement before the winter meetings."
If Nola is indeed off the market before the winter meetings, that could shift the plans for a number of MLB teams who were hoping to add Nola to their roster this winter.
UPDATE
Right-hander Aaron Nola and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a seven-year, $172 million contract, sources tell ESPN. The deal is pending a physical. But it is done, and Nola, who has spent his whole career in Philadelphia, will remain with the Phillies.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 19, 2023
Los Angeles Dodgers rumors: Deal coming soon with Chicago White Sox?
One of those teams looking for pitching is the Dodgers, and Nightengale writes that starter Dylan Cease is the focus of trade talks between the Dodgers and White Sox.
With White Sox GM Chris Getz stating, "I’ve made it very clear that the White Sox are willing to listen in on any of our players," it makes sense for the Dodgers to be aggressive when it comes to Cease, the 27-year-old right-hander who is under team control through the 2025 campaign.
Chicago has already made a swap with the Atlanta Braves in an effort to rebuild their roster, and another deal like that could be coming if Cease is indeed on the move.
Texas Rangers: Path cleared to land Josh Hader?
Speaking of the Phillies, it seems clear that if Philadelphia is going to add to its bullpen, that addition won't include free agent closer Josh Hader. With that, Nightengale writes that that decision leaves, "the Texas Rangers as the heavy favorite to sign Hader this winter."
Hader would firm up the back end of the Texas bullpen, something that was a shaky portion of the overall chemistry of the World Champion Rangers last season.