MLB Rumors: Luis Severino named as buy-low free agent candidate for Braves

Luis Severino hits free agency after a disastrous 2023 campaign for the New York Yankees. About to turn 30 before next season, Severino now faces a muted free agent market. Jake Mastroianni of Braves Today, however, has the perfect landing spot in mind. That's right, you guessed it — the Atlanta Braves.

Atlanta needs a boost in the pitching department. Charlie Morton's future is in doubt, but frankly, the need persists even if Morton returns. Spencer Strider and Max Fried are a great one-two punch atop the rotation, but the expected year-long absence of Kyle Wright leaves Atlanta preciously short on proven and consistent talent ahead of next postseason. Darius Vines threw some heat as a rookie, but he's not ready for the full workload yet.

Severino is a two-time All-Star with multiple top-10 Cy Young finishes. Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2020 season and only managed four appearances in 2021 after Tommy John surgery. It has been a rocky road since, with Severino struggling to maintain his proper health and rhythm on the mound. Last season, he went 4-8 in 18 starts and posted a ghastly 6.65 ERA with a 1.646 WHIP.

Again, muted market. Severino will have to sign a 'prove-it' deal somewhere, and the Braves do make a lot of sense — especially if pricier options like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Eduardo Rodriguez are beyond their budget. The Braves sill have Vines and a couple of utility arms to get the job done if Severino flops, but there's also a chance Severino gets back to full strength and starts to find his rhythm once he's removed from the Yankees' chaos machine.

Low risk, high reward. It's a smart bet for the Braves.

MLB Rumors: Craig Counsell's interest in joining Mets is 'real'

Craig Counsell is a Milwaukee lifer who has spent the last nine years managing the Brewers, with great success. It's the perfect marriage between manager and team, at least on paper. That's why the sudden possibility of Craig Counsell's departure has shocked so many. But, it is possible, and right now, the biggest threat to Milwaukee is none other than the New York Mets.

Here's the thing about the Mets. Roster talent, front office stability, and competitive standing are all strikes against them, but it doesn't matter. Steve Cohen has deep pockets and, according to Jon Heyman and Mike Puma of the New York Post, Counsell is interested in "raising the bar" for manager salaries. The Mets are a natural fit.

It doesn't hurt that new Mets president David Stearns developed a close working relationship with Counsell over the years in Milwaukee. It also doesn't hurt that New York is primed to chase several high-profile free agents with huge offers while the Brewers are judging which high-profile star to trade to cut costs.

Per the NY Post, Counsell's interest in joining the Mets is "real." It would be a huge get for a New York franchise in desperate need of a facelift and a bit more respectability after years of dysfunction. There's no guarantee of an immediate turnaround, but one has to imagine the odds with Counsell are higher than the odds with somebody else. He's one of the best in the business, and that's why you spend the money. To hire the best in the business.

MLB Rumors: Dodgers profile as trade match for Red Sox OF Alex Verdugo

The Boston Red Sox are expected to gauge the market for outfielder Alex Verdugo again this offseason. He was a popular name at the trade deadline and it's a relatively weak free agent class in the outfield once you get past Cody Bellinger. As only one team can sign Bellinger — and he's not without red flags — expect Verdugo to receive serious trade interest.

One potential destination, as outlined by Nick Deeds of MLB Trade Rumors, would be the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"As unusual as it would be for the Dodgers to trade for Verdugo just four seasons after including him in the package that brought Mookie Betts from Boston to LA, Verdugo would be an excellent fit for the Dodgers, who are set to lose lefty corner bats David Peralta and Jayson Heyward to free agency this offseason. Though a healthy season from Gavin Lux would allow Betts to patrol right field on a regular basis again in 2024 after spending much of 2023 on the infield dirt, the club still figures to be in need of an outfield regular alongside Betts and James Outman. Additionally, Verdugo's left-handed bat would complement the right-handed bat of Chris Taylor, who figures to play a utility role in both the infield and outfield next season."

It would be beautifully ironic for the Dodgers to trade (back) for Verdugo after the blockbuster Betts deal years ago. If anything, it might reflect poorly on the Red Sox, who blew a golden opportunity to roster a perennial MVP candidate instead of a quality starter who profiles as trade bait, rather than a foundational piece of the next Boston contender.

Of course, Verdugo deserves credit for his efforts last season. He's one of the best right field gloves in baseball and he's a weapon at the plate, slashing .264/.324/.421 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs in 142 games. Whether Betts is back in the outfield full-time or not, Verdugo's defense, combined with his bat in the back half of the lineup, would make him a useful complementary piece for LA.

The Dodgers are always on the market for big swings, but Verdugo would represent a potentially lower-stakes maneuver that could have pronounced positive results. Plus, it's a reunion. He would be welcomed back by the fanbase.