MLB Offseason Primer: AL East

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertOctober 28, 2024
© USA TODAY Sports

As MLB flips into offseason mode, Spotrac offers a snapshot look at projected Opening Day 40-Man Tax Payrolls, arbitration salary totals, notable upcoming option decisions, & pending free agents for each team.

OFFSEASON PRIMERS
AL EAST | AL CENTRAL | AL WEST | NL EAST | NL CENTRAL | NL WEST

Baltimore Orioles

Projected 40-Man CBT: $103.8M (24th)
Guaranteed Contracts: 2 ($14.3M)
Arbitration-Eligible: 16 ($50.5M)
One of the better stories throughout much of 2024 completely combusted down the stretch, missing out on a division title, then being swept out of the Wild Card round. With that said, Gunnar Henderson is a cornerstone piece and Colton Cowser had his mini-breakout. However, Adley Rutschman slid back (again) offensively, there’s no 9th-inning reliever in sight, and Corbin Burnes, the only viable starter, is headed to the open market. O’s fans will be impatiently waiting for this new ownership group to open up their checkbooks.

Notable Options
Eloy Jimenez (DH, $16.5M Club), Seranthony Dominguez (RP, $8M Club), Ryan O'Hearn (1B, $8M Club), Danny Coulombe (RP, $4M Club), Cionel Perez (RP, $2.2M Club)

Notable Free Agents
Corbin Burnes (SP), Anthony Santander (OF), James McCann (C)

Boston Red Sox

Projected 40-Man CBT: $162.1M (15th)
Guaranteed Contracts: 7 ($95.5M)
Arbitration-Eligible: 3 ($11.7M)
Boston hit the All-Star break 10 games over .500, but predictably couldn’t sustain that level of play for the full season. However, this is a team that continues to get younger (and subsequently cheaper), and the Red Sox haven’t been shy about locking in their youth to mid-range extensions. With at least two top-tier prospects (Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer) ready to make the jump, Boston might smell blood a little bit right now, which could mean an offseason spending spree to plug as many holes as possible.

Notable Options
Rob Refsnyder (OF, $2.1M Club)

Notable Free Agents
Tyler O'Neill (OF), Nick Pivetta (SP), Kenley Jansen (RP), Lucas Sims (RP)

New York Yankees

Projected 40-Man CBT: $239.4M (4th)
Guaranteed Contracts: 5 ($122.5M)
Arbitration-Eligible: 11 ($42.3M)
The Yankees survived more than a few injuries throughout the regular season to garner another AL East title, and a trip to the World Series. The Soto/Judge/Stanton powered lineup certainly went as planned, but keeping it sustainable will take an extra $550M or so. Keeping Gerrit Cole off the open market will mean another $36M added to his contract, and Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, and 2-3 relievers need to be replaced this winter. Buckle up folks, we’re headed for a Yankees-of-old offseason.

Notable Options
Gerrit Cole (SP, 4 yr, $144M opt-out), Luke Weaver (RP, $2.5M Club), Anthony Rizzo (1B, $17M Club), Lou Trivino (RP, $5M Club)

Notable Free Agents
Juan Soto (RF), Gleyber Torres (INF), Tommy Kahnle (RP), Alex Verdugo (OF), Clay Holmes (RP)

Tampa Bay Rays

Projected 40-Man CBT: $104.8M (23rd)
Guaranteed Contracts: 5 ($39.8M)
Arbitration-Eligible: 12 ($26.3M)
The season of injury (plus an off-the-field disaster) proved too much to overcome for the Rays. But greener grass is coming in the spring, as a loaded starting rotation should return to full health, and at least a few bats (Yandy Diaz, Josh Lowe, Junior Caminero) will be back in the fold. With that said, the Rays need to score more runs, and relying on a prospect-filled roster generally doesn’t lend itself to that type of immediate production. But knowing this front office - the Rays are certainly going to attempt to buck that trend. Top SS prospect Carson Williams could make the team out of camp (assuming Wander Franco doesn’t return), and if things are going well, CF/2B Chandler Simpson could make his much anticipated debut as well. It’s tough to imagine this team spending too much this offseason, but stranger things have happened.

Notable Options
Brandon Lowe (2B, $10.5M Club)

Toronto Blue Jays

Projected 40-Man CBT: $205M (7th)
Guaranteed Contracts: 7 ($114.8M)
Arbitration-Eligible: 10 ($61.3M)
Are we past the make or break point with this core group? You can tell me that the Blue Jays plan to run it back and make Juan Soto the highest offer this winter as well. You can also tell me that the Blue Jays are fielding calls for both Vlad Jr. and Bo Bichette this winter. I’ll believe both, which makes this team a must watch. If they miss on Soto, this could be a front office that doesn’t believe they should be paying for a Top 10 payroll, at which point, it’s hard to imagine anyone not becoming available to the trade/non-tender market.

Notable Free Agents
Ryan Yarbrough (RP)


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