MLB Rumors: Jake Eder approaches MLB debut with White Sox
The Chicago White Sox will soon get a boost in the pitching department.
Jake Eder, the 25-year-old prospect who spent last season with Double-A Birmingham, is close to his MLB debut.
"He's not far off," White Sox GM Chris Getz told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Eder went 2-6 in the minors last season, posting a 6.35 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 14 starts. He fanned 70 in 56.2 innings pitched, but walked 36. To this point, Eder's performance in the White Sox farm system has been a decidedly mixed bag. He packs impressive heat and a slippery slider, but he tends to struggle with command.
"I'm not concerned," Getz said when asked about Eder's flaws.
There appears to be ample confidence in the Chicago front office that Eder will get past his current hangups. Eder is currently getting reps in the Arizona Fall League (AFL), where the White Sox assigned him to receive extra "on-the-job" practice ahead of spring training, per Mark Gonzales of the Sun-Times.
In addition to the AFL, Eder spent time as the White Sox pitcher-catcher camp in September and participated in Chicago's so-called "pitch lab" to have his mechanics evaluated, with a primary goal being more consistency with his fastball.
"I've been here for a couple of months now and got a good relationship with all the pitching coaches and coordinators,'' Eder said. "So it's been productive."
Eder, who arrived in Chicago via trade for slugger Jake Burger, should be on the radar of every White Sox fan at this point. He's not ready, but the tools for success are there. If he can gain better control of his stuff, the future is bright.
MLB Rumors: Aaron Nola asking Phillies for $200 million
Aaron Nola is asking the Philadelphia Phillies for a contract in the ballpark of eight years and $200 million, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The Phillies have "balked" at Nola's demands, but he remains a priority for the franchise.
"We hope to retain him," Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski told reporters at the season-ending press conference. "But, if we don't, that would be our No. 1 area that we'd need to then replace him. We need to be in a position where we have somebody else that would be a starting pitcher of quality in the rotation. It's either Aaron or somebody else."
The Phillies have been generally unafraid to spend money in free agency, handing massive contracts to Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, and others in recent years. Of course, that serves as a dual-edged sword in this scenario. Ownership is willing to spend for a contender, but there is a lot of money on the books already. That could make it more difficult to swallow Nola's high asking price.
It wasn't Nola's most effective regular season — 12-9 with a 4.46 ERA and 1.151 WHIP — but, as Nightengale notes, he leads the MLB in total starts since 2018. That durability has real value, and Nola was spectacular during the Phillies' postseason run (with the exception of a bumpy Game 6 loss to the Diamondbacks in the NLCS).
So, Dombrowski lays it out with relative clarity. Either the two sides come to terms, or the Phillies make it their offseason priority to land Nola's replacement. It will be difficult to find a pitcher of comparable quality without dishing out a sizable contract, but Nola's days in Philly have long felt numbered.
Was Game 6's disaster in front of the home crowd his last goodbye? It's certainly possible.
MLB Rumors: Cubs expected to pursue Padres' Juan Soto via trade
The Chicago Cubs "will be involved in the Juan Soto trade sweepstakes this offseason," according to Bob Levine of 670 The Score, validating similar previous reports from others.
The Padres are looking to cut costs after a disappointing season. The Cubs, meanwhile, are looking for an additional piece to push them over the top after falling just shy of the postseason. If Cody Bellinger leaves in free agency, it could become even more important for Chicago to land a powerful bat to anchor the middle of the lineup.
Soto has one year left on his contract before he hits free agency. On one hand, that should lower the price relative to his incredible skill set. But, it also adds an extra layer of risk for Chicago. Soto could up and leave in 2024, leaving the Cubs empty-handed.
Levine points to Chicago utilityman Christopher Morel as a potential target for the Padres, who are said to be high on him. Morel appeared in 107 games last season, slashing .247/.313/.508 with 26 home runs and 70 RBIs. He is under contract through 2028 at a much lower cost than Soto, which could appear to San Diego.
For Chicago, this is an opportunity to add a genuine superstar. Soto dominated at the plate, per ususal, last season. He slashed .275/.410/.519 with 35 home runs and 109 RBIs. He also played in all 162 games, which is notable. If the Cubs want an ironman with the power to offset a defense-oriented lineup, Soto certainly fits the bill.
