MLB rumors: A new Tarik Skubal suitor, Braves' Ronald Acuńa Jr. plan, plus Blue Jays, Cubs, Red Sox, more

This is an important week on the baseball calendar. First and foremost, it is awards week. Kevin McGonigle and Sal Stewart were named the Rookies of the Year on Monday. The Managers of the Year will be announced Tuesday, Cy Youngs and Relievers of the Year will be announced Wednesday, and finally the MVPs will be announced Thursday.

Also, the GM Meetings are this week in Las Vegas. The GM Meetings are not the Winter Meetings in terms of the sheer volume of rumors and transactions, but they do usually provide some news. There could be more than usual this year given the near certainty of a lockout on Dec. 1, which would also mean there are no Winter Meetings. This may be the only time everyone is in the same room this winter. The three weeks between now and Dec. 1 could be quite active.

We've already ranked the top 50 free agents and the top 25 trade candidates.

With that in mind, here are Tuesday's hot stove rumors.

Blue Jays interested in Lowe

The Blue Jays are among the teams with interest in free agent second baseman Brandon Lowe, according to Sportsnet. Ernie Clement, Toronto's primary second baseman in 2026, crashed hard in the second half and has always fit better as a super utility man who plays regularly at different positions. Josh Smith is the team's other second base option.

Lowe would bring needed power to a team that finished dead last in home runs this past season and had just one player, Kazuma Okamoto (33), clear 15 home runs. Only four Blue Jays hit even 10 homers. Also, Toronto's lineup is mostly right-handed. Lowe would add power and also a lefty bat to provide balance. We ranked him as the 13th-best free agent available.

Rotation help a 'top priority' for White Sox

Adding rotation help is a "top priority," White Sox GM Chris Getz said during an MLB Network Radio interview on Tuesday. "We're going to exhaust the starter market, both free agency -- we'll take a look -- along with trades. That is our top priority," Getz said. He also confirmed that Grant Taylor, the team's postseason closer, will move into the rotation. Hagen Smith will remain in the bullpen.

The White Sox have solid enough rotation depth with Taylor joining Sean Burke, Luis Castillo, Anthony Kay, Davis Martin, David Sandlin, Noah Schultz, and perhaps Shane Smith and Drew Thorpe. There is room for improvement, though, particularly at the top. Chicago could use a bona fide ace, not that one is easy to acquire or abundantly available.

Padres have expressed interest in Skubal

Add the Padres to the list of teams that have shown interest in two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, reports MLB Network. San Diego has a major need in the rotation -- Joe Musgrove, who hasn't made a start since the 2024 postseason, and Randy Vásquez are their only rotation locks -- and a new ownership group that seems willing to spend in its first offseason.

Skubal is far and away the offseason's best free agent. He is also a Scott Boras client, and, historically, top Boras clients take the largest contract offer regardless of team situation. That isn't to say the Padres are a bad situation. Not at all. They're a very good team that is in the postseason most years, plus they play in San Diego. Who doesn't love San Diego?

The Padres are also connected to several Japanese players, according to The Athletic. That includes MLB free agents Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga, as well as players coming over from Nippon Professional Baseball, like third baseman Teruaki Sato.

MLB free agency: Six international players to know for the 2026-27 offseason

Mike Axisa

Morejon prefers to stay in the bullpen

Free agent lefty Adrian Morejon is drawing interest as a starting pitcher, but he prefers to remain in the bullpen, according to The Athletic. Even during the season, there were rumblings that Morejon would like to be given a chance to start in 2027. He came up through the minors as a starter and only remained in the bullpen because he was so dominant in a late-inning role.

We ranked Morejon as the offseason's second-best free agent on the idea that he would move into the rotation. The belief within the game is that he has a chance to be an excellent starter, not just a back-end piece. Either way, Morejon is a very good pitcher, and at 28, he's also one of the youngest free agents available. He should have several peak years remaining.

Cubs hope to add three starters

Although they are disinclined to pursue Tarik Skubal, the Cubs hope to add three established starting pitchers this offseason, reports The Athletic. Of the nine pitchers to make at least nine starts for Chicago in 2027, seven are free agents. Only Ben Brown, who recently had neck surgery (per ESPN), and Edward Cabrera, who had a 5.96 ERA and was demoted to the bullpen, remain.

Left-hander Justin Steele is expected back from UCL surgery next year, though he suffered a setback this summer and wasn't able to return as hoped in September. Others like Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks are depth options more than full-time rotation pieces. This free agent class offers plenty of second- and third-tier starters. That's where the Cubs are expected to shop.

Mets not interested in major overhaul

Unlike last offseason, the Mets are not interested in a major overhaul despite their disappointing year, reports MLB.com. The Mets went 74-88 and finished in last place in 2026. The only silver lining to the disappointing season was the ability to give a long runway to rookies like Carson Benge and Nolan McLean, both of whom finished in the top four of the Rookie of the Year voting.

The Mets went 83-79 in 2025 and missed the postseason on the final day of the season. They made significant changes last winter, most notably jettisoning stalwarts Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo, then had a worse season in 2026. In September, president of baseball operations David Stearns admitted that much turnover created an "uncapped downside scenario," which is executive-speak for "there was too much risk."

Braves will not move Acuña

Not surprisingly, the Braves are uninterested in moving former National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., according to MLB Network. It does feel like Atlanta's offense has gone stale and that they could move a core piece, but it won't be Acuña, nor is it likely to be Drake Baldwin, Michael Harris II, or Matt Olson. Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley are the more obvious players to move. Albies is entering the final season of his wildly team-friendly contract. Riley has six years remaining on his deal, which figures to make a move difficult.

Red Sox won't commit to Story at short