As January comes to an end, the Major League Baseball offseason is also wrapping up. However, there are still four notable free agents who remain unsigned: Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery. Surprisingly, there have been very few rumors surrounding these players, but it is anticipated that this will change in the near future. Let’s take a closer look at the latest news, moves, and rumors in the baseball world as of Monday.

The Los Angeles Angels have reportedly reached a big-league deal with outfielder Aaron Hicks for the league minimum salary. According to Jeff Fletcher of SoCal News Group, Hicks was released by the New York Yankees last year, but the Yankees are still responsible for paying him through the 2025 season. Hicks had a successful stint with the Baltimore Orioles, where he posted a 127 OPS+ in 65 games. With the Angels, he is expected to play in left field and serve as a designated hitter.

Meanwhile, veteran designated hitter Justin Turner may soon find himself with a new team. Jon Morosi of MLB.com suggests that Turner is “increasingly likely” to sign with a different club. The specific teams in the running for Turner’s services are still unknown, but the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets have been mentioned in connection with him. However, the Diamondbacks recently signed Joc Pederson, which might indicate that they are no longer pursuing Turner.

The Texas Rangers have internally discussed the possibility of adding designated hitter Brandon Belt to their lineup. Buster Olney of ESPN reports that this is not surprising since Belt previously played under Rangers manager Bruce Bochy during their time with the San Francisco Giants. Belt had a strong season with the Blue Jays, posting a 136 OPS+ in 103 games. The Rangers lost their previous designated hitter, Mitch Garver, to free agency earlier in the offseason.

In the event that the Boston Red Sox fail to re-sign Adam Duvall, they may consider Garrett Cooper as a backup plan. Chris Cotillo of MassLive suggests that Cooper, while not as defensively versatile as Duvall, has experience playing first base and in the corner outfield positions.

Throughout the offseason, the Red Sox have actively sought a power-hitting corner bat. Cooper, despite coming off a subpar season, is seen as a potential candidate for a bounce-back year. CBS Sports believes that Cooper has the potential for a better 2024 season based on ball-tracking data.

As we approach the end of January, it is expected that more free agents will find new homes before the start of the MLB season. The market remains active, with teams considering various options to strengthen their lineups. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching for more signings and moves in the coming weeks.