AJ Preller, the general manager of the Padres, and the GM of the Mariners offer their perspectives on the ‘unconventional’ MLB offseason.

The MLB offseason has witnessed a sluggish pace in free agency, with numerous prominent players still unsigned as teams begin spring training. Justin Hollinder from the Seattle Mariners and AJ Preller from the San Diego Padres discussed the distinctive nature of this offseason and the abundance of available players. Hollinder remarked, “It does appear to be unusual, more than in previous years, to have this many players still on the market,” as reported by Robert Murray of Fansided.

The Mariners appear to have stabilized their payroll, while AJ Preller has been active, making moves such as trading Juan Soto to the New York Yankees to bolster the team’s pitching depth and signing multiple relief pitchers. Whether the Padres have completed their roster adjustments remains uncertain.

Preller commented on the perceived slowness of the offseason, stating, “People are discussing how sluggish the offseason has been,” as conveyed by Murray. “I feel like there have been several offseasons featuring top-tier players that simply haven’t aligned. Every offseason varies; it hinges on team requirements, the key players in the market, the aggressive teams, and also the preferences and interests of the players themselves.”

Prominent free agents such as Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Cody Bellinger, and Matt Chapman are still without contracts as spring training games kick off this weekend. Additionally, valuable players like JD Martinez and Tommy Pham remain unsigned, presenting potential opportunities for teams.

The next few weeks are likely to see significant transactions, and it remains to be seen where these players will land in 2024.