The early free-agent rumor mill is already busy, and California clubs are in the mix, according to MLB.com's Nov. 12 Hot Stove roundup. None of the items below is a completed trade or signing; they are reported discussions and speculation, attributed to the insiders MLB.com cites.

Chisholm's broad market

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is drawing widespread interest despite what MLB.com called a flashy persona and inconsistent production that make him one of the more polarizing players in the class. MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said 11 teams have engaged in discussions with Chisholm's representatives, with in-person meetings scheduled to begin next week. The Blue Jays are one club with reported interest. MLB.com said it was unclear who else is in the mix, but that the Yankees are unlikely to be among them after declining to extend Chisholm a qualifying offer.

Morosi also said teams are intrigued by Chisholm's positional versatility. The roundup noted other second-base options, including free agents Brandon Lowe and Luis Arraez and trade candidate Ketel Marte. Marte, 33, has a full no-trade clause as a 10-and-5 player, and MLB.com said clubs may also have concerns about his clubhouse fit after he failed to show up at Fenway Park for a game last August, which the site said was not his first unexcused absence from the Diamondbacks.

The Athletics and the catcher market

With free agency short on star power behind the plate, the catcher trade market is getting a close look. Morosi has heard from rival teams who believe the Rockies are more open to dealing Hunter Goodman now than they were before the Trade Deadline. Goodman, controllable through 2029, has hit 72 home runs over the past two seasons.

The Athletics' Shea Langeliers, controllable through 2028, is another name. Like Goodman, he drew significant trade interest during the summer. A torn meniscus in his right knee ended any chance of a Deadline move, but MLB.com said the Athletics could consider dangling him this winter as they look for ways to improve their pitching staff. Reigning World Series MVP William Contreras is also generating trade chatter because he is entering his final year before free agency.

Ryan Jeffers is the best catcher available in free agency. Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said the club is "engaged and definitely have real genuine interest in a reunion," even if Jeffers rejects a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman has linked the Red Sox to Jeffers as well, even after Boston acquired Adley Rutschman before the Deadline, MLB.com said.

Sato, the Phillies, Blue Jays and Mariners

Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato, posted by the Hanshin Tigers after an MVP and Triple Crown season, is drawing a crowd. Sources told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki that the Phillies have interest. The Athletic's Matt Gelb reported Wednesday that Philadelphia is "quite intrigued by Sato as a solution for one of their corner outfield spots." Phillies outfielders had a combined .686 OPS in 2026, 26th in baseball. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said earlier this week that he is "not necessarily looking for our club to continue to get older"; Sato turns 28 next March, while Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena, also of interest to Philadelphia per Gelb, are both entering their age-32 season.

SportsNet's Ben Nicholson-Smith reported that the Blue Jays, who finished last in the majors in homers and runs after a 79-83 season, "are working hard to find offense and willing to spend to make it happen," with interest in Suzuki, Lowe, Sato, Chisholm and Marte. MLB.com's Keegan Matheson wrote that Toronto is more likely to spend big on bats than on a starting pitcher.

The Mariners, also coming off a below-.500 year, have reportedly told shortstop J.P. Crawford they plan to move on and, according to the Seattle Times, are not planning to pursue a long-term deal with Arozarena. They do have reported interest in Suzuki and Ian Happ. General manager Jerry Dipoto has not ruled out trading a starter for a bat: "It'll take a lot for us to move one," he said, but if it allows access to a hitter the club otherwise could not reach, "then we have to be open."