Thanksgiving holiday is right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean hot stove activity will slow down considerably. Plenty of deals have been completed over the long weekend over the years and these unofficial numbers are no different. Here’s Wednesday’s hot gossip around the stove while you wait for Turkey Day.

The judge meets with giants

Aaron Judge, The #1 free agent availablewith Giants representatives in San Francisco on Tuesday, including members of the ownership, MLB Network’s John Morosi reports. Morosi expects a formal offer will come later this week and that the judge could sign on by the end of the winter meetings in two weeks. So far, Judge has only met with giants and of course Yankees.

For what it’s worth, Giants quarterback Jock Pederson is doing his part to induct the reigning AL MVP:

Let it be known, the Giants will open the 2023 regular season in New York against the Yankees. Very good chance the judge will be at Yankee Stadium on Opening Day next season. What outfit will he wear? We’ll find out soon enough.

Yankees are looking for bullpen help

In addition to trying to retain the judge, the Yankees are also seeking bullpen help, general manager Brian Cashman told NJ.com. “I’m looking forward to improving our office, but yeah, I think we’ve got a closer. That doesn’t mean we can’t play on someone who’s closer to quote, because in the end the more the merrier.” Cashman said:

The closest Cashman points to is All-Star Clay Holmes, who struggled in August and September and missed the end of the regular season with a shoulder injury. Came back in October and had the lights out, although it was used with care. This is the New York office at the moment:

King could be ready in time for spring training, and if he is, he could potentially push roster Abreu or Schmidt to Triple-A. The Yankees have a solid set up with great leverage – Holmes, Luisiga and Peralta were all great in October – but there’s no such thing as too many quality relievers. With King’s status uncertain and Effross set to miss 2023, looking for more bullpen help makes sense.

notice A serious suitor to Rodon

Rangers key player left free agent Carlos Rodon, MLB.com reports. The Texans have already added Jake O’Dorizi and kept Martin Perez this offseason, though they are expected to pursue a leading starting rotation as well, and Rodon is one of the best players available. Our RJ Anderson ranked southpaw the 8th best free agent available this season.

For now, Odorizzi and Pérez have been put into the rotation along with Jon Gray and potentially Dane Dunning. The inside favorites for fifth place are Glenn Otto, Cole Ragans, and possibly Spencer Howard. There is clearly room for improvement there. The Rangers want to sign a front-line starter to help them contend and also push the kids down the depth chart.

red socks Rodriguez signed

The Red Sox announced Wednesday that they have signed lefty reliever Julie Rodriguez to a one-year contract with club option. He will earn $1.5 million in 2023 with the $500,000 call of the $4.25 million option, According to The Athletic. The 31-year-old Southpaw has been slightly more effective against the right (.625 OPS) than the left (.645 OPS) this season. Rodriguez and Josh Taylor, who are not playing in the major leagues due to injury in 2022, will serve as left relievers for coach Alex Cora next season.