The latest free agent rumors…
- Contrary to a report from Sunday, the Rockies haven’t had any discussions about signing first baseman Logan Morrison, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post (Twitter link).
- Reliever Tommy Hunter has emerged as a “prime target” for the Mets in their search for bullpen help, according to Marc Carig of Newsday (on Twitter). The 31-year-old right-hander was quietly excellent over 58 2/3 innings with the Rays in 2017, recording a 2.61 ERA and putting up 9.82 K/9 against 2.15 BB/9.
- Count the Diamondbacks among those interested in reliever Brandon Kintzler, tweets ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, who expects the former Twins closer to land a two-year deal. Kintzler suggested last month that his wife is rooting for him to sign with Arizona. The Twins continue to monitor him, and they’ve also checked in on almost every other available pitcher, chief baseball officer Derek Falvey revealed (Twitter link via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com).
- Brewers GM David Stearns said Monday that he’s likely to “cross paths” at the Winter Meetings with the agents for second baseman Neil Walker and reliever Anthony Swarzak, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. Walker and Swarzak ended last season with the Brewers after coming over in trades and performed quite well during their short stints in Milwaukee.
- Although the Orioles badly need starters, they’re not inclined to dole out long deals. GM Dan Duquette suggested to Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun and other reporters Monday that four- to five-year pacts for pitchers generally don’t work out well (Twitter link). On the other hand, Duquette hasn’t closed the door on re-signing righty Chris Tillman, who figures to be an affordable, short-term pickup after enduring a dreadful 2017 (Twitter link via Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com).
- As is the case with Baltimore, the Tigers are in the market for a starter who won’t require a long commitment, GM Al Avila informed reporters (via Evan Woodbery of MLive.com, on Twitter). Detroit is open to reeling in another starter on a one-year deal to join the just-signed Mike Fiers.
- The Blue Jays are engaging with multiple starters and relievers, GM Ross Atkins told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet and other reporters Monday. They “will most likely add an infielder,” too, and are looking at outfielders, Atkins said (Twitter link).
- The Rangers are considering signing catcher Rene Rivera, per Jon Heyman of FanRag (Twitter link). The righty-hitting Rivera, who was with the Mets and Cubs last year, batted .252/.305/.431 in 237 plate appearances. Behind the plate, he caught an excellent 38 percent of would-be base stealers (10 percent above the league average) and, as has been the case for most of his career, held his own as a framer.
- Right-hander Jesse Chavez appears likely to sign this week, MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes tweets. The 34-year-old Chavez spent last season with the Angels and posted an ugly 5.35 ERA across 138 innings and 38 appearances (21 starts), though he did log acceptable strikeout and walk rates (7.76 K/9, 2.93 BB/9).
I’m surprised there isn’t more interest in Tommy Hunter, would love to see Kintzler in a Dbacks uniform next year.
Same. Always been a fan of Big Gun Hunter.
Markakis back to the Orioles and Kemp to the Red Sox with Atl eating as much salad as they want or need maybe Markakis to Blue Jays then trade Teheran to Brewers for Santana and sign Cobb & Brandon Phillips
Teheran is neither affordable nor an “impact starter.”
Teheron for Santana would be about fair but I doubt either team would do it
Orioles need pitchers, but they won’t give out contracts. How will you get pitchers then? One year deals for Wade Miley types. Orioles need to step it up.
Yes, it’s better to be stuck with 4 years if Ubaldo Jimenez then 1 year of Wade Miley…oh, wait……
They could have an ok to very good rotation (albeit with some uncertainty) with Bundy Gausman Harvey and Tillman.
The orioles are about 4 starters away from having a very good rotation.
Hope the brewers are able to keep both swarzy and Walker.
I mean they can keep Swarzak if they want, he’ll be cheap. Walker probably 50/50
Walker is looking for a 4 year deal though. With the Brewers 2B depth in the system they said they might go 2. I think the hang up will be the length not the money
The Blue Jays don’t want anything to do with Markakis.
Why?
Rene Rivera would be a nice back up to Chirinos.
Also wish Texas would try to bring Hunter back. Could be a strong bullpen piece for us