Reliever Rumors: Grilli, Braves, Farnsworth
The latest bullpen news..
- The Braves have interest in free agent reliever Jason Grilli, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter). The Yankees have reportedly discussed Grilli as well.
- The Astros have yet to talk to Grilli, but that could change, as Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
- Veteran reliever Kyle Farnsworth is out pounding the pavement in an effort to find a deal, tweets Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Farnsworth told Topkin that he’s “too young to coach.” Farnsworth pitched to a 4.40 ERA with 5.7 K/9 and 4.7 BB/9 in 35 appearances for the Mets and Astros last season.
Latest On David Robertson
10:33pm: Even if they acquire Jeff Samardzija, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal hears (via Twitter) that the White Sox will continue to pursue Robertson.
9:47pm: Despite having Dellin Betances and newly-signed free agent Andrew Miller in tow, the Yankees are still hopeful that they can retain David Robertson, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. In fact, they seem flexible about giving him a fourth year on his contract, even if it’s not their preference.
The Yankees are looking to form a super bullpen, much like the Royals enjoyed this past season. Kansas City had an unheard of 77-1 record in 2014 when leading after six innings. Still, there’s competition that the Bombers will have to beat out. The Astros, who saw Miller take less money to go to New York, are in the middle of talking with Robertson. The White Sox are also said to be in on the star closer.
Heyman also adds that even though the Yankees could be willing to go to four years, they are unwilling to go to $50MM over that span. Robertson has been said to have interest from at least a half-dozen clubs and he’s eyeing a deal in the four-year, $50MM range.
Central Rumors: Cubs, Lester, Masterson
If the Cubs land Jon Lester, an industry source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter) they’re next move would be to pursue a big bat – to go along with Miguel Montero – to try and accelerate their revival. The Cubs are reportedly discussing Montero with the D’Backs in a deal that wouldn’t require them giving up much in the way of assets. More out of the Central divisions..
- The Indians kicked the tires on Justin Masterson, but were never really “all in” on bringing him back, according to Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer (via Twitter).
- Twins GM Terry Ryan says he has no interest in the Blue Jays’ president/CEO role, according to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). “[I’m] very humbled to hear [that], but I’m a GM. I’m a baseball guy,” Ryan said.
- Even though word has only recently leaked, White Sox executive Kenny Williams was contacted by the Blue Jays about their team president position shortly after the end of the season, writes Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star. Current Jays president Paul Beeston is part of the executive search process, which indicates the club isn’t going behind his back to make a change. Williams also likes the idea of being the first African American MLB CEO.
- Indians GM Chris Antonetti is comfortable with his current roster, he tells Jordan Bastian of MLB.com (Twitter). The acquisition of Brandon Moss affords the club depth and versatility. We learned earlier tonight that the club would now look to build upon its seven pitcher deep rotation. We could also see them shop Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn, or David Murphy, but I doubt they would receive much salary relief in a trade.
- Ryan went on to say that the Twins have been in serious talks with both agents and clubs about acquiring pitching, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com (on Twitter).
- Cubs GM Jed Hoyer isn’t making any secret about what he wants to do this winter, tweets Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com. “Clearly we want to add multiple starting pitchers this winter. We need to,” Hoyer said.
Infield Market Rumors: Monday
With Pablo Sandoval off the board, attention on the third base market has shifted to Chase Headley. But Jed Lowrie also could be an option at the hot corner (as well as at short and second). He took a step backward last year in the power department, but has a lengthy track record of legitimate pop. Better still, the 30-year-old managed to stay on the field after some injury issues in his past.
Here’s the latest on the infield market:
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter) hears that Headley will make his decision by the end of the Winter Meetings. There are three or four teams bidding on him right now, including the Giants and Yankees.
- It’s not just the starting pitchers that are waiting for Jon Lester to sign, tweets Sherman. Headley is also up in the air because the Giants won’t know how much they can afford to spend until they know whether they can sign Lester.
- The Giants will consider Lowrie at third if they can’t land Headley, ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reports (Twitter links). As for Headley, four years at a $11MM to $12MM AAV is probably too rich for San Francisco, Crasnick adds.
- Another National League squad, the Marlins, could also have interest in Lowrie as an option at a position other than shortstop, per another Crasnick tweet. Miami is “exploring” the market at those positions. Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill and GM Dan Jennings told me last month at the GM Meetings that the team feels comfortable with its internal options at the keystone but would consider sensible upgrades.
Earlier Updates
- The Astros have at least “kicked the tires” on Headley as an option at third base, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe tweets.
- Lowrie is indeed willing to play elsewhere in the infield, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports. That face makes him a solid fit for the Astros, where he could keep the seat warm for Carlos Correa at short before eventually sliding to third, or possibly move to hot corner right away while providing some insurance up the middle.
- The Astros have been pursuing Lowrie, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports on Twitter. Houston dealt Lowrie to the Athletics before the 2013 season. For Houston, Lowrie could conceivably fill in at short, third, or both over the life of a hypothetical deal. I noted the Astros as a possible landing spot in Lowrie’s free agent profile, in which I also predicted he could score a three-year deal at a $10MM AAV.
Latest On Melky Cabrera
Earlier today, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported that the Mariners appear to be the favorites for Melky Cabrera, but we later got word that the M’s are still looking at a wide range of outfield options. Meanwhile, the White Sox, Giants, and Royals have also been linked to him as of late. Here’s the latest on Cabrera..
Mets Shopping Dillon Gee
The Mets are aggressively shopping Dillon Gee to teams in need of a starter, a high-ranking source told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The Mets have publicly acknowledged that they’re looking to deal a starter but a source tells Rubin that they’re pushing Gee more than the others in the rotation.
Marc Carig of Newsday (via Twitter) hears that there are three to five teams in on Gee. Earlier today, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News noted that the Giants and Royals are two clubs to keep an eye on when it comes to Gee.
Gee had a solid but unspectacular 2014 season, with a 4.00 ERA, 6.2 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 137 1/3 innings in the Mets’ rotation. He is under the Mets’ control for two more seasons and is projected to earn ~$5.1MM in 2015, according to Matt Swartz’s projections.
Bartolo Colon and Jon Niese have also been mentioned as trade possibilities, but at this time, Gee appears to be the most likely to go.
Angels Notes: Wilson, Beckham, Backup Infielder
Here’s the latest on the Halos:
- It was reported over the weekend that the Angels have C.J. Wilson on the trade block, but GM Jerry Dipoto denies that’s the case, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter). Dipoto said that he has not made a call nor has he received a call on the pitcher.
- Dipoto added that he has not engaged any free agents, aside from Gordon Beckham, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register (via Twitter).
- Dipoto indicated that a trade for a backup infielder is also a possibility, according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com (on Twitter).
- It sounds like the Angels will be signing a left-handed reliever to a minor league deal this week, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register (via Twitter).
Kendrys Morales Seeking Big Multi-Year Deal
6:41pm: Crasnick clarified (via Twitter) that Morales is looking for two or three years “at Billy Butler” money. Butler signed a three-year, $30MM contract earlier this offseason.
4:06pm: Scott Boras is seeking “multiple years and substantial dollars” for Kendrys Morales, an official with one AL club told Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (via Twitter). That means that the veteran might be on the market for a while once again this offseason unless his expectations change, Crasnick adds (link).
In late November, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported that the market was relatively quiet on Morales. Only the Indians, Rangers, and Royals were known as clubs to be taking a look while the Mariners and Blue Jays were also cited as possibilities.
West Rumors: Trumbo, Montero, Cabrera
Even though Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart said last week that he will not trade Mark Trumbo, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter) hears that he is still in play for Arizona. There was once talk of a three-way deal involving Trumbo that fell through but he remains available. A look at the AL and NL West..
- Tony La Russa said the the Diamondbacks had talks with the Dodgers about Miguel Montero but they never had a deal in place, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com (via Twitter).
- The Mariners are pondering a wide range of possibilities for an outfield bat, including trades, and they’re not locked in on Melky Cabrera at this point, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported earlier today that the M’s are the favorites for the outfielder.
- Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson has switched agents and joined Excel Sports Management, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter).
- Despite being connected to him, the Astros did not seriously pursue Jason Hammel, according to Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). They did make an inquiry, however. Hammel ultimately returned to the Cubs on a two-year pact.
Indians Designate Bryan Price
The Indians will designate pitcher Bryan Price to make room for recent trade addition Brandon Moss, tweets Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. The 28-year-old made his major league debut last season, allowing six runs in two and two-third innings. He was considerably better in the minors, where he posted a 2.48 ERA and 10.9 K/9. The Indians originally acquired Price as part of the Victor Martinez trade with the Red Sox.