Phillies Seen As Top Bidder For Zack Wheeler

The Philadelphia Phillies are seen by sources as the most potent bidders for starting pitcher Zack Wheeler. The Reds and White Sox are also involved, but the Rangers are no longer an option. The 29-year-old right-hander is considered the third best free-agent option on the starting pitching market behind Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. He […]

Braves, Cole Hamels Agree To One-Year Deal

The Atlanta Braves and left-handed starter Cole Hamels agreed to a one-year, $18 million deal on Wednesday, according to sources. The veteran southpaw was looking for a short deal with a contending team, and he gets it with the Braves. Hamels is no longer the dominant pitcher he was earlier in his career, but he […]

Blue Jays Interested In Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dallas Keuchel

The Toronto Blue Jays are interested in starting pitchers Hyun-Jin Ryu and Dallas Keuchel, among other free-agent starters. It's no secret that Toronto is in need of improving their starting rotation, but they won't shop at the top of the market for arms like Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. Ryu was one of the best […]

Josh Hader Likely To Remain With Brewers

At least one of the teams engaged with the Milwaukee Brewers regarding closer Josh Hader is convinced that the Brewers will keep the left-handed reliever heading into the 2020 season. Milwaukee is rightfully asking for a king's ransom for the best left-handed reliever in the game, but it's still possible a desperate team gives up […]

Giants Interested In Nick Castellanos

The San Francisco Giants are among the teams showing interest in outfielder Nick Castellanos, according to two sources. The Cubs are also interested in re-signing Castellanos after he posted a 1.002 OPS in 51 games for the team following a deadline deal from the Tigers. Giants general manager Scott Harris was the assistant general manager […]

White Sox Talking Trade For Joc Pederson

The Chicago White Sox have engaged in preliminary trade talks involving Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, according to two people with direct knowledge of the talks. The White Sox have spent a major league-leading $123 million to retain first baseman Jose Abreu and sign catcher Yasmani Grandal so far this offseason as they attempt […]

Jonathan Villar To See Time At Third Base, Outfield

Miami Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said that newly acquired infielder Jonathan Villar will see time at third base and in the outfield next year. He'll be a fallback option at shortstop and second base. Using Villar at third base and in the outfield will allow the Marlins to give youngster Isan Diaz […]

Zack Wheeler At Top Of White Sox's Wish List

Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler is the Chicago White Sox's top pitching target on the free-agent market. They aren't believed to be in on Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg, and seem less so on Madison Bumgarner. Also reportedly interested in Wheeler are the Twins, Rangers, Reds and maybe the Blue Jays and Astros. Chicago could look […]

Cole Hamels Thinks White Sox Are A Fit

Starting pitcher Cole Hamels told Chuck Garfien on the Chicago White Sox Talk Podcast that he believes he'd be a good fit with the team. Hamels confirmed that the White Sox have reached out to him. The veteran southpaw is believed to be looking for a one-year deal to pitch for a contender, and the […]

Zack Wheeler Could Sign Before Winter Meetings

Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler could sign a deal before the winter meetings next week in San Diego, and reported bidding has already hit $100 million for the right-hander. The White Sox, Twins and Rangers are just several of the interested parties. Wheeler has already met with several teams in person as well. The 29-year-old has […]

Yankees To Meet With Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg

The New York Yankees are set to meet with starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg over the next two days, according to sources. Both pitchers are free agents represented by Scott Boras, and they are the two most coveted free-agent arms on the market this winter. Other interested teams have already met with or […]

Anthony Rendon Has Met With Dodgers, Rangers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have met with third baseman Anthony Rendon, who some high-ranking officials believe will be the first big free agent to come off the board this winter. Rendon has already met with the Rangers as well. The 29-year-old led the team to a World Series title and finished third in National League […]

Travis Shaw, Jimmy Nelson Non-Tendered

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Travis Shaw and starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson were non-tendered on Monday, making them free agents. Shaw hit a combined 63 home runs in 2017 and 2018 but slumped to hit .157 with just seven home runs and 16 RBI last year, leading to the Brewers moving on. He was even demoted to […]

Phillies Move On From Maikel Franco, Cesar Hernandez

The Philadelphia Phillies non-tendered third baseman Maikel Franco and second baseman Cesar Hernandez on Monday, making them both free agents. Franco, once a top prospect in the team's system, just didn't make enough contact to be successful. He slashed .234/.297/.409 with 17 home runs, 48 runs and 56 RBI in 389 at-bats for the Phils […]

Marlins Acquire Jonathan Villar

The Miami Marlins acquired second baseman Jonathan Villar from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday in exchange for minor league left-hander Easton Lucas. Villar hit .274 with a .792 OPS, 24 home runs, 73 RBI and 40 stolen bases last year for the lowly Orioles. He'll join a similarly bad team in Miami and won't have […]

Taijuan Walker, Steven Souza Jr. Hit Open Market

The Arizona Diamondbacks non-tendered starting pitcher Taijuan Walker and outfielder Steven Souza Jr. on Monday, making them both free agents. Walker missed most of the last two seasons after having Tommy John surgery, but he was able to post a 3.49 ERA in 157 1/3 innings in 2017. The right-hander will surely be coveted by […]

Kevin Pillar Non-Tendered By Giants

The San Francisco Giants non-tendered outfielder Kevin Pillar on Monday, making him a free agent. The 30-year-old veteran hit a combined .259/.287/.432 with 21 home runs, 83 runs, 88 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 161 games with the Blue Jays and Giants in 2019. He spent the majority of his time with San Fran, […]

A's Non-Tender Blake Treinen, Josh Phegley

The Oakland Athletics non-tendered relief pitcher Blake Treinen and catcher Josh Phegley on Monday, making them both free agents. Treinen was one of the best closers in baseball in 2018, but he fell flat in 2019 and lost the closing gig to Liam Hendriks. Treinen posted an ugly 4.91 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 59 K's and […]

Addison Russell Non-Tendered By Cubs

The Chicago Cubs non-tendered infielder Addison Russell on Monday, making him a free agent, according to a source. Russell has fallen on hard times the last few seasons, mainly due to off-the-field issues, but he's also been slowed by injuries and hit just .237/.308/.391 with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 215 at-bats for […]

C.J. Cron Becomes Free Agent

The Minnesota Twins didn't tender a contract to first baseman C.J. Cron on Monday, making him a free agent, according to a source. Cron was productive in his lone season with the Twins, hitting .253/.311/.469 with 25 home runs, 51 runs and 78 RBI in his 458 at-bats. The power is nice -- he had […]

Marlins Claim Jesus Aguilar Off Waivers

The Miami Marlins claimed first baseman Jesus Aguilar off waivers from the Rays on Monday, according to sources. With a clear path to regular at-bats at first base in Miami, Aguilar could be in line for a bounce-back 2020 season after he struggled to a .236/.325/.389 line in Tampa with only four home runs and […]

Mariners Non-Tender Domingo Santana, Tim Beckham

The Seattle Mariners non-tendered outfielder Domingo Santana and shortstop Tim Beckham on Monday, making them both free agents. Santana had a nice .850 OPS but was projected to make $4.4 million in arbitration, and he slashed a putrid .128/.234/.234 with a 44 percent strikeout rate in the second half. He's also a liability on defense, […]

Astros Non-Tendering Aaron Sanchez

The Houston Astros are non-tendering starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez (shoulder), according to a source. It's not a surprise, however, given that Sanchez is expected to miss the beginning of the 2020 regular season after having shoulder surgery in September. The right-hander continues to be hurt by injuries and up-and-down performances in the big leagues. Sanchez […]

Jose Peraza Non-Tendered By Reds

Cincinnati Reds infielder Jose Peraza was non-tendered by the Reds on Monday, according to sources. Peraza finds himself a free agent after a dismal year for the Reds. He hit .239/.285/.346 with six homers, 33 RBI and seven steals in 141 games after slashing .288/.326/.416 with 14 long balls, 58 RBI and 23 stolen bases […]

White Sox, James McCann Avoid Arbitration

The Chicago White Sox avoided arbitration with catcher James McCann on Monday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.4 million deal, according to sources. McCann was excellent for the Pale Hose last season, hitting .273/.328/.460 with 18 home runs, 62 runs scored and 60 RBI in 439 at-bats as the primary backstop. He earned his first […]

Padres Acquire Jurickson Profar From A's

The San Diego Padres acquired infielder Jurickson Profar from the Oakland Athletics on Monday in exchange for catcher Austin Allen and a player to be named, according to sources. Profar was likely to be non-tendered on Monday, so this deal makes sense. He hit a weak .218 in his lone season with Oakland but had […]

Mike Moustakas Agrees With Reds

The Cincinnati Reds and third baseman/second baseman Mike Moustakas agreed to a four-year, $64 million deal on Monday, according to league sources. With Eugenio Suarez entrenched at the hot corner in Cincinnati, Moose will presumably be the team's starting second baseman in 2020 with Jose Peraza being non-tendered. Moustakas hit .254/.329/.516 with 35 home runs […]

Josh Hader Available For Trade

Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader is available in a trade this offseason, according to major league sources. "We listen on a wide variety of players throughout the offseason. A lot of players get discussed," general manager David Stearns said. Hader has been the best left-handed reliever in baseball the last few seasons, winning the Trevor […]

Chris Sale Cleared To Throw

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (elbow) had his follow-up exam with Dr. James Andrews, who administered a platelet-rich plasma injection into Sale's elbow in August, before Thanksgiving. The results were positive and Sale is now in the clear to start throwing with an eye on taking part in spring training next year. The […]

Phillies Interested In Dellin Betances, Austin Romine

The Philadelphia Phillies are interested in relief pitcher Dellin Betances and catcher Austin Romine, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The Phillies have also been linked to shortstop Didi Gregorius. It makes more sense now that manager Joe Girardi, who coached this trio with the Yankees, is the skipper of the Phillies. […]