Matt Belisle, Twins Interested In Reunion

The Minnesota Twins and free-agent relief pitcher Matt Belisle are interested in a reunion in 2018, but no deal is close, according to sources. Belisle was a nice surprise for the Twinkies in 2017, going 9-for-11 in save chances, although he did sport a 4.03 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings. Belisle worked […]

J.J. Hoover Agrees To Minor League Deal With Brewers

Free-agent relief pitcher J.J. Hoover has agreed to a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. Hoover recovered with the Diamondbacks after a rough year with the Reds in 2016. This past season. he posted a 3.92 ERA and 1.77 WHIP over 41 1/3 innings. He will have a chance to earn a spot with […]

Phillies Avoid Arbitration With Cameron Rupp

The Philadelphia Phillies avoided salary arbitration with catcher Cameron Rupp by agreeing to a one-year, $2.05 million deal, according to a source. The right-handed hitting Rupp batted only .236 in 2017 but managed 14 home runs and 34 RBI in 88 games as a part-timer in Philly. He'll likely split time behind the plate in […]

Gerrit Cole To Astros Not Finalized

Updating a previous report, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that there is “no deal” and that rumors of Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole being traded to the Astros is a “false rumor.” The story has been ongoing, as it was previously reported from multiple sources that a deal was done. Jake Kaplan of the Houston […]

Gerrit Cole Traded to Astros

Pittsburgh Pirates starter Gerrit Cole has been traded to the Houston Astros, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Several teams had been interested in acquiring the 27-year-old, but it was the defending World Champions who made it happen. Cole started a National League-best 33 games last season but struggled at times to finish with […]

Brad Brach Doing More Cardio Heading Into 2018 Season

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brad Brach is changing his offseason workout routine to include more long-distance running in order to remain more effective deep into the season. With closer Zach Britton (Achilles) not expected to be ready until around midseason, Brach is expected to begin the year as Baltimore's primary closer. In the last two […]

Rangers Avoid Arbitration With Ryan Rua

The Texas Rangers avoided salary arbitration with outfielder Ryan Rua by agreeing to a one-year, $870,000 deal Tuesday. Rua will enter the 2018 season most likely as just outfield depth for the Rangers. In 63 games for Texas in 2017, he hit just .217 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 129 at-bats. He […]

Chris Young Signs Minor League Deal With Padres

Free-agent pitcher Chris Young has agreed to a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres. Should Young make the opening day roster, he will receive $1 million plus an extra $6 million in incentives. Young, 38, struggled this past season with a 7.50 ERA in 30 innings. Even if he makes the opening day […]

Lorenzo Cain Has Three-Year Offer From Cubs

Speaking on 670 The Score in Chicago, Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago reports that the Chicago Cubs have a three-year offer on the table for free-agent outfielder Lorenzo Cain. It’s the first known offer on the table for Cain, who remains one of the better position players on the market. Cain, 31, hit .300 with […]

Howie Kendrick Could Be A Potential Fit For The Mets

Free-agent infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick could be a potential fit for the New York Mets, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. Puma also notes that the team could look at Kendrick as a clubhouse leader and also as their second baseman. Kendrick played all over the diamond last year between the Nationals and […]

Cubs Are In On Greg Holland

Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reports that the Chicago Cubs are “in the picture” for free-agent closer Greg Holland. The closer had a phenomenal comeback year for the Colorado Rockies this past year. The Rockies moved on after adding former Cubs closer Wade Davis. Holland has previously been linked to the Cardinals and Nationals. […]

Jason Kipnis Expected To Move Back To Second Base

Cleveland Indians second baseman/outfielder Jason Kipnis, who was moved to the outfield in 2017, is expected to move back to second base to start the 2018 season. Infielder Jose Ramirez can now move back to third base. 2017 was a lost season for Kipnis, as he missed the start of the year after straining his […]

Kazuhisa Makita Agrees With Padres

Japanese relief pitcher Kazuhisa Makita agreed to a two-year, $4 million deal with the San Diego Padres on Saturday, according to sources. Makita posted stellar numbers for the Seibu Lions the last two years overseas, but he's likely to have just a setup role in the San Diego bullpen in 2018, which means he is […]

Mets Considering Logan Morrison, Adam Lind

The New York Mets are open to adding free-agent first basemen Logan Morrison or Adam Lind as they look to give young first baseman Dominic Smith some competition in 2018. It's been a slow-developing free-agent market, so Morrison and Lind could fall into the team's lap on the cheap. However, Morrison may be too expensive […]

Dallas Keuchel Feeling Good

Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (foot) has been out of his walking boot for around a week and is feeling good. He also recently resumed throwing and said he expects to be pitching off a mound in early February. Keuchel struggled through a foot injury late in the year and aggravated it in the […]

Marlins Could Keep Starlin Castro

Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports that the Miami Marlins could keep second baseman Starlin Castro. Frisaro notes that a deal would only happen if “it absolutely made sense.” The initial reaction when the Marlins acquired Castro was that he would be on the block, but that does not appear to be the case. The 27-year-old […]

Mets And Jenrry Mejia Avoid Arbitration

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the New York Mets and relief pitcher Jenrry Mejia avoided arbitration. Mejia will be paid $1.729 million, but he is unlikely to receive any of that due to a suspension. Mejia is currently on the permantly ineligible list after failing a third performance-enhancing drug test in 2016. The […]

Alex Cobb Rejects Cubs First Offer

David Kaplan of NBC Sports Chicago reports that free-agent starting pitcher Alex Cobb rejected the Chicago Cubs three-year offer worth $42 million. Kaplan reports that Cobb is interested in the Cubs but was advised by his agent to turn down the offer. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports has previously reported that Cobb is seeking a […]

Padres Are “Strong Favorites” To Sign Kazuhisa Makita

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that the San Diego Padres "have emerged as strong favorites" to sign Japanese reliever Kazuhisa Makita. Makita, 33, pitched to a 2.30 ERA this past year in 58 games. He’s not a strikeout pitcher, having just 35 this past year in 62 2/3 innings. Unless he becomes a closer, […]

Mets Have Had Contact With Jonathan Lucroy

The New York Mets have had contact with free-agent Jonathan Lucroy. The Mets are more interested in adding infielders and outfielders, so Lucroy probably isn't a high priority. He hasn't been a high priority for any teams this offseason after disappointing with a .265 average, six home runs and 40 RBI in 123 games between […]

Mets Interested In Mike Moustakas And Todd Frazier

Jon Morosi of the MLB Network reports that the New York Mets are interested in free-agent third basemen Mike Moustakas and Todd Frazier. Morosi notes that the price on both players would need to drop for the Mets to be serious suitors. The Mets have been looking to add a bat and are more likely […]

Astros Could Be Landing Spot For Greg Holland, Addison Reed

The Houston Astros could emerge as a landing spot for free-agent closer Greg Holland, who is the top remaining closer on the free-agent market. Some people within the Astros organization see the closing spot as a potential issue for the team, according to sources, with current closer Ken Giles struggling during the playoffs. Free-agent relief […]

Dodgers Considered Yasiel Puig For Jackie Bradley Swap

The Los Angeles Dodgers floated the idea of trading outfielder Yasiel Puig to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Jackie Bradley, according to major league sources. However, sources say the Red Sox quickly declined the idea and no substantial talks ensued. Bradley is coming off a season in which he hit .245/.323/.402 with 17 home […]

Owner Hopes Billy Hamilton Spends Entire Career With Reds

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini said, “I hope Billy Hamilton is here forever.” The Reds have been listening on offers for the speedster this offseason, but ultimately Castellini would need to sign off on any deal. The Giants have been showing the most interest in Hamilton thus far.

Mets And Pirates Have Discussed Andrew McCutchen

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the New York Mets have talked to the Pittsburgh Pirates about outfielder Andrew McCutchen. No deal is close and Rosenthal reports that the Mets may look at free agency over trading for a player that would cost them depth. McCutchen has also been linked to the Giants this […]

Marlins Not Looking To Add Contracts With Christian Yelich Or J.T. Realmuto

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Miami Marlins are not looking to add some of their higher paid players such as second baseman Starlin Castro or third baseman Martin Prado in any potential deal involving outfielder Christian Yelich or catcher J.T. Realmuto. This would likely allow them to receive better prospects, and with Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna […]

Nationals Showing Interest In Christian Yelich

Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports that the Washington Nationals have shown interest in Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich. They have also been reported to have interest in catcher J.T. Realmuto. For the Marlins to be willing to move either player, they expect a sky-high offer, and it doesn’t seem like the Nationals are willing to […]

Giants Continue To Discuss Andrew McCutchen Deal

Jon Morosi of the MLB Network reports that the San Francisco Giants continue to inquire with the Pittsburgh Pirates about acquiring outfielder Andrew McCutchen. Morosi notes that the Giants don’t want to part ways with their top three prospects after moving Christian Arroyo to acquire Evan Longoria. The Pirates are said to want one of […]

Braves Interested In J.T. Realmuto

Jon Morosi of the MLB Network reports the Atlanta Braves have interest in Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto. Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos is the new man in charge for the Braves and has shown in his time with the Blue Jays that he is not afraid to make a big move. The Braves have a […]

Will Middlebrooks Likely To Sign With Phillies

Free-agent third baseman Will Middlebrooks is likely to sign a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Middlebrooks played in only 22 games in the majors for the Rangers last year and hit just .211 with no home runs and three RBI in 38 at-bats. Since hitting a career-high 17 dingers in 2013 with the […]