MLB rumors: Latest off-season news on free agency, trades and more
Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings are set to begin on Monday, when a flurry of trades and transactions will undoubtedly occur as agents seek contracts for their free-agent players and executives from all 30 teams convene to talk trades and league business. Rumors have been churning on which teams are looking to make player moves, and some organizations have recently announced front office and coaching changes.
See the latest MLB news and rumors below. Check back for updates on the latest scoops.
• Free agent Ben Zobrist is set to visit four teams, including the Mets and Giants, reports to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. The Atlanta Braves paid a visit to Zobrist at his home in Nashville, Rosenthal adds.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks are pursuing all-star pitcher Zack Greinke, according to Rosenthal.
• The Mets are insistent on not trading any of their starting pitchers, including Zach Wheeler, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
• The Chicago Cubs are interested in signing pitcher John Lackey to a two-year deal, reports Rosenthal. Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports, reports that the Cubs could offer Lackey a two or three-year deal. The Cubs are also looking at Jeff Samardzija to rejoin their club, reports Jayson Stark of ESPN. Carrie Muskat reports that the discussions between the Cubs and Samardzija are ongoing.
• The Detroit Tigers will add free-agent starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey pending a physical, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The terms of the deal are not official yet, but Joel Sherman of the New York Postreports he will sign a two-year contract for $16 million.
• The Marlins announced their coaching staff for the coming season, adding some new additions the staff. Former player Barry Bonds will serve as a hitting coach alongside last year’s hitting coach Frank Menechino, Juan Nieves as a pitching coach and Tim Wallach as a bench coach. Brian Schneider will coach the catchers and Lorenzo Bundy the outfielders.
• Marlins president of baseball operations, Michael Hill said the team is “not actively shopping” Jose Fernandez or Marcell Ozuna, reports Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.
• The Seattle Mariners signed Nori Aoki to a one-year contract with an option for 2017. Aoki will make $5.5 million in 2016 and the deal includes $1.5 million in incentives each year.
• The Toronto Blue Jays named Ross Atkins their new general manager. Atkins was previously the vice president of player personnel for the Cleveland Indians.
• The Nationals, Braves and Dodgers all have interest in Darren O’Day, reports ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. According to Roch Kubatko of MASN.com, the Dodgers have offered O’Day the most money, but the Nationals are still the favorite with the pitcher wanting to stay on the East Coast.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates had hoped to trade third baseman Pedro Alvarez, but non-tendered him at the deadline last night when a deal failed to materialize, reports Mike Axisa of CBS Sports. Alvarez is now a free agent.
• The Cardinals have non-tendered catcher Cody Stanley, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Stanley served an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
• Jacob Turner, who was non-tendered on Wednesday, will resigned with the White Sox for $1.5 million.
