Veteran RHP garnering interest from Red Sox, Cubs (report)

We’re keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.

Jan. 25: Stanek garnering interest from Red Sox, Cubs

The relief pitcher market has picked up steam over the past few days, with Josh Hader and Robert Stephenson among those who have inked new contracts. Matt Moore and David Robertson have reportedly agreed to deals. Which bullpen arm will be the next to sign? One possibility has emerged: Ryne Stanek.

The Red Sox and Cubs are interested in the seven-year veteran, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. The 32-year-old right-hander was a crucial member of the Astros’ World Series-winning bullpen in 2022; he compiled a 1.15 ERA and limited hitters to a .556 OPS over 54 2/3 innings (59 appearances). He took a step back last year, however, finishing with a 4.09 ERA in 50 2/3 innings (55 appearances). Stanek’s walk rate fell last year from 13.8% to a more manageable 9.9%. However, his strikeout and whiff rates also dipped by about four percentage points, to 23.9% and 30.7% respectively.

Jan. 25: Yankees have talked with these 5 relievers (report)

The Yankees have made significant additions this offseason to address their lineup (Juan Soto), outfield depth (Alex Verdugo, Trent Grisham) and starting rotation (Marcus Stroman). They haven’t, however, added a relief pitcher on a Major League contract — yet.

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, writing in the New York Post, mentions the names of five relievers whom the Yankees have spoken with this winter. More >

Jan. 25: Angels reportedly showing interest in Votto; Reds not planning to pursue reunion

The Angels have yet to make a major addition to their lineup after losing Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers in free agency, but they are continuing to explore offensive targets to go with the quartet of pitchers they’ve added (Robert Stephenson, Matt Moore, Zach Plesac and Adam Cimber). The latest name to emerge as a possibility? First baseman Joey Votto.

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman connected the Halos and Votto in an appearance on Bleacher Report on Wednesday, reporting that the Angels are one of the teams showing interest in the free-agent first baseman.

The Angels currently have youngster Nolan Schanuel penciled in as their starting first baseman, but they have an opening at the DH spot following Ohtani’s departure. The club was also recently linked to outfielder Adam Duvall, with Heyman reporting on Jan. 18 that Duvall was likely to pick either the Angels or the incumbent Red Sox.

At age 40, Votto is likely to be the more cost-effective option of the two. After 17 seasons with the Reds, the former MVP became a free agent when Cincinnati declined his $20 million club option for 2024, opting to pay him a $7 million buyout instead.

The Reds are not planning to pursue a reunion with Votto at this point, according to president of baseball operations Nick Krall. As for who else might be in the mix for Votto’s services, Heyman isn’t ruling out the slugger’s hometown team, the Blue Jays.

Jan. 25: O’s in on Lorenzen

The Orioles are still looking to add starting pitching, and Michael Lorenzen is one name they have their eye on. 

MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reported Thursday that the O’s have expressed interest in the free-agent right-hander. 

Lorenzen reportedly threw a bullpen session in California earlier this week (along with Noah Syndergaard) with about 16 MLB teams in attendance, per FanSided’s Robert Murray.

Baltimore has been seeking a frontline starter, and Lorenzen is probably more of a mid-rotation type, but he would still bolster the pitching staff of an Orioles team looking to build on last year’s 101-win season.

The 32-year-old was one of the better pitchers moved at last season’s Trade Deadline as the Phillies acquired him from the Tigers after he posted a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts. Lorenzen threw a no-hitter during his home debut in Philly, but he struggled after that night and ended up posting a 5.51 ERA in his 11 outings for the Phillies. Lorenzen finished the season in Philadelphia’s bullpen and made two scoreless relief appearances during the postseason.

Jan. 25: Royals looking to add a closer (report)

The Royals have been one of the most active teams in baseball this offseason, already having added veteran starters Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha, among others. According to Ken Rosenthal and Levi Weaver of The Athletic (subscription required), Kansas City may not be done bolstering its roster in a wide-open AL Central division. The report suggests that the Royals are “open to adding one more piece — a closer.”

While the free agent market for closers is thin, Rosenthal notes that Kansas City is looking to acquire one via trade. The trade market isn’t very deep, either, though names like Devin Williams, Emmanuel Clase and Kenley Jansen have been floated in rumors this offseason.

Jan. 23: Syndergaard drawing interest

FanSided’s Robert Murray reports that “about 16 teams” watched free-agent starter Noah Syndergaard throw a bullpen session on Tuesday in California. (Michael Lorenzen also threw a bullpen session there.) 

Murray specifically mentions the Padres and Pirates as two clubs that are interested in Syndergaard.

The 31-year-old Syndergaard is far removed from being the electrifying hurler known as Thor who overpowered hitters with his flamethrowing right arm from 2015-19. Last season, he had a 6.50 ERA, served up 22 homers and struck out only 56 batters in 88 2/3 innings split between the Dodgers and Guardians.

However, perhaps he is regaining a little bit of that lost velocity. Murray writes that Syndergaard consistently sat between 93-95 mph during the session. His four-seamer and two-seamer each averaged about 92 mph last year.

Jan. 22: Which top relievers could end up in NY?

The Mets and Yankees are both vying for some of the top relief pitchers left on the free-agent market. Here’s who could land in New York.

Both teams have had discussions with right-hander Hector Neris and left-hander Wandy Peralta, according to a report Monday from SNY’s Andy Martino. Neris, 34, had a 1.71 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 71 relief appearances for the Astros last season. He is a more likely fit for the Yankees than the Mets, per Martino.

Peralta registered a 2.83 ERA across 63 appearances (54 innings) with the Yanks last year. The 32-year-old has logged a 2.82 ERA in 153 innings since being acquired via a trade with San Francisco in April 2021. MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reported last week on how the Yanks have maintained contact with Peralta.

The Mets could have a reunion of their own as Martino reports that Adam Ottavino is a possibility for them. The 38-year-old right-hander, who has spent the past two seasons with the club, had a 3.21 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 66 appearances in 2023.

The Mets also expressed interest in Aroldis Chapman, but the lefty flamethrower agreed to a one-year deal with the Pirates on Monday, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.

Jan. 22: Would Paxton complete Dodgers’ starting rotation?

The additions of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow have undoubtedly upgraded the Dodgers’ starting staff. Yet the club still has some question marks behind that duo in its rotation, so they could use another starter. And it looks like they have found one

The Dodgers have reached an agreement on a one-year contract with free-agent left-hander James Paxton, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman on Monday. The club has not confirmed the deal, which includes an $11 million salary, a $1 million Opening Day roster bonus and $1 million in performance incentives. Does he represent the last piece in the team’s 2023 rotation? More >

Jan. 20: With Hader joining Astros and Stephenson to the Angels, where does the reliever market stand?

Hader’s contract is among the richest for a relief pitcher in baseball history and sets the market for the relievers who remain available. There are a lot of good ones.

Feinsand reports that the Yankees have interest in Hector Neris, who had a career year with the Astros in 2023. His season included a 1.71 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP over 71 appearances. The Yanks are also open to a reunion with Wandy Peralta, who has been mentioned as a potential target for the Mets.

Ryan Brasier was just about untouchable once the Dodgers acquired him in June of last season. He allowed only six runs (three earned) in 38 2/3 innings and posted a 0.72 WHIP with Los Angeles. The 36-year-old right-hander has six teams vying for him, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.

The Cubs are one of those clubs, and they were reportedly in on Hader as well. They could bulk up their bullpen via the trade market as they are interested in acquiring Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, according to 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine.

Jan. 20: ‘Widespread belief’ that Bellinger will re-sign with Cubs

Several teams have been connected with Bellinger so far this offseason, including the Blue Jays, Giants and Mariners. But according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, there is “widespread belief within the industry” that Bellinger will re-sign with the Cubs, though “only if/when his asking price comes down.” More >

Jan. 18: Duvall ‘likely’ to choose Red Sox or Angels (report)

Veteran outfielder Adam Duvall is coming off a strong, albeit injury-limited season in 2023, and according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the 35-year-old slugger will “likely” return to the Red Sox or sign with the Angels unless other clubs join the mix late.

Duvall posted an .834 OPS with 21 home runs in 92 games for Boston last year, and he’s only two seasons removed from a 38-homer campaign in which he led the NL with 113 RBIs. The Red Sox would like to avoid losing that type of production and the Angels are trying to replace some of the power lost when Shohei Ohtani signed with the Dodgers.

Jan. 18: Front-runner emerging for Soler?

Jorge Soler is one of the leading hitters remaining on the free agent market, and according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman in an article for the New York Post, his market is gaining steam. Heyman reports that the Blue Jays are emerging as a front-runner for the slugger, who turns 32 next month. He adds that the D-backs and Red Sox are also showing interest.

Jan. 18: Marlins willing to listen to offers on Luzardo, Cabrera (source)

Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber and Corbin Burnes. Those three aces have been frequently mentioned in the trade rumor mill this offseason, but with only a few weeks left until Spring Training, the chances that any of those pitchers are moved soon appear to be falling. Club executives have told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that they don’t anticipate Cease or Bieber being traded before the season begins.

However, that doesn’t mean the trade cupboard is completely bare. A source told Feinsand that the Marlins have been open to discussing deals involving starting pitchers Jesús Luzardo and Edward Cabrera.

The Yankees have reportedly talked to the Marlins about a handful of their controllable starting pitchers, including Luzardo and Cabrera, but MLB Network insider Jon Heyman recently wrote in the New York Post that there is “no evidence of any real traction there yet.” Miami also discussed a deal with the Royals during last month’s Winter Meetings that would have sent Luzardo to the Royals for first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required).

Luzardo, 26, struck out 208 batters in 178 2/3 innings last season. The left-hander is under club control for three more seasons. The 25-year-old Cabrera has yet to top 100 innings in any of his three MLB seasons and has posted an extremely high 14.0% walk rate during his career. However, opponents had an expected batting average of .199 against him last year, and his 55.7% ground-ball rate ranked in the 91st percentile. Cabrera has five years of club control remaining.

Jan. 18: Team to watch? Cubs expected to make impact moves soon (report)

Cubs made a significant move last week, locking up starting pitcher Shōta Imanaga on a four-year contract. That might have been just the start of what could still be a big offseason for the Cubs.

One high-ranking evaluator told ESPN’s Buster Olney that the Cubs are “the team to watch” over the remainder of the offseason, and that evaluator believes the Cubs will make the most impactful moves of any team. More >

Jan. 17: Cubs interested in Guardians closer Clase (report)

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Saturday that adding to the team’s bullpen is an “area of priority.” The team could make an equally seismic move to upgrade their bullpen via the trade market. According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score in Chicago, Chicago is interested in acquiring Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase.

Clase, an All-Star in each of the past two seasons, has posted a 1.97 ERA with 110 saves over 215 innings since the start of 2021. His ERA rose to 3.22 in 2023 while his strikeout rate dropped to a career-low 21.2%, but it will still take quite a lot for any team to pry him away from Cleveland. Clase, 25, is owed only about $14 million over the next three seasons, and he carries $10 million club options in 2027 and ’28.

Jan. 17: Blue Jays agree to deal with Cuban RHP Rodríguez (source); is a Manoah trade possible?

The Blue Jays are in agreement on a multiyear contract with Cuban right-handed pitcher Yariel Rodríguez, according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi. He adds that there are still some details to work out before the deal is finalized.

It’s a pretty significant move for Toronto as Rodríguez was ranked by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand as a top-20 free agent at the outset of the offseason. Rodríguez was a starting pitcher in Cuba from 2015-20, but he pitched in relief exclusively while with Nippon Professional Baseball’s Chunichi Dragons from 2020-22. He posted a 1.15 ERA and a 27.5% strikeout rate in 56 appearances for Chunichi in 2022, but after pitching for Team Cuba in the ’23 World Baseball Classic, he decided to focus on a move to the Majors rather than return to Japan.

Since he hasn’t appeared in a game since the WBC, Rodríguez may begin his big league career as a swingman. But, per Morosi, the Blue Jays view him as a starter over the long term. So where does that leave Alek Manoah?

The first four spots of the Blue Jays’ rotation are taken up by Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi. While Toronto is hoping that Manoah can bounce back following a dreadful 2023 season, top prospect Ricky Tiedemann is knocking on the door of the Majors, and Rodríguez gives the team more rotation depth. 

Early in the offseason, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required) reported that the Blue Jays were open to dealing Manoah, who was an AL Cy Young finalist in 2022. It’s unclear if that remains the case, but Rodríguez would seem to give Toronto more leeway if it is still interested in such a move.

Jan. 17: Red Sox considering reunion with multiple hitters

While the Red Sox remain in conversations with players and teams who could help them upgrade their pitching staff, president of baseball operations Craig Breslow told Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe earlier this week that finding a match has been “a challenge.” 

Perhaps it will be a little easier for Breslow to address another team need: a power bat from the right side of the plate.

“Yes, we would love to add power,” he said. “We would love to have right-handed power.”

The club could end up signing a familiar face to help in that area. Abraham reports that the team is in talks with outfielder Adam Duvall and infielder Justin Turner. More >