NL West

There is reportedly another suitor in the Kris Bryant sweepstakes.

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Colorado Rockies are "obviously aiming to compete in 2022" and are interested in signing the former Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants star to help them do just that.

Robert Murray of FanSided previously reported the Seattle Mariners were interested in Bryant even though he is not expected to sign before a possible Dec. 1 work stoppage.

Colorado would be hard-pressed to find a better immediate upgrade to its lineup in free agency than Bryant.

The 29-year-old is a four-time All-Star who won the 2015 National League Rookie of the Year and the 2016 NL MVP during his time with the Cubs. During his MVP-winning season, he also helped Chicago break a World Series championship drought that dated back to 1908, and he helped lead the Giants to the playoffs last season.

Bryant started his career as a third baseman, but part of his value is his ability to play anywhere in the outfield and at first base if needed. That versatility could allow the Rockies or any other team to pursue other options even if they signed Bryant.

He slashed .265/.353/.481 with 25 home runs and 73 RBI last season for the Cubs and Giants and is a playoff-tested veteran.

Colorado missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and finished in fourth place in the NL West at 74-87 in 2021. It has plenty of ground to make up in a daunting division that features contenders in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Giants and San Diego Padres, although signing Bryant would represent an addition for Colorado and a subtraction for San Francisco.

Such a move would also bring some star power back to the Rockies after they traded Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals before the 2021 season. Trevor Story is also a free agent, although Heyman previously reported they are interested in re-signing the two-time All-Star shortstop.

Perhaps teaming up with Bryant in hitter-friendly Coors Field would be an intriguing situation for Story as the Rockies look to build a contender.            

Max Scherzer is close to finalizing a multiyear contract with the New York Mets, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Andy Martino of SNY added the Mets offer includes an average annual value near $42 million, with the team offering either three or four years. Morosi corroborated Martino's tweet, reporting that Steve Cohen's squad offered him a three-year, $120 million deal. 

That comes after Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the two sides were "making progress" toward a deal. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic added there were "growing indications" that Scherzer will wind up in Queens.

In addition, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported the Los Angeles Dodgers had grown "pessimistic" about their chances of retaining the three-time Cy Young winner. 

While it was initially believed Scherzer wanted to stay on the West Coast, the New York Post's Greg Joyce noted the Mets could offer him a longer contract and more money to come to Flushing. In addition to the Dodgers, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels had also been linked to the right-hander. 

Scherzer is expected to make his decision before the impending Dec. 1 lockout, per Heyman.

The 37-year-old has been one of the best pitchers in baseball throughout his 14-year career, and his dominance continued in 2021. He posted a 15-4 record with a 2.46 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 236 strikeouts in 179.1 innings. 

Scherzer, who spent six and a half seasons with the Washington Nationals, was sent to the Dodgers at last season's trade deadline. He was a perfect 7-0 in L.A. with a 1.98 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 89 strikeouts in 68.1 innings across 11 starts. 

If the Mets land Scherzer, he'd create a dominant one-two punch on the mound alongside fellow Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom. New York is also expected to deploy Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker in 2022. 

The Mets were also interested in Kevin Gausman before he signed a five-year, $110 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. 

It has been a busy offseason for the Mets. The team has already signed outfielders Starling Marte and Mark Canha, as well as infielder Eduardo Escobar. There's still plenty of time to make moves before the 2022 season begins, and the Mets appear to be far from finished.  

The free-agent market for Max Scherzer is heating up, with multiple teams pursuing the three-time Cy Young winner. 

Per MLB Network's Jon Heyman, Scherzer is expected to make a decision before the current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels among those in the mix. 

Heyman added the Mets are "aggressively pursuing" Scherzer, but they could turn their attention to Kevin Gausman because Scherzer did show a preference for being on the West Coast during the 2021 season before the Washington Nationals traded him to the Dodgers in July. 

Given that Scherzer is 37 years old, there is an expectation he will presumably sign a short-term contract with a high average annual salary. 

Last month, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Scherzer "seems likely" to re-sign with the Dodgers on a three-year contract worth around $35 million per season. 

When the Nationals were shopping Scherzer prior to the trade deadline, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand noted the right-hander "strongly prefers the West Coast" to waive his no-trade clause. 

The Dodgers wound up making the deal for Scherzer and Trea Turner with Washington. His familiarity with the organization could give them a leg up, but the other teams mentioned by Heyman have the potential to be heavy-hitters in 2022. 

The Giants won the NL West over the Dodgers last season with 107 wins. They have already lost Buster Posey, who retired, and they're still waiting to see what happens with Kris Bryant. 

The Angels would seem desperate to make the playoffs while they still have Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, two generational talents, in the prime of their respective careers. They already signed Noah Syndergaard to upgrade their rotation, but it's unclear how much of an impact he will have. He threw only two innings late in the regular season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March 2020. 

Mets owner Steve Cohen has shown a willingness to spend big if he thinks it will help his team compete for a playoff spot. They have already been aggressive this offseason, agreeing to deals with Starling Marte, Eduardo Escobar and Mark Cahna, per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. 

Scherzer would give the Mets a fantastic one-two punch alongside Jacob deGrom at the top of their rotation. 

Despite his advanced age, Scherzer remains one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball. He finished third in NL Cy Young voting this season after posting a 2.46 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and striking out 236 hitters in 179.1 innings over 30 starts between the Nationals and Dodgers.    

The Seattle Mariners may not be done acquiring impact players.

After ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the American League West team landed Adam Frazier via trade from the San Diego Padres, Robert Murray of Fansided reported the team is "interested" in free agent Kris Bryant even though he is not expected to sign before a possible work stoppage on Dec. 1 if a new collective bargaining agreement isn't signed.

Bryant is one of the best available free agents this offseason with a resume that includes the 2016 National League MVP, a World Series title, the 2015 NL Rookie of the Year and four All-Star appearances.

He is even more valuable because of his ability to play all over the field. He has seen time at third base, first base and every outfield spot during his career.

The 29-year-old slashed .265/.353/.481 with 25 home runs and 73 RBI last season while splitting time with the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants. Chicago traded him to the Giants prior to last season's deadline before he hit free agency even though he was one of the franchise cornerstones who helped the team win a World Series during his tenure.

The early trade for Frazier and this connection suggests the Mariners could be aggressive this offseason.

Seattle hasn't made the playoffs since the 2001 season but impressed in 2021 on the way to a 90-72 mark. If it is able to build on that effort, the postseason in 2022 should be a realistic goal even in a difficult American League West that features the Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics.

Bryant's versatility also echoes Frazier's, which is notable since Mariners president Jerry Dipoto told reporters, "We felt like adding Adam made us a deeper team without stopping us from doing anything else we would have wanted to do. That's double the fun. We can continue to add to our team because Adam is so versatile.''

Bryant would be another versatile All-Star caliber player who would make the Mariners an even bigger playoff threat.            

The Toronto Blue Jays and right-handed starting pitcher Kevin Gausman have been in talks about a multiyear deal over the past few days, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Morosi further noted that other teams are in the mix for Gausman, who has not decided upon his next MLB home as of yet.

Gausman, who is entering his age-31 season, went 14-6 with a 2.81 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 227 strikeouts in 192.0 innings for the San Francisco Giants last year. He made his first All-Star Game appearance and finished sixth in the National League Cy Young Award voting.

Gausman ranked 10th overall and No. 3 among pitchers on Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com's offseason free-agent list.

An ugly 2019 season that featured 5.72 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 31 games (17 starts) appears to be in the rearview mirror.

Gausman followed that up by going 3-3 with a 3.62 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and 79 strikeouts in 59.2 innings over the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

In 2021, the nine-year MLB veteran helped anchor one of baseball's best staffs as the Giants earned a league-best 107-55 record.

Naturally, Gausman has multiple suitors for his next home. The New York Mets are one of them, and Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported Saturday that an MLB executive told him he'd be "shocked" if Gausman didn't agree to a deal with the team within 48 hours.

The Giants are still interested in Gausman, per Morosi, who also noted that the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners were in the mix too.

Regardless of where Gausman goes, it's clear he'll be cashing in big after a great 2021 season.

The Seattle Mariners acquired All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier from the San Diego Padres on Saturday.

The Padres received left-handed relief pitcher Ray Kerr and outfield prospect Corey Rosier, a 12th-round pick in the 2021 MLB draft, in return.

ESPN's Jeff Passan initially reported the deal.

Frazier was selected to the All-Star Game after a red-hot start to the 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He posted a .324 batting average and .836 OPS across 98 appearances before getting traded to the Padres in late July.

The 29-year-old Georgia native saw his numbers fade after the deal. He compiled a lackluster .662 OPS with five stolen bases and one home run in 57 games for San Diego.

"I definitely probably put a little too much pressure on myself," Frazier told Dennis Lin of The Athletic in late August amid his struggles.

The second baseman, who can also play the corner outfield positions, owns a solid .344 career on-base percentage, but he's never been a major contributor in other categories. His career-high totals in homers (10) and stolen bases (10) don't jump off the page, making him more of a glue guy than a lineup cornerstone.

Frazier will initially slot in as the M's projected starting second baseman for 2022. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Seattle is still looking to upgrade its lineup, which could potentially move the Mississippi State product into a super-utility role.

Meanwhile, the Padres receive two players still working toward their first MLB appearances.

Kerr, 27, will likely get his first chance at the big leagues in 2022. He's got ample upside as a lefty who can hit 100 mph on the radar gun, but getting his command on track has taken some time. He improved his walk rate considerably from 2019 (4.99 BB/9) to 2021 (3.63) in the minors, but there's still work to do.

Rosier, 22, split his first season of professional ball between the Rookie League and Low-A. He showed a lot of promise with a 1.022 OPS, 13 steals and three homers in 32 games. He's still likely two or three years away from playing a key role in the majors, though.

All told, San Diego didn't get the type of production it expected from Frazier after the deadline deal, but it was able to recoup some value by trading him to the Mariners.

The Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels have joined in on the pursuit of free-agent right-hander Kevin Gausman, per MLB Network's Jon Morosi. 

The San Francisco Giants also remain involved and would like to retain him, Morosi adds. 

Even after the Jose Berrios extension, the Blue Jays are looking to add to their rotation, which also includes Hyun Jin Ryu and Alek Manoah. With the likelihood the team loses Robbie Ray in free agency, it should come as no surprise that Toronto is interested in Gausman. 

As for Seattle, the Mariners could use some depth on the mound alongside Logan Gilbert, Marco Gonzales and Chris Flexen. The team can't continue to rely on Justus Sheffield in 2022 after a 2021 campaign in which he finished with a 6.83 ERA, 1.842 WHIP and 63 strikeouts in 80.1 innings. 

And even after signing Noah Syndergaard, the Angels aren't stopping their pursuit of starting pitching just yet, which should come as little surprise. L.A. had one of the worst pitching staffs in 2021, recording a 4.69 ERA, the ninth worst in MLB, and a 1.38 WHIP.

While Shohei Ohtani will likely continue to serve as L.A.'s top pitcher, Gausman represents a much-needed veteran presence in a young rotation that will likely include Patrick Sandoval, Jose Suarez, Jaime Barria and Reid Detmers.

As for the Giants, it's crucial the team locks up Gausman. Logan Webb and Anthony DeSclafani are locked in for 2022, but starters Johnny Cueto and Alex Wood could be playing elsewhere next season. 

Gausman had a tremendous 2021 season for the Giants, going 14-6 with a 2.81 ERA, 1.042 WHIP and 227 strikeouts in 192.0 innings across 33 starts. He also finished sixth in National League Cy Young voting. 

The 30-year-old is 64-72 over his nine-year career and owns a 4.02 ERA and a 1.283 WHIP. In addition to the Giants, he has also played for the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.  

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini and San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey were named the American and National League Comeback Players of the Year on Monday:

Mancini's story was one of the most inspiring in the entire sports world in 2021, as he returned to the field after missing the 2020 campaign because of Stage 3 colon cancer. Posey also missed the 2020 season after choosing to step away from the game because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Orioles called Mancini winning this award "inevitable from the moment he took the field on Opening Day" and shared a story of his comeback:

As Andrew Golden of the Washington Post detailed, Mancini was diagnosed in March 2020 and underwent chemotherapy until September of that year. He also underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor.

Orioles fans gave him an emotional standing ovation for his first at-bat at Camden Yards of the season.

"It was 25 percent capacity at the time, but it felt like a full stadium," Mancini said, per Golden. "The city really rallied around me last year and was so supportive. For it to come full circle and for me to be back in a game … it was really special."

He did more than just return, though, and was a key part of Baltimore's lineup. Mancini slashed .255/.326/.432 with 21 home runs and 71 RBI while appearing in 147 games and notably advanced to the championship round of the 2021 Home Run Derby at Coors Field in Colorado before falling to Pete Alonso.

As for Posey, he helped lead the Giants to the best record in the league at 107-55, which was quite the improvement from their 29-31 mark during the shortened 2020 campaign without him.

The catcher slashed .304/.390/.499 with 18 home runs and 56 RBI while making his seventh career All-Star Game and taking home his fifth Silver Slugger. He now has the 2021 Comeback Player of the Year to add to an illustrious resume that includes an NL MVP, three World Series titles, a Gold Glove and a batting title.

Posey won't be adding to that on-field resume any longer after electing to retire this offseason.         

The San Francisco Giants need starting pitching, and they are reportedly taking an "incredibly aggressive" approach to the position this offseason.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported as much Monday, noting Logan Webb was the only starting pitcher who is currently slated into the rotation. "The expectation is that they will sign multiple starting pitchers in the coming days," Passan wrote while also pointing out San Francisco is a desirable location for free agents after a successful 2021 campaign.

It didn't take long for the team to follow that aggressive path:

The Giants finished with the best record in the league last season at 107-55, although they lost to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.

Despite the early playoff exit, they exceeded expectations and were aggressive at the trade deadline, acquiring 2016 NL MVP Kris Bryant. They will reportedly remain aggressive this offseason as they look to build a team capable of competing with the powerhouse Dodgers once again in 2022.

Yet the only hope to realistically contend with Los Angeles is by addressing the pitching.

San Francisco already declined Johnny Cueto's $22 million club option, and Kevin Gausman and Alex Wood are free agents. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi called the rotation the team's "No. 1 priority" this offseason, per Maria Guardado of MLB.com.

Guardado noted San Francisco has a "reputation for helping free-agent starters rebuild their value" thanks to director of pitching Brian Bannister and pitching coaches Andrew Bailey and J.P. Martinez, which could contribute to Passan's report that players want to join the team.

The rotation was just Webb prior to San Francisco's decision to re-sign Anthony DeSclafani, although that is a solid starting point.

The 25-year-old finished the 2021 season with a 3.03 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 158 strikeouts in 148.1 innings and appears primed to serve as a key contributor for the Giants in the immediate future. Who will be lined up around him and DeSclafani in the rotation is the bigger question.