NL West

If the New York Mets want to make a splash in the trade market, the Colorado Rockies are reportedly ready and willing to speak with them about Nolan Arenado.

Per MLB Network's Jon Morosi (h/t Danny Abriano of SNY.tv), the Rockies "want to engage with" the Mets about the five-time All-Star. 

Arenado's long-term future with the Rockies has been cloudy for some time. 

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported in January that the 29-year-old was unhappy with the team's inactivity in free agency after they finished 71-91 in 2019. 

"There's a lot of disrespect from people there that I don't want to be a part of," Arenado told MLB.com's Thomas Harding in a text message. "You can quote that."

Arenado is entering the second season of an eight-year, $260 million extension he signed in February 2019. The deal includes an opt-out after the 2022 season. 

The Mets could be a potentially hot destination for players this offseason. New team owner Steve Cohen has made it clear he wants to spend money on his roster and hopes to win a World Series within three to five years.

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Fox Sports, James McCann is "closing in" on a four-year, $40 million deal with the Mets. 

A potential Arenado deal would cost New York a lot more than that in terms of money and prospects. He's proved himself to be worth a significant cost as arguably the most complete third baseman in Major League Baseball. The California native has won eight straight Gold Glove awards and has a .293/.349/.541 slash line in 1,079 career games with the Rockies. 

The Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams to pursue closer Liam Hendriks in free agency.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported Monday that Hendriks has been seeking a four-year deal "at a strong annual value" in contract talks.                              

Hendriks has been perhaps the best reliever in baseball over the past two seasons. The 31-year-old recorded 14 saves in 15 chances in 2020, posting a 1.78 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and striking out 37 batters in 25.1 innings.

A bit of a journeyman before latching on in Oakland, Hendriks' ascent has been a pleasant surprise—one that has apparently not given teams any pause in free agency. Before the 2019 season, the right-hander had essentially been a replacement-level MLB player. His career ERA remains a bit high at 4.10, owing to his early-career struggles as a starter with the Minnesota Twins and Blue Jays.

The Philadelphia Phillies were also mentioned as a potential suitor but could sit out the free-agency period if new president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski doesn't give the green light to spend.

Hendriks should find himself in a strong position among relievers on the open market, regardless of whether the Phillies dive in. His recent success puts him a clear step above any of the other names available and might make a team willing to push its chips to the middle of the table with a four-year deal.     

The Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly among the teams interested in signing free-agent outfielder Joc Pederson.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Pederson's links to the teams, noting the former Dodger's suitors may fall in line after Marcell Ozuna, who is the most "desirable" left fielder on the market.

This article will be updated to provide more information soon.

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The defending champions added some depth to their bullpen Wednesday. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced they traded a player to be named later or cash considerations to the Milwaukee Brewers for right-handed pitcher Corey Knebel. Knebel appeared in 15 games for the Brewers during the shortened 2020 campaign and finished with a 6.08 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 13.1 innings.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the Dodgers elected to tender him, meaning the two sides will either go to arbitration or agree to a contract.

While Knebel's 2020 numbers are not impressive, it should be noted that he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2019 season.

He struggled in his return but is not far removed from a head-turning showing in 2017 and a solid 2018 effort when he helped anchor Milwaukee's bullpen. He finished with a 1.78 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 126 strikeouts in 76 innings in 2017 and posted a 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 88 strikeouts in 55.1 innings the following year.

The bullpen was a major reason the Brewers reached the National League Championship Series in 2018, where they lost to Knebel's new team.

The right-hander is just 29 years old and could still be in his prime for the foreseeable future if he does bounce back. There also won't be as much pressure on him to be a major piece in the Dodgers' bullpen considering they just won a World Series without him.

If he comes even close to replicating what he was in 2017, this low-risk, high-reward move by Los Angeles will look quite notable come October.

The San Francisco Giants are interested in free-agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, but there's a major stipulation factoring into the club's pursuit.

Morosi noted the Giants' interest is "somewhat contingent" on whether or not the designated hitter remains in the National League for the 2021 season. 

Ozuna compiled a .338/.431/.636 slash line with league-leading figures in home runs (18) and RBI (56) in 60 games with the Atlanta Braves in 2020. 

The Giants have plenty of capable outfielders heading into 2021, led by Mike Yastrzemski in right field. Alex Dickerson and Mauricio Dubon lined up in left field and center field, respectably. Where San Francisco was thin last year, however, was at DH, when it used Wilmer Flores for 22 games.

Ozuna would certainly provide a massive upgrade, but as one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason—as well as one of the best hitters on the market—the Giants are sure to have plenty of competition if they decide to pursue his services. 

The 30-year-old, who recently switched agents, has been linked to the New York Mets in recent weeks as new owner Steve Cohen announced his intent to spend big money to build a contender. Morosi also linked the Toronto Blue Jays to Ozuna but noted the club prefers outfielder George Springer.

Spotrac currently estimates Ozuna's market value at $20.1 million per season, listing J.D. Martinez, Carlos Santana and Eric Hosmer as players with comparable value

Baseball Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda remains hospitalized but has been moved out of intensive care, per Los Angeles Dodgers spokesperson Steve Brener. 

According to the Associated Press (via ESPN), Brener said Tuesday Lasorda is out of the ICU and is completing rehab at a hospital in Orange County.

Brener said in a statement on Nov. 24 that Lasorda's "condition has improved" to the point he's been able to "conduct FaceTime calls with former player Steve Sax, former general manager Fred Claire and former third-base coach Joe Amalfitano," per MLB.com's Ken Gurnick.

The Dodgers announced on Nov. 15 that the 93-year-old was in intensive care after being admitted to the hospital, but he was "resting comfortably." Per the AP, Lasorda was first hospitalized on Nov. 8.

Lasorda was in attendance at Globe Life Field on Oct. 27 to watch the Dodgers defeat the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6 of the World Series to win their first championship since he managed the team in 1988. 

After a brief playing career from 1954-56, Lasorda became one of the best managers in MLB history when the Dodgers hired him to replace Walter Alston after he retired near the end of the 1976 season. 

Lasorda spent his entire 21-year managerial career with Los Angeles. He ranks 22nd all-time with 1,599 wins and led the franchise to two World Series titles (1981, 1988) and seven division titles. The Pennsylvania native won National League Manager of the Year twice in 1983 and 1988. 

Following his retirement after the 1996 season, Lasorda was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997 by the Veterans Committee. His No. 2 jersey was retired by the Dodgers that same year. 

San Diego Padres outfielder Tommy Pham is reportedly suing the Pacers Showgirls International strip club after he was stabbed in the establishment's parking lot Oct. 11, according to TMZ Sports. 

Per that report, Pham was attempting to get to his car to leave after a fight had broken out in the parking lot. As he did, people in the fight confronted him, and when he moved one of them out of his way, he was stabbed. Pham is suing the establishment, saying its employees "escalated the risk by participating in the fight and antagonizing."

Pham said he had been "trapped inside the business" initially due to the fight and that nobody who worked there called the police, but eventually, he tried to reach the valet to get to his car once it was clear to him the fight wasn't subsiding. 

He said once he did, he was stabbed "without any provocation" and suffered "catastrophic injuries" that he will argue in court have damaged his "earning capacity as an elite professional baseball player."

He is both suing the establishment, its employees and security team for negligence and negligent hiring and supervision, seeking damages, and suing the people in the fight for battery. 

Police said Pham's wound from the stabbing was 12 inches long and five inches wide, leaving his shirt drenched in blood. 

Pham, 32, appeared in 31 games for the Padres last season, hitting .211 with three homers and 11 RBI. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers could look to sign Brad Hand if they are unable to re-sign Blake Treinen in free agency this winter. 

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported the Dodgers have expressed interest in Hand, who made three straight All-Star teams from 2017-19. Hand likely would have earned a fourth consecutive bid to the midsummer classic in 2020 given his performance in the COVID-19-shortened season.

The Dodgers used Treinen in high-leverage situations during their World Series-winning campaign. As teams move away from distinctions like "setup man," Treinen was often brought into the game when the Dodgers needed him against stronger parts of the lineup. He posted a 3-3 record with a 3.86 ERA and 1.21 WHIP, striking out 22 batters in 25.2 innings. 

It's arguable that Hand would be an upgrade in those high-leverage situations. Hand was 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA and 0.77 WHIP while striking out 29 batters in 22 innings. In a macro sense, Hand has posted superior numbers to Treinen in nearly every category in their respective careers. 

The Dodgers are not expected to stop building their roster as they look to repeat as champions. Already linked to Nolan Arenado trade talks, it's possible the Dodgers return in 2021 with an even stronger roster ready to repeat. 

The San Francisco Giants have Jon Lester on their radar as they look to bolster their starting rotation, according to MLB.com's Jon Morosi. 

San Francisco was a finalist for Lester when the veteran left-hander was a free agent ahead of the 2015 MLB season.

The Chicago Cubs declined Lester's $25 million option for 2021, allowing him to hit the open market again.

Morosi posited the 36-year-old Georgia resident might have liked to join the Atlanta Braves. However, Atlanta announced Tuesday it signed Charlie Morton to a one-year, $15 million deal after having added Drew Smyly for one year and $11 million.

The Braves' rotation looks set, leaving little room for Lester.

The five-time All-Star struggled this past season, going 3-3 with a 5.14 FIP in 12 starts, per FanGraphs. 

His 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings were a career low, and his fastball averaged 89.87 mph, according to Brooks Baseball. That was his second-most frequently used pitch (27.28 percent), and opposing hitters slugged .619 against it.

Lester wasn't a dominant strikeout pitcher in his prime, and his diminishing velocity is shrinking his margin for error on the mound.

Drawing any conclusions based solely on 2020 is unfair because of the circumstances surrounding the year. Perhaps Lester's performance would've leveled off a bit more in a traditional 162-game campaign.

His days as a starter you insert at the top of your rotation are over, though. He probably wouldn't be any higher than No. 4 or 5 in San Francisco's staff.

Fresh off winning their first World Series championship since 1988, the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly have renewed interest in acquiring All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado from the National League West rival Colorado Rockies.

According to MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi, the Dodgers have "liked Arenado for years" and may be more likely to trade for him than ever before since incumbent third baseman Justin Turner is a free agent.

The Rockies also may be motivated to deal Arenado since he can opt out of his contract after the 2021 season, which would leave Colorado with only a draft pick in terms of compensation.

Entering the 2020 season, Arenado's name came up often in trade rumors. At the time, Arenado said he felt "disrespected" by the fact that there was so much talk about him potentially getting moved.

Possibly due in part to the uncertainty surrounding the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, no trade was made and Arenado appeared in 48 of 60 games for Colorado last season.

The 29-year-old Arenado, who was named an All-Star in five straight seasons from 2015 to 2019, hit .253 with eight home runs and 26 RBI for a Colorado team that went just 26-34 and missed the playoffs.

While his numbers last season weren't anything to write home about, there is no denying what he accomplished in the previous five seasons. Over those years, Arenado averaged 40 homers and 124 RBI per season while slashing .300/.362/.575.

Although Arenado's numbers have undoubtedly been aided by playing half his games at Coors Field, he is a complete third baseman, as evidenced by his eight Gold Glove awards and record-tying four Platinum Glove awards.

The Dodgers already have the deepest and best team in Major League Baseball, but adding a player of Arenado's caliber while also weakening a division rival would make them even more dangerous.

L.A.'s lineup is anchored by 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger, 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts and reigning World Series MVP Corey Seager.

Arenado would fit nicely into the middle of that star-laden lineup, and he would also improve a team that was slightly below average defensively last season with a fielding percentage of .982.

The Dodgers have a strong chance to repeat as World Series champions with or without Arenado, but it is clear that they will be the odds-on favorites if they can somehow manage to pry the slugger away from Colorado.