MLB Rumors

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly preparing to trade star outfielder Mookie Betts "soon," with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres continuing to be the most likely destinations.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported "everyone around the game" now expects the Red Sox to trade Betts, their face of the franchise and one of the best all-around players in baseball. The two sides avoided arbitration last month by reaching a record-setting $27 million contract, but that has not calmed down the rumor mill as spring training approaches.

The 27-year-old will be a free agent at the end of the 2020 season. He's coming off an All-Star campaign in which he hit .295/.391/.524 with 20 home runs and 80 runs batted in—solid numbers that nonetheless paled in comparison to his 2018 MVP campaign.

Peter Gammons of The Athletic reported a Betts-to-Dodgers deal is seen as "inevitable" by some executives. He posited a trade package highlighted by outfielder Alex Verdugo and infield prospect Jeter Downs, among others.

Boston's desire to trade Betts seems to be a strictly financial decision. The Sox paid a $13.4 million luxury tax bill for an 84-78 team that missed the playoffs by 12 games last season and doesn't look like a contender in 2020—especially after manager Alex Cora's departure. Trading Betts and perhaps packaging him with David Price would save the Red Sox from writing another tax check and allow them to begin building for their next World Series push.

That said, it's unlikely they wind up getting any player as great as Betts in return. Mike Trout is the only position player with more wins above replacement over the last five seasons than Betts, per FanGraphs.

The argument to keep Betts is that he would still be in the heart of his prime when Boston finishes its short-term reshuffling and looks to compete again for its 10th World Series title and fifth since 2004.

The Dodgers are one of a handful of teams with enough financial capital to reasonably expect to re-sign Betts next winter, so they may not be balking at the high prospect price. 

Multiple National League executives reportedly view a trade of Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers as "inevitable."

Peter Gammons of The Athletic reported the update Sunday and provided a look at what type of package L.A. will likely send to Boston to complete the blockbuster deal ahead of the 2020 MLB season:

Betts and the Red Sox avoided arbitration in January by reaching an agreement on a record-setting one-year, $27 million contract for 2020.

The 27-year-old Tennessee native is eligible for unrestricted free agency after the season, however, and that's put pressure on Boston, which has stressed the importance of reducing costs this offseason.

Red Sox principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner said in September they wanted to get under the $208 million luxury-tax threshold before the 2020 campaign started.

"We need to be under the CBT (competitive balance tax)," Henry told reporters. "That was something we've known for more than a year now."

Boston's projected payroll stands at $221.9 million, per Spotrac. So moving Betts without taking on any significant payroll in return would accomplish the organization's financial goal, and Werner stressed the importance of improving the club's prospect group.

"In the end we take full responsibility for the overall direction of the club," he said. "But one of the things that we've talked about and I think is apparent is that we need to have more depth in our minor league system."

Yet, selling the team's diehard fanbase on moving one of baseball's elite players won't be easy. That's especially true amid an MLB investigation into an alleged sign-stealing operation during the 2018 season that led the Red Sox to mutually part ways with manager Alex Cora last month.

Betts has been one of the league's most decorated superstars since becoming a full-time player for Boston in 2015. He was named the American League MVP in 2018 and has earned four straight All-Star selections since 2016 while also winning four Gold Glove and three Silver Slugger awards.

His WAR (35.4) over the past five seasons ranks second in MLB to only the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout (44.2), per FanGraphs.

It doesn't appear Betts' sustained success is going to divert the Red Sox from accomplishing their goal of reducing payroll before Opening Day, though. And the Dodgers are the clear favorite to land the perennial MVP candidate, which would make them the team to beat in the National League in 2020.

The New York Mets will reportedly stay in-house when selecting their next manager. 

According to Andy Martino of SNY, quality control coach Luis Rojas, bench coach Hensley Meulens and first base coach Tony DeFrancesco are the three finalists for the position that is open after the National League East team fired Carlos Beltran after his connections to the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal were revealed.

Martino suggested "there's always [a] chance of a late entrant, but I don't see it."

While New York surely didn't envision moving on from Beltran before he even managed a single game, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News cited a source who said the former player "was unqualified to run the dugout" and a better candidate as a hitting coach than someone in complete control.

Beltran edged out Rojas, who Thosar noted "received strong consideration within the organization when he reached the final stages of the interview process a few months ago."

This may represent another chance for the 38-year-old who has been a part of the organization for 14 years to become a major league manager for the first time.

As for Meulens, he was on the San Francisco Giants' coaching staff for 10 years under Bruce Bochy and helped the team win three World Series crowns. Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the Boston Red Sox also showed interest in him after they moved on from Alex Cora, who was also involved in the Astros' scandal.

DeFrancesco has extensive experience managing at the minor-league level, including for Triple-A Las Vegas within the Mets' organization.

Whichever manager the Mets hire will be tasked with turning the team around after it missed the playoffs in each of the last three years.

The New York Mets have been busy since parting ways with manager Carlos Beltran in the wake of the Houston Astros sign-stealing scheme. 

MLB insider Robert Murray reported on Saturday the Mets were trying to resume trade talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielder Starling Marte. 

Now, Andy Martino of SNY has reported New York is open to moving outfielder Yoenis Cespedes or second baseman Jed Lowrie, noting the team would like to make such a move happen before spring training but those efforts have "proven difficult." 

A few things would likely complicate any such deal being made at the moment. For starters, Cespedes' playing status is still unknown. The outfielder suffered a season-ending ankle injury while evading a wild boar on his Florida property last May, per Joel Sherman, Ken Davidoff and Mike Puma of the New York Post. That happened while Cespedes was rehabbing from surgery he underwent on both heels during the previous offseason.

At 34 years old, that type of wear and tear isn't too enticing for most clubs looking to make a trade—even with Cespedes' career batting average of .274 with 163 home runs in 826 games. 

Another issue: The Mets still don't have a manager yet, making it hard to assess just what the missing pieces might be for a New York team that finished three games out of the NL's final wild-card spot.

What makes a trade a bit easier is the reduction in salary for Cespedes. After the boar incident, the Mets were able to restructure the outfielder's contract, slicing his base pay in 2020 $29.5 million to just $6 million (increased to $11 million if he starts the season on the roster or heads to the injured list for non-ankle or heel reasons). That certainly makes the 2021 free-agent-to-be a bit more interesting. 

Lowrie is also scheduled to become a free agent in 2021. The Mets currently owe the second-baseman $9 million this season. If that's too much for another team to take on, New York general manager Brodie Van Wagenen only has himself to blame. The GM negotiated that deal two years ago as Lowrie's agent before moving into his current role. Lowrie, 36, played just nine games last season due to various lower-body injuries. 

So far these trade talks are just simple conversations, but it's worth noting which names are being repeated. No question the Mets are ready to move on from Cespedes. Whether or not any team will be willing to take him is a much different issue. 

Looking for outfield depth heading into spring training, the Chicago Cubs are reportedly taking a look at free agent Jacoby Ellsbury, who hasn't played in an MLB game since October 2017.

Per MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the Cubs have discussed signing Ellsbury two months after the former All-Star was released by the New York Yankees. 

Heyman did note it's "probably a long shot" that Ellsbury joins the Cubs, but their depth in center field could make him an asset for the team. 

Albert Almora Jr. hit .236/.271/.381 in 130 games as Chicago's primary centerfielder last season. Ian Happ has spent some time in the outfield, but his glove has cost the Cubs three runs in 814.2 innings playing center field, per FanGraphs.

The Yankees released Ellsbury in November after he missed the last two seasons due to injuries.

The MLB Players Association filed a grievance on his behalf against New York in an attempt to recoup the $26 million that was left on his contract. The Yankees turned his contract into a non-guaranteed deal, contending he received unauthorized medical care. 

Ellsbury's last played during the 2017 season when he hit .264/.348/.402 with seven homers and 22 stolen bases in 112 games. 

The Atlanta Braves have set their sights on free-agent outfielders Marcell Ozuna and Nicholas Castellanos following news that third baseman Josh Donaldson signed a four-year, $92 million deal with the Minnesota Twins.

MLB analyst Jim Bowden provided the report Tuesday and noted that the team is "comfortable" with Johan Camargo and Austin Riley manning the hot corner.

Per Bowden, Atlanta is also reticent to deal prized prospects for All-Star third basemen Nolan Arenado or Kris Bryant, who have both been the subject of trade rumors.

Castellanos, who turns 28 in March, had 27 home runs, 73 RBI and a .289 batting average for the Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers last season. He also registered a career-high .863 OPS.

Ozuna, 29, had 29 homers and 89 RBI for the St. Louis Cardinals. The two-time All-Star helped guide the Redbirds to the National League Championship Series.

Losing Donaldson is a tough blow for the Braves, who were the beneficiaries of the third baseman's 37 homers and 94 RBI last year. But Atlanta does have tremendous talent in its remaining lineup with Ronald Acuna Jr., Freddie Freeman and Ozzie Albies.

Adding Castellanos or Ozuna should help keep Atlanta in contention for a postseason berth and NL pennant, especially if Riley builds off his promising start. The 22-year-old hit just .226 but smacked 18 homers in just 80 games.

The Braves open the 2020 season at the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 26.

The Houston Astros may be reeling from punishments stemming from MLB's sign-stealing investigation, but there are reportedly multiple former managers who would like an opportunity to lead the team in the near future. 

According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, the Astros are looking at veteran former managers like Dusty Baker, Bruce Bochy, and Buck Showalter, as well as ex-Rangers boss Jeff Bannister, Cubs third base coach Will Venable, and Dodgers special assistant Raul Ibanez.

The managing spot is open because AJ Hinch was fired after the punishments were handed down. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow, who was also fired, were suspended one year as part of the punishments that included a $5 million fine and the stripping of the team's first- and second-round picks in the 2020 and 2021 drafts.

While the loss of so many draft picks will hurt down the line, it's not exactly a surprise so many candidates are interested in the chance to compete for a World Series in the immediate future.

The Astros have advanced to at least the American League Championship Series in each of the last three years and won the 2017 Fall Classic. They have a number of talented players remaining in Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Correa, Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke and will be on the short list of contenders in 2020.

Nightengale suggested the interviewing portion of the managing search will begin "soon."

Baker is a three-time National League Manager of the Year who managed the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals in the past. He won a NL pennant in 2002 with the Giants and reached the playoffs his last four years as a manager (2012 and 2013 with Cincinnati and 2016 and 2017 with Washington).

Showalter is a three-time American League Manager of the Year who managed the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles in the past.

Gibbons had two different stints with the Toronto Blue Jays from 2004-08 and 2013-18, reaching the playoffs twice.

The Los Angeles Dodgers may be shifting their focus toward Mookie Betts as their negotiations with the Cleveland Indians over a Francisco Lindor trade remain at an impasse.

MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi reported Thursday the Indians are looking to receive Gavin Lux as part of a Lindor trade—a price the Dodgers aren't willing to meet.

"As a result, sources say the Dodgers' negotiations with the Red Sox about acquiring [Betts] have become at least as frequent—and perhaps even more involved—than their talks with the Indians about Lindor," Morosi wrote.

According to Morosi, Boston "appears less insistent on Lux" and could find a new home for David Price as part of a Betts trade. The Red Sox have already said they're looking to get under the luxury-tax threshold for 2020, so offloading some or all of the $96 million remaining on the left-handed starter's contract would fit with that plan.

Along with their genuine interest in Betts, Thursday's report could be one way for the Dodgers to exert a little more pressure on the Indians.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Dec. 22 that Los Angeles was "being very aggressive" regarding a possible move for Lindor and starting pitcher Mike Clevinger.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Dodgers think the 22-year-old Lux could prove to be as good as Lindor, thus dissuading them from giving him up for the four-time All-Star. The second baseman only batted .240 in 23 MLB games in 2019 but had a .347/.421/.607 slash line across Double-A and Triple-A.

Perhaps their stance regarding his availability would change if Cleveland included Clevinger in a trade package. The 29-year-old right-hander was 13-4 last season with a 2.71 ERA and 1.056 WHIP.

Baseball writer Jon Tayler questioned whether the team might also be attempting to look active in what has so far been an underwhelming offseason:

Gerrit Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million deal with the New York Yankees, spurning the Dodgers in the process, and Anthony Rendon said he thought the Los Angeles Angels were a better fit for him after signing a seven-year, $245 million deal with the Halos.

At the very least, it looks like the Indians have yet to close the door on Lindor talks, with Rosenthal reporting Dec. 19 that they had asked teams to make their final offers.

As the Toronto Blue Jays continue to scour the free-agent market for power hitters, one potential option for them could be a reunion with Edwin Encarnacion.  

Per SportsNet.ca's Ben Nicholson-Smith, the Blue Jays and Encarnacion have "mutual interest" in getting back together. 

Encarnacion has drawn interest from a number of teams thus far, but he has yet to work out an agreement with anyone. 

Per MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the Milwaukee Brewers pursued the three-time All-Star before they signed Avisail Garcia. 

Heyman noted Encarnacion still has five teams interested and he prefers the American League because it will allow him to be in the lineup as a designated hitter without having to play in the field. 

Last season saw Encarnacion move around multiple times. He was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Seattle Mariners during the offseason. Seattle shipped him to the New York Yankees, whose roster was decimated by injuries, in June. 

In 109 games between the Mariners and Yankees, Encarnacion hit .244/.344/.531 with 34 homers and 86 RBI. He's hit at least 30 home runs in each of the past eight seasons. 

The Blue Jays lost first baseman Justin Smoak as a free agent when he agreed to a one-year deal with the Brewers, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. 

In addition to needing a replacement at first base next season, Toronto's designated hitters hit a collective .228/.302/.417 with 26 homers in 2019. 

Less than one year after signing Nolan Arenado to a contract extension, the Colorado Rockies are reportedly listening to trade offers for the five-time All-Star.

Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the Rockies are "gauging interest" in Arenado and assessing his trade value, but people in the industry are "skeptical" a deal will happen during the offseason.

Prior to the winter meetings, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported multiple teams had called Colorado to discuss Arenado, but those talks "went nowhere."

Rosenthal noted the Texas Rangers are among the teams that have spoken to the Rockies about their star third baseman, and the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers have "longstanding interest" in him. 

Even though Arenado hasn't publicly asked for a trade, he voiced his displeasure late in the year with where the Rockies were at in the standings. The 28-year-old told The Athletic's Nick Groke in September that 2019 "feels like a rebuild."

Coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, the Rockies went 71-91 last season. Their 958 runs allowed were the fourth-most in franchise history.

Colorado made Arenado its centerpiece player last February by signing him to an eight-year, $260 million extension. The deal does include an opt out after the 2021 season, which would allow him to become a free agent at the age of 30. 

In seven seasons, Arenado has established himself as one of the best all-around players in MLB. He's won seven straight Gold Glove awards at third base and owns a .295/.351/.546 slash line with 227 homers in 1,031 career games.