MLB Rumors

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mike Clevinger is reportedly generating trade interest from multiple MLB teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. 

Baseball writer Robert Murray reported the news Thursday and noted the Tribe's asking price is "crazy high."

Clevinger has quietly emerged as one of the top starters in the American League over the last three years. The 2019 season was his best to date as he posted a 2.71 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 169 strikeouts in 126 innings across 21 starts.

His 10.7 WAR since the start of the 2017 campaign ranks 17th among all MLB starting pitcher, one spot behind Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (11.0), per FanGraphs.

In all, the 28-year-old (he'll turn 29 on Saturday) Florida native has compiled a 3.20 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 97 appearances (84 starts) across four seasons with Cleveland.

"He's really tough," Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters about Clevinger in September. "He misses about as many bats as anybody in baseball. His stuff is excellent. He executes pretty well. It's never an easy day when you're facing him. You know you're going to have to pull some things out to make it happen."

Clevinger's trade value is bolstered by the fact he's under team control via arbitration through 2022, including an estimated $4.5 million salary for 2020, according to Spotrac.

Although it's unlikely the Indians would be motivated to move him given his performance in recent years and that contract situation, it's possible a bidding war between NL West rivals L.A. and San Diego would at least create an offer worth considering for the Cleveland front office.

Clevinger would give the Dodgers one of the most promising rotations in all of baseball, especially a top three of Kershaw, Walker Buehler and the current Tribe star.

He'd take on a more prominent role within the Padres' starting staff, where he'd likely serve as the ace ahead of Chris Paddack and Joey Lucchesi.

Teams around the league looking for young talent apparently shouldn't get their hopes up when it comes to Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux.

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, many believe the Dodgers will not trade the 22-year-old "in any scenario," even though he is the team's "most coveted" player in discussions with other teams.

In theory, a major-market team in the middle of a competitive window could look to trade such a highly regarded youngster to a rebuilding club for a season-shifting superstar. However, Lux is also the type of player Los Angeles could build around for years to come in an effort to sustain its recent run of success.

The Wisconsin native slashed .240/.305/.400 with two home runs and nine RBI in 23 games last season during his MLB debut after he was a force during 113 games in the minor leagues with a .347/.421/.607 slash line to go with 26 long balls and 76 RBI.

Lux was the No. 2 overall player in MLB.com's prospect rankings heading into the 2019 campaign and is someone who could start for the Dodgers on Opening Day.

If he lived up to his potential in a lineup already featuring Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, Max Muncy and Corey Seager, that would further boost the Dodgers' chances for an eighth consecutive National League West crown. 

Even a superstar may not change Los Angeles' mind when it comes to parting with that possibility.

The New York Yankees continue to seek a trade for Chicago Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber, but its a deal that is reportedly unlikely to happen.  

"At this moment there is no momentum, according to major-league sources, and chances are there will never be," Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported.

Per Rosenthal, the Yankees have been talking to the Cubs about a Schwarber deal since at least 2016 but it's never advanced beyond that stage.

While the Cubs are "open to trading nearly every one of their players," per Rosenthal, they won't necessarily come cheap.

Schwarber is coming off the best season of his career, setting new highs in home runs (38), RBI (92), batting average (.250) and OPS (.871). Perhaps most importantly, he was able to stay healthy all year while playing 155 games after never topping 140 in his first four years.

With two more years under team control, the 26-year-old is a valuable commodity for the Cubs.

This also makes him appealing to the Yankees, especially with his left-handed bat bringing balance to a lineup led by righties Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Giancarlo Stanton and DJ LeMahieu. Adding more power to an offense that already led the majors in runs in 2019 could make this team downright scary going into next year.

The defensive fit could be a question mark with both Schwarber and Stanton best suited as a designated hitter, but Aaron Boone would likely figure out a way to get his top players into the lineup.

Still, it appears to be a moot point with the Cubs and Yankees unable to get a deal off the ground. New York will have to keep looking for left-handed hitters to help balance the lineup for 2020.

The MLB offseason's biggest questions were answered at the winter meetings with the likes of Anthony Rendon, Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg coming off the board, but plenty of free agents or potential trade candidates remain on the market.

Rendon left a gaping hole at third base in Washington, and the defending champion Nationals are rumored to be looking within the NL East for his replacement.

Elsewhere in the National League, the San Diego Padres reportedly want to discard one particular player as part of the process to secure their first winning season since 2010.

Meanwhile, a major trade in the American League on Sunday between the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers could change plans Cleveland may have had for another one of its stars.

Below is a closer look at these three rumors.

     

Francisco Lindor More Likely to Stay in Cleveland

The Indians gave up two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Corey Kluber in a trade with Rangers, and that may have made them less apt to part with All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor.

"Chances for a Lindor trade, likely never great to begin with, may have diminished a bit further after Kluber contract was dealt," MLB Network's Jon Heyman relayed, also noting that the trade allowed Cleveland to save "just about the whole amount owed" to Kluber.

Kluber is owed $17.5 million in 2020 and $18 million with a club option in 2021. 

Lindor is set to make $16.7 million in 2020 with his third arbitration year in 2021 and unrestricted free agency in 2022 should the Indians opt against extending him, per Spotrac.

The 26-year-old infielder was rumored to be pursued by the Los Angeles Dodgers in late October when MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported the following:

"Sources say the Dodgers are expected to pursue a trade for Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor as one possible addition to an offense that managed only a .303 on-base percentage during this month's National League Division Series loss to the Nationals. ...

"Incumbent shortstop Corey Seager would become a trade candidate—though perhaps not to Cleveland—if talks between the Dodgers and Indians gain momentum."

The possible L.A.-Lindor pairing resurfaced during the winter meetings:

The Los Angeles #Dodgers and Cleveland #Indians continue to be engaged in serious trade talks for Cleveland All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor, with Cleveland seeking a package of Dodgers prospects including Gavin Lux and Dustin May.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 11, 2019

Should Cleveland decide to hold on to Lindor for now, the July 31 trade deadline still allows for a move to made if Lindor bolsters his trade value with a solid first half. 

      

Nationals Shifting Focus to Josh Donaldson

Washington bid farewell to All-Star third baseman Anthony Rendon, who decided to sign a seven-year contract worth $245 million with the Los Angeles Angels last week. The defending champions have now reportedly circled free-agent third baseman Josh Donaldson as Rendon's preferred replacement.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported on Friday that the Nats were "actively engaged" with Donaldson and were aware "it will take a four-year deal to sign him." 

Heyman provided an update Saturday: 

Nats still appear focused on Josh Donaldson. Question is whether they go to 4th year. Braves seen as main competitor now, though several others have been involved. Washington plan B/C could be Maikel Franco. Could also look at Kyle Seager.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 14, 2019

Donaldson was named the 2019 National League Comeback Player of the Year with a .259/.379/.521 slash line, 37 home runs and 94 RBI in 155 games for the Atlanta Braves. The 34-year-old had missed all but 52 contests in 2018 with Toronto and Cleveland due to shoulder inflammation and a calf injury.

The three-time All-Star signed a one-year, $23 million deal with the Braves in Nov. 2018, but his market has been revived one year later. According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, interested teams include the Braves, Nats, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins.

More from Rosenthal: 

"All things being equal, Donaldson's preference is to return to the Braves, according to sources with knowledge of his thinking. But in free agency, all things are not necessarily equal. This contract almost certainly will be Donaldson's last big deal, and he is seeking the largest possible guarantee, sources say.

Lacking better solutions, the Rangers, Braves and Nationals would appear to be the teams under the most pressure to sign Donaldson, who hit 37 homers with a .900 OPS last season and finished second among third basemen in defensive runs saved. A source said Starlin Castro and the non-tendered Maikel Franco are among the Nationals' backup plans; either would represent a significant comedown from Donaldson."

The Braves have made it clear for months now that they want Donaldson back. Most recently, manager Brian Snitker chimed in at the winter meetings:

Brian Snitker: "I'd love to have Josh (Donaldson) back."#WinterMeetings pic.twitter.com/f9q1KyFqfv

— Braves On FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSNBraves) December 12, 2019

However, general manager Alex Anthopoulos made the situation a little more fluid by telling reporters the club is "exploring our options at third base."

From the Nats' perspective, Donaldson is the best available free-agent third baseman to soften the blow of Rendon's departure. 

     

Padres' No. 1 Goal Is Trading Wil Myers 

San Diego is not expected to add "a huge free agent," according to Heyman, but the Padres still "are building a team to win in 2020."

The Athletic's Jayson Stark reported that Wil Myers is not seen as a piece the Padres want to build with:

"For one thing, other clubs report that the Padres have been working to find a way to trade Wil Myers, even if it means attaching prospects to make the pieces of that trade fit together. Myers has three years, $68.5 million, remaining on the six-year contract he signed before the 2017 season, back when they viewed him as a future face of their franchise.

"Now he's coming off a year in which he hit just .239/.321/.418. And he's being crowded out of regular playing time on an overstuffed roster. So one rival exec said of a Myers deal: 'That's the No. 1 goal.'"

The Padres roster looks much different than when Myers was acquired from Tampa Bay in a December trade ahead of the 2015 season. With All-Star Manny Machado at third base, World Series champion Eric Hosmer at first base and one of the game's most promising young players in Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop, Myers has become obsolete.

Since arriving in San Diego, Myers has posted a .249/.328/.447 slash line with 95 home runs and 289 RBI. The 2011 third-round pick started 147 games and 153 games at first base in 2016 and 2017, respectively, before the team signed Hosmer in Feb. 2018. Last season, Myers appeared 134 times (101 starts) in the outfield. 

The Padres will likely need to attach prospects in order to unload Myers, and MLB Pipeline provided a list of prospects the franchise has to offer.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish reportedly has "no intention" of waiving his no-trade clause before or during the 2020 season. 

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Darvish loves being with the Cubs and does not desire a trade. While Darvish has a full no-trade clause for 2020, it becomes a limited no-trade clause from 2021-23.

Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, teams inquired about Darvish's availability during the winter meetings.

The Cubs signed Darvish to a six-year, $126 million contract in 2018, and Darvish exercised his four-year, $81 million player option in October, meaning he is under contract through the 2023 season.

After an injury-plagued 2018 that saw him make only eight starts, the 33-year-old Darvish bounced back last season. In 31 starts, he went 6-8 with a 3.98 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 229 strikeouts over 178.2 innings pitched.

Although it can be argued that Darvish is no longer in his prime, his 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings marked his highest strikeout rate since 2016 and the third-highest rate of his career.

In five healthy seasons as a member of the Texas Rangers, Darvish was named an All-Star four times. He was also successful after getting traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017, as he went 4-3 with a 3.44 ERA in nine starts for the Dodgers.

Playoff success has eluded Darvish, though, as he owns a career postseason ERA of 5.81, including a 21.60 ERA in two World Series starts for the Dodgers in 2017.

After missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2014, the Cubs are clearly looking to shake up their roster. Third baseman Kris Bryant and catcher Willson Contreras have been mentioned as trade candidates, but it doesn't look as though Darvish will be an option.

Assuming Darvish isn't going anywhere, the Cubs' starting rotation may remain largely unchanged in 2020 with Darvish, Jon Lester, Jose Quintana and Kyle Hendricks as the top four in no particular order.

The biggest change the Cubs have made thus far is parting ways with World Series-winning manager Joe Maddon and replacing him with David Ross.

That alone could help spark a Cubs team that disappointed last season, but failing to improve elsewhere may leave the Cubs lagging behind the Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals in the National League.

The Miami Marlins reportedly met with free-agent outfielder Yasiel Puig this week during the 2019 Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego. 

Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reported the update Friday and noted the Marlins also held discussions with representatives for fellow outfielders Avisail Garcia and Corey Dickerson.

Puig played three seasons under Miami manager Don Mattingly while both were with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2013 through 2015. His best statistical season came as a rookie in 2013 when he posted a .925 OPS with 19 home runs and 11 stolen bases in just 104 appearances.

Puig suggested in meeting to Marlins he’d like to play again for Don Mattingly (and of course Derek Jeter). He’d also like to play near his Miami home. Was plus he trekked to San Diego for confab. Dickerson, Calhoun among others under consideration. Avisail might be a tad pricey.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 13, 2019

The 29-year-old Cuba native split the 2019 season between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians, who acquired him ahead of the trade deadline in July. He compiled a .267/.327/.458 triple-slash line with 24 homers and 19 steals in 149 games.

He thanked Cleveland for the opportunity after the regular season ended in September:

Thank you Cleveland! pic.twitter.com/FjwG7hsN3a

— Yasiel Puig (@YasielPuig) September 30, 2019

Although Puig has started to garner a reputation as a hothead for his involvement in on-field fights, which has led to seven games worth of suspensions and nearly $290,000 in fines (via Spotrac), he's bounced back from a 2015-16 lull to provide his clubs with an offensive boost.

In all, the 2014 All-Star ranks 21st among qualified MLB outfielders in WAR (18.0) since making his debut in 2013, per FanGraphs.

That type of production would be a welcome sight for a Marlins offense that finished 29th in runs scored (615) and last in team OPS (.673) in 2019.

Both Dickerson (.906 OPS last season) and Garcia (.796) would also help a Miami club that's lagging behind in the ultra-competitive NL East.

The Los Angeles Angels didn't sign Gerrit Cole, but they reportedly aren't done exploring the market for top-notch starting pitchers. 

According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the American League West team has "expressed interest" in acquiring Cleveland Indians right-hander Corey Kluber via trade. Ardaya explained "the club has prioritized its pursuit of Anthony Rendon" but is looking into different options to improve the team, including Kluber.

It may seem strange for the Indians, a contender that has been in the playoffs in three of the last four years, to be looking to trade off one of its primary difference-makers, but it is apparently in selling mode at the Winter Meetings.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported they are also in "serious trade talks" with the Los Angeles Dodgers involving shortstop Francisco Lindor.

Cleveland's mindset could benefit both Los Angeles teams, as Kluber is under team control through the 2021 season and has been one of the league's best pitchers in recent years. He is a two-time Cy Young winner and three-time All-Star who finished with baseball's best ERA in 2017 at 2.25.

He helped lead the Indians to the World Series in 2016, won that ERA crown with a sparkling 0.87 WHIP in 2017 and finished the 2018 campaign with a 2.89 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 222 strikeouts in 215 innings.

However, injuries limited him to just 35.2 innings last year, so there are some health concerns for the Angels or other pursuers. He is a high-risk, high-reward option at 33 years old, but he is a clear-cut ace at his best.

Kluber could also help stabilize the starting rotation that will look to provide support to an offense featuring Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Justin Upton and Albert Pujols, among others.

The New York Mets have spoken with the Houston Astros about trading for shortstop Carlos Correa, but "nothing is imminent," per Andy Martino of SNY.

The 25-year-old hit .279 with 21 home runs and 59 RBI in just 75 games for Houston last season. A rib fracture suffered in May during an in-home massage kept him off the field for much of the 2019 campaign.

Correa won the 2015 American League Rookie of the Year Award, made the 2017 All-Star Game and was a core piece on the team's 2017 World Series-winning squad.

Various injuries have held the Puerto Rico native back the last few years, namely a torn left thumb ligament in 2017 and a back injury in 2018. He has not played more than 110 games in a season since 2016. 

Correa is under team control for two more seasons before becoming a free agent in 2021. He's sure to break the bank in two years given his considerable power from the shortstop position, but that may not be with Houston.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Astros have entertained the idea of trading Correa to lighten their payroll, which is sitting at an estimated $213.7 million for the 2020 season, according to Roster Resource. Rosenthal also wrote that the projected luxury tax payroll is at $213.7 million.

Like Martino, Rosenthal noted that a trade is not imminent.

"No deal appears close, and the timing might not be right for such a move, considering that most teams are set at shortstop and Correa's trade value is down," Rosenthal wrote. "But at some point, the Astros will need to make difficult decisions, and Correa might be the odd man out."

But he did write that the Astros "almost certainly will not keep all of their stars long-term," and Correa could be one on the move based on recent reports.

He'd be an excellent fit on the Mets, a team on the rise and coming off an 86-76 season. They sport an excellent starting rotation led by two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and a powerful offense paced by reigning MLB home run king Pete Alonso, who also won the NL's Rookie of the Year award.

Correa would only help increase the lineup's depth as the Mets look to win what looks to be a tough NL East next season. 

Free-agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion is reportedly generating significant interest on the open market. 

Per MLB Network's Jon Heyman, five different American League teams have shown interest in Encarnacion. Heyman added that one National League team made Encarnacion an offer, but he prefers to play in the AL. 

The AL makes more sense for Encarnacion, who is mostly limited to designated hitter at this point in his career. He did play 57 games at first base between the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees last season, his most since 2016 (74). 

The Yankees acquired Encarnacion from the Mariners in June to boost their lineup in the wake of injuries to numerous key contributors, including Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. He hit .249/.325/.531 with 13 homers in 44 games after the deal. 

Teams interested in Encarnacion are looking for him to add power in the middle of their lineup. The 36-year-old slugged .531 last season, his highest since 2015 (.557), and has hit at least 30 homers in eight consecutive seasons. 

Given Encarnacion's age and limited defensive ability, he could end up being a free-agent bargain this offseason. Teams are always looking for proven power hitter and few players have been more consistent in that area than the three-time All-Star. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland "continue to be engaged in serious trade talks" regarding All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Per that report, Cleveland is "seeking a package of Dodgers prospects including Gavin Lux and Dustin May."

Could Francisco Lindor be heading to Hollywood?

The #Dodgers are reportedly discussing a deal to acquire the four-time All-Star shortstop.#MLBTonight | #WinterMeetings pic.twitter.com/mPZrFJafwr

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 11, 2019

There is an inevitability to Lindor eventually getting traded. The question is when?

On Dec. 3, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that "Lindor, multiple executives said, 'is going to get traded.' They're not sure if it's this winter or next summer, but considering how disciplined [Cleveland is], they want to maximize Lindor's value, and doing so means trading him before the July 31 deadline."

On Dec. 9, the MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported that Lindor likely wouldn't be on the move this offseason:

Hear Indians prefer not to deal Francisco Lindor, to wait a year on a trade. Which really isn’t surprising. Interest has to be huge, however.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2019

But the next day, MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi added that teams were inquiring nonetheless:

"The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies have spoken with [Cleveland] about Lindor, sources confirmed, but they haven't offered the high-level prospect package required to complete a deal. The Dodgers possess the sort of player [Cleveland wants] for Lindor—star second-base prospect Gavin Lux—but there's no indication the Dodgers are prepared to offer him in the trade."

Wednesday's report from Nightengale might be an indication that Los Angeles is mulling a change of tune. Anything less than a major haul shouldn't move the needle for Cleveland, however.

With Lindor clock ticking, it's going to get harder and harder for #Indians to turn down enticing deals for the All-Star. If I had to guess, they'll start next season with him at shortstop.

— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) December 11, 2019

Maximizing Lindor's value means trading him before next season. Trading him either now or before the July 31 deadline this season means teams will get more than a rental season with Lindor, maximizing their title window. That also means Lindor's value in the trade market will diminish if he isn't dealt this season (assuming Cleveland has no interest in simply signing him to a long-term extension at some point). 

As for the potential players that would go back to Cleveland in a deal with the Dodgers, Lux is considering the No. 2 prospect in all of baseball by MLB.com. Right-handed pitcher May, meanwhile, is No. 32 overall. Pairing them together in a deal would be a sizeable return for Cleveland. 

Whether either side is willing to pull the trigger remains to be seen, and will be one of the fascinating stories to follow at the Winter Meetings.