MLB Rumors

The dominoes have already started to fall in MLB free agency.

Right-handed starter Zack Wheeler received a massive payday on Wednesday, signing a five-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies for $118 million. The Los Angeles Angels traded for former Baltimore Orioles starter Dylan Bundy.

A number of teams might be looking to prioritize starting pitching this offseason, which could explain some of the heavy early activity in that market.

But while some of the second-tier arms are garnering a lot of attention, the monetary value should continue to expand for Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. After all, if Wheeler can get nearly $120 million, what kind of offers are they going to receive?

Here are some of the latest rumors on Cole and Strasburg as well as Madison Bumgarner, who might just be the next pitcher to sign.

      

No "West Coast bias" for Cole?  

There has been a lot of talk about Cole's affinity for playing for a team on the West Coast. Cole grew up in Newport Beach, California, and spurned the New York Yankees to attend UCLA.

Similarly, former Astros teammate Josh Reddick hinted that Cole wants to return to the West Coast in a piece by Scott Miller of Bleacher Report: "Though Cole consistently declines to look beyond his next start, it's a poorly held secret among his current teammates that, as Reddick openly admits, 'We know he wants to be a West Coast guy.'"

Despite the ties to the West Coast, however, Cole reportedly does not have a "West Coast bias," according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. He met with the New York Yankees on Tuesday, and the Yankees are reportedly "all-in" on Cole as their top target.

Cole is widely expected to become the highest-paid pitcher in history this winter, and it is going to take a big commitment to get him on board. The Angels might have the advantage, but not only because of the hometown proximity.

Angels owner Arte Moreno said in October that the team's payroll is going up, and despite the payroll taken up by Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Justin Upton, they are only estimated to have a $140 million payroll, according to Baseball Reference.

The Halos are intent on competing this year. There is a reason they hired Joe Maddon and traded for Bundy to address an early need for starting pitching.

Los Angeles needs to make legitimate inroads toward competing with Trout still in his prime. They are likely to do whatever they can to bring Cole on board.

Prediction: Cole signs with the Angels for seven years, $260 million

      

Nats confident they can re-sign Strasburg

Strasburg might have been the top free-agent pitcher in any other offseason. Unfortunately for him, Cole is also in this class. But that does not mean Strasburg will not get paid.

The Yankees followed their meeting with Cole on Tuesday by linking up with Strasburg on Wednesday, and they would likely love to sign Strasburg should they not come to an agreement with the ex-Astro.

However, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Washington Nationals are confident in their ability to re-sign the World Series MVP: "The Nats remain more confident of re-signing Strasburg than [Anthony] Rendon, sources said. With Rendon, who reportedly met with the Rangers in Houston on Sunday, Rizzo might wait only so long, knowing Josh Donaldson is the only other impact third baseman on the free-agent market."

Strasburg opted out of the remaining four years and $100 million on his last deal with the Nationals, but general manager Mike Rizzo appears intent on bringing him back. He certainly is focused on Strasburg, as Jayson Stark reported that the Nats might give Rendon an ultimatum.

It is not terribly surprising to consider that the Nationals might focus on signing Strasburg. He rejuvenated the franchise when he was taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010, and the Nationals proved throughout their playoff run that a deep and elite starting rotation is vital come October.

Strasburg led the National League in innings pitched (209) after years of injury problems. He is still young as far as starting pitchers go (31) and has plenty of upside as the Nationals begin their quest to repeat in 2020. A reunion seems likely.  

Prediction: Strasburg re-signs with the Nats for six years, $200 million

       

Bumgarner could be the next pitcher to sign

While Cole and Strasburg might string their respective courtships along, there is a chance that longtime San Francisco Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner is signed before the start of winter meetings on Monday.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that Bumgarner's market was just as active as Wheeler's a mere hour before Wheeler signed with the Phillies. Additionally, Heyman reported that the Yankees, Phillies and Braves are just a few of a number of teams said to be in on Bumgarner.

Bumgarner posted a 3.90 ERA last season but also matched a career high with 34 starts. He also posted his highest strikeout per nine innings rate (8.8) since 2016. He is also still just over 30 years old, and he figures to have some success well into his 30s because of his steady fastball/curve combination that has subdued opposing hitters throughout the last decade.

The Braves seem like the best fit for Bumgarner. Returning to Atlanta would allow the North Carolina native to pitch closer to home while also solidifying their starting rotation after the Braves signed Cole Hamels to a one-year deal Wednesday.

Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos has already been extremely aggressive in locking up bullpen pieces, and he was willing to give Hamels a high price tag on that one-year deal. While the Twins might also be desperate to get in the mix, Atlanta could be a more appealing landing spot.

Prediction: Bumgarner signs with the Braves for five years, $105 million

     

All stats obtained via Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.

Fear not, New York Yankees fans. Free-agent pitcher Gerrit Cole reportedly insisted he has "no West Coast bias" while he was meeting with the Bronx Bombers.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the news Wednesday, noting the meeting last four-plus hours. Heyman pointed out the Yankees "have been worried" that the California native would rather play in Los Angeles than New York.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported general manager Brian Cashman, manager Aaron Boone and pitching coach Matt Blake met with Cole on Tuesday.

"And this year the price tag did not scare the Yankees from taking to the road because they know Cole will receive the largest pitching contract ever, likely topping $250 million," Sherman wrote while pointing out the Yankees have been after the powerful right-hander since they drafted him in 2008.

Cole elected to go to UCLA instead of joining New York at the time. After three seasons with the Bruins, he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2011 by the Pittsburgh Pirates, who traded him to the Houston Astros instead of the pursuing Yankees in 2017.

Sherman echoed the sentiment the Yankees were fearful the Newport Beach native would choose either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Los Angeles Angels, but Heyman reported the American League East team had a "very nice" meeting with him and pitched the chance to win in the Big Apple.

Cole is the biggest pitching prize on the free-agency market as a 29-year-old who is a three-time All-Star. He finished with a league-best 2.50 ERA in 2019 to go with a sparkling 0.89 WHIP and 326 strikeouts in 212.1 innings. He was also the ace of the Astros staff on their way to an appearance in the World Series this year, posting a 1.72 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in five postseason starts.

New York figures to be on the short list of World Series contenders in 2020 and surely appreciates the fact Cole thrived in October.

Madison Bumgarner reportedly is about to become a very rich man. 

On Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported two Major League Baseball executives said they believe the starting pitcher will land a contract worth at least $100 million in free agency this offseason. Those around the league consider him the third-best starting pitcher on the market behind Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg.

Those executives also believe the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves will not be in the running for the southpaw after signing Zack Wheeler and Cole Hamels, respectively.

This comes after Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the Phillies signed Wheeler to a five-year deal worth $118 million.

"I wouldn't even be surprised if he gets more than Wheeler," one of Nightengale's sources said of Bumgarner. "It will be close. There’s really not that big of a difference when you look at it closely."

The one thing Wheeler has going for him over Bumgarner is his age, but he is just one year younger than the career-long member of the San Francisco Giants at 29. He also hasn't started building a Hall of Fame resume and has dealt with more injury concerns throughout his career.

Nightengale noted Bumgarner will likely not get his preference of staying with the Giants because the National League West team is rebuilding and won't commit that type of money to a 30-year-old starting pitcher.

That is welcome news for other teams in need of starting pitching depth seeing how Bumgarner is a three-time champion, four-time All-Star and postseason legend with a World Series MVP and National League Championship Series MVP to prove it.

He may not be quite as dominant as he was in his prime, but he still finished the 2019 campaign with a 3.90 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 203 strikeouts in 207.2 innings, marking the seventh time in his career he has surpassed the 200-inning mark.

Some team is apparently going to significantly reward him for those efforts.

The New York Yankees reportedly are "all-in" on trying to sign free-agent starting pitcher Gerrit Cole after meeting with him Tuesday in California. 

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the update but noted the Yanks are "concerned" the ace, a California native, may prefer the Los Angeles Angels or Los Angeles Dodgers. The team is also scheduled to meet with starter Stephen Strasburg on Wednesday, per Heyman.

Yanks had “very nice” introductory meeting with Gerrit Cole yesterday. No $ specifically discussed. They are selling him on being a Yankee and winning. Also key: “the dollars will be there.” The Yankees believe he’d thrive in NY but also believe he may prefer LA.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 4, 2019

A front-line starter leads New York's offseason to-do list for another otherwise stacked roster. The Yankees led MLB in runs scored (943) last season despite numerous high-profile injuries to hitters, including just 18 appearances by All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton.

The Yanks ranked 15th in starter ERA (4.51), and their projected roster for 2020 lacks a bona fide ace, so the push to sign either Cole or Strasburg doesn't come as a surprise.

It helps that the club doesn't have many other needs. Along with the high-powered offense, the team features a dominant bullpen and good rotation depth with James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino and Jordan Montgomery.

Convincing Cole, the 2019 AL Cy Young runner-up, to sign in New York may be an uphill battle, though.

The Yankees selected him in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft and put on the full-court press to get him to turn pro rather than remain committed to UCLA. He stuck with the Bruins.

Now the Yanks are once again trying to get him in pinstripes, but there's been ample speculation the dominant right-hander would like to play out west.

"We know he wants to be a West Coast guy," Astros teammate Josh Reddick told Bleacher Report's Scott Miller in October about Cole's impending free agency.

So the Yankees may be forced to look elsewhere to fill their ace void, which is why they're also keeping close tabs on Strasburg. The flamethrower is coming off an outstanding playoff run to help the Washington Nationals win the World Series with a 1.98 ERA in six games (five starts).

If New York lands either of those marquee starters, it would have a strong case to be the team to beat heading into 2020, regardless of what else happens over the winter.

Although there has been no indication that the Colorado Rockies plan to trade superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado, he is reportedly generating interest.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, "multiple teams" have called the Rockies to express interest in Arenado, but the talks "went nowhere."

The Rockies signed Arenado to an eight-year, $260 million contract last year, but since he has an opt-out clause after the 2021 season, it is possible the Rockies could lose him to free agency.

Given what he has accomplished over the past five seasons, the argument can be made the Arenado is the best player in baseball regardless of position.

The 28-year-old has been named to five All-Star teams in a row. He also won four Silver Sluggers at third base and has won the National League Gold Glove at third in each of his seven MLB seasons. Arenado is a three-time Platinum Glove winner as well, which is given to the best all-around defender in the majors.

That Nolan Arenado guy, pretty good at defense. pic.twitter.com/pxCLoEy4lt

— MLB (@MLB) March 6, 2019

Playing half his games at Coors Field has undoubtedly helped Arenado's numbers just like previous Rockies stars such as Larry Walker and Todd Helton, but his stats are undeniable. Over the past five campaigns, Arenado has never hit worse than .287 or clubbed fewer than 37 home runs and 110 RBI.

That includes three seasons with at least 40 home runs and three seasons with at least 130 RBI. He led the NL in both homers and RBI in 2015 and 2016, and last season he hit a career-best .315 with 41 home runs and 118 RBI.

Despite those numbers, Arenado has never finished better than third in the NL MVP voting, but he has been eighth or better in five consecutive seasons. The Coors Field stigma and the fact that Colorado only made the playoffs in two of those five seasons likely played into it.

Trading for Arenado would be a something of a risk for any team for multiple reasons, the biggest of which is the opt-out clause that could allow him to become a free agent after two more seasons.

His home/road splits differ significantly. While he has hit .324 with 129 home runs and 446 RBI during his career at Coors Field, he has hit just .265 with 98 homers and 288 RBI otherwise despite appearing in one more road game (516) than home game (515).

Even without Arenado, the Rockies have a fairly stacked lineup that includes Charlie Blackmon, Trevor Story, Daniel Murphy and Ian Desmond. Hitting never has and likely never will be an issue for Colorado.

The Rockies' biggest need is starting pitching that can thrive in the thin Colorado air. If the Rockies believe they can land such starters in an Arenado trade, then the possibility is at least worth exploring.

MLB's hot stove is slowly building to a boil.

A smattering of signings have already been executed, and the action should ramp up with December's Winter Meetings.

Ahead of that buildup, we're getting a clearer picture of which teams will be chasing this offseason's top talents. We'll break down the latest buzz below.

                  

Dodgers Eyeing Trio of Stars

The Los Angeles Dodgers apparently aren't ones to rest on their laurels.

They have won seven straight NL West titles, picked up six postseason series wins over that stretch and twice reached the World Series.

And yet, MLB Network's Jon Heyman hears the team will look at the biggest and brightest stars in this free-agent class:

Dodgers are looking at Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon. But while they can afford to go big, word is they have set valuations for each star and intend to remain disciplined.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 25, 2019

Perhaps the second half of that tweet is most relevant, though.

The Dodgers are far from alone in their interest in Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon. But if they're planning to show restraint, that doesn't sound like the way to score a top-tier free agent, especially when all three are Scott Boras clients.

"I think we're about to make Scott richer than he already is," Rendon said, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

The dollars tied to these three could be astronomic, and the Dodgers might deem their needs as not being great enough to justify the costs. While L.A. can never be ruled out, this sounds more like due diligence on the off chance that one goes for less than expected.

Prediction: Cole signs with Angels, Rendon joins Rangers and Strasburg stays with Nationals.

                

Twins Set Sights on Zack Wheeler

Not every free-agent class would bump Zack Wheeler to the second tier, but this is what happens when you hit the market at the same time as Cole and Strasburg.

Wheeler stands out as the ace alternative in this class. He has that level of upside (3.31 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP in 2018), but he's not quite consistent enough to command top dollar.

Still, the bidding for his services figures to be ferocious. The Minnesota Twins will likely be a part of that, per Heyman:

The Twins have Zack Wheeler very high on their list of pitching targets. They are obviously not nearly alone in that regard.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 26, 2019

Already there have been rumblings that the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox will be serious Wheeler suitors. It would make sense for the Twins to be another after they just won 101 games despite their starters pitching to a collective 4.19 ERA.

Then again, that's true of enough teams that it's probably best to take the field over any individual suitor.

Prediction: Wheeler signs with White Sox.

                

Phillies Target Bumgarner, Gregorius

In March, the Philadelphia Phillies inked a record-breaking pact with Bryce Harper.

That won't shy them away from making another huge investment (or investments) this time around.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported the Phillies have eyes for both Madison Bumgarner and Didi Gregorius:

#Phillies and Madison Bumgarner reps have been in contact, sources confirm. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 22, 2019

Sources: #Phillies pursuing Didi Gregorius in free agency, as I reported on @MLBNetwork today, with the idea that Jean Segura would move to a different position or be traded. Joe Girardi managed Didi in New York, of course. @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 22, 2019

Bumgarner might be losing speed, but he's still an elite innings eater (207.2 this past season) with a wealth of postseason experience (and excellence). Gregorius had his 2019 season delayed by recovery from 2018 Tommy John surgery, but he still tallied 16 homers and 61 RBI in only 82 games.

The Phillies could use both. Their pockets are deep enough to get at least one.

Prediction: Bumgarner signs with Braves, Phillies get Gregorius.

Free-agent starting pitcher Rich Hill doesn't have a new team yet, but he does have a timetable for a return from primary revision surgery on the torn UCL in his pitching elbow.

According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Hill is likely to miss the first half of the 2020 season. Primary revision surgery, which the left-hander opted for instead of Tommy John surgery, "usually requires a shorter recovery time, and Hill is expected to starting throwing by the end of April," the report added. 

Hill finished his three-year, $48 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. The 39-year-old had been with the Dodgers since the Oakland Athletics traded him in August 2016.

Hill's 2019 campaign was abbreviated by a strained flexor tendon. The veteran spent time on the 60-day injured list from June 19 to Sept. 12. He started Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the eventual champion Washington Nationals, allowing one earned run across 2.2 innings.

Overall last season, Hill tallied a 4-1 record with a 2.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 72 strikeouts across 13 starts.

Hill's best season as a Dodger came in 2017 when he posted a 12-8 record, 3.32 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 166 strikeouts.

Prior to landing with the Dodgers, Hill played for seven other clubs. Despite injury obstacles, though, Hill hasn't indicated that he's ready to retire.

"As far as the free-agent market and whatever may come out of this year or after this is over with, I have no control over that, except for continuing to want to play this game at a high level and play for a competitor and play for a team that’s going to win," Hill said in October, per Bill Plunkett of the OC Register. 

His market will likely take a hit because he won't be available until June or July. However, he could appeal to a contender who needs help down the stretch. 

The Philadelphia Phillies' need for help in the starting rotation has put them in the market for free agent Madison Bumgarner.

Per MLB Network's Jon Paul Morosi, the Phillies are "actively interested" in the four-time All-Star:

Is MadBum on the #Phillies' offseason wish list? #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/wvLGqPZCfq

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 22, 2019

Morosi later confirmed the Phillies and Bumgarner's representatives have been in contact. 

Pitching has been the focal point of Philadelphia's offseason plans coming off a disappointing 81-81 record in 2019. 

Phillies starters ranked 17th in MLB with a 4.64 ERA in 2019. Aaron Nola and Zach Eflin were their only pitchers who threw more than 150 innings. 

The Athletic's Matt Gelb reported in October that Phillies management was meeting to map out their free-agent agenda, which would include one plan to sign Gerrit Cole and one that didn't include the hard-throwing right-hander. 

Cole could be in line to get the richest deal ever for a starting pitcher. The current record-holder is David Price's seven-year, $217 million contract from the Boston Red Sox. 

Bumgarner will come with a cheaper price tag than Cole. The southpaw tied his career high with 34 starts last season for the San Francisco Giants. He posted a 3.90 ERA with 203 strikeouts in 207.2 innings. 

The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly interested in free-agent shortstop Didi Gregorius, who spent the past five years with the New York Yankees. 

Jon Morosi of the MLB Network reported the Phillies are trying to sign Gregorius with the intent of either trading Jean Segura or moving him to a different position.

Gregorius saw his OPS increase in each of his first four years with the Yankees. It rose from .688 in 2015, his debut campaign in pinstripes after a trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks, to a career high of .829 in 2018. He also hit 72 home runs from 2016 through 2018.

The 29-year-old Netherlands native didn't play his first game this year until June as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. Although his power remained with 16 homers in 82 appearances, his overall performance at the plate dropped off as he posted a .717 OPS.

In October, he told Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated his lack of plate discipline was the issue.

"I've been doing the same work I've been doing since I got here," Gregorius said. "I didn't try to change anything, just try to swing at strikes. That's one thing for me right now and be patient. I'm just all over the place swinging at almost every ball. I think that's one thing, and be aggressive in the strike zone."

Meanwhile, the Phillies are looking to upgrade their lineup after finishing 14th in runs scored en route to an 81-81 record that left them eight games short of the playoffs.

Segura, 29, posted a .280/.323/.420 triple-slash line with 12 homers and 10 stolen bases in 144 games. Along with 905 appearances at shortstop, he's also played 142 games at second base during an eight-year career that included stops with the Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners and D-Backs.

If Philly shifts him to second base, it would likely make Cesar Hernandez available for trade.

Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reported the Cincinnati Reds are also interested in Gregorius.

The shortstop started his career in the Reds organization, but played just eight games with the club.