MLB Rumors

As the celebratory feeling quickly fades following the Washington Nationals' World Series victory, the MLB hot stove should begin heating up.

The marquee free agents will dominate much of the headlines. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Stephen Strasburg opted out of his deal with the Nationals, so he'll join Gerrit Cole as among the top pitchers available.

Because of the price likely necessary to land the top free agents, teams will invariably turn to the trade market to strengthen their rosters ahead of 2020 Opening Day.

Here are two rumors to follow in the weeks and months ahead.

          

Rangers Engaged in 'Internal Discussions' amid Possible Red Sox Sell-Off

Few teams have more question marks than the Boston Red Sox. The team's owners have made it clear they wants to avoid paying the luxury tax next year. As a result, Mookie Betts or J.D. Martinez could be on the move, or the Red Sox could piece together smaller contracts to build up the value that would ensure they're under the threshold.

According to the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant, the Texas Rangers are monitoring the situation. He wrote: "Making real trades, particularly ones involving big contracts, is like, real life, far more complicated. But, according to two sources, the Rangers have had internal discussions about the possibilities Boston could present. [Rangers general manager Jon] Daniels did not comment on the Red Sox situation Tuesday, but he never talks about other clubs."

The Red Sox would have $23.75 million come off the books for 2020 if Martinez opts out of his deal, but Boston would then need to find another designated hitter.

The New York Post's Joel Sherman floated a deal that would see David Price heading westward:

"So, for example, could Boston trade Price to Texas for Shin-Soo Choo ($21 million for 2020) and Rougned Odor (three years, $36 million left)? Boston would save $4 million toward the 2020 tax, get a one-year DH stopgap for Martinez in Choo and take on a distressed contract in Odor to balance some of the money and he can play second. Price, if healthy, fits with Lance Lynn and Mike Minor to provide a strong rotation top three to open a new stadium in Texas."

Grant noted the Rangers could hypothetically sign Cole or Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon as they attempt to build more buzz ahead of their move to Globe Life Field. However, since adding either player would take a significant chunk of the team's spending flexibility, a trade is the more likely route, be it with the Red Sox or somebody else.

           

Starling Marte Might Be on the Move

MLB.com's Adam Berry reported Oct. 22 he was under the impression Starling Marte would remain on the Pittsburgh Pirates when the 2020 regular season opens.

Circumstances have changed since then, with the Pirates firing Neal Huntington, their executive vice president and general manager. They've effectively cleaned house behind the scenes, with Huntington following manager Clint Hurdle and team president Frank Coonelly out.

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Pittsburgh was picking up Marte's $11.5 million option for 2020 but that he "could still wind up being traded." Heyman added the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs would all conceivably be in the market for a proven center fielder.

The front-office moves present the Pirates with an opportunity to hit the reset button and start focusing on the long term.

Building up a farm system Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter ranked 17th in MLB would be one place to start, and Marte would likely bring back at least one high-upside minor league prospect. The 31-year-old finished this past season with 23 home runs, 82 RBI and a .295/.342/.503 slash line.

Ownership may be wary of further alienating a fanbase that is clearly fed up with how things are going, though.

When Pittsburgh reached the National League Wild Card Game in 2015, the team was averaging 30,846 fans at PNC Park, which ranked 15th in baseball. The team's attendance has cratered, with the Pirates falling to 27th in 2019 (18,412).

The franchise has gotten burned recently by a series of bad trades, most notably when they sent Cole to the Houston Astros and acquired Chris Archer from the Tampa Bay Rays. Even with a new GM in charge, fans would probably expect the same thing should Marte leave.

Six-time All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman "prefers to remain a Yankee" and will pursue an extension as he mulls his $15 million player option for 2020, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Heyman noted Chapman would opt out of the final two years and $30 million remaining on his contract if no extension is reached. New York would then reportedly extend the $17.8 million qualifying offer in that scenario, which Chapman would almost assuredly decline.

The option was part of a five-year, $86 million deal he signed with the Yankees in December 2016, the largest ever for a reliever.

Chapman had 37 saves, a 2.21 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in 60 appearances in 2019. He struck out 85 batters and allowed 25 walks in 57 innings. He also helped the Yankees reach the 2019 American League Championship Series.

He has a 2.51 ERA and 111 career saves in 198 appearances during his three-plus seasons in the Bronx.

Chapman was initially acquired from the Cincinnati Reds following the 2015 season. He spent the first half of the 2016 season in pinstripes before the team traded him to the Chicago Cubs prior to the trade deadline.

He went on to help the Cubs win their first World Series since 1908 that season, and he made his way back to the Big Apple that offseason.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported in July that a source told him there was a "one million percent" chance Chapman would opt out of his contract. Chapman denied Rosenthal's report, saying it was "completely false."

"But the truth is, honestly, I feel really good here," Chapman said, per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "There's no reason for me to start thinking about changes or anything like that. I feel great here. Eventually, when the season is over, I'll sit down and talk about it. No need right now."

He added:

Don’t always believe what you hear in the media. Yankee 100% pic.twitter.com/H1IcfO9V2s

— Aroldis Chapman (@AChapman_105) July 17, 2019

Even if he opts out, expect him to sign with the Yankees long term.

The New York Mets have reportedly zeroed in on Eduardo Perez as their next manager.

Per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the ESPN analyst "has emerged as the clear frontrunner" for the job. 

Perez has experience working as a coach in the big leagues. He previously served as hitting coach of the Florida Marlins in 2011-12 and was a bench coach for the Houston Astros during the 2013 season. 

Since resigning from the Astros in Jan. 2014, Perez has primarily worked as a radio and television analyst for ESPN and SiriusXM MLB Network Radio. The 50-year-old won a Puerto Rican League title in 2014 as manager of Cangrejeros de Santurce.

On Sunday, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Perez and Joe Girardi were going to have second interviews with the Mets. Girardi wound up reaching a three-year deal to become manager of the Philadelphia Phillies four days later. 

New York is seeking a new manager after firing Mickey Callaway on Oct. 3. The Mets finished 2019 with an 86-76 record, but missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season. 

Chaim Bloom has reportedly emerged as a "serious candidate" to become general manager of the Boston Red Sox, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. 

Per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Bloom "seems likely" to get the job.

Chad Jennings of The Athletic reported the job search "seems to be coming to an end," noting Bloom is among those who have been interviewed.

Bloom, 36, is currently the Tampa Bay Rays vice president of baseball operations and has spent 15 years with the organization.

Bloom was considered a top candidate for the New York Mets vacancy last year but the team instead hired former agent Brodie Van Wagenen.

The Red Sox have been seeking a new general manager since the surprise firing of Dave Dombrowski in September after four years with the team. 

According to Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated, owner John Henry was seeking someone with more of a "process-oriented approach" compared to Dombrowski who made decisions based on "instincts and advice."

Bloom fits this description based on his background with the Rays, potentially making this a quality hire:

https://twitter.com/MaxWildstein/status/1187535067813421059

Chaim Bloom may be the most well-regarded executive in baseball without a GM title. If he is indeed the Red Sox’s choice, as multiple sources believe he will be, this would be seen as a home run of a hire.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 25, 2019

Still, there could be a lot of pressure on whoever takes the job after four World Series wins for the organization since 2004.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jake Arrieta reportedly exercised a player option in his three-year, $75 million contract to remain with the club for the 2020 season for a $20 million salary.

Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reported the update Thursday.

Arrieta was limited to 24 starts in 2019 before landing on the 60-day injured list with an elbow injury that required season-ending surgery in August. He's expected back at full strength in time for next year's spring training, per Heyman.

The 33-year-old Missouri native didn't pitch to his usually high standards even when healthy. He posted a 4.64 ERA, his highest mark since 2013, and a 1.47 WHIP with 110 strikeouts in 135.2 innings.

"It hurts every day," Arrieta told reporters on Aug. 11 about the bone spur in his elbow after giving up five runs in three innings against the San Francisco Giants in his final start of the year.

The injury and his lackluster numbers likely made the choice to remain with the Phillies quite straightforward. It will give him an opportunity to bounce back in 2020 without having to rush his recovery in order to land a new contract elsewhere.

Philadelphia holds the decision about his future in its hands moving forward. The team holds club options for both 2021 and 2022 at $20 million apiece.

Arrieta is worth that high price tag at his peak. He was one of the league's most dominant players in 2015 when he finished with a microscopic 1.77 ERA in 33 starts for the Chicago Cubs. While the right-hander hasn't been able to match that performance, his ERA was below 4.00 each of the last three years.

If healthy, he'll probably open the 2020 campaign in the middle of a Phillies rotation led by Aaron Nola.

The New York Yankees are expected to "expected to engage" with Houston Astros ace Gerrit Cole in free agency this offseason, according to Andy Martino of SNY.

Martino noted the belief in league circles is that Cole—a California native—would prefer to land with a team on the West Coast.

In his second year in Houston, Cole has put together his finest season to date. He put himself in the mix for the 2019 American League Cy Young award by going 20-5 with a 2.50 ERA, with an MLB-high 326 strikeouts in a career-high 212.2 innings.

Cole had been the star of the postseason through his first three October starts, going 3-0 while allowing just one run in 22.2 innings of work. New York got an up close look at the right-hander's dominance, as he tossed seven innings of four-hit, shutout baseball against the Bronx Bombers at Yankee Stadium in Game 3 of the 2019 American League Championship Series.

New York found out the hard way what dominant pitching can do to a powerful offense, as Cole, Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke helped the Astros eliminate the Yankees in six games in the ALCS.

His start against the Yankees was just the latest in what was a historic run for Cole. From May 27 to Oct. 15, he went 19-0 with a 1.59 ERA over a 25-start stretch.

Cole's hot streak finally came to an end on Tuesday night against in Game 1 of the World Series, as he surrendered five runs in seven innings against the Washington Nationals in a 5-4 loss. Depending on how the next few games play out, though, he may have a chance for redemption later in the series.

Though the Yankees' lineup is full of star power, the rotation could use a boost. Masahiro Tanaka led the pitching staff with 182 innings, and James Paxton (3.82 ERA) led the rotation in earned run average among starters with at least 15 starts in 2019.

If it does indeed happen this offseason, it would not be the first time the Yankees tried to get Cole in pinstripes. New York drafted Cole—a lifelong Yankees fan—28th overall in the 2008 draft, but he opted to go play college ball at UCLA.

New York never had the opportunity to select Cole in 2011, as the right-hander was the first player off the board.

With the MLB playoffs in full swing over the past few days and the World Series beginning Tuesday, the trade rumor mill has quietened down.

But bits and pieces of information still float out every so often.

For instance, the Boston Red Sox face a critical financial dilemma this offseason, and rumors have abounded that a likely sacrificial lamb from Boston's current roster could be outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.

The Cincinnati Enquirer's Bobby Nightengale reported Friday that the Reds discussed Bradley with Boston last offseason, and though that's quite a long time ago in baseball terms (especially considering Bradley wasn't great in 2019), it's still a potentially interesting destination for the outfielder.

He could be especially useful if the Reds decide to use Nick Senzel at second base instead of center field, as Senzel is a clear upgrade over Bradley from an offensive perspective. 

Another team potentially looking to move an outfielder is the Minnesota Twins.

Minnesota clearly had a banner year at the plate, coming out of nowhere to break the single-season record for team home runs. However, they were easily dispatched by the Yankees in the playoffs, and that was in large part due to pitching deficiencies.

But not to worry, Twins fans. During exit interviews following their ALDS loss, Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey notably said that he would like to "target impact pitching."

That was not an issue for Minnesota in the regular season—they finished 11th in starter ERA and 10th in bullpen ERA—but they imploded against the Yankees, recording a postseason-worst 7.56 ERA through the three games.

So, how could the Twins get better pitching if they're presumably going to be outbid for the likes of Gerrit Cole and Madison Bumgarner? Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune suggested they trade outfielder Eddie Rosario for a big-ticket arm, and he might be right.

Rosario had a career year in 2019, hitting 32 home runs and driving in 109 runs, but he could be the odd man in a crowded group that already features Max Kepler, Byron Buxton, and Marwin Gonzalez, as well as prospects like Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff waiting in the wings.

You'd hope the Twins won't have to trade Rosario, but if he's the key piece in a trade that nets them a stone-cold, playoff-tested ace, then it'll be worth it. 

While Major League Baseball is in the midst of the League Championship Series, there has already been plenty of talk regarding what is shaping up to be a strong free-agent class during the offseason.

Two of the bigger names that could be on the move are Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon and Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cole Hamels. Both players figure to be in high demand, but the Nationals and Cubs will likely be in the mix to keep their respective stars as well.

With the end of the 2019 season and the start of free agency approaching, here are the latest rumors surrounding Rendon and Hamels, and predictions regarding where they will land on the open market.

Anthony Rendon

Rendon has the Nats one win away from reaching their first World Series, but his future beyond that is very much in question.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, some close to Rendon believe he may be open to a short-term deal with a high average annual salary because he "might not be devoted to the idea of playing for as long as he possibly can."

Rendon is just 29 years old and he is in the midst of the best season of his career. During the regular season, Rendon hit .319 with 34 home runs and 126 RBI, and he was named a National League All-Star for the first time.

With Bryce Harper no longer in the fold after signing with the Philadelphia Phillies during the offseason, Rendon is now viewed as Washington's clear leader offensively, and he has been one of the biggest factors in the Nats overcoming some of their playoff demons.

Anthony Rendon is better at baseball than your favorite player go right ahead and @ us.#NLCS // #STAYINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/ijXf13WDpd

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) October 15, 2019

One team that continues to struggle on that front is the Los Angeles Dodgers. L.A. lost in the World Series in 2017 and 2018, and they were eliminated by the Nationals in the National League Division Series this season.

That could cause management to make some big changes, and according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Dodgers may have some interest in Rendon when free agency starts.

The Dodgers already have a quality third baseman in Justin Turner, but Rosenthal noted that they are open to moving Turner to first base.

Rendon would add even more potency to a Dodgers lineup that includes Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Joc Pederson and Turner, and he would likely help L.A. return to its status as the favorite to win the National League.

Since he has spent his entire seven-year career in Washington, however, Rendon has become synonymous with the Nationals. That didn't stop Harper from leaving, but the Nats can ill afford to lose a franchise player for the second year in a row.

A stacked starting rotation headed by Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin could make the Nationals World Series contenders for many years to come, but their lineup would be severely lacking aside from outfielder Juan Soto if Rendon were to leave.

Given how things ended between the Nats and Harper, one can only assume that management will do everything in its power to ensure that Rendon doesn't get away as well.

Prediction: Rendon re-signs with Nationals

Cole Hamels

After spending parts of the past two seasons with the Cubs, Hamels should have no shortage of options at his disposal in free agency.

The veteran starter is getting up there in age at 35, but he has shown in recent seasons that he can still be productive. While injuries cost him a bit of time in 2018, he still managed a 7-7 record with a 3.81 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 141.2 innings pitched over 27 starts.

That strikeout rate was tied for the second-best mark of his 14-year career, and it showed that he can still be a top-three starter on a contending team.

Cole Hamels became the 10th LHP in MLB history to record 2,500 strikeouts, but he's happiest about doing so in front of fans that appreciate it. #AuthenticFan pic.twitter.com/dZ7O1flnNP

— Cubs on CHSN (@CHSN_Cubs) June 19, 2019

According to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Chicago re-signing Hamels is a possibility, although the Cubs could look to shake things up after missing the playoffs this season and parting ways with manager Joe Maddon.

If the Cubs don't re-sign Hamels, the Phillies and San Diego Padres are also considered strong contenders for his services, per Mooney.

Both make sense on different levels. Hamels spent his first 10 seasons with the Phillies during which time he was named an All-Star three times, won a World Series and was named World Series MVP. Also, the Phillies are in dire need of starting pitching.

The Padres are an up-and-coming team with a lot of young talent, but they could use a veteran starter to help show the younger pitchers the way. They have also shown that they aren't afraid to spend money after signing Manny Machado last offseason.

Among Hamels' suitors, the Phillies are likely to be the most desperate team. They disappointed in a big way this season despite landing the likes of Harper, catcher J.T. Realmuto and outfielder Andrew McCutchen.

The Phillies didn't do enough to address their pitching, but that figures to be the primary area of focus this offseason. Adding Hamels to a starting rotation that ranked 17th in Major League Baseball this season with a 4.64 ERA could go a long way toward turning things around, and it would also be a smart move from a PR perspective since Phillies fans love Hamels for all he accomplished during his time with the organization.

Prediction: Hamels signs with Phillies

Carlos Beltran turned down interview opportunities with the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres as they search for a manager, according to MLB.com's Nathalie Alonso.

Beltran said he would only consider joining the New York Mets, which he described as "the right fit for me," per Alonso.

Beltran retired after playing 20 seasons following the 2017 season. The outfielder spent six-and-a-half seasons with the Mets, helping them reach the National League Championship Series in 2006.

Upon ending his playing career, Beltran focused on a transition to management. The Puerto Rico native interviewed with the New York Yankees, with whom he played for in 2014-16, in November 2017; the team eventually hired Aaron Boone as their new manager. Beltran accepted a special adviser role to general manager Brian Cashman last December.

The 42-year-old told SNY's Andy Martino how his front office work with the Yankees has prepared him well for an eventual move to the dugout:

"I love the game, I love to compete...I feel like I can impact players' lives in a positive way"

Carlos Beltran makes his case to be a big league manager with @martinonyc: pic.twitter.com/d7X4q2m4hv

— SNY (@SNYtv) October 13, 2019

The New York Post's Mike Puma noted how Beltran had friction with Mets ownership, including when he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in 2010 that left him unavailable for the start of the year.

According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, he has supporters inside the Mets' front office:

Hearing Carlos Beltran is very serious candidate for Mets manager. Has close relationship w/key FO guys Allard Baird and Omar Minaya, both said to support. @Ken_Rosenthal 1st linked CB to job. Interestingly, 3/4 known candidates have no MLB managing experience; also Bell, Shelton

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 11, 2019

Beltran's lack of experience obviously would make him a risky hire for any franchise, but the Yankees have back-to-back 100-seasons under Boone, who was a television analyst before becoming their manager. Likewise, Alex Cora was a broadcaster and had only one year as a bench coach before leading the Boston Red Sox in his first year with the team to the 2018 World Series championship.

Beltran's familiarity with the team and the New York market, coupled with his reputation as a player, would make him a good fit for the Mets.

While this free agent class does not boast star power on the level of last year with Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and others signing mega-contracts, there are still plenty of coveted players hitting the market this winter.

However, as last offseason proved, it's often the under-the-radar moves that pay off way more than the headliners. Neither Harper's Phillies nor Machado's Padres made the playoffs this year, while formerly unheralded middle infielder DJ LeMahieu is an invaluable part of the Yankees' postseason hopes and injury-prone pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu is a legitimate Cy Young contender for the Dodgers.

As the desperate and deep-pocketed shell out nine figures for the likes of Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon, prudent general managers will be trying to find the latest market inefficiency and use it to their advantage. Here are several underrated players that may prove to be far more valuable than expected.

 

Predictions for Underrated Assets

Didi Gregorius

There's no two ways about it⁠—2019 has been the worst year of Didi Gregorius' career.

Not only was his season delayed until June due to rehab from Tommy John surgery, but he posted his lowest OPS in four years and worst batting average in five years once returning to the field. Had Didi hit like a borderline MVP candidate when healthy like he did in 2017 and 2018, he'd likely command a yearly salary just below Rendon's level, but his precipitous drop-off in 82 games this year has likely cooled the market significantly.

However, Didi's struggles this year can be easily explained—he was just rusty! Yes, his batting average decreased every month from June to September, but he appears to be showing signs of life now in the postseason, hitting .400/.500/.700 in the Yankees' three-game sweep over the Minnesota Twins. If he continues this hot start through the remainder of New York's playoff run, then interest in the Dutch shortstop may renew.

One team that should not offer Didi a contract, however, is the Yankees. One perk of Gregorius' absence was the discovery of utility infielder Gio Urshela, who can replicate most of Didi's peak production at a fraction of the cost. Urshela, alongside a combination of Gleyber Torres, LeMahieu, Mike Ford, Luke Voit, and a healthy Miguel Andujar, creates a deadly infield quartet.

As for Didi himself, he can continue his career where he started it. Both Jose Iglesias and backup Freddy Galvis (club option) are free agents for the Cincinnati Reds, and adding a refreshed Gregorius to a lineup with Eugenio Suarez, Jesse Winker and Joey Votto could make for a deadly offense in the NL Central.

 

Prediction: Didi signs with the Cincinnati Reds.

 

Michael Wacha

It wasn't so long ago that Michael Wacha was a top prospect and former first-round draft pick. In fact, he has lived up to that billing at points throughout his career. In 2015, Wacha won 17 games and was a National League All-Star, and he went 20-11 with 229 strikeouts over 250 innings in 2017 and 2018. 

However, Wacha's seven years with the Cardinals have also been littered with recurring injuries. He missed half of 2018 due to two oblique strains, and was shut down towards the end of this season with a right shoulder strain, the same shoulder that caused him to miss extended time in 2014 and 2016.

While he's been able to pitch extremely well for stretches despite those injuries, 2019 was not one of those years. Wacha recorded a 4.76 ERA this year, walking 3.9 batters/nine innings and allowing a disastrous 1.85 home runs/nine innings, and was shuttled between the starting rotation and bullpen several times. Suffice it to say that his free agent stock has never been lower, and with the Cardinals already boasting a strong rotation, his time in St. Louis is likely over.

A high-ceiling pitcher with injury trouble is a classic buy-low candidate⁠—you know, sign him to a one-year deal for low money, and see if it pays off. Wacha fits clearly in this archetype. A starter-needy team like the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies or San Francisco Giants may want to take a chance on him.

 

Prediction: Wacha signs with the San Francisco Giants.

 

David Freese

After a few years toiling away in obscurity with the Los Angeles Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates, David Freese is back in a big way.

Last August, the third baseman was traded from the non-contending Pirates to the future NL pennant-winning Dodgers, and over 19 regular season games proved his worth, hitting .385/.489/.641 to go with two home runs. He then proceeded to hit .364 with two home runs and six runs batted in through all three playoff rounds, and used this two-month hot streak to sign a one-year, $4.5 million contract to return to the Dodgers for a full season. 

Of course, Freese did not hit nearly .400 this year, but in a platoon role slugged .315/.403/.599 with 11 home runs and 24 total extra-base hits. He also provided stellar defense when on the field, recording a .993 fielding percentage and just two errors. Given that they boast a nearly complete roster, the Dodgers did not require much from Freese, but he excelled in the limited role they provided.

The 36-year old Freese is nearing the end of his career, but deserves one more shot at a full-time starting role. Now that he’s broadened his fielding prowess to first base as well as third, he'll potentially be a useful role player for even more teams.

There aren't many rumors out there regarding Freese, but some notable teams who rank towards the bottom in first base hitting production include the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers. What all of those teams have in common is that they are currently fringe playoff teams, but with the addition of a veteran leader like Freese who still plays at a high level, they could become October fixtures.

 

Prediction: Freese signs with the Boston Red Sox.

Stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com unless otherwise noted. Cap information courtesy of Spotrac.com unless otherwise noted.