MLB Hot Stove Central.

[Greenbacks]

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs are "among most serious" of the early suitors for Wade Davis.

It essentially confirms an earlier report from MLB Network's Jon Morosi. The Cubs don't appear to have real interest in re-signing Aroldis Chapman, but Davis would be a great alternative if he can manage to stay healthy next season. He posted a 1.87 ERA and 47/16 K/BB ratio over 43 1/3 innings in 2016 but battled arm issues in the second half.

 

[Greenbacks]

Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the Rangers have talked to the Rays about Alex Cobb.

It's a fit that makes sense, as the Rangers are in the market for pitching and have been connected to a few Rays starters dating back to the trade deadline. Cobb put up an ugly 8.59 ERA over five starts late last season for the Rays after returning from Tommy John surgery, but he should be better equipped for success in 2017. It will be his contract year.

 

[Greenbacks]

MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reports that the Rangers are showing interest in Jorge Soler.

The Rangers are intent on adding some right-handed power this offseason, as they've been connected to free agents Edwin Encarnacion, Mike Napoli and Mark Trumbo. Soler would obviously have to be acquired via trade, but the feeling is that the Cubs are likely to move him this winter. He's disappointed with a career .258/.328/.434 batting line but will turn just 25 in February and is under team control cheaply through 2020.

 

[Greenbacks]

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cardinals are expressing interest in Jarrod Dyson.

The Cards have also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Dyson's teammate, Lorenzo Cain. Like Cain, Dyson is heading into his walk year, but of course he would cost significantly less in terms of prospects you'd have to surrender for him. Dyson, 32, sports a pedestrian .260/.325/.353 career batting line, but he would give St. Louis the defensive upgrade they're looking for in center field.

 

[Greenbacks]

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that Lucas Giolito "is a name in the mix" in trade talks between the Nationals and White Sox involving Chris Sale.

It appears that the Nationals might be shifting their attention more to Sale than Andrew McCutchen, although they seem to still be in active discussions for both. Giolito entered last season as arguably the top pitching prospect in baseball, but he disappointed in his first go-round in the majors and wasn't as dominant as hoped in the minors, either. Still, he's only 22 and his ceiling remains sky-high. In addition to Gioliot, the Nats would figure to have to part with at least one additional high-end prospect in order to land Sale.

 

[Greenbacks]

Buster Olney of ESPN confirms that the Mets have expressed interest in Orioles reliever Brad Brach.

There's some thought that it could be part of a Curtis Granderson or Jay Bruce trade proposal. Brach, a dominant 30-year-old setup man, posted a terrific 2.05 ERA, 1.038 WHIP, and 92/25 K/BB ratio over 79 innings this past season out of the Baltimore bullpen. He is arbitration-eligible for the second time this winter and will remain under club control through 2018.

 

[Greenbacks]

According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the Rangers are showing interest in free agent Mark Trumbo.

"Just how strong it is remains to be seen," adds Passan. ESPN's Buster Olney reported earlier that the Orioles made a four-year offer to Trumbo in the $52-55 million range, and that Trumbo's camp countered at four years, $75-80 million with a full no-trade clause. Trumbo led the major leagues in homers this year with 47, but it came with a .256 batting average and a .316 on-base percentage. He's also very limited defensively.

 

[Greenbacks]

Super agent Scott Boras told Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports that he's had "no discussions with the Nationals" regarding a Bryce Harper extension.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale heard from a source Monday that Harper wants a contract that "will exceed 10 years in length and likely pay him in excess of $400 million" and that the Nationals are prepared to let him walk after the 2018 season, but it's hard to say where that claim came from. And it's not all that ridiculous of an ask if Harper plays to his potential leading into free agency two winters from now. It's way too early in the process for this kind of drama, but you can expect much more of it in the coming years.

 

[Greenbacks]

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Yankees have been in contact with the representatives for free agent Luis Valbuena.

But the Yankees found his initial contract requests "too high," per Sherman's source. Valbuena wants a multi-year deal and an everyday job after batting .260/.357/.459 with 13 home runs and 40 RBI in 90 games this past season for the Astros. He started 71 games at third base and two at first base. He has also played some second base in the past.

 

[Greenbacks]

 

[Greenbacks]

 

[Greenbacks]

 

[Greenbacks]

Red Sox reportedly acquire LHP Chris Sale from the White Sox for INF Yoan Moncada, RHP Michael Kopech, 2 prospects.

 

[Greenbacks]

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Cubs are closing in on a trade for Royals closer Wade Davis.

Not wanting to wade into the big-money waters of the free agent closer market, the Cubs have decided to replace Aroldis Chapman via trade. No word yet on what's headed to Kansas City in return. Davis boasts a 1.18 ERA over the last three seasons, though he did battle forearm problems in 2016 and saw a drop in both velocity and strikeout rate.

 

[Greenbacks]

According to Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post, the Rays plan to speak with Wilson Ramos' representatives Tuesday night at the Winter Meetings.

"There's legit interest there," adds Castillo. Ramos suffered ACL and meniscus tears in his right knee on September 26 and his rehab is expected to stretch into the early part of the 2017 season, but the 29-year-old catcher still reportedly wants a four- or five-year deal in free agency. He did produce an impressive .307/.354/.496 batting line with 22 home runs and 80 RBI over 131 games this year with Washington before the major knee injury.

 

[Greenbacks]

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Nationals have expressed interest in White Sox starter Jose Quintana.

Washington failed to land Chris Sale despite an aggressive pursuit, and now the team is apparently looking back to the south side of Chicago. Quintana registered a 3.20 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 181 strikeouts in 208 innings this summer for the White Sox and has topped the 200-inning plateau four years in a row. The 27-year-old southpaw ranks among the most underrated starting pitchers in the majors. He's also on very team-friendly contract that can run through 2020.

 

[Greenbacks]

Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears the Athletics are "very interested" in Royals outfielder Jarrod Dyson.

Several other teams have inquired, including the Cardinals, Orioles, and Rangers. Dyson owns a rough .260/.325/.353 career batting line at the major league level, but he's a good and versatile defensive outfielder and he's also among the fastest players in MLB even at age 32. Dyson is due to become a free agent next winter.

 

[Greenbacks]

According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Blue Jays are "back in talks" with Jose Bautista.

The two parties spoke Tuesday at the Winter Meetings, per Heyman's source. Bautista is struggling to find a healthy free agent market after posting a relatively weak .234/.366/.452 batting line with 22 home runs and 69 RBI in 116 games this past season for Toronto. He rejected a one-year, $17.2 million qualifying offer from the Jays in November, which ties him to draft pick compensation. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe hears the Red Sox have already ruled out a run at Joey Bats, if that was ever a realistic landing spot for the 36-year-old former All-Star. Heyman says Baltimore is out too, and that Orioles officials told Bautista's camp "O's fans just don't like him." There is some level of interest from the Indians, but they seem very comfortable in wait-and-see mode.

 

[Greenbacks]

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Red Sox have agreed to a one-year deal with Mitch Moreland.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network says the deal is worth $5.5 million. Moreland figures to serve as Boston's regular first baseman in 2017 after winning Gold Glove honors there with Texas in 2016. Which means much more DH time for Hanley Ramirez. Moreland, 31, tallied 22 homers and 60 RBI over 147 games for the Rangers this summer, though it came with an underwhelming .720 overall OPS. He had an .812 OPS in 2015.

 

[Greenbacks]

According to Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have begun extension talks with starter Chris Tillman.

Encinca calls them "introductory" negotiations. Tillman is set for a big payday in his final turn through salary arbitration after registering a cool 3.77 ERA (118 ERA+), 1.285 WHIP, and 140/66 K/BB ratio across 172 innings (30 starts) for the O's in 2016. He is scheduled to become a free agent next offseason.