MLB Hot Stove Central.

[Greenbacks]

The Red Sox are, in fact, among teams that have shown interest in free agent Trevor Plouffe, as the Boston Herald reported, and have greater flexibility under the CBT now that they've traded Clay Buchholz. Plouffe makes sense as a utilityman/Pablo Sandoval insurance, but it's too soon to tell where the market will end up for a corner infielder who has experience in outfield, too.Q11

 

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The Toronto Blue Jays are actively monitoring the trade market in their quest to add an outfielder, and they have Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen on their list of potential targets, according to a source. Pirates GM Neal Huntington recently said it's likely the team will hang onto McCutchen, but the Blue Jays and several other clubs have an interest in the 2013 National League MVP. One obvious question: Does Toronto have enough pieces in the farm system to put together a viable package?

 

[Greenbacks]

Mariners acquired RHP Yovani Gallardo and cash from the Orioles in exchange for OF Seth Smith.

The Mariners needed a starter, but it's puzzling as to why they'd be interested in Gallardo, who has been in a backslide for a few years now that culminated in a 5.42 ERA across 23 starts last season. The righty had at least been an innings-eater prior to 2016, but there's no guarantee he'll regain his durability given that he'll soon be 31 and has a lot of mileage on his arm. Gallardo gets to go to a more pitcher-friendly ballpark, but he's not going to have mixed-league value in 2017.

 

[Greenbacks]

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Astros continue to talk to the White Sox and remain one of the "most serious suitors" for Jose Quintana.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported on Wednesday that the Astros were among the teams still talking to the White Sox about the left-hander. The 27-year-old owns a career 3.41 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 7.4 K/9 and would slot in with Dallas Keuchel at the top of the Astros' starting rotation.

 

[Greenbacks]

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that the Orioles have expressed interest in free agent slugger Brandon Moss.

Morosi notes that the interest remains despite acquiring Seth Smith from the Mariners on Friday. The O's currently have a vacancy in their lineup for a designated hitter, and Moss would seem to be a nice fit. Moss clubbed 28 homers for the Cardinals in 2016 while slashing .225/.300/.484.

 

[Greenbacks]

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that the Rangers are among the teams considering Jason Hammel.

The market for Hammel so far has been quiet, with some suggesting that he's receiving mostly one-year offers to this point. There is some worry about Hammel's elbow after he finished last season with a bit of tightness, but the 34-year-old also boasts a nice 3.68 ERA since the beginning of 2014. He'll land on his feet somewhere eventually.

 

[Greenbacks]

Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports that the Mariners have acquired Jarrod Dyson from the Royals in exchange for Nate Karns.

Dyson has been involved in trade rumors for most of the offseason, and the Royals finally found a return that they deemed acceptable. He will probably start in one of the corner outfield spots for Seattle with Leonys Martin already in center and gives the Mariners an excellent defensive outfield with Mitch Haniger added in. Dyson will probably bat at the bottom of the order but is still a great bet for stolen bases.

 

[Greenbacks]

Jim Bowden of ESPN and SiriusXM reports that "there is still a possibility" Brandon Phillips could be traded to the Braves.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal first reported Thursday that Phillips vetoed a trade to the Braves back in November, noting that the second baseman would want the Reds to address "certain, unspecified issues" before waiving his no-trade rights. Bowden is reporting something similar, saying the Reds "acknowledge that they made promises and assurances to Phillips that they are not living up to." While it's unclear what those issues may be, it sounds like he could still be dealt if they're ironed out. Worth noting is that Phillips is from Georgia and owns a home in Atlanta, so he could be tempted to approve a deal to the Braves even though they're unlikely to contend.

 

[Greenbacks]

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers remain "the heavy favorite" to land second baseman Brian Dozier from the Twins.

Los Angeles is known to be offering top pitching prospect Jose De Leon to Minnesota, but Nightengale hears that the Twins "continue to insist they need more." With the second week of January approaching, there is expected to be a resolution one way or the other in a matter of days. Dozier is under contract for two more years at highly affordable rates ($6M in 2017, $9M in 2018) and he slugged 42 home runs in 2016 alongside a cool .886 OPS. If this is only about adding one more mid-level prospect to the package, the Dodgers should really bite the bullet and do it.

 

[Greenbacks]

Rangers GM Jon Daniels admitted Thursday that it is unlikely Colby Lewis will return to Texas in 2017.

Daniels did say the Rangers are on the search for starting pitching, but they have apparently already moved on from the 37-year-old Lewis. He posted a 3.71 ERA, 1.126 WHIP, and 73/28 K/BB ratio in 116 1/3 innings last season, missing nearly three months with a severe lat strain. There's thought to be mild interest from the Padres. Otherwise it's been a very quiet winter for the veteran righty.

 

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