NEWS
Tim Hudson of the Giants has said that the 2015 season could be his last season. He will be a free agent after this season.
Rob Manfred was officially given a five-year term as MLB Commissioner. Manfred has served as the head of labor negotiations for 19 years since the strike of 1994.
The Rays have narrowed their manager search to 3 candidates: Kevin Cash, Raul Ibanez and Don Wakamatsu.
The Twins have won the bidding on Korean LHP Hyeon-Jong Yang and are working on a deal with him. He will be 27 years old in March.
TRANSACTIONS
The Marlins and OF Giancarlo Stanton have agreed on a 13 year/$325 million contract extension. The extension includes a full no-trade clause and an opt out clause after the 2020 season.
The Cardinals have traded for OF Jason Heyward and RHP Jordan Walden from the Braves. The Braves will get RHP Shelby Miller and RHP Tyrell Jenkins.
The Blue Jays signed free agent C Russell Martin to a 5 year/$82 million contract. The Blue Jays gave up the 17th overall pick in next year’s draft to sign Martin.
The White Sox signed free agent LHR Zach Duke to a 3 year/$15 million contract.
The A’s signed free agent DH Billy Butler to a 3 year/$30 million contract.
The Red Sox claimed 3B Juan Francisco off waivers from the Blue Jays.
The Dodgers have traded for veteran RHP Joel Peralta and minor leaguer LHP Adam Liberatore from the Rays. The Rays will receive RHP Jose Dominguez and RHP Greg Harris.
The White Sox signed free agent 1B Adam LaRoche to a 2 year/$25 million contract.
The A’s have traded for 1B Ike Davis from the Pirates, they also received the Pirates 3rd international draft slot (86). The Pirates will receive the A’s 1st international draft slot (27).
RUMORS
The Padres are in on the 3B Pablo Sandoval derby.
The Blue Jays are among the teams interested in LHP Jon Lester.
The Mariners may be a strong suitor for OF Justin Upton now that the Braves may be in selling mode. Upton recently took the Mariners off his no-trade list.
The Mariners have fielded offers for RHP Hisashi Iwakuma.
The Braves have had a meeting with LHP Jon Lester this week.
The Dodgers are aggressively pursuing SS Alexei Ramirez in trade talks.
The Indians are exploring a wide range of options, including trading OF Nick Swisher.
The D-Backs are targeting RHP James Shields.
The Royals and Rangers among the teams interested in RHP Ian Kennedy.
The Red Sox have an offer of 6 years/$110-120 million range on the table for LHP Jon Lester.
The Blue Jays are drawing interest in C Dioner Navarro, not set on moving him yet.
The White Sox are reportedly targeting OF Melky Cabrera.
The Red Sox are “very serious” about the pursuit of LHP Andrew Miller.
The Reds are listening to offers for OF Jay Bruce.
The Padres have emerged as 1 of the favorites to land Cuban OF Yasmani Tomas.
The Braves are expected to trade OF Justin Upton at some point this winter and their asking price is higher then what they got for Jason Heyward.
The Rays have made OF Matt Joyce available on the trade market.
The D-Backs have been contacted by the Dodgers, Cubs and White Sox regarding C Miguel Montero.
The Blue Jays are other team that has interest in OF Torii Hunter.
The Nationals have had some talks regarding RHP Max Scherzer.
Pablo Sandoval has offers from Giants, Red Sox and Padres. Agent says a decision will be made next week.
The Astros are targeting closer RHP David Robertson.
The Rangers have spoken with the Braves about OF Justin Upton.
The Red Sox are reportedly in advanced talks with SS Hanley Ramirez.