With the Holidays and New Year’s over let’s hope the Hot Stove starts to heat up again. Still a few big free agents left in Max Scherzer and James Shields. Also a few teams still have an overabundance of outfielders and will need to make trades, Padres and Red Sox, just to need a few.
NEWS
The Padres made a serious push to sign RHP Hiroki Kuroda before he decided to return to Japan. One report out of Japan said the Padres offered $18 million for a 1 year deal.
Dan Haren has let the Miami Marlins know that he wants to pitch for a West Coast team.
MLB and MLBPA to discuss new domestic violence policy this and good chance for agreement by Spring Training.
TRANSACTIONS
The D-Backs and INF Cliff Pennington agreed on a 1 year/$3.275 million deal to avoid arbitration.
The Padres have acquired RHP Shawn Kelley from the Yankees. The Yankees will receive minor league RHP Johnny Barbato.
The Dodgers signed RHP Sergio Santos to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Rays signed free agent SS/2B Asdrubal Cabrera to a 1 year/$8 million contract.
The Mariners have acquired OF Seth Smith from the Padres. The Padres will receive RHP Brandon Maurer.
The Rockies have signed C Nick Hundley to a 2 year/$6 million contract.
The Cubs signed OF Chris Denforia to a 1 year/$2.5 million contract.
The Reds have acquired OF Marlon Byrd and $4 million in salary relief from the Phillies. The Phillies will receive prospect RHP Ben Lively.
The Yankees have acquired RHP David Carpenter from the Braves. The Braves received prospect LHP Manny Banuelos and LHP Chasen Shreve.
The Royals signed RHP Ryan Madson to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. He hasn’t pitched in the MLB since 2011 due to elbow issues.
RUMORS
The Tigers and LHP David Price have had no conversations on a long term contract this offseason.
The Orioles are continuing to show interest in outfielders Ichiro Suzuki, Colby Rasmus and Nori Aoki.
The Cubs are now interested in SS Stephen Drew.
The Phillies have some interest in RHP Aaron Harang.
The White Sox are still looking to trade OF Dayan Viciedo.
The Padres could try and make at a run at RHP James Shields.
The Rockies have “checked in” on RHP Max Scherzer and RHP James Shields this offseason.
The Orioles and RHP Chris Tillman have mutual interest in a contract extension.
The Orioles have had trade discussions with the Dodgers involving OF Andre Ethier.