Odds of All 30 MLB Teams' Hottest Offseason Rumor Becoming Reality
With the MLB offseason in full swing, the hot stove seemingly provides us with a handful of new rumors to discuss on a daily basis.
At this point in the offseason, prior to the winter meetings, the bulk of the rumors revolve around players who could potentially be available on the trade market as opposed to free agents and where they might wind up signing.
That will all change in a little over a week when the league converges on National Harbor, Maryland, for the annual four-day circus that is the winter meetings. But for now, we have plenty to discuss from the early stages of the offseason.
All of that said, what follows is a look at one notable rumor currently out there for each MLB team and my odds on whether that rumor will turn out to be true (in a few cases, the most notable speculation will be covered).
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"Dbacks GM Mike Hazen says he 'fully anticipates' Zack Greinke will be back next year," tweeted Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.
Overview
There has been little in the way of rumors out of Diamondbacks camp so far this offseason, and to that point the five-player deal they recently swung with the Seattle Mariners to acquire Taijuan Walker seemingly came out of nowhere.
What we have heard is that the team has no intention of shopping starter Greinke, who was inked to a massive six-year, $206.5 million deal last winter.
The 33-year-old started off slow and missed all of July with an injury, but wound up going 11-5 with a 3.94 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over his final 21 starts.
While it would take some money changing hands, it's not out of the question to think a contender could have significant interest in Greinke. If the right offer came along, it could afford the D-Backs a redo.
Odds of Greinke being traded: 25-1
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"They've already added a pair of former Cy Young winners in (Bartolo) Colon and (R.A.) Dickey, and the Braves are aiming even higher as they continue discussions with the White Sox about a possible trade for ace left-hander Chris Sale," wrote David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Overview
The Atlanta Braves entered the offseason seeking veteran arms to round out a starting rotation that relied heavily on a young, inexperienced crop of starters last season behind All-Star Julio Teheran.
Dickey and Colon were added on short-term deals and they certainly fit that description, but neither projects to be a part of the next contending Braves team.
Sale on the other hand would represent an ace for the present and future, as he's controlled through 2019 with a pair of reasonably priced option years.
Even with one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, it's likely that the Braves would need to build a package around young shortstop Dansby Swanson if they hoped to make a serious push to land Sale.
That may be a non-starter, but their seemingly legitimate interest is intriguing nonetheless.
Odds of Sale being acquired via trade: 15-1
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"Source: Orioles interested in free agent Ian Desmond for a corner outfield role," tweeted Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Overview
Morosi reported earlier in the offseason that the Orioles were pursuing Josh Reddick in their search for corner outfield help, but he's now off the board after signing with the Houston Astros.
While a left-handed bat would fit better given their current lineup and Reddick came with the added appeal of not having a qualifying offer attached to his name, Desmond still makes sense as a potential target.
The only player currently locked into a starting outfield spot is center fielder Adam Jones. While Desmond proved capable of playing center last season, he is still probably better suited at a corner spot.
MLB Trade Rumors predicted a four-year, $60 million deal for Desmond, which may be more than the O's are willing to spend. If he can be had on a shorter deal, though, he'd be a more appealing option.
Odds of Desmond being signed: 6-1
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Boston Red Sox
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The Rumor/Speculation
"Heard from a major league source who characterized the Red Sox's interest in Carlos Beltran this way: 'They want him badly.' Might boil down to whether Beltran wants more than a one-year guarantee," wrote Scott Lauber of ESPN.com.
Overview
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the market for Beltran is shaping up to be a three-team battle between the New York Yankees, Astros and Boston Red Sox, with the Texas Rangers still a possibility as well.
The Astros already have a good chunk of the DH at-bats committed to Evan Gattis and the Yankees appear to be more focused on pitching, so it wouldn't be out of line to call the Red Sox the front-runners for the veteran's services at this point.
Beltran is a .335/.377/.555 career hitter in 167 plate appearances at Fenway Park. Adding his veteran presence and run-production abilities to the middle of the lineup would go a long way toward replacing David Ortiz.
If the Red Sox don't want to pay up to sign Edwin Encarnacion, Beltran is their best alternative.
Odds of Beltran being signed: 2-1
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"...(Greg) Holland, a free agent right-hander who’s close to returning from 2015 Tommy John surgery, is on the Cubs’ radar as a potential back-end bullpen piece that ideally could be back to mid-to-upper-90s velocity sometime during the second half of the season and into the playoffs," wrote Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Tribune.
Overview
"We’re going to explore every avenue," Cubs GM Jed Hoyer told Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago regarding the team's search for bullpen help.
If the team is serious about not breaking the bank to re-sign Aroldis Chapman or add Kenley Jansen, Holland is an intriguing alternative.
The 31-year-old drew strong reviews from a showcase he held earlier this month and there's little question he was one of the game's elite bullpen arms prior to dealing with arm issues.
In 2013 and 2014, he converted 93 saves in 98 chances with a 1.32 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 13.4 K/9 over 133 total appearances.
MLB Trade Rumors suggested a two-year, $18 million deal could be enough to land Holland. That would be a risk well worth taking for the defending champs.
Odds of Holland being signed: 5-1
Chicago White Sox
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The Rumor/Speculation
"The more open the White Sox are to dealing from their core, the more the industry agrees: The Dodgers are a perfect trade partner for them," tweeted Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
"(Chris) Sale, (Jose) Quintana, (Todd) Frazier and (David) Robertson fits what the Dodgers need. And White Sox like (Cody) Bellinger, (Alex) Verdugo, (Jose) De Leon, (Willie) Calhoun and Yasiel Puig," Passan went on to say in a second tweet.
Overview
A strong case can be made that no team is in a better position to make a blockbuster trade than the Dodgers. If there's one team that's going to be on the selling end of a landscape-altering deal this winter, the White Sox appear to be a prime candidate.
Even if it's not a deal to acquire Sale, there are still plenty of pieces of interest on the South Side. Quintana would also be a welcome addition to the rotation, Frazier could replace free agent Justin Turner and Robertson could be viewed as an alternative to re-signing Jansen.
Further, the White Sox showed interest in Puig over the summer, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.
There are a lot of moving parts here, but it's easy to see the two matching up as trade partners in a number of different ways.
Odds of a Dodgers, White Sox blockbuster: 12-1
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"Sources confirm the Mariners remain interested in Cincinnati shortstop Zack Cozart, whom they nearly acquired prior to the Aug. 1 trade deadline in a multi-player deal involving left-handed pitching prospect Luiz Gohara," wrote Bob Dutton of the News Tribune.
Overview
The Reds are not expected to be active in free agency. With Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips both likely staying put, they don't have much left in the way of trade chips, either.
However, one player who does look like a prime candidate to be moved is Cozart.
The Mariners are no longer a clear fit after Jean Segura was acquired to play shortstop earlier this week, but in a free-agent market where Alexei Ramirez and Erick Aybar are the best of the bunch among shortstops, he still holds value.
Moving Cozart would open up playing time for Jose Peraza, who posted a .324/.352/.411 line with 13 extra-base hits and 21 stolen bases in 256 plate appearances last season while playing all over the field defensively.
Odds of Cozart being traded: 1-1
Cleveland Indians
8 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"Mike Napoli and Rajai Davis played key roles in the Indians' season, and the team has interest in bringing both veterans back for next year," wrote Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.
Overview
The Indians don't have an overly length offseason to-do list, as most of the roster returns intact with the two notable exceptions being Napoli and Davis.
A healthy Michael Brantley could make Davis expendable, but his speed added a different dynamic to the lineup. Also, using Davis as a right-handed hitting platoon partner for Tyler Naquin in center field or Lonnie Chisnehall in right field still makes a lot of sense.
As for Napoli, he led the team with 101 RBI and tied for the team lead with 34 home runs, while earning praise for his leadership and clubhouse presence.
Given their ages—Napoli is 35 and Davis is 36—and the fact that they both have somewhat one-dimensional players, a two-year deal and a modest raise for both guys seems more than reasonable.
Odds of Napoli, Rajai Davis being re-signed: 4-1
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"I’d consider it for sure,” Matt Holliday told MLB Network Radio of a possible reunion with the Colorado Rockies, via Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. "Great young team. I’d be interested for a (number) of reasons."
Overview
The Rockies have four left-handed hitting outfielders—Charlie Blackmon, Carlos Gonzalez, David Dahl and Gerardo Parra—and a hole to fill at first base, so it's easy to see how a reunion with Holliday would make sense.
The 36-year-old has averaged just 92 games per season over the past two years while battling injury, but he remains productive when healthy, posting a .782 OPS with 20 home runs and 62 RBI in 2016.
He also played first base for the first time in his career and a full-time move to the position could help keep him healthy going forward.
Holliday spent the first five seasons of his career with the Rockies, hitting .319/.386/.552 and finishing second in NL MVP voting during a phenomenal 2007 season.
A move to the AL where he can spend the bulk of his time as a DH might make more sense at this point in his career, but a chance to finish his career where it started may be too good to pass up.
Odds of Holliday being signed: 7-1
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
From Jerry Crasnick of ESPN on a potential Justin Verlander trade this offseason:
"The Tigers are willing to dangle Verlander for different reasons. They have an aging roster and they've determined it's time to exercise some financial restraint after fielding a $173 million payroll, the fourth highest in the majors in 2016. As a professional courtesy, general manager Al Avila has spoken with Verlander and fellow organizational mainstays Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Ian Kinsler and told them to be prepared to hear their names in trade rumors this winter.
"
Overview
After a down season in 2014 and an injury-shortened campaign in 2015, it was beginning to look like Verlander would be little more than a middle-of-the-rotation innings eater and a financial drain for the Tigers going forward.
That changed in a big way in 2016, as he returned to front-line form and went 16-9 with a 3.04 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 254 strikeouts in 227.2 innings to finish second in AL Cy Young voting.
The 33-year-old is owed $84 million over the next three years, which shouldn't deter teams in search of a top-tier starter in an otherwise barren market.
Even as the retool, the Tigers will be looking to remain competitive so they won't simply deal Verlander as a means of trimming payroll. If someone comes along with an offer to good to refuse, though, expect him to be on the move.
Odds of Verlander being traded: 12-1
Houston Astros
11 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"Among hitters in whom Astros have shown interest, per sources: Mike Napoli. Team prefers LHH, but Nap could be 1B/DH and offer leadership," tweeted Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Overview
It's already been a busy offseason for the Astros with the additions of Brian McCann, Josh Reddick and Charlie Morton, and it doesn't appear they are finished.
A center fielder, a power bat to plug in at first base and a left-handed reliever still remain on the offseason shopping list, and Napoli would be take over at first and provide some pop.
MLB Trade Rumors predicted a two-year, $28 million deal, which would give them immediate help in the lineup without blocking prospect A.J. Reed, who still has a chance to be a significant piece of the long-term puzzle in Houston.
At this point a reunion with the Indians still looks like the most likely outcome for Napoli, but the Astros have come out aggressive this offseason, so another big signing wouldn't be a surprise.
Odds of Napoli being signed: 10-1
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"The Royals and Danny Duffy's representatives have had preliminary talks regarding a possible contract extension for the left-hander, a source told MLB.com," wrote Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com. "As of now, both sides have shown mutual interest in an extension, according to the source, though no firm details or proposals are on the table yet."
Overview
The Royals will likely be looking to shed payroll this winter by moving a few of their veteran pieces—including closer Wade Davis, who is as likely to be dealt this winter as anyone—but that doesn't preclude them from locking up some of their in-house talent at the same time.
Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain are all a year away from reaching free agency and could be candidates for an extension, but the club's No. 1 priority for an extension appears to be Duffy.
The 27-year-old began 2016 pitching out of the bullpen before moving into the rotation on May 15, and after a few shaky starts while he built up his arm, he quickly emerged as the team's best starter.
From the beginning of June onward, Duffy went 12-3 with a 3.56 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 154 strikeouts in 149.0 innings. If not for a pair of rough starts where he allowed 13 runs over 8.2 innings, his numbers would have been even better.
Duffy is projected for a $8.2 million salary in his final year of arbitration, so it would take a fairly sizable extension offer for him to forgo testing the free-agent market next winter.
Odds of Duffy being extended: 10-1
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
Rosenthal suggested Tyler Skaggs and Matt Shoemaker as speculative trade chips for the Angels, pointing to their search for an everyday second baseman as potential motivation for a deal.
Overview
The second base position provided a miserable .235/.275/.345 line for the Angels last season, so it's easy to see why upgrading there would be among the team's top priorities.
They also have an abundance of starting pitching, even with veterans Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson departing in free agency and both Andrew Heaney and Nick Tropeano sidelined following Tommy John surgery.
Skaggs and Shoemaker are currently joined by Garrett Richards, Ricky Nolasco, the recently signed Jesse Chavez and reliever J.C. Ramirez, who could get a chance to start. Prospects Alex Meyer and Nate Smith also figure to get a long look this spring.
As teams around the league search for pitching help on the trade market, a chance to acquire Skaggs or Shoemaker—who are both under team control through 2020—could be worth paying a steep price.
Odds of Skaggs or Shoemaker being traded: 9-1
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"By the way, the Dodgers have interest in (J.D.) Martinez, but the market of corner outfielders/first base slugger-types is so deep that's it hard to imagine L.A. giving up a high-end prospect for Martinez, who will be eligible for free agency after next season," Olney wrote.
Overview
There are plenty of rumors and speculation surrounding the Dodgers, among the most recent being the team's interest in Martinez.
The 29-year-old corner outfielder has emerged as one of the most dangerous sluggers in the game since joining the Tigers early in the 2014 season, posting an .898 OPS and slugging 83 home runs in his three years in Detroit.
That includes a .307/.373/.535 line with 35 doubles and 22 home runs this past season in only 120 games, making him a good fit as a right-handed slugger to slot between Corey Seager and Adrian Gonzalez in the middle of the lineup.
Martinez is set to earn $11.75 million this coming season before reaching free agency, so a move to acquire him would almost certainly be accompanied by extension talks.
A late offseason move once the free-agent market has played out seems more likely than anything coming to fruition this early.
Odds of Martinez being acquired via trade: 8-1
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"The Miami Marlins would love to sign Kenley Jansen if the market breaks right for them," wrote Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball. "They are considering the idea of putting together a super pen since there aren’t the types of starters available at reasonable cost to help them upgrade their rotation in a meaningful way."
Overview
"Unless there’s a change of heart, (the Marlins are) not expected to have a big enough budget to afford one of the most expensive free agent pitchers such as Jeremy Hellickson or Rich Hill," wrote Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald at the start of the offseason.
Hellickson is obviously off the table after accepting a qualifying offer to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies, but the point stands, as the Marlins will likely need to turn to the trade market or lower-tier free agents to fill out the rotation.
Rather than trading an MLB asset such as Marcell Ozuna or J.T. Realmuto to land a front-line starter, building up the bullpen could be an alternative approach to improving the pitching staff as a whole.
Kyle Barraclough (75 G, 29 HLD, 2.85 ERA, 14.0 K/9) and A.J. Ramos (67 G, 40/43 SV, 2.81 ERA, 10.3 K/9) already formed an impressive one-two punch last season, and adding another top-tier bullpen arm like Jansen would give them a late-inning trio to rival any in baseball.
Still, it's going to take a lot to out-bid teams like the Yankees, Giants and Nationals—among others—who are expected to pursue Jansen.
Odds of Jansen being signed: 15-1
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"Multiple teams inquiring on Brewers RHP Junior Guerra in trade talks," Morosi tweeted.
Overview
The Milwaukee Brewers scooped up Guerra off waivers from the Chicago White Sox last winter and wound up with one of the biggest surprises of the 2016 season.
The 31-year-old rookie joined the starting rotation in May, and over 20 starts, he went 9-3 with a 2.81 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 100 strikeouts in 121.2 innings.
His peripheral numbers didn't paint quite as rosy a picture, as he sported a 3.70 FIP and benefited greatly from a .250 BABIP, but he's still plenty attractive in this market.
The late-bloomer will be controllable through the 2021 season and won't reach arbitration for the first time until after the 2018 campaign, making him an extremely low-cost rotation option.
Selling high on someone they picked up for nothing would make sense for a Brewers team still in the early stages of rebuilding.
Odds of Guerra being traded: 6-1
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"Twins received interest in Brian Dozier from multiple teams during the GM meetings," Morosi tweeted.
Overview
Despite his monster numbers this past season, getting a massive return for Dozier on the trade market won't be as easy as one might think.
"You aren’t going to back up the truck for Dozier,” one NL executive told Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "It might make sense to try to trade him now, but nobody expects him to hit 40 homers again. You can count on him for 20 to 25, but that means you’d probably get two top-10 prospects for him. Or maybe a big-league arm and a prospect."
Dozier is owed just $15 million over the next two seasons, so his contract should add to his trade value on the heels of a 42-homer, 6.5-WAR season.
There simply aren't many teams looking for a second baseman on this year's market, though, so moving the slugger appears to be a long shot if the Twins hope to get a fair return.
Odds of Dozier being traded: 10-1
New York Mets
18 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
Mike Puma of the New York Post on where things currently stand between Yoenis Cespedes and the Mets:
"As it stands, the Mets are likely committed to signing the 31-year-old if a four-year contract in the $100 million-to-$110 million neighborhood can be hammered out, according to an industry source, but there is less clarity on the matter when an additional year — which could push the value of a deal beyond $130 million — is considered.
"
Overview
MLB Trade Rumors predicted a five-year, $125 million deal for Cespedes at the start of the offseason, and that seems to be in line with the asking price from the above report.
That fifth year is the sticking point, but given his importance to the team's offensive attack, the Mets are playing a dangerous game by dragging their feet and trying to talk him down to four years.
The 31-year-old Cespedes is the top bat on the offseason market, so there's a very real chance another team could swoop in with a willingness to offer up that fifth year and the full $130 million, signing him out from under the Mets in the process.
The Cuban slugger remains priority No. 1 for the Mets this offseason, and the lines of communication remain open, but the further along we get in the offseason the more of a chance there is of him winding up elsewhere.
Odds of Cespedes re-signing: 2-1
New York Yankees
19 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"Yankees are going to get either (Edwin) Encarnacion or (Yoenis) Cespedes. They may get both, and that wouldn't surprise me," ESPN's Jim Bowden said on MLB Network Radio.
Overview
As Heyman put it, the Yankees are "casting a wide net" in free agency, as they've been tied to Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, Rich Hill and Jason Hammel on the pitching side of things and Carlos Beltran, Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista, Yoenis Cespedes, Dexter Fowler, Matt Holliday, Mike Napoli and Brandon Moss.
With Mark Teixeira coming off the books and Brian McCann already traded, the team has money to spend as it looks to remain competitive while also getting younger.
Pitching still seems to be the more likely area of focus, though, as the Yankees look to add at least one more quality starter and rebuild the bullpen around Tyler Clippard and Dellin Betances.
If they are really going to make a push to contend in 2017, signing someone like Encarnacion or Cespedes to anchor the lineup and take some pressure off of youngsters like Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge makes sense.
However, shelling out $200 million-plus to sign both of them would be a big move for a team that is in serious need of pitching.
Odds of Encarnacion and Cespedes being signed: 25-1
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
Olney wrote the following about Oakland's biggest potential trade chip:
"Oakland is said to be actively listening to offers for Sonny Gray, who is coming off a difficult season...Teams also have considered the possibility that his struggles may be related to the hopelessness of Oakland's situation and the expectation of its best players that eventually -- even if the team wins -- they'll be traded as the Athletics manage their modest payroll.
"
Overview
There's no reason the A's wouldn't be actively listening on Gray, as they are generally listening on everyone and always looking for a chance to add more cheap, controllable talent.
That being said, it's hard to see them getting max value out of the 27-year-old at this point in time.
Gray was one of the best pitchers in baseball during a breakout 2015 season, when he went 14-7 with a 2.73 ERA and 1.08 WHIP to finish third in AL Cy Young voting.
Things didn't go nearly as well this past season, though, as he finished 5-11 with a 5.69 ERA and 1.50 WHIP while a forearm injury limited him to just 20 starts.
If a team is willing to offer up a package befitting the pitcher Gray was in 2015, the A's will think seriously about moving him, but holding onto him until July and hoping he builds his stock back up seems like the most likely outcome.
There's always the risk that he doesn't bounce back and his value continues to diminish, but the talent is there for him to return to front-line form.
Odds of Gray being traded: 15-1
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"It appears as if the Phillies are looking to capitalize on Cesar Hernandez's brilliant second half by making him a trade chip," wrote Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly. "According to multiple sources, Hernandez was a hot name in trade talks at the general managers meetings this week in Scottsdale, Arizona."
Overview
While the Phillies finished last in the majors in runs scored this past season, the middle infield tandem of Hernandez (26) and shortstop Freddy Galvis (27) was surprisingly productive.
- Hernandez: .294/.371/.393, 14 2B, 11 3B, 6 HR, 39 RBI, 67 R, 17 SB
- Galvis: .241/.274/.399, 26 2B, 3 3B, 20 HR, 67 RBI, 61 R, 17 SB
A lack of on-base skills and two fewer years of team control makes Galvis a less attractive trade target, even with his surprise 20-homer performance.
Hernandez could bring a nice return, though, as he's controllable through the 2020 season and showed a terrific approach at the plate along with a solid glove at second base (4 DRS, 12.6 UZR/150).
Something will have to give with that duo once prospect J.P. Crawford arrives, as he's expected to take over as the everyday shortstop at some point in 2017.
Selling high on Hernandez and shifting Galvis over to second base could be the best solution to an impending middle-infield log jam.
Odds of Hernandez being traded: 7-1
Pittsburgh Pirates
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The Rumor/Speculation
Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote the following on Andrew McCutchen as a trade candidate:
"Less than three weeks before MLB's winter meetings, there are signs the Pirates are ready to trade their star center fielder. At the recent general managers meetings, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington indicated other clubs have inquired about McCutchen.
"
Overview
McCutchen has been the face of the franchise for the Pirates for years now, and the mere idea of trading him at this time last offseason would have been ridiculous.
However, the 30-year-old is now coming off the worst season of his career and entering the final guaranteed year of his current contract, which also includes a $14.75 million option for 2018.
The star center fielder hit .255/.336/.430 last season with 26 doubles, 24 home runs, 79 RBI and 81 runs scored, and those numbers coupled with his declining defense in center field resulted in a minus-0.7 WAR.
That being said, there is still plenty of potential for a bounce-back season, and buying low on an MVP-caliber player will be appealing to more than a few teams.
With top prospect Austin Meadows knocking on the door, the Pirates have a viable replacement in the outfield, so flipping McCutchen now for prospects and saving some money could be in the team's best interest.
Odds of McCutchen being traded: 10-1
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"A.J. Preller said he plans to sit down with Wil Myers' agent this week to begin exploring an extension," tweeted Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune on Nov. 9.
Overview
After back-to-back injury-plagued seasons in which he played 147 games combined, Myers finally stayed healthy in 2016 and turned in a breakout season for the San Diego Padres.
The 25-year-old earned his first All-Star trip in front of the home fans at Petco Park and finished the season with a .259/.336/.461 line that included 29 doubles, 28 home runs, 94 RBI, 99 runs scored and 28 stolen bases.
Perhaps more importantly, he proved capable of conquering the pitcher's paradise that is Petco Park, posting a .306/.385/.569 line with 18 home runs and 58 RBI at home.
Myers is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter with a $4.7 million projected salary and is under team control through 2019, so now could be the perfect time for an extension.
For the Padres, it's an opportunity to lock up a potential franchise cornerstone amid a rebuild, while Myers would gain some financial security on the heels of some injury issues.
Odds of Myers being extended: 3-1
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"Giants official early this week: 'We are getting one of the big closers.' Mark Melancon scheduled to be in SF today for an in-person visit," Passan tweeted after the GM meetings.
Overview
It's not hard to see why the Giants are making the bullpen their No. 1 priority this winter.
The relief corps finished 15th in the majors with a 3.65 ERA last season, converting just 43 of 72 save chances along the way.
Now with veterans Santiago Casilla, Sergio Romo and Javier Lopez all departing in free agency, a bullpen overhaul is coming, and there's a clear need for an experienced closer.
Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Melancon represent the top free-agent options, while Wade Davis, Zach Britton, Alex Colome and David Robertson are all speculative trade targets.
The Giants seem confident they'll walk away with at least one of those guys, and that seems like the right way to allocate their available funds.
Odds of adding one of the top-tier closers: 1-5
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"The biggest remaining need is a late-inning lefty reliever," wrote Dutton on what remains of the Mariners' offseason to-do list.
"The trade market is still developing, but one name to watch is Pittsburgh lefty Tony Watson, who is believed to be available. He has one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining after making $3.45 million."
Overview
The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled the trigger on trading Mark Melancon at the trade deadline last season with the All-Star closer set to hit the free-agent market this winter.
Could they do the same with All-Star setup man Watson?
Over the past four seasons, Watson has averaged 73 appearances while posting a 2.22 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 7.9 K/9 while piling up 120 holds and tallying 15 saves last season after stepping into the ninth-inning role for Melancon.
After seeing fellow lefty Brett Cecil land a four-year, $30.5 million deal in free agency, Watson is a comparative bargain this coming season with a $5.9 million projected salary.
Pairing him with young closer Edwin Diaz and veteran setup men Nick Vincent and Evan Scribner would give the Mariners a formidable pen. The question is whether they have the prospects to compete for his services if he is in fact made available.
Odds of Watson being acquired via trade: 7-1
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"One name to keep an eye on as the Cardinals search for a center fielder is Marcell Ozuna, since Miami needs starting pitching and the Cardinals could have excess starters," wrote Mark Saxon of ESPN.com. "He could help replace the power they're losing in Matt Holliday and Brandon Moss."
Overview
The St. Louis Cardinals filled one big offseason need with the signing of lefty reliever Brett Cecil, leaving center field as the biggest remaining item on their offseason shopping list.
Charlie Blackmon, A.J. Pollock, Adam Eaton and Kevin Kiermaier were all listed as speculative trade targets by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (h/t 590 The Fan), and Dexter Fowler is the best available free agent at the position, but none of them profile as power hitters.
If replacing the pop lost by the departures of Holliday and Moss is in fact a priority, Ozuna would have to be moved to the top of that list of targets.
The 26-year-old posted a .773 OPS with 23 doubles and 23 home runs last season, earning his first All-Star nod in the process, and there's legitimate 30-homer potential in his bat.
Jaime Garcia could be an attractive return piece for the pitching-needy Marlins, though it would take significantly more than that to land Ozuna, who is controlled through the 2019 season.
A package built around an MLB-ready arm like Luke Weaver could be a more realistic asking price.
Odds of Ozuna being acquired via trade: 10-1
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"...The Rays have a need for what (Richie) Shaffer should have been, a right-handed option to Brad Miller at first with enough bat to also DH. Instead they will be looking for that guy, with serious interest in bringing back free agent Steve Pearce, pending the status of his recovery from elbow surgery and the market price," wrote Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
Overview
The Rays signed Pearce to a one-year, $4.75 million deal last offseason, and that wound up being a steal as he hit .309/.388/.520 with 11 doubles and 10 home runs in 232 plate appearances with the team before being shipped to the Baltimore Orioles at the deadline.
The 33-year-old can play first, second, third and both corner outfield spots while providing some solid right-handed pop, making him an attractive target in a utility role or as a low-cost regular.
The Blue Jays are among other teams showing interest in Pearce this offseason, according to Rosenthal, so his price could climb out of the small-market Rays' range.
MLB Trade Rumors predicted a two-year, $10 million deal for the veteran, and if that is in fact his price, a reunion with the Rays could happen.
Odds of Pearce being signed: 5-1
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
Derek Holland told 105.3 The Fan (via the Dallas Morning News) that he is open to returning to the Rangers after his option was declined and will give GM Jon Daniels a chance to match any offer he receives from another team:
"I told J.D. when I get offered something, I want to throw that to them and see if they want to compete with it or whatnot. I want to give the Rangers a chance, no matter what. I'm always going to leave that door open. I'm not closing that door. If they close the door, then fine, I guess I have to close the door. But as far as I know it's still open and I'm leaving it open for them as well.
"
Overview
Holland was still a productive part of the Rangers rotation as recently as 2013, when he went 10-9 with a 3.42 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 189 strikeouts over a career-high 213.0 innings of work.
However, injuries have taken their toll in the years since.
A knee injury limited him to 37.0 innings in 2014, and a shoulder injury capped him at 58.2 innings in 2015.
While left shoulder inflammation earned him a trip to the 60-day disabled list once again this past season, he still managed to make 20 starts, albeit with middling results. He went 7-9 with a 4.95 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 107.1 innings.
Despite his injury woes, more than a few teams have shown interest, as Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram lists the San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees as three early suitors.
With the Rangers already adding Andrew Cashner to a rotation that features Cole Hamels, Yu Darvish, Martin Perez and A.J. Griffin, a reunion is looking less and less likely.
Odds of Holland being re-signed: 12-1
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"The Jays offered their own star free agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion about $80 million over four years, according to sources, and they remain interested in retaining Encarnacion even after signing free agent hitter Kendrys Morales," Heyman wrote.
Overview
At the start of the offseason, Encarnacion's agent, Paul Kinzer, told Rick Westhead of TSN that he expects as many as 11 teams to pursue his client and for his eventual asking price to land in the five-year, $125 million range.
There's no question Encarnacion has been one of the most productive sluggers in baseball dating back to his breakout season in 2012, but investing that much in a 33-year-old with limited defensive value comes with some obvious risk.
MLB Trade Rumors predicted a four-year, $92 million deal from the Boston Red Sox, who are still very much in the mix to sign him, but if they wind up adding Carlos Beltran instead, a four-year deal and a return to Toronto could very well happen for Encarnacion.
The Blue Jays already added a potential replacement for Encarnacion when they signed Kendrys Morales to a three-year deal, but that hasn't seemed to deter their interest in a reunion with the slugger.
Odds of Encarnacion being re-signed: 6-1
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
The Rumor/Speculation
"(The Nationals) are really interesting. They are hovering on Sale. They are thinking big things. It would not shock me if they ended up with Sale. I think they have let teams know that [Trea] Turner is off the table, but that they are open on a lot of different things," one AL executive told Sherman.
Overview
This may be the most intriguing rumor of the early offseason, as there is no question the Washington Nationals have the pieces to pull off a blockbuster deal and the motivation to win now that it will take to mortgage some of the future for the present.
A package built around Lucas Giolito and outfield prospect Victor Robles could be enough to get things rolling, and that would allow the Nats to keep the aforementioned Turner.
Reynaldo Lopez and Erick Fedde also rank as attractive pitching prospects capable of making an MLB impact in the not-too-distant future, while Joe Ross is a controllable arm that could also be targeted by the White Sox.
A rotation of Sale, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Tanner Roark and either Gio Gonzalez or Ross would be awfully scary for the rest of the National League.
Odds of Sale being acquired via trade: 10-1
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs unless otherwise noted. Projected salaries courtesy of MLB Trade Rumors. Contract information per Spotrac unless otherwise noted.
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.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
