MLB Rumors: Latest Buzz on Yasmany Tomas, Pablo Sandoval and Other Stars

As the MLB postseason marches on, free agency grows nearer and nearer.

With a star-studded list of players seeing their contracts expire this winter, rumors have already started to fly—even regarding players who are still competing for a World Series title.

From the newest Cuban sensation, to a slugging third baseman and one of the game's better catchers, the buzz around some of this offseason's biggest targets is picking up.

Yasmany Tomas, OF

Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

The next major Cuban free agent has arrived.

Just over a month after 27-year-old center fielder Rusney Castillo signed a six-year deal worth $72.5 million—though it also included the final few weeks of 2014—per Ian Browne of MLB.com, 23-year-old corner outfielder Yasmany Tomas has been declared a free agent, according to his representative Jay Alou:

According to Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs, Tomas has the potential to hit around .275 and belt 25-30 home runs a year.

That has people—like Hardball Talk's D.J. Short—speculating that he could receive an even bigger contract than Castillo did with the Red Sox.

As for teams interested in the slugger? Well, there's no shortage of those.

Darren Wolfson of ESPN Radio in Minneapolis notes that the Twins are interested in holding a private workout with Tomas:

Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com mentions the San Diego Padres as another interested party—one that has already conducted a private workout with the Cuban slugger:

Then, there's Ben Badler of Baseball America, who reports that the Rangers are also pondering making a play for the youngster:

So far, it seems as though the only team that may not be enthralled with Tomas is the Chicago Cubs, according to Baseball Prospectus writer Sahadev Sharma:

It appears as though another bidding war for a prized international free agent is on the horizon. Alou and Tomas must be happy with the amount of teams lining up for his services.

Pablo Sandoval, 3B, San Francisco Giants

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Pablo Sandoval may still be competing for another World Series title with his current team out west, but that hasn't stopped the rumor mill from looking forward to this offseason.

Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe opined that the man known affectionately as Kung Fu Panda could spark interest from three clubs with big bucks:

"

That’s part of the reason the Giants have trouble going beyond three years. Eventually the Giants believe Sandoval’s weight will prevent him from being a top defensive third baseman. So going to the American League, where a team eventually will be able to play him at DH, might be his best move.

Nonetheless, most major league executives we’ve talked to believe Sandoval will wind up with a five-year deal worth about $100 million. That could be with the Red Sox, Yankees, or Dodgers.

"

With questions surrounding the quality of Will Middlebrooks and the ability of Brock Holt in Boston, the drama around Alex Rodriguez in New York and the Dodgers needing a more bona fide third baseman, all three clubs could open the checkbook in a big way to land Sandoval.

Even with his somewhat-declining production in recent years, he'd still be an upgrade on the likes of Middlebrooks, Juan Uribe and an aging A-Rod who's coming off a full year on the sideline.

Player	Games Played	Average	OPS	HR	RBI	Defensive Runs Saved
Pablo Sandoval	406	.280	.759	42	215	-6
Will Middlebrooks	232	.237	.695	34	122	-16
Alex Rodriguez*	166	.265	.780	25	76	-5
Juan Uribe	301	.277	.733	23	121	36

If Sandoval is looking for a nine-figure sum out of his next deal, those three teams would certainly be capable of getting that done.

Russell Martin, C, Pittsburgh Pirates

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

After one of the best seasons of Russell Martin's career, the 31-year-old Toronto native is in line for a major payday this winter.

After posting an on-base percentage over .400 this season, while driving in 67 runs and throwing out over 35 percent of would-be base stealers in 2014, Martin has established himself as a premier catcher in baseball.

According to Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Martin isn't even thinking about his next contract yet:

When he does start considering his next move, though, he should be swarmed by interested clubs.

In fact, the Pirates deem him so valuable to their success that general manager Neal Huntington took to local radio to insist that the club would go beyond its comfort level to keep him in Steeltown, per CBS Pittsburgh.

Along with the Pirates, the Cubs and the Dodgers may be interested in his services behind the plate, per Buster Olney of ESPN.com (subscription required).

With the Cubs having a need at catcher and looking to win in the next year or two, Martin could be a fit.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, may look to upgrade on A.J. Ellis offensively and definitely have the ability to outbid Pittsburgh.

Matthew Pouliot of Hardball Talk posits that if the Pirates cannot come to terms with Martin, then the Rockies and the Rangers are also likely to be players for his signature.

With the way this past season played out, Martin should be able to force his many suitors into a big bidding war.

All statistics courtesy of baseball-reference.com.

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