Well, the first morning of the Winter Meetings is in the books, and while there haven’t been any new deals to discuss, the rumors and intrigue keep on flowing.
Here’s the latest …
He's not Ohtani, but Yoshihisa Hirano is a name to monitor. The Japanese reliever had a 2.67 ERA last season in NPB. The Padres could be among the interested clubs.
— Dennis Lin (@sdutdennislin) December 11, 2017
#Rangers sign free-agent RHP Chris Martin to two-year, $4M contract, sources tell The Athletic. Martin, 31, had 1.12 ERA in 88 relief innings last two years in Japan. Deal includes $550K in incentives each year based on games finished. Can become free agent at end of contract.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2017
General sense from a few agents, rival execs: The Dodgers are active, as always, but the concerns about the luxury tax make maneuvering more difficult than usual. Obviously played a major role in the Stanton talks.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) December 11, 2017
“So little in return? You mean, in terms, of quantity?” Derek Jeter said when asked about receiving Starlin Castro and two Single-A players for Giancarlo Stanton. “We have people in place whose job is to know about talent and I think they would… https://t.co/kZu1vSpHhF
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) December 11, 2017
Big gap between how yankees and marlins view prospects going to miami jorge guzman and jose devers. Yanks seem them ss mid-tier prospects, marlins baseball prez mike hill: guzman could be an ace and devers has similar skill set to cousin rafael.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2017
The backstory of the Giancarlo Stanton trade is bonkers. Miami threatened that if he didn’t accept a trade to St. Louis or San Francisco, he would be a Marlin for life. He called their bluff. And because of it, he’s a New York Yankee.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2017
Mike Hill said initially went to 4 clubs Stanton expressed would waive no trade for: #Yankees #Dodgers #Cubs #Astros. No traction. So engaged others/worked out deals with #SFGiants #Stlcards. Stanton refused, so re-engaged with others and that is when #Yankees deal was forged
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 11, 2017
Agent Joel Wolfe on Giancarlo Stanton’s opt-out clause following the 2020 season: “He has no desire to opt out.” Sounds like the plan is for him to be a Yankee through 2027.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2017
Matt Harvey for Jurickson Profar has been discussed. Nothing firm.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2017