We're heading towards the last week of the calendar year, which means teams are starting to double down on trade talks and free-agent negotiations as the days tick down in advance of Spring Training. With that being said, here's our MLB Rumors Roundup for December 23rd.
Alex Gordon Update, Royals Needs Explained
When asked by MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan about the team's ongoing negotiations with free agent left fielder Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore wouldn't comment directly on the talks -- particularly the report by ESPN's Jim Bowden that the team's current offer on the table is for $12-13 million per for four seasons.
However, Moore was candidate about the team's need for a corner outfielder and a quality rotation arm: “We feel we have quality depth in the outfield, but we have a desire for an experienced corner outfielder. And we would like another quality starting pitcher,” Moore said, via MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan.
Names currently connected to the Royals include free agent lefties Scott Kazmir & Wei-Yin Chen, along with free-agent outfielders Gerardo Parra, Shane Victorino and Marlon Byrd.
Would The Indians Target Jorge Soler?
The Cleveland Indians have been openly shopping starting pitchers Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and Trevor Bauer, and they could have a potential trade partner in the Chicago Cubs.
According to rumblings around the club (albeit unsubstantiated), the Cubs could be willing to dangle right fielder Jorge Soler in a trade if the Indians are willing to attach a mid-level prospect with high upside. The Indians may also target infielder Javier Baez, but Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein won't part with Baez unless he's presented with a blockbuster return.
Epstein is also planning to go forward with Soler as part of the 2016 mix, so take the current trade rumors around the 23-year-old Havana, Cuba native with a grain of salt.
Yankees In The Market For Low-Cost Rotation Options
With a payroll likely to exceed $210 million with arbitration costs factored in, the New York Yankees have backed off of engaging in bidding wars for first- and second-tier free agents this offseason. However, with glaring needs in the starting rotation and recent rumors that the team is trying to offload righty Ivan Nova, the Yankees are currently in the market for a budget-conscious starter.
Two names currently being thrown around in connection with the club are lefty Wandy Rodriguez and righty Chad Billingsley.
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