The Hot Stove continues to burn bright, with rumors swirling both in regards to the free agency market and the trade block. Today we take a look at three teams with the most interesting roads ahead this offseason in our Full MLB Rumors Roundup For The Weekend Of December 12th-13th.
Change With The Champs?
The Kansas City Royals remain optimistic about their chances of retaining left fielder Alex Gordon, but it appers they may have to break the bank to keep him at home -- at least that's what it looks like right now.
Per CBS Sports' Jon Heyman:
royals' big hope is to keep alex gordon. but early indication is he isn't planning big hometown discount, like last time.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 12, 2015
If the Royals can't secure Gordon on a long-term deal, there are plenty of options out there for Kansas City to choose from as a replacement. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick believes a trade for Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez may not be as far-fetched as some think. In fact, it may be the most sensible option right now.
He also points to three free-agent outfielders who could serve as a Plan C: Denard Span, Dexter Fowler and Gerardo Parra. Kansas City has been linked to Carlos Gonzalez for a couple of weeks, so it's going to be interesting to see if anything comes from the Royals' reported interest.
Keep An Eye Out For The Yankees
Other than a trade for Chicago Cubs middle infielder Starlin Castro, the New York Yankees' offseason dealings have exactly been as "sexy" as they've been in years past. However, don't be fooled -- there may be a big move or two on the horizon.
"The Yankees aren’t done dealing, not by a long shot," Sweeney Murti of CBS New York wrote this weekend. They have improved their second base situation, but have weakened their bullpen and done nothing to improve their rotation, which is full of bodies and equally full of question marks."
Brett Gardner and Andrew Miller remain on the trade block in spite of reports that GM Brian Cashman is starting to pull them back into plans for the 2016 season. Cashman is going to have to part with at least one of those guys and/or a top-level prospect to get the kind of young pitcher he wants.
Potential targets that have been floated in recent days include the Cleveland Indians' Danny Salazar and the Seattle Mariners' Taijuan Walker.
The Cubs Aren't Done
No team has made a bigger splash in free agency this offseason than the Chicago Cubs, with yesterday's agreement with #1 outfield target Jason Heyward just the latest move in what's been a banner winter for Theo Epstein and the Cubs front office.
The Cubs don't appear to be slowing their momentum any time soon, with reports that they'll now turn to the trade market for a potential starting rotation upgrade.
Who's on their list? FOX Sports' Jon Morosi says the Cubs have opened up talks for the aforementioned Danny Salazar and the San Diego Padres' Tyson Ross. After signing veteran ace John Lackey to a two-year sheet, expect the Cubs to go young with their next starting pitching acquisition.
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