The MLB offseason is well underway following the conclusion of the World Series, which means the rumor mill is buzzing with manger changes and trade talks, especially around the future of Giancarlo Stanton. Here are all the latest MLB rumors you need to know.
Cardinals plan to pursue trade for Giancarlo Stanton
The Miami Marlins have said they will "seriously explore" trading slugger Giancarlo Stanton this offseason, and the St. Louis Cardinals are preparing to make a run after him, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
After a second consecutive season without a playoff berth and a third-place finish, the Cardinals enter their most pivotal winter since 2011 with two clear targets. They desire a bat for the middle of the order. They want pitching for the end of games. With few mashers available — J.D. Martinez is the head of the class, and he’ll command a soaring contract as a result — the Cardinals believe their best bet for a bat is via trade, and they’ll engage in talks with the Marlins about Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich as well as options yet to surface.
Stanton's contract is a major issue for the Marlins, as he is owed between $25 million and $32 million each of the next 10 seasons. However, St. Louis has shown a willingness to take on high-priced players, and after missing out on the playoffs each of the last two years, they seem willing to do whatever it takes to return to the postseason in 2018.
Stanton hit .281 with 59 home runs and 132 RBIs in a career-high 159 games this season.
Yu Darvish may return to Rangers
The Texas Rangers traded Yu Darvish to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline, and while he helped the Dodgers make the World Series, he may return to the Rangers this offseason as a free agent, writes Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Some team out there, a contending team with a big budget, is going to make the first-time free agent an offer he can’t refuse. The Rangers will be in contact with agent Joel Wolfe, but the Darvish price tag will have to tumble. ...
But he can help a team get to the postseason, which he’s done three times now in five seasons. His stuff can be ace-worthy. The Rangers know him well, and he knows them. It’s not out of the question.
Darvish went 10-12 with a 3.86 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 31 starts this season. However, he went 2-2 with a 6.14 ERA in four postseason starts.
MLB Fans - Download Chat Sports on iPhone today for breaking MLB news, rumors, scores and more - Chat Sports iPhone App!
Four teams interested in Mike Moustakas
Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas is one of the best free agents available this offseason and four teams are really vying for his services, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
One scout insisted Moustakas would hit 45 homers playing half of his games at Fenway, but the Red Sox don't have a need for him unless they want Rafael Devers to DH. Plenty of teams need a third baseman, and the Mets, Angels, Yankees, and Giants could be among his suitors.
Moustakas hit .272 with 38 home runs and 85 RBIs in 148 games this season.
Check out our MLB page for all the latest MLB news & rumors!
Back to the MLB Newsfeed