With just over one week to go until pitchers and catchers report, the MLB Hot Stove is ramping up with a litany of juicy rumors. We're here to highlight the most interesting of the bunch with our MLB Rumors Roundup For Feb. 8th.
Diamondbacks close to deal with Tyler Clippard
**UPDATE**
Clippard deal with #DBacks is official, per source: $4M signing bonus, $4.1M salary in 2016, and $4.15M salary in 2017.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2016
Original Rumor: The Arizona Diamondbacks and free agent relief pitcher Tyler Clippard have been "making progress" towards a contract, reports the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro:
A source described the Diamondbacks as “hopeful” they could get a deal done with Clippard, saying the sides were discussing both one-year and multi-year contract scenarios. As it stands, the Diamondbacks appear to have just two spots available in their bullpen, with Brad Ziegler, Daniel Hudson, Andrew Chafin, Randall Delgado and Josh Collmenter all but assured of jobs.
Clippard has been the most durable relief pitcher in the majors over the last six seasons, posting a 2.64 ERA with 464.1 innings pitched.
Orioles showing interest in Yovani Gallardo
The Baltimore Orioles backed off of pursuing pitcher Yovani Gallardo earlier in free agency because of his asking price, but since Gallardo is still in the market, Baltimore is re-evaluating their pursuit of him. Via MASN's Roch Kubatko:
The pros include the need to bring in an established starter for a rotation that hasn't adequately replaced left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. Gallardo has made 30 or more starts in seven consecutive seasons and has gone 102-75 with a 3.66 ERA in nine years.
The cons include the loss of the pick, currently the 14th for a team desperate to stock its farm system with young arms, and Gallardo's drop in velocity. The Orioles weren't giving Gallardo four or five years.
Is his price plummeting to the point where Duquette no longer can resist? And have the Orioles become so desperate that the draft pick no longer is untouchable?
The Orioles have been looking to upgrade their starting rotation all offseason, but haven't been able to do so yet. Gallardo has thrown at least 180 innings in each of the last seven seasons and was 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA this past season for the Texas Rangers.
Eric O'Flaherty choosing between four teams
Free agent pitcher Eric O'Flaherty won't be out of a job for long, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick:
Free agent reliever Eric O'Flaherty has narrowed his list of interested teams to four and should sign a deal by the weekend.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) February 8, 2016
Crasnick does not name which four teams are interested in O'Flaherty, who threw in front of 15 teams recently. O'Flaherty pitched for both the New York Mets and Oakland A's last season, totalling a 21 strikeouts and a 8.10 ERA in 30 innings pitched.
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