We're starting off the new year with a bang in Major League Baseball as the free agency and trade pots on the Hot Stove are bubbling over. Here's the biggest news from the rumor mill for Sunday, January 3rd.
The Champs Remain Active
The Kansas City Royals still have Alex Gordon at the top of their priority list, with word from around Kauffman Stadium indicating that the front office is becoming more and more optimistic about their chances of re-signing their longtime left fielder -- especially with the fact that Gordon's representation hasn't found $20 million per year elsewhere.
Kansas City isn't putting all of their eggs in the Gordon basket, however. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the champs are a good bet to be in on free-agent outfielder Gerardo Parra. There have been concerns about a decline in Parra's Gold Glove skill set in recent years, but one MLB scout says he's still "one of the best defensive outfielders in the game."
The Royals are also one of three teams targeting starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (the Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals being the others). The veteran righty posted a solid 3.42 ERA in 33 starts for the Texas Rangers in 2015, and he could command a similar deal to that of Scott Kazmir (three years, $48 million) with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
What Will It Take To Land Andrew Miller?
"It’s more likely that the Yankees will keep their uber-bullpen intact rather than trade Miller, according to a major league source. Teams like Houston and Toronto have inquired about Miller, but the Yankees want back a young top-of-the-rotation starter, and that doesn’t appear to be available to them. Lance McCullers was the target in Houston, but he is off-limits. The Blue Jays would have to give up someone such as Marcus Stroman, and that’s just not happening."
The Blue Jays are an interesting potential suitor, considering they're one of the Yankees' AL East rivals. GM Brian Cashman would likely look for an extra quarter on the dollar from Toronto, which is why Stroman's name is the first to pop up. Keep an eye on Pirates closer Mark Melancon as a potential dark horse Blue Jays acquisition, as the budget-conscious Pirates will likely have to dish out more than $10 million in arbitration to keep him.
Speaking Of The Blue Jays...
Toronto has kicked the tires on reliever Fernando Rodney who put a rough start to the 2015 season with the Mariners behind him (5-5, 5.68 ERA) to dazzle with the Chicago Cubs in 14 appearances (2-0, 0.75 ERA).
The Cubs have also talked about re-signing the 38-year-old righty, and the San Diego Padres are another team who could be in on the flashy former Seattle closer.
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