We're well over a month into the MLB offseason, and the hot stove is in full swing. Several notable trades have already been made, and while a few of the biggest-name free agents have signed already, there are still rumors swirling around the league regarding the remaining players available. Here is all the latest MLB news and rumors you need to know:
Bautista to Rays?
Jose Bautista is one of the biggest names available on the open market, but there has been minimal interest from teams in signing him due to his antics and age. The Tampa Bay Rays are trying to add another power bat to their lineup, and Connor Byrne of MLB Trade Rumors says they could go after Bautista:
However, of greater intrigue than securing any of the aforementioned names is the possibility of signing Jose Bautista. While he seems like a longshot pickup for the low-payroll Rays, they could be in position to pounce on the Tampa Bay-area resident if his market doesn’t develop as hoped this offseason. Plus, because the Rays finished in the bottom 10 of the standings last season, they wouldn’t have to give up a first-round selection to sign Bautista, who rejected the Blue Jays’ qualifying offer. The Rays would instead surrender their competitive balance pick (currently No. 31 overall) in next year’s draft to ink the longtime AL East rival.
Regardless of whether they’re able to reel in Bautista, it does seem the Rays are aiming to compete next year. Last season’s subpar record notwithstanding, the club has a bevy of quality players in the fold, and free agent signing Wilson Ramos should further help matters if the catcher is able to return from a torn ACL in early 2017.
The 36-year-old Bautista hit .234 with 22 homers and 69 RBIs in 116 games last season.
Braun unlikely to be traded
Another name that has been rumored to be on the trade block is Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun. The Brewers didn't want to trade him at the deadline last year, but are now open to the idea. However, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that many teams aren't interested in Braun due to his past use of PEDs:
The Brewers would listen on Braun but there hasn’t been much interest despite his reasonable long-term contract and the fact he’s been a very good player since putting his PED use behind him. One team executive reasoned, “When a guy with that contract has been busted once, it’s hard to commit those dollars and those player resources because if he gets busted again, you lose all of your guys and you lose Braun. Nobody is saying he’d do it again, but while he’s a very good impact player, it’s just a tough one.”
Braun hit .305 with 30 homers and 91 RBIs in 135 games last season.
Nationals the favorite to sign Wieters?
Free agent catcher Matt Wieters has a solid number of suitors on the open market, but there is "rampant speculation" that he will eventually sign with the Washington Nationals, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.
Washington did trade for catcher Derek Norris earlier in the month, but it seems likely they would trade him again if they sign Wieters. The 30-year-old hit .243 with 17 home runs and 66 RBIs last season.
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