The MLB hot stove is virtually non-existent with the start of spring training workouts finally here, but there are still plenty of rumors circulating around the league as teams are still trying to make moves to help improve their roster before the start of the season. Here are all the latest MLB rumors you need to know:
Red Sox targeting Todd Frazier
Todd Frazier is entering his second season with the Chicago White Sox, but the team has made him available for trade as they continue their rebuild. One team who is interested in making a deal this season is the Boston Red Sox, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:
Frazier is a player to keep an eye on if Pablo Sandoval doesn't cut it and the Red Sox need a big bat in the middle of the order. Frazier is scheduled to earn $12.5 million this season and will be a free agent at the end of the year. By trade deadline time Frazier's deal will be less than half of that, which could make him affordable to the Red Sox and other contending teams. Frazier hit 40 homers and knocked in 98 runs last season and has a nice swing for Fenway. The White Sox probably won't deal him before the start of the season.
Frazier hit .225 with 40 home runs and 98 RBIs in 158 games last season.
Pirates want to keep Andrew McCutchen
The Pittsburgh Pirates had All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen on the trade block earlier this offseason, but have since taken him off. However, his future with the team remains uncertain given that he is signed through the 2017 season with a team option for 2018, but owner Bob Nutting wants McCutchen to stay in Pittsburgh, according to Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Nutting praised McCutchen as a “remarkable person” with “tremendous character and inner strength.” He said he “could spend the rest of the morning saying nice things and wonderful anecdotes about Andrew.” But will the club attempt keeping him with the Pirates for the remainder of his career?
“If there were a way to keep him, clearly it would be wonderful to see him in a Pirates uniform,” Nutting said. “He loves Pittsburgh and Maria loves Pittsburgh, and we love Andrew.”
McCutchen hit .256 with 24 home runs and 79 RBIs last season.
Mets' talks with Neil Walker are "probably dead"
The New York Mets were working on an extension with second baseman Neil Walker, but those talks are "probably dead," according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.
The feeling from the Mets side is the Neil Walker contract extension discussions are probably dead.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) February 20, 2017
Walker hit .282 with 23 home runs and 55 RBIs in 2016, his first year with the Mets.
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