The World Series is over, meaning there's now 29 teams and fan bases who are gearing up to start over after failing to capture a World Series title. While the offseason isn't even a week old yet, several teams have already gotten a jump start on the new year. Here are all the latest MLB news and rumors you need to know:
Yankees targeting Chapman
The New York Yankees traded star closer Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs at the deadline, but they have already expressed interest in bringing him back, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
The Yankees' courtship of Aroldis Chapman is officially underway.
General manager Brian Cashman said Monday that he has reached out to Chapman's agent — along with the agents for several other free agents — as the baseball offseason kicked off with the start of the general managers’ meetings.
"There are certainly some names out there that are pretty good," Cashman said. "It's probably a thin starting pitching market, there are a number of different relievers in the market; certainly more relievers in this free agency than there are starters of quality. The trade route is obviously an area we'll see what develops over time."
When Chapman was traded, he had said he would like to return to the Yankees as a free agent. He had a 1.55 ERA with 36 saves last season.
Orioles want Desmond
The Baltimore Orioles are looking to upgrade their outfield, and they have targeted Ian Desmond as the guy they want to play either left or right field, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Source: #Orioles interested in free agent Ian Desmond for a corner outfield role. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 8, 2016
Desmond batted .285 with 22 home runs and 86 RBIs for the Texas Rangers last season.
Red Sox interested in Beltran
The Boston Red Sox are targeting Carlos Beltran as a potential replacement for David Ortiz, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
Edwin Encarnacion has been mentioned as a possible replacement for David Ortiz for months, but Carlos Beltran is also on the Red Sox radar.
This should not be a surprise as Boston is looking at the top of the market first, and Beltran figures to be a shorter deal than Encarnacion — one or two years, as he turns 40 in April. In addition, as a mid-season acquisition, Beltran cannot be extended a qualifying offer, meaning — unlike Encarnacion — he would not cost the Red Sox a draft pick to sign.
Beltran hit .295 with 29 homers and 93 RBIs last season with both the Yankees and Rangers.
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