The MLB offseason has been relatively quiet to this point, but that should change during baseball's winter meetings starting on Dec. 9. This is where much of the foundation for offseason trades and other acquisitions take place. As such, the rumor mill is buzzing with potential free agent signings and trade talks, especially around the future of Shohei Ohtani. Here are all the latest MLB rumors you need to know.
Shohei Ohtani Considering Only 7 Teams
Ohtani is a 23-year-old superstar from Japan who can throw a 100 mph fastball, Let's make it plus an incredible lefty hitter, which is why he could actually pitch and be an everyday position player in the majors. He is 41-15 with a 2.56 ERA in his career as a pitcher in Japan, but also has a .332/.403/.540 batting line with eight home runs and 35 RBIs in 65 games this season despite being limited with foot injuries. Many people believe it would be smart for Ohtani to play in the American League because of the DH, but four of the teams he has labeled as the finalists are in the National League.
Jim Bowden of Sirius XM reports that Ohtani is only considering the Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Giants, Mariners, Rangers, and Cubs.
Shohei Ohtani is considering only these teams: Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Giants, Mariners, Rangers and Cubs. There are NO other teams that are still in it according to sources.
— Jim Bowden (@Jim_BowdenSXM) December 4, 2017
Over the next several days, the seven finalists with meet with Ohtani, the first team being the San Fransisco Giants.
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Yankees Reach Out to C.C. Sabathia
Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Yankees have reached out to CC Sabathia about a potential return.
yankees recently reached out to cc sabathia, even before getting the ohtani news. cc is even more key now.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 4, 2017
Sabathia was one of the Yankees' best pitchers in 2017, culminating a strong 2.37 ERA over his four starts in the postseason. Now that the Yankees have been eliminated from the Ohtani sweepstakes, they could turn back to Sabathia to fill a major hole in their starting rotation. Even though he is 37 years old, he has been a reliable pitcher for the Yankees and he has a good relationship with new manager Aaron Boone, being that they were teammates.
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Giancarlo Stanton Trade Update
Over the past few days, Stanton has had meetings with the Cardinals and Giants, leading people to believe that a trade could be close. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that a trade involving Giancarlo Stanton "isn't close to completion."
A Giancarlo Stanton trade isn't close to completion, despite the frenzy resulting from weekend meetings with the #SFGiants and #STLCardinals. It's a complicated transaction with a lot of moving pieces, and it appears it's going to drag on a while. Nothing imminent.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 4, 2017
The Marlins have been able to agree to just the framework of a trade but getting Stanton to waive his no-trade clause has been the main issue. The Dodgers are another team swirling through the rumor mill, though it would be unlikely due to the luxury tax.
Mitchell Renz is the Senior Writer & On-Air Host at Chat Sports check out his article archive and live videos on Chat Sports Facebook page. Please follow him on Twitter @MitchellRenz365.
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