While most of North America relaxes with family during this festive time of the year, the sports world refuses to go to sleep.
The hot stove isn’t exactly scorching, but there are still plenty of juicy MLB rumours out there. Here’s some Christmas buzz for you to peruse over a glass of eggnog.
Teams reaching out to Blue Jays about Osuna
Since he broke into the league as a 20-year-old in 2015, Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna has done nothing but impress. Osuna has pitched to a 2.86 ERA and racked up a whopping 95 saves in his first three MLB seasons.
With numbers like that, plus the fact he’s under club control through 2020, it’s no surprise teams are reaching out to the Blue Jays to inquire about the right-hander, as The Boston Globe‘s Nick Cafardo reports.
There is no reason to think Toronto would bite on a trade offer as the team’s front office has reiterated a plan to improve in 2018. As is the case with Josh Donaldson, it is difficult to imagine the Blue Jays being a better team without Osuna on the roster.
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Red Sox willing to be patient with Martinez
After watching their greatest rivals — the New York Yankees — bring in the reigning National League MVP in Giancarlo Stanton, the Boston Red Sox are willing to be patient to make their big counterpunch.
Boston is still expressing interest in free agent slugger J.D. Martinez, but ESPN‘s Buster Olney reports the Red Sox are prepared to wait for the market to cool before springing to action.
Martinez is coming off a monster season split between the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks, blasting 45 home runs in just 119 games. Boston appears set in the outfield with Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Mookie Betts forming a formidable trio, but adding a talent like Martinez is never something you close the door on.
Padres organization split on Hosmer
The San Diego Padres aren’t close to contending, which has led to differing opinions within the organization about whether signing free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer is the right move, according to Olney.
San Diego was reportedly floating around the idea of a six-year, $120 million for the 2017 Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner at the winter meetings earlier this month but does it make sense for a rebuilding team to take on that kind of contract? The 28-year-old would provide the younger players on the roster with a strong veteran role model, but his bat might start losing some of its thump right around the time the Padres are ready to take the next step.
Twins looking to add Napoli
Fresh off one of the most surprising seasons in MLB history, the Minnesota Twins are working towards signing veteran Mike Napoli, per Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
Napoli isn’t the player he once was, slashing an underwhelming .193/.285/.428 for the Texas Rangers in 2017, but he remains a reliable source of power after hitting 29 home runs last season. He could figure into Minnesota’s lineup at DH and also serve as an option at first base should Joe Mauer need a maintenance day here and there.
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