The MLB rumour mill continues to churn as we get closer to the start of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 10. Here’s some of the latest buzz to get you caught up.
Is Donaldson still a fit with the Cardinals?
It’s long been rumoured that the St. Louis Cardinals were enamoured with Josh Donaldson and made attempts to trade for him when the Toronto Blue Jays made it clear they were shopping him.
Ultimately, the Cleveland Indians presented the deal the Blue Jays liked the most, but with Donaldson now a free agent, the Cardinals can make an attempt at the former AL MVP.
Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch mulled over some of the pros and cons of St. Louis making a run at the soon-to-be 33-year-old Donaldson, making note that he would be quite the high-risk, high-reward gamble.
“Perhaps that is the best way to view Donaldson as a potential Cardinals addition,” Frederickson wrote. “If healthy, he could be a more affordable power upgrade at third base. That’s a big if.”
Steinbrenner troubled by Machado’s comments
Manny Machado, one of the premiere free agents this winter, is reportedly being looked into heavily by the New York Yankees, but comments he made during the playoffs may come back to bite him in a negotiation with the club.
In an interview with Fox Sports, Machado said he wasn’t trying to be “Johnny Hustle,” made in reference to failing to run out groundballs.
This doesn’t sit well with Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
“If it’s a $300 million guy or a $10 million guy, clearly those comments are troubling,” Steinbrenner told Nightengale at the MLB owners’ meetings.
Before committing anything to Machado, Steinbrenner believes it’s imperative he finds out the reason behind his comments and actions during the NLCS.
“It’s essential, he said. “That conversation will happen, no matter who it is. It is going to happen.”
Machado, 26, hit .297/.367/.538 with 37 home runs and 107 RBI in 709 plate appearances split between the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers last season.
White Sox shopping Garcia
The Chicago White Sox are “actively” attempting to deal outfielder Avisail Garcia, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand is reporting.
Garcia was an all-star in 2017 when he batted .330/.380/.506 with 18 home runs and 80 RBI, but saw his production drop last season (.236/.281/.438) as he battled through knee and hamstring injuries that limited him to just 93 games.
Feinsand also reports that if Chicago is unable to find a trade, they will non-tender Garcia.
Garcia, 27, is in his third arbitration year and won’t be a free agent until 2020 on his current contract.
Travis, Solarte could be non-tender candidates
Toronto Blue Jays infielders Devon Travis and Yangervis Solarte have been listed as non-tender candidates by MLBTradeRumors.com.
Travis, 27, is arbitration-eligible for the second time. He batted .232/.275/.381 in 378 plate appearances during an tough 2018 season that saw him spend time in triple-A Buffalo – but avoid the disabled list. MLBTradeRumors.com lists his expected arbitration value at $2.4 million.
Solarte, on the other hand, is eligible because the Blue Jays declined his 2019 option following the World Series. He slashed .226/.277/.378 in 506 plate appearances last season. The 30-year-old would make approximately $5.9 million if tendered a contract via the arbitration process, according to MLBTR.
[relatedlinks]