Troy Tulowitzki has reportedly drawn some suitors, Manny Machado enters a pivotal week in his free-agency process and a couple of left-handed pitchers might be on the move.
The Las Vegas Winter Meetings are now in the rear-view, leaving the baseball world with more questions than answers, and plenty of rumours.
Teams in on Tulo
At least three clubs have reportedly shown interest in Tulowitzki, according to multiple reports.
The 34-year-old was released by the Toronto Blue Jays during the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas after being pestered by injuries and undergoing multiple surgeries over the past two seasons.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal says the Pittsburgh Pirates might pursue Tulowitzki, as current Pirates manager Clint Hurdle worked with the five-time all-star during his time with the Colorado Rockies.
Currently making MLB headlines for the Machado pursuit, the New York Yankees might also be a fit for Tulo, per Rosenthal, as New York lost shortstop Didi Gregorius to Tommy John surgery during the off-season. If the Yankees fail to sign Machado, a major-league-minimum contract with the two-time silver slugger might make sense.
Fancred’s Jon Heyman reports that the Chicago Cubs have also been in contact with Tulowitzki and plan on scouting him in the upcoming weeks.
Tulowitzki was also linked to the Oakland Athletics in previous reports, but Rosenthal says the team is set on Marcus Semien at shortstop and will not try to sign the two-time gold glove winner.
Meetings with Manny
The Machado pursuit is getting stiffer, as the shortstop reportedly has meetings scheduled with the Chicago White Sox and Yankees this week, according to Fancred’s Jon Heyman and the New York Post‘s George A. King III.
The free agent is expected to talk to White Sox representatives on Monday while the meeting with the Yankees is scheduled for Wednesday.
Machado’s brother-in-law, first baseman Yonder Alonso, was recently traded from the Cleveland Indians to the White Sox, which could influence the shortstop’s decision when signing with a new team. The club is also in a good position to offer a profitable, long-term contract, but might require Machado to return to third base in order to better address the team’s infield needs.
The Yankees, on the other hand, need a shortstop, as Gregorius is expected to miss the entire season, and wouldn’t require the free agent to switch positions.
According to Heyman, the Philadelphia Phillies are also in pursuit of Machado, even after acquiring shortstop Jean Segura from the Seattle Mariners via trade.
Kikuchi in Cali
Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is in Los Angeles for meetings with potential suitors, according to the Los Angeles Times‘ Dylan Hernandez.
Kikuchi is reportedly open to hearing offers from all 30 MLB teams.
The 27-year-old had a successful eight-year career in Japan, posting a 2.81 ERA, a 74-48 record and an average of eight strikeouts per nine innings during that time. Fans and media members have speculated on whether it’s possible Kikuchi will join fellow Japanese pitcher and AL Rookie of the Year Shohei Ohtani on the Los Angeles Angels, but no offer has been made public so far.
Kikuchi has until Jan. 2 to sign a contract with an MLB team.
Mets out on Realmuto
After actively examining trade options to acquire Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, the New York Mets signed free agent Wilson Ramos to a two-year deal last week and officially backed out of the Realmuto race. According SNY’s Andy Martino, the Marlins’ demands were deemed too high by the Mets front office, especially in terms of major-league-ready talent.
Recently hired general manager Brodie Van Wagenen has made it clear that the Mets want to stay competitive even after a 2018 season that saw the team finish with a 77-85 record, and trades involving impactful players like Noah Syndergaard — largely rumoured to be available last month — would be unlikely at this point.
The 31-year-old Ramos finished with a .306/.358/.487 slash line, 70 RBIs and 15 home runs between the Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays last year.
Realmuto slashed .277/.340/.484, with 74 RBIs and 21 home runs for the Marlins.
Giants listening to Bumgarner offers
Although the San Francisco Giants aren’t expected to pursue any notable free-agent names in the off-season, the team is reportedly open to trading left-hander and four-time all-star Madison Bumgarner, according to reports by The Mercury News‘ Kerry Crowley.
Bumgarner missed the first 60 games of the 2018 season after fracturing his pinky during spring training, but is still considered one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers in the majors. Crowley reports that the Giants might wait until the July non-waiver trade deadline to give the pitcher time to recover and build value before moving him.
The Giants have also reportedly considered contacting the Blue Jays for a deal involving outfielder Kevin Pillar.
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