Rumor Roundup: Astros in on Quintana?
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Astros emerge in continuing Quintana talks
Trade talks continue regarding White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana, and the Astros are one of the most serious suitors, sources told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi on Friday.
With the Astros trying to get back to the playoffs after a disappointing third-place finish in the American League West in 2016, Quintana would slot in nicely at the front end of their starting rotation along with Dallas Keuchel.
Quintana, who turns 28 this month, is under a relatively team-friendly contract for the next four years. He's thrown at least 200 innings in each of the last four seasons with a 3.35 ERA in that span. Quintana went 13-12 with a career-best 3.20 ERA in 32 starts in 2016, his fifth year in the big leagues with Chicago.
On Wednesday, MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal had reported that in addition to Houston, the Pirates and Yankees also remain in the mix for Quintana, although the Yankees are considered long shots to land him.
Rosenthal noted that the White Sox are standing pat on their steep asking price for Quintana, and while pitching remains a priority for the Yankees, they're seemingly less willing than others to part with top prospects like outfielder Clint Frazier or infielder Gleyber Torres.
"I think the most important currency to have nowadays is high-end prospects, and I think we -- by everyone's evaluation -- have collected a number of those," New York general manager Brian Cashman told MLB Network. "So I think we can easily do that. It's just, will we do that?
"I think we'll stay engaged in the marketplace, and over time, if we do match up favorably with anybody where we can get what we want and they get what they want, then yes, we'll try to pull something down."
If Chicago can't find a trade partner this winter, it could look to deal Quintana at next season's non-waiver Trade Deadline. The White Sox already completed one blockbuster trade involving a pitcher this offseason, dealing ace Chris Sale to the Red Sox early last month.
Should they move on from Quintana, Rosenthal said the White Sox could turn to the free-agent market for a veteran replacement on a one-year deal to complement the club's young starters.
Braves could be in mix for Dozier
The Braves might end up being the team that grabs star Twins second baseman Brian Dozier, according to a report from the Pioneer Press' Mike Berardino on Friday.
A source told Berardino that Atlanta could be a "stealth landing spot" for Dozier, with trade chips like 24-year-old right-handers Matt Wisler and Aaron Blair. The Twins could use young, high-upside starting pitchers to complement their core of young position players.
On Wednesday, Morosi reported that trade discussions involving Dozier were expected to be sorted out in the next week, regardless of whether or not a deal gets done.
The Dodgers have been the favorite to land Dozier this offseason, and, per Morosi, they are still one of the clubs in talks with the Twins.
Dozier's 40 homers as a second baseman set an American League record for the position, and he had 42 long balls overall. The 29-year-old owns a career .246/.320/.442 slash line in his five big league seasons, all with the Twins.
The Cardinals, Giants and Nationals have also reportedly shown interest in acquiring Dozier, who has $15 million remaining on his current contract over the next two years.
Tyson might join Joe in DC
While the Rangers and Cubs continue to be favorites to sign free-agent starter Tyson Ross, the Nationals are also in the mix, according to a report by Rosenthal.
The Nationals are still considered a "long shot" for Ross, whose brother, Joe, figures to be a key piece in Washington's rotation this season, Rosenthal reports.
Tyson Ross -- the elder of the brothers -- missed all but one start in 2016 due to a right shoulder injury, and he may not be ready for Opening Day after undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in October. The uncertainly surrounding his health was a major reason he was non-tendered by the Padres earlier this offseason. Ross would have likely commanded a contract upwards of $10 million.
Now there are several suitors for the right-hander, who went 23-26 with a 3.03 ERA and a 3.11 FIP from 2014-15. He was an All-Star in '14.
Ross visited the Rangers this week. Texas is making a significant push to sign the 29-year-old, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Ross could help fortify the middle of Texas' rotation, sliding in behind Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish.
The Nationals' rotation appears set, at least on paper, with Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Tanner Roark and Joe Ross. Adding the elder Ross would add depth to that already potentially dominant group.
"I just keep joking, telling everyone he can come over here," Joe Ross said recently at Nationals Winterfest. "As long as he doesn't take my job."
Rangers in hot pursuit of Ross
The Rangers are ramping up their pursuit of Ross, with Sullivan reporting that the team is "being aggressive" in trying to finalize a deal.
Texas was previously rumored to be in trade discussions with Ross before the Padres non-tendered the right-hander in late November. The Rangers already signed one former Padres starter, Andrew Cashner, to a one-year, $10 million deal in November. If Ross indeed signs with the Rangers, he'll join A.J. Griffin and Nick Martinez for the fifth spot in the rotation behind Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels, Martin Perez and Cashner.
A's reach out to Trumbo
The Oakland Athletics have reached out to free-agent slugger Mark Trumbo, sources told Heyman on Wednesday.
The power-seeking A's have turned their attention Trumbo, who led the Major Leagues with 47 home runs last season, after missing out on Edwin Encarnacion.
Per MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, Oakland presented Encarnacion a $50 million deal before he settled on a three-year, $60 million offer from Cleveland.
Trumbo, a native of Anaheim, Calif., would be a major boost to the A's lineup after setting a career high in home runs with the Orioles in 2016.
The Orioles had a four-year offer for Trumbo on the table earlier this offseason and though they have since rescinded that offer, they are still reportedly interested in bringing him back.
The Rockies have also been linked to Trumbo, who also set a career high with 108 RBIs and was selected to the American League All-Star team in 2016.
Phillies looking to bring in another hitter
The Philadelphia Phillies are interested in signing free-agent outfielders Brandon Moss and Michael Saunders, sources told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki on Tuesday.
The Phillies have maintained contact with both players, per Zolecki, and have also checked in on the trade market for outfielders, including Mets right fielder Jay Bruce.
Moss hit .225 with 28 home runs and 67 RBIs in 128 games for the Cardinals in 2016. The 33-year-old is a seemingly good fit for Philadelphia with his power from the left side and ability to play both corner outfield positions as well as first base.
Saunders, 30, is another left-handed power bat who can play both corner outfield positions. He batted .253 with 24 home runs and 57 RBIs in 140 games for the Blue Jays while being named to the American League All-Star team last season.
Bruce, who is available for trade because of the Mets' plethora of corner outfielders, hit .250 with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs while splitting time between the Reds and Mets last season.
Sources told Zolecki there is virtually no chance the Phillies will go after free agent Jose Bautista. The Blue Jays extended a qualifying offer to Bautista earlier this offseason, so Philadelphia would have to forfeit a second-round pick to sign him.
Orioles sign Montero to Minors deal
The Baltimore Orioles and Jesus Montero have agreed on a Minor League contract, a source told MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli on Tuesday. The club has not confirmed the signing, which was first reported by Heyman.
Montero will be ineligible to play for the first 50 games of the 2017 season because of a suspension after testing positive for a stimulant, the second time he has been penalized for a banned substance. He was also suspended for 50 games in August 2013.
Montero hit .317 with 11 home runs and 60 RBIs in 126 games for Triple-A Buffalo, an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Montero entered the Major Leagues as a catcher for the Yankees in 2011, but he made the switch to first base with the Mariners in 2014. The 27-year-old has spent portions of five seasons in the big leagues.
Giants interested in Hwang
The San Francisco Giants have showed continued interest in Korean free-agent infielder Jae-gyun Hwang, sources told Morosi on Tuesday.
Hwang, who has spent the majority of his career with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization, is an unrestricted free agent and will not require a posting fee.
The 29-year-old hit .330/.391/.558 with 26 home runs and 104 RBIs in 118 games last season and has batted .285 with 114 homers over 10 seasons in the KBO.
The Giants have suffered several injuries to their infield the past few seasons and bringing in Hwang, who profiles as a third baseman, could give San Francisco the depth it has lacked in previous years.
The club also signed veteran infielder Jimmy Rollins to a Minor League deal with an invite to big league camp earlier this offseason, but Hwang would add another power bat to an already-potent offense.
Jung Ho Kang (.273, 36 homers in two seasons), Byungho Park (12 homers in 62 games), Hyun Soo Kim (.302 hitter in 2016) and Dae-Ho Lee (.253, 14 homers) have all made relatively successful transitions from the KBO to MLB in recent years.
Sanchez changes representation
Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez has hired the Boras Corporation as his new agency, a source told Hazel Mae of Sportsnet in Toronto.
Sanchez, who was previously represented by Legacy Agency, is set to reach arbitration next fall. The 24-year-old falls just shy of Super Two eligibility and thus will earn just over the league minimum in 2017.
Sanchez had pitched 125 1/3 combined innings over his first two years in the big leagues before going 15-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 192 innings last season.
The talented young hurler could possibly reach an extension with the Blue Jays if he continues the dominant form he showcased in 2016, but Scott Boras is normally hesitant to have his clients lock up deals before reaching free agency.
Sanchez was selected to the American League All-Star team and finished seventh in the AL Cy Young Award voting in 2016.
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