The MLB offseason continues to roll along at a rapid pace.
Three players accepted qualifying offers for the first time ever, a huge trade between the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers went down and that's not even half of the action.
Let's take a look at the latest news around the rumor mill as we hit mid-November.
Mets Interested in Ben Zobrist
If you can't beat them, steal them, I suppose.
The New York Mets are interested in second baseman Ben Zobrist, who more than two weeks ago was winning a World Series with the Kansas City Royals against the same Mets, according to Dan Martin and Ken Davidoff of the New York Post.
They noted that Zobrist's versatility at second base and the outfield are tempting reasons why the reigning National League champions are interested. Also, the Mets seem to be covering all bases in the likelihood that Daniel Murphy does not re-sign with them after declining the $15.8 million qualifying offer.
It was also reported by the Post that the New York Yankees were interested in Zobrist, but are not willing to pay Zobrist what he'll be offered on the open market:
According to industry sources, the Yankees aren’t willing to spend as much as Zobrist likely will receive on the market, even if he does fill a need in the infield and is a switch hitter.
Instead, it’s the Mets that figure to make a strong push for Zobrist, whose versatility would allow them to use him at second base and in the outfield. They are among the teams that already have formally reached out to Zobrist’s agent, Alan Nero.
With the likely departure of Daniel Murphy — who rejected the Mets’ $15.8 million qualifying offer Friday — the Mets have a hole of their own at second base.
Zobrist batted .286 in the World Series, with three of those hits coming in Game 1. The 34-year-old is still a capable option at second base, and is a much cheaper option than what Murphy will command on the open market. If Murphy's price tag does not come down, Zobrist may be Option 1A for the Mets.
Reds Want Huge Return for Todd Frazier
The Cincinnati Reds remain persistent in making this fire sale become a reality.
Star relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman is still on the trade market, but it also turns out that power-hitting third baseman Todd Frazier is also available, per ESPN's Jayson Stark:
Frazier hit a career-high 35 home runs in 2015, and also won this past year's Home Run Derby. His power surge this year has made him a great trade candidate, but the fielding numbers leave a lot to be desired.
Despite having a stellar offensive year, Frazier committed 19 errors at third base. He also had a career-worst .952 fielding percentage. If he's not making plays in the infield, then that's cause for concern.
That will also diminish the return that the Reds are hoping for. Getting a huge haul back from Chapman is ideal. Frazier, on the other hand, may not give Cincinnati the kind of return they're looking for.
Yankees Want Wei-Yin Chen
The New York Yankees are in need of some pitching, and that help could come from the division-rival Baltimore Orioles.
New York is planning to make a "serious run" at former Orioles pitcher Wei-Yin Chen, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
Chen has pitched for the Orioles for the last four years, but declined the $15.8 million qualifying offer that the Orioles offered him. The trouble with signing Chen, should the Yankees be successful in doing that, would be to rid themselves of a top unprotected draft pick.
But as Feinsand notes, getting Chen may be worth it for the Yankees, who need starting pitching desperately:
Since Andy Pettitte retired after the 2013 season, CC Sabathia has been the lone lefthander in the Yankees’ regular rotation. Sabathia, Masahiro Tanaka, Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda and Nathan Eovaldi can all be free agents by the end of the 2017 season, leaving Luis Severino and Adam Warren as the only big-league starters under control in 2018 and beyond.
According to a source familiar with the situation, Chen is seeking a deal of at least five years, though six isn’t out of the question given the need for pitching around the league.
Giving Chen a five-year deal may not be the best idea, seeing how he's now 30 years old. But he went 11-8 with a 3.34 ERA last year, which could be enticing for teams at the right price. The five-year mark, though, could be a red flag for New York.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments