Hot Stove Rumors Thread

[Obst]

Cuban center fielder Yoenis Cespedes defected mid-summer and is expected to be cleared for free agency within a matter of weeks, reports Yahoo's Jeff Passan. The 26-year-old is "arguably the best all-around player to come out of Cuba in a generation," according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus, who describes Cespedes as "a legitimate centerfielder with plus power and speed." Both Passan and Goldstein expect the 26-year-old to receive a deal in the range of the $30.25MM Aroldis Chapman received in January of 2010.

The Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, Giants, Marlins, Nationals, Indians, Athletics, and Pirates have had a presence at Cespedes' workouts, reports Yahoo's Tim Brown. Giants GM Brian Sabean told reporters today that his team will not be involved on Cespedes, however (via Andrew Baggarly on Twitter).

Agent Adam Katz tells Brown he'll wait until his client is technically declared a free agent before discussing contract terms with teams. The Yankees, Phillies, and Marlins will have private workouts with Cespedes within the next few weeks, with a Marlins contingent heading to the Dominican Republic this week.

[Warner2BruceTD]

I hope the Pirates or A's get that Cuban player, it's always good to see some new teams in the mix for these guys.

[FedEx227]

Marlins look like the favorite.

[Guest]

The Royals acquired lefty Jonathan Sanchez and minor league starter Ryan Verdugo from the Giants for outfielder Melky Cabrera, announced the team.

Interesting deal. I'm surprised the Giants would give up Sanchez for a guy who has been a one year wonder to this point, but kudos to the Royals for getting a pitcher who slots at the top of their rotation and for having their centerfielder for next year ready to go in Cain.

[FedEx227]

Let's not overrate Sanchez though. He's not terrible but it's fairly obvious his one "great" year was an outlier and a classic unsustainable LOB%/BABIP.





Otherwise he's been pretty mediocre in the NL and a great pitchers park. I wouldn't expect him to do much better in the AL or really be anything special. Good stopgap until Montgomery time.

[Obst]

The Marlins contacted Reyes one minute into the free agent signing period, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. A group of Marlins executives went to New York this week and it appears they were going to visit Reyes’ agent, Peter Greenberg.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Sanchez walks the ballpark, I hate pitchers of his ilk.

With that said, good trade for KC. Makes sense on every level.

[NAHSTE]

Neither player involved is all that desirable, but Sanchez is a much more talented baseball player than Melky Cabrera.

Obviously he's not a stud, but he's a lefty with a live arm and he just got dealt for a guy coming off a career year who has otherwise been a glorified 4th OF, at best.

[Guest]

Let's not overrate Sanchez though. He's not terrible but it's fairly obvious his one "great" year was an outlier and a classic unsustainable LOB%/BABIP.





Otherwise he's been pretty mediocre in the NL and a great pitchers park. I wouldn't expect him to do much better in the AL or really be anything special. Good stopgap until Montgomery time.

He had a good start to the season before he got injured. I am not saying Sanchez is an ace or anything, but he's a lefty who is capable of being a #2 starter for a team. He also had a very low opposing BA last year despite having control issues (could have been due to injury but I did not see enough of him to say that) so its not like he's going to be bad either.

[Mogriffjr]

I'm trying to read into the Victorino being shopped news...

With Rollins a FA, the tweet says they are moving money to make a big move...now the only move is it signals trying to get Jose Reyes...

but I don't know why they would put a ton of money into going after Reyes then creating a hole in CF...Both play a premium position up the middle of the diamond and Victorino plays a similar type game that Reyes, although not the player Reyes is...I just don't see who else they could free up money for...they won't be pursuing a 1B, and I don't think they would be going after a CJ Wilson or something like that.

[Obst]

The Phillies are making a "strong push" to re-sign Ryan Madson, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Talks are "advancing, but not complete," a source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Agent Scott Boras told Crasnick that the sides are still exchanging proposals.

[EmpireWF]

John Heyman says the Mets are likely to tender a contract to arbitration eligible CF Angel Pagan (he'd likely earn over $4 million). Coming off a terrible year, it's assumed they would rather take a chance on him than one of the bums available in free agency.

He also mentioned the Mets are looking at more 1-year fliers (like they did last year with Chris Young and Chris Capuano) while Capuano is looking for a 2-year deal.

I'm trying to read into the Victorino being shopped news...

With Rollins a FA, the tweet says they are moving money to make a big move...now the only move is it signals trying to get Jose Reyes...

but I don't know why they would put a ton of money into going after Reyes then creating a hole in CF...Both play a premium position up the middle of the diamond and Victorino plays a similar type game that Reyes, although not the player Reyes is...I just don't see who else they could free up money for...they won't be pursuing a 1B, and I don't think they would be going after a CJ Wilson or something like that.

Philly is looking to spend money on a closer whether Madson or Papelbon.

[Obst]

The Marlins, who already obtained manager Ozzie Guillen from the White Sox this offseason, are now pursuing the most dependable starter the skipper had in Chicago, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Marlins will meet with free agent left-hander Mark Buehrle tomorrow.

[EmpireWF]

Brewers are in now on Reyes.

[FedEx227]

Brewers are in now on Reyes.

That'd be tastic