Author’s Note: Our Rumor Roundup, along with many other MLB news reporting outlets, would be non-existent if it weren’t for the outstanding baseball writers that diligently keep us informed — up to the minute these days.

This week, the baseball world lost one of its cornerstone voices in the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo, who tragically passed away on Thursday at the age of 62.

Personally, when I write an MMO Rumor Roundup, usually on Sunday mornings, the first place I go to see what’s happening is to Nick’s Sunday Baseball Notes column in the Globe. And it wasn’t just for the rumors, mind you. Nick’s wittiness and intelligence poured off of the page in every article he wrote. It was truly a joy reading all I could.

Judging by the outpouring of love for Nick Cafardo this week, it’s plainly obvious he was a treasure to his fellow scribes, a rock of honesty and integrity to his loyal readers, and an inspiration to hundreds of writers around the country. He will be sorely missed.

The Globe published a wonderful collection of tributes to Cafardo on Saturday from some of his closest colleagues and longtime readers. Please give it a read, and please keep the Cafardo family in your thoughts.

– TR –

Phillies Dramatic Pursuit of Harper Continues, Mystery Team Remains in Mix

The Bryce Harper saga took on a new dynamic last night as Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton practically refused to leave Las Vegas without a signed contract from the 26-year-old in tow.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported on Saturday evening that free agent outfielder Bryce Harper and representatives of the Phillies were “in deep and serious negotiations with [Harper]”, adding that “[Phillies] owner John Middleton doesn’t want to leave Las Vegas without a deal”.

Shortly thereafter, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadephia reported that Middleton was indeed heading back to Philadelphia, but acknowledged there was a “busy day of meetings with Team Harper”.

No more than a half hour later, Nightengale confirmed that Middleton was “still in Las Vegas” and “optimism now is that a 10-year deal with [Harper] is finalized by Monday afternoon”.

Jon Heyman of FanCred Sports then reported that “while [the] Phillies are seen as the favorite […], Harper has been negotiating in Vegas with two teams […] ‘with more to follow’ “.

Hot Stove drama at its finest!

Padres Reportedly Showing Interest in Keuchel

Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin of The Athletic gave some insight as to the level of interest the San Diego Padres have in free-agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel.

“Any talks between [the] Padres and agent Scott Boras are more focused on [Keuchel] than Bryce Harper — and even Keuchel is a longshot,” Rosenthal tweeted. “Pads have interest in Keuchel at a certain level, but are also considering other [starting pitchers].”

Keuchel, 31, pitched to a 3.74 earned-run average, 3.69 fielding independent pitching rating, with 1.314 WHIP, 153 strikeouts, and 58 walks over 34 starts (204.2 innings pitched) last season.

As for the other available starting pitchers, Gio Gonzalez, Yovani Gallardo, Clay Buchholz, Edwin Jackson, or Bartolo Colon simply aren’t the level of pitcher the 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner is.

Whether Padres general manager A.J. Preller wants to invest in Keuchel with the amount of talent coming through their minors system is likely where the dilemma lies.

Though, with a proven stud like Dallas Keuchel leading the staff, budding stars Joey Lucchesi and Eric Lauer learning from him, and the steady flow of guys like Chris Paddack, Adrian Morejon, MacKenzie Gore, and Logan Allen all set to be here within a few years, adding a guy like Keuchel could make a ton of sense.

Cleveland, Ramirez Agree to Minors Deal

The Cleveland Indians came to terms with free-agent infielder Hanley Ramirez on a minor-league contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Ramirez, 35, has a 124 OPS+ rating over the course of his 14-year MLB career (Boston, Florida/Miami, Los Angeles, Boston) and hit .254/.313/.395 in 44 games with the Red Sox in 2018 before being designated for assignment on May 30.

He hasn’t played any position in the field but first base since 2015 (92 games in left field, one at third base), and with Jake Bauers and Carlos Santana both expected to see time at the position this season, his chances of making the Opening Day roster can’t be great.