Yankees Look At Top Of Pitching Market

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Yankees are eyeing the top prize on the free agent market to headline their starting rotation: Gerrit Cole. Cole just finished his tenure in Houston with the Astros, where they fell short of another Commissioner’s Trophy and likely saw the last of Cole in the Lone Star State.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman confirmed that he will talk to the agents for Cole and fellow right-handed starter Stephen Strasburg. The Yankees have shown interest in Cole twice before – during the 2008 draft and the trade deadline when Gerrit was traded to the Astros.

Signing either of them would likely mean the Yankees going over the luxury tax threshold, something they did in 2019.

Superstar To Be Moved This Winter

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, one of Kris Bryant, Mookie Betts, or Francisco Lindor will be moved this off-season from their current team after talking to executives over the previous 24 hours.

All three teams have been either reported to be financially restricted, or have outright stated that they are very short on cash to spend this winter. All three players make a sizable salary, which gives their incentive to move on and explore the possibility to trade them off.

Tigers Listening on Boyd

Morosi also reports that the Tigers will listen to offers on starter Matthew Boyd, and already have a desired return. Detroit will ask for an impact position player that is at least close to major league ready.

Boyd, 28, has three years left before he hits the open market and has flashed signs of the ability to be a high-end major league starter.

Marlins Looking To Add Middle-Of-Order Bat

Craig Mish of FNTSY Radio reports that the Marlins are looking to add a free agent bat, and will look to do so on the trade market or on the free agent market. Mish notes As the GM meetings begin, he’s heard the Marlins may explore trades to acquire a bat if they aren’t enamored with the free agent class. One of the names to keep an eye on as a potential target for Miami is Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta.

Among the big-name bats that are up for grabs, former Marlin Marcell Ozuna is poised to land a nice contract. Is it possible for the All-Star outfielder to reunite with his former team down in South Beach?

Rangers Going to Be Big Players?

Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, notes that the Rangers are at least going to explore the top of the free agent market this offseason. Rangers GM Jon Daniels had this to say, “This year, we are going to look at everything. Our goal is to get better, period. There are a couple of spots more [available] than others. We have signed [top free agents] before and at some point I have to suspect we will again.”

Sources tell Grant the Rangers have already been in touch with the agents for Cole and third baseman Anthony Rendon.

NL East Competing for Donaldson

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the market for veteran third base Josh Donaldson is already heating up. He reports that the Nationals, Braves, and Phillies are among the at least six teams that have touched base with Donaldson coming off a big 4.9 fWAR season with the Braves.

Donaldson, 33, hit .259/.379/.521 with 33 doubles, 37 home runs, and 94 RBI in 155 games during the 2019 season. He was also a finalists for the Gold Glove Award and led the NL with 15 defensive runs saved at third.