Hot Stove Digest: Yankees exploring several options in free agency
Welcome to The Stew’s Hot Stove Digest, our daily rundown of MLB news, rumors and gossip for Hot Stove season. Here you’ll find a quick recap of all the day’s action and other fun stuff from around the internet that we think is worth your time.
CASTING A WIDE NET: It’s unknown how aggressive the Yankees will be in terms of spending this winter, but it is reported they’ll be weighing several options.
According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Yankees are indeed “casting a wide net,” which means they’ll at least explore up to a dozen top tier free agents. That list is believed to include elite closers Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen. The Yankees are known to be exploring star hitters like Carlos Beltran, Edwin Encarnacion, Yoenis Cespedes and Jose Bautista, but Heyman also adds Dexter Fowler, Matt Holliday, Mike Napoli and Brandon Moss to that list, as well as starting pitchers Rich Hill and Jason Hammel.
It seems safe to assume the Yankees will land a couple players on that list. Bringing back Chapman appears to be a top priority, so there’s one spot they’re certainly willing to spend some money. Signing an offensive anchor to go with their budding young lineup seems likely too. But one shouldn’t discount general manager Brian Cashman’s creativity either. He has prospects to move and could find a big piece through a trade, which could make the Yankees the most interesting team this offseason. [FanRag Sports]
CONFLICTING REPORTS: Despite reports connecting the Yankees to Yoenis Cespedes and despite Brian Cashman having discussions with Cespedes’ representation, it appears he’s not high on their wishlist. Cespedes, 31, is expected to command a five-year deal worth over $100M, which appears to be too rich for New York. He’s still an obvious fit for the team, and there are still plans for Cashman to meet with his representation again, but it appears that price will have to come down or they’ll have to miss elsewhere before they’re considered a serious suitor. [New York Daily News]
CESPEDES COVETED: In case you’re wondering why Cespedes is aiming so high on his next contract, here are five qualities he brings to the table. [MLB]
FIVE-PLAYER TRADE: The Mariners and Diamondbacks completed a significant five-player late Wednesday. Seattle acquired veteran shortstop Jean Segura, outfielder Mitch Haniger and left-hander Zac Curtis from Arizona in exchange for right-hander Taijuan Walker and shortstop Ketel Marte. [The Stew]
IT’S OFFICIAL: Josh Reddick signed his four-year, $52M deal with the Houston Astros on Wednesday. Reddick, who turns 30 in February, played 115 between the A’s and Dodgers last season, hitting .281/.345/.405 with 10 homers and 37 RBI. [Astros]
AMICABLE PARTING: In October, we learned the San Diego Padres were parting ways with president and CEO Mike Dee. That move was made official on Wednesday, as the Padres and Dee released a joiint statement calling the split amicable. [Padres]
The #Padres have issued the following statement: pic.twitter.com/hcl0bfQEbU
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) November 23, 2016
It reads:
San Diego Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler and manager partner Peter Seidler issued the following statement:
“The Padres and Mike Dee have amicably parted ways. We thank Mike for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best. Consistent with our policy not to comment on personnel matters, we have no further comment.”
Statement from Mike Dee:
“I wish to thank Ron Fowler and Peter Seidler for the opportunity to lead the Padres over the last three years,” says Dee. “I wish them and the entire organization well in what I believe is a very bright future that lies ahead.”
PANDA’S POSITION: Pablo Sandoval will be back in Red Sox camp this spring and it’s expected he’ll have the first crack at winning Boston’s third base job. This according to Peter Abraham, who notes the Red Sox really had little choice considering Sandoval is signed for three more seasons and still owed $58 million. [Boston Globe]
CLAIMED: The Brewers have claimed reliever Blake Parker off waivers from the Angels after he was designated for assignment over the weekend. Parker, 32, spent time with the Mariners and Yankees in 2016, posting a 4.67 ERA over 17 games. [Brewers]
RIP: Legendary pitcher Ralph Branca, who allowed the famous “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” in 1951, has died at age 90. [The Stew]
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
