The Major League Baseball hot stove season is going strong, and speculation is heating up across baseball. Here is what our writers are hearing today:
MLB Free-Agent Tracker | Rumors
Scott Boras has told interested teams Denard Span will be available for workouts after New Year to show he's healthy.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 17, 2015Crasnick's take: Scott Boras appears to be taking the proactive approach on behalf of Denard Span, who appeared in only 61 games last season. Span led the National League with 184 hits in 2014, and his .352 career on base percentage and solid glove make him an appealing target for teams in search of a leadoff hitter and center fielder. But clubs will want to make sure he's fully recovered from September hip surgery before taking the plunge.
The Orioles, Padres and Giants could all be fits for Span. So could the Royals, if they don't re-sign Alex Gordon. The Mets are another option. But they're looking for a platoon partner for Juan Lagares in center, and Boras has maintained that Span wants to play every day. During the winter meetings, Boras also said that he's looking for a multi-year deal rather than a one-year, "pillow contract" for Span to re-establish himself. With Dexter Fowler and Gerardo Parra also on the market this offseason, Span could find himself playing a game of musical chairs in his search for a job.
Antonio Bastardo seeking a Tony Sipp type deal in free agency, say teams who've inquired. Three years in the $6M range per year.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 17, 2015Crasnick's take: It's been a productive winter so far for free-agent relievers. While righties Darren O'Day (Baltimore), Ryan Madson (Oakland), Joakim Soria (Kansas City) and Shawn Kelley (Washington) all cleaned up with multi-year deals, Tony Sipp returned to Houston on a three-year, $18 million contract.
That leaves Antonio Bastardo as the most prominent lefty free agent still on the market, and indications are that he wants a similar deal. It's not an outrageous request, given that Bastardo ranks second to Cincinnati's Aroldis Chapman among lefty relievers with an average of 11.27 strikeouts per nine innings since 2011. He went 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA in 66 appearances with the Pirates last season.
The Orioles, Astros, Padres, Diamondbacks, Reds, Cardinals, Marlins, Blue Jays and Angels are among several teams that could still be in the market for relief help from the left side. Matt Thornton, Manny Parra, Neal Cotts, Randy Choate and Joe Beimel are lefty options for clubs that would prefer to take a more economical approach to bullpen-building this offseason.
