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The MLB offseason is here for the majority of teams around the league, and all of those squads are looking to see how to improve toward next season.

Although there aren’t many impact free agents available in the 2017 class, a team can add a game-changing talent if it is willing to pay the price.

Here are some of the latest rumors surrounding the top players on the market.

Yoenis Cespedes, OF

In a weak year for free agents, all eyes are going to be on Yoenis Cespedes.

The outfielder signed a three-year contract before the start of the 2016 season with the ability to opt out after the first year. It gave him protection against an injury or poor performance, but the smart financial decision is to become a free agent and see what he can get on the open market.

According to ESPN.com’s Adam Rubin, the Mets “fully expect” Cespedes to become a free agent.

This goes against what he said about honoring his three-year contract back in August, per Bob Klapisch of NorthJersey.com, although he wouldn’t be the first player to say one thing and change his mind later in the year.

Cespedes was also thinking about returning after the wild-card loss to the San Francisco Giants, per Mike Puma of the New York Post:

However, the Mets front office might not be willing to give the talented player what he can get in other places. Rubin explained the team’s thought process:

The belief is that the Mets will offer a similar arrangement to Cespedes‘ current contract — a front-loaded, short-term deal with an opt-out after 2017, which would give Cespedes extra incentive to perform. General manager Sandy Alderson generally is averse to longer-term deals, and there is particular concern that Cespedes might not provide maximum effort for the duration of a lengthy contract without the carrot of an opt-out clause.

After Cespedes hit 48 home runs with 130 RBI in 189 games over the last year and a half with the Mets, he deserves a long-term deal. Plenty of other teams will likely offer him that type of contract.

While the 30-year-old might want to return to New York, another team that is willing to pay will be able to get him signed.

Predicted destination: Houston Astros

Edwin Encarnacion, DH

Few sluggers have been as underappreciated over the past few years as Edwin Encarnacion.

The Toronto Blue Jays star has 193 home runs over the last five seasons with at least 34 each year. This season, he led the American League with 127 RBI.

Although he might not be the most well-rounded player, Encarnacion is clearly a big-time middle-of-the-order hitter.

This is going to lead to a hefty contract for the 33-year-old veteran. Jon Morosi of MLB.com believed he could end up with $25 million per year for four or five seasons. Jeff Blair of Sportsnet also explained Encarnacion will have a bigger list of suitors because teams believe he can play first base every day.

It doesn’t seem likely the Blue Jays will be able to afford him, but there will be no shortage of teams interested in a player of his ability.

One is the Kansas City Royals, who had a disappointing follow-up season to their World Series title in 2015. As Jim Bowden of ESPN.com wrote, “The Royals’ top priority this offseason is to add a bat, preferably a right-handed slugger.”

Encarnacion appears to be the perfect fit for a team that should be back in contention next season.

Predicted destination: Kansas City Royals

Lourdes Gurriel, INF

Every team is looking for the next great young international player, and Lourdes Gurriel could be that target.

The brother of Houston Astros infielder Yulieski Gurriel, Lourdes is just 22 years old and possesses plenty of talent, leading to a lot of interest around the league.

According to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, the Cuban is “in the process of setting up private workouts for a half-dozen or so teams.”

He lists the Boston Red Sox, Astros, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals as interested teams. 

Nick Krueger of SEC Country noted the player had a slash line of .344/.407/.560 against the best competition Cuba had to offer last year. While it is obviously a step up to the major leagues, there is a lot of potential in this young hitter.

Considering he can also play a premium position at either shortstop or second base, Gurriel could end up landing a big deal right out of the gate.

Predicted destination: Miami Marlins

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter.

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The MLB postseason is just about to begin, but for a number of teams, only the offseason approaches. And that means preparing for free agency.

Below, we’ll break down some of the latest rumors and speculation surrounding some of the top free agents set to hit the market.

Lourdes Gurriel

According to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, 23-year-old Cuban Lourdes Gurriel “will hold about a half-dozen private workouts for interested teams in the near future,” with the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros and Miami Marlins set to hold workouts for the young talent and “one or two other teams” also expressing interest.

Gurriel is a shortstop but is likely versatile enough to play at third base or in the outfield. As Heyman wrote, “Over his six seasons spent with two different teams in Cuba, he is slashing .277/.362/.426 with 27 career home runs and 23 stolen bases.”

More importantly to clubs, perhaps, is that Gurriel won’t be subject to international bonus pools after Oct. 19, according to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, meaning any team can sign him for any amount.

Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion

The two Toronto Blue Jays sluggers, who are set to hit free agency this winter, will be linked in rumors until free agency opens, largely because Toronto won’t be able to keep them both and may not be able to retain either.

Edwin Encarnacion is going to be the more prized target for several reasons:

1. He’s two years younger.
2. While Jose Bautista has had a quiet year by his standards, Encarnacion has had a career year.
3. Encarnacion is likely less of a liability in the field, even if he’s Toronto’s designated hitter.

Jeff Blair of Sportsnet has more on point No. 3:

[Encarnacion] is going to have a larger market than some expect because there are at least a couple of National League teams who view him as an everyday first baseman.

Truth is, more teams think Encarnacion can play first base every day than think Bautista can still be an effective right-fielder. The question for Encarnacion and [Paul] Kinzer is how much first base he wants to play. Folks in Toronto live in fear of Encarnacion ending up in Boston, but I’m with my pal Jon Paul Morosi: I can see the Houston Astros making a big play for his bat. He’s be a great fit in the team’s clubhouse and the fact Texas has no state income tax will help them since Encarnacion will want to keep as much as possible from what is likely his first and last big payday.

Heyman speculated that the Red Sox, New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners were all possible destinations. One prevalent theme has remained: The Blue Jays seem likely to get outbid, as Heyman wrote:

The Jays obviously have interest in retaining him. But the conventional wisdom has been that they will be outbid for both him and Bautista. The new regime doesn’t believe in tying up much of its payroll in only a select few players; they already have Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin on long deals, and the strong belief is that they are intending to get younger next year.

“He’s a great player, and a great clubhouse guy,” one rival executive says. “You can’t let this kind of guy go.”

Indeed, it’s hard to imagine the Blue Jays recovering from losing their top two sluggers, especially Encarnacion. But both are going to demand huge paydays, and they’ll be able to get them on the market. Encarnacion is arguably the top free agent in the 2016 class, so he’s going to get paid.

Bautista may not get the money he wants on the market after a shaky 2016, meanwhile, but teams will still be willing to pay him a hefty amount to solidify the middle of their lineups. 

Aroldis Chapman

No relief pitcher is likely to garner the interest that Aroldis Chapman will demand—and for good reason. Chapman has again been dominant this season, settling in nicely with the Chicago Cubs, and his 100 mph fastball sells itself.

One potential destination?

A return to the Yankees.

As Heyman wrote, “Dellin Betances hasn’t done as well as closer as he did as setup man. So word is the Yankees may go back after Aroldis Chapman as a free agent.”

Of course, Chapman’s return to the Cubs is always possible. But it’s hardly guaranteed, as Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune wrote:

Kenley Jansen, Rich Hill and Justin Turner

In a mailbag column, Howard Cole of Forbes noted that Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen “has said that while he loves L.A., he would like to [test] the free-agent waters. Even with [a] qualifying offer attached to his name—and especially if he shines in October—the veteran closer will have his choice of suitors. The Dodgers will try to sign him, but they won’t break the bank to do so.”

As for Rich Hill, Cole wrote: “Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi love Hill, and I expect them to pay through the blister—uh, nose—to keep him.”

And then Justin Turner came into the mix as well.

“I take the club at its word that they would like to keep both Jansen and Turner, and I’m quite sure they will be generous in their offers,” Cole wrote. “They’ll try to re-sign both players, but if it comes down to one or the other, my guess is it’s JT.”

Retaining all three will be difficult. Heyman listed Turner as the sixth-best free agent this winter, while Hill was No. 8 and Jansen No. 9. And Heyman expects Turner to get paid quite handsomely this winter:

He’s turned into a great all-around player and would seem to be a must-have for L.A. (See below.) Word is, his side may bring up Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval and Adrian Beltre’s deal. They also may note how Chase Headley, no Turner, got $52 million, and Ben Zobrist got $56 million while turning down $60 million. At this moment, I’d take Turner over all of ’em, except Beltre 

As for Jansen, Heyman noted, “Kenley Jansen loves L.A., but he’s noncommittal on his impending free agency.”

Meanwhile, Turner told Heyman: “I’d love to stay here. I love playing here. I love playing at home.”

Losing all three would be a major blow to the team’s chances of repeating as NL West champions. The Dodgers will likely have a busy offseason. Josh Reddick is also a pending free agent, though his play down the stretch may diminish his market.

The Dodgers have traditionally had little issue splashing cash in free agency, but bringing back all four of their premier free agents may be even too expensive—and, honestly, not the best use of the team’s money—for Los Angeles. 

With other options in free agency, especially at closer, the Dodgers may turn elsewhere. However, they’ll likely put out feelers on all four players. 

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.

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The MLB postseason is quickly approaching, but many teams around the league already have their sights set on the offseason and potential improvements before the 2017 campaign.

After all, the World Series dreams have been extinguished for plenty of squads, leaving them with no choice but to focus on the long-term future. What’s more, even the contenders need to pay attention to the upcoming offseason if they hope to remain in favorable position beyond just this year. 

With that in mind, here is a look at some of the latest rumors from around the league and predictions for where some impending free agents will land before the 2017 season.

Blue Jays Sluggers Set to Hit the Open Market

As of Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays were tied for fifth in all of baseball in total runs scored, per ESPN.com. However, they may lose two key players in their powerful lineup this offseason.

According to Jeff Blair of Sportsnet, Edwin Encarnacion “is going to have a larger market than some expect because there are at least a couple of National League teams who view him as an everyday first baseman.”

Blair also discussed free-agent-to-be Jose Bautista, although he allowed that “more teams think Encarnacion can play first base everyday than think Bautista can still be an effective right fielder.”

Blair pointed out whether Encarnacion even wants to play first base full time will impact his free-agency decisions. Blair predicted the Houston Astros would pursue the slugger and noted “the fact Texas has no state income tax will help them since Encarnacion will want to keep as much as possible from what is likely his first and last big payday.”

Encarnacion will be 34 years old next season and does have experience in the National League from his time on the Cincinnati Reds (2005-09). However, he was a younger player at the time, and staying in the American League would give him the opportunity to prolong his career and continue mashing home runs as a designated hitter.

He can use the National League interest as leverage when negotiating with an Astros team that can use the absence of a state income tax as a selling point.

What’s more, Minute Maid Park in Houston has an inviting short porch in left field. According to MLB.com, the left field wall is just 315 feet away, which is likely enticing to Encarnacion considering he has at least 34 home runs in each of the last five seasons. He’s already surpassed 40 in 2016, which marks the second time he’s done so in that five-year span.

As for Bautista, he will be 36 years old next season and apparently won’t have the same market pull as Encarnacion to use as leverage.

That’s not to say a power hitter who drilled 40 home runs last year won’t generate interest on the open market, but his numbers have declined this year. As of Tuesday, he had 21 home runs and 67 RBI after drilling 40 and 114 last year, respectively. He also sported a .238 batting average, which would be his lowest mark since 2009.

The Blue Jays will lose Encarnacion this offseason and won’t want to watch another face of their franchise leave in Bautista. They will take advantage of the lesser market and keep the powerful slugger in their lineup next year with some of the money they could have used on Encarnacion. 

Prediction: Encarnacion heads to Houston; Bautista stays put in Toronto.

Lourdes Gurriel Attracting Attention from Notable Contenders

Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball noted Cuban prospect Lourdes Gurriel already had “a successful open showcase” and will have private workouts with the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros and Miami Marlins, among others.

Heyman described Gurriel as a “shortstop by trade” but someone who is versatile enough to play at third base or the outfield. Considering he is 6’4”, he could move from shortstop to another position by the time he reaches the major league level.

Gurriel is No. 6 on MLB.com’s international prospects list, which said he is “a good runner with a good glove” and “athletic enough to play infield or outfield, which is part of his appeal to scouts.”

The prospect slashed .277/.362/.426 with 27 home runs and 23 stolen bases during six seasons in Cuba, per Heyman.

Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors pointed out Gurriel is subject to international bonus pools for the time being, but that will no longer be the case on Oct. 19 when he turns 23 years old.

“At that point, he’ll be free to sign with any MLB club for any amount, so the Red Sox will have a shot at him even though they’re currently restricted in their signings of players that are subject to international bonus restrictions,” Adams wrote.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported in July that MLB banned Boston from signing international players for a year because it “circumvented signing-bonus rules.”

The fact Gurriel won’t be subject to the restrictions is key here, especially since the Red Sox will look to take advantage of their limited opportunity to make an impact on the international market this offseason. They will jump at the chance to do so with Gurriel and make him one of their primary acquisitions before the 2017 campaign.

Prediction: Red Sox sign Gurriel.

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After seven seasons, it appears outfielder Coco Crisp and the Oakland Athletics are headed for a contentious divorce. 

Continue for updates.

Crisp Accuses A’s of Benching Him for Financial Reasons

Tuesday, Aug. 16

Crisp said Monday the A’s have been avoiding playing him so his 2017 option does not kick in, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle: 

I’m extremely hurt, the way things are being handled. I’m not calling anyone names, but this is really frustrating and disappointing. This has been my favorite organization going back to when I was a kid, because of Rickey Henderson, and I’ve enjoyed playing here so much, and I’ve put it all out there. … Up until recently, it’s been tremendously enjoyable.

Crisp, 36, is due $13 million in 2017 should he appear in 130 games. He has appeared in 93 of 119 games so far, meaning he can only miss five more games for that option to vest.

While the veteran has not spent any time on the disabled list, the A’s have become increasingly picky about when they play him. Manager Bob Melvin has sat Crisp 13 times since the beginning of July after leaving him out as many times in the first three months of the season—four of which were due to a lingering heel injury.

Crisp has been relegated to the bench against left-handed pitchers, and he has become suspicious of the team’s motives when he hasn’t been used as a pinch hitter.

“This is shady. Everyone else is getting used off the bench,” Crisp said. “[Melvin] can’t even look me in the eye right now.”

Crisp is hitting .239/.307/.410 with 10 home runs and 46 runs batted in. He has spent the last seven seasons in Oakland, making him the longest-tenured player on the roster. The A’s could look to move him before the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline, but Crisp has 10-and-5 rights.

“But this team has never been motivated to give up a dollar,” Crisp’s agent, Steve Comte, said. “I know Billy Beane has always been fond of Coco, but what they’re doing now is really a joke. I’ve advised Coco to take the high road, but the way things are going is a disservice to him.”

The path to playing time will become even more difficult in September when rosters expand to 40 players. It seems almost preordained that Crisp will leave the place he’s played for nearly half of his career with a bad taste in his mouth.

With the A’s sitting at 52-67 and well out of contention, though, it’s hard to blame them for wanting to give younger guys time if Crisp isn’t in their plans.

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With the New York Yankees purging themselves of many veteran stars before the MLB‘s non-waiver trade deadline Monday, Alex Rodriguez‘s future remains up in the air.

Continue for updates.

Rodriguez a Candidate to be Released During 2016 Season

Tuesday, Aug. 2

According to Peter Botte and Christian Red of the New York Daily News, “While the more likely scenario still seems to be parting ways with A-Rod over the winter, a source familiar with the situation told the Daily News on Monday that there’s a chance releasing the slumping DH ‘could happen’ before the end of this season as part of the team’s ongoing overhaul.” 

Wallace Matthews of ESPN.com added context, noting there was “no chance” the veteran slugger would be waived to make room for elite catching prospect Gary Sanchez. 

That wouldn’t come as a huge surprise. The Yankees clearly indicated they were in rebuilding mode after trading relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller, starting pitcher Ivan Nova and slugger Carlos Beltran before the deadline, per Billy Witz of the New York Times.

Ostensibly, that offers the Yankees the opportunity to open up playing time for a number of exciting, young prospects. Players like Rodriguez would stand in the way of giving those prospects playing time, however, making the possibility of his release seem realistic.

“I hope not,” Rodriguez told the Daily News when told there was a chance of his release. “I want to play and think I can make a difference on the field and in the clubhouse.”

General manager Brian Cashman noted that Rodriguez was a part of the team’s current plans, however, per Botte and Red:

A-Rod is a choice for our manager and coaching staff as they try to dissect every day what’s the best lineup to put out there. He’s going to do everything he continues to do to try to put himself in a position to succeed and then leave the decision making to the field staff if there’s opportunities to play or not.

The answer to that’s easy, I guess. We evaluate everything on a daily and weekly basis. We’re always trying to do the right thing. We’re always trying to do the best thing. Nothing has changed there.

Certainly, there are financial reasons to keep Rodriguez around. He’s still owed a guaranteed $21 million next season and the remainder of his salary this year. 

Struggling Rodriguez Coming to End of Road 

From a performance standpoint, however, Rodriguez has struggled. He’s hitting just .205 with nine home runs and 29 RBI entering Tuesday’s action. He’s hitting just .196 against right-handed pitching and was given only 37 at-bats in July, hitting .135 in the month with a homer and two RBI.

Either way, his days with the Yankees seem numbered. If the team decides to give younger prospects more playing time and A-Rod becomes disgruntled, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Yankees cut ties this season. Otherwise, it still seems most likely the team will move on from the veteran over the winter, as Botte and Red suggested.

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.

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Monday’s MLB non-waiver trade deadline didn‘t disappoint, as 18 deals transpired on the final day.

Front offices once again treated the deadline the same way a college student treats a paper’s due date. Some trades slipped under the closing door right as all exchanges halted at 4 p.m. ET. Yet those who didn‘t complete their summer shopping still have an available back channel.

Waiver trades present a last-ditch hope in August. The process stifles blockbusters, but clubs can still maneuver players who go unclaimed. Or they can pull back a claimed player and negotiate an agreement with the franchise who staked a bid.

After procrastinating general managers conducted a swarm of activity right before the non-waiver deadline, let’s take a look at rumors floating around in the aftermath. 

White Sox Waiting for Winter to Shop Aces

The Chicago White Sox stayed relatively quiet before the deadline. While they traded left-handed reliever Zach Duke to the St. Louis Cardinals, they refrained from making any blockbuster moves.

Given the lack of impact starters available, teams would have lined up for the opportunity to acquire Chris Sale or Jose Quintana. Yet both All-Star southpaws will keep pitching in the Windy City until they can reassess the situation this winter.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the team believes suitors will intensify their efforts to land one of the aces during the offseason:

Earlier in the day, Nightengale reported growing discussions between the White Sox and Boston Red Sox, who have a loaded farm system but a barren rotation. Per MLB.com’s Phil Rogers, they were still reluctant to move blue-chip prospect Yoan Moncada.

It turns out Red Sox team president Dave Dombrowski was also hesitant to part with Andrew Benintendi, per the Boston Herald‘s Jason Mastrodonato:

This is the same man who traded four prospects for closer Craig Kimbrel last winter, so perhaps the White Sox are on to something. Besides, there’s no rush to trade either hurler. Due to multiple club options, as documented by Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the White Sox can retain Sale through 2019 and Quintana until 2020.

Sale, who started the Midsummer Classic, is undoubtedly the bigger name. The 27-year-old owns a career 2.95 ERA and 10.07 strikeouts per nine innings (K/9), but those marks have regressed to 3.17 and 8.61 in 2016.

Nevertheless, his name wouldn’t have fervently frequented the rumor mill if not for him slashing the club’s uniforms last week.

Quintana, meanwhile, has quietly surpassed his teammate’s season with a 2.89 ERA and 3.6 WAR, per FanGraphs. He’s a legitimate American League Cy Young Award candidate as long as voters don’t foolishly place any significance into his 8-8 record.

They can keep Quintana over the next four years for $35.35 million, a major bargain for a premium starter. Regardless the time of year, he and Sale are highly valuable pitchers who will require huge returns.

Jim Johnson and Daniel Hudson Nearly Get Traded

Plenty of relievers changed homes over the past few days, but two sensible trade candidates stayed put for now.

According SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo, the Atlanta Braves’ Jim Johnson and Arizona Diamondbacks’ Daniel Hudson were both close to getting shipped out of town:

One would expect the worst team in baseball to barter spare parts for cheaper, younger minor leaguers with higher upside. Atlanta instead acquired Matt Kemp, an expensive veteran with eroding skills.

Per David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Braves general manager John Coppolella explained his decision to keep Johnson and other possible trade chips. 

“We spoke with multiple teams on multiple players,” Coppolella said. “We didn’t find the right type of value that we felt necessitated a move, so we were happy to hold. It’s important to us that we have a strong finish to this season.”

Johnson recently won National League Player of the Week honors for converting four saves, but the Braves couldn’t capitalize on the good will. The well-traveled ground-ball specialist has notched a 1.82 ERA since June 1, making him a sensible waiver trade candidate for a contender who needs bullpen depth.

Arizona might have a tougher time finding a taker for Hudson, whose ERA skyrocketed to 6.69 after relinquishing 25 runs over the past two months.

On Thursday, MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert said the Diamondbacks were on the verge of trading Hudson. The following day, he allowed three runs without recording an out.

Hudson will have to string together some bounce-back outings for Arizona to orchestrate a waiver trade. At this rate, he’s in danger of getting waived outright.

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Only hours remain Monday before the 2016 MLB trade deadline passes, so general managers are working furiously behind the scenes to conclude their business.

A pair of deals came through Sunday, with the Cleveland Indians announcing they acquired Andrew Miller and the Seattle Mariners confirming they sent Wade Miley to the Baltimore Orioles.

The rumor mill should be busy as it keeps up with the latest buzz throughout the league leading up to 4 p.m. ET. Below are updates on some of the bigger stories in MLB ahead of the deadline.

Brewers, Rangers Working out Lucroy Trade

The Indians had everything in place to address one of their biggest issues ahead of the deadline. Then, Jonathan Lucroy exercised his no-trade clause and vetoed the deal that would’ve sent him to Cleveland, per MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy and Curt Hogg.

Lucroy explained his decision:

When you’re dealing with life-altering decisions like this, there are lots of different factors that come into play. Mostly it’s family, and the other half of that is your future in this game, your career. There are a lot of things to take in, and whenever those things don’t line up, decisions have to be made that might be tough. That’s the way it’s got to be, because in my eyes, we have to look out for our best interests.

The All-Star catcher may have only delayed the inevitable. ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick laid out the eight teams for whom Lucroy can use his no-trade clause: the Indians, Mariners, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals.

The Brewers are in discussions with a team not on the list—the Texas Rangers.

The Dallas Morning News‘ Evan Grant first reported Texas was talking with Milwaukee about a trade, and he added the Rangers are looking for a pitcher along with Lucroy.

The price to acquire Lucroy will be high. He has consistently been one of the best catchers in the league over the last few years, and he has a team-friendly $5.25 million club option for 2017, per Spotrac. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram‘s Jeff Wilson reported Joey Gallo could be going the other way in the trade.

Assuming the trade gets done and more players are involved, the Brewers would be coming out well with Gallo headlining their return. As Crasnick tweeted, the 22-year-old carries a lot of risk:

Gallo had an underwhelming stint in the majors after getting called up last year. He batted .204 with six home runs, 14 RBI and 57 strikeouts in 123 plate appearances. But there’s a reason MLB.com ranks Gallo the 15th-best prospect in baseball.

Trading for a player with 146 home runs in 453 minor league games would be a worthwhile gamble for Milwaukee.

Diamondbacks in No Hurry to Deal Miller

The Shelby Miller trade could go down as one of the worst in the last decade—and maybe beyond that. It doesn’t help that the Atlanta Braves have already moved Dansby Swanson up to their Double-A affiliate in just his first full professional season.

Perhaps it’s patience or stubbornness, but the Arizona Diamondbacks aren’t ready to cut bait from Miller just yet.

Robert Murray of Today’s Knuckleball reported the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins have looked into trading for the right-hander. Murray’s report came before the Marlins added Andrew Cashner and Colin Rea, so they’re likely out of the running.

“We’ve had a ton of (interest),” said Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. “My story to them is the same: We haven’t given up on the young man.”

Stewart’s comments could merely be posturing, as Piecoro added Arizona is open to moving Miller, but only if the price is right: “Stewart, though, says the club isn’t willing to part with him for pennies on the dollar. He said if he were to trade him, the key player coming back would have to be major league-ready. But, in the same breath, he acknowledges the challenge in finding a trade partner given the circumstances.”

At this point, the Diamondbacks might as well hold on to Miller. His value has never been lower, and Arizona only risks looking foolish later should his numbers start trending upward.

A move to the bullpen could help Miller become a reliable pitcher again. Wade Davis had a 5.32 ERA in his final year as a starter and was a lights-out reliever the next season. Zach Britton and Andrew Miller were similarly unimpressive as starting pitchers early in their careers and then became elite late-inning guys.

Turning Miller into an above-average relief pitcher may not help the Diamondbacks recoup the full cost of losing Swanson, Aaron Blair and Ender Inciarte, but it would undoubtedly represent an upgrade from where things currently stand.

Padres Looking to Move Norris

The Padres have little reason not to sell almost everything of value they have on the major league roster, and so far, general manager A.J. Preller has flipped a number of veterans for prospects. Derek Norris may be next on the list.

The San Diego Union-Tribune‘s Dennis Lin reported San Diego is making the 2014 All-Star available. FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman tweeted the Rangers, Brewers and Houston Astros are thought to be the main contenders.

Norris is a career .238 hitter, but all five of his MLB seasons have come in relatively spacious ballparks—Oakland Coliseum and Petco Park. His .193 average this year is somewhat concerning, though, and his slugging percentage has fallen from .404 in 2015 to .360.

The 27-year-old is under team control for two more years, per Spotrac, and San Diego’s asking price will be far lower than what the Brewers are demanding for Lucroy. Norris isn’t an optimal addition ahead of the deadline, but he could be a good replacement for Lucroy in Milwaukee or a solid fallback plan for Texas.

Rockies Holding on to Gonzalez, Blackmon

Despite being a game under .500 (52-53), the Colorado Rockies are confident they can make a playoff run. That would explain why the team doesn’t plan on cashing in its two biggest trade assets: Carlos Gonzalez and Charlie Blackmon.

Heyman reported neither player is likely to be moved by the deadline.

It’s debatable whether the Rockies are genuinely a postseason threat. They’re nine games back in the National League West and five games back of a wild-card spot. Baseball Prospectus gives them just a 2.5 percent chance to make the playoffs.

Of course, that’s not to say Colorado should be a seller. Perhaps that would be the case if the team was looking at losing Gonzalez and/or Blackmon. Instead, Gonzalez is signed through next year, while Blackmon is under team control until 2019, per Spotrac.

With Gonzalez, there’s always the risk that he suffers an injury that decreases his trade value.

Still, the Rockies haven’t had a winning season since 2010 and haven’t reached the playoffs since 2009. Fans have had little to cheer about recently, so the team should do what it can to capitalize on its sudden window for success.

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Welcome to the pressure cooker, general managers.

The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is Monday at 4 p.m. ET, which means there are officially hours remaining for front offices across the league to pull the trigger on late moves. Naturally, there are plenty of rumors swirling as the contenders seek to separate themselves in the postseason race and the pretenders look to jump-start their rebuilding efforts.

With that in mind, here is a look at some of the latest buzz circulating around the league before the deadline.

Ervin Santana Heading North of the Border?

The Toronto Blue Jays are eyeing a playoff spot for the second straight year, and they could add a quality starting pitcher on Monday.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Blue Jays are “discussing” Minnesota Twins hurler Ervin Santana leading up to the deadline. He pitched Sunday and allowed one earned run in six innings during the Twins’ 6-4 win over the Chicago White Sox.

As of Sunday, Santana sported a 3.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 85 strikeouts through 120.1 innings pitched. While the Twins have struggled this season in last place in the American League Central, Santana has served as a quality pitcher at the front end of the rotation.

The 2008 All-Star posted an ERA below 4.00 in five of the past seven seasons and also counts eight postseason appearances on his resume. He is experienced in the pressure-packed moments of October, which would fit in nicely with the Blue Jays in the crowded American League East race. 

Toronto’s starting pitching has been effective in that race (fifth in the major leagues in rotation ERA as of Sunday, per ESPN.com), and Santana would only bolster the strength. If the Blue Jays make the trade, they will add someone who can take the mound in a win-or-go-home scenario as they try to build on last year’s American League Championship Series appearance.

Yankees May Sell on Carlos Beltran

The New York Yankees already traded Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller this season and may continue their selling efforts with Carlos Beltran.

Buster Olney of ESPN The Magazine listed the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians as potential suitors for the slugger, although Joel Sherman of the New York Post provided a word of caution:

Jeff Todd of MLB Trade Rumors noticed the fact it is American League teams interested in Beltran, which makes perfect sense given his limitations in 2016:

Unsurprisingly, all the clubs listed above are in the American League. While Beltran’s bat has been sensational even as he approaches forty years of age, he’s no longer the quality center fielder he once was. Instead, Beltran is now limited to playing right field — which he has done passably, though not terribly well, this year. And the wise move will likely remain to slot him in as a DH rather liberally.

Beltran may not be the player he once was, but he has a head-turning resume to fall back on as a potential acquisition. He is a nine-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glover and two-time Silver Slugger winner and has also been a formidable presence in the Yankees lineup even at age 39.

As of Sunday, Beltran was slashing .301/.342/.538 with 21 home runs and 62 RBI in 2016. He already has more long balls than he hit all of last season (19) in what has been his best campaign in pinstripes since joining New York before the 2014 campaign.

The Astros, Red Sox, Rangers and Indians are all contending teams and could catch lighting in a bottle with Beltran. If he continues to perform at an elevated level, he could be the difference between the postseason and spending October on the sidelines. What’s more, he boasts a proven track record in the playoffs if his team was to get there. 

In 52 postseason games, Beltran slashed .332/.441/.674 with 16 home runs, 40 RBI and 11 stolen bases. That is the type of October resume that will intrigue teams right up to the deadline.

Padres Looking to Deal Derek Norris

According to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, “Derek Norris will be [the] next Padre domino to fall.”

Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune said “the Padres would like to clear playing time for Triple-A El Paso catcher Austin Hedges,” although he noted “the Padres could lose a year of club control by bringing him up for more than a couple weeks this year” because Hedges was in the majors for 152 days in 2015.

While Norris is a trade candidate, he is in the midst of a slump. He didn’t have a hit in his past six contests in 16 at-bats, although he does have 12 home runs. However, he is hitting below the Mendoza Line (.193 on Sunday) on the season and could be a cliche “change of scenery” bounce-back candidate.

He was a 2014 All-Star and reached double-digit home run totals in three consecutive years, so there is plenty to like about Norris. He could also be under team control through 2018, per Spotrac.

At his best, Norris is a weapon behind the plate as well. He threw out 44 runners during the 2015 campaign and has posted seven total defensive runs saved above average this year as of Sunday, per FanGraphs.

Heyman mentioned Texas and Houston as potential suitors. Norris may not be a superstar capable of single-handedly altering the American League West battle, but he does bring plenty to like behind the plate with some power, a controllable contract and the ability to throw runners out on the base.

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Intrigue paves the march to the Major League Baseball trade deadline, with the hours before the cutoff point promising a flurry of deals.

The hits keep coming in advance of the deadline. One example? On Sunday, the Cleveland Indians reportedly acquired pitcher Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Rosenthal dropped another recent bomb as well, reporting the Indians struck a deal for Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy, pending the player’s approval. According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Lucroy vetoed the trade on Sunday.

That’s just the beginning. 

With the rumors flying faster than a pitch from the recently traded Aroldis Chapman, here’s an update on notable rumblings.

MLB Trade Deadline Info

Date: Monday

Time: 4 p.m. ET

Latest Rumors on Top Names

Rangers Shopping for Chris Sale-Type Help?

Injuries have slammed the Texas Rangers this summer, derailing one of the best teams in baseball, as names such as Colby Lewis and Derek Holland battle issues.

Sitting on only a five-game lead over the Houston Astros in the American League West, the Rangers need some help not only to keep the lead but make some noise once the playoffs roll around in case their notable players don’t recover well.

Per Rosenthal, the Rangers remain in talks with the Chicago White Sox:

Chris Sale has come up in rumors for a long time now, which isn’t much of a surprise, given the 27-year-old lefty boasts a 3.17 ERA, 133 strikeouts and a 14-4 record. On a team two games below .500, those numbers look mighty attractive.

The same goes for Jose Quintana, also 27, who has a 2.89 ERA and 125 fanned batters with just an 8-8 record. He’s the more likely of the two to get dealt right now, especially with USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale noting Chicago’s “asking price remains steep” on Sale.

Whether the Rangers strike a deal with the White Sox or back off will speak a lot to how the front office views the pitching situation, especially from a health standpoint. Chicago is proof enough that quality starters remain available; it’s the job of a team such as the Rangers to go out there and get them. 

Brian McCann’s Availability

It’s acceptable to classify the New York Yankees as sellers at the deadline, especially after the Miller note above.

This makes it all the easier to see them move veteran catcher Brian McCann, given their depth at the position.

Citing sources with said depth as the reasoning, Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball reported the Yankees have received interest on McCann.

“The Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves are believed to be two of the teams that have talked to the Yankees. Rival general managers say they like McCann for ‘makeup’ reasons, but the Yankees would have to pay his contract down significantly. He has a full no-trade clause,” Heyman wrote.

ESPN’s Buster Olney provided further context:

As Heyman noted, the Yankees have plenty of talent at catcher already with Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez. McCann is an experienced guy who is hitting .234/.333/.428 with 15 homers and 41 RBI this year; he represents a solid upgrade for a team in need.

This one will come down to whether McCann would welcome a change in scenery thanks to his no-trade clause. At least when it comes to the Atlanta Braves (36-68), it’s not about contention when compared to the Yankees (52-51).

McCann is one of the most interesting cases on the market because he gets to decide how teams act.

Shelby Miller on the Block

It’s Shelby Miller time again in the world of trade rumors.

Miller has been a disaster since joining the Arizona Diamondbacks this year, sitting on a 7.14 ERA on 14 starts with all of 50 strikeouts and a 2-9 record. He’s struggled to the point of the team sending him down to the minor leagues.

For comparison’s sake, over each of the prior three seasons, Miller’s ERA never wavered above 3.74, and he struck out at least 127 batters.

Despite Miller’s struggles, Heyman‘s colleague Robert Murray recently revealed a new wrinkle surrounding the righty: “Trade interest in Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller is ‘picking up,’ but no deal is believed to be close, league sources tell Today’s Knuckleball.”

“We’ve had a ton of (interest),” Arizona general manager Dave Stewart said, according to Nick Piecoro of the AZCentral.com. “My story to them is the same: We haven’t given up on the young man.”

In an odd twist, Arizona cannot afford to give away Miller on the cheap, not after trading for him in the first place. And there’s always a chance he pitches out of this funk and gets back to his usual self, which could happen since he’s only 25 years old. 

Rest assured that if a deal goes through, the buyer will have some confidence that Miller can turn his career around, making 2016 an anomaly and not the beginning of a trend. It’s something to watch based on how it could impact many teams down the road.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

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Monday’s MLB trade deadline promises plenty of action, with names such as Jay Bruce making the rounds.

Remember 2015? Major players such as Mike Leake, J.A. Happ, Ben Revere and Yoenis Cespedes got dealt, changing the complexion of the league and affecting the playoff race at the same time.

Those ripple effects are hardly a year old, yet here’s another deadline, as teams such as the Cincinnati Reds might want to sell a Jay Bruce type and many contenders hunt for upgrades to make playoff pushes easier.

It’s a lot to digest, so here’s a look at the latest pre-deadline buzz.

Jay Bruce Update

It’s all about the New York Mets when it comes to Bruce.

For now at least. 

The original buzz around the Cincinnati slugger featured a three-team deal, with Bruce going to the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported on Saturday that transaction “isn’t going to happen.”

The Mets might make it happen, though, based on this note from MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon:

If the Mets believe the postseason is a realistic goal, it couldn’t hurt to add Bruce if the price is right.

New York sits at 53-50 and all of 7.5 games out of first place in the National League East, though both the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals are ahead of them. With just one player sitting on more than 20 homers and 50 RBI—Cespedes, of course—the Mets could use more juice in the lineup.

Bruce provides plenty. He might wind up as a rental, but he’s 29 years old with a .265/.316/559 slash line, 25 homers and 80 RBI. He’s a workhorse at the plate, and it’d be hard to blame the Mets for going all in at the deadline once again to pick him up.

Baltimore’s Search for Help

It’s a badly kept secret that the Baltimore Orioles need help on the mound. 

Thanks to one of the league’s most explosive lineups at the plate, the Orioles (58-45) remain right behind the Toronto Blue Jays (59-45) in the American League East. Quality pitching has a reputation as the most important factor in the postseason for a reason, though.

Baltimore’s starters haven’t impressed this year. Chris Tillman has a 3.47 ERA, and everyone else on the roster with a significant numbers of starts boasts a 4.18 ERA or worse.

That’s why the team is looking into Wade Miley of the Seattle Mariners, according to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball.

“The Mariners are talking to a few teams about Miley, who is clearly being dangled as the Mariners have decided to hold onto coveted kids Taijuan Walker and James Paxton, as general manager Jerry Dipoto said,” Heyman wrote.

Per the report, Baltimore has been pursuing a lefty on the mound for a while. The above explanation as to Miley’s presence on the block might give the Orioles one last shot at filling their major need.

The problem for Baltimore is simple: If the organization doesn’t move fast, others will get involved. Miley is only 29 years old with a 4.98 ERA, 82 fanned batters and a 7-8 record. Take him away from a team that is only two games above .500 and give him better run support, and those numbers would do nothing short of improve.

As is the case with all potential deals, the clock is ticking on the Orioles.

Tigers Enter the Fray

The Detroit Tigers haven’t been the busiest in the market so far, especially with the Cleveland Indians dominating the headlines. Cleveland traded for pitcher Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees on Sunday, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Yet the Tigers have to do something to keep pace with the improved Indians, who have a 4.5-game lead over Detroit in the AL Central.

As a result, it’s not a surprise to see MLB Network’s Jon Morosi mention the Tigers as prospective buyers for on-the-mound help:

Justin Verlander and others near the top of the rotation have put together quality seasons; the rookie Michael Fulmer is the highlight with his impressive 2.50 ERA through 16 starts. Then there’s Anibal Sanchez, who has appeared in 24 games and drummed up a 6.56 ERA.

This is a broad target for the Tigers, with names such as Jeremy Hellickson coming to mind. The Philadelphia Phillies have set a price point for the 29-year-old starter, per Stark, and his 3.70 ERA and 109 strikeouts would sure look good in Detroit’s rotation.

That’s just one possible angle for the Tigers in an odd market where the organization acts as buyers at the deadline while mainstays such as the Yankees put up the white flag and sell.

As usual, nobody would dare suggest the march to the deadline isn’t fun.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

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