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Jose Fernandez has proven to be one of the best young pitchers in baseball, but the Miami Marlins may entertain trade offers for him this offseason.  

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Marlins Reportedly Will Deal Fernandez This Offseason

Tuesday, Nov. 17

According to Craig Mish of SiriusXM, there is a “growing sentiment around baseball and internally with the Marlins” that the team will trade Fernandez. 

However, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reported Fernandez is “not being shopped or discussed to be shopped.”

Chris Towers of CBSSports.com noted, “Trying to justify trading Jose Fernandez from a baseball perspective is just silly.”

Fernandez is only 23 and has gone 22-9 with a 2.40 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and 336 strikeouts in 289.0 innings pitched over three seasons. He is under club control until 2018 (he’s arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason), and his best seasons appear to be ahead of him, so trading him seems illogical.

On the other hand, injuries have become a bit of a concern, as he’s already had Tommy John surgery and missed a month of this season, after returning from that surgery, due to a right biceps strain. But the bigger issue is Miami’s current feud with Fernandez’s agent, Scott Boras, which escalated last week.

“[Boras] will not be involved in any discussion as it relates to Jose Fernandez,” team president David Samson said when discussing Fernandez’s workload for next season, per the Associated Press and ESPN.com. “We will be in touch with the doctors and Jose as we formulate a plan.”

If the Marlins don’t sign Fernandez to a long-term contract extension or ultimately trade him, it seems likely the feud with Boras will be the cause. The Marlins may have a history of making sweeping changes for cost-cutting purposes, but trading a 23-year-old future ace would be surprising, unless other factors—like the presence of Boras—play a major part.

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Surprising blockbuster trades have become a big part of the Major League Baseball offseason over the last couple years. For clubs with payroll restrictions or weak win-loss records, pursuing trades is the best viable option over spending money on free agents.

Teams such as the San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics made headlines last winter with their aggressive trades. With the 2015-16 hot stove season now underway, there are plenty of teams that would benefit from getting active in a similar fashion.

Big trades have already happened, such as the Andrelton Simmons acquisition by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim or the Craig Kimbrel trade to the Boston Red Sox. On top of that, plenty of rumors have been going around involving teams that may be looking at a rebuild.

For this list, we’ll look at certain teams’ biggest areas of need given their trade histories as well as various trade likelihoods for the 2015-16 offseason.

With the winter meetings still three weeks away, there is plenty of time for teams to lay the groundwork for potential deals.

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Add Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier to the ever-growing list of All-Stars reportedly available on this winter’s trade market.

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Frazier Available for ‘Big Return’

Monday, Nov. 16

ESPN’s Jayson Stark spoke with an executive from another team who said Frazier is “legitimately out there” for a trade.

Frazier, 29, hit .255/.309/.498 with 35 home runs and 89 RBI last season, making his second consecutive All-Star Game. He also took home the 2015 Home Run Derby, which was held at Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark.

To be clear, the Reds aren’t holding a firesale here. Stark reported the team is looking for “big-league ready young players” in any package it receives for Frazier or closer Aroldis Chapman. Both are at least tangentially on the trade market for long-term salary concerns.

Frazier can become a free agent after the 2017 season and Chapman after 2016. They will be looking for contracts that put them among the highest-paid players at their position—and in Chapman’s case, likely the highest-paid closer in baseball. Frazier ranked eighth among third baseman in FanGraphs’ wins above replacement formula and is fifth combining the last two campaigns.

“If they want to give themselves the best chance to win in the future, they probably should be looking to move Frazier this winter, because this is the best possible time to move him,” Buster Olney wrote at ESPN.com.

If the Reds don’t believe it’s in their budget to sign Frazier long-term—an understandable concern given they went 64-98 last season—then it would only make sense to explore his market.

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It’s not even officially winter yet and the MLB hot stove is already up and cooking, with a couple of big trades going down in mid-November.

Atlanta shipped slick-fielding shortstop Andrelton Simmons to the Los Angeles Angels Thursday, while the Boston Red Sox bolstered their bullpen by swapping several prospects for San Diego closer Craig Kimbrel. The Padres also traded Joaquin Benoit to Seattle, among other moves, making them one of the busiest teams thus far.

Now that a few big moves are on the ledger, the trade talks are ramping up and the rumors aren’t far behind. Let’s take a look at some of the buzz emanating from offseason discussions and see if we can’t figure out which way the trade winds are blowing.

Freddie Freeman

The Braves appear ready and willing to make the painful moves necessary to improve the long-term prospects of a club that won just 67 games in 2015. Moving the popular Simmons was a bold step. It will be interesting to see how fans react if the club trades away its heaviest hitter from this season, Freddie Freeman.

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal has some of the details on this trade rumor: “Officials from three different clubs told me that the Braves have indeed shopped first baseman Freddie Freeman, with one saying such a possibility was “the talk of the (Arizona) Fall League” among scouts about 10 days ago.”

Freeman bashed 18 home runs and 66 RBI in 2015, leading the light-hitting Braves in both categories. Although some of his numbers came down from the past two years as he battled injuries, Freeman is still likely to command excellent value with a light market for hard-hitting first baseman.

Bleacher Report’s Jacob Shafer thinks the Red Sox might be a good trade partner for Atlanta: 

The Boston Red Sox, who are loaded with minor league talent, might be the best fit, especially if they can somehow dump Hanley Ramirez. New President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski has a history of aggressive wheeling and dealing and has already moved to bring in Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres.

If the Red Sox were willing to send back a top prospect like infielder Yoan Moncada and/or one of their young, MLB-ready studs such as shortstop Xander Bogaerts or catcher Blake Swihart, Atlanta should pounce.

Rosenthal reports that an MLB official says the Braves are shopping “everyone owed money.” This would certainly include the star first baseman. Freeman is owed approximately $120 million in base salary through 2021, per Spotrac.

If Freeman goes, it will be a huge blow for fans. He’s a known commodity, and the Braves are going to be looking for prospects to rebuild the farm system; in other words, unknown commodities. Still, it’s short-term pain that could provide a path to long-term gain if Atlanta can finagle the right deal. 

Jorge Soler, Javier Baez

Since 2016 really could be the Chicago Cubs’ year—they’re supremely young, supremely talented, have a great manager and got some vital postseason experience in 2015 after a 97-win regular season—fans must be wondering what the team might do to make good on all its promise. 

Trading some of the scrappy young players in exchange for veteran pitching would be one way, assuming they can’t get the necessary talent in the free-agent market. The Cubs just don’t want to trade away the wrong people.

Rosenthal has more on which players they might be interested in trading: “The Cubs do not intend to move third baseman Kris Bryant, shortstop Addison Russell or left fielder Kyle Schwarber, but will at least explore the trade interest they are getting in right fielder Jorge Soler and infielder Javier Baez, sources say.”

Soler‘s ceiling is quite high, and Cubs fans might be sad to see his name in the rumor mill after he showed improvement in the second half of the season and fared quite well in the playoffs (.474 average, three home runs and five RBI in seven games).

Baseball Prospectus’ Isaac Bennett noted the future is still bright for the 23-year-old despite being something of a liability on defense:

Soler remains a tantalizing subject; monstrous power, exceptional arm strength, hints of effective plate-discipline. But it is those same tools that may mask a painful truth thus far in his young career: He has yet to harness his abilities into being a productive major-league contributor. Serious defensive deficiencies and an exploitable offensive hole must be improved upon if he hopes to maintain his current status as a core piece of this dynamic young team.

Plus, the Cubs are facing a potential shakeup with Dexter Fowler declining a qualifying offer. Kyle Schwarber is at least a lock to play, while Chris Coghlan is arbitration eligible. The Cubs might want to keep Soler planted in right field unless some team comes in with a killer offer that includes a No. 3 starter plus extras.

As for Baez, his departure would seem to be a bit less agonizing. The 22-year-old played in just 28 regular-season games last season, posting a solid .289/.325/.408 slash line. He boasts decent power but is a strikeout machine.

As a second baseman, he faces a road block to a starting spot at The Show with Addison Russell and Starlin Castro manning the middle infield. Castro had a down year in 2015, so it’s possible the Cubs might try to ship him instead, even though Baez might garner a better return.

“Baez would definitely bring more of a haul, and they have enough overall depth to gamble that he doesn’t turn into Gary Sheffield,” an AL scout said, per ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick.

Either Baez or Castro would seem more likely to go than Soler, if only to remove the logjam in middle infield. Whomever is traded, the Cubs need to bring back a quality arm they can count on in the postseason. 

Rays Relievers

So it appears power infielders and talented outfielders are on the market, while starting pitching is in high demand. What about teams looking for some help in the bullpen? Not every team can find a Kimbrel, even those that need help at more than just closer. According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Tampa Bay Rays might be the team to talk to for good relief pitching, although it could take a very sweet offer:

Interest in back-end relievers RHP Brad Boxberger and LHP Jake McGee was predictably high, as it was at the July deadline, with the Astros and Tigers among the teams expressing interest.

The Rays don’t seem motivated to move one, seeing the benefits of the tandem that, at least for 2016, is still relatively inexpensive, with McGee due around $5 million via arbitration and Boxberger a pre-arb bargain of $530,000 or so. But that changes in 2017, when Boxberger becomes arb eligible and McGee gets a hefty raise in his last year before free agency.

Realistically, it will come down to the offer, and it’s an interesting conversation on which would bring more back. If the Rays are blown away, they could deal one now. If not, barring injury of course, the interest will be there in July, and again after this season.

Both Boxberger and McGee are in their athletic primes and coming off strong seasons. Boxberger saved 41 games, posted a 3.71 ERA and struck out 10.6 batters per nine innings. The southpaw McGee appeared in just 39 games, but posted a 2.41 ERA and .938 WHIP, the latter two numbers better than his career averages in those categories.

Topkin suggests the Rays don’t want to move one without finding a way to deal the other and hit restart, so it could be tough for teams looking to pry either pitcher away.

Of the two teams mentioned as expressing interest, Detroit might be the more desperate team and willing to pull off a deal. The Tigers bullpen ranked 27th in the league with a 4.38 ERA. Houston’s relievers managed a collective 3.27 ERA, good for sixth in the majors.

The Tigers also face the prospect of losing key reliever Joakim Soria—23 saves and a 2.85 ERA in 2015—to free agency, although Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press noted Wednesday that the Tigers met with Soria‘s agent and “both sides share a mutual interest in signing.”

If Soria walks, Detroit might be willing to make a big offer to the Rays, but it’s unclear if they have the right mix of prospects and/or position players. The Rays can dangle Boxberger and McGee all winter long, whetting the appetite for next season when teams might become more desperate to make something happen.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.

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In the wake of major offseason moves, Atlanta star first baseman Freddie Freeman has been linked to an offeseason move.

Continue for updates.

Gonzalez Comments on Freeman Rumors

Tuesday, Nov. 17

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Freeman “absolutely” will be playing for the Braves on opening day in an interview with MLB Network Radio. 

“I talked to Coppolella,” Gonzalez said. “He said [Freeman] rumors are not true. We’ve never even entertained idea. People have called, he’s listened”

Conflicting Reports Surround Freeman’s Status on Trade Block

Monday, Nov. 16

Jonah Keri of ESPN, citing a source “close to the situation,” reported there is “nothing” to the rumors surrounding Freeman. Keri added the “Braves have had zero conversations about him.” 

On Sunday, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported the Braves’ willingness to shop Freeman was “the talk of the (Arizona) Fall League.”

Freeman is Face of the Braves During Rebuild

Freeman, 26, hit .276/.370/.471 with 18 home runs and 66 RBI last season. He was limited to 118 games because of injuries, breaking a streak of four straight years with 147 games played. Still, when in the lineup, Freeman was one of a select few bright spots for an Atlanta team that dropped 95 games.

Those struggles look to be the first year of a multiyear rebuild. The Braves shipped 26-year-old Andrelton Simmons, perhaps MLB’s best defensive shortstop, to the Los Angeles Angels on Nov. 12 for a package that included Erick Aybar. Trading Freeman immediately after would send a disconcerting sign to fans who expected the young pair to be part of the team’s next run at contention.

Simmons is under contract through the 2020 season, while Freeman’s $135 million deal ends a year later. At the time, it looked like the Braves were signing Freeman and Simmons as proactive moves to keep their best young players in-house.       

As it stands, it appears those contracts are just being used to make their young players more attractive in potential trade packages.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.

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It’s only Week 1 of the 2015-2016 MLB offseason, but the trade market is already buzzing.

Per Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, the Los Angeles Angels have landed Andrelton Simmons from the Atlanta Braves, and there’s plenty of speculation swirling around other prominent players.

When it comes to tackling the biggest questions of the week, trade rumors involving All-Stars like Aroldis Chapman and Brett Gardner dominate the conversation. However, there’s also room on the list for a look at which former big league outfielder could be set to replace Don Mattingly for the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

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The Major League Baseball hot stove is percolating, as general managers from all 30 teams have been in Florida this week for their annual meetings before the winter meetings take place in December. 

Free agency will draw the most interest from fans, which is easy to understand with names like David Price, Zack Greinke, Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Alex Gordon seeking new contracts. 

However, with a lot of teams unable to dip their toe into the vast financial waters of free agency, trades are an alternative to improving their roster. It does require giving up talent, but there are risks worth taking if a GM believes one or two right moves can lead to a World Series title in 2016. 

In anticipation of what is to come this winter, here are the early trade rumblings floating around. 

Mariners Explore Brett Gardner

In their ongoing quest to field a competent trio of outfielders, as well as improve their dreadful defense, the Seattle Mariners are looking to the New York Yankees for a possible upgrade in the form of Brett Gardner. 

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mariners have contacted the Yankees to inquire about Gardner’s availability in a deal: 

No trade discussions were characterized as far along or specifically targeted to just one team. Nevertheless, Gardner has long been a player whom new Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto has liked going back to his time as an executive with the Diamondbacks and Angels. 

Gardner would be a perfect fit for what the Mariners need, as he’s a good defensive left fielder who can hit at the top of the order with a strong on-base percentage, solid power and the speed to steal 20-25 bases. 

Defensive metrics show that Gardner’s performance in left field has declined the last three years, as he went from one of the best in MLB with 58 defensive runs saved from 2010-11 to an average glove with 13 defensive runs saved since 2013, per FanGraphs. 

Even with that decline, Gardner would still be a huge upgrade with his glove for the Mariners, who were really undone by abysmal overall defense. 

Dipoto has a lot of work to do repairing the roster to make his team a contender in a strong American League West led by the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Yankees would have to be willing to part with Gardner, who is under contract through 2018 at a reasonable salary of $36 million total. The team isn’t flush with outfield talent in the minors, but Aaron Judge is not far away and one day Mason Williams will get an extended big-league look. 

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has an old roster, as eight of the nine regulars from last season listed on Baseball-Reference.com were between the ages of 31 and 39. Dealing one of his best assets while still close to the prime of his career would not sit well with fans or media, but could bring back a strong return and create some financial flexibility that might not otherwise be there. 

Aroldis Chapman Still Available

Speaking of ongoing sagas, Aroldis Chapman’s days with the Cincinnati Reds have felt numbered dating back to last winter. He seemed like a strong trade candidate before the July 31 deadline, yet nothing happened. 

Now, heading into his final season of arbitration, Chapman has to be considered the relief pitcher who is guaranteed to be dealt. The Reds, who are still rebuilding even with an MVP finalist in Joey Votto on the roster, have no reason to keep their hard-throwing closer in the midst of what is sure to be another losing season. 

According to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, Chapman is one of many late-inning relievers who could be on the market: 

Not only is Reds star closer Aroldis Chapman still eminently available and Padres star closer Craig Kimbrel out there as well, there are a few more star relief entries on the block. The Yankees are willing to entertain trade ideas regarding their excellent reliever Andrew Miller, as was reported Monday on CBSSports.com, and it doesn’t end there. Not even close.

Heyman also listed Pittsburgh’s Mark Melancon, Texas’ Shawn Tolleson and Washington’s duo of Jonathan Papelbon and Drew Storen as relievers that teams will at least listen to offers for. 

That creates a big problem for Reds general manager Walt Jocketty, who in theory should be able to ask for a sizable return for Chapman. The 27-year-old Cuban has had at least 106 strikeouts and 33 saves each of the last four seasons, so he’s dominant and consistent in a job that’s always under the microscope.

However, given that Chapman made over $8 million last year and is in his final season of arbitration, his salary is going to be a problem. Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors.com estimates the southpaw could earn $12.9 million in 2016. 

For perspective, per Spotrac.com, San Diego’s Craig Kimbrel is currently the highest-paid closer in 2016 with a salary of $11.25 million. 

Combine that massive salary for Chapman with a relief market that includes free agents Darren O’Day, Joakim Soria, Tyler Clippard, Ryan Madson and all those potential trade candidates, and Jocketty has no leverage in discussions involving Chapman. 

Eventually, something has to get done because the Reds can’t afford to wait any longer on Chapman. Their window to maximize his trade value was last year when his salary was still affordable and he was under control for two seasons, but now it’s just a matter of getting something while they can. 

The Jurickson Profar Question

There may not be a more intriguing player entering 2016 than Texas Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar. The former top prospect has not played in the big leagues since 2013 due to injuries, but he will only be 23 when next season starts. 

For perspective, Chicago Cubs rookie sensation Kris Bryant will turn 24 in January. Profar has been playing in the Arizona Fall League, hitting a strong .260/.344/.500 in a small sample size of 13 games. 

Given the potential upside for Profar, it should come as no surprise that teams have tried kicking the tires on his availability in a trade, according to Sherman. 

“Teams have inquired with Texas about Jurickson Profar—the Yankees included—but the Rangers likely will try to get baseball’s one-time top prospect back to full value by deploying him in the field before trying to trade him,” Sherman reported.

Adding to the unlikelihood of Profar being traded, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told Sherman the team was not looking to move him. 

“We are not looking to trade him,” Daniels said. “We held onto him this long. We are pretty optimistic his shoulder is fit. The mindset is to wait and see where he is. We believe he will get back to his value, which was one of the best young players out there.”

It’s certainly a worthwhile gamble, as Profar was the No. 1 prospect in baseball as recently as 2013. He’s still very young and has been impressive in Arizona this fall.

ESPN.com’s Keith Law wrote on Oct. 23 that Profar‘s bat speed “is totally intact” and he hit four balls in play very hard, getting a double and home run for his efforts. 

Given that Profar has been limited to DH duty while working his way back, he will need to prove that his surgically repaired right shoulder can handle playing shortstop to maximize his value. 

The Rangers have depth in the middle of the infield with Elvis Andrus at shortstop and Rougned Odor at second base. Their presence makes it understandable why teams would inquire about Profar, but his upside is greater than both and Texas has no reason to move him yet.

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The New York Yankees have reportedly engaged in trade discussions involving outfielder Brett Gardner as they look to bolster their rotation depth.  

Continue for updates.

Yanks In Preliminary Gardner Talks with Seattle Mariners

Wednesday, Nov. 11

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is a longtime admirer of the 32-year-old outfielder. One named that’s popped up in talks is James Paxton as Seattle is unwilling to part with Taijuan Walker, but no move is viewed as imminent at this stage.

Gardner is coming off of another solid campaign at the plate and in the field. He posted a .343 on-base percentage with 16 home runs, 94 runs scored and 20 stolen bases in 151 games.

His defensive metrics have fallen off a bit since the early years of his career, when he rated as one of baseball’s top outfielders. That said, he’s still been a plus-defender in every season based on Defensive Runs Saved, according to FanGraphs.

Paxton is a bit of a late bloomer with just 30 starts in the majors at age 27. His numbers are those of somebody who can be an effective piece of the rotation moving forward with a 3.16 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 165 innings.

The New York Post report noted Gardner’s contract is part of the reason the Yankees are considering a trade. They want some additional payroll flexibility, and he’s scheduled to make at least $11 million in each of the next three seasons, per Spotrac.

Ultimately, it’s likely going to take several more pieces along with Paxton for the Mariners to acquire Gardner. But given the money he’s owed and the fact he’s at the back-end of his prime means the Yankees probably won’t get true market value if they do decide to trade him this offseason.

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The MLB general managers meetings were assured to spill plenty of buzz on what’s developing as one of the most exciting offseasons in recent memory. 

Much of the hot stove has centered on the 139 players that initially filed for free agency and became eligible to sign with new teams last Saturday. But trade talks have also surfaced as personnel planners convene in Boca Raton, Florida. 

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that, while thin among a free-agent field, there’s an exceptional trade market for some of the game’s top closers, such as the Cincinnati Reds’ Aroldis Chapman, the San Diego Padres’ Craig Kimbrel and, most recently, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Mark Melancon.

“Everyone’s closer is available,” one GM told Heyman. “People, especially the young GMs, have no fear of trading their closer.”

With bullpens stealing the hot stove early this week, here’s what’s buzzing on a few of the game’s top closers.

Craig Kimbrel, San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres were easily last offseason’s most ambitious team with a slew of personnel changes by first-year GM A.J. Preller, capped with a trade for lights-out closer Craig Kimbrel the night before Opening Day. 

Kimbrel had a strong 2015 but not to par with his tenure with the Atlanta Braves, in which he led the majors in saves for four straight years. Kimbrel finished with a career-low 39 saves last year, and the Padres never manifested their hopeful run in the competitive NL West. 

Kimbrel still remains one of the game’s top closers and could be a valuable asset to a contending team—which he hasn’t been a part of the last two seasons. The Braves’ ongoing offensive struggles limited his save opportunities and made him trade bait in what wound up his final season in Atlanta.

Heyman reported there are “seven or eight” teams interested in Kimbrel, including the Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals. 

The Yankees pursued Kimbrel at the trade deadline, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark, and Heyman reported they are willing to deal their standout closer, Andrew Miller. Kimbrel would bring velocity Miller can’t match, but the Yankees have Miller locked up through 2018, per Spotrac, and would be wise only to pursue Kimbrel if Miller is dealt.

Tigers GM Al Avila says he’s also in the market for a closer, according to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press, and they make the most sense among interested parties. 

Detroit missed the postseason for the first time in five years, and its last October exit rested strictly on the bullpen. The Tigers used a hybrid trio of closers once trading Joakim Soria and have the financial flexibility to assume Kimbrel’s three remaining years at $37.5 million, per Spotrac. 

Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds

The Reds are reportedly shopping triple-digits closer Aroldis Chapman, according to Robert Murray of Baseball Essential.

Chapman is entering his final year of arbitration and will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason, according to Rotoworld. The Reds had the second-worst record in baseball and presented Chapman just 36 save opportunities this year, with which he converted 33.

He simply doesn’t make sense to remain in Cincinnati, though the Reds know Chapman’s high value and will charge potential suitors at a premium, per Heyman. They were reportedly seeking three to four top prospects at last year’s trade deadline, per Murray. 

Chapman’s interested parties were largely aligned with Kimbrel’s at last year’s deadline, per Heyman, though one team in particular has long stood out, per James Wagner of the Washington Post:

Chapman would make sense in Washington but at the right price. The Nationals have a consistently improving farm system, most recently ranked No. 9 by Baseball America, that could help the Reds in their rebuild. 

The Reds are smart to begin the bidding now before Chapman hits free agency in a similar shopping last year of Johnny Cueto, who they eventually dealt to the Kansas City Royals for three pitching prospects. Cueto is now a free agent expected to command a nine-figure deal, and the Reds have bolstered their middle-of-the-pack farm system.

They’d be wise to take a similar course again.

Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates

Chapman and Kimbrel have long been linked to trade talks, but Melancon, the majors’ top closer with 51 saves last year, has made a surprising emergence. 

Heyman reported two rival GMs indicated the Trevor Hoffman Award winner is “out there for the taking” but didn’t specify any potential suitors.

As the Reds are with Chapman, the Pirates only have one year of club control left over Melancon, 30, though they have much more use for an esteemed closer having won a second-best 98 games last year. 

But, as Tom Singer of MLB.com noted, the nature of the position lends itself to fickle stability in the long run:

The Pirates have played in the NL Wild Card Game each of the last three seasons, losing the past two, giving all the more push to win the NL Central and avoid the one-game shootout. But they’ll have to top the Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, both of whom are expected to be as good, if not better, next season. 

While it may make long-term sense to capitalize on return value for the worthy closer, if the Pirates are truly committed to winning the pennant, the past three years have proven they’ll need to have every piece in place. 

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Washington Nationals reliever Drew Storen went from one of the most reliable relievers in the league to a bullpen liability as the Nats failed to meet preseason expectations in a lackluster 2015. Now, the right-hander finds himself the subject of trade rumors.

Continue for updates.

Nationals Interested in Trading Storen

Tuesday, Nov. 10 

It looks like Storen won’t be a member of the Nationals bullpen for much longer. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the team is “considering deals” for the former closer who had previously asked to be traded. 

In 2014, Storen was unhittable at times, recording a 1.12 ERA in 56.1 innings. Things changed in 2015, when Storen allowed 23 runs in 55.0 innings, including a pair of appearances in which he allowed the division-rival New York Mets to come back or take the lead in the late innings during the final months of the season. 

When the team acquired closer Jonathan Papelbon, Storen didn’t seem too thrilled about the move, as he told Chris Johnson of MASN:

Really, all I’m gonna say is that obviously I’m aware of the move. I’ve talked to (Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo) about it. I’ve talked to my agent. We’ve had some ongoing discussions. Until those have progressed, I’m just gonna leave it at that and no comment for now. But as the situation goes, I’ll keep you guys posted.

It’s apparent his relationship with the organization has been strained over the past few months, and it might be beyond repair, especially if the team decides to hold on to Papelbon, whom it’s also receiving calls for, according to Heyman.    

Teams who are looking for back-end help in their bullpen should take a good look at Storen. Immersing him in a new setting and new culture could do wonders for a reliever who is still capable of dominating. 

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

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