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The Seattle Mariners acquired Mark Trumbo in a trade last season, but the 29-year-old veteran’s stay in the Pacific Northwest could be brief.  

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Report: Rockies Among Those Interested in Trumbo

Tuesday, Dec. 1

According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the M’s could tender Trumbo a contract prior to Wednesday’s deadline before trading him, with the Colorado Rockies emerging as one of the top suitors.

Trumbo is a versatile player capable of playing both corner outfield positions, first base and even some third base. His true value, however, lies in his power at the plate, as he has 131 home runs in 690 career games.

The former 18th-round draft pick hit at least 29 home runs in every season from 2011-2013 with the Los Angeles Angels, and he is coming off of a 22-homer campaign, 13 of which came after the Mariners picked him up in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Although Seattle didn’t make the playoffs, Trumbo provided them with some solid pop as he also hit .263 with 41 RBI in 96 games.

The Mariners are under new management with Jerry DiPoto assuming the GM spot, and per ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick, Trumbo doesn’t necessarily jive with what the former Angels general manager is trying to accomplish:

Any number of teams could use a right-handed power bat of Trumbo’s ilk, but the Rockies certainly make a ton of sense due to a number of factors.

They have an opening at first base, which may be the safest place to put Trumbo in the field. Also, while the Coors Field effect isn’t what it once was, Trumbo’s light-tower power should still play well in the thin air.

Safeco Field in Seattle tends to stifle power, so Colorado would undoubtedly be a better fit for him and the skill set he brings to the table.

Provided the Rockies are able to pry him away from the Mariners for a reasonable price, a middle of the order featuring Trumbo, Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado could finally make Colorado a factor in the NL West.

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Just two years into his massive 10-year, $240 million deal, second baseman Robinson Cano may already be devising an exit plan from the Seattle Mariners.

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Cano’s Agent Denies Rumors

Monday, Nov. 23

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto spoke with Cano’s agent, and he assured Dipoto that Cano did not leak any rumors and is “very upbeat in all conversations,” per Greg Johns of MLB.com.

When asked if Cano was unhappy, Dipoto replied, “Quite the opposite.”

Cano Posts Workout Video Amid Rumors

Monday, Nov. 23

With speculation surrounding his future in Seattle, Cano took to Twitter to post a video of his offseason workout, tagging the Mariners in the process, with the team eventually retweeting the post, per Brett Smiley of Fox Sports:

“It feels kind of like a social media olive branch and perhaps a mutual realization that Cano’s monstrous contract—in light of his age and subpar defense—means they’re probably stuck together for a while,” Smiley said.

Mariners, Yankees Reportedly Not Discussing Deal

Monday, Nov. 23

Jim Bowden of ESPN, citing a source “directly involved in talks” between the Mariners and New York Yankees, reported there is “no truth” to any proposed deal involving Cano and Jacoby Ellsbury.

While the Yankees make sense from a roster perspective, the fact remains that if New York wanted Cano badly enough, then it never would’ve let him leave in the first place.

Cano Reportedly Prefers Return to New York 

Monday, Nov. 23

According to John Harper of the New York Daily News, Cano is becoming dissatisfied with his current situation, and the Mariners’ new hires, manager Scott Servais and general manager Jerry Dipoto, haven’t lessened his desire to leave: “But even if Cano has had the best intentions as a Mariner, one long-time friend who spoke to him recently says the second baseman is not happy in Seattle, especially with a new regime in charge there now, and that he’d love to somehow find his way back to New York.”

Cano Has Not Lived Up to Lofty Price Tag in Seattle

Signing Cano was supposed to usher in a new era in Seattle following a string of losing seasons, but the Mariners finished third in the American League West in 2014 and then fourth in 2015.

Not only has the team failed to meet expectations, but the All-Star second baseman’s numbers have dipped a bit since his move to the spacious Safeco Field. He remains one of the best at his position but not quite the offensive force he was with the Yankees.

Here’s a look at how Cano performed between 2010—the first of his five straight All-Star seasons—and 2015:

Considering Cano will earn $24 million annually through 2023, few teams can feasibly trade for him or would even want to in the first place.

The Mariners could take on a large portion of Cano’s salary for a trade to be palatable for potential suitors. With so much money still left on the deal, though, the cost of making that happen will almost certainly be prohibitive for Seattle—at least for another few years.

Given Cano’s hefty contract, he’ll have to hope things can turn around for the Mariners going forward because he won’t be leaving Seattle for the foreseeable future.

Note: Stats are courtesy of FanGraphs.

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Chicago Cubs middle infielder Starlin Castro could reportedly be on the move as the organization looks to upgrade other areas of the roster this offseason.  

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Cubs Discussed Castro With New York Yankees

Friday, Nov. 20

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reported the Cubs and the Yankees have talked about a potential swap that would include Castro and outfielder Brett Gardner. The natural shortstop would be expected to fill New York’s void at second base.

He gained 38 games worth of experience at the position last year with Chicago. The Cubs juggled a rotation of Castro, Addison Russell and Tommy La Stella at shortstop and second. Moving the three-time All-Star would help lessen the logjam.

After a strong start to his career, the 25-year-old Dominican Republic native has struggled two out of the past three years. He hit .245 with a .284 on-base percentage in 2013 and had a .265 average with a .296 OBP this past season.

He would still represent an upgrade at second base for the Yankees. They are currently projected to start Dustin Ackley or Rob Refsnyder.

Going to a team where his role would be more steady would give Castro a chance to find a comfort zone again and perhaps get back to his peak performance. He hit .283 with 55 extra-base hits, including 14 home runs, in 2012.

Exactly how far along the talks between the Cubs and the Yankees are is unclear. But it sounds like the sides at least have the building blocks in place for future discussions regarding Castro and Gardner.

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After another excellent season for the Baltimore Orioles, Darren O’Day will be the most sought-after free-agent reliever this winter.  

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O’Day Won’t Be Cheap for Prospective Buyers

Wednesday, Nov. 18

According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, O’Day is seeking a contract for four years that will pay him between $28 million and $36 million overall. 

He’ll probably get it. O’Day, 33, finished 6-2 with a 1.52 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, 82 strikeouts, six saves and 18 holds in 65.1 innings pitched. He’s the top option in a weak free-agency pool for relievers and has been consistently excellent in his four seasons with the Orioles.

Some teams may want to convert him to a closer if they are paying him that type of money, but he’s ideally a setup man. If a team wants to lock down the eighth and the ninth innings and already has a reliable closer, O’Day could be the difference between a good bullpen and a great one.

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

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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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Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Nov. 7 that San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller was willing to move anything not tied down. As a result, closer Craig Kimbrel could be traded for the second time in as many seasons.  

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Kimbrel One of Many Closers Potentially on the Move This Offseason

Tuesday, Nov. 10

CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reported Tuesday the Padres’ aim in trading Kimbrel wouldn’t necessarily be in starting from the ground up with a full rebuild but rather crafting their roster “around a nucleus they like.”

MLB.com’s Corey Brock speculated earlier in November the team’s decision to pick up Joaquin Benoit’s option for 2016 was an insurance policy for the event Kimbrel is no longer on the team.

San Diego’s timing in trying to trade its All-Star closer couldn’t be much worse since it will be a buyer’s market this winter. Heyman mentioned no fewer than seven late-inning relievers whose current teams are either trying to deal them or are fielding calls from other clubs for their services.

Despite moving to the spacious Petco Park, Kimbrel had his worst season to date in MLB in 2015. His 39 saves were a career low outside of his rookie year, while his 2.58 earned run average was also a career high. His 0.91 home runs allowed per nine innings were also nearly double his career average (0.47).

Combine that with the $24 million guaranteed to Kimbrel over the next two years—he has a $1 million buyout in 2018—and the Padres might be forced to take a loss in any trade.

They dealt Matt Wisler and Jordan Paroubeck to the Atlanta Braves in order to acquire Kimbrel, and receiving similar value in return for the flamethrower will in all likelihood be impossible with all of the factors at play.

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Mark Melancon was the top closer in the National League this season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but in a weak market for closers in free agency, he’s expected to garner some interest from teams looking to bolster their bullpens in a trade.  

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Melancon Reportedly on the Trade Market

Tuesday, Nov. 10

On Tuesday, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported that, “According to two rival GMs, the Pirates’ Mark Melancon, the top closer in the National League this year and winner of the Trevor Hoffman award, is also out there for the taking.”

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

Melancon, 30, went 3-2 in 2015 with a 2.23 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 62 strikeouts and 51 saves in 53 save opportunities. He’s turned himself into one of the game’s finest closers for the Pirates over the past two years, with a combined total of 84 saves in that time.

The fact that Melancon is reportedly on the trade block is somewhat surprising. He’s become a reliable stopper for the Pirates in the ninth inning and has played a huge part in the team reaching the postseason the past three seasons. 

But if teams clamoring for help at the back-end of the bullpen are willing to overpay to land a player like Melancon, the Pirates certainly have to at least entertain the notion of dealing him. 

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Andrew Miller just finished his first year as the New York Yankees’ closer in 2015. It could also end up being the left-hander’s only season in the Bronx, if the trade price is right.   

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Yankees Will Take Offers for Miller

Tuesday, Nov. 10

According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Yankees will not shut the door on any potential trade discussions involving Miller: “The Yankees are willing to entertain trade ideas regarding their excellent reliever Andrew Miller, as was reported Monday on CBSSports.com.”

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and other personnel are in Boca Raton, Florida, along with representatives from all 30 teams for the annual general manager meetings, so this is when trade discussions will begin.

However, the wording Heyman used in the report is key. It doesn’t say the Yankees are actively shopping Miller, but they will listen. This doesn’t mean anything is imminent, especially because the report lists seven other closers who are available to some degree. 

One anonymous general manager told Heyman that “everyone’s closer is available,” so the Yankees don’t have a lot of leverage in their negotiations if they were to actively pursue moving Miller. 

Miller signed a four-year deal with the Yankees last winter, posting a 1.90 ERA and 36 saves with 100 strikeouts in 61.2 innings. He’s a key piece of New York’s late-inning relief stable that includes Dellin Betances and Justin Wilson that was so crucial to the team securing a wild-card spot. 

It seems unlikely the Yankees would deal Miller, but Cashman knows he has a strong crop of arms to plug into the ninth inning if he finds an offer to his liking. 

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Injuries have prevented Texas Rangers second baseman Jurickson Profar from reaching his potential thus far, and at least one team is hoping his durability issues have made him an expendable commodity.  

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Report: Yankees Interested in Acquiring Profar

Tuesday, Nov. 10

The Yankees have struggled to find an answer at second base since Robinson Cano signed with the Seattle Mariners, but a new report suggests they are willing to take a chance on Profar to fill those big shoes.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yanks have already inquired about Profar, while the New York Mets and the San Diego Padres are also potential suitors with an eye toward using Profar as a shortstop.

Per Sherman, however, the Rangers aren’t likely to trade him without allowing him to regain some of the value he lost from being on the shelf so often. That is a notion Rangers general manager Jon Daniels essentially confirmed: “We are not looking to trade him. 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.”

Shoulder injuries kept Profar out of action for the entire 2014 and 2015 seasons after he showed some promise as a rookie in 2013 by hitting six home runs and 26 RBI in 85 games.

Profar recently returned to action as a designated hitter in the Arizona Fall League, and as seen in this video, courtesy of MLB.com’s Mike Rosenbaum, he seems to be unencumbered:

The 22-year-old native of Curacao was considered to be among the premier prospects in baseball before injuries cut him down, so it is easy to understand why the Rangers aren’t jumping at the chance to part ways with him.

He has an opportunity to be an extremely special player if he can stay off of the disabled list, and there simply isn’t any incentive for Texas to deal him right now unless the Yankees or another team come up with an out-of-this-world offer.

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