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November 22, 2018

MINORS

Staumont, Hernandez Added to Royals' 40-Man Roster

Both have pitched for Omaha during parts of the last 2 seasons

November 21, 2018 Omaha Storm Chasers



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NATIONAL

Deal keeps Reds, Iglesias together through '21

Closer's new contract adds extra year, avoids arbitration

November 21, 2018 By Mark Sheldon/



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Rumors: Thor, Harper, Machado, Donaldson, Realmuto

The latest MLB free agent and trade rumors for Hot Stove season

November 21, 2018



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MLB TRANSACTIONS

November 22, 2018 •.



MINORS

Staumont, Hernandez Added to Royals' 40-Man Roster

Both have pitched for Omaha during parts of the last 2 seasons

November 21, 2018 Omaha Storm Chasers



The Kansas City Royals announced three additions to the club's 40-man roster on Tuesday in advance of that day's deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft, which will be held next month during Baseball's Winter Meetings. 2017-18 Omaha right-handers Josh Staumont and Arnaldo Hernandez were both placed on Kansas City's 40-man roster for the first time, in addition to right-hander Scott Blewett .

Over two seasons with the Storm Chasers, Staumont in 57 appearances (20 starts) has compiled a 5-13 record and 4.91 ERA (82 ER/150.1 IP), adding 196 strikeouts. His 103 punchouts in 2018 paced the club. Twice during the 2017 campaign he accrued 12 strikeouts in a game, matching the franchise's single-game record in the Werner Park Era (since 2011).

Staumont was a Royals Spring Training non-roster invitee prior to the 2018 season, and was ranked the fourth-best prospect in the Royals system by Baseball America, in addition to being rated as having the "Best Curveball" in the organization. The 24-year-old was selected by Kansas City in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Azusa Pacific University in California.

In 12 outings (11 starts) for Omaha between 2017-18, Hernandez has posted a 6-1 mark and 3.28 ERA (25 ER/68.2 IP) along with 42 strikeouts. That included a nine-innning complete game victory in which he fired 97 pitches, including 80 strikes, on August 15, 2018 versus the Oklahoma City Dodgers, becoming the first Storm Chasers pitcher to hurl a nine-inning complete game since Aaron Brooks in 2014. Over ten appearances (nine starts) this past season, Hernandez tallied a 5-1 record and 3.55 ERA (23 ER/58.1 IP), adding 36 strikeouts.

The 22-year-old impressed in 2018, combining for a 12-5 clip and 3.96 ERA (61 ER/138.2 IP), with his 12 wins tied for the most among Royals minor league pitchers. He was signed by the Royals as a non-drafted free agent on September 18, 2012 out of Venezuela.

Blewett pitched the entire 2018 season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, accumulating an 8-6 mark and 4.79 ERA (79 ER/148.1 IP) with 100 strikeouts in 26 appearances, all but one of which were starts. He ended his campaign on a strong note, compiling a 3-0 record and 2.59 ERA (12 ER/41.2 IP) with 27 strikeouts over his final six outings, which included a nine-inning complete game victory on August 10 versus Frisco.

A 2018 Texas League Mid-Season All-Star, Blewett ranked second in the circuit in innings pitched, in addition to fourth in baserunners per nine innings (13.69), fifth in batting average against (.282) and tied for sixth in earned-run average (4.79). He was selected by the Royals in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of C.W. Baker High School in New York.

Baseball's Rule 5 Draft will be held on the final day of the Winter Meetings on December 13 in Las Vegas. Players who were drafted in 2014, in addition to international players who were signed as non-drafted free agents in 2013, who are not on a club's 40-man roster are eligible to be selected.

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NATIONAL

Deal keeps Reds, Iglesias together through '21

Closer's new contract adds extra year, avoids arbitration

November 21, 2018 By Mark Sheldon/



In a move that avoided arbitration, the Reds signed closer Raisel Iglesias on Wednesday to a new three-year, $24.1 million contract through the 2021 season. Iglesias had an option to go to arbitration in the seven-year, $32 million contract he signed when he arrived from Cuba in 2014.

By reaching a deal now, the Reds and Iglesias don't have to delve into the uncertainty of arbitration and the club has a fixed salary locked in for the next three years. Had Iglesias not signed the contract or opted for arbitration, he would have made $5.7 million per season in 2019-20 and was eligible again for arbitration in '21.

Reds general manager Nick Krall and Iglesias' agent, Barry Praver, negotiated the new deal.

"We called Barry and felt there was a mutual want to get this done, so we talked about it; it progressed pretty quickly and ended up getting it done in a couple of weeks," Krall said. "We look at it, from our standpoint, of where he was and what made sense for both parties, and both of us were pretty quickly in agreement."

Over 66 games in 2018, the 28-year-old Iglesias went 2-5 with a 2.38 ERA and 30 saves out of 34 chances.

Since making his big league debut, Iglesias has a 2.97 career ERA over 184 games, including 21 starts.

"This is a great opportunity," Iglesias said in a statement. "I thank the Reds for trusting me and believing in me. Cincinnati is my second home, and I wanted to take this step."

In an interesting twist, president of baseball operations Dick Williams noted that new manager David Bell and pitching coach Derek Johnson could utilize Iglesias in a variety of ways in 2019 -- and not just as Cincinnati's closer.

"David and Derek will spend time with Raisel over the winter," Williams said. "This is a guy who loves to pitch. He loves to appear frequently. He loves to appear in multiple innings if possible. He enjoys the back of the game. But he enjoyed starting. I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with. The more we see an elite arm like this, the better off we are as a team."

At his previous job as the Brewers' pitching coach, Johnson and manager Craig Counsell often used All-Star lefty Josh Hader in a variety of high-leverage situations regardless of the inning.

That means Iglesias may not be restricted to end-of-game or one-inning usage. The right-hander has 24 career saves of more than one inning, including 10 in 2018, and 10 career saves where he pitched two innings. His longest save last season was 1 2/3 innings against the Cubs on July 6.

"If the situation calls for it and he's closing a bunch of games we're winning, I'm happy, too," Williams said. "We all would be happy with that. This gives us the flexibility, and David and Derek are of the mind they want the flexibility to be able to use [him] whenever the situation calls for it."

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Rumors: Thor, Harper, Machado, Donaldson, Realmuto

The latest MLB free agent and trade rumors for Hot Stove season

November 21, 2018



It's Hot Stove season, and is keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors right here.

At least a half-dozen teams involved in Syndergaard trade talks

Nov. 21: The Mets are "seriously considering deals" for Noah Syndergaard, and at least a half-dozen teams are "believed to be real players" to trade for the right-hander, reports MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. Per Heyman, New York is looking to fill multiple holes via the haul they would get from trading Syndergaard.

That might be only one part of the plan, however. According to SNY's Andy Martino, New York is also considering free-agent options to replace Syndergaard, should he be dealt.

"Trading Syndergaard -- which is no sure thing to happen, even though the Mets are exploring it -- would only be one piece in a larger strategy," writes Martino, citing Major League sources. "The Mets could obtain a package of prospects and Major Leaguers for Syndergaard, then replace him with a free agent such as Patrick Corbin, J.A. Happ, Dallas Keuchel, or Nathan Eovaldi."

Martino adds that the Mets are pushing back against the idea that a trade of Syndergaard would portend a "step back for 2019," writing that the front office's "view is that dealing from a position of depth, and then finding a replacement at that position, could be a win-win."

Mark Townsend of Yahoo Sports suggests five clubs, in particular, that should try to strike a deal with New York to acquire Syndergaard: the Astros, Cubs, Brewers, Dodgers and Padres.

The Astros, Townsend contends, should make it three straight years of trading for a front-line starter (they acquired Justin Verlander from the Tigers in August of 2017, and Gerrit Cole from the Pirates last offseason) because two of their starters may be departing via free agency, in Keuchel and Charlie Morton. Likewise, he argues the Cubs should pursue Syndergaard because of question marks in their rotation, particularly pertaining to Yu Darvish's future.

The Brewers got to within one game of the World Series last season without a true ace, and according to Townsend, adding Syndergaard could be the final piece to put Milwaukee over the top. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, he writes, are still trying to end a World Series title drought of three decades, and should stock up on as many elite arms as possible. And the Padres may be closer to contention than many think, he argues, making a Syndergaard acquisition an interesting proposition.

Yankees and Mets both keeping tabs on Bryce

Nov. 21: It wouldn't surprise the baseball world at all if Bryce Harper ended up in New York -- but it would be a stunner if he landed in Queens, and not the Bronx.

But MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports for Fancred that while the Mets haven't been explicitly linked to Harper, team officials haven't completely ruled out a pursuit of the 26-year-old superstar outfielder -- though it remains a long shot.

Owner Jeff Wilpon and general manger Brodie Van Wagenen both declined to comment when asked about Harper, but Van Wagenen has stated that he hopes to win right away, though that doesn't necessarily equate to a full-on pursuit of the two big-money free agents on this year's market. Manny Machado landing with the Mets is unlikely -- sources tell Heyman that the Mets don't see him as a fit due to his controversial October. Harper isn't a great positional fit for the Mets, who have Yoenis Cespedes and left-handed corner outfielders Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto and Jay Bruce in tow.

But the Mets have surprised in the free-agent market in the past -- albeit rarely -- with their signings of Johan Santana and Mike Piazza. And they did meet with Harper agent Scott Boras at the General Managers Meetings, though they were reportedly more interested in Martin Maldonado and Marwin Gonzalez.

While a "Yankees person" suggested to Heyman on Wednesday morning that Harper is unlikely to end up in pinstripes, rival executives continue to see the Yankees as a threat, and Heyman reports word of "multiple contacts" between the Yankees and Harper's camp. The Yankees seem to favor Luke Voit at first base, but Harper could play left field, with Giancarlo Stanton moving to full-time designated hitter and Brett Gardner playing a diminished role.

Machado clarifies 'Johnny Hustle' comment

Nov. 21: In an exclusive interview with 's Mark Feinsand, free-agent superstar Manny Machado clarified his infamous comment from the postseason, in which he said, "I'm not the type of player that's going to be 'Johnny Hustle.'"

"When I was asked that question, I was definitely on the defensive, and I was wrong to answer it the way that I did, because looking back, it doesn't come across how I meant it," Machado said. "For me, I was trying to talk about how I'm not the guy who is eye wash. There's a difference between fake hustle for show and being someone who tries hard to win. I've always been the guy who does whatever he can to win for his team.

"But I know how I said it and how that came across, and it's something I take responsibility for. I look forward to talking with each GM and owner that we meet with about that, or any other questions they have."

Machado also addressed several other questions during the interview, including what a potential timetable might be for his decision on where to sign what is expected to be one of the richest contracts in North American sports history.

At just 26 years old, Machado is a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner, coming off the best offensive season of his career. In a season split between the Orioles and Dodgers, he slashed .297/.367/.538 with 37 home runs and 14 steals. For the second time in his career, he played in all 162 games of the season.

Many execs think Harper and Machado land with the Yankees and Phillies. But which player to which team?

Nov. 21: The Phillies have been the team perhaps most connected to Bryce Harper in rumors this offseason, and the same goes for the Yankees and Manny Machado. According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, this view is held by many executives around baseball, as well. But they don't necessarily have an answer as to which team which player will end up with.

Philadelphia has been seen as a strong suitor not only for Harper, but for Machado as well -- as in, the Phillies have the payroll flexibility and possibly the motivation to sign both superstar free agents. "We're going into this expecting to spend money,'' Phillies owner John Middleton told USA TODAY Sports last week. "And maybe even be a little bit stupid about it.''

The Yankees, meanwhile, have downplayed their interest in Harper, though 's Jon Paul Morosi reported that there have been internal discussions about him, potentially as a first baseman since New York's outfield is full. With respect to Machado, Yankees executives have expressed concern with his lack of hustle and subsequent comments in the postseason, and it remains to be seen whether the club will sign the superstar infielder, particularly given its need at shortstop as Didi Gregorius will miss the first part of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

In an exclusive interview with 's Mark Feinsand, Machado explained what he meant by his infamous "Johnny Hustle" comment during the postseason.

Is Donaldson a reasonable approximation of Harper?

Nov. 21: The top tier of free agents this offseason will command hefty contracts. But Michael Baumann of The Ringer lists three players in what he considers the second tier, who would be potential high-value signings for a relatively low cost. One of them is third baseman Josh Donaldson, who Baumann writes is a reasonable approximation of superstar outfielder Bryce Harper.

"Since 2015, when Harper and Donaldson both won MVP awards, Harper is hitting .283/.410/.543," Baumann writes. "Donaldson, even with that 2018 season he'd rather write off, is hitting .281/.383/.548 at a tougher defensive position."

Baumann adds that with Harper expected by MLB Trade Rumors to command a deal in the neighborhood of 14 years and $420 million, Donaldson is predicted to receive a one-year, $20 million contract. That would be relatively cheap if Donaldson returns to his MVP form following an injury-plagued season.

The other two free agents Baumann highlights are super-utility player Marwin Gonzalez (an approximation of Manny Machado) and veteran right-hander Charlie Morton (an approximation of Patrick Corbin).

Some teams doubt Realmuto will be traded this offseason

Nov. 21: When J.T. Realmuto's agent indicated earlier this month that his client wouldn't be signing an extension with the Marlins, it unsurprisingly led to increased speculation that the club would look to trade him this offseason. But Miami's asking price remains exceptionally high, perhaps even prohibitive.

According to Buster Olney in an article for ESPN+ (subscription required), some teams that have discussed the backstop with the Marlins are convinced the club will end up keeping him through the winter because its asking price is too high.

As Olney points out, the Nationals were among the most aggressive bidders for Realmuto, but they were unwilling to include top prospect Victor Robles in a trade and ultimately moved on to Kurt Suzuki, who signed a two-year deal with Washington this week.

Olney argues that the Marlins should be looking to move Realmuto before the 2019 season, even if it means lowering their expectations for a potential return package.

There's a good chance Realmuto's trade value will never be higher. A number of contenders are highly motivated to add a big-name catcher, including the Astros and the Dodgers, and Realmuto still has two years of club control remaining. Furthermore, he plays a position with a high risk of injury, as Olney points out.

Sure, the Marlins might be disappointed in the return they got for Christian Yelich, who won the National League MVP Award in his first year with the Brewers. "But they cannot let that recent history scare them into a situation in which Realmuto is wearing one of their newly designed uniforms when Spring Training opens," Olney writes.

Olney points to Buster Posey and Russell Martin as examples of how quickly catchers can go from performing at a high level to becoming a major question mark. Posey has hit just 17 home runs in 1,016 plate appearances over the past two seasons, and he's recovering from surgery to address an impingement and repair a torn labrum in his right hip. Martin, meanwhile, posted a .663 OPS in 2018, the fourth season of a five-year, $82 million contract with the Blue Jays.

Twins seeking longer-term fit at first; Goldschmidt likely not in play

Nov. 21: As it turns out, Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey and the Minnesota brain trust started planning for life after Joe Mauer in the middle of the 2018 season and entered the offseason with two potential paths pending Mauer's retirement decision, according to a report by Dan Hayes of The Athletic.

As part of that plan, the Twins are seeking a longer-term solution at first base and aren't looking to wager their farm system with an all-in move to address the vacancy. That means that Paul Goldschmidt, under contract with Arizona through 2019, is likely out of the picture, and Hayes reports that talks between the Twins and D-backs never made it past the preliminary stages.

That could mean trading for Carlos Santana of the Phillies, who has two years left on his contract and previously played in Cleveland, where Falvey worked in the front office prior to his arrival in Minnesota. Trading away Santana would mean that the Phillies would be able to move Rhys Hoskins back to first base. Another intriguing name is C.J. Cron, who hit 30 homers in 2018 and has two years of team control remaining but was designated for assignment by Tampa Bay in order to make room for prospects on the 40-man roster.

Hayes also proposes Giants first baseman Brandon Belt as a long shot, but reports that the Twins have not yet contacted incoming San Francisco president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi about the 30-year-old, who has three years remaining on his contract.

The Twins are also open to staying flexible with Miguel Sano, who could move to first if the market materializes for Minnesota to make a move for a third baseman.

Could adding Harper push Brewers over the top?

Nov. 21: Milwaukee general manager David Stearns capped off the Brewers' rebuild by adding Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich last offseason, and the moves paid off handsomely, with Yelich winning the National League Most Valuable Player Award and the Brewers coming within one win of facing the Red Sox in the World Series.

Should the Brewers now pay up to add Bryce Harper and assemble one of the greatest outfields of all time?

Gabe Lacques makes that argument for USA Today, noting that the Brewers could have the money to pull it off, and that Harper, like Yelich, could see his power numbers flourish at Miller Park. Ryan Braun could move to first base, and Milwaukee could trade Jesus Aguilar at the height of his value.

While Harper would command an extravagant cost, Lacques notes that the Brewers have both Cain ($16 million average annual value) and Yelich ($12.8 million AAV) on reasonable contracts, meaning that if Harper signed for, say, 12 years and $450 million, the Brewers could field their uber-outfield at an average cost of $21.2 million per man each season, which looks even better when Braun is off the books after two more years.

While Lacques concedes that the move is unlikely, it's certainly an intriguing idea (consider the media hype around the 19 matchups between the Cubs and Brewers every year) to feed a frenzied market in which the Brewers compete for attention with Aaron Rodgers and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Could the Yankees sign Corbin and Happ, even after trading for Paxton?

Nov. 21: Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said multiple times this offseason that upgrading the rotation is a priority, and the club is expected to add another starter even after re-signing CC Sabathia and trading for James Paxton. But could they bring in two more? MLB Network Radio's Steve Phillips isn't ruling it out.

Phillips thinks the Yankees could still sign Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ, which would give the club six established starters: Corbin, Happ, Paxton, Sabathia, Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka.

Phillips notes that Paxton has never made more than 28 starts in a season, Sabathia is 38 years old, Severino faded in the second half last year, and Tanaka has another year of wear and tear on his elbow after being diagnosed with a partially torn UCL in 2014.

The former MLB general manager argues the Yankees could benefit greatly from having six starters, allowing them to ease the burden on all six pitchers, even if they didn't necessarily use a six-man rotation all year. Phillips points to the Dodgers as an example of a team effectively working in more than five solid starters. Los Angeles had seven pitchers make at least 15 starts in 2018 -- Alex Wood, Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Walker Buehler, Ross Stripling, Kenta Maeda and Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Segura's value gives Mariners plenty of potential trade partners

Nov. 21: With the Mariners trading James Paxton to the Yankees, and Tuesday's news that Seattle had been talking with the Padres about a potential trade involving Jean Segura, Mike Leake and Wil Myers, it's worth a look at how Segura might fit with several teams.

That's what former MLB general manager Steve Phillips did on MLB Network Radio on Wednesday, emphasizing just how valuable Segura could be to a host of clubs.

"If I'm the Mets, if I could get Jean Segura, I personally like Jean Segura better than I would like Jeff McNeil," Phillips said. "If I'm the Atlanta Braves, I'd put Dansby Swanson and a couple pitching prospects in a deal for Jean Segura. You put Segura on that team with Ozzie Albies, and Ronald Acuna and Freddie Freeman, I appreciate Jean Segura's game so much, and the energy that he brings, I'd love to get him. I'f I'm Atlanta, I'd want him. If I'm the Phillies, I'll take him. If I'm the Nats, I'll play him at second base. ... He fits every potential winning team right now."

How much of a concern are Harper's poor defensive metrics for potential suitors?

Nov. 21: From Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) to Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) to Outs Above Average (OAA), virtually every defensive metric rated Bryce Harper as a negative in 2018.

's Mike Petriello took a deep dive to analyze Harper's defense and determine if it was a lack of skill or something else that caused the downturn, examining plays from 2018 where Harper didn't make a catch when the Catch Probability was 50 percent or higher.

Harper's Sprint Speed remained relatively constant, so that wasn't the problem. Rather, Petriello found it was either poor reads or a lack of aggressiveness that led to many of those balls dropping in. Harper also had a number of plays where he got his glove on the ball but wasn't able to convert.

"On those 'easy' plays, it seems Harper still has the skill to get to many of those balls," Petriello writes. "For whatever reason, the execution just wasn't there in 2018. That was bad news for his defensive metrics. It might be good news if you're a team hoping he'll improve in the years to come. It doesn't mean he'll be great. It doesn't mean he won't be a first baseman at some point in the future. It does mean that he's still just 26 and enormously talented. Teams aren't just going to assume he can't play defense anymore."

As Ben Lindbergh of The Ringer suggests, it's possible that Harper eased up on defense this year to avoid an injury that could have cost him dearly in free agency. The outfielder has first-hand experience of the risks associated with aggressive outfield play, as he ran face-first into the wall at Dodger Stadium in 2013 and needed stitches.

Cardinals maintaining interest in Brantley

Nov. 21: The Cardinals have the payroll room for Bryce Harper. That much is clear, based on comments made by team president Bill DeWitt III. Whether St. Louis actually pursues the superstar slugger is a matter of determining if it wants to put all of its "eggs in one basket," as DeWitt put it.

If the Cardinals decide not to get involved in the Harper sweepstakes or simply fall short, Michael Brantley could be a viable alternative. A source told 's Jon Paul Morosi that the Cards are "maintaining interest" in the former Indians outfielder.

However, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has been told by multiple sources that "it would take a series of moves to find a fit for Brantley" in St. Louis.

Goold interprets that to mean the Cardinals would need to miss on other targets and then trade players such as Dexter Fowler, who is still owed nearly $50 million over the next three seasons and may be tough to move after posting a .576 OPS in 2018.

Granted, it would likely take some maneuvering to clear space for Harper as well, as he and Brantley are both corner outfielders. But it doesn't seem as though St. Louis has Brantley high on its list of potential targets, and it may not necessarily elevate him unless a number of other pursuits don't come to fruition.

Should Keuchel be paid like a frontline starter?

Nov. 21: Dallas Keuchel was once the top starter in the American League, at least in the eyes of the BBWAA voters who selected the left-hander as the AL Cy Young Award winner in 2015, but he hasn't performed at the same level over the past three seasons. Now that he's a free agent, does Keuchel deserve to be paid like a frontline starter?

On Wednesday, SB Nation's Patrick Brennan broke down the reasons why Keuchel doesn't really fit that bill, noting that he is nearly 31 years old, averages less than 89 mph with his fastball, and doesn't typically post big strikeout numbers.

"Whoever signs Dallas Keuchel … will be looking for an arm that instantly helps stabilize a rotation ready for contention," Brennan writes. "As for groundbreaking impact, that doesn't seem like a safe bet. And if he indeed signs long-term, there should be fear as to what a soft-throwing 35-year-old making big money looks like."

MLB Trade Rumors projects Keuchel will sign a contract for $82 million over four years, which would put him in a group with 14 other pitchers who are making at least $20 million per year. As Brennan notes, Keuchel's 19.6 percent strikeout rate over the past three seasons ranks 14th in that group, behind only Jordan Zimmermann's 16.3 percent mark.

Keuchel's strikeout rate was 17.5 percent in 2018, and his K-BB% was 10.9, the ninth lowest among qualified hurlers. Those numbers were 23.7 percent and 18.1 percent, respectively, in 2015, which suggests he's on the decline. And while Keuchel specializes in inducing ground balls, even his ground-ball rate dropped in 2018. After recording a 62 percent mark over 2014-17, Keuchel finished at 53.7 percent last year.

A's and Reds interested in Harvey

Nov. 21: Matt Harvey's exit from New York last season led him to Cincinnati, where he showed flashes of his former self. The 29-year-old right-hander posted a 4.50 ERA in 24 starts for the Reds, but made seven starts in which he yielded two runs or less over at least six innings.

According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the Reds -- who have expressed a desire to add multiple starting pitchers this offseason -- are interested in retaining Harvey. Heyman also reports the A's are showing interest. At his age and with his early track record, Harvey may represent a potentially high upside for a team willing to take a chance on him.

Will Eovaldi sign the third-richest deal among FA starters this offseason?

Nov. 21: Although the World Series ended several weeks ago, time hasn't put a damper on Nathan Eovaldi's free-agent stock, which skyrocketed as the right-hander shined during the postseason.

Eovaldi is drawing widespread interest, and MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal predicted Wednesday on MLB Network's "Hot Stove" program that the 28-year-old will sign the third-richest contract among free-agent starters this offseason. Rosenthal ranked Eovaldi behind Patrick Corbin and Dallas Keuchel, and ahead of J.A. Happ and Yusei Kikuchi in his top five.

While teams don't hand out big-money contracts based solely on one strong postseason, it was how Eovaldi achieved his stellar results -- regularly flashing 100 mph heat, mixing his pitches and locating like he rarely has in the past -- that likely made so many clubs take notice.

The 28-year-old also turned in a solid regular season, recording a 3.81 ERA with personal bests K/9 rate (8.2) and BB/9 rate (1.6) over 111 innings.

And while Eovaldi's health history -- he's undergone two Tommy John surgeries -- could give some teams pause, his right arm was given a clean bill of health after a routine checkup last week.

Add it all up and Eovaldi seems poised to cash in, with MLB Trade Rumors projecting he'll receive $60 million over four years.

Will the Rockies take a chance on a logical fit in Pollock?

Nov. 21: A.J. Pollock is a logical fit for the Rockies, but ESPN's David Schoenfield wonders whether general manager Jeff Bridich and company will take a chance on the injury-prone center fielder. The need is clear -- Charlie Blackmon was rated as the worst defensive center fielder in baseball in 2018 with -28 Defensive Runs Saved. And with so much ground to cover in the Coors Field outfield, a speedy outfielder would be ideal.

Pollock, by contrast, was sixth among center fielders with six Defensive Runs saved last season, even though he missed significant time due to injury. At the plate, his overall numbers from '18 aren't overwhelming: .257/.316/.484 with 21 homers in 113 games. But prior to his injury in mid-May, he was hitting .293/.349/.620 with 11 homers in 40 games.

Not only could the Rockies use his defense in a tough ballpark in which to play center field, but they could certainly use the offense as well. Colorado's weighted runs created plus as a team was 87 last season, 25th in the Majors.

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MLB TRANSACTIONS

November 22, 2018 •.



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