The MLB Hot Stove continues to flood the Internet with rumors and rumblings regarding both trade candidates and free agents. We're here to boil everything down with our MLB Rumors Roundup for December 20th.
Shane Victorino As One-Year Fix?
Veteran outfielder Shane Victorino has seen his value plummet with two subpar seasons spent between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels, but the 35-year old switch hitter is still garnering interest on the market.
Via Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:
"Victorino’s agent, John Boggs, said a couple of teams have shown interest but nothing is imminent. There are a lot of outfielders on the market, but Boggs is banking on the fact that “there’s a need for a switch-hitting outfielder, who is now completely healthy and is eager to show he can play. He’s motivated and any team could benefit from his passion and leadership.” Boggs said Victorino is looking for a one-year deal so he can reestablish his value."
Two teams that have been floated in connection with Victorino are the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals. Both may be looking for budget depth options in the outfield if they end up losing out on their respective top-priority free agent outfielders (Chris Davis, Alex Gordon).
Bronson Arroyo's Market Is Heating Up
17 months removed from Tommy John surgery, free agent righty Bronson Arroyo says he's "perfectly fine" after missing the 2015 MLB season. The 39-year-old hurler has convinced several teams that he's ready to go and step in right away as a back-of-the-rotation option.
Teams that have called on Arroyo so far include the Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves.
Arroyo made 14 starts with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014 before being shut down, pitching to a 4.08 ERA in 86 innings with a 47/19 K/BB ratio.
Scott Kazmir Remains A Hot Topic
Kazmir, 31, was in near-Cy Young form during the first part of the 2015 season with the Oakland Atheltics -- posting a 2.38 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 18 starts (109.2 innings). Things didn't go nearly as well after being dealt to the Houston Astros at the trade deadline, with Kazmir's ERA/WHIP ballooning to 4.17/1.39 in 13 starts.
Teams, however, remain convinced that Kazmir just went through a rough transition late in 2015 and is more apt to return to the form of his first four months by the Bay. The A's are looking at a potential reunion, joined in pursuit of Kazmir by the Royals, Orioles, Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers and home-standing Astros.
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