The MLB hot stove has cooled off dramatically after the initial frenzy, but there are still plenty of high quality free agents available. At the same time, teams are trying to make trades to help improve their roster before the start of the season. Here are all the latest MLB rumors you need to know:
Bautista "close" to re-signing with Blue Jays
Without receiving the interest he expected on the open market, slugger Jose Bautista is "close" to signing a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to multiple reports:
Source: #BlueJays have emerged as the front-runner for Jose Bautista. He's nearing a deal with the club. #Toronto @mlb
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) January 16, 2017
Source: #BlueJays’ deal with Bautista, if completed, will be for one year with a mutual option.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 16, 2017
With Edwin Encarnacion leaving the Blue Jays to sign with the Indians, Toronto needs Bautista's bat to provide some offense in their lineup. Bautista had said he wouldn't give Toronto a hometown discount to re-sign him, but after not receiving much interest on the open market, a return makes sense for both sides.
The 36-year-old Bautista hit .234 with 22 homers and 69 RBIs in 116 games last season.
Cubs open to Arrieta extension
Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta hasn't expressed a lot of optimism in being able to re-sign with the team after the 2017 season, but general manager Theo Epstein isn't so sure, saying the team try to figure out different ways to make it work.
Theo on Arrieta extension possibility: "Years and dollars are always complicated but I'm sure we'll take a stab at it"
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) January 14, 2017
Arrieta, the 2015 Cy Young winer, went 18-8 with a 3.10 ERA and 190 strikeouts last season.
Crawford "pretty much" retired
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford played in just 30 games last season, and that appears to be it for him. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Crawford has "pretty much" retired.
According to one Dodgers official, Crawford has pretty much called it a career. There was some thought he might try to make a comeback, but it appears he’s had enough at age 35.
Crawford has spent 14 years in the league and hit .185 with just six RBIs last season.
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