Spring Training sites in Arizona and Florida are bustling with activity right now, with the overall focus finally shifting from MLB front offices to the players on the field. However, there's still plenty of residual heat from the MLB Hot Stove to work through as we present to you our MLB Rumors Roundup For February 22nd.
Austin Jackson Back To Cubs?
The Chicago Cubs are unlikely to bring outfielder Dexter Fowler back with the Baltimore Orioles currently cornering the market, but there's still a very good chance that Austin Jackson will return to Wrigley.
Via Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:
"Jackson never achieved what so many scouts had hoped for him, but he remains a serviceable backup, a righthanded bat with some pop who can play the outfield. Jackson was never a good on-base man, which has diminished his value. But he is getting a few bites and could land with the Texas Rangers or Chicago Cubs."
Other team that's been connected to Jackson in recent days is the Cleveland Indians, as they reportedly like his versatility after playing all three outfield positions last year. The 29-year-old posted a .267/.311/.385 slash line with nine home runs and 48 RBI between the Seattle Mariners and Cubs in 2015.
Carl Crawford Out Of Los Angeles?
Are the Dodgers done with Carl Crawford with two years left on the seven-year, $142 million contract he signed with the Boston Red Sox back before the 2011 season?
Per the aforementioned Cafardo, "don’t be shocked if the Dodgers part ways with Carl Crawford and eat the remaining $42 million on his contract. There comes a point of diminishing returns — and a time to fill his roster spot with a younger, more productive player — and it seems the Dodgers are getting closer to that point."
Crawford, 34, played just 69 games with the team in 2015 -- posting a .263/.304/.403 slash line with four home runs and 16 RBI. He posted a negative WAR for the first time in his 14-year MLB career (-0.2), and he hasn't played more than 116 games in a season over his three years with the Dodgers.
What To Do With Aroldis Chapman?
Major League Baseball's ruling on the domestic violence allegations surrounding new New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman is expected to come early this week, with most indications pointing to him being suspended for the start of the 2016 season.
However, reports of a potential Spring Training ban for Chapman have also surfaced, leaving the Yankees to scramble and look for alternative options to get Chapman needed pitching reps.
Via Mark Feinsand and Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News:
"If Chapman were to be forced out of camp, the Yankees would likely find a place for the lefthander to get his work in such as a college campus. Not being allowed to face big-league hitters would certainly inhibit his ability to be ready to join the Yankees when the suspension ends. “We’re dealing in a hypothetical,” Girardi said. We don’t know what’s going to happen, so we’ll cross the bridge when it comes.”
Expect Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller to function as the team's 8th/9th inning combination until Chapman is available and fully prepared for the 2016 season grind ahead.
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