We're over a month into the MLB offseason, and the hot stove is in full swing. Several big trades have already been made, and while a few of the most notable free agents have been taken off the market already, there are still a plethora of rumors swirling around the league. Here is all the latest MLB news and rumors you need to know:
Rangers the favorite to land Encarnacion?
Edwin Encarnacion is being heavily pursued by both the Rangers and Indians, and the Blue Jays are also trying to get back into the mix. However, Texas appears to be the favorite to land him, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith:
Many industry observers still consider #Rangers a logical landing spot for EE, for what it’s worth.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) December 8, 2016
Encarnacion hit .263 with 42 home runs and 127 RBIs for the Blue Jays last season.
Yankees not trading Headley
The New York Yankees have been shopping both Brett Gardner and Chase Headley this offseason, and while they are still taking offers for Gardner, general manager Brian Cashman said the team has taken Headley off the block.
"I've turned down what was presented to me," Cashman said. "I don't think there's going to be any other opportunities that way at the time being. I'm still getting hits on Gardy but the Headley stuff, I've decided to pass on and keep Chase."
Headley hit .251 with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs in 140 games last season.
Cardinals sign Fowler to five-year deal
The St. Louis Cardinals locked up one of the top free agents on the market, signing outfielder and leadoff hitter Dexter Fowler to a five-year deal, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
Source: Fowler deal with #STLCards: Five years, $82.5M, full no-trade.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2016
Fowler bet on himself. Turned down three years, $33M from #Orioles last off-season. Signed one-year, $13M deal with Cubs. Now: $82.5M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2016
Fowler hit .276 with 13 homers and 48 RBIs with the Cubs last season.
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