MLB Rumors Roundup: Red Sox "Unlikely" To Get Encarnacion, Yankees Focused On Chapman & More

We're already a full month into the MLB offseason, and the hot stove is in full swing. While a few of the most notable free agents have been taken off the market already, there are a plethora of trade rumors swirling around the league - specifically centering around Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale. Here is all the latest MLB news and rumors:

Boston "unlikely" to sign Encarnacion
The Boston Red Sox made a big splash on the trade market and acquired Chris Sale from the White Sox, and they have also been linked to free agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion, but they are "unlikely" to sign him, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark:

The best indication that Edwin Encarnacion isn't getting the offers he's looking for: Agent Paul Kinzer telling teams there's no hurry to get him signed. Indians, Rockies interested. But Red Sox appear "very unlikely."

Encarnation hit .263 with 42 home runs and 127 RBIs for the Toronto Blue Jays last season.

Yankees focused on Chapman
A reunion between the New York Yankees and closer Aroldis Chapman appears to have been imminent since the season ended, but other teams - namely the Los Angeles Dodgers - have since entered the mix. However, Chapman is still New York's top target and they plan to offer him an $80 million contract, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports:

Though it isn’t known exactly where the team stands, the New York Yankees remain focused on bringing back closer Aroldis Chapman, with ex-Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen their primary backup plan.

While Chapman is reportedly looking for a six-year deal, the Yankees won’t go that far; they are, however, prepared to give Chapman a deal in the range of five years and $80 million, which would break the record for relievers just set by Mark Melancon, who received a four-year, $62 million deal from the Giants.

Chapman has a slight advantage in terms of value over Jansen, as the former does not have a draft pick hanging over him by virtue of the qualifying offer. Given Melancon’s deal, Chapman could conceivably break the $90 million mark; though he has not demanded a contract of $100 million-plus, such a deal may not be far off.

When Chapman was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, he had said he would like to return to the Yankees as a free agent. He had a 1.55 ERA with 36 saves last season.

Rays expected to trade starting pitcher
The Tampa Bay Rays have been shopping ace Chris Archer all offseason, but even if they don't trade him, they are "almost certain" to deal a starting pitcher, reports Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports:

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Related Topics: Chris Sale, MLB News, Red Sox News, Blue Jays News, MLB Rumors, MLB Rumors Roundup, Nationals News, Aroldis Chapman, Edwin Encarnacion, Yankees News, White Sox News