Yankees Rumors Roundup: The Latest On Yoan Moncada, James Shields, & More

The New York Yankees haven't made any big splash moves so far this offseason, a rarity for them. However, there are still some moves they're trying to make before the season starts in two months. Here are the latest rumors surrounding the Yankees:

YOAN MONCADA

The Cuban infielder held a private workout for the Yankees a few days ago, yet they're in a mix of 10 teams pursuing the 19-year-old. Many think the Bronx Bombers are the favorite to land Moncada, but the Giants, Red Sox and Rays have emerged as serious contenders as well.

JAMES SHIELDS

Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabathia sit at the top of the rotation, but there are lots of questions behind them.

Max Scherzer was the consensus pick for the best free agent pitcher available this winter. He’s now headed for the Washington Nationals on a seven-year, $210 million deal. James Shields remains available, but the Yankees are reportedly sitting this one out, content to let another team pick up the paycheck and sign the 2011 All-Star.

On Tuesday, ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark listed all the reasons why various teams aren’t in on Shields, and he concludes that the Yankees are just looking for a different kind of player (younger, cheaper) right now. The matter of Shields’ 6.35 career ERA at the new Yankee Stadium apparently doesn’t help either.

OTHER NOTES

In a move that largely flew under the radar, the New York Yankees have signed catcher Eddy Rodriguez to a minor-league deal.

Rodriguez, 29, has spent much of the past decade bouncing between minor-league affiliates and independent league teams – he was drafted by the Reds in 2006, and spent 2006-2009 in the minors with the organization. Stints with several independent-league teams followed, but Rodriguez found a spot in the San Diego Padres minor-league system between 2011-2013. He signed a minor-league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays last January, and has a .235/.286/.386 slash line through 2271 minor league plate appearances.

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