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:
Twins asking for final offers for Dozier
The Minnesota Twins have been shopping second baseman Brian Dozier for the past month, and have now told teams to send in their final offers for him, according to La Velle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune.
The Twins have been listening to offers for All-Star second baseman Brian Dozier for several weeks — but not much longer, it appears.
The club would like interested teams to step up with their best offer in the coming days, or they plan to prepare for the 2017 season with Dozier as their second baseman, according to a source with knowledge of negotiations.
The Twins don’t want to go too far into January without clarity concerning their All-Star second baseman. They could wait to move Dozier before the trade deadline.
The Dodgers have been considered to be the frontrunner to land Dozier, but Minnesota intends to keep him if no one meets their asking price. Dozier hit .268 with 42 home runs and 99 RBIs last season.
Bautista back to Blue Jays?
The Toronto Blue Jays and Jose Bautista are in "active discussions" about a new deal, reports Jon Morosi of MLB Network:
Sources: #BlueJays, José Bautista's reps engaged in active contract discussions. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 29, 2016
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.
Nationals still interested in Wieters
The Washington Nationals are still interested in signing Matt Wieters even after acquiring Derek Norris from the Padres, according to Chelsea Janes and Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post:
Various reports throughout the offseason, even after Norris’s acquisition, have connected the former Oriole to the Nationals. The latest surfaced Thursday, suggesting the Braves and Nationals remain interested in his services nearly two weeks after the Orioles signed Welington Castillo to replace him.
Wieters would probably be an upgrade over Norris, but the Nationals have not pursued him heavily this offseason. A person familiar with their thinking said Thursday that nothing has happened to their roster or the market to modify that position.
That stance could change, especially if Wieters’s market deteriorates and he’s forced to take a short-term contract and/or less money per year than initially expected. Scott Boras, Wieters’s agent, maintains regular contact with the Nationals, and more than a month remains until pitchers and catchers report for spring training.
The 30-year-old Wieters hit .243 with 17 home runs and 66 RBIs last season.
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