The MLB hot stove is virtually non-existent as spring training approaches, but there are still plenty of rumors circulating around the league as teams are still trying to make moves to help improve their roster before the start of the season. Here are all the latest MLB rumors you need to know:
Yankees place Castro on trade block
The New York Yankees have been trying to unload some salary all offseason, making Brett Gardner and Chase Headley available. Now, they have added Starlin Castro to that mix on the trade block, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Meanwhile, the Yankees have been unable to deal (or even find interest) in Brett Gardner, Chase Headley or Starlin Castro, who they let some clubs know was available. To date, that has kept them from pushing fervently for a reliever.
In his first season with the Yankees this past year, Castro hit .270 with 21 homers and 70 RBIs in 151 games.
New York interested in Carter
While the Yankees may have limited room to add players, they have expressed interest in signing slugger first baseman Chris Carter, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
The #Yankees are keeping tabs on Chris Carter and have had discussions with his rep, Dave Stewart, sources say.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) February 7, 2017
Carter hit .222 with 41 home runs and 94 RBIs last season with the Milwaukee Brewers. He has hit at least 24 homers in each of the last four seasons, including 37 in 2014.
**UPDATE: New York has signed Carter to a one-year, $3 million deal**
The #Yankees have agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with Chris Carter, pending a physical.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 7, 2017
Rangers sign Napoli
The Texas Rangers have agreed to a one-year deal with Mike Napoli, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.
Napoli has reached a tentative agreement with the Rangers on a one-year contract, Major League sources confirmed Tuesday. An official announcement is pending until the required physical and the Rangers can make room on their 40-man roster. The club has not confirmed the deal.
The two sides may wait until next week when the Rangers can make room on Feb. 14 by moving Prince Fielder or Jake Diekman to the 60-day disabled list. Both have to stay on the 40-man roster until that date.
Napoli will join the Rangers to be their primary first baseman while continuing to get time at designated hitter. He jumps ahead of a field that includes Minor League invites Josh Hamilton and James Loney. If Hamilton shows he is healthy, he could still earn significant time at designated hitter.
Napoli has previously played for the Rangers in two previous stints from 2011-12 and the second half of the 2015 season. He hit .239 with 34 home runs and 101 RBIs in 150 games with the Cleveland Indians last year.
Back to the MLB Newsfeed