There could be more great star free agents still available as we head into the New Year than ever before, in the estimation of CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman. The question now is – where will they land? Â Here’s the latest from Heyman:
- Angels owner Arte Moreno has indicated that he’s not going to make a major free agent splash between now and Opening Day, but Heyman hears that the Halos have been in contact with Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton and perhaps Alex Gordon as well.  It’s not clear how serious they are about signing one of the three, however.
- Gerardo Parra is said to have “seven or eight” teams in on him and the Rockies are in “serious” pursuit.  Colorado has been considering trades involving Carlos Gonzalez and their other outfielders, so a Parra signing could be a part of a serious outfield overhaul for them.  Parra slashed .291/.328/.452 in 2015 and he boasts a strong reputation as a defensive outfielder, though his fielding statistics took a big step backward last season.  The Royals are also known to have interest.
- When asked about free agent slugger Chris Davis, one person connected to the Astros said the player is “not in our plans.”  Davis would be a strong fit for Houston, in theory, but he is out of their price range.  The 29-year-old Davis is the top power bat on the open market, as he has led the Majors in homers over the past three seasons.
- When approached, the Yankees asked the Astros for Lance McCullers Jr. in exchange for Andrew Miller, and Houston quickly rebuffed that attempt. Â The Yankees are seeking a No. 1 pitcher in order to part with Miller, so it seems unlikely that he’ll go anywhere.
- Word is that new Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman is unlikely to serve a lengthy suspension for his alleged domestic violence incident. Â Heyman reasons that the Bombers wouldn’t have made the deal if they felt that Chapman was in store for a long ban.
- The Padres still need a shortstop but one person with Padres connections wondered whether an investment of  “$60MM to $70MM” (his estimate) made sense for them given that they are not expected to contend this year. However, Heyman notes that president Mike Dee and GM A.J. Preller are aggressive and they might not want to pass up on the chance to ink a player like Desmond at a sensible number.  Heyman also IDs the Rockies and White Sox as dark horse teams for Desmond.
- The Cardinals were another club that downplayed the possibility of a major move, but GM John Mozeliak went out and signed Mike Leake after publicly stating that he wasn’t going to make any “dynamic” moves. Â Could they have another significant move in store? Â Heyman has heard buzz that the Cards may also be looking again at a big bat at first or in the outfield.
- When asked about the possibility of Cespedes, one Nationals-connected person said, “Probably not, at least not at the moment.” Â That doesn’t make a signing likely by any means, but it also doesn’t rule out a pursuit.
- There are still “about six to seven teams involved” when it comes to Cespedes, Heyman writes.
- The Dodgers are still looking around after signing Scott Kazmir, so they are not out on Japanese star Kenta Maeda.  The Yankees, meanwhile, can be crossed off the list as they are not interested.  Maeda, 28 in April, is widely considered to be one of the best pitchers in Japan. He just wrapped up a season in which he pitched to a 2.09 ERA with 7.6 K/9 against 1.8 BB/9 across 206 1/3 innings, marking his sixth consecutive season with an earned run average of 2.60 or better.
- Marlins president president David Samson contends that owner Jeffrey Loria still has “no interest” in selling the club.
Why would Parra want to go to a rebuilding team
I agree that would make zero sense if Parra accepts
Because $$$$
Duhhhh exactly lol
He’ll get paid regardless
Why wouldn’t a guy with a solid defensive reputation want to hit in Colorado? Sign a one or two year deal, see an artificially inflated offensive production the hit the open market again with the same if not greater earning potential despite being further along in age
Yeah he could hit like 25 to 30 homers on a one year hit the market demand 10 to 20 a year after that
He also is great friends with cargo
Because after falling flat in Baltimore he needs to rebuild himself. Oh, and because money.
Because someone HAS to play for rebuilding teams. 80% of all players will not be playing for a division champion this year. Would you rather play for them and continue to build your value or sit on the bench for a strong team and lessen your value in the future?
Umm, money? You’d think free agents never ever signed with bad teams. In fact, it happens all the time.
Cano
With the way the NL West is positioned Parra would be lucky to see a season with over 80 wins in it. The Rockies need a complete rebuild and by the time they would be ready to go, Parra is gone on a new contract. If i were Parra, I’m staying away.
Hitters signing in Colorado are like pitchers signing in Oakland or San Diego. It’s a smart career move if your dream job doesn’t come along.
It’s only a smart career move if you have a good year in Coors. If you don’t, then it is probably a career ending move.
Yahkees are insane if they want a No.1 pitcher for Miller.
Yanks match up well with the Dodgers and Nats for a trade. The Dodgers are looking for an ace in the pen as are the Nats. The Nats also need a centerfielder. Could the Yanks trade Miller and Gardner to the Nats for Cole or Ross and Storen. The Nats have been trying to move Storen, and he could use a change in scenery. Yanks get a young control able starter and a replacement for Miller. If they trade with the Dodgers for Miller the Yanks could would want either Wood or Deleon.
I think the Nats would offer Cole and Storen for Miller and Gardner, but I am sure the Yankees want Ross, and I doubt the Nats would do that.
You think the rotation would be set. But I guess the dodgers don’t trust the health of the team or they don’t trust woods
No they like woods. The kid works hard at his trade. But he’s no ace, nor will he be one
If Chapman misses more than 45 days due to suspension, the Yankees would retain him for an extra year, so why wouldn’t they pursue him despite the potential for a suspension?
Kinda what I was thinking. Sure a short ban keeps him in the pen for most of the season but a longer ban keeps him in the pen next season as well.
A 45 game suspension for the first case handled under a new conduct policy is a ridiculously high precedent to set. 15-25 games seems much more likely
I’d be shocked if he gets more than 5.
I’d be shocked if he gets less than 5
I’d be shocked if he gets exactly 5.
Straight up hilarious
If he gets 5 games or less then the message will be a domestic abuse incident is worth the same as starting an on field incident. In other words, the policy will be a joke. If it’s for 20 or more games then they’ll be showing they take the policy seriously.
This wasn’t domestic abuse. This was basically an argument between a man and a woman. The police report says so. There were no strikes on her. Now if you want to come down hard on someone to start a policy, then come down hard on Jose Reyes, because he actually committed domestic violence. Chapman did not. To throw him under the bus just to get a policy going would be foolish and against the law and the union would never stand for it.
Allegedly Chapman unloaded about 6 or 7 rounds in his garage.. he sounds like a great teammate.
The garage was not one of his teammates.
Votto may have been in the garage…
Angels should pick up Parra and Uribe. Could stay under the luxury tax and fill in the hole for 3b with Yunel Escobar at 2b and Parra in left.
That lineup would definitely contend with the Rangers and Astros with a strong bullpen and semi-questionable rotation.
lineup (no specific order so don’t hate):
1. parra
2. calhoun
3. trout
4. pujols
5. cron
6. uribe
7. escobar
8. simmons
9. perez/soto
I’d like Parra, but I might even prefer Span assuming he’s healthy. It’s probably a long shot since he’s a Boras client, but he looks like the better leadoff hitter in my opinion.
I do hope the Angels splurge on Cespedes or Upton — Arte has the money. But our bullpen needs help too and we really missed out on some interesting options there. I like Uribe, and I know he’ll be cheaper than Kendrick, but I’d rather have Howie back
The angels are already close to the cap limit. You say Moreno has the money as if its yours to spend.
There’s no such thing as a cap limit bro. This isn’t the NFL. You can spend as much as you want. Moreno is rich as hell and he said he’s more than willing to go over the luxury tax if the situation was right.
I actually rate the rotation higher than the bullpen. But I don’t see how we could fit Parra under the luxury tax, much less Parra AND Uribe.
Don’t get me wrong…I’m on board if we do it.
I honestly don’t think Parra would cost much
If the Angels got Parra he would probably come at 4/36-38 and they would then move CJ Wilson or Hector Santiago to stay below the tax.
After arbitration raises and projected bonuses that will appky they only have a reported $4m AAV of space left….so for them to add any players they will have to trade someone away to clear space….it’s been reported thatcteams want the Angels to eat $15m of the $20m owed so they won’t move him for that little relief…
Why on Earth are the Rockies pursuing Parra and Desmond? Forgetting the fact that they are supposed to be rebuilding, outfield and shortstop are the two strongest positions on the team. If you want a veteran, get someone like Latos, Kennedy, Fister, or Gallardo. Who cares about losing a 2nd round pick when you can get a quality starting pitcher? It’s better than buying superfluous position players.
No one said they’re pursuing Desmond. Read the link, that’s just Heyman’s speculation. And it’s ridiculous. The kid they have ready to take over SS, Trevor Story, is probably just as good.
And as far as Parra goes, I assume that would be a short, make-good contract they would offer only if they trade one of their existing OF for prospects. Makes a lot of sense to me.
They were IDed as a dark horse candidate for Desmond. I don’t have the time or desire to click and read every single link here, that’s why I come here so they can be summarized. No way Story is “just as good” because if he was, then he would already be in the majors. Now he might eventually become just as good or better, but he’s not now. Trading one of their existing OFs (Blackmon or Dickerson) for prospects and then paying more money for a lesser OF in Parra is foolish.
Story’s etc is 2016. That’s why he hasn’t been in the majors yet. Signing parra might be a good thing. They would need an outfielder if one of their outfielders does get traded
If you don’t a ready replacement available, then why trade an OF? Instead of trading an OF for a SP and then signing a lesser OF like Parra, just sign a starting pitcher to begin with.
BTW, I have been following the Rockies since 1992 (they had a AA team and a rookie league team then). I am fully aware of Story and I hope he becomes better than Desmond. I am also fully aware that this time last year Story was viewed as a utility guy at best. He had a good year in 2015 and definitely improved his stock, but that doesn’t make him “just as good” as the top FA shortstop in the big leagues.
The Yanks didn’t give up a #1 starter type for Chapman yet want one for Miller. Shows either the drop in price for Chapman or the over value of Miller.
Probably both but everybody already knows about the drop in price for Chapman, it’s not really news
Both Chapman price drop and Miller over value
I think what’s being missed is that the Yankees have no inclination to even trade Miller though, it’s not like they’re out shopping him and collecting offers because there’s some type of urgency to move him. Holding onto him and having that BP as is would be a fine result. It’s probably going to take what would be viewed as an overpay to land him.
Remember that the O’s gave Rodriguez for half a year of Miller. Miller is under contract for three more years, Chapman only one. Personally, I think a number 1 is too high a price, but the Yankees can hold the asset, even for another year.
Miller would not be a one year rental, like Chapman. Also, no baggage.
I hope the Orioles pursue Maeda. With him to replace Chen and retaining Davis the team would be back to competing for the division with the already added Kim and Trumbo, both upgrades at their respective positions.
Don’t hold your breath
Dodgers just sign him
Cardinals need a big bat to even try and keep up with Cubs. Cargo is the best fit.
As a Cardinals fan I want nothing to do with Cargo. It’s going to take quite a bit to get him in a trade, he’s probably not going to produce at Busch Stadium like he has at Coors Field, and he’s always a high five gone wrong from the DL.
Of course he is not going to produce at Busch like he does at Coors because Coors is much more friendly to a hitter. But just because he won’t produce the same numbers doesn’t mean he won’t be extremely productive. I figured if anyone could former Rockies hitting well outside of Coors it would be Cardinals fans. Or have you never looked at Matt Holliday’s splits when he was a Rockies hitter. That one seemed to work out pretty well for you guys.
Holliday didn’t cost the Cardinals as much as Cargo will. I’m sure it would take at least Carlos Martinez or Wacha and another outfielder to land Cargo. With the decreased production and his injury history I don’t think he is worth it. I’d rather keep the players it would take to land him and take my chances with Grichuk and Piscotty.
Okay first of all Arte Moreno never said he wouldn’t. Second of all it’s classic Arte Moreno in that he likes to make the big splash so for the Angels to seem quiet on the big FA’s is just their game. I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see them jump on a mid-tier or better LF sometime around the end of January.
Parra would be nice, but I wonder if Ian Desmond would be a fit for playing the outfield
Parra is cheaper than Desmond
The Angels aren’t going to give up a first round pick for a right handed hitting shortstop to play left field. You’re crazy
Parra would not be a good fit for the Rockies with all the lefties in that division of he’s trying to rebuild value. Sure Coors helps, but man that’s a lot of lefties to deal with.
Still don’t understand why the Angels aren’t open to swap Matt shoemaker/hector santiago for Cargo or Brett Gardner
By what I read, the angels were out when they traded gott
There was a rumor of Gardner being traded to the angels but I think it said the angels would have to give up Heaney, not happening
They are open to it wise guy. The Rockies will want more for Cargo and Brett Gardner is declining fast and from what Billy Eppler said there hasn’t been much dialogue if at all with the Yanks about anything.
The Rockies probably want a Heaney which would never happen. CarGo has too many red flags anyway.
You guys got Heaney for Howie Kendrick. It’s not like he is a top 5 prospect in baseball or something.
Heaney has so much potential its insane. In another year or so he could possibly be an ace or a strong #2 if he reaches his potential
Why would Loria sell? He’s in a position where he can’t really lose money–essentially a free stadium, and plenty of money from MLB. He decides how much money he wants to spend, and therefor, how much profit he needs. Obviously, there’s some price that would interest him, but he has a very valuable asset, and that’s how I think he’s always seen it. He’s not really a baseball guy.
The Yankees are absolutely right in expecting a #1 starter back for Andrew Miller. They have no reason to want to trade him, and I doubt their stance has changed on his value since acquiring Chapman. If they get blown away by an offer, then great. You have two elite bullpen options and a future ace. If not, great, you have the scariest three headed monster in late game situations. My credit to Brian Cashman, he’s playing this situation beautifully.