Free agency has hogged most of the MLB offseason buzz, but with the winter meetings underway, trade talks are heating up at a rapid rate.
This four-day gathering of league executives is generally the biggest tipping point of the offseason in shuffling personnel, and a few high-profile names have been linked to potential news.
Here is the latest buzz on the hot trade market as all 30 teams convene in Nashville, Tennessee.
Brewers listening to offers for Jonathan Lucroy
The Milwaukee Brewers sat atop the National League Central for 159 days in 2014 before a September meltdown that carried over into a 68-94 record last season, tied for fourth-worst in the majors.
They’re in the midst of a rebuild under new general manager David Stearns that’s putting a premium on young talent, according to Andrew Wagner of the Wisconsin State Journal.
Such an approach has seen the team trade closer Francisco Rodriguez and could possibly involve an additional move of veteran catcher Jonathan Lucroy.
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Monday that the Texas Rangers have expressed interest in Lucroy, though the Brewers would want a high return given their limited depth at the position:
Lucroy is an appealing add to any team needing a catcher—particularly one with a positive clubhouse presence—but even more so due to his cost-friendly contract, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports:
Lucroy was considered one of the league’s best backstops from 2012-14 but suffered an injury-filled season in 2015 with a fractured toe and concussion.
But Rosenthal indicated at least one league executive isn’t worried about the attrition the catcher weathered:
The Rangers have a great farm system—ranked seventh by MLB.com last spring—and could use an everyday catcher. Robinson Chirinos played 78 games last year, and backup Chris Gimenez played 36.
Texas won the American League West at 88-74 but will probably need to win even more next year to repeat given the competition from the up-and-coming Houston Astros. Adding Lucroy would certainly be a step in the right direction.
Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez targeted by Tampa Bay Rays
The Chicago Cubs have a bevy of infielders and not enough room to house them all in a nine-man lineup. Such a crowded depth chart has prompted Javier Baez to train this offseason in center field, where the team has a gap after Dexter Fowler declined a qualifying offer and became a free agent.
The Cubs have been linked to top free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward, according to Julie DiCaro of 670 The Score, which would again leave Baez without a spot to contribute, increasing the likelihood he gets moved.
The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly targeting the powerful infielder, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, who indicated the Cubs would want pitching in return.
Among the possible chips Chicago may be interested in, per Topkin, include Brad Boxberger, Drew Smyly, Matt Moore, Jake Odorizzi and Erasmo Ramirez.
However, Rosenthal reports the Rays aren’t the only team in play:
Baez, 23, was considered among the elite trio of prospects—along with Jorge Soler and NL Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant—but struggled in his first season, striking out 95 times in 213 at-bats in 2014.
He was sent back to the minors to start 2015 but eventually made the playoff roster. He’s a young talent with elite bat speed that, if developed properly, could become a great infield bat.
Oakland A’s attempting to move Brett Lawrie
The Oakland A’s have been actively trying to move third baseman Brett Lawrie since at least last month, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, and a quartet of teams—possibly more—are interested.
Slusser wrote a trio of AL Central teams—the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers—are in the Lawrie market, and the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees have also expressed interest.
Lawrie became expendable when the A’s acquired Jed Lowrie, who spent 2015 with the Astros after helping the A’s reach the playoffs in 2013 and 2014.
Lawrie still has two years of arbitration eligibility, meaning he won’t cost a fortune.
The Angels reportedly backed off interest Monday, per Slusser, and the Yankees would only follow through if they believe they need a second baseman.
But Buster Olney of ESPN The Magazine reported Oakland is determined to get a deal done with someone:
The White Sox make a lot of sense, as Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago wrote:
The versatility of Lawrie makes him even more attractive to the White Sox, who must stabilize the position in order to give their fine young pitching staff some defense and run production support. Lawrie made the third-highest total of errors in the league at the hot corner last season with 18. Still, the metrics support his range factor as being well above the league average for third basemen.
Lawrie is coming off a season with career highs in games played (149), home runs (16) and RBI (60). He’s only 25, meaning there is still room for development.
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