Not even a month removed from the end of the World Series and it has already been a busy offseason in Major League Baseball.
With plenty of rumors and speculation flying around on which big names are on the trade market, this winter is going to be a hot one.
Here are some of the latest rumors that are dominating the headlines around the league.
Yankees Could Be Interested in Castro
With a bevy of young talent within the Chicago Cubs roster, somehow 25-year-old three-time All-Star infielder Starlin Castro has become expendable, according to the New York Daily News' Mark Feinsand on Friday.
Castro's name is popping up around the Yankees, but it won't be for veteran outfielder Brett Gardner, who has become a hot commodity during the offseason.
Feinsand reported the Yankees have discussed a possible deal including Gardner with a number of teams and will pull the trigger if the right offer comes through—even though trading him isn't certain.
Gardner, now 31, finished off his second consecutive season with over 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 2015 on his way to his first career All-Star appearance.
The Cubs could do with a player like Gardner in the outfield, too. Playing a majority of his games in left field, Gardner has a decent arm and good glove. Chicago rookie Kyle Schwarber's fielding in left cost the Cubs dearly in the playoffs, including his drop on Yoenis Cespedes' fly ball as seen below at the 0:57 mark:
Schwarber came up as a catcher and should stay behind the plate, while a player like Gardner could be used to shore up the outfield with Dexter Fowler and Jorge Soler. But the Cubs would have to deal starting pitching to New York if they wanted a legitimate shot to acquire Gardner, per Feinsand.
Castro, who moved to second base after the Cubs called up top prospect Addison Russell, could assume the same position in New York. Last season, the Yankees worked with Dustin Ackley and Rob Refsnyder at second down the stretch.
Ackley could assume left-fielding duties if the Yankees deal Gardner elsewhere, while Castro would provide a steady bat with some pop that could flourish even further in the hitter friendly Yankee Stadium.
Jose Fernandez
Things are just rotten in Miami. According to 940-AM WINZ's Andy Slater, player sources told him that Fernandez had asked the organization multiple times for a trade throughout the 2015 season.
His actions and attitude has seen him fall out of favor with some in the Marlins clubhouse, as another source told Slater: "There were times this season where, not all, but some players and coaches hoped Jose would go out on the mound and get shelled. We thought it would get him to be more humble."
Apparently it is difficult to be humble when you've tasted nothing but success. In his first three years in the majors, which was derailed at one point by injury, Fernandez is 22-9 with a 2.40 ERA.
While he is one of the best young arms in the majors, it looks like Fernandez's time in Miami is drawing to a close, per Sirius XM's Craig Mish:
While it hasn't been reported if a certain team has contacted the Marlins about dealing for Fernandez, whoever will look to make a move is going to need a bevy of young prospects to pry him from Miami and, further down the road, money to keep Fernandez on their roster.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the first team that comes to mind, but only if Zack Greinke leaves in free agency. They could deal the likes of Corey Seager and other prospects for Fernandez, and with their payroll, they could hold on to him. What a one-two punch that would create with Clayton Kershaw.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com
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