It’s been an action-packed couple of days at the MLB winter meetings with free agent signings and blockbuster trades making headlines, but one former Blue Jay is still waiting for his moment in the spotlight.
Here are the latest rumours from National Harbor, Md.:
Teams not sold on Encarnacion
When Edwin Encarnacion turned down the Blue Jays’ four-year, $80-million contract offer, it was expected there would be plenty of teams lining up to sign the 33-year-old. Not only has the big contract offer failed to arrive, but apparently the dollar figures are shrinking, fast.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports reports that teams are not willing to offer Encarnacion $60 million over three years, 25 per cent less than the original offer he received from Toronto. Several teams had been seriously interested in pursuing the designated hitter and first baseman who hit 42 home runs last season, but evidently, they aren’t willing to wait around.
Passan also detailed that a GM told him “teams shouldn’t overplay their hands with him, either. He’s too good for the price to go much lower.”
The Houston Astros signed Carlos Beltran, New York Yankees went with Matt Holliday, and the Boston Red Sox recently signed Mitch Moreland to somewhat fill the David Ortiz void.
Latest reports have the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians in contact with the slugger, but whether they have the money to get a deal done remains in question — a recurring theme in the Encarnacion free agent market.
Chapman eyeing the record books
Aroldis Chapman already has the hardest fastball in the game, Now, he might also get the largest contract for a closer in MLB history.
Only two days ago, the San Francisco Giants gave Mark Melancon a record-setting four-year, $62-million deal, but Chapman is expected to surpass that. The New York Yankees traded the 28-year-old southpaw to the World Series champion Chicago Cubs at last season’s trade deadline, but are expected to be in the running to bring him back.
Jon Heyman of FanRag sports wrote that the Yankees are willing to sign him to a five-year, $80-million deal, but Chapman’s camp is looking for a six-year contract. The Miami Marlins have made it well-known they are in the running for a top-tier ninth inning specialist, but the reported $92 million is too rich for their blood.
Kenley Jansen remains an option for most teams in the mix.
White Sox selling
Boston added some firepower to their rotation by landing Chris Sale, but the White Sox were able to pry away some elite prospects in return. All reports are indicating they aren’t done dealing just yet.
Heyman wrote that “nobody’s sacred” on the White Sox roster. Jose Quintana is coming off an all-star season and is drawing plenty of interest around the league. The left-handed starter had a career year at age 27, pitching to a 3.20 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. He is under team control at great value through the 2020 season.
Two teams that have been active at the winter meetings, the Astros and Nationals, are reportedly interested.
Todd Frazier is another name popping up on trade fronts. The third baseman, who hit 40 home runs in his first season with the White Sox, has been linked with a move to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers could have a hole at third base with Justin Turner hitting the free agent market. Heyman has reported that there is still mutual interest in Turner returning to L.A., but Frazier could be a trade option should a possible re-signing fall through.
Blue Jays talking to Chris Iannetta
Much of the free agent speculation surrounding the Blue Jays at the winter meetings has centered around Dexter Fowler, but it appears the team is also working to address a need behind the plate. According to reports, Toronto has been in discussions with Chris Iannetta, who could fill the vacant backup catcher role behind Russell Martin.
After Rosenthal’s update on Tuesday night, the Iannetta buzz remained quiet throughout Wednesday morning, until Chris Cotillo of SB Nation followed it up with a tweet of his own stating that his sources are saying the Blue Jays are showing “real interest” in the 33-year-old catcher.
The right-handed catcher slashed .210/.303/.329 in 94 games with the Seattle Mariners last season, hitting 10 home runs and 14 doubles. While his offensive game has holes, his presence would be an upgrade over former Blue Jays backup Josh Thole, who filled in for Russell Martin in parts of the last three seasons, mostly as a personal catcher for knuckle-baller R.A. Dickey.