Royals Acquire Hahn, Prospect in Trade with A's

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January 30, 2018 LOCAL LOCAL Royals acquire Hahn, prospect in Royals acquire Hahn, prospect in trade with A's trade with A's January 29, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com January 29, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-acquire-jesse-hahn-in- https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-acquire-jesse-hahn-in- trade-with-as/c-265531932 trade-with-as/c-265531932 Royals bring back Escobar on one- Royals general manager Dayton Moore continued his year deal offseason of shaving payroll and restocking his farm system January 29, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com on Monday, as he traded left-hander Ryan Buchter and https://www.mlb.com/news/alcides-escobar-royals-sign-1- designated hitter/first baseman Brandon Moss to the A's for year-contract/c-265377890 right-hander Jesse Hahn and Minor Leaguer Heath Fillmyer. Zimmer sets sights on injury-free Moss, who will be making his second stint with Oakland, season was owed $8.25 million on the two-year, $12 million deal he Righty prospect throwing 'free and easy' after signed with the Royals a year ago. The Royals, according to a years of pain, discomfort, surgeries source, sent $3.25 million to the A's as part of the deal. January 29, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com The Royals now are without a natural first baseman, which https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-kyle-zimmer-aims-for- could lead to further speculation they might bring back free- injury-free-2018/c-265500182 agent first baseman Eric Hosmer. The Royals' payroll now Royals save $5 million, get two has been slashed to around $107 million with potentially pitchers in deal that sends Brandon more trades to come to perhaps make room for Hosmer. Moss to Oakland "It would be inappropriate for me to comment on a free agent January 29, 2018 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star right now," Moore told MLB.com by phone. "[But] I think http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- I've made it clear what our thoughts are about Eric Hosmer." royals/article197308004.html Shortstop Alcides Escobar returns to Hahn, a pre-arbitration player out of options making less than $600,000, likely will get a chance to crack the Royals' Royals on one-year contract rotation, which consists of Danny Duffy, Ian Kennedy, Jason January 29, 2018 By Maria Torres & Rustin Dodd/KC Hammel, Nate Karns and Jakob Junis. Right-hander Trevor Star Oaks, acquired from the Dodgers in the Scott Alexander http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- trade, also will compete for a rotation spot. royals/article197242694.html "He's got a great arm," Moore said. "We think there's a lot of value there. He will compete for a spot in the rotation. He NATIONAL gives us more depth there."

Moss hit .207 last year with a .279 on-base percentage. Moss A's add Moss, lefty Buchter in deal did hit 22 home runs with 50 RBIs, and he was projected to with Royals play first base for the Royals this season in the absence of Hahn, Fillmyer sent to Kansas City in trade Hosmer. January 29, 2018 By Jane Lee/MLB.com "Mossy was just a super guy who hit some big home runs for https://www.mlb.com/news/as-trade-for-buchter-moss-from- us," Moore said. "He was great in the clubhouse and a super royals/c-265533638 competitor on the field." Indians to stop using Wahoo logo starting in '19 Buchter, acquired from San Diego prior to the non-waiver Trade Deadline last July, had a 2.67 ERA in 29 games for the January 29, 2018 By Jordan Bastian/MLB.com Royals down the stretch. https://www.mlb.com/news/indians-to-stop-using-chief- wahoo-logo/c-265489544 Hahn, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound 28-year-old, started 13 games Time for the big free agents to find for the A's last year and was 3-6 with a 5.30 ERA with a homes 1.507 WHIP. He struck out 55 hitters in 69 2/3 innings. Could this be the week for J.D., Yu, Arrieta, Fillmyer, 23, was a fifth-round pick by the A's in 2014. He Hosmer, Moustakas? went 11-5 with a 3.49 ERA in 29 starts for Double-A January 30, 2018 By JP Morosi/MLB.com Midland (Texas) in 2017. He was the A's No. 18 prospect per https://www.mlb.com/news/updating-5-free-agents-who- MLB Pipeline. could-sign-soon/c-265542338 Royals bring back Escobar on one- MLB TRANSACTIONS year deal January 30, 2018 •.CBSSports.com January 29, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions https://www.mlb.com/news/alcides-escobar-royals-sign-1- year-contract/c-265377890 The Royals re-signed free-agent shortstop Alcides Escobar Righty prospect throwing 'free and easy' after on Monday, adding back a key piece of their roster. years of pain, discomfort, surgeries January 29, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com General manager Dayton Moore hinted on Friday at the https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-kyle-zimmer-aims-for- team's Fan Fest event that the one-year deal was imminent. A injury-free-2018/c-265500182 source confirmed the contract is worth $2.5 million with $1.5 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances. Royals right-hander Kyle Zimmer dreams of the day he won't have to answer another question about his health. "I've been here for seven years, and I feel like I belong here in Kansas City," Escobar said. "I got some offers outside. For Soon after he was drafted in the first round in 2012, Zimmer's me, I came back because I think it's better here, that's why career became marked by a series of health setbacks. There I'm coming back." were elbow procedures, shoulder procedures and a strained latissimus dorsi muscle. Then in '16, Zimmer hoped that "Obviously we're very delighted that Esky is back with us," thoracic outlet syndrome surgery would finally be the ticket Moore said Monday. "I think we all agree he's been a huge to a healthy season. part of our success through this historic run here in Kansas City. I think we would all agree, and I certainly speak for But Zimmer's 2017 was dogged again by soreness and myself, we all love watching him play and watching him discomfort. Last November, Zimmer went through another compete." procedure to remove sutures from a past procedure -- the sutures were left in deliberately at the time to promote Escobar, 31, spent the past seven seasons with the Royals and healing. three times has played all 162 games in a season. Moore indicated Escobar would not be coming back to the Royals to "It'd really been bugging me," Zimmer said at last weekend's be a backup player. FanFest. "But they're out, and now I'm throwing free and easy. "When I signed, I said I want to play every day," Escobar said. "I'll be the first guy on the team to say that's what I "I threw my first bullpen [Thursday]. Threw 20 fastballs, 18 want." strikes, super free and easy. And no pain." "It's safe to assume he's going to play a lot of shortstop," No pain is, of course, the key. Through all the procedures Moore added. over the years, Zimmer has thrown over 100 innings just once in a season. The Royals earlier this offseason spoke about 2018 being an opportunity for Raul Mondesi to claim a starting spot at "I'd just like to show up to the ballpark and be a normal guy," shortstop. Those plans have changed. Zimmer said. "I understand [injuries] sort of have dictated my career. My goal is to show up and not have to answer Moore said Mondesi is still in the team's long-term plans but questions about my health. But I know to do that I have to that the most important part of Mondesi's development is for prove I can sustain [being injury-free]. him to play consistently. While Moore said it might be possible for manager Ned Yost to play Mondesi somewhere "If [other people] get frustrated with my health problems, five or six times a week at the big league level, it's also multiply that by a thousand for me." possible Mondesi could be better off starting every day at Triple-A Omaha. Zimmer, 26, is on schedule, he said, to be ready for Spring Training in two weeks. He is not concerned right now about "We'll see how that unfolds," Moore said. "[Mondesi] can velocity during his throwing program. play second base. He can play short. He's good enough to play center field. We don't have a clear vision [for him] right "Last year, I was up to 98-99 [mph] with pain," he said. "So now other than to continue his development. He is a part of now it's free and easy. I don't see any reason why the velocity our future." won't be back up there." Moore believes Escobar will give the Royals the defense they How the Royals intend to use Zimmer remains to be seen. covet at the position. Last season, they tried the righty, the team's No. 15 prospect per MLB Pipeline, in the bullpen. Eighteen of his 21 outings "It's a very important position," Moore said, "and you need to between Double-A and Triple-A came in relief. convert outs there." "I'm open to both," Zimmer said. "I've done both now. I Escobar slashed .250/.272/.357 last season for the Royals and know how to mentally prepare for both roles." is a past Gold Glove Award winner who landed with Kansas City in December 2010. Escobar had a banner year in 2015, Mostly, though, he just wants to blend in and contribute. named the American League's starting shortstop for the All- Star Game, then being honored as the MVP of the AL "It's sort of been a puzzle," Zimmer said. "I think we finally Championship Series. He set a franchise record with a hit in filled in that puzzle. 15 consecutive postseason games and led off Game 1 of the World Series that year with an inside-the-park home run, the "I couldn't be more grateful to this organization. They've first to do so in 112 years. stuck with me." Zimmer sets sights on injury-free Royals save $5 million, get two season pitchers in deal that sends Brandon Moss to Oakland January 29, 2018 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- “He’s got really good stuff,” Moore said. “He’s had some royals/article197308004.html bad luck with some injuries. He’ll get going, be really dominant. He’s had some setbacks injurywise. But we feel In a move to clear salary, bolster rotation depth and possibly really comfortable.” prep for the biggest free-agent signing in club history, the Royals on Monday traded first baseman Brandon Moss and Fillmyer, 23, recorded an 11-5 record with a 3.49 ERA at left-handed reliever Ryan Buchter to the Oakland A’s in Class AA Midland in 2017. A fifth-round pick in 2014, he exchange for right-hander Jesse Hahn and minor-league has a career 3.78 ERA in 392 2/3 innings in the minor right-hander Heath Fillmyer. leagues. He was added to the A’s 40-man roster this offseason. He will likely offer rotation depth while starting The deal represented the Royals’ latest cost-cutting maneuver the year in the minors, Moore said. as they continue to pursue free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer. The Royals sent $3.25 million to Oakland, saving For now, the addition of Hahn gives the Royals an $5 million of the remaining $8.25 million on Moss’ two-year assortment of back-end-of-the-rotation options as spring contract. The trade came just hours after the team officially training looms in a matter of weeks. With Danny Duffy re-signed shortstop Alcides Escobar to a one-year, $2.5 headlining the rotation, and Ian Kennedy returning for a third million deal that could pay him up to $4 million this season. season, Hahn will compete for a spot with a group that includes Nathan Karns, Trevor Oaks and Jakob Junis. “The economic part of it is very real to us,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore told The Star on Monday evening. The rotation is also expected to include veteran Jason Hammel, though he could also find himself as a casualty of a The Royals have spent much of the winter attempting to trim another salary-dumping trade. Hammel, 35, is owed $11 payroll, listening to offers on multiple relievers. The goal has million entering the second season of a two-year, $16 million been flexibility — for the future and for a possible deal with contract. Yet as Moore executed a deal on Monday, he Hosmer. They dumped $9 million earlier this month while reiterated that no such trades were imminent. dealing reliever Joakim Soria to the White Sox and Scott Alexander to the Dodgers in a three-team trade. On Monday, “If the right situation comes along,” he said. “As you know, they paired Moss, an underachieving slugger with one year I’ve made our objectives really clear. We want to rebuild our remaining on his contract, with Buchter and gained more farm system, and we’re certainly focused on managing our financial flexibility. payroll more efficiently going forward.”

The savings could be used in an aggressive offer for Hosmer, The club has stated that its payroll will likely be somewhere who is a free agent for the first time and expected to in the $105 million to $110 million range in 2018. The command a long-term deal that could approach $140 million. current projections — before a possible Hosmer signing — The Royals are believed to have made an offer close to that approach that number. number. The only other public suitor has been the San Diego Padres. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Moss, 34, is returning to Oakland, where he excelled early in Padres’ offer for Hosmer is less lucrative. his career, after batting .207 with 128 strikeouts in 118 games last seasons. Buchter, 30, posted a 2.67 ERA in 27 innings Yet Moore remained noncommittal on Monday when asked last season after being acquired from San Diego in a if he expected any free agent signings in the weeks before midseason trade. He will make close to the league minimum spring training. this season and is under club control for another four years. Shortstop Alcides Escobar returns to “We’ll see,” he said. “These things are unpredictable. I don’t have anything for you right now.” Royals on one-year contract January 29, 2018 By Maria Torres & Rustin Dodd/KC The market for Hosmer, 28, has remained stagnant amidst a Star wider freeze in baseball’s offseason free-agent market. The http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- Royals, though, have remained patient as they move into the royals/article197242694.html early stages of a franchise rebuild. Nearly four months ago, shortstop Alcides Escobar walked The process began this offseason with an internal directive into the media room on the basement floor of Kauffman from Moore to restock the farm system. It continued on Stadium, flanked by three other members of the franchise’s Monday when the club acquired Hahn, an injury-prone starter core players. They sat on the dais after the 2017 season who posted a 5.59 ERA across the last two seasons, and ended, reminisced on a seven-year chapter in Royals history Fillmyer, 23, whom Moore described as a “young projection and said goodbye to Kansas City, the town that saw pennants starter.” raised for the first time in 30 years because of their efforts.

Hahn, 28, began his career with promise, posting a 3.23 ERA It didn’t seem guaranteed any of them would be back. and 134 strikeouts in 170 innings in 2014 and 2015. Armed with a fastball that sits in the low 90s and a curveball with But as the free-agent market crashed and teams chose to significant movement, he appeared ready to become a improve via trades, a window opened for the Royals to bring rotation staple in Oakland. But he battled elbow issues in at least one of the four back. 2015 before being slowed by shoulder and triceps injuries in 2016 and 2017, respectively. He logged just 116 innings in Exactly 120 days after that last news conference, they 2016 and 2017. He became available this winter because he announced Monday that Escobar would return to Kansas City was out of options and unlikely to make the A’s opening day on a one-year contract. roster. Moore said Hahn would compete for a spot in the Royals’ rotation this spring. Escobar sauntered back into the same room Monday Brandon Moss is back with the A's, who also got their prized afternoon and put on his No. 2 jersey over a long-sleeved T- lefty in a trade with the Royals on Monday. shirt. As he carefully buttoned his uniform, he made a seemingly offhand comment about the Royals’ colors being Dealing from an area of surplus, the A's sent right-handers his favorite. General manager Dayton Moore said, “You wear Jesse Hahn and Heath Fillmyer to the Royals on Monday it well,” then pulled his longtime shortstop into a hug. evening to acquire Moss and southpaw Ryan Buchter, thus completing a lengthy offseason search for a second southpaw “It’s important for me because I’ve been here like seven to keep Daniel Coulombe company in the bullpen. years,” said Escobar, who fielded a similar offer from another team, but nothing long-term. “I feel at home here in Kansas "We have been focused on this for a while," A's general City. My teammates, Dayton and everybody I like over here, manager David Forst said. "I literally think since the day that’s why I’m coming back.” after the season we've been saying that finding another lefty for the bullpen was a priority. There were free agents that The Royals didn’t anticipate this reunion but were went elsewhere for more money, there were free agents that comfortable paying Escobar up to $4 million. The base of his went elsewhere for less money, there were trade contract is worth $2.5 million, with up to $1.5 million more conversations that were probably too rich for us to do. It in bonuses if he reaches 600 plate appearances, according to finally came together." a source. Buchter becomes the third reliever to join the team this Escobar made $6.5 million in 2017, the final year of a six- winter. The A's added right-handers Emilio Pagan and year contract. Yusmeiro Petit earlier in the offseason as part of an effort to bolster their relief corps behind a young, unproven rotation. “We didn’t expect to be in this situation because of several different events that have taken place,” Moore said. “We The A's went after Buchter when he was a Minor League free stayed in contact with Alcides. It was just the right thing to agent following the 2015 season, ultimately losing out to the do based on where we are together, what we need, where he Padres. He was traded to the Royals last summer, finishing is in this process. the year with a 2.89 ERA in a career-high 71 appearances between the two clubs. He limited opponents to a .187 “Alcides is family. We love everything about him.” batting average, including .176 against left-handers.

Escobar has played 1,105 regular-season games in a Royals "It sounds like no wasn't good enough for them and they uniform, an average of 157.9 games per year since 2011. In found their way back around to acquire me and be able to three of the last four seasons, he’s played all 162 regular- pick me up somehow," Buchter said. "Obviously when you're season games. traded, it means somebody wants you.

It’s likely Escobar, one of the most durable shortstops in the "I like the direction that Oakland his headed. They're trying major leagues, could add another 162 games to that total in to compete within that division." 2018. He will be the team’s starting shortstop for an eighth year. While the A's desire for bullpen help was well-documented, they were seemingly set elsewhere, calling into question That leaves prospect Raul Mondesi, who turns 23 years old in Moss' place on this roster. He spent the bulk of the 2017 July, likely headed to the minors to start the season, giving season in the DH spot for Kansas City, a role Khris Davis is him at least one more year to mature his game. expected to assume most days. Moss, of course, played a lot of first base during his first tenure with the A's, now home to The Royals, however, won’t shut the door on a potentially Matt Olson. The outfield is also crowded, so his second tour longer affiliation with Escobar, who turned 31 in December. in Oakland could potentially be brief.

Although his .262 career batting average with the Royals "It's not entirely clear how he would fit into our 25-man doesn’t sparkle, he has proven himself irreplaceable at roster at this time," Forst said. "We'll see how it plays out the shortstop for the near future. Escobar has played the most next couple of months. Brandon is a great guy to have games of any shortstop in the majors since 2011, with the around. I've already heard from a number of people who are Rangers’ Elvis Andrus close behind at 1,086. excited to have him back, and he's equally excited to be back. He knows it's not an obvious fit, but we had a great “He’s been crucial to our success,” Moore said. “You can’t conversation." win championships unless you have a consistent-performing shortstop day in and day out. … You look at the demands of Moss, who hit .207 with 22 home runs and 50 RBIs in 118 that position, what it takes physically and mentally to prepare games last year, enjoyed a breakout year with the A's in and perform each and every day — it takes a special talent.” 2012, his first of three seasons with them. Oakland made the postseason each of those years, before Moss was dealt to Cleveland in a December 2014 trade for infielder Joey NATIONAL Wendle, who was traded to Tampa Bay this winter.

The 34-year-old has one year remaining on a two-year, $12 A's add Moss, lefty Buchter in deal million deal that will see him take home $7.25 million this with Royals season. As part of Monday's deal, the A's received $3.25 Hahn, Fillmyer sent to Kansas City in trade million to offset the remaining dollars on his contract, which January 29, 2018 By Jane Lee/MLB.com also included a $1 million buyout. https://www.mlb.com/news/as-trade-for-buchter-moss-from- royals/c-265533638 Hahn, who is out of options, finishes his A's career 11-16 with a 4.57 ERA in 39 games (38 starts), his best stretch coming in 2015, when he pitched to a 3.35 ERA in his first January. The Indians have indicated that MLB did not force 16 starts, before injury prematurely ended his season. Hahn the team to remove the logo in order to be granted the right to has since been shuffled back and forth from Triple-A. host the Midsummer Classic. Cleveland's pitch to hold the event began years ago, and it became a strong focus during "It was an up-and-down ride here for Jesse, and a lot of times the team's postseason run in '16. through no fault of his own," Forst said. "He worked hard to stay out on the field and a number of different injuries During the 2016 American League Championship Series cropped up. He ran into some bad injury luck, but he did bust between the Indians and Blue Jays, the logo and team name it to try to get out there and we appreciate that." were thrust to the forefront in a legal battle in Toronto.

Fillmyer, the A's fifth-round selection in the 2014 Draft, was Douglas Cardinal, an advocate for indigenous people, filed a 22-24 with a 3.78 ERA in 84 games, including 75 starts, in request for an injunction with the Supreme Court of Justice in four Minor League seasons in the organization. Toronto in an effort to block the use of the name and logo Indians to stop using Wahoo logo during the games at Rogers Centre. That initial request was rejected, but the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal ruled in starting in '19 June that an Ontario court could hear the case. In December, January 29, 2018 By Jordan Bastian/MLB.com MLB lawyers argued that such a case should be heard in https://www.mlb.com/news/indians-to-stop-using-chief- Canadian federal court. wahoo-logo/c-265489544 Prior to the 2014 season, the Indians began the process of A point of contention for some and beloved by others, the gradually moving away from the Chief Wahoo mark, Chief Wahoo logo will be removed from Cleveland's designating the Block C as the team's new primary logo. The uniforms beginning with the 2019 season. secondary logo continued to be used on some home caps, as well as a sleeve patch on the club's uniforms. Last season, the On Monday, Major League Baseball announced that the Block C replaced the other logo as the sleeve patch on MLB's Indians will discontinue the use of the divisive logo on their holiday-issued uniforms. uniforms after the 2018 campaign. The decision was made mutually by MLB and the team, which had been working Imagery similar to Chief Wahoo can be traced back to use in together to come up with an appropriate timeline and solution the Cleveland Plain Dealer in the 1930s, and the team used to the issue, as it gained steam in recent years. different versions of Native American-themed logos throughout its early history. The Chief Wahoo, which "Major League Baseball is committed to building a culture of evolved over the years, was originally created in 1946 by the diversity and inclusion throughout the game," MLB late Walter Goldbach, and it did not appear on Cleveland's Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "Over the uniforms until '47. past year, we encouraged dialogue with the Indians organization about the club's use of the Chief Wahoo logo. Since becoming MLB Commissioner in 2015, Manfred has During our constructive conversations, [Indians owner] Paul been open about the desire to work with Dolan and the team Dolan made clear that there are fans who have a long- on finding a solution for the logo situation. Both sides standing attachment to the logo and its place in the history of worked to find a resolution that respected those offended by the team. the caricature, as they heard the arguments of those in support of the historic logo and also found a way to keep the "Nonetheless, the club ultimately agreed with my position image's rights out of the hands of another party. that the logo is no longer appropriate for on-field use in Time for the big free agents to find Major League Baseball, and I appreciate Mr. Dolan's acknowledgement that removing it from the on-field uniform homes by the start of the 2019 season is the right course." Could this be the week for J.D., Yu, Arrieta, Hosmer, Moustakas? MLB and the Indians opted to have the Native American January 30, 2018 By JP Morosi/MLB.com caricature removed from the on-field uniforms next year, but https://www.mlb.com/news/updating-5-free-agents-who- the logo will still have a limited retail presence in Northeast could-sign-soon/c-265542338 Ohio and Goodyear, Ariz. In order to maintain control of the trademark, ensuring that another group could not seize it and This will be the week. profit, the Indians needed to retain some level of retail involving the logo. Certainly. Cleveland may consider adding a new complementary logo Well, probably. in the future, but it will focus on the Block C as the primary symbol for now. There are no plans to change the team's Hopefully. name. Perhaps. "We have consistently maintained that we are cognizant and sensitive to both sides of the discussion," Dolan said in a Maybe? statement. "While we recognize many of our fans have a long-standing attachment to Chief Wahoo, I'm ultimately in All right, let's be honest: Nearly three months after Jose agreement with Commissioner Manfred's desire to remove Altuve fielded the final ground ball of 2017, we're still not the logo from our uniforms in 2019." sure when the long-promised deluge of free-agent signings will arrive. The decision to remove the logo on the Indians' uniforms next year coincides with Cleveland hosting the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, which was awarded to the franchise last Here, then, is what we can piece together about five of the Eric Hosmer: The Royals have gradually improved their top players available. chances to retain Hosmer by clearing salary off their books through a pair of trades this month -- moving Joakim Soria J.D. Martinez: The Boston Herald reported earlier this month on Jan. 4 and Brandon Moss on Monday. It's unclear, though, that the Red Sox's offer to Martinez was for $125 million whether they've improved their reported seven-year offer over five years. At the moment, there's no evidence that the since last month, or whether the Padres -- their chief Red Sox have withdrawn -- or improved -- the offer. Thus, competition -- are willing to increase the proposal they made, the stalemate continues between the team and agent Scott as well. Boras. Mike Moustakas: The Cardinals, also linked to Hosmer this One source said Monday evening that Martinez still has at offseason, remain a fit for Moustakas as well, given Matt least one offer on the table, but the source did not specify Carpenter's ability to play either infield corner. which team made it. Otherwise, a relatively small number of teams appear to be Boston's patient approach with Martinez suggests that the actively seeking a third baseman this winter. The Braves and Red Sox are confident they will not be outbid by any other White Sox are both advancing into a new phase of their potential Martinez suitors. Thus far, they have been proven rebuild but have yet to make an overt move to sign correct. And without a comparable free agent or trade Moustakas. candidate still available, it's difficult to imagine how the Martinez market will change significantly -- unless a star So, Moustakas may have to wait on Darvish's decision. Why? outfielder is injured during the early portion of Spring If Darvish signs with a team other than the Yankees, then Training. New York general manager Brian Cashman should have the room in his budget to pursue Moustakas or fellow free-agent Boras, though, is certain to highlight one aspect of Lorenzo third baseman Todd Frazier. Cain's recent five-year, $80 million contract with the MLB TRANSACTIONS Brewers: Cain, 32, is now under contract through his age-36 January 30, 2018 •.CBSSports.com season. For the same to be true of Martinez, he would need to http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions receive a seven-year deal. Some observers question whether Martinez will sign a contract of that duration due to longterm questions about his outfield play; Cain, meanwhile, is a TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION superior defender.

Yu Darvish: One industry source believes the Twins are willing to offer Darvish a five-year contract, while the Cubs' Colorado Brooks Signed to a Minor League comfort level has been at four years. When contacted by MLB.com, the teams did not confirm whether they have Rockies Pounders Contract made offers of those lengths, and Darvish's representatives have not commented on negotiations.

The Dodgers still would like to re-sign Darvish. The Los Signed to a Minor League Angeles Times has reported that they likely would need to Detroit Tigers Travis Wood trade Matt Kemp, Logan Forsythe or Yasmani Grandal in Contract order to afford Darvish while ensuring that they remain under the $197 million luxury-tax threshold this year.

The Dodgers' current 2018 commitments are $185 million, Traded From from Athletics, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. As a general rule of Kansas City Jesse Hahn Oakland (for 1B Brandon Moss, thumb, that number can't exceed approximately $187 million Royals for the full season, because benefits, insurance and bonuses four-player deal) totaling around $10 million are part of the luxury-tax calculation.

Jake Arrieta: Arrieta has been one of the more mysterious Kansas City Alcides Signed as Free Agent, ( 2018) free-agent cases this winter, lagging behind Darvish in the number of publicly interested teams despite a superior Royals Escobar (one-year contract) postseason resume.

The Giants want to add a starting pitcher after trading Matt Moore to the Rangers, but they are more inclined to add a New York Danny Signed to a Minor League fourth or fifth starter than meet Boras' price on Arrieta, a former National League Cy Young Award winner. Yankees Espinosa Contract

The Brewers remain a possibility for Arrieta, even though conventional wisdom holds that they're more likely to trade outfielder Domingo Santana to upgrade the rotation than sign San Francisco Gregor Signed to a Minor League an expensive free agent. Milwaukee carried payrolls in excess of $100 million earlier this decade but currently has a Giants Blanco Contract little less than $90 million committed to the 2018 roster, according to Cot's. So, there's room to grow. Washington Signed to a Minor League Reid Brignac Nationals Contract