MLB Rumors: Yankees’ speculation on Luis Castillo is shot; Blue Jays, Mets pioneers for George Springer

Spring training is a month away and the hot stove is starting to heat up a bit. We are up to 16 signatures among our 60 best free agents, including six in the new year. Here’s our look at what the Yankees still need to do after signing DJ LeMahieu and Corey Kluber., and here are the last rumblings of the hot stove.

Reds GM shoots down Castillo / Yankees rumors

The name of Cincinnati Reds ace Luis Castillo was thrown into trade rumors over the weekend, with speculation the right-hander would be distributed to the New York Yankees. However, the rumors turned out to be just that: rumors. Reds general manager Nick Krall released a statement calling the idea that Castillo was on his way to the Bronx “completely false.”

“[The rumors] are completely wrong, “Krall told The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Bobby Nightengale.” We intend to have [Castillo] as part of our rotation for 2021. “

It appears, however, that Krall was engaging in discussions. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Reds informed the teams that they now intend to retain Castillo, but they tested the waters for a potential trade. Cincinnati specifically asked Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres to headlining in a possible trade, Heyman added. Torres is coming off a declining year (.243 / .356 / .368), but the 24-year-old is a two-time All-Star and is expected to return to form.

Castillo, 28, had a 3.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 89 strikeouts with 24 walks over 70 innings in the shortened 2020 season. The hard-throw right-hander will earn $ 4.2 million with the Reds in 2021 and won’t become a free agent for three seasons. He will be at the top of Cincy’s rotation for 2021, possibly alongside right-hander Sonny Gray, whose name was also mentioned in trade rumors this winter.

Springer decision expected this week

Top free agent George Springer is expected to make his free agent decision this week, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. As of now, the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets are in the lead, adds Morosi.

CBS Sports has ranked Springer as the # 1 free agent available this winter. Here’s what we had to say about the center fielder:

Springer scores the top spot on Realmuto because the league has always shunned mega-seals for catchers. A single backstop had an AAV of over $ 20 million in 2020, while eight out-of-scope had. On the basis of talent, Springer is an above-average center-back who has landed an OPS + north of 120 in six of his seven seasons and has completed more than 20 home runs in five of those seven seasons. Springer has done a remarkable job lowering his strikeout rate over the years without affecting his walk rate, and in 2020 he made 17.1% of his home plate appearances. The one thing Springer doesn’t, for the most part, is steal bases. He has succeeded 61% of his career attempts, including 52% in the past five years, and should rarely be given the green light. It’s unclear whether or how the teams will stage the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal against Springer; unlike Jose Altuve, he seemed to be a willing recipient of the “fringe”.

Springer, 31, has been a mainstay of the Houston Astros since the club drafted him 11th in the 2011 MLB Draft. He ended the abbreviated 2020 season with a cut-off line of .265 / .359 / .540 to go with 14 home runs, six doubles, two triples and 32 RBIs in 222 home plate appearances. He’s a career .270 / .361 / .491 (131 OPS +) hitter who is very comfortable in the first place. The three-time All-Star finished seventh in MVP votes and won the 2017 World Series MVP.

The Blue Jays have missed out on the best goals this offseason, but with several top free agents still on the table, they still have time to make waves before spring practice. Toronto doesn’t have a natural center fielder, and the addition of Springer would be an ideal fit, adding a veteran hitter to a very young and talented roster.

The Mets, led by new owner Steve Cohen, have taken the plunge this offseason. They have a full outfield in Queens, but Springer would be an improvement over Brandon Nimmo at center. The addition of Springer would also help the Mets keep Jeff McNeil in his most comfortable position on second base, full time.

Tanaka arouses ‘strong interest’ from Japan

Free agent starter Masahiro Tanaka remains unsigned, and while the Yankees, his longtime club, remain in touch, there is a “good change he’s throwing elsewhere”, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman Reports. Tanaka, 32, is seeing strong interest in returning to Japan to pitch, and the veteran right-hander is likely to receive a much bigger contract, Heyman adds.

The Yankees signed Tanaka to a seven-year, $ 155 million contract in 2014 after spending seven seasons pitching for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball League.

Phillies add business prospects with Boston

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired infielder CJ Chatham from the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later or in cash, the teams announced on Monday. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Phillies have named right-hander Victor Arano for an assignment.

According to MLB Pipeline, Chatham, 26, is ranked 14th best prospect in the Boston farming system. He spent the 2020 season at the Red Sox alternative training site. The Red Sox drafted Chatham in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He reached Triple-A for the first time in 2019 and hit .302 / .330 / .430 with a .760 OPS in 20 games. He will likely occupy a bench / utility role with the Phillies for 2021.

Padres get Musgrove in three-team trade

The Padres added another starter. They acquired Joe Musgrove in a three-team trade with the Pirates and the Mets. Here are the full details of the trade:

• The padres receive: RHP Joe Musgrove
• The Mets receive: LHP Joey Lucchesi
• Hackers receive: RHP David Bednar, LHP Omar Cruz, OF Hudson Head, RHP Drake Fellows, C / OF Endy Rodriguez

The Padres get Musgrove for Bednar, Cruz, Head, Fellows and Lucchesi. The Mets take Lucchesi for Rodriguez. The Pirates have it all for Musgrove. Musgrove is the third high-end starting pitcher the Padres acquired last month, joining Yu Darvish and Blake Snell.

The Nationals have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent Jon Lester. Lester will step in as the team’s No.4 starter behind Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin, and push Joe Ross and Erick Fedde to the bottom of the depth chart. Lester had a tough 2020 with the Cubs, pitching 61 innings with a 5.16 ERA. He can always be counted on to eat innings – Lester made at least 31 starts each year from 2008-19, plus 12 more in the 2020 60-game season.