MLB Rumor Roundup: All The Latest As Winter Meetings Wrap Up

Baseball’s winter meetings are set to wrap up on Thursday and finally we’re getting some deals. A few free agents have signed, some trades are getting made and yet, it still feels like it’s been a disappointing week.

Despite tons of speculation floating around, a lot of big names are still out there to be had. With that in mind, here are the latest rumors coming out of the winter meetings.

DBacks likely to wait on Greinke move

The Arizona Diamondbacks appear to be in full tear-down mode after trading Paul Goldschmidt. Other pieces could move soon. That said, Bob Nightengale is reporting it’s unlikely Zack Greinke will be traded this offseason.

Greinke is almost certain to be moved at some point, but Nightengale says Arizona believes it will get a better deal at the trade deadline. A needy contender will almost certainly overpay for a guy of his stature. In 2018, Greinke went 15-11 with a 3.21 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 199 strikeouts in 207.2 innings.

The 35-year-old hurler is owed $104.5 million over the next three years.

Mets, deGrom talk extension

The New York Mets have a phenomenal ace in 2018 NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom. Now they’re trying to lock him up long term.

Anthony DiComo is reporting the Mets engaged deGrom’s agent in talks about a contract extension. When he was an agent at CAA, new Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen used to represent deGrom. That should make working out a deal a whole lot easier.

The 30-year-old deGrom is coming off a dominant 2018. He went 10-9 with a 1.70 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP and 269 strikeouts in 217 innings. He’s under team control for two more seasons, but a contract extension is going to be pricey.

Kimbrel looking for big money

Craig Kimbrel is easily the top relief arm on the market and he’s all but priced himself out of a return to the Boston Red Sox. Now we’re seeing the kind of money he’s asking for and he won’t come cheap.

Jayson Stark is reporting Kimbrel is looking for a deal in the six-year, $100 million range. That would blow past the five-year, $86 million contract the New York Yankees gave Aroldis Chapman in 2016.

Kimbrel will turn 32 in May and has been one of baseball’s best closers for years. His numbers are flat-out staggering. In nine seasons he’s posted a record of 31-19 with 333 saves, a 1.91 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP and 868 strikeouts in 532.2 innings. That’s a ridiculous 14.67 strikeouts per nine innings.

Kimbrel may not get $100 million this winter, but he’s sure to land a big chunk of change.

Welcome to Marwin?

The San Diego Padres are apparently interested in landing Houston Astros free agent Marwin Gonzalez. Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin are reporting the Padres would like Gonzalez to play shortstop until uber-prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. is ready, then the veteran could shift into a super-utility role.

Gonzalez is 29 and coming off a down year with the Astros. But in 2017 he was one of the most valuable players in baseball. He slashed .303/.377/.530 with 23 home runs and 90 RBI and played all over the diamond as the Astros won the World Series.

Kikuchi set to meet with teams this month

Japanese lefty Yusei Kikuchi will meet with MLB teams later this month. Henry Schulman is reporting that Scott Boras is setting up those visits now.

While a lot of clubs are interested, Kikuchi is said to prefer playing on the West Coast. The Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners should all be in the mix to land him.

A 27-year-old starter, Kikuchi is coming off an excellent season for the Seibu Lions. In 163.2 innings he had a 3.08 ERA and 153 strikeouts against just 45 walks.

Happ, Yankees have a deal

JA Happ is set to return to the Bronx next season. Several outlets have reported the Yankees have agreed to bring the 36-year-old lefty back on a two-year deal with an option for a third.

The deal is reportedly set to be for $34 million guaranteed, plus a $17 million option for 2021.

Happ was outstanding in 2018 for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Yankees. He posted a 17-6 record with a 3.65 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP and 193 strikeouts in 177.2 innings.

White Sox join Ottavino chase

The Chicago White Sox have jumped in on the Adam Ottavino sweepstakes according to Jon Morosi. The Red Sox, Yankees and Mets are all also after the 33-year-old reliever.

It’s not surprising Ottavino is such a hot target. Despite playing in Colorado, his numbers were fantastic in 2018. The righty went 6-4 with a 2.43 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP and 112 strikeouts in 77.2 innings.

Dodgers closing in on Kelly

The Dodgers are close to signing hard-throwing righty Joe Kelly, according to Ken Rosenthal. Kelly had been a vital piece of the Red Sox bullpen, but he’s a California native so a move back home would not be shocking. He was born in Anaheim, grew up in Corona and played college ball at UC Riverside.

Over the last two seasons, Kelly has compiled a record of 8-3, with a 3.64 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP and 120 strikeouts in 123.2 innings. He also really turned things up in the postseason this year. He took the mound five times against the Dodgers in the World Series and pitched a total of six innings. He allowed no runs, just four hits and struck out 10 while walking none.

No wonder the Dodgers are trying to get him.

A’s looking at Profar

The Oakland A's are reportedly talking to the Texas Rangers about a potential deal for infielder Jurickson Profar. Profar is a former uber-prospect whose career has been waylaid by injuries and slow development. Now he’s 25 and just finished his first full season in the big leagues.

Oakland could lose second baseman Jed Lowrie in free agency this year and needs someone to take his place.

In 2018, Profar slashed .254/.335/.458 with 20 home runs and 77 RBI in 146 games.