MLB Off Season, Rumors, Signings and Trades

[TheGame]

Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Tigers are "gauging interest" in right-hander Doug Fister.
The Tigers are also fielding phone calls for Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello in an attempt to dump some money and open a rotation spot for Drew Smyly.

According to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi, the Mariners have the Rockies' Dexter Fowler on their wishlist.
Morosi says that Fowler is "available in the right deal" and CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported Tuesday that the Cardinals are one of the teams that has already checked in on the center fielder

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports that the Yankees are talking to the Cardinals about a trade for third baseman David Freese.

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Giants are "looking into" the health of free agent Corey Hart.

[TheGame]

Joe Nathan said during an appearance on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM on Monday that he sees the Tigers, Angels, and Yankees as possible fits.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Reds and Skip Schumaker have agreed to a two-year deal, pending a physical.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirms that free agent Tim Hudson has an agreement in place with the Giants.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosental says the deal is worth $23 million over the next two seasons

According to Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Yankees have interest in Jhonny Peralta.

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Rangers are among the teams looking at Shin-Soo Choo.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Phillies have re-signed free agent catcher Carlos Ruiz.
Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer says it's a three-year, $26 million deal with an option for the 2017 season.

[TheGame]

George A. King III and Ken Davidoff of the New York Post report that the Yankees are interested in signing Raul Ibanez to be their designated hitter against right-handers.

[TheGame]

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Indians are close to finalizing a two-year contract with David Murphy in excess of $10 million.
Murphy is coming off a very disappointing season that saw him bat only .220/.282/.374 for the Rangers, but he hit .291/.356/.445 while averaging nearly 13 homers per season the three years prior. He's a career .280/.347/.469 hitter against right-handed pitching and seems likely to serve on the long side of a platoon in right field with Drew Stubbs, assuming Stubbs isn't non-tendered.

[TheGame]

Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog.com reports that the Mets have had internal discussions about Brewers' outfielder Ryan Braun.
Cerrone reported earlier in the day that the Brewers would prefer to move Braun rather than Norichika Aoki and would be willing to pick up part of his salary in order to force a change of scenery. However, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News quickly refuted that report and added that the Brewers aren't interested in moving him right now

Chris Carpenter has officially informed the Cardinals that he will retire.
An expected decision. Carpenter attempted to make a comeback earlier this year, but had to shut things down after feeling renewed numbness in his throwing hand

[TheGame]

A Prince Fielder-for-Ian Kinsler trade is a "possibility," according to a source of CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.
Heyman said the deal is on the table, suggesting it's not just a passing rumor. It would certainly fall under the heading of blockbuster if the deal were to be consummated, especially considering the money still owed to both players in coming years. The Rangers pursued Fielder when he was a free agent two years ago, and a deal would free up a spot for Jurickson Profar in Texas

[TheGame]

Royals signed LHP Jason Vargas to a four-year, $32 million contract.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal passed along the financial details.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Angels and Cardinals have discussed a potential trade involving third baseman David Freese

[TheGame]

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cardinals have acquired Peter Bourjos from the Angels in exchange for David Freese.
There will also be prospects changing hands in the deal, with Randal Grichuk being the rumored piece the Cards will receive.

FOX Sports' Jon Morosi reports that the Orioles are interested in Jhonny Peralta as a left fielder.
Most teams -- like the Yankees -- figure to be in on Peralta as an infielder, but the Orioles evidently saw enough of him in his limited time in left field in 2013 that they'd be comfortable using him there.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal and Jon Morosi report that the Mariners are interested in Grant Balfour and Brian Wilson.
The report also adds that the Mariners are interested in additional arms as they search for a closer, though no other names are revealed.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Mets "remain in the mix" for Nelson Cruz even after the signing of Chris Young.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Mets have signed Chris Young to a one-year contract, pending a physical.

[TheGame]

The Yankees and Brian McCann have agreed upon a five-year, $85 million deal, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

[TheGame]

Jhonny Peralta is closing in on a deal with the Cardinals, a source confirmed to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
Shortstop has been at the top of the Cardinals' list of priorities and Peralta would allow them to fill the position without giving up some of their young pitching in a trade. It was reported previously that Peralta had multiple deals on the table for four years and $52 million, and the Cardinals were reported as one of the teams interested.

[TheGame]

Cardinals signed SS Jhonny Peralta to a four-year, $53 million contract.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that Jarrod Saltalamacchia is "still very much on the Twins’ radar."
The Twins are looking for catcher help following the decision to move Joe Mauer to first base.

[TheGame]

According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, Carlos Beltran is currently the Yankees' No. 1 target.
The Royals, Red Sox, Orioles, Rangers and Mariners are also thought to have serious interest in the veteran outfielder

[TheGame]

Lynn Henning of the Detroit News reports that the Tigers are involved in "serious" negotiations with free agent reliever Brian Wilson.
Wilson and his agent, Dan Lozano, met with new Tigers manager Brad Ausmus on Sunday, which is an indication that the two sides could be moving closer to a possible deal. The 31-year-old proved effective after making it back from Tommy John surgery this past season and has a lengthy track record of success out of the closer role.

[TheGame]

Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com reports that the Nationals have acquired Doug Fister in a trade with the Tigers.

No word yet on what the Nats are sending to the Tigers. Most figured it would be Rick Porcello that Detroit traded this offseason in order to open up a rotation spot for Drew Smyly, but they understandably must have found a more desirable market for Fister. The sinkerballer has posted a 3.57 ERA over the last two seasons for the Tigers and would give the Nats a nice replacement for Dan Haren.

[TheGame]

Athletics acquired RHP Jim Johnson from the Orioles for 2B Jemile Weeks and a player to be named later or cash.
The A's traded a player that they didn't want anymore, but they'll have to pay Johnson a big chunk of change in arbitration. The good news is that they've got their closer situation settled now with a guy coming off back-to-back 50-save seasons.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Marlins recently made an offer to Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Rosenthal isn't sure what the terms were, but it's clear that the Marlins are serious in their attempt to upgrade at the catcher position.

Blue Jays non-tendered C J.P. Arencibia.
The Jays tried to trade Arencibia after agreeing to terms with Dioner Navarro but were unable to find a partner. Arencibia put up a woeful .194/.227/.365 batting line in 2013 but has averaged over 20 homers the last three seasons