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Strop to act as Cubs' closer down the stretch

Pedro Strop will serve as the Cubs' closer for the remainder of the 2013 regular season.

Kevin Gregg will operate in a setup role. "It’s going to be an opportunity [for Strop]," manager Dale Sveum said Thursday. "We want to see what he does in that role. Kevin [Gregg] has been one of the better closers in all of baseball. God knows where we’d be without him."

Source: MLBlogs.com

Sep 19 - 1:13 PM

Royals interested in veteran INF Omar Infante

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Royals are interested in Omar Infante.

Heyman notes, however, that it will be an "uphill battle" for the Royals because there's a "strong market" for Infante and Kansas City has a limited budget. The Yankees, for one, are interested in Infante as they look for someone to replace Robinson Cano. Infante batted .318/.345/.450 with 10 homers and 51 RBI for the Tigers in 2013.

Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter

Dec 8 - 10:45 AM

White Sox showing interest in Chase Headley

Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the White Sox have shown interest in Chase Headley.

Van Schouwen adds, however, that "indications are the Padres might wait until midseason to shop him," and that the third baseman "wouldn’t make much sense" for the Sox unless he agrees to an extension. The White Sox are slated to go into the 2014 season with a combination of Conor Gillaspie and Jeff Keppinger at third base, so it's no surprise they're looking to upgrade at the hot corner.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

Dec 8 - 9:06 AM

Astros sign Chad Qualls to two-year contract

Astros signed RHP Chad Qualls to a two-year, $6 million contract.

The deal includes a club option for 2016 that would bring the total value to $9.5 million. The right-hander fell on hard times in 2012 but rebounded to post a 2.61 ERA and 1.23 WHIP as a middle reliever with the Marlins this past season. Qualls, who saved 24 games as recently as 2009, could also see some late-game action with Houston.

Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter

Dec 7 - 4:46 PM

Hamilton poised to be Reds' leadoff hitter

Billy Hamilton would be the Reds' starting center fielder and leadoff hitter if the season started today, according Reds general manager Walt Jocketty.

"If he's the player we think he can be, there is no doubt that he'd be sitting on top of the lineup," Reds manager Bryan Price said of Hamilton. "What we're trying to do right now is define and decide if he's ready take on that responsibility." The Reds are prepared to lose Shin-Soo Choo to free agency, opening a spot for the 23-year-old speedster. Hamilton stole 13 bases in the month of September after being called up and recently returned from playing winter ball in Puerto Rico in an attempt to get more at-bats, so it seems as though the Reds are serious about giving the switch-hitter a shot to win the job this spring. If he does emerge victorious he'll be the odds-on favorite to lead MLB in stolen bases next season.

Source: Reds.mlb.com

Dec 7 - 4:34 PM

Chapman preparing for next season as closer

Aroldis Chapman says he's "tired" of questions about him starting and that he's preparing for next season as a closer.

"I am preparing myself as every offseason, getting myself ready to close," Chapman told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "Starting hasn't even crossed my mind and I'm not going to do it either." He also said nobody with the Reds has approached him about the possibility of starting next year. It echoes what manager Bryan Price and general manager Walt Jocketty have said, so it seems the lefty will remain in the bullpen for the foreseeable future. He'll be a top shelf closer option again in 2014.

Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

Dec 7 - 4:18 PM

Kemp's agent believes that he'll be traded

Dave Stewart, the agent for Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, believes there's a strong chance his client will be traded during next week's winter meetings.

Stewart said that the rumors surrounding his client are stronger than ever, and that it's the first time he actually believes something could happen. The Red Sox and Mariners are two teams known to have interest in the 29-year-old, who still has six years and $128 million remaining on his current contract.

Source: ESPN.com

Dec 7 - 2:39 PM

Yankees re-sign Kuroda for one-year, $16M

Yankees re-signed RHP Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year, $16 million contract.

Kuroda had debated heading back to Japan, but has opted for another one-year pact with the Bombers instead. The 38-year-old hurler was the most consistent starter in the Yankees rotation last season, posting a 3.31 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 150/43 K/BB ratio over 201 1/3 innings. Even with Kuroda in tow however, there is still plenty of work to be done in the Yankees rotation.

Dec 7 - 2:16 PM

Uehara to begin season as Red Sox closer

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington indicated Saturday that he expects Koji Uehara to begin the 2014 season as the Red Sox closer.

It's no surprise considering the 38-year-old is coming off one of the most dominating seasons of any reliever in major league history, posting a 1.09 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and unbelievable 101/9 K/BB ratio over 74 1/3 innings. Cherington also noted that he "would love to have more than one closer on the team", referring to the recently signed Edward Mujica who should be considered as a handcuff to Uehara in fantasy drafts.

Source: Scott Lauber on Twitter

Dec 7 - 2:09 PM

Yanks willing to listen to offers on Gardner

Andy McCullough of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that the Yankees are willing to listen to trade offers on Brett Gardner.

They have already received significant interest in Gardner since Friday's signing of Carlos Beltran, and though they aren't actively shopping him, the Yankees outfield is extremely crowded and he could net a useful return. The Bombers currently boast an outfield contingent of Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury, Beltran, Alfonso Soriano, Ichiro Suzuki and Vernon Wells.

Source: Andy McCullough on Twitter

Dec 7 - 1:20 PM

Yankees, Beltran agree to three years, $45M

Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports reports that the Yankees agreement with Carlos Beltran is for three years and $45 million.

It sure didn't take the Yankees long to replace Robinson Cano's bat in the middle of the lineup. With Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Alfonso Soriano, Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki, the Yankees now possess a crowded but extremely talented outfield.

Source: Tim Brown on Twitter

Dec 6 - 10:02 PM

Red Sox sign Napoli for 2-years, $32 million

Sean McAdam of CSN New England reports that Mike Napoli's agreement with the Red Sox is for two years and $32 million.

The deal was first reported by Rob Bradford of WEEI. It's a nice raise for Napoli who earned just $5 million on a one-year pact from the Red Sox in 2013 after hip issues caused his original deal to fall through. Napoli will continue to function as the Red Sox primary first baseman, but unfortunately for most fantasy formats will no longer possess his catcher eligibility.

Source: Sean McAdam on Twitter

Dec 6 - 9:28 PM