The MLB free agency period is underway. Teams and players alike are looking to make big splashes during the off-season.
Let's make a deal: Dodgers and White Sox
Jeff Passan is reporting that with the Chicago White Sox open to trading many of their core players, including ace Chris Sale, the Los Angeles Dodgers would make suitable trade partners. Along with Sale, right-hander Jose Quintana, third baseman Todd Frazier and closer David Robertson also fill needs for the Dodgers. The White Sox like many of the Dodger's prospects, including top hitting prospect Cody Bellinger, as well as outfielder Yasiel Puig. Puig was the talk of many trade rumours at the July 31 deadline in 2016 in an injury-plagued season, batting .239 with 11 homeruns and 45 RBI in 104 games.
Dodgers interested in IF Forsythe
Jon Morosi is reporting the Dodgers are also looking at the Rays' infielder Logan Forsythe as a potential replacement at second or third base. In 127 games for the Rays, Forsythe had a career-high 20 homeruns with 52 RBI while hitting .264.
Yankees set up to make big moves
Ken Rosenthal reports that along with their pursuit of free agent closer Aroldis Chapman and outfielder Carlos Beltran, the Yankees' farm system is set up well to get them in on the Sale or Tampa Bay Rays' right-handed starter Chris Archer trade talks. Rosenthal also reports that the team is fielding trade inquiries on veteran outfielder Brett Gardiner and third baseman Chase Headley.
Former Blue Jays OF Thames returning to the MLB?
According to Jerry Crasnick, former Blue Jays outfielder Eric Thames is garnering interest from the Padres, Rays and Athletics after a very successful stint in Korea. Thames has hit at least 37 homeruns in each of his three seasons playing for the NC Dinos of Korea's KBO League while transitioning from outfield to first base. His best season was in 2015 when he was the league's MVP, first-ever KBO League player to hit 40 homeruns and steal 40 bases in a season and hit for the cycle twice. Thames last played in the MLB with the Seattle Mariners in 2012 after starting his career with the Blue Jays in 2011.