MLB Player News

The Orioles and the Phillies discussed a package deal that included outfielder Marlon Byrd and first baseman Ryan Howard during the winter meetings, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports Saturday.

According to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman, the Orioles are one of eight teams on Howard's pre-approved list for trades. An American League team seems like an ideal landing spot for the veteran, who could spend the final two years of his contract as a designated hitter. However, according to Heyman, there's "not a lot there at the moment" between the two clubs.

Howard has two years and a guaranteed $60 million remaining on his contract, with a $23 million option for 2017. He slashed .223/.310/.380 with 23 homers, 95 RBI while also striking out 190 times over 569 at-bats last season

The Phillies and Orioles have talked about first baseman Ryan Howard this week, the New York Daily News reports.

It's unclear how much interest the Orioles have in Howard, a player who has declined in recent years and is owed $25 million in each of the next two seasons as well as a $10 million buyout of his 2017 option. He hit .223/.310/.380 with 23 home runs and 95 RBI in 569 at-bats in 2014.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Monday even if the team doesn't acquire a shortstop, he won't name Wilmer Flores the starting shortstop. He said beleaguered infielder Ruben Tejada will be in the mix this spring as well.

Collins has a slightly different view than general manager Sandy Alderson, who said Sunday the likelihood of Flores being the starting shortstop are increasing.

"Where we are today, that's the likelihood but that doesn't mean it'll happen," Alderson said, per NJ.com. "If you look around at all the possibilities, is it more likely than not? Probably."

Not much has changed regarding the Mets' search for a shortstop since the GM meetings in November. Wilmer Flores is still penciled in as the starting shortstop and the likelihood of that remaining the case is increasing.

"Where we are today, that's the likelihood but that doesn't mean it'll happen," general manager Sandy Alderson said Sunday, per NJ.com. "If you look around at all the possibilities, is it more likely than not? Probably."

The Nationals are one of several teams to have checked in on second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera, according to The Washington Post. 

Cabrera spent the second half of 2014 in Washington, and has expressed a desire to remain with the club. The Nationals are said to be in pursuit of a middle infielder. Shortstop Ian Desmond is in the final year of his contract, and it's unclear if the team wants to go with Danny Espinosa at second. The 29-year-old Cabrera hit .241/.307/.387 over 553 at-bats last year.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto is "doing great" this offseason, according to MLB.com. Votto struggled with a distal strain of his quad near his left knee. General manager Walt Jocketty said the team is "getting good reports" on Votto's progress. Votto hit .255/.390/.409 over 220 at-bats last season.

Although the Mets are in the market for a shortstop, general manager Sandy Alderson said Wednesday he won't panic if Wilmer Flores is the opening day shortstop in 2015, according to The Star-Ledger.

While Flores hit .251 in 78 games, he actually hit well down the stretch. He batted .267 with a .489 slugging percentage, .791 OPS, one triple, four home runs, six doubles, 13 RBI and 15 runs over his final 23 games. He also had a .979 fielding percentage at shortstop in 2014.

While the Royals talked to the Phillies about first baseman Ryan Howard, Kansas City showed little interest in trading for the veteran slugger, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The Royals responded to Philadelphia's inquiry by saying, "We're concentrating on pitching."

The Royals are showing interest in acquiring Phillies veteran first baseman Ryan Howard, according to USA Today.

The Phillies are trying to trade Howard and the $60 million remaining on his contract. The Royals are unlikely to take on that much money, but if the Phillies will pay most of the contract, the Royals could be interested in trading for Howard, who turns 35 on Nov. 19.

The Royals have had internal discussions about acquiring Howard, according to the report. They believe Howard could replace Billy Butler as the team's DH and be the 20-homer, 75-RBI threat they need to get back to the World Series.

Although, a source told the Philadelphia Daily News that Howard isn't considered the top option for the Royals. Trading for Howard could be an option down the road, if the team's first few options don't pan out.

The Phillies met Monday with the agent for Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas, according to CSNPhilly.com. The two sides have been in talks since Tomas worked out for the Phillies in September.

"There are several teams that I could say are frontrunners, but yes (the Phillies are one of them)," Jay Alou said at the general managers' meetings Monday. "We continue to speak. I know they have things in-house they want to take care of. We’ve been talking. I respect (general manager) Ruben (Amaro Jr.) a lot and he respects me."

The Phillies are expected to make an offer for Tomas, but no formal offer has been made yet, according to Alou. The Padres, Tigers, Mets and Giants are some of the other teams showing interest in Tomas.

Tomas is a power-hitting corner outfielder. Alou said his client has "a lot more" power than White Sox slugger Jose Abreu, who hit 36 home runs as a rookie in 2014.

"With the way home runs are going, this is a guy who can hit 40," Alou said. "He can miss balls and hit them out. Tomas is a very impressive hitter. I represent Jose Bautista and he hits a lot of home runs. I’ve never seen a guy hit them as far (as Tomas)."