MLB Player News

While the Phillies have had some issues trying to trade veteran first baseman Ryan Howard, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. made it very clear that the team is not just going to give away the 35-year-old slugger.

"The fact that we’ve been so public makes people think we’ll release him. That won’t happen. He’ll play for the Phillies if we don’t trade him. And hopefully he will play his butt off," Amaro said Saturday, according to FOX Sports.

"He has things to prove. He’s finally healthy. He’s preparing himself really well . . .  (A trade) is best for both parties, but there is a point of diminishing returns. At some point, we’re going to keep him, let him produce. Someone will have a need for him. He may be worth more later in the year or next year."

Howard is under contract through the 2016 season. He is set to make $25 million the next two seasons. He also has a $23 million team option for 2017, which includes a $10 million buyout.

According to ESPN, Howard can block trades to 20 teams. The nine teams not on his no-trade list are Tigers, Royals, Angels, Mariners, Yankees, Rangers, Rays, Orioles and Red Sox.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson hasn't rushed into a move this offseason to acquire a shortstop, and it appears the team will head to spring training with Wilmer Flores and Ruben Tejada vying for the starting shortstop job.

"We’ve continued to have conversations, but nothing is likely to occur," Alderson told the New York Post.

While Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. looks to trade first baseman Ryan Howard, there are some obstacles to completing a deal, including Howard being able to block trades to 20 teams, according to ESPN.

Under the terms of Howard's contract, the 35-year-old veteran can only be traded to nine teams without his permission. Those nine teams are the Tigers, Royals, Angels, Mariners, Yankees, Rangers, Rays, Orioles and Red Sox, a source familiar with Howard's contract told ESPN.

Howard, who hit .223 with 23 home runs and 95 RBI in 153 games in 2014, still has two years left on his contract. He is due to make $25 million each of the next two seasons. He also has a $23 million team option for 2017, which includes a $10 million buyout.

The Phillies could become involved in the market for free-agent infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, ESPN.com reports.

The Phillies traded their longtime starter at shortstop to the Dodgers this offseason and will be looking to fill that hole in the infield. However, the team will have to shed some additional payroll in order to make a run at the infielder, according to the report. Cabrera hit .241/.307/.387 with 14 home runs, 61 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 553 at-bats between Cleveland and Washington in 2014.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson indicated Tuesday there is a "very high" probability Wilmer Flores will be the team's opening day shortstop. His comment comes during the same meeting with the media he said the Mets are "unlikely" to submit a bid for Korean shortstop Jung-Ho Kang.

"We've been looking at it. We've been talking to Alan Nero, who has represented Kang," Alderson said Tuesday, per ESPN. "It's about the transition from the Korean league to Major League Baseball. It's about questions surrounding the player's ability to stay shortstop -- or possibly having to move elsewhere. Those are really the two major issues for us. I'm not saying we won't make a bid, but I'd say right now it's less likely."

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.