MLB Player News

The Rays are close to a deal with infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The 29-year-old Cabrera spent all of his career with the Indians before being traded to the Nationals in July. The two-time All-Star hit .241 with 14 home runs, 31 doubles and 61 RBI in 146 games in 2014. He has a career .268/.330/.409/.740 slash line over eight MLB seasons.

In 24 career games at Tropicana Field, Cabrera has a .237 average, two triples, three home runs, four doubles and nine RBI.

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."

Teams have contacted the Indians about slugger Carlos Santana, according to FOX Sports reporter Jon Morosi. However, no deal is close.

The 28-year-old Santana is owed $14.25 million over the next two seasons. He has a $12 million team option for 2017, which includes a $1.2 million buyout. 

Santana hit just .231 in 152 games in 2014, but he tied a career-best with 27 home runs and had a career-high 113 walks. He also had 25 doubles and a career-best 85 RBI.

The Blue Jays announced Monday they claimed first baseman/outfielder Chris Colabello off waivers from the Twins. Colabello hit .214 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI in 114 games over the last two seasons for Minnesota.

Twins first baseman Chris Colabello said his injured right thumb is almost healed, according to the Pioneer Press. He will not need surgery after a series of doctor visits.

Colabello said he hopes to start his normal offseason hitting routine in the next few weeks. Colabello was having lingering issues with his right thumb as as a result of getting jammed on a pitch during an April 23 game against the Rays.

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."