MLB Player News

USA TODAY reports that the Yankees want to trade for Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson. They would be willing to deal outfielder Brett Gardner and are looking to involve an unidentified third team.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians have considered locking Masterson up with a multi-year deal, but they have been listening to offers for the 28-year-old hurler as well, even though they are reluctant to deal him.

 The Mariners are continuing their pursuit of Rays starting pitcher David Price, and believe they have a trump card if they want to pull the trigger. CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported Monday the Mariners believe Price would be theirs if they were willing to include pitching prospect Taijuan Walker.

The Mariners are hesitant to include Walker or fellow prospect James Paxton, and are instead looking to build an offer around a series of position prospects. 

The Indians are open to trading starting pitcher Justin Masterson at the winter meetings, according to FOXSports.com. Masterson is entering his final season before free agency, and the Indians are reportedly looking for replacements that will be around longer.

Masterson made his first All-Star game last season, while going 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA in 193 innings. He has been with the Indians since 2009, when he was acquired via trade with the Red Sox. 

MASN.com reports that the Orioles are considering re-signing pitcher Jason Hammel. In a 2013 season marked by declining performance and a layoff of over a month due to a forearm injury, Hammel went 7-8 with a 4.97 ERA.

On Monday, ESPN.com reported that the Indians had interest in signing Hammel, but they decided to look for a less expensive pitching option.

Yahoo! Sports reports that the White Sox are looking to trade one of their starting pitchers this offseason. Their top preference would be to deal John Danks, but he still has three years and $42.75 million left on his contract, making it improbable that he can be traded.

Jose Quintana and Hector Santiago are also on the market, though the White Sox were unwilling to part with Quintana in a deal to acquire third baseman Chase Headley from the Padres, according to previous reports.

FOXSports.com reports that the White Sox will listen to offers for rotation ace Chris Sale. One general manager at the Winter Meetings said he thought "teams are pushing Chicago to consider" trading the 24-year-old lefty.

Sale finished the 2013 season with a 3.07 ERA and ranked fourth in the majors with 226 strikeouts.

The Padres and White Sox had worked out a deal involving Padres third baseman Chase Headley, but the White Sox were unwilling to part with pitcher Jose Quintana, Comcast SportsNet reports.

The White Sox are balking at surrendering five years of team control of Quintana for just one season of Headley, who is scheduled to reach free agency after the 2014 season. White Sox pitcher Hector Santiago was also floated in trade talks but the Padres were more interested in Quintana.

Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette told MASN.com that the organization is still not clear whether Kevin Gausman will serve as a starter or a reliever heading into next season. "We can decide that in spring training," Duquette said, adding, "I think long-term, he is more valuable to the club as a starting pitcher."

Gausman made five starts and 15 relief appearances as a rookie, finishing with a 3-5 record, a 5.66 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 47 2/3 innings.

The Rockies acquired starting pitcher Jordan Lyles along with outfielder Brandon Barnes from the Astros Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Dexter Fowler. Lyles, who Baseball America ranked among its top 100 prospects in 2010 and 2011, compiled a 5.35 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in three seasons with the Astros.

He had a couple of encouraging stretches in 2013, but his season ended with him allowing seven earned runs in back-to-back starts in September. He allowed four earned runs over five innings in his only career start at Coors Field back in 2012.

The Indians tendered contracts to six of nine arbitration-eligible players Monday, including pitchers Justin Masterson, Mark Rzepczynski, Vinnie Pestano and Josh Tomlin, as well as outfielders Michael Brantley and Drew Stubbs.

According to MLB.com, the team avoided arbitration with two other players, signing relievers Frank Hermann and Blake Wood to one-year contracts, each worth $560,000 for '14.