MLB Player News

The Nationals have agreed to terms with right-hander Stephen Strasburg, avoiding arbitration for the 2015 season, per the team's official website. According to the Washington Post, Strasburg will receive $7.4 million in 2015. He made $3.975 million in 2014.

Strasburg, 26, registered an 3.14 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP and 242:43 K:BB ratio over 34 starts (215 innings) in 2014. He lost his only start in the postseason, coughing up two runs -- one earned -- over five innings of work. He has a career 3.02 ERA through his first five seasons in the majors.

The Rangers have had conversations for Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, but money remains an issue, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Hamels is owed $96 million over the next four seasons, and that's too much for Texas. The team would like Philadelphia to kick in some cash, but that will be dependent on the prospects the Rangers are willing to send back. The Rangers are not on Hamels' no-trade list, so he wouldn't have to approve a deal if the two sides came to an agreement. 

The 31-year-old Hamels is coming off a season in which he posted a 2.46 ERA over 204 2/3 innings. 

The Cardinals have agreed to a three-year, $22 million deal with starting pitcher Lance Lynn, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. The deal covers Lynn's final three years of arbitration.

"We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Lance,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. “His performance has led to much success for both he and the Cardinals organization, and we look forward to his continued growth as both a pitcher and team leader.”

Lynn won at least 15 games for a third straight season in 2014. The one-time All-Star is 48-26 with a 3.48 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 97 career MLB starts. He also is striking out 8.6 batters per nine innings as an MLB starter. 

The Rockies have avoided arbitration with pitcher Jordan Lyles, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. 

Lyles is set to receive $2.475 million next season. The 24-year-old posted a 4.33 ERA over 126 2/3 innings last year. Lyles is expected to open the season in the team's rotation. 

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton, who is coming off late September hip surgery, will throw off a mound Tuesday for the first time since the operation, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Morton remains hopeful of being ready to pitch in April. He went 6-12 with a 3.72 ERA in 26 starts in 2014.

The Padres are showing interest in dealing for Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

No trade is imminent, but some believe San Diego has a better shot than most teams to land Hamels. That's due to their ability to offer decent prospects, and their willingness to go all in this season.

Outfielder Wil Myers has been a rumored name in offers for Hamels, but he hasn't been involved in the most recent proposals. Instead, the Padres would have to offer a strong package of prospects. 

The 31-year-old Hamels is due $96 million over the next four seasons, and that could play a role in whether the deal gets done. Philly may have to eat some salary, but that's likely dependant on the package of players they receive. Hamels is coming off a season in which he posted a 2.46 ERA over 204 2/3 innings. 

A three-team trade involving the Mets, Nationals and Rays, which included players Ian Desmond and Ben Zobrist, had been discussed recently, but fell through after the Mets balked at the Rays asking price, sources told FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal. 

The talks unfolded with the Nationals trading Desmond to the Rays for Zobrist and Yunel Escobar, who were eventually traded to the Athletics on Saturday. The Rays would have then dealt Desmond to the Mets, who are looking for an upgrade at shortstop.

Unfortunately, the Mets chose not to pursue the deal after the Rays requested two top prospects from a list of three, which New York considered too much for Desmond, who will be a free agent after the 2015 season. The Rays' list included Mets top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard. It is not known who the other two targets were.

The Mets were also engaged with the Rays in a trade for Zobrist, but once again the Rays wanted two top prospects and the Mets did not want to make that deal. Zobrist will also be a free agent after the 2015 season.

The Cardinals are considering trading for Cole Hamels or David Price, and are also exploring the option of signing Max Scherzer, according to FoxSports.com.

While St. Louis has shown interest in both Hamels and Price, no deal is close, according to the report. The club is reportedly concerned with the rotation depth behind Lance Lynn. Adam Wainwright is the team's ace, but is coming off elbow surgery. Michael Wacha also had arm issues last season. 

St. Louis is reportedly more interested in picking up a left-handed starter, but the cost to acquire Hamels is high. The club would have to part with pitching prospects Carlos Martinez or Marco Gonzalez. Outfielders Randal Grichuk or Stephen Piscotty would have to be considered as well. 

Price may be cheaper, as he's under contract for just one more season. If the team brings in Price, the thought is that they would attempt to sign him to a long-term contract. 

Johnny Cueto's agent, Bryce Dixon, will give the Reds through the winter and spring to try to negotiate for a long-term deal, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports. Cueto is seeking for a contract comparable to Jon Lester and Max Scherzer.

"He'll give it until Opening Day," Dixon said by phone. "Then he's going to be focused on the season and trying to do what he can for Cincinnati. If something happens, we're probably to keep it to this off-season. We're not going to be looking to do something this summer."

Cueto, who won a career-high 20 games in 2014, is in the final year of a five-year, $36.2 million contract. He posted a 2.25 ERA and 242:65 K:BB ratio over 243 2/3 innings last season.

>> Want more Hot Stove? Free agent tracker | Trade tracker

The Phillies have signed first baseman Chris McGuiness and pitchers Sean O'Sullivan and Kevin Slowey to minor league contracts.

The Phillies released O'Sullivan after the season. McGuinness earned 34 at-bats with Texas in 2013, but did not play at the major league level last year. Slowey was released by Miami in June after a poor performance.