MLB Player News

Juan Nicasio is considered the favorite to win the fifth spot in the Rockies' rotation, according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post. Jordan Lyles could be Nicasio's top competition for the final spot in the rotation, according to Renck.

It wouldn't be surprising if Rockies starting pitcher Jordan Lyles, who was acquired in a trade with Houston in December, spends the 2014 season pitching in the minors, according to The Denver Post.

There is a feeling within the Rockies' organization the 23-year-old starting pitcher was rushed to the majors, as evidence by his 14-29 record, 5.35 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in his first three MLB seasons.

Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez is participating in the Dominican Winter League this offseason, MLB.com reports.

Martinez asked for and received permission to pitch in the DWL, but the organization will monitor his pitch counts and workload. He is expected to compete for a spot in the rotation next season after serving as a reliever in 2013.

The Braves were unwilling to meet the Rays' asking price of pitcher Alex Wood, catcher Christian Bethancourt and at least two other top prospects to acquire David Price, nor were they willing to trade outfielders Justin Upton or Jason Heyward in a package for Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija, MLB.com reports.

The Braves instead signed Gavin Floyd to a one-year deal rather than trade multiple significant pieces to acquire a proven ace. It appears to be a seller's market with regards to starting pitching that could potentially be traded this offseason.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Phillies signed the following players to minor league deals Wednesday: catcher Lou Marson, outfielders Tony Gwynn and Dave Sappelt and pitcher Sean O'Sullivan. Each player received a spring training invite.

Marson began his major league career with the Phillies, but has spent the last four-and-a-half seasons with the Indians.

Gwynn spent most of 2013 at Triple-A Albuquerque in the Dodgers' system, hitting .300 with 12 steals. Sappelt appeared in 31 games with the Cubs and compiled a .240 batting average.

O'Sullivan made three starts and four relief appearances for the Padres last season and went 0-2 with a 3.96 ERA.

The Cubs have offered to trade pitcher Jeff Samardzija to the Blue Jays for prospect pitchers Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman as well as a third player, the Toronto Sun reports. However, the Blue Jays aren't willing to meet that asking price.

"I don’t know if I could quantify how far off that they might be," Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "We continue to have dialogue, so if you want to look at that as encouraging, I don’t know. It’s not so far out of the realm that we won’t continue to have talks."

Sanchez, 21, went 4-5 with a 3.34 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 75:40 K:BB ratio in 86 1/3 innings with high Class A Dunedin last season. Stroman, 22, went 9-5 with a 3.30 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 129:27 K:BB ratio in 111 2/3 innings with Double-A New Hampshire.

Mets manager Terry Collins told the New York Daily News he is looking for starting pitcher Zack Wheeler to exceed 200 innings in his first full major league season. Collins said, "He had [168 2/3 innings] last year, so he should get over 200 if he goes out there 30-something times."

With the absence of Matt Harvey due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery, the Mets will need Wheeler, who made his major league debut in June, to play a more prominent role in the rotation.

Yahoo! Sports reports that the Pirates signed starting pitcher Charlie Morton to a three-year contract extension Wednesday. The deal will pay the sinkerballer $21 million through 2016 and includes a $9.5 million team option for 2017 as well as incentives and a $1 million buyout.

Morton was arbitration eligible and set to become a free agent after the 2014 season. In 2013, he made 20 starts in his return from Tommy John surgery, going 7-4 with a 3.26 ERA.

Nationals manager Matt Williams believes Stephen Strasburg will be ready for spring training, according to The Washington Post.

Strasburg had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow early in the offseason, and there was some thought he might need some time to get ready during camp. Williams said Strasburg's rehab was going well. Strasburg had a 3.00 ERA in 183 innings last season.

The Phillies have told teams they are willing to discuss pitchers Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee, according to ESPN.

Hamels signed a long-term extension in 2012, and is owed about $22.5 million per season through 2018. The deal also includes an option for $20 million. He had a 3.60 ERA in 220 innings. Lee is owed $50 million over the next two seasons. He has a $27.5 million option for 2016. Lee had a 2.87 ERA in 222 2/3 innings last season. The Phillies will not eat any money, according to CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman.