The first day of 2016 is in the books, and we're now seven weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Florida and Arizona for spring training. It sounds so close and yet so far at the same time. Considering how many quality free agents remain unsigned, these next seven weeks are going to be pretty busy.
New Year's Day was fairly slow in the baseball world. Here's a recap of the day's hot stove news from around the league.
ROSTER MOVES & TRANSACTIONS
Astros: Signed OF Eury Perez and RHP Cesar Valdez to minor league contracts, the team announced. Both players received invitations to major league spring training.
RUMORS & NEWS
LHP Clay Rapada: Rapada, a free agent, will pitch for the Philippines in the upcoming World Baseball Classic qualifiers. He'll retire after the tournament and take a scouting job. (Fox Sports)
Marlins: Still hope to sign a starting pitcher. They're mulling over reclamation projects like RHP Doug Fister, LHP Cliff Lee and RHP Edwin Jackson. (Miami Herald)
Royals: Still pursuing rotation help. (ESPN)
White Sox: Open to signing OF Alex Gordon or OF Yoenis Cespedes to a contract of three years or less. That seems unlikely to happen. (USA Today)