MLB Rumors: D-backs Kick Tires on Bregman; Imai Finalists Narrow; Yankees Eye Weaver Reunion
D-backs Weigh Bregman Amid Marte Chatter
The Diamondbacks are talking about trading Ketel Marte, who has five years and $91 million left on his deal, MLB Network reports.Bregman is said to be available Monday•Astros GM James Click said Monday he could trade Carlos Correa or José Altuve. If the Diamondbacks find a taker for Marte, Bregman could lead an infield that also has top prospect Jordan Lawlar to provide flexibility at second or third base. It would be a significant reset for a contender, and the rumors of late-summer clubhouse issues involving Marte give that speculation some context.
Imai, King Pitching Markets Heat Up
On the pitching side, Japanese NPB ace Tatsuya Imai is expected to make his decision before the Jan. 2 posting deadline with the Yankees, Cubs and Phillies seen as frontrunners and Dodgers viewed unpreferred (Wall Street Journal). Imai is fresh off a sterling season that included a 1.92 ERA and a 3.96 strikeout-to-walk ratio working his way through (approximately) 163 innings, with mid-90s velocity and a forkball-esque slider; evaluators envisioned immediate No. 3 potential. Michael King by Screenshot from @MLB Michael King Could Have A New Home Soon (MLB. com’s Mark Feinsand), joining the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Orioles and Mets in the mix for his services after he registered a 134 ERA+ and a 3.65 FIP over 45 starts and one relief appearance with San Diego over the past two seasons.
Mets’ Rotation Shuffle; Yankees-Weaver Talk; Giants and Reds Make Moves
The Mets continue to look at rotation-driven trades for David Stearns with David Peterson and Kodai Senga being made available contract-for-contract in order to bring back frontline help, but the service of promising youngster Nolan McLean (ESPN). The Yankees lost Devin Williams to the Mets, and have mutual interest in a reunion with free-agent reliever Luke Weaver (The Athletic). Elsewhere, the Giants reached a two-year, $22 million deal with right-hander Adrian Houser (ESPN), who was outstanding for the White Sox (11 starts, 6–2, 2.10 ERA, 3.0 WAR) before a more uneven turn with the Rays (10 starts, 4.79 ERA), and the Reds signed lefty Caleb Ferguson to a one-year deal (Cincinnati Enquirer) after he made 70 appearances with a 3.58 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP as well as three postseason appearances for Seattle.